false 1 156 119 true 6720665 read 0 true 6720664 currently-reading 37 true 6720663 to-read 13 false 7299853 wish-list 1 false 7299971 for-review--proof-copy- http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79508527 Restoring Harmony (Hardcover) by Joëlle Anthony
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79397787 My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters (Paperback) by Sydney Salter
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79397774 Ex-mas (Paperback) by Kate Brian
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78841606 to: Shrinking Violet (Paperback) by Danielle Joseph
This was a good read. I really liked Tere – she’s the kind of character I could imagine myself being friends with in real life. I also identified with her – I was painfully shy when I was younger so I (unfortunately) recognized the fear she felt in certain situations! I liked the arc her character went through in the book to discover her ‘voice’ – it was this aspect that held my interest. The impact this had on her relationship with her mother was interesting to read as well.

There wasn’t as much romance in the book as I thought there was going to be – so I was a little disappointed in that respect - and I found the songwriting contest to be a bit unrealistic in contrast to the rest of the story – but I think it worked overall.

I really like how Danielle Joseph writes and I think she is definitely an author to watch. I will be keeping my eye out for her next novel.

3.5 Stars ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74760590 to: Hate List (Hardcover) by Jennifer Brown
I found this a very powerful read. It was such a raw and honest account that it was heartbreaking to read at times. I connected to Val immediately and found it interesting to have the story told from her point of view – having her be the girlfriend of the shooter gave the story a unique feel. I found it very insightful watching her grapple with her feelings towards the Nick she remembered and the reality of what he had done.

Jennifer Brown has a lovely writing style – it’s very accessible and I found myself flying through the book. She uses flashbacks and newspaper articles to bring the past to light and this works superbly – by the time you get to the shooting you really feel for all the characters which makes it even more devastating. I liked that you got to see Nick from Val’s point of view to show that a real person was behind the shooting - even if that makes it even more horrifying and heartbreaking.

I found Val’s journey to be a rollercoaster ride of emotion – the book is very character driven and focuses on Val’s need to overcome/accept what has happened and forgive her role in it so she can move on with her life. She is a brilliantly crafted character – a kind of warts and all approach. I found this extended to the other characters as well – I found their reactions to be realistic – the hate, anger, fear, the need to blame or hold someone accountable and ultimately forgiveness. I think it was her father’s reaction that was the most devastating. It felt realistic though, even if I did spend most of the book wishing he’d be different.

This is definitely a book that will stay with me. Val felt very real to me and I’d love to see how she’s getting on in the future. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78841516 to: Major Crush (Mass Market Paperback) by Jennifer Echols
Jennifer Echols has officially become one of those authors that I will read purely because her name is on the book. I haven’t read a book of hers yet I haven’t really enjoyed.

Major Crush has all the things I’ve come to expect from her writing. The characters had that added spark that made them just that little bit more interesting. They were dealing with some real issues and there was some fun along the way – the band teacher was hilarious! It was also really sweet and romantic.

I can’t wait until next year when I’ll get some more of her books to read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78062675 to: Gingerbread (Paperback) by Rachel Cohn
I found this in a local charity shop so didn’t realise it’s an American publication – it’s available if you are able to order online.

This was my first Rachel Cohn book and I enjoyed it. Cyd Charisse certainly has a very unique voice – at first I wasn’t sure I was going to like her she was so ‘in your face’ but she soon grew on me. I liked her no holds barred attitude and the way she spoke.

The book is really quirky – one of the characters is a doll called gingerbread (hence the title)! – but is great fun too. The main drew of the book for me were the different relationships – Cyd and Shrimp, Cyd and her family and Cyd and her ‘bio dad’ (and his family). The dynamics of these were really interesting and I especially liked her banter with her half-brother.

I have already bought the second book called Shrimp (which is available in the UK) and there is also a third called Cupcake

3.5 Stars ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77765764 to: Hold Still (Hardcover) by Nina LaCour
I completely fell in love with this book. Everything about it just worked for me. I adored the writing – it was really beautiful and really bought Catlin to life. I really felt as if I was in her head and was on the journey with her. Her pain was palpable and it felt completely realistic to me.

This is another one of those books that is very character driven and relies on character interaction and development. It is in this aspect that this book excels. I loved Catlin’s progression through the novel and it felt a very realistic portrayal of grief. I also loved the way her parent tried to help – you could see how scared and worried they are yet they still give her the room to grieve. They also provide the tools for her to work her way through her grief which was lovely to see. Her interactions with her new friends were really interesting and you could see her struggle with the responsibility of being a friend and her need for contact. Ms. Delani was a really interesting character and gave insight into the responsibility a teacher feels when a student commits suicide.

I also loved the presentation of the book. The way they incorporated Ingrid’s Journal into the book through different paper colour and drawings had a huge impact and as a result made Ingrid a main character in the novel. The author does a great job in showcasing depression in a real and honest way. When we get to see Ingrid through her own words and through the memories of others we get to see this as a long term illness with symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. It was interesting to see Catlin struggle with the truth behind many of her memories now that she sees them in a different light.

I don’t think I’ve done how much I loved this book justice – all I can say is please read it. It’s absolutely stunning. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78831613 You Wish by Mandy Hubbard
bookshelves: to-read, wish-list
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77982937 The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June (Hardcover) by Robin Benway
bookshelves: to-read
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