Daily Archives: June 26, 2011

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13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

I thought this story had a lot of possibility. It was an interest premise that could have made for a fantastic book, but it fell a little flat. It was still a good book, but there was so much possibility that wasn’t met. There were some holes in the story that distracted me, as well.

The relationships weren’t really built up as much as I’d have liked. The one exception is that between Ginny and Richard. For as little as they are together, I enjoyed how they came to view and respect each other. The relationship with Keith was different for me. I’m not sure if I like it or not. I go back and forth with each chapter.

Overall, if I’m in need of a quick, low-angst read, I might read for this one and breeze through it.

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Where She Went by Gayle Forman

If I Stay dealt with Mia’s choice. Where She Went deals with the aftermath. It’s three years after the accident, and true to his promise, Adam lets her be.

Adam is a celebrity, known for his band. Mia is a rising cello star at Julliard. In a twist of fate, one night Adam goes to Mia’s concert, and feel all those emotions and feelings that never really left him when he let Mia go.

After the concert, he meets Mia and she begins to show him her New York, and he falls in love with her all over again, and fast. They only have this one night to reconnect, but they want it to work so badly.

It’s whirlwind love, but it’s written in such a raw and powerful way that you can’t help but fall in love all over.

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Hate List by Jennifer Brown

As someone in Colorado at the time of Columbine, and can remember that day and the ones that followed, this was a book I felt very compelled to read.

Valerie’s boyfriend went on a shooting spree through the school. His victims were ones that he and Valerie had put on a “hate list.” It was a way to release steam for her, but for him, it was more. So when the truth comes out after the shooting, it’s hard to not blame Valerie for at least part of it, even though she was the one that got in the way and stopped Nick from hurting more people.

Valerie makes the brave decision to go back to the high school for her senior year. She’s faced with the uncertainty of acceptance and having to face all those people that knew they were on the list. The school has been changed and soon, one of the girls that had been on the list reaches out to her, and helps her find some acceptance within the school and with herself.

I was moved to tears at the end of this book. It was one of the most emotional ending I have ever read, and I applaud Brown for tackling this subject with grace and respect and writing one of the best books I have ever read.

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Willow by Julia Hoban

This was a hard book for me to get through. It started out rough and I couldn’t understand Willow’s motivations throughout the book. It was difficult to follow her thoughts, but I can understand it, in a way. As hard as it was for me to follow, I think it may have been done deliberately, so readers could truly understand how jumbled her mind was.

It started to get better as Willow started to find more focus and bring the life back into her world. Guy forces her to confront the truth, and makes her feel like she is worth more than the space she takes up. He makes her feel like she is more than just the accident that made her lose her parents.

It was tough to start, but if you can get past that, you’ll enjoy the book as a whole.

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His Eyes by Renee Carter

This was a quick, refreshing heartwarming read.

Carter makes Amy a very sweet, slightly better than average teen. Most girls would turn down this sort of job, not wanting to have to deal with the extra responsibility. But Amy sticks with it and soon discovers that what started out as a way to earn money for college tuition is turning into hanging out with a friend, and possibly turning into something more.

Tristan is having a hard time dealing with losing his eyesight after an accident during a showjumping competition. He doesn’t like having to depend on others for things and it’s hard for him to accept help. He is shocked when Amy shows up the second day, after he ignores her the first.

Their relationship starts out awkward and slightly uncomfortable, but quickly changes into one of trust and understanding.

It’s a sweet book, and a great one if you have a day to just devote to a nice story.

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Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

This was a beautifully written book about the lasting relationship between Jenifer and Cameron, childhood friends.

Cameron has a rough childhood, with what is alluded to as a very abusive home. Jenifer was an overweight kid that was often picked on. They were their only friends. Cameron suddenly disappears, and Jenifer is led to believe he has died.

Fast forward to high school and Jenifer has lost her baby weight and has become Jenna. She’s now one of the popular kids and has the normal life she always wanted. Suddenly, her best friend from so long ago starts making appearances, forcing her to relive one birthday from so long ago, when she met Cameron’s father.

The ending left me feeling short of breath, but it fit and was a true ending.

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Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

After reading so many tough, challenging books, this was a nice refreshing break. Sure, it started out a little rough, but through the alternating view points (Courtney and Jordan) you can see the real story and you’re just waiting for them to figure out what you already have.

The books starts shortly after Courtney and Jordan’s break up, and right before they begin a road trip together. Jordan says he met a girl on MySpace and that’s why he broke up with her, but through the story, you see his side of the story and the true reason he broke up with her.

All the while, Courtney is forced to go through with this road trip with this boy she thinks doesn’t like her because of some mysterious internet girl. Like most girls would do, she creates a picture of this girl in her mind, even though she’s never seen any evidence of her online.

It’s a funny, quick read and a good way to spend the day.

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Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

I love Courtney Summers. I’m just going to put that out there.

I honestly thought, after reading her other two books, that I couldn’t love her more. I was wrong. And after learning this was her first novel…I was shocked and a little in awe.

Summers doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, but she is able to write them so perfectly that you can’t help but be drawn in and feel for the characters she creates.

Parker is struggling after a party the previous school year. Something happened and she knows, but she can barely admit it to herself. She is struggling with her life and she can’t say why. It’s tough to read, and your heart reaches out to her.

It’s hard to read, but well worth it.

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Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

I couldn’t stop reading this book. There was too much emotion for me to set this book down, even though I wanted to several times, and then start back up again. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle coming in and out of the world Summers had created around Regina and her fall from the top.

Regina used to be the second in command at the school She was one of the popular girls that hardly gave a care about the lives they hurt, as long as they remained untouched. So when Regina suddenly becomes one of the victims, it turns her world upside down.

The only person willing to giver her a chance is someone who’s life she hurt a couple years ago. It’s hard to know what Michael’s intentions are in giving Regina a sliver of kindness. Everyone else is using trickery and whatever means they can to make life for Regina as miserable as they can.

It’s a touch story about what high school can be like, and the lives of the victims of bullying. Summers once again gets the hard emotions across and makes the story a real one, not giving her characters sudden, unbelievable epiphanies where the main character suddenly makes everything right and everything is forgiven. It’s a real story, and that is why I will keep reading books Summers writes.

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Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Yet another first in the series books. And yet, this one was different. I’m not hanging on the edge of my seat, wishing the next one would come out already.

Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to read the next part of the story. But the end of this book was just so…good. There was enough of a conclusion where I’m not ripping my hair out wanting to know what happens, but I’m invested enough in the story to run out and get the next book as soon as I can.

Elder and Amy’s relationship confuses me a little, in that I can understand Elder’s fascination with her, but I’m not sure yet how it can turn into something more in a believable way. I’m looking forward to seeing if Revis can accomplish this.

I give major props to Revis for coming up with a storyline that is unique, and yet not so different that everyone is struggling to find a way to connect. There’s enough of the classics within the book that it’s easy to find a way to connect with a character and find the story possible and believable.

It was a little frustrating how Elder simply believed Eldest without any questions, but I can see why he would. He grew up knowing nothing different, but he does start to question authority and it’s refreshing once he does.

Overall, a great book and I can’t wait to see how Revis handles more of the future.