9 months is a very long time, just ask anyone who has ever been pregnant, but in the book world it is an eternity. It is also a time for us to build up unwarranted expectations.

**Fallen Spoilers in italics — you have been warned**

Life has just gotten a little more complicated for Lucinda Price.  Finding out the love of her life Daniel is a fallen angel was one thing, but dropping her off all by her lonesome at a Nephilim boarding school in California? That’s crossing the line.  Still reeling with the fact that her life is set on loop, (Live-Love-Burn-Repeat) Luce does the only thing she can think of while hottie-mic-hotterson is out battling the hell on earth, she starts to dig into her past.  Will glimpsing her past help her cope with her unconventional future? What happens when what she sees is the exact opposite of what she wants? And who is the cute new boy that is starting to make Luce re-think EVERYTHING?

Ok, now here is the part where all of you groan and mutter various versions of the same line “REALLY?”, “Uh-huh”, “Well that blows, ” and yes… I would have to agree with you.  This novel took me way longer than it should have to read. Yes.. I was mildly distracted by postseason baseball but even with my 4 hour breaks 3 times a week I should have knocked this puppy out 3 days after it hit my kindle, and the fact that I didn’t should be a very clear indication of just how disappointed I was.

The writing in “Fallen” was unique, cleverly plotted and angsty to the point of embarrassment, but more than that it was good.  “Torment” felt more like a ride on the “Pity Party Express” only giving tiny glimpses of action, and dropping (God I hate saying this) lame, overly manufactured moments of intimacy in when the plot got so slow I felt as though I would slip into a coma.  The characters we grew to love (and appreciate) in Fallen were all but absent in Torment, and replaced with a whole new, (less than spectacular) set, and the fast paced, action packed plot was clipped down to 1 short chapter at the end of the novel.

Needless to say I think Kate could have done better in her scripting of Luce and Daniel’s story, and even more… she could have amped up the intensity just a smidge, that was (after-all) what kept me flipping pages like a wild woman in book 1.

If you have read Fallen, sure go ahead, get Torment and catch up when you have the free time, but no rush… book 3 doesn’t come out until fall of 2011. And… just to make my point clear on the direction Kate has decided to steer this once very promising series; if “Passions” tanks, I’m out.  I have enough to read without it.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: 1 book won’t kill a series, but it can definitely make you apprehensive in the future.

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***~~ (3/5)

and only because I was teetering and I’m giving the author the benefit of the doubt.

Book Trailer

Being a teenager sucks. There are no two ways around it. Regardless of your standing in the hierarchy or caste system (that seems to be a standard feature in high school) there will always be a point in which you wish you could just disappear. As a matter of fact, the higher you are only tends to lead to a more dramatic fall. Your flaws are constantly exposed, your weakness, your pitfalls, and regardless of your “circle” these are the things that will continually weigh on you. I was not an outcast in high school until I made myself one. I made friends easily, and chose the group of people I associated with… they did not choose me, but despite my popularity or eventual lack there of, 3 things always dominated my ever running mind (as it does with most adolescent girls.)

1. I was not pretty enough
2. I was not smart enough
3. No one would ever understand me

In “The Duff” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) a book I was sure to be at least mildly amusing (if for no other reason than its atrocious title,) all of these issues were addressed, and if I may say so… in a very obscure way.

Bianca is not like most high school girls, she is cynical, overly sarcastic, mildly neurotic, and has a very clear definition of what “love” is. Compared to her circle of model-prototype giggly girlfriends, she is nothing more than average. Wesley on the other hand is a Nordic god… unfortunately he knows it, and with that knowledge comes arrogance, condescension, and a whole bag full of man-whorish/douche-bag qualities, but none of these are a problem for Bianca until his majesty crowns her queen of the duffs and turns B’s once self-satisfied world upside down. To make matters worse, B’s home life just got complicated, and in a effort to avoid acceptance she does the only thing she can think of… kisses Wesley. What happens when the boy you hate turns out to be the only one you can talk to? What happens when your life falls off the wagon? And who is really the Duff?

This novel is slated as YA, and while yes, the issues are contrived in a high school setting, I feel the need to offer a parental warning. This book is highly sexual, and deeply emotional so if you are apprehensive about your 15-16 year old jumping onto a rollercoaster of misguided intentions, then you might want to steer them clear of this novel… though very educational it is filled with vulgar language and promiscuity.

Ok… now that my parental duties are over let me get to the gritty. Kody Keplinger pulled off a small miracle in her debut novel… she was able to teach a cornucopia of lessons (body image, abandonment, acceptance, denial etc…) while at the same time maintaining the difficult web of a teenage love story. Bianca and Wesley were so well written that at times you could predict their responses to each other, and though both were flawed/raw individuals, Keplinger was successful in keeping them real and relatable (uh-hum… moments of purity) The plot was perfectly paced, the story as a whole (though sometimes making me cringe because of the characters ages) was original and (at times) motivational. However… the eventuality of the story is not what “got me”, the way in which Keplinger chose to tie it up is what had me nodding my head in overwhelming approval. Taking (I’m assuming) lesson’s from the classics (Austen, Bronte…) she chose WORDS not action as a means to an end.

Hype affirmed, “The Duff” is a must read for those intrigued by emotional confliction (aka… I love you, I hate you) As a matter of fact, I even re-read the last 20% this morning because I liked the way I felt when it was all said and done.

So what does that mean for you? Get it, Live it, Love it… pass it on.

Happy Reading my fellow Duff’s and remember: The size of your club does not make you better than me, it just means I have to reach further to hit what I’m aiming at.

****½ (4.5/5)

I wish I hadn’t.

“Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She’s determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie’s accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.”

I have been let down by books before, (even books by Simone Elkeles) but for some reason this felt much more personal to me.  I fell in love with Caleb and Maggie’s story in LP,  I held my breath in anticipation of their future, I felt their emotional acceptance, I even cried for them, but somehow in “Return to Paradise” all of that was lost.  The character development, and intensity that was so carefully crafted seemed to disappear completely, and was replaced by (somewhat) forced dialogue, and awkward personal interaction.

The lessons in RTP (which are absolution and acceptance) were cleverly disguised as a “Re-Start” youth program, and allowed Elkeles to expand her cast, but even with witty new characters, and chapters of angst, everything just felt dry and redundant.  For a woman that has (not only) made her mark in the YA community, but kicked mounds of sand over everyone elses’, to say I was disappointed would be like saying “spiders are icky”… grossly understated. I was completely deflated.

Read it if you must, but my advice (and I really hate saying this) retain your reading high from “Leaving Paradise” and write off the rest.

Oh… and (just because I have no self control) What the hell is up with the cover art? Really? Did we have to go with the extra slice of cheese?

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes even the best book can be broken.

Click image for complete details

***~~ (3.0/5)

(On a side note: I know some of y’all are probably wondering where the 3 is coming from after such a harsh review, so let me explain.  Regardless of its inability to live up to it’s predecessor, RTP did have a few outstanding moments in it, and at the end of the day… I still love Caleb and Maggie, and giving their story anything less than a 3 felt sorta sinful.  If you are now confused I humbly apologize, this was not my intention, but so goes the game of a bi-polar reviewer.)

I read “His Eyes” over a week ago with every intention of writing a review on it, but the later in the week it got, the more I felt ashamed of my views on this particular piece of work, and wanted to spare the author my thoughts.  The story was actually a good one. Well thought out, wonderful characters, believable. “So what’s the problem?” I’m sure your asking.  Ok, I’ll tell you. It needed to “be more.”

Let me explain, (be more is kind of a vague thought) This was the story of a teenage girl and her quest to fund her really expensive college experience.  In order to pad her pockets she does what most would do… she gets a job.  This job however, is not like every other job, (flipping burgers or brewing lattes) no, this job is to be a “babysitter” for a blind boy, (who in a twist turns out to be her age). Now… we all know where this story goes, it’s kind of predictable, (and that’s ok) it’s not always about the ending, sometimes it’s about the journey, but when the journey feels as though it is at warp speed, there is a problem.

As I said before, I didn’t think the book was bad, it was just lacking. Renee Carter created this wonderful world of circumstantial love, she set up her characters, she drew her audience in, and then she just… well… dropped the ball. Just when I started to really get into the story it ended. She waited way to long to introduce her 3rd act, and then only allowed herself roughly 10 pages to clean it up and make it tidy.  Why?  Is there some digital paper Nazi out there I am unaware of? Why would someone take such great care in creating a world, and forming a relationship with her characters just to tap out when things were getting too emotional?

I guess this is something I’ll never understand, or maybe it is something I should just learn to live with…because lately it seems to be the norm, but do you know what gets me most of all? The sadness that erupts from me when I can tell an author just gave up.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: sometimes being honest hurts.

For a complete book description click image.

***~~ (3/5)

Hanover Falls is a pretty average town, you have your famous photographers, your cute boys, your mildly obsessive activist, and your werewolves.  Ok… so maybe the werewolf thing makes it a little less average, but in Claire’s eyes, large walking puppies are just another thing that makes life…life. That is until she find out she is one.  On her 16th birthday Claire’s life is suddenly turned upside down.  The itchy ears and hands she though was just a rash turns into something much more menacing, and to top it off, the boy (who she finally managed to nab) is none other than the local “lets kill em all” guru’s son.  Will Claire ever learn to accept the “thing” she’s always been? Where are all these mysterious bodies coming from? And, will her faith in one person ultimately hurt or help her?

“Claire de lune” though enjoyable, was no more than “just another wolf tale.”  With the exception of the “female only” wolf pack, the story lacked originality and could be easily dropped into the generic paranormal bin.  Christine Johnson’s writing was predictable, but solid, and her fight scenes were so quick they barely allowed the reader to get amped up or anxious as to who would come out on top. There is an obvious formula to these types of books, and Johnson didn’t swerve (even the tiniest of blips) from it.

If you are a fan of paranormals, you will like it.  Like I said, it wasn’t bad, it was just “another book.”

Here is my advice… if you need something to distract you (like I did) or are fishing for the quick summer read, then this is definitely a book to grab off the shelf.  If you are looking for something with a little more depth… keep walking, this one is just to calculable to engage any sort of forward thought.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Rashes are gross… there is a crew of people out there that can fix it for you…quit living in denial and get some cream.

For a complete description click image

***~~ (3/5)

Quentin is all around average.  He goes to an average school, he does average work, he hangs out with average people, and does average things, but average quickly changes when his neighbor Margo (who is dressed in black and moves like a ninja) climbs through his window in the middle of the night. Bent on revenge, the unattainable Margo kidnaps Q and shoves him into (questionably) the greatest night of his life.  Unfortunately the high ends when Margo suddenly jumps ship.  They say Margo ran away, but is it really that simple? Who is this girl that grew up so close but seemed so far away? And can Q and his gaggle of goofballs get to her before there is nothing left but cryptic messages and left over fingernail polish?

First let me start by saying that the blurb for this book does not do it justice.  Yes, there are boat loads of deep emotional meanings in this novel, but that is just 1 side of it.  The side that captured me was the humor. Can you say laugh out loud funny?  The structure is built for easy reading and is split up into 3 sections, the 1st two are deep and introspective, but the 3rd is where the story really sneaks up on you.  This is the section that puts it all out there, it shows you the “ins and outs” of all of the characters, and it does it in such an irrational way that you can’t help but grab your stomach and chuckle.  There is not a single thing about this novel I would change.  “John Green” did a fantastic job of sucking the reader in quickly, and then pacing the plot with mystery and human connection to keep you interested.

There were unnaturally large cows, abandoned mini-malls, bottles of… pee (eww), Internet addicted friends, no pants, and 1 hell of a wild road trip.

The verdict? This is a relatively quick read, but more importantly is was fun… and who couldn’t use some fun in their life.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: 5 energy drinks + bumpy car = oops!

For a complete book description click image

****~ (4/5)

Now, while I stand behind my original objections to “PC” I am happy to say that  “Rules of Attraction” was back on mark for Elkeles’ writing ability. (The ability that I fell in love with in her novel “Leaving Paradise”) All of the things that I ranted about; the lack of equal character development, the vapidness of the heroine, and the sloppy writing in PC, were no longer present in this novel (thank God.)

Carlos is a troublemaker, he is into drugs and gangs and pretty much anything else that would make a parents blood boil.  Kiara is… not a troublemaker.  She’s a tom-boy with quick wit, and a inability to turn down challenges, she spends her time teaching art classes at retirement homes and climbing mountains with her gay best-friend Tuck.  Not exactly a match made in heaven right? But when Carlos is framed (think drugs… lots of them) and kicked out of his current sleeping situation he has only 2 choices… go to jail, or live at Kiara’s.  Choosing the lesser of 2 evils Carol’s makes the move… to a lovely little yellow polka-dotted room.  What happens when you finally realize the girl down the hall is more than just a T-shirt lovin wrench monkey? What happens when people start trusting you? And what is going to happen when the people that set you up, decided they aren’t quite through with you?

I was happy to see Elkeles bring back her natural flair for story telling.  Her angst scenes were captivating, pulling the reader in and out of moments, daring them to guess what would happen next.  Her characters were finally balanced, introducing their qualities in a steady stream of duel narration, and more importantly…I actually cared about what would happen to these people in the end of the novel (I even like Brittany more in this book. Go figure.)  This book is easily a stand alone (if you don’t feel like backtracking to catch up) and if you are looking for something you can knock out in minimal time… this was a fairly quick read. (1 day for me)

There were devious blondes, cookie magnets, rainy homecoming dances, family fun nights, several life altering decisions, and a missing $50 grand.

There was plenty of action to keep the plot flowing and… just like last time, tons of Spanish slang (just in case you were needing to bone up on it.)

This one is worth the money people! Get it, Live it, Love it… pass it on.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember:  never show up to peer counseling with a shiner… it spurs way to many questions.

For a complete book description click image

****~ (4/5)

Book Trailer

Anyways,

For those of you that have NOT jumped on this action packed/spirit filled/to much drama for your mama vampire band-wagon then I want to be the first to scold you. (Shame Shame!) and to tell you that there is plenty of time to catch up… and I do mean catch up. This series is NOT one you can pick up in the middle and hope to have a clue as to what is going on, the continuing plot is extremely complex and boast a VERY large cast of characters. (the total history is necessary…trust me)

!!!!STOP!!!!

Disclaimer: If you have not read “Tempted” yet do not read any further because there is a VERY BIG spoiler in the paragraphs below…don’t say I didn’t warn you.

After a shocking (I actually screamed out loud) ending to “Tempted” I was a little concerned that “P.C and Kristen Cast” had jumped the shark by killing off their main heroine, but again… this Mother/Daughter duo shocked me with their ability to twist the story to their favor. “Burned” like all of the other HON novels was action packed from cover to cover and in a surprising twist…amazingly current. How you ask? Well, for starters they made a “Glee” reference which, being a lover of the show, I found very amusing (and accurate) also the characters “generic” cell phones from the previous novels suddenly turned up as hip little iPhones in this novel.

The writing was (as always) flawless, as it should be by now, and even though additional character building could have been considered unnecessary, I was please to see that “Cast” expanded upon her already (aggressively) detailed characters. The plot was broken into several different stories, (Zoey/Stark/Heath – Stevie Ray/Rephaim/Red Fledgings – Aphrodite/Darius) each having a significant connection to the main plot, but also generating its own underlying subplot (which will be used in novels to come) There were a few NEW perspectives in the multi-narration (have no fear each person’s point of view was clearly marked) but more importantly… we were again left hanging (not as bad as last time, but enough to assume this is going to be an ongoing theme from now on.)

There were beautiful Indian boys, a lost giggling girl, an electricity wielding red fledging, a dedicated boy with a body full of cuts, 2 bulls, lots of kilts, even more fights, and 1 very broken soul.

Get to the store quickly my paranormal junkies because this one is going to sell out quickly.

Happy reading my fellow Vampires and remember: when in doubt, a Scottish accent counts!

For a complete book description click image

***** (5/5)

Back in March I reviewed “Leaving Paradise” also by “Simone Elkeles” and loved it, so going with the assumption of “if one was good the other is probably not that bad either” I threw my Visa on the counter and purchased a beautiful shiny new book.

I was shocked when (after flipping the last page) I realized I wasn’t all that impressed.

“Perfect Chemistry” was penned AFTER “Leaving Paradise” and while comparing the plots is irrational comparing the writing quality is necessary. I’m not exactly sure what happened to “Elkeles” writing process after LP but it is safe to say her writing quality declined and her attention to character development was significantly less than spectacular (detail with Alex, fluff with Brittany.) The only thing that saved this book was the concept.

Brittany is a grade A top choice high-school hottie with an equally appealing boyfriend and GPA. Alex is… not. Coming from the wrong side of the tracks (and being a gang-banger) Alex lacked that certain appeal to not only his teachers, but his new Chem partner. After being told (not so subtly) that there wasn’t a chance in hell that he would ever be known to Brittany as anything more than dust under shoes, Alex does what every other wannabe bad-ass high-school boy does…he makes a bet that he can get into her pants. What Alex didn’t plan on, however, was falling for the girl, the girl he realized was 5% drama queen and 95% loving sister. Do opposites really attract? Are people really who they pretend to be, and in the face of danger will they sacrifice themselves for the person they love?

“Elkeles” angst moments were expertly expressed (as usual,) however the rest of the novel felt as thought it was written for a 12 year old. The prose were sloppy, the dialogue felt forced in several places, and even though the plot flowed smoothly it seemed as though “Elkeles” just lost her gusto. To be honest, the most impressive part of the entire novel came in the last few chapters where glimpses of “Elkeles” previously found talent finally appeared.

There is definitely an audience out there for “Perfect Chemistry,” and that said audience (I’m quite certain) will be more than happy with their little literary find, but for the rest of us, the ones that loved “Leaving Paradise” be forewarned, you will not “feel” the emotion and you will not be on the edge of your seat. Simply put, you will read it, you will probably enjoy it (because the story was actually intriguing) and then you will stack in on your shelf and forget all about it.

Here’s to hoping the sequel will be better, because this one was “just another book.”

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: sometime people just want to set us free.

For a complete book description click image

***~~ (3/5)

Parker Fadley is a wreck.  She drinks, she skips school, she refuses to conform to her friends needs, and she puts whole new meaning to the word brooding, but the most important thing to understand is that Parker used to be perfect.  She was a bright shining star, captain of the cheer-leading squad,and all that that entailed, but when a much contested night of drinking stirs a pot of scandalous secrets, Parker and her party of 4 friends suddenly turns to 3.  Can she ever see past that 30 seconds in the woods? Will her guilt for not saying anything eventually kill her?  And is there anybody out there that can convince her that taking her own life won’t bring back someone elses?

The layout in which “Summers’” wrote was actually quite intriguing.  Instead of starting at the beginning of the story she started in the middle, and then sporadically filled in the blanks with flashbacks and daydreams.  Her character development was spot on in every account, clearly painting a picture of her characters behaviour before and after their friends disappearance, and even going so far as to paint pictures of who they will become.  The writing was dark without being daunting, and expertly plotted to show the full effects ones decision can do to hinder or help their general existence. “Cracked Up To Be” was not without fault however… some of the flashbacks became overly repetitive and the conversations were sometimes choppy, but these nuances are easily ignored and for the most part overshadowed by what is actually occurring at the time.

I do not think that this is a generalized read however, there are large groups of people that will not like or appreciate the storyline…but for the following people I suggest you give it a try.

If you have a teenager who is acting out in school (not normal crap, more the drinking from a flask type trouble) then this book my shed light on how to approach and have a helpful conversation with them.

If you are a teenager and have experienced a loss and don’t know how to properly channel  your feelings, this book may help you understand the different paths in which to express yourself.

And if you work closely with teenagers in any sort of outreach, church youth, or educational venue, this book may actually help you understand a teenagers train of thought.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will read more of “Summers” work, because I have two budding children and need all the help I can get for their future angst, but more than anything… I enjoyed her perspective on things, even if they were a tad dark.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: there is no one out there telling you to to hide your feelings but yourself.

For a complete book description click image

***~~ (3/5)

“Beastly” is a story we have read a hundred time…seen a hundred times… and will most likely read, and see 100 times more before it has been pummeled into little bitty unrecognizable pieces.

Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to the latest literary version of Beauty and the Beast.

You would think after so many versions someone would come up with a unique twist right? Apparently not, which I have to say baffles me more than I would like to admit.  Here is an outline for a story that has been handed down for hundreds of years, boy is arrogant, girl is nice/naive, witch thinks boy should learn a lesson, cast a spell and BAM! Ugliness ensues. There are a number of different rules/regulations/requirements to break the spell but the most important is true love…BAM spell broken!

So why is it so hard to shake things up a bit? Regardless of your thoughts, dear authors, you can very easily keep an intended plot line AND explore the alternatives in the quest to get there.

I’m not saying that “Beastly” was uninteresting… the story is a classic for a reason, but the fact that the screenwriters for its up coming movie adaptation had more creativity, in a minute long teaser trailer, than an author (that has 7 novels under her belt) did is almost embarrassing.

“Alex Flinn’s” writing was, in places, exasperatingly juvenile, and there were random chat-room sequences that were awkward, unnecessary, and out of place.  The character development was also top heavy, listing pages of detail for “Beast” but in return only offering the audience a few brief paragraphs for Lindy (the girl.) It is important for authors of YA Literature to understand that even though their novel is “intended” for a youthful audience, their WRITING doesn’t need to reflect it.

Now, keeping all of the negativity in mind, the above rant is not to say the book wasn’t an enjoyable read, it’s just one that has to be read for what it is.  It’s a read that takes a few hours and not much thought, which might be just what the doctor ordered on days of endless stress.

Here is my recommendation… If you are having a bad day and want to relax with a book you don’t have to concentrate all that hard on, buy it, otherwise, wait for the movie. (God I hate saying that.)

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: if there is a will there is a way, sometimes it just takes a fresh perspective.

For a complete book description click image

**~~~ (2/5)

Movie Trailer

Dear Mysterious Powers and Angry Evil Dudes… my how I have missed you.

“Leaving Paradise” is not only a book I read 2 weeks ago and did NOT write a review on, but it is a book that a review has already been written on; by my guest reviewer Nicole.  Don’t worry, I don’t plan on doing this on a regular basis, but I didn’t want to leave y’all hanging for the weekend, and since I haven’t had time to (bows head in shame) even start my next book (due to Spring Break with my kiddo’s) this has turned into my fall back plan.

I wanted to read this novel the second I read Nicole’s review of it for 2 reasons.

1.  The synopsis sounded different and very engaging.

2.  I have personally seen the effects of BOTH sides of this particular plot. (Naturally it didn’t turn out so peachy in the end, but hey… this is life, not a book.)

Caleb had it all, he was the high-school dream boy and all that that entails; sports, girls, weekend beer fest with the boys, but in the blink of an eye all that changed.  A few bad decisions and a couple of cop cars later Caleb is carted away to jail and Maggie, his neighbor, is rushed to the hospital.  A year later both are trying to regain their ground, Maggie is learning how to walk again, and Caleb is learning how to cope with the inevitability of his decisions.  Both lives are upside down and inside out and only fate can help them fix it.  Who can they trust? Who can they love? And what happens when what you thought was the whole truth is nothing but a snip-it of it?

“Simone Elkeles” is by no means new to the YA world, and over the last several years she has proven herself more than worthy of the fans she has acquired. Her skill for angst building is spectacular and her plots are surprisingly original in a “copy cat” filled genre.  The most beautiful thing about her writing structure is that she doesn’t always end her novels the way “society” would expect, but more the way SHE sees it.  They aren’t always happy, but they are warm and heartfelt, which sometimes means more than the generic happy ending.  The only flaw I can give you is that her attention to characterization is great. Why is this so bad you ask? Well, because she wraps you up into a nice little emotional cocoon and then hits you with the hard stuff;  “Leaving Paradise” is only book number one. (You see my problem.)

I am definitely slating this as a must read for lovers of the YA genre.  You never know where you are going to learn lessons and in what form they come it… but this one has a good one.  Get it, Live it, Love it…pass it on!

Happy reading my fellow Inmates and remember: Some people can change, sometime you just have to look past external appearances.

For Complete book details click image

***** (5/5)

The synopsis was intriguing, girl and guy in love, guy dies, girl cries, guy comes back to haunt her, but even with the promise of a haunting I still couldn’t make myself “want” to read it.  Maybe it was that I was on psychological thriller high and didn’t want to break it with a potential cry fest, or maybe it was the fact that the entire book was written in verse form, (as in “Well howdy Mr. Shakespeare! How’s it going) but never the less… the point came where I sucked up my lack of motivation and started the journey.

My first impression was less than spectacular…the writing style made the story feel so disjointed that it was hard to focus on the plot and what was actually happening to the main character, the writing was beautiful, yes, but having it so torn apart made it feel less important to me.  Now, keeping all of that negativity in mind, about 30% of the way through, the patterns finally found their rhythm, and the story came to life.

Ava just lost her boyfriend, and it was entirely her fault….or so she thinks.  Ava and Jackson had that storybook kind of love…the destined meeting, the happy kisses and a zest for life…with each other, but when Jackson decides to take Ava up on a dare and go cliff diving, happily ever after is suddenly shattered into a million pieces.  Ava is a zombie…caught in her own world of self pity and guilt she finds it hard to do even the smallest of things…until one day she hears music. Stuck in the in-between Jackson faces struggles of his own…trying to free himself while trying to free Ava at the same time.

“Lisa Schroeder’s” decision to write her novel in the form of a poem was not only inconceivable for YA, but in some cases could be considered a literary death warrant. Think of the targeted audience for a moment; teenagers as a whole are subjected to a vast array of “Old English” poetry from the time that they enter high school, and by the time their love for reading is fully developed, having to decode more “underlying” meanings is the last thing they want to do.  Thankfully, however, “Schroeder” skipped the subtext and went straight for the jugular.  The plot was easily determined, the base line of the story flowed beautifully and in the end, instead of feeling like you just read 240 pages of Emerson or Wilde you felt as though you read…just another book.

I will warn you that the books pace is unimaginably fast.  I read it from cover to cover in less than 3 hours, and that included potty and email breaks.  I will also tell you that this book is NOT for the Kindle… yes… you can buy it for the Kindle and if you are desperate enough to read it that way then more power to you, but the formatting is a little shweck and the poems run together. (It took me a while to not be annoyed by this.)  My advice? If you want to read it… head to your local bookstore or library and pick up a printed copy.

All in all the book was beautiful and the meaning was more than worth the apprehension I first had for it.

Get it, Live it, Love it, Pass it on.

Happy Reading my fellow Ghost and remember: sometimes you just have to let it go.

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***½~ (3.5/5)

After reading “Perfect Chemistry” and thinking that “Elkeles” didn’t have other books out. I was over-joyed when I read reviews on several book sites, but I still couldn’t quite believe that any other book could reach my love of what turned out to be her most recent novel- Perfect Chemistry.

“Elkeles” may not always have the best writing, but her vivid plots, and dazzlingly raw emotions simple sparkle, daring the reader to dig in.

I have wanted to read “Need” for a few months now, but much to my disappointment there was no Kindle release for it.  Now, I’m not sure what made the publishers change their minds…maybe they finally came to their senses and realized that ebooks had a prominent place in society now and that they were missing the boat, or maybe it was because they just couldn’t wait to hear my always captivating take on things, regardless of the reasons, the end result (of course) was that I finally got to read it…and I was more than pleased with what I found.

“Need” is the story of Zara, an everyday high school girl who feels “hollow” after the loss of her step-dad. Her mother, seeing the funk that she has uncharacteristically slipped into decides that she needs a change of scenery and ships her off to the very unpleasant arctic woods of Maine to live with her grandma.  After a bit of a rough start (being cut off while trying to get to school and finding it hard to maneuver on ice) she meets a group of kids that soon become her best friends in the world. Zara, thinking that everything will be OK if she can just stick in out and suck it up decides to make the best of her new situation, its just to bad the town isn’t quite as sleepy and slow as she had originally thought. 2 boys go missing while another 2 start to fight over her, and in the end the world in not exactly what she thought it was.  She quickly learns that some people are “literally” more than they seem and her love for animals is going to be tested in a whole new way.

“Carrie Jones” did exactly what every YA author should, she set up the scene, she explained the characters and just when you thought you finally got it all straight, she proves you wrong and everything changes.  Flip!  The awkward moments were masterfully executed and the “moment of truth” was spun out into a beautiful web of emotional acceptance and the inability to give up on your beliefs.

There were moments of anger management issues resulting in a trashed house, an injured puppy, a hyper boy in a wheelchair, a smart mouthed grandma, 2 very cold moments in a ditch thanks to some irresponsible driving, hundred of pointy teeth, gold dust, and 1 very VERY pissed off daddy who is tired of waiting.

Get it, Live it, Love it and pass it on….this one is a good one kiddos.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If it walks like and duck and talks like a duck…chances are his name is Daffy.

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****~ (4/5)

“Light Beneath Ferns” was supposed to be a smash, I didn’t just decide this for myself, it has been splashed across the literary world for a few months now making several (including mine) lists of what to read in 2010. So as I sat on the edge of my bed, freezing my ass off cause my husband steals the covers, I opened the well worn cover on my Kindle and began to read.

The first chapter was brilliant. Spouting warnings like…”If death and the dead make you afraid, you better just stop reading and go take a nap.” and I loved the heroin of the book, she was brooding, witty, sarcastic and an overall pain in the ass (kinda like me) but as for the remainder of the book? Yes, thanks….I think I’ll go take that nap you suggested.

The concept of this book was captivating…very quiet girl who would rather spend time with bones than live people moves to town and meets mysterious disappearing boy. Great right? Just reading that sentence alone could spin a million different scenarios into your head, unfortunately…the book spent more time focusing on the emotional instability of Elizah and her screwed up family than it actually did with the “supposedly” scary scenarios.

Elizah likes to be alone, to her, talking is unnecessary and “fitting in” is the last thing on her list. After her father gambles all of the family’s money away and then jumps trial, Elizah and her equally as quirky mother hoof it out of town only to turn around and take up residence in a old house that borders a cemetery. Elizah, wanting nothing more than a little peace and quiet wanders the property eventually running across a human jaw bone. With bones on her mind and a mother on her back Elizah set out to find the truth, but instead finds Nathaniel, a boy that speaks like a fortune cookie and dresses like a pauper.

After the first chapter the plot becomes a tangled mess of witty but sloppy writing. All the questions are… in the end answered, (some very abstractly) but with the book being so short (it took me only a few hours to read it) there was hardly time for proper character developement leaving me with a somewhat distant or lost feeling. “Spollen’s” YA moments were lacking the push/pull that is necessary to keep an audience enthralled and the so called “scary” was almost completely non-existent. What was supposed to be a bright shining mark in this years literary catalog was nothing more than a mild jog through the woods with an overbearing guidance counselor and paragraphs of sloppy descriptives.

My suggestion? Save your money…if you require substance in your reads than this book is just to short to make any sort of lasting impression.

Happy reading my fellow Outcast and remember: if you find a random human bone in the ground just leave it there… picking it up and turning it into your pet is just plain weird.

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**~~~ (2/5)

Yes-ok-I-know…there has got to more to it than that. Well, sorry there really isn’t that much more but I’ll try to be a little more positive or at least descriptive.

I decided to read “Sea Change” not because it called to me, or because I heard wonderful things about it. I decided to read “Sea Change” because I was overwhelmed by the massive list of literature that was flashing on the screen in front of me, so I clicked on the first thing I saw. Guess that’s what I get for not taking my time.

The book wasn’t bad…per say…It was just a little disappointing. “Aimee Friedman” taunted her audience with the possibility of a fantastic book and then in the end just…dropped the ball, or pen…however you would like to see it.

The writing was actually decent, if you don’t take into account how fast she had the plot moving along (girls love a good tease with their story) but in a book that has no for seeable follow-up, I think it’s necessary to tie up loose ends. In that regard, this book was all over the place.

“Friedman” simply had too many plot lines going at once and only chose to resolve a few of them, and naturally not the one that was the most important. (It was implied.. but lets face it…implied just doesn’t sooth the mind.)

Miranda is a science geek, bred of 2 very intelligent parents it was bound to happen, but she never thought her scholarly mind would take a backseat to boys and mythical legends. After the sudden death of her estranged grandmother “Isadora” Miranda and her mother are shipped off to a Southern version of the Hamptons to deal with the logistics of selling the family mansion, but after riding over on a ferry, complete with a creepy captain and his even creepier stories of sea monsters, Miranda isn’t so sure of herself anymore…or her surroundings. Her mother suddenly morphs from prestigious New York City plastic surgeon to Southern Matriarch of the Eastern Seaboard, triggering Miranda to do what any other girl would do….she runs… in total panic and finds herself in the arms of a cute but very secretive local beach boy. After struggles with mom and a very tearful chat with hottie number 2 she decides that life is complicated…and she should just suck it up and deal with it. (No… I’m not kidding… that was the outcome.)

There were pretty teenage socialites, a narcissistic boy who loved his own reflection, a mysterious trunk in the back of a closet, very enlightening love letters, and 1 moment of underwater clarity/confusion.

Overall the book was ok. It was a quick read (1 day max) so if you do decided to read it it wont take to much effort or time. I’m not going to say with certainty that you will not like it, because I’m a little on the fence… I think the end just irked me more than I’m willing to admit. Here is my advice…when you have read everything else that you “just can’t wait” to read…then chomp into this one.

Happy reading my fellow Fishermen and remember: If you feel an overwhelming need to swim in the surf at night… be sure to wear your floaties.

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***~~ (3/5)

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Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010 They don’t call it middle school for nothing. Reggie McKnight (aka “Pukey”) is trying hard to stay under the radar after a really embarrassing start to the school year. But, he’s somehow been drawn into the middle of a big school election, a volunteer project at the local homeless shelter, and the role of “Big Buddy” for a kid in the neighborhood. How will he ever find time to finish his comic book, Night Man? Reggie might see himself as a wimpy kid, but he’s anything but as steps up to new challenges and confronts big questions about doing the right thing in a tough world. Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s debut novel is a smart and satisfying read for teens and ‘tweens. –Lauren Nemroff

Product Description

Ever since a deeply unfortunate incident earlier this year, Reggie’s been known as “Pukey” McKnight at his high-intensity Brooklyn middle school. He wants to turn his image around, but he has other things on his mind as well: his father, who’s out of a job; his best friends, Ruthie and Joe C.; his former best friend Donovan, who’s now become a jerk; and of course, the beautiful Mialonie. The elections for school president are coming up, but with his notorious nickname and “nothing” social status, Reggie wouldn’t stand a chance, if he even had the courage to run.

Then Reggie gets involved with a local homeless shelter, the Olive Branch. Haunted by two of the clients there–George, a once-proud man now living on the streets, and Charlie, a six-year-old kid who becomes his official “Little Buddy”–he begins to think about making a difference, both in the world and at school. Pukey for President? It can happen . . . if he starts believing.

I can still remember the book I picked out that day, I can remember the characters names, and every detail of their plot for childhood survival. That book will always be the best book ever. That book is what helped me form into the person I am today, and after reading “The Lightning Thief” I realized that this is that same book only 20 years later. A book that will capture the attention of adults due to its interesting plot, but will transform a child with its ability to make them feel alive.

Percy Jackson is the son of a Greek God, only he doesn’t know it. What he knows is that he has been shuffled from school to school for the past 6 years only to be asked at the end of each year.. “Not to return.” After discovering his fate he enters a summer camp for Demi-gods… what better way to discover your powers than to surround yourself with other Greek God offspring right? But things aren’t quite that simple for Percy…he has an entirely different destiny to fulfil, he has to find Zeus’s missing lightning bolt before he goes all WWE on Poseidon for snatching it. With the help of his only 2 friends (The daughter of Athena, and a Satyr) he treks across the US to confront Hades and bring Mount Olympus back to working order.

The book, although obviously written for a younger audience, was refreshing, and I am happy that I read it.

There were creepy teachers that sprouted wings and turned into bats, a best friend that just happened to be half goat and loved to each Diet Coke cans, a 7 foot tall car chucking bull, dogs the size of rhinos, very picky water-beds, a game of capture the flag…weapons welcome, and 1 shocking moment of treachery involving flying shoes.

This book is what every great novel should be…it was an adventure, and one I am sure to repeat in its follow up books.

Spend the money, buy the book, and then spend some quality time reading it to your kid. Let THEM discover a whole new world.

Happy reading my fellow Half-Bloods and remember…if you run across a garden gnome that looks like your Uncle Frank, cover your eyes and run like you have a fire in your pants.

For a complete book description click image

****~ (4/5)

P.S. In case you are interested they are making a movie out of this book… here is the trailer to help entice you to read the book first.