Review - Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

(368 pages)
Pub. date: 06/07/11

Series: N/A 

My rating: 4/5 stars

About the book:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.


In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

My thoughts:

I am so happy I saw this book in Coles and decided to grab it! Ten Things We Did was a fun read that kept me giggling until the end. I zoomed through it not able to get enough and at the end I regretted it. I wish I had made this book last longer than a few hours! 

April is living every teenage girl's dream: She's ditched the parents and is living with one of her best friends - alone. No parents. No supervision. No rules. So of course there are parties and boys and a few sleepovers. Maybe a hot tub and a kitten and cops. April may feel a bit guilty at times to have pulled this over on her parents but this isn't stopping her from having a good time! Her and her friend Vi are living on their own and are going to make the most of it!

As I said, there were boys. Cute boys. Like Dean and his brother Hudson. Dean is happy-go-lucky, fun, cute and sweet. Hudson is hot, sweet, mysterious and did I mention hot? (Hudson's secret kept me guessing and I was happily shocked by it!) Noah... Noah is April's longtime boyfriend. Noah reminded me of a kicked puppy more times than one. And there were a couple of times where I though he was gay. Noah, unlike Hudson and Dean, wasn't really my cup of tea. 

April was a girl in need of firsts. First major lies to her parents. First time living on her own. First party hosting... She was a fun main character, overall. I wasn't a huge fan of her aversion to change, but maybe that's just because I am completely opposite to her. Except when it comes to householdy type things. Like April I am rather clueless. 

Vi was a kickass character whom I really enjoyed. I felt like there were some issues revolving around her that could have been addressed better, but other than that I'm happy.

I liked the way Ten Things We Did was written. It went back and forth a bit, from past to present, but luckily it wasn't in a way that confused the reader. I really enjoyed getting the scoop on April's parent's divorce and her relationship with Noah. I think this story was written wonderfully! I can't say I wasn't a bit disappointed in the ending (I felt it was a little too quick) but I liked it alright and it felt right. All in all, a fun, cute and humorous novel that I'd recommend to anyone in need of a little teenage rebellion!

In My Mailbox (02/26/12)

Wow. I haven't posted an IMM post in a while. Here goes. 

 In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. 

This week I didn't get a whole lot, but what I did get looks good!

(Click on the book cover to take you to Goodreads for details).

What I bought:

What I got from my school library:

What I got from the public library:

Oh, and I got the third season of 90210, but I don't think that counts, seeing as it's not a book.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Review - Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

(217 pages)
Pub. date: 04/19/11

Series: N/A

My rating: 2/5 stars

 

About the book:

 

 Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?

 Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out. 

"Boyfriends with Girlfriends" is Alex Sanchez at his best, writing with a sensitive hand to portray four very real teens striving to find their places in the world--and with each other.

My thoughts: 

My thoughts on Boyfriends with Girlfriends can be summed up in about one word: eh.

Nothing was overly "Wow!" or "Aww". The characters didn't make me fall in love with them. The writing didn't engage me. The plot bored me. It was predictable and  very over-the-top in teen drama. It was like all of the stereotypes rolled up into 217 pages. Lance was the stereotypical gay guy, Kimiko the stereotypical lesbian. Honestly, I expected better. I've read most of Sanchez's other novels and none were as bad. I actually really liked the Rainbow Boys trilogy. But Boyfriends with Girlfriends did nothing for me.

Part of my dislike for both the characters and the writing was the way the four friends were portrayed. Lance and Allie were best friends and Sergio and Kimiko were also the best of friends. After just about every conversation Lance had with Sergio he went and called Allie and told her all about it, and vice versa. Ditto with Sergio and Kimiko. It got annoying because I'm a teenage girl, and I do not call my friends and tell them about every stinking detail in my life, even if a cute boy is involved.Teenagers do not spend 24/7 talking about crushes, sexuality, etc. We actually talk abou other things once in a while, although you wouldn't know it from reading this book.

I really disliked Lance. He was rather annoying, and I found him to be stubborn, and not even in the good way. I didn't like his weariness Serigo's bisexuality. I felt like he got too jealous and acted without thinking.  The only part of this book that was slightly engaging was Allie's confusion over Kimiko. That was slightly more realistic, and I wasn't cringing every time I read about it.

I was really disappointed with this one, and hope that this book was the only really bad book Alex Sanchez will write.

Waiting on Wednesday - Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting for...

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

(? pages)

Pub. date: 05/01/12

Series: Divergent #2

About the book:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

 

Why I want it:

 

I LOVED Divergent. I loved the characters and the dystopian society Veronica Roth created. I was left wanting more and the second I closed the book I was counting down the days until I could get my hands on the second book. 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday - Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

This week's teaser is from one of my personal favorites, Nineteen Minutes.

'"Oh my God," Alex breathed, and Josie swung around, pointing the barrel at her.'

 

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

(455 pages)

Pub. date: 03/05/07

About the book:

Jodi Picoult, bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper and The Tenth Circle, pens her most riveting book yet, with a startling and poignant story about the devastating aftermath of a small-town tragedy. 

Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens--until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened before her very own eyes--or can she? As the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show--destroying the closest of friendships and families. Nineteen Minutes asks what it means to be different in our society, who has the right to judge someone else, and whether anyone is ever really who they seem to be.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If My House Was Going To Be Abducted By Aliens

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's list is...

 Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If My House Was Going To Be Abducted By Aliens

I'm going to cheat a little. Some books may be listed as series, as opposed to single books. It would be just so hard to choose!

 

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. The Moral Instruments series AND The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare

3. Vampire Academy series AND the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead

 

4. Soul Screamers series AND Shifters series by Rachel Vincent

5. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

6. Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble

7. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzama

 

8. The Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong

9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

10. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

So, um, I cheated even more and just started grouping books together by the same author. This list is so difficult! I'd actually probably end up getting abducted with my house.

What about you? Which ten (or more) books would you try to save? 

Review - Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

(294 pages)
Pub. date: 10/06/11

Series: Firelight #2

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

About the book:

 An impossible romance.
Bitter rivalries.
Deadly choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

My thoughts:

Vanish was a book I was beyond excited to see in my library bag. Since reading Firelight I had been waiting patiently (sorta) for Vanish because I just had to know if Will and Jacinda found each other again. I needed to know what happened next.

I liked the change of setting. It made Jacinda seem more like a real dragon because she could fly and be with her kind without hiding who she was. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the Pride members, specifically Cassian. He was a character I wanted to see more of, even if he was sort of the bad guy. Or one of them. But he really turned out to be a friend to Jacinda when she needed one the most. 

Tamra is a character I have mixed feelings about. Throughout Firelight I disliked her and pitied her. Now in Vanish I've begun to see her as a stronger character and grew to like her some. I enjoyed seeing her grow into a strong and important character. Jacinda however, I grew to dislike a bit more. She was being really stupid and began acting weak and pathetic. The love triangle angle got old quick. She knows she loves Will, she knows Tamra loves Cassian, so why can't she just leave well enough alone? Ugh!

The plot, aside from the love triangle, was pretty great. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and many of them I had no idea were coming. Exactly the way I like my books to be. 

I really enjoyed Firelight, so my expectations were set high with Vanish. Sadly they weren't completely met. Plot wise yes, character wise no. The one character that didn't disappoint in any way was Will. 

Cover Love - City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

(536 pages)
Pub. date: 05/08/12

Series: The Mortal Instruments #5

No description available

Cover Love:

Wow. Wow. WOW. 

So, um, are the cover models gorgeous or what? Particularly the blond one on the left side of the book... ;)

Whoever designed this cover outdid themselves. Completely. I thought covers 1-4 were hot, but this one is smokin'! I love the detail and the shining runes. I love  Clary's dress. I love the bridge and water beneath them. I love the clouds in the background. I love the Jace model. Did I say that already? Oops.

There is not a single thing wrong with this cover. Wait. Well, one thing could be improved. "Jace" could have his phone number written in runes  ;)

This book could be complete trash and people would still buy this book so they could stare at the cover. It's just a bonus that Cassandra Clare's writing is super addictive! 

Review - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

(498 pages)

Pub. date: 11/06/11

Series: The Infernal Devices #2

My rating: 4/5 stars

About the book:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. 

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them. 

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? 

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My thoughts:

While I wasn't a huge fan of the first book, Clockwork Angel, the second book made up for it! My two biggest problem swith book one were Will and the slower scenes I had trouble getting through. So I was a lot happier to find that there were fewer scenes I had difficulty getting through and was ecstatic to find that I was beginning to like Will.

I think Will's transformation might have been my favorite part of the novel. I was glad to find that Will wasn't just being a jerk to be a jerk, but there was actually a reason behind it. I  think my heart might have actually broke a little for him.

The part that really got to me was Will's role in the love triangle between him, Tessa, and his best friend Jem. I adore Jem and have been "Team Jem" from the start. Buuut... I'm not sure what team Tessa falls under. I think I know who she'll choose but I'm not sure how it's going to happen, I'm just sure there will be some broken hearts.

Yes, I've said a million times that Jem is my favorite, and he probably always will be (with Magnus as a very close second). Jem is sweet, smart, protective and he definitely has the feel-sorry-for-me-I'm-dying trump card.  I love Tessa, and I now like Will, but Tessa... Tessa has never been a character I loved. I like her okay, but I find her really indecisive and somewhat annoying at times. She is a good friend and can be a strong heroine, but at times she is weak and stubborn. I'm typically on the fence with her.

As for the background characters. If you've read this blog before you'll know that I find the characters to be the most important part of a book - they can make or break it. And secondary characters are almost as important as the main character(s). I adore Sophie and Henry. I grew to really like the Lightwood brothers (one more than the other) and Charlotte. And I've loved Magnus since the moment he first appeared in the Mortal Instruments series. There were many background characters in CP, including a whole cast of characters that weren't in CA, like Agatha, the singing cook. I loved almost the entire cast of characters, save for Jessamine who served to piss me off.

I found the plot a bit more interesting in Clockwork Prince than I did in Clockwork Angel. There was a bit more action, and the characters actually got out of London for a bit, so the change of scenery was nice. There was a bit more mystery in CP, too. Many characters had secrets or hidden motives and it was fun to see everything unfold.

Overall I really enjoyed Clockwork Prince and will be waiting anxiously for Clockwork Princess.

Waiting on Wednesday - Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting for...

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult 

(421 pages)
Pub. date: 02/28/12

About the book:

A life hanging in the balance…a family torn apart. The #1 internationally bestselling author Jodi Picoult tells an unforgettable story about family, love, and letting go.

Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara.

With her father’s chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father’s organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision?

Lone Wolf explores the notion of family, and the love, protection and strength it’s meant to offer. But what if the hope that should sustain it, is the very thing that pulls it apart? Another tour de force from Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf examines the wild and lonely terrain upon which love battles reason.

It's written by Jodi Picoult. How can I not want to read this book ASAP? 

What do you think about my pick? What are you waiting for this week?

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart A Little

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This week's Top Ten Tuesday list is...

Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart

1. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

2. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzama

3. & 4. Crank and Glass by Ellen Hopkins

5. Break by Hannah Moskowitz

6. What Love Means To You People by Nancy Kay Shapiro

7. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

8. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

9. The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay

10. When Jeff Comes Homes by Catherine Atkins

That's my list... What's yours? 

Review - Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful by Claudia Gray

(328 pages)

Pub. date: 09/13/11

Series: None

My rating: 5/5 stars

About the book:

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It's 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they're sailing on--the RMS "Titanic"--reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself. 

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He's in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it's because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . . 

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec's past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him--and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the "Titanic" is over.

In "Fateful," "New York Times" bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the "Titanic"'s first--and last--voyage.

My thoughts:

Fateful told a story so magical, lyrical and compelling that is was hard to put it down. I pretty much devoured this one, only school made me set Fateful aside. I quickly found a friend in Tess, making her a character I related to - or would relate to, if I was a ladies maid in 1912. 

The romance between Tess and Alec was so sweet it gives you cavities. Alec had this kind of tortured, kind of protective thing going on. He definitely sounded hot, and was a character crush for sure. Tess was strong-willed, smart and talented. She deserved more than a life as a ladies maid. As Tess and Alec's romance grew their lives became more difficult. Mikhail, a creepy "friend" of Alec's has followed them onto the ship and is after Tess and Alec, and something that the Lisles' own, and nothing is going to stop him from getting what he wants. 

I adored many of the other characters as well, Irene and Ned in particular. Irene needed a bit of a backbone but was sweet and loving. Ned was just as sweet, and as the novel progressed he grew into a strong character. Alec's father was a great guy, and an excellent father. He went through a lot for his son, and never complained. 

What I found so interesting was the backdrop of Fateful. The novel was set in 1912, on the Titanic. I had an interest in the subject, and loved the movie, so it was particularly interesting to read about the ship. Reading Fateful gave me a new interest in reading more novels about the Titanic.

The ending left me in tears, and that's all I'm going to say. I really would have liked to see a follow up novel to this one, and the ending was left open enough that it could be possible, if the author wanted to make it happen.  My final words: if you love ya romance and the Titanic, read this book. 

It's about time I start blogging again... Starting off with 2 mini reviews

I'm baaaack! This time for good. I promise.

I'm starting off with 2 mini reviews of two great books by one of my new favorite authors: Ellen Hopkins. 

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

(537 pages)
Pub. date: 06/20/08

Series: Crank #1 

My rating: 4.5/5 stars

About the book:

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina -- she's fearless. 

Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul -- her life.

My thoughts:

I was a little weary of novels in verse at first, but I was so glad I gave Crank a try. I LOVED this book. I'm not sure how I can really describe Crank other than by saying that it's so moving, so real that I feel like I've jumped inside the pages every time I pick up this book. 

Crank starts fairly innocent, with Kristina going to visit her father, a distant figure she last saw when she was 6 years old. She is quickly taken in by Adam, a cute boy living nearby, and by crystal meth - the monster. Going home doesn't leave the monster behind, though. The monster hops the plane and joins her at home. Kristina quickly becomes Bree, her alter ego, and begins to be drawn in more and more by meth. 

I became fascinated by Kristina's downward spiral and the way Ellen Hopkins' words spoke in such depth. Kristina started out as a innocent young woman but quickly became broken and manipulative. I wanted - no, I needed - to know what was going to happen to Kristina and her friends and family.  Before I finished Crank I knew I had to get my hands on Glass ASAP.

My one problem: I felt that Crank ended a little too quickly. 

(Warning: If you haven't read Crank don't scroll down. There WILL be SPOILERS.)

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

(681 pages)
Pub. date: 08/21/07

Series: Crank #2

My rating: 5/5 stars

About the book:

 Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go. 

Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive. 

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby. 

The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.

My thoughts:

I might have loved Glass more than Crank. Glass had a darker feel than Crank did, as Kristina got deeper into her addiction. Struggling at home trying to raise her baby and fight her addiction, Kristina becomes restless, and it isn't long before she returns to the monster. Soon she seems to have forgotten completely about her son and becomes consumed by her drug of choice. 

Kristina's life has become a drug induced mess and I have a feeling she might have fallen apart if not for Trey and Brad, her boyfriend and "friend". At times I felt that Glass got a little repetitive and slow, but I think that was a bit of the point. Kristina believes that meth makes life more fun, and helps her survive on a day-to-day basis. But he life becomes more and more of the same: get high, have some fun, start to crash, crash completely, sleep forever, get high again.

I was as hooked to this series as Kristina was to meth. I highly recommend this series to anyone with a heart. Ellen Hopkins will drawn you in with her beautiful and haunting words and then rip your heart in to a million pieces as you experience what Kristina feels.

I'll be on the lookout for more books by Ellen Hopkins. I've already read Impulse and am halfway through Fallout, and that's just the beginning! I plan to get my hands on everything she writes!