Mini-Reviews: Contemporary Edition #1

Contemporary YA Edition #1: Moonglass and Ten Things We Did

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Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: HarperTeen

Released: 6/7/2011
Pages: 368
Rating: 5 Stars!

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.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
I have so much love for this book. I would go as far as to say that this has been one of the funniest and sweetest reads of the year. Once I started reading it, it was really hard to put down and I am not usually a fan of such unrealistic shennanigan type books, but April is a character I think everyone will fall in love with. Even in the OH MY GOSH that did not happen moments, I couldn't help but laugh out loud at her sarcasm. It is definitely an adventure, one I recommend you take with you to beach to enjoy a day of sun and laughter! To read a more in depth and awesome review, see Ginger from GReads review here.

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Author:  Jessi Kirby

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Released: 5/3/2011

Pages: 224

Rating: 3 Stars!

From Jessi Kirby, a debut novel about confronting the past in order to move ahead.

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

 Summary Taken from Goodreads

My Mini-Review:
I liked this book, plain and simple. However, I wanted to LOVE it! It has all those elements that lead for a great book: the beach, a cute boy, single dad, loss of a family member... but for some reason I just didn't connect like I wanted to. Don't take it the wrong way, it was still a tragic and beautiful story - definitely al la Sarah Dessen style - but I can't profess my love and favoritism over it. I think if you are looking for something that touches your heart and has a little romance, you might enjoy this book.

Book Review: Dream Smashers

By: Angela Carlie

Publisher: Darkside Publishing
Release Date:  March 25, 2011
Source: TeenBookScene Tour

Sixteen-year-old Autumn has spent her entire life worrying about others. Her ailing grandma, meth-addicted mom, and a best friend who is always in trouble. She's spent the last few years attempting to worry less, to be carefree, without success.

Enter Evan, whose radiant attitude is an Autumn magnet. With Evan at her side, Autumn's able to let some of her worries go as they trudge through life's difficulties and fall for each other in the process.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them, Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it's about letting go.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Dream Smashers is a realistic, heart wrenching story about a girl named Autumn Spring Winters and the people in her life that "kill" her dreams. More like they make her feel her dreams aren't possible. She lives with her grandmother, has a homeless/alcoholic/druggie mother and her best friend is currently not make great life choices. I thought the story was powerful and emotional. Angela is a great writer, but for some reason I couldn't connect with the characters.

The format of the book is that it changes character POV every so often, which is something I like because I love being inside the heads of these very real and deep characters. At times I was really sucked in to the story and other times I was just reading. My biggest issue though, was with Evan. I totally believe that there are guys out there like him. His faith doesn't make him unbelievable, but it does make him hard to relate to. He's the type to say something like leave it in God's hand and really mean it, as much as I have faith (not that I am religious) I found him somewhat corny. He did grow on me though, and I think this book is worth taking a look at.

Ratings: 

Plot Development: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Characters: 6/10 
Pace: 7/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Ease of Reading: 9/10

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Review : Yours to Keep

Book: Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3)
Author: Shannon Stacey

Publisher: Carina Press
Date Published: June 6, 2011
Pages: -
Source: NetGalley
Date Read: May 29, 2011

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he’s recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother’s upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn’t like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma’s offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there’s no chance he’ll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he’s not planning to call home.

Emma’s not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his “pretend” kisses are…

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Through Amazon's awesome free kindle book deals, I read the first one in the Kowalski Family series and I really enjoyed it. When I saw there was a second one, with the funnier brother, I had to read it. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed it. So when I heard that there would be a third coming out in June, I added it to my to-read pile in Goodreads. Then I saw it on netgalley and requested it right away. There is something about the Kowalski family that just keeps me entertained. I wish I had a family as big as they do.

It is always nice, when you read a series, to get updates on the previous main characters and Shannon never disappoints in that aspect. This book was a little different because it was a cousin and not a brother, but the family dynamic never changed. And I think I have to say that Emma is my favorite of the lead females in this series. She is spunky, and do it herself, while still being feminine. And Sean is just so gruff, but deep down a softy. And I LOVE these type of situations with fake boyfriends/fiance in which they hero and heroine are thrown together.

Overall, I really liked this story and partly because I am invested in the family story and partly because it was so darn cute.

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Book Review : What Happened to Goodbye

Book: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date Published: May 10, 2011
Pages: 416
Source: Bookshelf
Date Read: May 10, 2011

In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce. Sarah Dessen's novel about a teenager and her restaurant manager father captures the vulnerability that young people often experience after the dissolution of their family. A compelling story; strong characterization; and with a touch of romance.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I have been really excited to read this book for a while. I just love Dessen! I got even more excited to read it after reading all the Sarah Dessen posts this week. It reminded me how much I love Dessen boys, so I was especially excited to meet a new one =)

This book, like all her books, is a beautiful story about a confused girl. McLean doesn’t know who she is. Ever since her parents spilt, after a huge scandal, she became a different person each time she moved. Beth, Lizbet, Liz... each name came with new traits and hobbies, drama queen, joiner, cheerleader. She hasn’t been McLean in over two years and for the first time in a while she actually wonder’s who McLean is?

And there is a boy who tries to help her do that, Dave. While other stories have more involvement around the boy, this one was more about McLean and her relationship to her family. Her relationship with her Mom is a tough one. And I totally feel for her, her anger and her pain. And while I was disappointed with the romantic aspect of this story, the family one was beyond superb.

I loved the mention of old characters. And I especially loved the secondary characters in this story. Deb was my favorite, full of surprises. My favorite thing about Sarah’s work is her quotes and her words. This is a great one about Deb...

“Can I tell you something?” Dave whispered to me. “I love Deb. She’s a total freak. And I mean that in a good way.”

“I know,” I said. “Everyday she kind of blows my mind.”

A story about finding yourself and growing up, What Happened to Goodbye is yet another great novel by Sarah Dessen. While its not my favorite, I laughed, I cried, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading it.

Sorry if this review is a little jumpy, it was hard to organize my thoughts on this one.

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Similar Titles:

Memorable Quotes:

“He is something,” I replied...

“Well everyone is.”

Everyone is something.

Review: Where She Went

Book: Where She Went (If I Stay Book 2)
Author: Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Pages: 264
Source: My Kindle
Date Read: April 5, 2011

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.


Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Yani's Analysis:

Please Do Not Read Unless You Have Read If I Stay

I thought I loved Adam in the first book, but I never connected fully until I felt his pain, anger, and frustration in this book. I now understand how Mia's choice affected others in her life. The choice was never the easy part, but you never realized the after would be this hard.

Adam has changed since Mia's accident and their subsequent break up. He is bitter, angry, and all of a sudden superstitious to the point he almost seems a little crazy. At first I was like who is this guy?  What happened to him? And then you learn more and more about what has happened since we last saw Mia and Adam. In a short span of time Adam lost Mia, Mia's family, and his love of music. I feel his hurt,  and I begin to cry for a whole different reason than If I Stay. Frustration and regret can eat a person till all that is left is a hollow shell. That was Adam at the beginning of this book.

A beautiful journey and a perfect companion to If I Stay. Adding both of these books to my favorite shelves.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:

"Whoever said that the past isn't dead had it backward. It's the future that's already dead, already played out. This while night has been a mistake. It's not going to let me rewind. Or unmake the mistakes I've made. Or the promises I've made. Or have her back. Or have me back."

Enter the Where She Went Here! 

Review: If I Stay

Book: If I Stay (#1)
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: January 1, 2009
Pages: 196
Source: My Kindle
Date Re-Read: April 4, 2011

What if you had everything:

A gorgeous boyfriend who was madly in love with you?
Quirky hip parents who totally got you?
A musical talent that could take you anywhere?
What if your biggest problem in life was choosing which path to take?
Follow your first love--music-- to New York City?
Or stay with your boyfriend, friends, and family?


What if one day, you went out for a drive...

And in an instant everything changed?

What if suddenly all the other choices were gone?

Except for one--the only one that truly mattered?

What would you do?

A sophisticated, layered, and heart achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands. Summit Entertainment has rights to 'If I Stay' for the movie. (This is my favorite of all the If I Stay synopsis)

Yani's Analysis:
If I Stay is a powerful moving novel unlike anything you have ever read. There have been other emotional novels, but Gayle is the master of bringing you inside the mind and memories of her characters.

Last time I read this book was more than a year ago. I am reading it now to remind myself the details before I start Where She Went, but its funny how much I remember. A couple of pages in and it all starts coming back and I am dreading the emotion I will feel once I flip this page. Mia’s pain, her family’s pain, Adam’s pain… I will always remember. That’s how great of a writer Gayle Forman is. Mia, her family and friends, are no longer characters in a book. They are people that have been struck by tragedy, and as I read I grieve with them,

Mia’s family is one of my favorite literary families. They are not just blood. They are one unit. So you can imagine the pain Mia feels being separated from them. When I picture Mia and her family, they couldn’t be more different, but they have so much love between them.

And Adam, oh Adam, his love for Mia isn’t instantaneous. It grows from a mutual love for music and admiration. I love that the romance wasn’t perfect, it was sweet and genuine. And the way he interacts with her family, I need a guy like that in my life.

As if I didn’t love the story enough, the writing is what seals the deal. This is a unique story, but it wouldn’t be what it is without Gayle’s writing. It is witty, super smart, and haunting. She creates images using words and not because she describe every little detail. She creates images of human emotion and that connects with the readers the most.


Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Other Memorable Quotes:

"We are like Humpty Dumpty and all the king's horses and all the king's men cannot put us back together again."

Enter the Where She Went (Sequel to If I Stay) Here!

Review: Fall for Anything

Book: Fall for Anything

Author: Courtney Summers

Publisher: St. Martin Griffin

Pages: 224

Date Read: 1/3/2011

From Amazon:

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

Yani's Analysis:

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." That is what this title reminds me of. Eddie has no idea what to think after her father's suicide and she is in a very vulnerable place. Ready to believe anything that will bring her closer to the answer.

I have to say Summers didn't disappoint. I have loved all her works. I guess I am a bit of a pessimist and thought there was no way she can write another great and unique novel. And she proved me very wrong. This is probably my favorite of her novels. I enjoy her writing style. How she creates dramatic pauses with her writing, and using isolated phrases to capture a moment. I could really here Eddie's voice in my head. Some authors are so descriptive, taking up pages to describe a scene or moment, but Summers creates a picture using a minimal amount of words that is even more beautiful and provocative. You can the scene in your head, and see whats underneath the picture as well.

I loved the story progression as well. It was unpredictable in the sense that just when you thought you knew where Summers was taking it, its made a sharp left and headed into another direction. SPOILER ALERT (Highlight): I had a bad feeling about Culler, but then he would do something sweet and I would shrug it off. It was easy to see how Eddie in such a vulnerable position would do the same. I also liked that none of the male leads where perfect, and how there was a love triangle, but the story wasn't about love.

Summers is definitely one of the most realistic and beautiful contemporary authors out there. I can't wait to see what else she comes out with and I can't recommend this book enough.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5

Writing Style: 5/5

Uniqueness: 4/5

Characters: 5/5

 

Similar Titles:

• Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
  

Memorable Quotes:

"I am always leaving, but I never go anywhere." -Eddie