Chela Gonzalez's father falls ill, the mean girls at school turn her into a pariah, and she experiences puberty. The title is derived from the smell s...moreChela Gonzalez's father falls ill, the mean girls at school turn her into a pariah, and she experiences puberty. The title is derived from the smell she associates with the arrival of bad things—the scent of old lady perfume—and Chela does go through many bad things, but she overcomes them. Although Chela is an eleven-year-old in the sixth grade, this novel has the feel of a coming-of-age story. I found so much meaning in this book as I related to Chela’s struggles and triumphs regarding family, friendship, and Mexican-American culture. (less)
I felt sympathetic towards the main character, Flynn. Her alcoholic father passes away, her mother suffers from the depression that goes along with gr...moreI felt sympathetic towards the main character, Flynn. Her alcoholic father passes away, her mother suffers from the depression that goes along with grief, and her sister transforms into a dark, moody Goth. When Flynn meets Dante, a delicious romance ensues amid angel warfare. Dante is not an ordinary young man and Flynn’s sister, Kevan, enters the dark side in more ways than her outer appearance suggests. This was a suspenseful read and my favorite part was the dark, haunting atmosphere. (less)
This short story collection was an enjoyable read. As the title promises, each story focuses on a character who’s getting even against someone who did...moreThis short story collection was an enjoyable read. As the title promises, each story focuses on a character who’s getting even against someone who didn’t do right by him or her. This is mostly contemporary, but there’s a touch of paranormal in this collection. I also enjoyed the setting of Jamaica and the patois interspersed throughout the book. J.L. Campbell is an author to watch out for. No matter how long each piece was, I was fully involved with the characters’ thoughts and actions. (less)
This was a fun and cute MG novel. Dwight is a boy who talks through his finger puppet, an origami Yoda. Through Yoda he gives advice and makes predict...moreThis was a fun and cute MG novel. Dwight is a boy who talks through his finger puppet, an origami Yoda. Through Yoda he gives advice and makes predictions that are eerily correct. Dwight, who’s unusual and out of it, has classmates coming to him for Yoda’s wisdom. Tommy is puzzled by Dwight and Yoda and decides to create a case file. His investigation is riveting.(less)
Alex is hiking, coming across an older gentleman and his bratty granddaughter when something strange happens. They’re zapped. Some mysterious electric...moreAlex is hiking, coming across an older gentleman and his bratty granddaughter when something strange happens. They’re zapped. Some mysterious electrical force sweeps through the area, knocking people out and killing some. Others are changed, becoming zombie-like cannibals. In the wilderness, Alex and other intact people she comes across fight for survival, fending off the cannibals who attack them as they find food and shelter. When they find a working radio, they learn about the devastation around the world. And not only are cannibals out there, but even the intact humans fight each other during their struggle to live, figuring out who can be trusted and who might change. Alex has a bit of an advantage, since the zap increased the power of one of her senses. This was gritty and horrific. I felt like I was in the wild with the characters, always on edge about what was to come. I didn’t want the novel to end and I was mad when real life interrupted my reading. I read this via Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
Joyce and her daughter Taylor go to the Island of the Dolls, an island in Mexico where creepy dolls dangle and rot. The island is dedicated to Salvado...moreJoyce and her daughter Taylor go to the Island of the Dolls, an island in Mexico where creepy dolls dangle and rot. The island is dedicated to Salvadora, a little girl who drowned some time ago. Taylor falls in love with a doll at an altar, but Joyce forbids her to take it. According to island lore, bad things happen to people who touch the dolls. After coming home from their vacation, Joyce notices Taylor is acting strange. She researches the island and its rituals and finds out that the place is more sinister than she thought. Even though it appears they left the island empty-handed, her daughter is in danger. This is a fantastic, spooky read. I’m glad I had a chance to read this novella. Since I read it in October, it put me in that feel-good Halloween state of mind. (less)
Justine is a widow. Shortly after her husband Milton passes away, she spots her former lover Xavier at the funeral. Her heart churns, because she stil...moreJustine is a widow. Shortly after her husband Milton passes away, she spots her former lover Xavier at the funeral. Her heart churns, because she still has feelings for him. The story then goes back in time to when Milton was alive. Justine and Xavier have undeniable chemistry, but she’s tied down with a husband and child. Her husband is insipid, stirring no passion in her, and he can also be cruel. Justine hides her affair, but she’s not the only one keeping secrets.
The characterization was amazing. I felt Justine’s mood swing from guilt to lust to love to wistfulness as she leads an unfulfilling, dishonest life. I connected with the characters and wanted to stay with them. J.L. is also a mistress of tension and plot. GIVING UP THE DREAM was just as engrossing as a soap opera, without the cheesy melodrama. This was a page turner that left me wanting more.
Merged review:
Justine is a widow. Shortly after her husband Milton passes away, she spots her former lover Xavier at the funeral. Her heart churns, because she still has feelings for him. The story then goes back in time to when Milton was alive. Justine and Xavier have undeniable chemistry, but she’s tied down with a husband and child. Her husband is insipid, stirring no passion in her, and he can also be cruel. Justine hides her affair, but she’s not the only one keeping secrets.
The characterization was amazing. I felt Justine’s mood swing from guilt to lust to love to wistfulness as she leads an unfulfilling, dishonest life. I connected with the characters and wanted to stay with them. J.L. is also a mistress of tension and plot. GIVING UP THE DREAM was just as engrossing as a soap opera, without the cheesy melodrama. This was a page turner that left me wanting more.(less)
Raina's teeth rule her middle grade and high school years. After tripping and falling on her face, her front teeth take on an unsightly appearance. Ye...moreRaina's teeth rule her middle grade and high school years. After tripping and falling on her face, her front teeth take on an unsightly appearance. Years of braces, headgear, fake teeth, and retainers follow. The boy she pines for barely pays attention to her. Also, her friends are disrespectful. They call her names and pull cruel pranks on her.
I felt bad for Raina anytime someone made fun of her and whenever there was a setback regarding her teeth. Then I exulted over her emerging confidence and ability to pull away from her so-called friends. This memoir in graphic novel format is packed with vivid emotions. And even though SMILE was a fast read, I became so involved with the characters that the time spent reading it felt much longer. It’s listed as middle grade, but I believe teen and adult readers will also relate to it. (less)
Natalie is torn between two boys. Alex is handsome, sweet, and—as she finds out later—rich. Todd is a bad boy who has leukemia. Natalie, who is rather...moreNatalie is torn between two boys. Alex is handsome, sweet, and—as she finds out later—rich. Todd is a bad boy who has leukemia. Natalie, who is rather innocent and has never been in a relationship before, has these two boys vying for her attention. She makes her choice, even though heartache is inevitable. This book fully captures the teenage experience. I was inside Natalie’s head as she underwent a tumultuous year of love, and I felt all her highs and lows.(less)
Over the summer Frankie Landau-Banks undergoes a transformation from average to gorgeous. As a sophomore at a prestigious boarding school, she snags t...moreOver the summer Frankie Landau-Banks undergoes a transformation from average to gorgeous. As a sophomore at a prestigious boarding school, she snags the attention of a senior named Matthew, her crush becoming her boyfriend. He's a member of a boys-only club called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. Frankie wants to know more. She learns her father was part of the order, but he won't reveal much to her. This is unfair. She feels excluded simply because she's a girl, but this is okay since she'll find a way to infiltrate and orchestrate the actions of the secret society. This is a fun read. I adored the characters and dialogue. (less)
I'm familiar with Wurtzel's life and bouts with mental illness and drugs after reading PROZAC NATION and MORE, NOW, AGAIN. After that darkness, she se...moreI'm familiar with Wurtzel's life and bouts with mental illness and drugs after reading PROZAC NATION and MORE, NOW, AGAIN. After that darkness, she sees light. RADICAL SANITY is Wurtzel's advice to women on romance, careers, hobbies, and physical appearance based on her experiences--which means that readers may not connect to everything she has to say. Some sections and chapters were empowering, while others were contradictory by urging women to do things to attract the opposite sex. Still, it's a decent read. I've always found Wurtzel to be an interesting and talented writer.(less)
Willow Watts is a sweet young woman who left London to live with her widowed father in a small England town. When she impersonates Marilyn Monroe and...moreWillow Watts is a sweet young woman who left London to live with her widowed father in a small England town. When she impersonates Marilyn Monroe and becomes a Youtube hit, people think she's not only an impersonator but the spiritual incarnation of the Hollywood star. The village turns topsy-turvy with the media attention. Then a shady agent hones in on Willow to transform her further into Marilyn, romance her, and swindle her. Willow falls for his lies because she wants to help her father get out of debt. Under her agent’s guidance, her hair is bleached and parts of her body are artificially plumped, and the line between Willow and Marilyn blur. There are other storylines interwoven in the story when Willow experiences longing for an old beau and her father falls for an American Marilyn fan. I loved how everything fell into place for Willow, but I won’t reveal too much. This is a fantastic chick lit book full of humor and heart. (less)
Dr. Sheila Tao seems to have it all. An attractive woman in her late thirties, she’s an esteemed psychology professor with a loving fiancé. On the out...moreDr. Sheila Tao seems to have it all. An attractive woman in her late thirties, she’s an esteemed psychology professor with a loving fiancé. On the outside she appears to be meticulous and in control, but there’s another side to her that she keeps hidden.
Sheila has an affair with her teaching assistant, Ethan. When she ends the relationship with him he becomes obsessed. Angry about being cast aside, he threatens to expose a sex tape of the two of them that will ruin her career and hurt her fiancé. Ethan’s deranged mentality and deeds are related to missing women in the area. Now all he has on his mind is making Sheila pay for what she's done to him.
This is an amazing, creepy thriller. The characters, their personalities, their secrets, and their relationships with people were wonderful complements to the mystery and action surrounding them. The way things unfolded was pretty flawless. I look forward to reading more from this author. (less)
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