Devera’s Comments (group member since Feb 03, 2014)

Devera’s comments from the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge group.

This is my first year doing the challenge and I just finished! Whew! It was a lot tougher than I was anticipating. There were some great reads and some not so great reads, but overall, a great selection that is sure to please readers.

Blech...ugh...too many descriptions about too many gross bodily fluids and/or body parts. Yuck.

This book was SO interesting. I think the topic of intersex could still be considered taboo, even though with today's standards of gender equality - it definitely should not be. Working with teens, I think it is so important to be kept abreast of LGBT issues because you never know who it might help. This book was completely informative and enthralling. I learned so much that I am planning on doing some extensive research about intersex teens and possible needs they may have.

With that being said - the rape scene was tough on me. Thanks for the fair warning everyone! I admit, I did have to skim through some of it, it was just too tough for me as a survivor. With that being said, I felt as thought this book gives great insight to what survivors go through and then adding on top an intersex issue - WOW, a tough situation for anyone, much less a teen. A pretty brilliant book, although a bit rushed at the end. A definite recommend for adults working with teens (most especially LGBT) and for teens upper high school. 4 stars.

This book was cute, but it started to drag on a little too much by the end. It does give a great message about forgiving your ex and moving forward in your life and the dialogue/language was very realistic for the ages portrayed. 3 stars

I love that this dang book kept me guessing! Very interesting weave of paranormal/supernatural, etc. I can see how the more mature YA readers would enjoy this book. It takes a little bit of patience, but once it starts moving, you can't put it down.

Great book! 4 1/2stars! I truly loved the character development of Emilia/Nastya and I wish my daughters could find a young man like Josh!

Fantastic book! There were two things that I wondered about this book...
1. We have this cataloged as juvenile fiction
2. With it being JF, some of the derogatory language in it concerned me.

Other than that - I loved it! Very humorous and I loved how it touched on the subject of how a 'tween doesn't really know about their own sexuality (yet). Very refreshing! Great homage to Broadway - so if you love musicals and/or theater you'll love it too!

Bethany wrote: "I have not read this book, but I wanted to clarify that the Alex Award is for books written for an adult audience that have teen appeal, so The Death of Bees is not considered YA."

Well then that makes WAY more sense!

YA? Not! I take issue with books that are considered YA just because the main characters are teens. We have this book cataloged as Adult Fiction (as it should be). The characters in this book are unbelievably under-developed, although I loved the character of Nelly. She's such a little oddball with her 1950's style of thinking in such a harsh, cruel world. I guess I kinda liked this book, but was disappointed the overall development was thin. 2 stars.

Oh my goodness. I LOVE this book. I was reading it last night and could NOT put it down. Down right hilarious! If this is how teenage boys really think, no wonder teenage girls are crying all the time. They are so clueless, hilarious, and completely boob minded! I laughed so hard I was crying, and snorted so loud my husband asked me what the heck was I reading? AWESOME read - great for teenage boys that may be reluctant readers.

Beautiful, bold and honest take on bullying, especially from a female perspective. I LOVED this book. It really portrays the terror and shame that comes with bullying. I love the exquisitely strong female characters in the book and I love how education was throughout the book. Most especially, the unbelievably realistic portrayal of the school's students and administrators was fantastic. 5 stars!!

I live in a pretty rural area, so not being around any trans teenagers, this book offered great insight. I have met many trans adults over the years, but I guess I never really grasped the concept of how difficult it must be in the teen years (I know - duh). I am a music lover too, so this book interested me greatly and made me look up some songs that I hadn't heard. Pretty well rounded book, laughter, tears, drama, scary, and of course the normal teenage angst. Great book - 4 stars.

Loved it! Creepy seances, talking with the dead, waking up and the ghost of a sweetheart is in the bed right next to you! Oof! Talk about jumping out of bed! It's a great book - not overly scary or graphic like Scowler was, but can definitely give you the heebie jeebies! I have to agree with Mrs. Vogler about the strong female characters as well - excellent!

bjneary wrote: "I read the whole series (3 books) and loved it. It is great to read and laugh out loud, a lot!!!"

Are you telling me this is a series????? OMG, that makes me SO happy. Definitely going to have to find out the other titles and read them as well!. Thanks for letting me know!

Okay - one word describes this book...HI-LAR-IO-OUS!!!!!! I am a sucker for potty humor and teenage humor and this one LITERALLY had me laughing and snorting and giggling out LOUD. With so many books on the challenge on the SERIOUS side, I have to say, this book gave me MANY chuckles and straight out right laughs and PLEASURE. If you need a break from the serious tones of all the other books in the challenge, this is THE book for you!

I understand that this book is loved by so many readers. For me, the poetic tendencies sometimes bordered on tedious and a little too drawn out. (I know, you are all gasping in dismay.). Honestly, I loved the voices and stories of those who had passed, who couldn't experience what teens these days can, and I love the book for pointing that out and reminding teens of how fortunate they can be. I am just saying that sometimes the voices could have been more in the background of the book instead of the forefront.

bjneary wrote: "Devera wrote: "bjneary wrote: "Devera wrote: "Boy, did this book bring me back to my high school and college days. Being a girl with frizzy curly hair and kinda feeling like the odd girl out, it r..."
I absolutely agree with you about her mother. I kept thinking to myself that anytime the mom would wake up and get a reality check, but I guess Rainbow kept it real to remind us that it doesn't always work that way.

bjneary wrote: "Devera wrote: "Boy, did this book bring me back to my high school and college days. Being a girl with frizzy curly hair and kinda feeling like the odd girl out, it really struck a chord with me. ..."
Yes - it is so tragic. I loved this book because I honestly believe it to be a very realistic take on teens. I found the "friendship" between Park & Steve to be very true and the petty jealous of Tina completely on point. I would have given it 4 stars if the mother's role was a little more complete.

Boy, did this book bring me back to my high school and college days. Being a girl with frizzy curly hair and kinda feeling like the odd girl out, it really struck a chord with me. The profanity in the first couple of chapters sort of bugged me, but when I thought back to the time period, it really wasn't all that uncommon. I feel that Rainbow Rowell hit the nail on the head with teenagers, the awkwardness of first love, and serious family issues. This book reminded me of just how excruciating it is to be a teen and how we as adults have forgotten how difficult and hostile the social environment can be for them. It's a great read. Take the time to get past the first 40 pages or so and you'll be glad that you persevered.

I just finished this book and was pretty surprised at the ending. I love, love, love Judith's voice throughout the novel as well as the purity of her love for Lucas. The time period definitely felt Puritan to me, bit I am no history buff by any means. Lovely read...a little difficult to get started but worth the time getting there.