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The First Time
25 YA authors writing about “Firsts�... first kisses, first loves, first zombie slayings, first realizations ...
333 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2011
8 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Verday
13books1,776followersJessica Verday is the New York Times bestselling author of The Hollow Trilogy, published by Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse. She wrote the first draft of THE HOLLOW by hand, using thirteen spiral-bound notebooks and fifteen black pens. The first draft of THE HAUNTED took fifteen spiral-bound notebooks and twenty black pens. THE HIDDEN took too many notebooks and too many pens to count. Find out more at jessicaverday.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 4, 2011
I loved this book. The title doesn't like-this book is all about firsts. The authors' emotions via the characters come through beautifully. The reader will get to know and like the characters in a very short story-that takes skill, usually it would take the reader roughly 6-7 chapters before taking a true liking to a character.
The characters as a whole were likable. The love interests varied from author to author, the reader will not be disappointed. The differents quirks and traits of the characters made them stand out-another quality that isn't that easy to do in a compilation of short stories.
The events were fast-paced (well, this IS a bunch of short stories). The authors, for the most part, described the characters' feelings and thoughts with a lot of detail-the reader won't have to struggle to get inside a characters' head. Overall, this book is highly recommended to young adults/teens.
The characters as a whole were likable. The love interests varied from author to author, the reader will not be disappointed. The differents quirks and traits of the characters made them stand out-another quality that isn't that easy to do in a compilation of short stories.
The events were fast-paced (well, this IS a bunch of short stories). The authors, for the most part, described the characters' feelings and thoughts with a lot of detail-the reader won't have to struggle to get inside a characters' head. Overall, this book is highly recommended to young adults/teens.
April 17, 2012
Oh man, I gotta write this all fast so I won’t lose it.
That’s what this book is like. Each story is a temporal joy, a penultimate example of escapism. That’s what makes short stories great, really, and adding the fast-paced, attention sucking power of YA flick-lit to the mix only helps. There were more times than I can count over the last week where I found myself having to allot time to this anthology (and routinely running over said allotted time), or else I’d just plow through the whole thing at once. But I knew I needed to digest each story I read so I could write rationally about it later.
The First Time is a collection of YA short stories featuring “firsts”–first loves, first jobs, first zombie slaying–that will ring true with audiences from fifteen to fifty. There’s a delightful smattering of every YA sub-genre, from comedy to dystopian to urban fantasy. I didn’t leave a single story in this anthology feeling like it couldn’t compare to the others; there were so many excellent contributions (many from new or relatively unknown authors) that I was constantly logging onto Amazon to add new authors to my wish list. If you even have a passing interest in the genre, you will love this anthology.
And it’s only $2.99 (eBook only)!
Here were the real stand-out stories (in the order that they appear):
Cart Princess, by Kristina Springer � This is the kind of story where the character makes it a masterpiece. I couldn’t help but remember working a menial service job as a teenager, spying on that guy who works in produce (yeah, I had one, too) and wondering if he thinks about you as much as you think about him. But Ronnie brings it all a hilarious, absent-minded flavor my produce crush never had.
Against the World, by Jennifer Brown � The best different kind of love story. A look through the eyes of a teen mom, belittled and degraded, never knowing if she’s going to make it–or if her daughter will turn out right. Brown paints every one of our teen mom’s thoughts with duplicitous uncertainty and the utmost authenticity.
Selling Mr. Peanut, by Laura Zielin � I tend to overlook the simple in favor of the grand and epic–but one thing this anthology specialized in was artfully crafting the simple. There was something about the “first job� stories that really stood out, I suppose because anyone can identify with them.
Turn Here, by Jackson Pierce � The variety in this anthology didn’t stop at sub-genre, but the stories varied dramatically by length as well. Turn Here somehow weaves Jimmy Carter’s head, peanut brittle, and a Georgia beauty pageant into a clever scavenger hunt, and I couldn’t help but want to see more of Pierce’s work.
Some Awards:
Most Artistic: Kissing the Dog-faced Boy, by Saundra Mitchell � I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a reader say they didn’t find temporal shifts jarring–because they are, that’s all there is to it–but Saundra Mitchell uses time transitions in a strangely clever and satisfying manner. Plus, it’s about a geek show. How could you not love it?
Most Rib-Poppingly Hilarious: Romeo and What’s-Her-Name, by Shani Petroff � Read it. Just� just read it. That’s all I can say.
Most Depressing: Freedom, by Cyn Balog � I know “Most Depressing� sounds like the worst category ever, but Freedom is all about that relationship you can’t get rid of. That person in your life who drives you crazy, who makes you miserable and delighted at the same time, but who you just can’t tear yourself away from. The variety of storytelling in this anthology is vast, but the shifts are never sudden, and I deeply admire editors Verday and Stapleton for getting that right.
Best Fantasy Story: Looking Through One Eye, by Jon Skovron � This story features not one, but two male protagonists, each being interviewed by the FBI. But what are they looking for? How are they connected? Jon’s writing is clever and secretive. It’s not often you get two tales with a single, righteous twist.
Best Reality Story: Evan and Penny, by Jenny Moss � Verday and Stapleton crafted The First Time collection in the five-act style of a single, united work. Evan and Penny is, if anything, the climax of the book–the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the brownie and cookie and eventually, the cupcake. I could just kiss Jenny Moss.
There were a couple stories that left me hanging–wishing I knew more, wishing I could see the outcome. Sweet Truth (Stacey Jay) and Two of a Kind (Janet Gurtler) felt like they needed to be at least twice as long, if not a full-length novel.
I have to thank those two editors for putting this collection together, even if as authors they didn’t make any grand contributions. I also did not include my friend J.A. Yang‘s Perfect Firsts story in this review because I am, naturally, biased. It was obviously the best one of the lot. Go check it out.
That’s what this book is like. Each story is a temporal joy, a penultimate example of escapism. That’s what makes short stories great, really, and adding the fast-paced, attention sucking power of YA flick-lit to the mix only helps. There were more times than I can count over the last week where I found myself having to allot time to this anthology (and routinely running over said allotted time), or else I’d just plow through the whole thing at once. But I knew I needed to digest each story I read so I could write rationally about it later.
The First Time is a collection of YA short stories featuring “firsts”–first loves, first jobs, first zombie slaying–that will ring true with audiences from fifteen to fifty. There’s a delightful smattering of every YA sub-genre, from comedy to dystopian to urban fantasy. I didn’t leave a single story in this anthology feeling like it couldn’t compare to the others; there were so many excellent contributions (many from new or relatively unknown authors) that I was constantly logging onto Amazon to add new authors to my wish list. If you even have a passing interest in the genre, you will love this anthology.
And it’s only $2.99 (eBook only)!
Here were the real stand-out stories (in the order that they appear):
Cart Princess, by Kristina Springer � This is the kind of story where the character makes it a masterpiece. I couldn’t help but remember working a menial service job as a teenager, spying on that guy who works in produce (yeah, I had one, too) and wondering if he thinks about you as much as you think about him. But Ronnie brings it all a hilarious, absent-minded flavor my produce crush never had.
Against the World, by Jennifer Brown � The best different kind of love story. A look through the eyes of a teen mom, belittled and degraded, never knowing if she’s going to make it–or if her daughter will turn out right. Brown paints every one of our teen mom’s thoughts with duplicitous uncertainty and the utmost authenticity.
Selling Mr. Peanut, by Laura Zielin � I tend to overlook the simple in favor of the grand and epic–but one thing this anthology specialized in was artfully crafting the simple. There was something about the “first job� stories that really stood out, I suppose because anyone can identify with them.
Turn Here, by Jackson Pierce � The variety in this anthology didn’t stop at sub-genre, but the stories varied dramatically by length as well. Turn Here somehow weaves Jimmy Carter’s head, peanut brittle, and a Georgia beauty pageant into a clever scavenger hunt, and I couldn’t help but want to see more of Pierce’s work.
Some Awards:
Most Artistic: Kissing the Dog-faced Boy, by Saundra Mitchell � I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a reader say they didn’t find temporal shifts jarring–because they are, that’s all there is to it–but Saundra Mitchell uses time transitions in a strangely clever and satisfying manner. Plus, it’s about a geek show. How could you not love it?
Most Rib-Poppingly Hilarious: Romeo and What’s-Her-Name, by Shani Petroff � Read it. Just� just read it. That’s all I can say.
Most Depressing: Freedom, by Cyn Balog � I know “Most Depressing� sounds like the worst category ever, but Freedom is all about that relationship you can’t get rid of. That person in your life who drives you crazy, who makes you miserable and delighted at the same time, but who you just can’t tear yourself away from. The variety of storytelling in this anthology is vast, but the shifts are never sudden, and I deeply admire editors Verday and Stapleton for getting that right.
Best Fantasy Story: Looking Through One Eye, by Jon Skovron � This story features not one, but two male protagonists, each being interviewed by the FBI. But what are they looking for? How are they connected? Jon’s writing is clever and secretive. It’s not often you get two tales with a single, righteous twist.
Best Reality Story: Evan and Penny, by Jenny Moss � Verday and Stapleton crafted The First Time collection in the five-act style of a single, united work. Evan and Penny is, if anything, the climax of the book–the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the brownie and cookie and eventually, the cupcake. I could just kiss Jenny Moss.
There were a couple stories that left me hanging–wishing I knew more, wishing I could see the outcome. Sweet Truth (Stacey Jay) and Two of a Kind (Janet Gurtler) felt like they needed to be at least twice as long, if not a full-length novel.
I have to thank those two editors for putting this collection together, even if as authors they didn’t make any grand contributions. I also did not include my friend J.A. Yang‘s Perfect Firsts story in this review because I am, naturally, biased. It was obviously the best one of the lot. Go check it out.
October 31, 2012
I picked up this book because I thought it was a fantasy collection, the girl on the cover looks like a princess. However, it turns out it is not. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple stories that would be considered fantasy or science fiction, one dystopian future short in particular caught me, "The Sweet Truth" by Stacey Jay. The world was fascinating, but the story was too short. "Looking Through One Eye" by Jon Skovron was also an interesting story, very well told, but again too short. "Perfect Firsts" by J. A. Yang had a fantastic basis, but it ended too quickly. In fact that was the problem with many of the stories, they felt like they were precursors to novels, rather than true short stories. I was dissatisfied with many of their endings.
I would say of all of them "Freedom" by Cyn Balog was the only one that wrapped up in a way that I was able to put down the book and mediate on the story without wondering what happened next.
That aside I did enjoy it, and in the end it didn't matter what genre the stories fell into. A good read for traveling or commuting because you can put it down and pick it up again easily.
I would say of all of them "Freedom" by Cyn Balog was the only one that wrapped up in a way that I was able to put down the book and mediate on the story without wondering what happened next.
That aside I did enjoy it, and in the end it didn't matter what genre the stories fell into. A good read for traveling or commuting because you can put it down and pick it up again easily.
January 12, 2012
The First Time, edited by Jessica Verday with Rhonda Stapleton is a collection of amazing shorts stories by twenty-six amazing authors.
I was so surprised how much I loved these stories about various “first� times from first loves to first arrests to first murders.
My two favorites were Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie and Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron.
Without giving it away, let me say that the title is a brilliant piece of advertising. Fans who have read McKenzie’s YA novels, Sliding on the Edge and The Princess of Las Pulgas know her lyrical style and surprising plot twists. Premeditated Cat will not disappoint them. To say Nikki is a clever and resource heroine is an understatement.
In Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron, we are treated to a rarity in YA fiction: male protagonists; twin brothers, in fact, with certain “abilities� that land them in trouble. The relationship between Eric and Galveston tugged at my heart strings.
I was so surprised how much I loved these stories about various “first� times from first loves to first arrests to first murders.
My two favorites were Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie and Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron.
Without giving it away, let me say that the title is a brilliant piece of advertising. Fans who have read McKenzie’s YA novels, Sliding on the Edge and The Princess of Las Pulgas know her lyrical style and surprising plot twists. Premeditated Cat will not disappoint them. To say Nikki is a clever and resource heroine is an understatement.
In Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron, we are treated to a rarity in YA fiction: male protagonists; twin brothers, in fact, with certain “abilities� that land them in trouble. The relationship between Eric and Galveston tugged at my heart strings.
March 19, 2012
Originally posted at:
What do a zombie apocalypse, a cart princess and a goldfish have in common? They are three of the twenty-five themes represented in this intensely compelling anthology that delves into the experiences of The First Time.
There’s something here to satisfy almost anyone’s preference when these twenty-five super talented young adult writers collaborated on this seductive literary work. I say seductive because once you start reading you won’t want to put it down. The stories draw you in and bring your emotions to the forefront wither you’re laughing, cringing, crying or cheering. Some of the stories end on happy notes, others leave the reader suspended on a cliff hanger, still others give hope for the future and two or three simply end. It’s almost as if the writers gave us an extended story prompt with expectations we’ll finish the story our way. It’s both exciting and frustrating.
In particular, siblings Danny and Julie’s story left me in tears of the “what’s next?� in Carrie Ryan’s A Game of Firsts. As did Hope’s story in Sweet Truth by Stacey Jay. I NEED to know how the author envisioned these stories continuing and more importantly, how they end.
There are several funny stories where I was laughing out loud at the antics and the dialogue of the characters. Kristina Springer’s Cart Princess is a humorous take on a young girl’s first job working in a grocery store. Who ever imagined there was a dating hierarchy in the convenience shopping arena? Certainly not Veronica. You’ll love how she manages to break the ice with the hot produce guy.
In Romeo and What’s Her Name by Shani Petroff we meet Emily who agrees to be the understudy to the lead in her best friend’s play. Why not? Understudies almost never have to perform, right? Wrong! I could totally relate to Emily’s predicament which made the story all the more hilarious.
What if you were the only non-super born into a family of superheros? Jane knows first hand how it feels but don’t count her out…someone has to be the bait to draw out the baddies. Once Burned, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday is a very funny novella with a sweet romance in the end.
Next, step out of your comfort zone with Rhonda Stapleton’s Heart On. Matt’s first date with Jessica doesn’t go quite the way he imagined but the future is looking pretty bright.
If you tend to lean towards the young adult books that are sweet with happy endings you might enjoy Green Glass Reflection by Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin, Turn Here by Jackson Pearce, Evan and Penny by Jenny Moss or Against the World by Jennifer Brown. Each story is unique as it is sweet.
As a daughter and a mother I could empathize with the generation gap between Alex and her mom in Turn Here. In this story they take an impromptu road trip across Georgia when Alex comes upon a pre-programed GPS meant for someone else. Their story proves it’s both the journey as well as the destination that matters. For this mother/daughter duo the roads they travel emotionally are more important than the ones lead by the GPS.
Evan and Penny was another of this group where I had no trouble connecting with the heroine. Penny is average. Actually, her word is “mediocre�. Really, she’s simply normal in a family where you’re not celebrated unless you do something to stand out. I liked that Penny met someone like Evan and was given a fun day. No judging. No pressure. A very sweet beginning.
I was inspired to consider possibilities and other points of view in The First Goldfish of McKinley High by Sydney Salter, The First Time I Got Stranded in the Really Big Empty by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Two of a Kind by Janet Gurtler, When Skies are Gray by Leigh Brescia, The Trouble With Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, Azalea by Kurtis Scaletta, Kissing The Dog-Faced Boy by Saudra Mitchell, Freedom by Cyn Balog and Perfect Firsts by J.A. Yang. There are few cliffhangers among this set and several surprises.
Two of a Kind and The Trouble with Firsts were two of my favorites. Ms Gurtler does an amazing job of painting her hero, anti-hero really, Fab, as a jaded drug using son of a famous rocker. He’s seventeen and pretty much on his own. Fab has lived so hard and seen so much in his young life he’s forgotten what it feels like to be innocent…until he met Molly. The premise is clever and the ending…hopeful.
In The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, friends Mattie and Ian learn a timely lesson about realizing the value of loving what’s right in front of you rather than what you think you might want. Ms. Tahmaseb is a terrific writing voice that truly brought this story to life. There is some pretty funny dialogue in this one that kept it from being overly serious. Considering the tension surrounding stories that come just before and just after, it was refreshing.
There are several paranormal and/or futuristic stories included in this book including Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron, Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie, The Corridor by Teri Hall, Fly to Me by Heidi Kling and The Shark King by Lauren Bjorkman. I saved these for last because I think these may have been my favorite genre explored within the anthology. It’s hard to say which one or ones I liked best because they’re all so different and entertaining. I will say I would love to read an extended version of The Shark King and The Corridor. So many unanswered questions and so much room to expand on these stories.
Fly to Me both stole my breath and left me with hope for the future. Told in first person it begins in a turbulent future set in Paris, France. The young people of the world are being taken and transformed against their will. Though a few seem to welcome the change when it comes other less fortunate few do not accept the change well and become hideous hybrids; not man and not quite beast. I cried for much of the beginning and breathed a sigh of hopeful relief when the story came to a close. I won’t say it’s a happily-ever-after but it’s the best these characters can hope for. It was enough.
You might think with twenty-five different authors there might be one or more stories that weren’t up to par with the others. That wasn’t my experience at all with The First Time. These talented and creative storytellers cover a wide variety of genres and writing styles and yet they complement one another. If the anthology had been structured to only include contemporaries or only comedies it wouldn’t have been the same emotional ride for the readers. If you try to read this whole book in one sitting it will certainly feel like you’ve been on a roller coaster. For that reason, I would suggest reading two or three stories at a time. Simply enjoy the beauty and creativity of each writer’s voice and the direction they take on the “First Time� theme. I for one have added a boat load of new writers to my TBR list to check out. Pick up your copy today and be prepared to take one more amazing adventure after another.
What do a zombie apocalypse, a cart princess and a goldfish have in common? They are three of the twenty-five themes represented in this intensely compelling anthology that delves into the experiences of The First Time.
There’s something here to satisfy almost anyone’s preference when these twenty-five super talented young adult writers collaborated on this seductive literary work. I say seductive because once you start reading you won’t want to put it down. The stories draw you in and bring your emotions to the forefront wither you’re laughing, cringing, crying or cheering. Some of the stories end on happy notes, others leave the reader suspended on a cliff hanger, still others give hope for the future and two or three simply end. It’s almost as if the writers gave us an extended story prompt with expectations we’ll finish the story our way. It’s both exciting and frustrating.
In particular, siblings Danny and Julie’s story left me in tears of the “what’s next?� in Carrie Ryan’s A Game of Firsts. As did Hope’s story in Sweet Truth by Stacey Jay. I NEED to know how the author envisioned these stories continuing and more importantly, how they end.
There are several funny stories where I was laughing out loud at the antics and the dialogue of the characters. Kristina Springer’s Cart Princess is a humorous take on a young girl’s first job working in a grocery store. Who ever imagined there was a dating hierarchy in the convenience shopping arena? Certainly not Veronica. You’ll love how she manages to break the ice with the hot produce guy.
In Romeo and What’s Her Name by Shani Petroff we meet Emily who agrees to be the understudy to the lead in her best friend’s play. Why not? Understudies almost never have to perform, right? Wrong! I could totally relate to Emily’s predicament which made the story all the more hilarious.
What if you were the only non-super born into a family of superheros? Jane knows first hand how it feels but don’t count her out…someone has to be the bait to draw out the baddies. Once Burned, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday is a very funny novella with a sweet romance in the end.
Next, step out of your comfort zone with Rhonda Stapleton’s Heart On. Matt’s first date with Jessica doesn’t go quite the way he imagined but the future is looking pretty bright.
If you tend to lean towards the young adult books that are sweet with happy endings you might enjoy Green Glass Reflection by Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin, Turn Here by Jackson Pearce, Evan and Penny by Jenny Moss or Against the World by Jennifer Brown. Each story is unique as it is sweet.
As a daughter and a mother I could empathize with the generation gap between Alex and her mom in Turn Here. In this story they take an impromptu road trip across Georgia when Alex comes upon a pre-programed GPS meant for someone else. Their story proves it’s both the journey as well as the destination that matters. For this mother/daughter duo the roads they travel emotionally are more important than the ones lead by the GPS.
Evan and Penny was another of this group where I had no trouble connecting with the heroine. Penny is average. Actually, her word is “mediocre�. Really, she’s simply normal in a family where you’re not celebrated unless you do something to stand out. I liked that Penny met someone like Evan and was given a fun day. No judging. No pressure. A very sweet beginning.
I was inspired to consider possibilities and other points of view in The First Goldfish of McKinley High by Sydney Salter, The First Time I Got Stranded in the Really Big Empty by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Two of a Kind by Janet Gurtler, When Skies are Gray by Leigh Brescia, The Trouble With Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, Azalea by Kurtis Scaletta, Kissing The Dog-Faced Boy by Saudra Mitchell, Freedom by Cyn Balog and Perfect Firsts by J.A. Yang. There are few cliffhangers among this set and several surprises.
Two of a Kind and The Trouble with Firsts were two of my favorites. Ms Gurtler does an amazing job of painting her hero, anti-hero really, Fab, as a jaded drug using son of a famous rocker. He’s seventeen and pretty much on his own. Fab has lived so hard and seen so much in his young life he’s forgotten what it feels like to be innocent…until he met Molly. The premise is clever and the ending…hopeful.
In The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, friends Mattie and Ian learn a timely lesson about realizing the value of loving what’s right in front of you rather than what you think you might want. Ms. Tahmaseb is a terrific writing voice that truly brought this story to life. There is some pretty funny dialogue in this one that kept it from being overly serious. Considering the tension surrounding stories that come just before and just after, it was refreshing.
There are several paranormal and/or futuristic stories included in this book including Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron, Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie, The Corridor by Teri Hall, Fly to Me by Heidi Kling and The Shark King by Lauren Bjorkman. I saved these for last because I think these may have been my favorite genre explored within the anthology. It’s hard to say which one or ones I liked best because they’re all so different and entertaining. I will say I would love to read an extended version of The Shark King and The Corridor. So many unanswered questions and so much room to expand on these stories.
Fly to Me both stole my breath and left me with hope for the future. Told in first person it begins in a turbulent future set in Paris, France. The young people of the world are being taken and transformed against their will. Though a few seem to welcome the change when it comes other less fortunate few do not accept the change well and become hideous hybrids; not man and not quite beast. I cried for much of the beginning and breathed a sigh of hopeful relief when the story came to a close. I won’t say it’s a happily-ever-after but it’s the best these characters can hope for. It was enough.
You might think with twenty-five different authors there might be one or more stories that weren’t up to par with the others. That wasn’t my experience at all with The First Time. These talented and creative storytellers cover a wide variety of genres and writing styles and yet they complement one another. If the anthology had been structured to only include contemporaries or only comedies it wouldn’t have been the same emotional ride for the readers. If you try to read this whole book in one sitting it will certainly feel like you’ve been on a roller coaster. For that reason, I would suggest reading two or three stories at a time. Simply enjoy the beauty and creativity of each writer’s voice and the direction they take on the “First Time� theme. I for one have added a boat load of new writers to my TBR list to check out. Pick up your copy today and be prepared to take one more amazing adventure after another.
March 27, 2012
I found this anthology completely by accident when I browsing the digital shelves of Barnes & Noble. And I'm glad I did! This anthology is filled with delightful stories about all sorts of first times. Each author does an amazing job in such a few short pages, and you can't beat the price at $2.99!
There is such a great mix within the anthology as well! There are the contemporaries, the fantastical, and the supernatural. Pretty much something for everyone. Some authors write in worlds which may be familiar to their readers, and others start in a new world. But each story doesn't leave you in the dark, and that's what makes an anthology like this work.
Each story is able to stand-alone on it's own merits, allowing the reader to enjoy them even if they haven't read the book series the tale may be set in. A high selling point for me! Of course I did have my favorites of the bunch: The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, When Skies are Gray by Leigh Brescia, Freedom by Cyn Balog, Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin, Once Burned, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday, Turn Here by Jackson Pearce, and Heart On by Rohnda Stapleton.
Each story was as different as night and day, but all were so well-written and engrossing I wanted more. When I want more I know the book or story or poem was really something. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I cringed at one point or another in each story. When authors really dig into human characteristics like that, it is a gift.
If you're looking for an amazing anthology that is an amazing deal then look no further, The First Time will satisfy that need! However, as with too much of a good thing, you can overdose if you try to read the whole anthology in one sitting. The rollercoaster of emotions, styles, and plots will have you dizzy by the end, so I suggest flipping through and reading two to three at a time. This way you can really experience your first time with the story (see what I did there? Huh? huh?)!
There is such a great mix within the anthology as well! There are the contemporaries, the fantastical, and the supernatural. Pretty much something for everyone. Some authors write in worlds which may be familiar to their readers, and others start in a new world. But each story doesn't leave you in the dark, and that's what makes an anthology like this work.
Each story is able to stand-alone on it's own merits, allowing the reader to enjoy them even if they haven't read the book series the tale may be set in. A high selling point for me! Of course I did have my favorites of the bunch: The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, When Skies are Gray by Leigh Brescia, Freedom by Cyn Balog, Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin, Once Burned, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday, Turn Here by Jackson Pearce, and Heart On by Rohnda Stapleton.
Each story was as different as night and day, but all were so well-written and engrossing I wanted more. When I want more I know the book or story or poem was really something. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I cringed at one point or another in each story. When authors really dig into human characteristics like that, it is a gift.
If you're looking for an amazing anthology that is an amazing deal then look no further, The First Time will satisfy that need! However, as with too much of a good thing, you can overdose if you try to read the whole anthology in one sitting. The rollercoaster of emotions, styles, and plots will have you dizzy by the end, so I suggest flipping through and reading two to three at a time. This way you can really experience your first time with the story (see what I did there? Huh? huh?)!
Read
December 31, 2011As with most anthologies, this one was hit and miss. Some stories I really loved, some I skipped, and others were just so-so. Pretty sure any YA fan could find a story or two to enjoy here though. :)
Currently reading
August 29, 201625 stories about "firsts" by 25 authors.
Cart Princess by Kristina Springer **
~First work-romance? First broken heart?
Ronnie starts working at a grocery store where inter-department romances are forbidden. She's a bag girl and she falls in love with a produce guy.
-So stupid! She says things like "Amen, sister" and "mama likes". Gross. Her Skechers shoes are spelled with a T. Ugh! And there is a person called Kristen and Kristin. ←That is just annoying.
Sweet Truth by Stacey Jay****
~First kiss.
Angel-like aliens reforming Earth/keeping the peace.
-Good. I would read a series about this.
When Skies Are Gray by Leigh Brescia****
~First date. (Or 50 of them?)
Gray with his photographic memory goes on a first date with Britt. A lot.
-So interesting. I couldn't figure this one out for a while. I think I was still stuck on aliens.
Romeo and What's Her Name by Shani Petroff***
~First play? boyfriend? kiss?
Emily becomes understudy for Juliet because her crush is playing Romeo.
-Cute.
Fly to Me Heidi R. Kling***
~First love? I guess
People are turning into animals. A little bird is trying to find her boyfriend and sister.
-Frrreaky!
Against the World by Jennifer Brown***
~First laugh
Teen mom has a new baby and a horrible mother.
-Good
Green Glass Reflection by Cheryl Reneé Herbsman****
-First kiss I guess
Lainey goes to a pool party.
-Cute
Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron
-First arrest? (I may be done guessing firsts.)
Eric and Galveston, twin brothers, are taken in for -seperate- questioning about an ATM robbery.
-Loved it!
The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb **
-Terrible firsts
Mattie asks Marcus out. But, will they go to prom together?
-Pretty boring.
Freedom by Cyn Balog
A Game of Firsts by Carrie Ryan
Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin
Once Burne, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday
The Shark King by Lauren Bjorkman
Heart On by Rhonda Stapleton
Turn Here by Jackson Pearce
Perfect Firsts by J.A. Yang
Kissing the Dog-Faced Boy by Saundra Mitchell
The First Goldfish of McKinley High by Sydney Salter
Azalea by Kurtis Scaletta
Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie
The First Time I Got Stranded in the Really Big Empty by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Two of a Kind Janet Gurtler
The Corridor by Teri Hall
Evan and Penny by Jenny Moss
Cart Princess by Kristina Springer **
~First work-romance? First broken heart?
Ronnie starts working at a grocery store where inter-department romances are forbidden. She's a bag girl and she falls in love with a produce guy.
-So stupid! She says things like "Amen, sister" and "mama likes". Gross. Her Skechers shoes are spelled with a T. Ugh! And there is a person called Kristen and Kristin. ←That is just annoying.
Sweet Truth by Stacey Jay****
~First kiss.
Angel-like aliens reforming Earth/keeping the peace.
-Good. I would read a series about this.
When Skies Are Gray by Leigh Brescia****
~First date. (Or 50 of them?)
Gray with his photographic memory goes on a first date with Britt. A lot.
-So interesting. I couldn't figure this one out for a while. I think I was still stuck on aliens.
Romeo and What's Her Name by Shani Petroff***
~First play? boyfriend? kiss?
Emily becomes understudy for Juliet because her crush is playing Romeo.
-Cute.
Fly to Me Heidi R. Kling***
~First love? I guess
People are turning into animals. A little bird is trying to find her boyfriend and sister.
-Frrreaky!
Against the World by Jennifer Brown***
~First laugh
Teen mom has a new baby and a horrible mother.
-Good
Green Glass Reflection by Cheryl Reneé Herbsman****
-First kiss I guess
Lainey goes to a pool party.
-Cute
Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron
-First arrest? (I may be done guessing firsts.)
Eric and Galveston, twin brothers, are taken in for -seperate- questioning about an ATM robbery.
-Loved it!
The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb **
-Terrible firsts
Mattie asks Marcus out. But, will they go to prom together?
-Pretty boring.
Freedom by Cyn Balog
A Game of Firsts by Carrie Ryan
Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin
Once Burne, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday
The Shark King by Lauren Bjorkman
Heart On by Rhonda Stapleton
Turn Here by Jackson Pearce
Perfect Firsts by J.A. Yang
Kissing the Dog-Faced Boy by Saundra Mitchell
The First Goldfish of McKinley High by Sydney Salter
Azalea by Kurtis Scaletta
Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie
The First Time I Got Stranded in the Really Big Empty by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Two of a Kind Janet Gurtler
The Corridor by Teri Hall
Evan and Penny by Jenny Moss
September 4, 2012
I really enjoyed reading the 25 short stories in this book. Some of the stories were really good (5 stars) and I would love if the other made a book off their short story. Others I became bored with and it made me glad it was a quick short story. Overall, they were good and left me happy.
April 25, 2012
A few of the stories were amazing, some were decent and a couple I couldn't get through. All and all this is a good book to pick up for moments when you want to read a short story (or two) in full just before bed.
December 12, 2011
This looks great. I want it partly for the gorgeous cover!
March 25, 2012
Kind of like any anthology -- some really awesome stories and some not-so-awesome stories.
December 13, 2011
Some stories were great, and others not so much.
January 25, 2016
I liked most of these stories very much. There was a good variety of different "firsts."
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