3 Sides of a Circle is an amazing story of three college freshman that happen to find each other and become best friends.
The story is told from the fi...more3 Sides of a Circle is an amazing story of three college freshman that happen to find each other and become best friends.
The story is told from the first person point of view, alternating between Honor and Toby. I always enjoy this format because it allows for a better insight of the characters. Honor is very uptight, uncomfortable around people and with the way they react to her looks. She has been a model for years and is conscious of how people treat her after that fact is known. Toby is a shy, mildly nerdy and an awesome guy. He falls by accident in the tornado that is Libby and he quickly learns to care for both girls deeply. It was very easy to guess what was wrong with Libby and I wasn’t surprised at all.
Now, on to Sawyer. Sawyer is an artist and Honor’s ‘painter’; he is handsome, talented and very… intense. That’s the best word I can find to describe him. He is a great guy, but a bit scary if I want to be honest. Other characters are minor and not explored nearly as much as Sawyer and our circle of friends.
The plot is easy to follow and original. The story deals with intense feelings and delicate topics, such as mental illness, homosexuality, and hate crimes, but it’s not preachy. The writing was clean and eloquent and I’m curious to know who the writing partnership worked. The book starts very funny and progresses to be ‘jumpy’ and erratic, to match Libby’s behavior and the feelings that it provokes in Toby and Honor.
There were two things that I didn’t find believable. The first one was that no one figured out that something was seriously wrong with Libby. I mean, no teachers (and I doubt that she was getting good grades), if I were her mom I would be visiting at least twice a month. The second one was that Libby, Toby and Honor became such good friends, to the point that they were almost dependent of each other very quickly; the main part of the story takes place in a span of about three months. Please note that the story contains language and sexual references.
Overall, 3 Sides to a Circle was a great read and I will definitely look for more books about these authors.
Quotes for you:
“You didn’t even have to tell me the room number. Just follow the nose, it always knows!” she sings… “…We’ve come to move Toby out, because you smell like… Body odor just doesn’t cover it.” Libby shakes her head and step inside.”
“I’d do almost anything for Toby or Libby – even though she makes me crazy. But what does that make the three of us? Odd parts of a circle?” – Honor
“I’ll make myself worth keeping. I’ll be the anchor for you” – Toby (less)
What I liked most about the book where its character...moreRate is 3.5 stars. Find the original review at Reading with ABC
Just for Now is a fun, steamy read.
What I liked most about the book where its characters. Jenna is separated from her husband (apparently in New Zealand the couple has to separate and wait two years before getting a divorce) because of something that happened with her ex (don’t want to spoil it for you). She has undergone both a spiritual and a physical change due to this. Jenna is very loving, a great teacher, has the patience of a saint and is working on her self-esteem. On the other hand Finn is a famous Rugby player that needs a nanny for six months. He is a home-boy, family man that is trying to provide a stable life for his two children.
The other main characters are, of course, Finn’s children, Harry and Sophie. They are very different from each other, but they both idolize their father. I also liked the Sarah, Finn’s meddlesome sister, as she has his best interests (and Jenna’s) at heart.
Overall I liked Just for Now, I think that I didn’t love it because of my own lack of interest in sports. This made it really hard for me to understand all the talk about rugby. Also, the book was really geared for the New Zealand and possibly Australian audiences; I found the language a bit confusing at times (I understand now why books are tailored to different audiences!). I could understand some of the words, for example, referring to a cell phone as a mobile; but others were a little harder for me to figure out, like Weet-Bix, brekkie, cossie and kiwi. Another thing is that this book has some pretty steamy scenes, so please be aware that it is for adults only.
The plot is simple and a tad cliché, but it is done very well and it kept my interest thought the story. The writing (other than the use of regionalisms) flows well and it’s very nice.
Here are some quotes for you:
“She looked at him doubtfully. He was certainly striking, with his height and powerful build, but his features were much too rough-hewn to be called handsome.” – Jenna
“Wow. That was the only word that came to mind. Despite their close quarters, she’d never seen him this closely without his shirt before. There was a lot of chest and shoulder there. A whole lot." – Jenna
“Bloody hell”, he said, breathing hard now too. “You’re like Disneyland. Everything I like best, all there for me. And I want to go on every ride” – Finn (less)
I previously participated in the tour for The Wedding Cake Girl (see my review Reading with ABC...moreYou can find my original review here: Reading with ABC
I previously participated in the tour for The Wedding Cake Girl (see my review Reading with ABC >Here) from this author and I was happy when the opportunity presented for the tour of Any Other Night. I really enjoyed this book.
You can get the gist of the plot by reading the synopsis. The story is told from Ryan’s point of view; I always enjoy when the male character has a strong voice in the story and Ryan was no exception. I really like Ryan’s character and even though he is a boy, it is very easy to identify with him and his angst and tribulations. Michael was more than Ryan’s best friend; he was like a brother, being raised almost together by the Mill’s housekeeper and his death leaves Ryan feeling guilty and responsible. At the same time Ryan’s relationship with Emily starts to develop into something real and new for both of them.
Ryan is such a good person. He is really good with kids and almost acts as a father figure to his little sisters. He is also loyal and loving and tries to do best he can at everything he does. Emily is a very smart girl that brings out the best in Ryan. As a gentle warning I have to let you know that the book contains non-explicit sexual scenes and other sexual content, it also talks about drugs.
Overall the characterization is well developed. We learn more about Michael from the times he is remembered by Ryan. Ro (the housekeeper) is a good influence for the kids and tries to do her best to fill in for their absentee parents. Chrissie is a riot and Jonathan is a good friend too. Ryan’s parents are not exactly bad people but they do have their priorities all messed up.
The setting of the story is very interesting since it takes place in LA and at the heart of Hollywood royalty. This opulent lifestyle is what the stuff of dreams, but the Mill family has the same problems as other families do; lack of communication and time together as a unit. The plot is simple and well carried out. The pacing of the story is good and the writing flows very easily. Ms. Pfeffer is a great story teller; her writing in Any Other Night is bursting with felling and at the same time very funny and realistic. The ending was kind of open, as we don’t know what the future holds for Ryan and Emily. I think this story lends itself for a sequel (*hint*) (less)
I previously participated in the Blog Tour for Take This Regret and I really enjoyed it, thus I was very happy to be invited to the tour for When We C...moreI previously participated in the Blog Tour for Take This Regret and I really enjoyed it, thus I was very happy to be invited to the tour for When We Collide.
The story is told in alternating POVs (thank you for pointing out who was talking and past vs. present!), which I always enjoy since I feel it gives the reader a better insight about the characters. However, I felt a stronger connection with William. He is the main narrator and I can identify with his point of view and his feelings better than Maggie’s.
William and Maggie are better when they are together. Is the type of bond that is so strong that makes the whole better than the individual parts. They both made mistakes and they both regret them. In William’s case (this is not a spoiler as it’s part of the synopsis), he didn’t fight for what he wanted and ended up becoming as stranger to himself and to his family. In Maggie’s case, it was perpetuating her abusive upbringing.
Troy is plain crazy, he also came from an abusive home and it seems like the only thing he knows is to scare and control people. Other characters are well crafted. I really liked Blake, William’s brother and how supportive he was of his brother. His relationship with his wife Grace was the complete opposite of Maggie’s. Jonathan was such a sweet boy and since he is so young he is sure to recuperate from his first years of life.
I just don’t understand abusive relationships. Maybe it is because I have never lived one, but it is incomprehensible to me to be with someone that hurts me. More incomprehensible to me would be to put my own child in danger. I know that these types of relationships are very complicated and I probably should stop talking about it before I say something I shouldn’t. There are some statistics included at the end of the book that are quite staggering:
As many as one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused at some point in their childhood.
One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime
An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical abuse by an intimate partner each year.
The plot is not complicated, and to me the story becomes part romance, part thriller. I mean, it’s easy to guess that Troy will try to do something to stop Maggie from escaping his evil clutches (I know, I know, couldn’t help myself :) What I like most is the writing. Ms. Jackson is an amazing storyteller. She can convey feelings so easily and with a few words. A beautiful and poignant story.
Here are some quotes from the book:
"I’d never understand how I’d gotten from my father’s house to Troy’s, when I’d promised myself so many times as a girl that I’d never end up like my mother. Like second-nature, I’d made an almost seamless transition from one vicious hand to another without even realizing it." – Maggie
"I stared up at her, pleading without words, hating the monster inside her that caused her to believe she was worth anything less than what she was, wishing she would see what I say." – William
"I feel to my knees on the hardwood floor. The walls closed in, suffocating… and I felt it, felt them. I cried out, begged her name. I lay my cheek on the cool floor, nails scraping the slick wood, grasping at something, grasping at nothing." – William
"We collided, body and soul, mouths and hands and whispered pleas." – William
About the cover: It’s beautiful, isn't it? I love the cover and the sense of release, even when the world is a storm.(less)
I love this book! It’s filled with the pain of loss, but also with the light of re-discovery and first lo...moreOriginal review posted here: Reading with ABC
I love this book! It’s filled with the pain of loss, but also with the light of re-discovery and first love.
Carmella (Mello) unexpectedly lost her sister and best friend Francesca to a drug/alcohol overdose. She feels guilty because she knew that Francesca needed help and she didn’t know how to help her. Deep down Carmella is a good person, loyal, artsy, and with a lot to give; the problem is that she is afraid: Afraid of disappointing her parents and ‘rocking the boat’; afraid of first love and heartache; afraid of trusting anyone. This leads to her making less than good choices, like lying and hiding.
Howie is a great character. He hasn’t had an easy life either, but he has learned to cope with it and make lemonade with all the lemons thrown his way. He is upbeat, positive, a great friend, considerate, romantic and much more. I simply adored him and the fact that he was (and is) able to rise above it all and know when he needs help and how to help others.
Carmella’s parents are infuriating. I know that for some people religion (and the support of the church community) is enough to overcome most problems/issues; but obviously this approach doesn’t work for everyone. Even though many people try to tell Carmella and her parents that she needed to talk to someone, they kept insisting that everything was dandy. Her parents were trying to keep her safe, but at the same time they kept comparing Mello to Francesca, taking away her freedom, and pushing their choices at her; in short, they were making her life miserable.
I liked Anna and Jeremy fine enough and I love Ms. Sparacini (I love baking too and she is a lady after my own heart :) The characters were well developed and easy to associate with.
The plot is somewhat similar to The Sky is Everywhere, which is one of my all-time favorite books. However, Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is distinctive enough and I really enjoy the use of lists such as this one: “What loves means
1. Risk. 2. Being honest with yourself and the person you love. 3. Accepting someone for who they are. 4. Courage to reveal your true self to people. 5. Total truth.”
The writing is beautiful and able to convey such strong feelings, like despair, guilt, love, fear, and denial. I wish that the book was longer and I feel like there were some loose ends, I want to know what happens next!! Can we get another book? Or maybe Anna and Jeremy’s story? (*hint*)
About the cover: I don’t particularly like the cover and it doesn’t do any justice to this great book.(less)
Sometimes I feel like accepting a book for review or a blog tour is type of gamble or as the wi...moreYou can find the original review here: Reading with ABC
Sometimes I feel like accepting a book for review or a blog tour is type of gamble or as the wise Forest Gump would say about a box of chocolates ‘you never know what you’re going to get’. I have to say that the gamble paid off as I enjoyed The Wedding Cake Girl.
Alex was a bit hard to identify with. She is a good friend and tries to be a good, honest person too. She is ambitious, which is a good thing and has a clear focus on her life. The problem is that her mom is not supportive at all. I understand that the relationship between mom and daughter is somewhat complicated and not altogether healthy and that might be why Alex is so insecure. BUT this is my main issue with Alex: She is really whiny. She has self esteem issues and it shows. It is also strange that she has not left the island or have any close friends (not even in on-line).
Now, about the boys in the story: Alex’s only friend (at least at the beginning) is Zack and I just couldn’t like him. He wasn’t there for Alex when she needed him and was trying to be with her for all the wrong reasons. On the other hand, I just love Jeremy, he is a true friend and really understands Alex. Chris is okay, he has a lot in common with Alex, but he’s introduced almost at the end and we don’t have a lot of time to get to know him. Alex’s mom is childish, immature and somewhat abusive of Alex. I am glad that she found someone to keep her 'grounded', but I don't like the idea that a woman needs a man in order to make the right decisions. Other characters were well developed as well.
The plot is simple, but interesting enough to keep me reading. I really enjoyed the banter between Alex and Jeremy. The writing was easy to read and follow. Overall, The Wedding Cake Girl makes a good story of self discovery, and coming of age.
About the cover: The cover doesn’t do this book justice, I wouldn’t have picked the book up, just based on the cover. I can’t identify with the girl at all, it’s not what I pictured Alex looks like or even something she might wear. (less)
What an amazing book! The Boys of Summer turned out to be one of my favorite contemporary novels!
Tess, Ellie and Adam are starting year 12 and they are the best of friends that form a tight protective circle around each other. They know and accept one another for the amazing people that they are. At the same time I thing that each one of them enable each other to stay stagnant and unchanged, until they planned to work together at the Onslow hotel for the holidays. Due to unforeseen circumstances, only Ellie and Tess end of working and together they start hanging out with the “Onslow Boys” (named by Ellie after their town). The Onslow boys: Toby, Chris, Ringer, Stan and Sean, are 22-year-old, handsome, and a really great group of friends.
I love Tess’s voice. She was filled with insecurities and consciously chose to rise above them. She is smart, loyal to her friends, quirky, funny and beautiful. She isn’t perfect, in fact, just like real life, none of the characters are. But she grows a lot during the span of school break and I think that the same happens to Ellie.
All the Onslow boys are incredible, but so it happens, that Toby is the object of Tess’ affections. She has been watching him from afar for years, a fact that she had kept to herself. Toby is a really good guy, but quiet and he didn’t make his feelings clear from the beginning as he should have done. Especially since Tess was still 17, and going through her adolescent battles. At the end I fell in love with Toby, just like Tess did.
The characterization is superb, all of them having a distinct voice and personality. The Onslow boys, Adam, Ellie, even Rosanna and Melba are unique and add something to the story. The setting of The Boys of Summer is Australia and I found the descriptions of the natural beauty and of the town added a lot to substance. The writing is outstanding.
I will definitely read the rest of the books in the series, as I said when I started my incoherent excited babbling, I adore this book and I’m looking forward to visiting Onslow again! Beautiful and simple cover, right? (less)
The Unloved turned out to me a beautiful story, filled of heartbreak, but also with love and a sense of redempt...more Find my original review here: Link text
The Unloved turned out to me a beautiful story, filled of heartbreak, but also with love and a sense of redemption.
Julie and Nick are neighbors and best friends, and throughout the years they learned to lean on each other and shield each other from the harshness of reality. You can tell from the synopsis that they had a really hard home life. Honestly, I thought that Julie’s life was just too horrible to feel real, but in the acknowledgment Ms. Snyder explains that she heard true stories similar to Julie’s. Nick’s story is, sadly, more common; due to his father’s constant abuse his mom sends him away for about two years. However, Nick and Julie have not forgotten each other.
Julie is a pretty girl that hides behind oversized clothes and behind her locked door. I really felt awful for Julie, her life was so hard, full of abuse, exposure to danger, drugs, and all kinds of vices. All of these things have seriously diminished her self-esteem and makes it hard for her understand what being loved means. Nick was a bit more stable and stronger. I liked Nick a lot, and he sure had the patience of a saint.
Their group of friends is really tight and I’m sure that if they were to share their troubles, they would have gotten a lot of help from them (and from the community too). The story is told from alternating points of view, this way we get to know both, Nick and Julie really well. The plot was a series of tragedies, misunderstandings, lows, and highs. The writing is straightforward and insightful. There are some things that, on principles, I don’t agree with. For instance, being quiet about their wrecked home life, and involvement with drugs; although I do understand their reasons. The ending was really good and more that I was expecting. I wish the best of luck for Nick and Julie!
“We were the unloved-you by your mom and me by my dad-and now it’s our time to finally be loved.”
About the cover: It’s a beautiful cover of two friends holding onto each other through their upside-down-life. I love the font and also the pop of color. (less)
Chopsticks is somewhat unique. The storyis told using pictures, drawings, instant messaging, and very few words. It was, to say the least, a novel exp...moreChopsticks is somewhat unique. The storyis told using pictures, drawings, instant messaging, and very few words. It was, to say the least, a novel experience for me.
I cannot comment a lot on the characters, because we just get to enjoy a brief glimpse of them and it wouldn’t be fair to categorize them with so little information. Glory and Frank truly loved each other, and were both placed in impossible situations: Glory was pushed to be a concert pianist and Frank to be in a place that he didn’t wanted to be.
We have a few given facts, but overall the reader is expected and encouraged to infer part of the story. As you know my first language is Spanish, so I perfectly understood the whole story (even when Spanish was used I mean). Even if I were to tell you what I thought happen, I might be ‘wrong’ since it’s wide open for interpretation. This is what I think happened *SPOILER*: I think Glory was pushed too hard to be perfect for her father in the only way she knew how. I also think that Glory’s mother was somewhat unstable and that her father thought to protect Glory of the world and of heartbreak. Frank grounded her and made her want to feel normal and loved for who she was. I think their separation made Glory briefly loose her focus (if not exactly loose her mind), but she found a way to go back to Frank and overcome her fixation (Chopsticks was an internal joke between them) **END SPOILER**
The most impressive part of this book is the artistry behind it. Every page was carefully placed to add vital information to the story, to give us insight and trigger understanding. This book is an amazing work of art, and I would recommend it if you are a visual sort of person (as I am!)
About the cover: The cover is just a brief taste of what waits for you inside these pages. Beautiful, right? (less)
Just like the first book in the series, I was a little hesitant to start We’ll Always Have Summer. Why? Because,...moreThe original review can be found Here
Just like the first book in the series, I was a little hesitant to start We’ll Always Have Summer. Why? Because, while I’ve heard a lot of good things about the series, I didn’t fell instantly in love with it. I can’t help but being a little disappointed with the final installment.
The story starts at the end of Belly’s freshman year in college. We learn a little about what happened after Belly, Jere and Conrad left the motel towards the end of It’s Not Summer Without You, and just like that two years have gone by in which Belly has been dating Jere. I have a strong disagreement with this: just because Jere loved Belly and it seemed like Conrad didn’t want to do anything with her, that turned Jere and Belly in a couple. It’s like there are no other alternatives, no other boys in the universe except for the Fisher boys.
Belly and Jere were best friends and I just can’t see them in a romantic relationship. Jeremiah is so sweet, and what he did was so out of character for him. I just don’t understand how you go from being cheated on to accepting a marriage proposal! It’s just plain crazy and I agree with the parents on this one.
Conrad has always been a mystery, and in past books he came across as a jerk. I mean, he liked Belly one minute and he didn’t the next – he kept pushing her away and I was never sure that he even liked/love her. However, in We’ll Always Have Summer, we get a glimpse into Conrad’s mind in the way of short chapters from his point of view. My interpretation is that Conrad always loved Belly, but he was in a bad place for a while after Susannah’s death and he had some things to work on to be in a position to be in a serious relationship. I also think that moving away was a good thing for him and for his family.
I don’t want to tell you what happens at the end, but only that I wasn’t disappointed in Belly’s choice, just only in the way she got there. What I mean by that is that I would have loved to read more about the couple and how they got to the ‘ending’. The last chapter seemed kind of rushed. I hope we get a short story of something else later one… (*hint*). My copy of the book also has Conrad’s letter, but still I needed more.
The plot was very simple and the story moved around the wedding and Jere, Belly, Laurel (Belly’s mom), and Conrad’s reactions. The wedding took center stage and it took a life of its own. The writing was easy to read, if somewhat repetitive. Overall, I’m glad I read the series.
About the cover: The cover for We’ll Always Have Summer, as well as the other books, is beautiful in its simplicity. They evoke a feeling of open spaces, summer and the beach.(less)
Oh my! What an awesome book (*you can’t see me, but I’m doing a happy dance right now*)! I purchased a copy of Easy after seeing in many blogs and I c...moreOh my! What an awesome book (*you can’t see me, but I’m doing a happy dance right now*)! I purchased a copy of Easy after seeing in many blogs and I cannot tell you how good this book is. A gentle warning applies here: This book is for mature young adults as it contains language and has sexual scenes.
Jacqueline was a great character. She is obviously heartbroken and at a loss when her boyfriend of three years dumps her, but she quickly recovers from the shock and tries to go on with her life. She goes through a very traumatic event as well and tries to do the right thing about it. Jacqueline is smart, loyal, understanding and, at the end, brave and compassionate.
Lucas is probably one of my favorite male characters ever. Only a strong human being can overcome so much and come out shining on the other side. He is so considerate, tender, loving, talented, and so on and so forth (really, I can write a page about Lucas alone!). Amazing.
Other characters are well crafted and contribute significantly to the story. Erin, Kennedy, Dr. Heller, even Buck have their own, well defined personality. Overall, very good characterization throughout the story.
The plot was simple and surprising at the same time. It is easy to guess what is going on at the beginning, but then we are confronted with an even bigger twist later. Ms. Webber is an amazing writer. Take for instance this quote:
“Love is not the absence of logic but logic examined and recalculated heated and curved to fit inside the contours of the heart”
Awesome, right?
I also give Ms. Webber credit for touching on many difficult topics, especially when it comes to rape. This was done in a highly effective and tasteful manner. Good job!
Easy is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and one that I will probably re-read many times. PLEASE try this amazing story, you will not regret it. For my part I plan to read Ms. Webber’s books forevermore :)
About the cover: Very appropriate cover, with both Lucas and Jacqueline in such a tender moment. Beautiful! (less)
Shortly after finishing The Summer I Turned Pretty (review here) I started It’s Not Summer Without You, I have to say that I enjoyed it better than th...moreShortly after finishing The Summer I Turned Pretty (review here) I started It’s Not Summer Without You, I have to say that I enjoyed it better than the first book.
This books starts about a year after the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty. For the first time Belly is spending a summer in her hometown and not going to Cousins beach and she is dreading it. When Jeremiah calls Belly asking for help finding Conrad, she jumps at the opportunity. There are some misguided choices here, but the bottom line is that everyone is dealing with the grief of Susannah’s death in a different way.
The story is told from Belly’s point of view, with some chapters from Jer’s point of view, which was refreshing. Belly (I still can’t stand that name) is a bit more mature here and she is trying to get over Conrad and the hold that he has on her. Conrad is infuriating! I know is the dark, handsome, smart one, but he is so darn mysterious that I can’t tell what he is thinking about or why doesn’t he admit that he cares about Belly. Why is he leaving the field open for Jer to more right in? Don’t get me wrong, I like Jeremiah, he is everything Conrad is not, he is considerate, loyal, a true friend and he really cared for Belly and it’s not afraid to show it.
The plot is simple and uncomplicated, focusing in the relationship between Conrad, Belly and Jeremiah, and also the events before, during and after Susannah’s death. The writing is easy to understand and the story flows effortless throughout. We are left - yet again - with a huge cliffhanger, and confess that I can’t wait to read the next and last book in the series.
About the cover: I really like the breezy, light feeling that the cover evokes.(less)
Oh, how I love this book! Don’t get fooled by the B+ grade, it is an awesome read. I just had a minor is...moreSee the original review here: Reading with ABC
Oh, how I love this book! Don’t get fooled by the B+ grade, it is an awesome read. I just had a minor issue with the ending.
This story starts by Lyla and Tripp sharing the same high school music room, but on different days. As a way to communicate with each other they start leaving notes in the guitar case. What starts as harmless and fun banter turns into a true meeting of the minds and a beautiful friendship.
Lyla seems perfect to others, but she is far from it. Yes, she is pretty, smart, very talented, but she has allowed her dad and her best friend to push her into a life she really doesn’t want for herself. Ironically, she sort of pushes Tripp into things that are out of he’s comfort zone; however, in Tripp’s case that it’s a good thing. Tripp is so funny! He is (as he is fond and proud to say) odd. Tripp loves music to the point that it’s the only thing that holds an interest to him. I loved Tripp’s relationship with his mom and how he took revenge on her for everything she did to him (hilarious!)
Tripp’s mom cares deeply for him and it’s trying to get him to be more social, the only way she knows how. Anna, Lyla’s best and only friend, is no friend at all. She is always jealous of her, full of envy, and pushes (aka bullies) Lyla to do things she has no desire of doing and prevents her from doing what she loves. I don’t understand why Lyla allowed this to go on for so long. Lyla’s dad is extremely protective (with good reason) and also expects too much from her.
The plot is well thought out and the reading is quick since the book is a combination of notes, texts, emails, and conversations. I really enjoyed the writing style and the story, but I have a minor issue with the end. First, I know that what Tripp and Lyla have is really special, they have a connection of minds and they understand each other in a way few people can. I was a little disappointed that their relationship didn’t develop into something more (and really, this is my problem I guess). Second, the ending was quite abrupt. I mean, everything was going fine and then, BAM! Something really horrible (and cliché) happens, and it seems like the story ends so fast.
Here are some great quotes from the book:
“The Termite storms out. He sticks out his tongue at the door as it slams. Is he immature? Yes. If maturity means you can grow up and take away the one and only thing that gives meaning to your son’s life, then why would anyone strive for maturity?” - Tripp
“She sings, ‘I like the sound of your name in my ear’. She stops and blushes. ‘I didn’t mean you you. I mean it doesn’t have to be based on anything true, right?” – Lyla
“’Here’s my Thrum Theory. I think every soul vibrates at a certain frequency’, he explains. ‘It’s sort of like each soul has a sound that is its signature – and your soul just wants to feel the vibrations of this sound. I think the vibrations of my soul and the vibrations of the guitar match each other, which is why it feels so right for me to play it’.” - Tripp
One of the things that I find the most amazing is that Ms. Amato and her writing partner Bill Williams wrote and recorded all the songs (they can be found here) that Tripp and Lyla wrote together.
About the cover: I find the cover very appropriate and really pretty.(less)
I really enjoyed Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (see my review here) and I’v...moreFind my original review here: Reading with ABC
I really enjoyed Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (see my review here) and I’ve been eagerly waiting for the opportunity of reading her latest book.
The story begins with a series of emails exchanged between Ellie and Graham, after Graham sends an email in error about his pet pig. Ellie replies and thus the couple communicate anonymously with each other the span of a few months. The advantage of not knowing the person at the other end of the country is that they both got to be themselves, and they genuinely liked each other.
For some reason I couldn’t identify that well with Ellie. It seems to me that her mother transferred her paranoia and negative experiences with the press to Ellie and in turn, made her feel the same way. I think she gave up too soon on a potential relationship because of that fact, even if it made her miserable. On the other hand, I love Graham! No because he is a handsome and famous actor, but because he is so sweet and considerate in spite of that fact. Although he loves acting, he had a very difficult time adjusting to the fame and what that means. In part, this is a great coming-off age story of self-discovery and on how to set new boundaries that feel comfortable with the person they were becoming.
The plot is simple and believable. Nowadays couples and friend meet all the time through the Internet. Graham did all he could to make sure he could meet Ellie in person because he felt a real connection to her and also because he was so lonely. I felt bummed by the fact that Ellie gave up so quickly (before getting her common sense back), and that Graham allowed it. It slowed the pace of the story considerably, in my opinion. The escapade on the boat was a little weird to me as well. The writing is good, and easy to read. The story is told on the third person and we get to ‘be’ in both of the main character’s minds.
Now we come to my biggest ‘issue’ about this book: what is going on with the ending? To me, it’s a non-ending! Way to open for my comfort. I’m sure other readers will make their own happy endings, but my imagination is not that good. Couldn’t we get an epilogue, a new string of emails after they met?
In the end This is What Happy Looks Like turned out to be an enjoyable light contemporary romance, but not as good as Statistical Probability.
Some quotes for you:
“Childhood memories were like airplane luggage; no matter how far you were traveling or how long you needed them to last, you were only ever allowed two bags.”
“He could see her, and it was just like he’d thought. It was just like being punched in the stomach.”
:…How can you know if makes you happy if you never experienced it?” “There are different kinds of happy,” she said. “Some kinds don’t need any proof.” “Like sunrises?”
About the cover: It’s lovely and appropriate as the story takes place in a beach town in Maine. (less)
I’m not quite sure what to make of this book. I’ve heard so many good things about it, including a brilliant recommendation from one of my friends, bu...moreI’m not quite sure what to make of this book. I’ve heard so many good things about it, including a brilliant recommendation from one of my friends, but I was a little disappointed with it.
I think one of my biggest hang-ups was Belly herself. Why would someone go by that name? Isabel is a pretty name, but Belly, no so much. Anyway, Belly is self-centered, insecure, and childish. I know she turns sixteen at the end of the summer, but she is still the youngest of the lot and she acts like it. I also didn’t particularly care for the way she behaved towards Cam.
The Fisher boys, Jeremiah and Conrad, are very different, but they have their over protectiveness of Belly in common. They are all childhood friends that are growing up and growing apart, especially when the ‘glue’ that binds them together is fading (sorry for being so cryptic, but I’m trying to avoid spoilers). I like Jeremiah better because he was easygoing, he was not afraid to show his feelings, and he was always there for Belly. On the other hand, Conrad was the typical brooding bad boy and it seems like he didn’t know how to handle his problems (granted, they were huge), other than throwing himself into drinking, smoking, and other stuff.
Belly’s mom is a rock. She is so steady that everyone things she has no feelings, which I’m sure is not true. Susannah is so sweet, she’s loving, loyal, and stubborn; I really liked her. Steven, Belly’s brother is only in part of the story, and it looks like he is very annoying (like any brother ;)
One of the best things about the audio book was the narration. Jessica Almasy has a great voice and an amazing talent to make the story come alive. The plot is fairly simple, but made complicated by Belly’s angst and constant whining. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a short, easy read and a well written story. The book itself contains a lot of flashbacks to previous summers, to give us background information of the characters and their history. The ending is a big cliffhanger, made to guarantee that the reader jumps right into It’s Not Summer Without You. I’ll still pick up book #2 and see where it takes me (again, my friend raves about this series :)
About the cover: The cover is simple, pretty, with light colors that give the impression of being 'beachy'. I also liked the font and the placement of the title.(less)
I wish there were words to express how outstandingly-awesome this book is. I know that the year has barely started and it might be premature to say th...moreI wish there were words to express how outstandingly-awesome this book is. I know that the year has barely started and it might be premature to say that this is the best book of 2013, but I can safely say that it is one of the best books that I’ve ever read and that it will remain a favorite for years to come. You might think that I’m exaggerating, but I truly fell in love with the story and the characters, I hope you do too.
I put Just One Day on hold at my local library at the beginning of the year and was pleasantly surprised when I was notified that it was waiting for me. I proceeded to devour the book as fast as I could. What an amazing journey it has been! Just One Day is many things rolled into one; it is a romance, a tale of self-discovery and a journal of an incredible ‘road trip’. Allyson is infuriating at times because she is full of doubts and insecurities, but this is due to her upbringing (more about that later). In trying to please her mother and be the best daughter she could be, she forgot who she was and how to be happy. Her encounter, her time with Willem was brief but it had a profound effect on her life. At first I was really upset that she seemed to listen to everyone else’s advice and opinions instead of following her heart and forming her own opinions. As I said, all the angst and even the depression that she went through were necessary for her to really see what her life had become and how to fix it. I was immensely happy that Allyson grows so much in the span of a year. At the end she became “Lulu”, a more confident and carefree person. I think I see a little bit of my 18-year-old myself in Allyson.
Willem deserves his own paragraph. Although Just One Day is Allyson’s story, we get the gift of knowing Willem for one day, which of course is not enough (don’t worry, we get a whole book from Willem’s POV soon!). Willem’s philosophy about life and accidents resonates with me and with Allyson; the biggest problem is that he was so carefree that it made it nearly impossible for them to find each other after their one day together. Even though all the evidence pointed to a deceitful young man, I just couldn’t reconcile Willem with that image and was quite upset that Allyson believed the worst so easily. Oh, and we share a mutual love for Nutella!
On to Allyson’s parents and more specifically her overbearing mother. Now, I’m a mother of three and my aspiration in that difficult role is to raise my boys to be independent, self-sufficient, honest, happy, and ambitious individuals. The goal is to prepare them to choose their own path equipped with the best tools I can provide for them. However, this is not the case with Allyson’s mom. She leaves no room for guessing, for exploration, for individualism at all, therefore, poor Allyson doesn’t know how to do anything for herself. That, people is a tragedy!
I adore Dee, the first friend that Allyson ever made on her own because he is not afraid to be who he is and he opened his heart to Allyson. I didn’t care much for Melanie, I think she encouraged Allyson to be stagnant on her growth, when she spend a lot of time finding herself. We meet many memorable characters through Allyson’s journey that are good, bad, gentle, wise, and more.
From having read If I Stay (although Where She Went is still waiting on my shelved to be picked up), I knew that any book from Gayle Forman was destined to be amazing and I was not disappointed, if anything she surpassed my expectations. The story is simple, a couple meets and travels to Paris for just one day, they separate after an unexpected event (not yet totally explained) and the girl spends a year dealing with the consequences of the encounter, and later trying to find said boy. Oh, but the story is so much more. The writing is exquisite, lyrical and picturesque. The settings go from Pennsylvania, to New York, Boston, Paris, Amsterdam, and England and each place was amazing, especially Paris.
Overall, Just One Day is an outstanding story, I hope you love it as I did and accompany me in the wait for Just One Year, Willem’s story due out in October of this year.
Here are some quotes: (they might be a bit spilery, so read at your own risk)
“It’s something that never comes off, no matter how much you might want to” [Willem describing what love is]
“When he finally kisses my mouth, everything goes oddly quiet, like the moment of silence between lighting and thunder. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. Four Mississippi. Five Mississippi. Bang.” – Allyson
“… that whole day, being with William, being Lulu, it made me realize that all my life I’ve been living in a small, square room, with no windows and no doors. Then someone came along and showed me there was a door in the room. One that I’d never even seen before. Then he open it more me. ..” – Allyson
“No it doesn’t. You’re just trying on different identities, like everyone in those Shakespeare plays. And the people we pretend at, they’re already in us. That’s why we pretend them in the first place” – Dee talking to Allyson
About the cover: The cover is gorgeous! The back cover has a sidewalk with little tables and chairs, charming. (less)
Pushing the Limits is an astounding debut for author Katie McGarry. I have to warn you though, that this book is indented for older teens as there is...morePushing the Limits is an astounding debut for author Katie McGarry. I have to warn you though, that this book is indented for older teens as there is some strong language and sexual and drug references.
Echo and Noah are one- of- a- kind characters. They have gone through so much; people that were supposed to take care of them betrayed them, and left them damaged. Each one of them devised their own coping mechanisms, even if it was the wrong approach. Echo and Noah were, in essence, two parts of a whole.
Echo is a brilliant student and artist, that tries to seek acceptance by never saying ‘no’. She tries to be the best daughter, the best student, the best friend, but in turn forgets what makes her really happy. Noah is lost, and has technically given up on the world and his only goal is to get his family back together. This unlikely pair meets and almost instantly connects with each other. What ensues is one of the most beautiful and real love stories I’ve had the privilege of reading.
What makes this story amazing are the characters. Besides Echo and Noah, we meet Isaiah, Noah’s friend and foster brother. Beth is not a likable character, but we have to admire her spunk and most of all her loyalty to her friends. Lila is a really loyal friend, Grace is not. Luke is a creep. I adored Ms. Collins; it was about time that someone was really willing to help Noah and Echo. The selfishness of Echo’s mom, the impotence and dejection of her dad; it all makes an amazing story.
The story line reminded me of Perfect Chemistry, down to the alternating point of views, and also the fact that there is a ‘bad boy’ and ‘good girl’ falling for each other. However, the story is unique in its own way, and as I mentioned before, the characterization is incredible. The writing is amazing. Ms. McGarry has the gift of now not creating amazing characters, but infusing them with reality. In her words, we can feel the pain, the angst, the hope, and most of all, the love. I cannot not say enough good things about Pushing the Limits, but I encourage you to read it as soon as it comes out (I’m serious, pre-order it right now!).
Ms. McGarry’s next book, Dare You To, is Beth’s story and it will be published next year. I’m not too crazy about Beth, but I will give it a chance for two reasons: one – I will read anything Ms. McGarry writes, and second – I hope that Noah and Echo make an appearance in Beth’s story.
About the cover: This is very appropriate cover. We see Echo (red curly hair) and Noah (talk, dark and handsome), almost kissing. We can see the setting is a school hallway and I love the shadows and that the light seems to only illuminate Echo. The title is actually silver and shiny.(less)
I am a big fan of Kim Harrington’s Clarity series, thus I was excited to read The Dead and Buried. I found the book to be predictable, but good.
The Dead and Buried was a typical hunted house ghost book, and that my friend was my main issue with it. Don’t get me wrong, it was still a great read. Jade comes from a small town and her family just moved to a big house, that they could afford because a girl died there. You might guess where this is going, right? Well, since mean girl-turned- mean- ghost-Kayla was murdered she is really mad and will stop at nothing until Jade figures out who killed her. (Now, I ask you, if you knew there was a ghost in your house, would you mess with a Quji board? I think not!) Jade now has a difficult assignment to complete, made more difficult by the fact that she is new in town and Kayla belonged to the “popular” group in school.
I didn’t identify to the characters as much as I did with the characters in the Clarity series, which was a big disappointment for me. Is not that I didn’t like Donovan or Kane, is just that I didn’t care for them as I should have. Even if both of them were handsome and good guys at heart I hardly get to known him. The story felt rushed and with little time to cultivate relationships and friendships. Most characters, such as the popular crowd, Jade’s stepmother, the nerdy friend, and even the absent dad felt very familiar and can be found in countless other stories.
The plot is very cookie cutter and predictable, but it is still entertaining. The story is short and that might be part of the trouble with character development. The writing is easy to read and flows nicely for a short book.
Overall The Dead and Buried, was a typical hunted house read, a short and entertaining story.
Here are some quotes:
“He was right, but thankfully the pie gods chose that moment to bestow upon us or order. I do not exaggerate and neither did Kane. With the first bite, I let out an embarrassing moan. .. We ate in silence. Part of me wanted to scarf the whole thing as quickly as possible and the other part wanted to savor each bite as long as I could.” – Jade
“Looking back, we’d all been haunted by the dead and buried. Not just the house. We’d carried ghosts inside of us, making our spirits weary” – Jade
About the cover: When I saw this book initially, it had another cover that looked more mysterious to me but now I can’t find it. The current cover doesn't do much for me. (less)
If I had to choose one word to describe Waiting, it will be ‘heartbreaking’. This is a book that will stay in your mind, even after you read the last...moreIf I had to choose one word to describe Waiting, it will be ‘heartbreaking’. This is a book that will stay in your mind, even after you read the last word.
I think the synopsis gives the reader a pretty good idea of what the story line is. In a few short words, Zach was London’s brother and best friend, when he passed away she was left adrift in her pain with no lifesaver in sight. Yes, I know that sounded really corny, but that’s what happened. Instead of the rest of the family bonding in their pain or even seeking for help (it’s like there aren’t any counselors or psychologists!), they each drown in their very own ‘pool’ of sorrow and guilt. London mom’s is, in my opinion, plain crazy. Why did her father allow this to go on for almost a year? Why didn’t London reach for help before?
London is not a very likeable character. Although what she is going through is understandable, she also makes some awful decisions. I’ve seen a lot of rambling about the ‘cheating’, but really she wasn’t going ‘steady’ with either Jesse or Taylor. However, Jesse did have a girlfriend that was London’s best friend before; and that is just plain wrong. In her defense, I think that London’s intention was to feel loved, cherished, taken care of, have some contact or connection to another human being. I just can’t imagine going through life without anyone to offer love, kind words, concern; well, you know what I mean.
Taylor treated London like a china doll, with such care and understanding, and I love him for it. Lili, Jessie and even Lauren were good friends, and she can rely on them in the future. This, (and something else I won’t spoil for you) at last, with help her heal.
The plot was simple, a little cliché, and somewhat predictable. The crowning glory of Waiting is in the writing. The writing is amazing. In case you didn’t know, this book is written in verse, some pages contain a few words and others full sentences with dialogue; this makes the book a breeze to read. The other thing that bother me a bit was the constant religious references. I understand this as well, because London's parents are missionaries, but I feel it's a bit of an overkill. Here are some quotes from the book, so you’ll understand what I mean:
“It was Lauren. Of course, Lauren told Lili everything. At least she knew, which I’m sure isn’t accurate. That’s how gossip is. Bits of truth sprinkled with lots of crap.”
“Some late-night show is on and I should have been in bed long ago, but I want to hear someone’s real voice. The voice of someone who loves me (is there anyone?) Not just Jay Leno or Jimmy Fallon.”
“If anything like this ever happens to me again anything like this And I am the mom And if there are another kids I swear to God in Heaven that I will pull all who are left close, and never let them go. I won’t leave one out.”
About the cover: To me, it’s amazing how a couple in an embrace can look so lonely and desolate. Beautiful! (less)
I just love Hartley. I think this amazing protagonist is what makes the story. Hartley is witty, quirky, funny, a great friend and a not so good inves...moreI just love Hartley. I think this amazing protagonist is what makes the story. Hartley is witty, quirky, funny, a great friend and a not so good investigator (she’s getting better though). Hart comes across like a real teenager (believe, I have one) in a world in which technology has taken over, Twitter, Facebook, IM, ipods, texting, the internet and even Match.com are all big players in the book.
Chase is again Hart’s love interest, well sort off; we know they each care for each other, but they’re taking things slow, which I like. I do hope that they get to have that date on book three *sigh*. Sam is, as always, a good and loyal friend, even when it goes against everything she believes in; as I said, ‘a really good friend’. We see a few of the characters from book one as well. More importantly, Hartley’s mom is now dating a certain detective *wink, wink*
The plot is a bit predictable, but nevertheless I enjoyed the ride. The writing is amazing, so funny that I laughed out loud more than once. I mean, who would have thought of committing ‘Twittercide’? Ms. Halliday, that’s who! I cannot wait for book three, whenever it’s published, I’m so there. If you like Nancy Drew when you were younger, if you like mystery and a light, funny story, look no further than the Deadly Cool series.
About the cover: The cover is really beautiful, although the model looks less like Hartley. I like the font and again the headphone cable that forms the word “suicide”.
Deadly Cool was such as fun read! It was a light, easy to read book and at time hilarious.
Hartley is our protagonist and the story is told from her p...moreDeadly Cool was such as fun read! It was a light, easy to read book and at time hilarious.
Hartley is our protagonist and the story is told from her point of view. She is a down to earth kind of girl, smart (although too trusting), beautiful, and not extremely popular, which is refreshing to see she didn’t care too much about. It seems like bad luck follows Hart, just as bees follow honey; the good thing is that she overcomes this easily. I love Chase, he is not only handsome, but different, brilliant, and he cares about Heart a lot. Sam is such a good friend and I love her for it. It is also nice to see that the parents of our characters were caring and present (for a change!)
The story is very good. I have to confess that I never suspected the culprit until the last moment when Hart found out. As I mentioned before I love Hart’s sense of humor, she is ironic and snarky at the same time. The writing is easy to read and the book went by really fast for me. I’m a new fan of the series and I can’t wait for Social Suicide which will be published next month.
About the cover: I actually selected the cover of Deadly Cool for my Top 10 most beautiful covers last week. Those eyes are gorgeous, and the headphones that form the word “cool” are, well…cool. (less)
Oh, my! This is the first book by John Green that I’ve read and it certainly will not be the last. What a marvelous story! What breathtaking character...moreOh, my! This is the first book by John Green that I’ve read and it certainly will not be the last. What a marvelous story! What breathtaking characters! (Okay, I’m done with the exclamation points now).
Our protagonist is Hazel and she is amazing. From reading the synopsis we know that she is sick, very sick. Still she sees the world in a pragmatic, realistic, but not pessimistic way. She is by no means perfect, but she accepts that fact and move on. Hazel has isolated herself from school and friends, because in her mind it is better to not have any than to eventually abandon them and hurt them when eventually her disease wins. Augustus is an incredible character; he is positive, charismatic, incredibly handsome and full of life, even at the face of terrible circumstances. Both Hazel and Augustus are one of a kind characters. They are well read, they love unusual things, and they wield irony and sarcasm like a weapon, and even though their families might not understand them, they recognize the greatness in them.
Hazel and Augustus’ parents are very involved in their lives, which is nice (and more realistic) to see in YA. I really enjoyed Hazel parents and their relationship, especially her father because he always seemed to have a brilliant comment to make.
What can I say about the writing that you haven’t read before? Mr. Green is a master story teller that makes not only the story, but its characters come to life. The writing is perfect, well-paced, and flawless. The plot was at the beginning funny and ironic, and then it was surprising and painful.
Even though I cried for a good part of the book (at least half of it!), it was worth every tear. If you have read any books by Mr. Green before, please leave a comment and tell me which of his books should I read next? (less)
Past Perfect is a book by the author of Mostly Good Girls (see my review here), which I enjoyed, therefore I was eager to read this book because it so...morePast Perfect is a book by the author of Mostly Good Girls (see my review here), which I enjoyed, therefore I was eager to read this book because it sounded like fun and I loved the cover.
Chelsea was a fun character to read. She is very opinionated, pretty, a great friend, but full of insecurities. She was easily persuaded by others into doing something she didn’t want to do, and sadly that is true for a lot of people. I liked her frankness and several parts of the book were laugh-out-loud funny. I loved Dan, he was fun, considerate, and handsome and it pained me to see what happened between him and Chelsea. I also liked Fiona, Chelsea’s best friend, she was a drama queen and so loyal that she deserved an award for sticking to Chelsea and for opening her eyes. There is a good word to describe Ezra, but I won’t use it since I don’t like to write curse words (you get the drift, right?). Other members of the Essex Colonial Village were so “high school”, there were popular girls and guys, and just the opposite, but they were all united by the “War”.
The plot was very original and I love the concept of the "War", even when it got a little out of hand. the only thing that bummed me out is how Chelsea caved in so easily to betray Dan. It just seemed our of character for her. Just as her previous novel, Ms. Sales left a lot unsaid and I feel like the end was inconclusive. I hope that Dan gave Chelsea a chance (it seems like he did.) The writing was insightful, funny and easy to read.
It's funny how sometimes we look at something from our past, maybe a childhood memory or that of your first crush through "pink" glasses instead of the way things really happened. Past Perfect was an entertaining and short contemporary read that I hope you enjoy as I did.
About the cover: I like that the cover is unusual and pretty, although it has nothing to do with the story!(less)
Well, the short description is that I loved this book! Loved. It. I am a sucker for romance and Breathe has more than its share in that particular cat...moreWell, the short description is that I loved this book! Loved. It. I am a sucker for romance and Breathe has more than its share in that particular category.
Sadie has been forced to grow up rather quickly and be the responsible person between herself and her mother. Now that her mother is pregnant, she has even more responsibilities and I felt sorry for her and her lack of support before working for Jax Stone. Sadie is a beautiful girl, she is caring, with good work ethics and strong believes between what is right and wrong. Even though she posses all these redeeming qualities, she still fell head-over-heels for the latest heartthrob, Jax Stone. The great thing is that he did too. I loved that he was so caring, and knew exactly what Sadie needed and tried to make life easier for her. The only thing I didn’t like was her reaction after Jax left (never fear, it has a happy ending!), although I do understand it.
I enjoyed all the characters in the book (well, maybe not Jessica: Sadie’s mom), they were well developed and easy to relate to, especially Marcus and Ms. Mary. The story was simple and well developed and the writing was beautiful to read, it reminded me a little of Sarah Dessen’s writing.
I am a new fan of Ms. Glines and I intend to promptly purchase her next books. I know that there is no need for a sequel, but I would love to see what happens with Sadie and Jax next, though I hope the last line is “and they lived happily ever after” :)
About the cover – There are two covers of Breath and I like the one I posted here better. It represents the book so well and it is beautiful. (less)
I really enjoyed Kelly Armstrong’s Darkest Power’s series, so obviously The Gathering was in my TBR list for a while, and now I had the opportunity to...moreI really enjoyed Kelly Armstrong’s Darkest Power’s series, so obviously The Gathering was in my TBR list for a while, and now I had the opportunity to “read it” (I listed to the audiobook) and really liked it.
Maya is a very different character; she is pragmatic, headstrong, stubborn and a little inflexible as well. She has a very strong set of values and a clear vision of right and wrong that can be annoying to some of her friends. She is adopted and hit the lottery with her adoptive parents, therefore she is not that interested about her natural parents, that is, until she starts experiencing some changes.
Daniel is a great friend and I am assuming that he also has some powers, and we will learn more about it in the next book. He is very protective of Maya, a great friend, and has freaky good instincts. I was a little confused as he didn’t seem to be interested in Maya in a romantic way (I don hope this doesn’t develop into a love triangle). Rafe was a complicated character, with a shady history, and lot of baggage. He does seem to genuinely care about Maya and is in search of answers for himself and his sister Annie, although he at least knows more than Maya. Maya’s parents are a treat, as well as some of her friends.
The plot is new, it seems to mix two seemly different problems that I’m guessing might have to do with the same lab (Maya , Rafe and Daniel’s abilities). The writing is very straightforward, and the forest seems to be alive and become another character as well. The ending was a complete cliffhanger which was very cruel Ms. Armstrong! The Calling, the second book in the series will be published in April of next year *sits down to wait*
About the cover: Maya is on the cover and we can see (or imagine) what she looks like. The dark background paired with the blue tinged skin makes it look very mysterious.
Love & Leftovers is the second book I’ve read written in verse and just like Chasing Brooklyn before, I love it!
Marcie is a typical teenager, she...moreLove & Leftovers is the second book I’ve read written in verse and just like Chasing Brooklyn before, I love it!
Marcie is a typical teenager, she is a little insecure and has a great group of friends in high school that call themselves to be the “Leftovers”. She lives in Boise, Idaho (where I went to college, btw) with her mom and dad, until tragedy strikes and she temporarily moves to New Hampshire (or so she thought). Unfortunately Marcie had to deal with many issues that are really hard for anyone (and even worst for a teenager!) and she did the best she could under the circumstances.
I didn’t like J.D. too much, he was handsome, but seemed kind of one-dimensional to me. I liked Linus more, although he too made some unfortunate decisions triggered by hurt (a very common mistake I assure you). Linus is a unique character and a musician that puts his emotions into song. Katie had me a little confused and I can’t help but not liking her. I know that Marcie made some poor choices, but so did Linus and Katie. I liked Marcie’s dad and Danny too, but her mom, not so much.
I am glad everything worked out at the end for almost everyone in the story.
The plot was simple and masterfully executed. What we are reading is Marcie’s diary that she writes as poems. If you have never given books written this way a chance, you should, they are very easy to read and follow. The writing was amazing, well-paced, and full of emotions.
Love & Leftovers is a great read, please give it a chance because is worth it :)
About the cover: I like the cover, is simple and gives the impression of a young girl and boy hugging or kissing. The papers in the background can be songs, poems or just making reference to school. I like the red shoes and title.(less)
Even though it wasn’t what I was expecting, I really liked The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. It was a quick, but satisfying read; so...moreEven though it wasn’t what I was expecting, I really liked The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. It was a quick, but satisfying read; sort of like wearing your favorite jammies and sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
Hadley is a sarcastic, full of phobias, opinionated, and pretty girl that has been irrevocably affected by her parents’ divorce. I think that in her mind the problems grew out of proportion (like they do for every teenager!) at a point that it affected her more than either her mom or dad. The divorce changed her view of the world and turned her a little bitter. I am not saying that what she went through was not real and painful, only that it took her longer to overcome it. Oliver is a handsome, British (have to love the accent, right?) student that happens to be headed to London in the same plane with Hadley. I wish I liked Oliver more, he had all the right ingredients for a great character, but for some reason I didn’t like him as much. He was obviously raised very differently and he bottled everything up and it wasn’t easy for him to share his feelings.
Other characters in the book, Hadley’s parents and the future Mrs. Professor were quirky and likeable. The plot was simple and great; it is amazing that so much happens in so little amount of time! From Hadley’s change of heart and view of the wedding, to her attachment to Oliver, to the adventure to the unknown, it has all the makings of a good story. It is a rollercoaster of feelings, attachments, friendships and love. Do I believe in love at first sight? Absolutely!
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a great, easy to read contemporary read, which is romantic without being sappy or corny. Love it!
About the cover: I really like the cover and the font. It portraits that feeling, when you are with your one and only and you feel like you are the only two people in the world. Remember that feeling? I know I do!(less)
Elizabeth "Liza"
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