Tuesday, August 20, 2013

two way street by Lauren Barnholdt

There are two sides to every breakup. This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation. Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet. It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care. But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot. Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other. ***************************************************************************************************************************** I remember reading Lauren Barnholdt all the way back in middle school when I read her book, the secret identity of Devon Delaney. That book was filled with enough drama and lies to get me really into reading, so I thank her for that. While wandering the library shelves, I (thank fully) stumbled across this book. Two way street is about the very complEX (haha, get it? Ok...no? ) relationship of Courtney Mcsweeny and Jordan. Because they were both going to Boston Uni, while dating, they decided that they will drive together.... to Boston from Florida... But then they break up, due to something Jordan saw when he went home early from a party, involving Courtney's dad and Jordan's mom... Talk about drama. Even though they are broken up, they still go, and the trip is filled with enough tension but not too much, and some revelations and heart felt talks to make it awesome and sweet. The flashbacks were a nice touch but left stuff un answered and there were some holes in the book...for example, when the hell was Courtney's ID stolen? But overall, it was pretty good. Cons:The flashbacks left some stuff unanswered The holes Confusion at times Pros:I thought that Courtney and Jordan's relationship, although complex, was very cute in the end Uhmmm, it's a road trip book. I love those kinds of books Jocelyn and B.Js relationship was very funny Stars: 4 1/2

Sunday, August 4, 2013

The chosen one by Carol Lynch Williams

Firstly, the cover jumped out at me first. The braid was so pretty, yet haunting. In this book we follow 13 year old Kyra. Kyra is a polygamist and is isolated from the outside world. Kyra has 20 brothers and sisters and her father has three wives. In the book, these wifes are called Sister wifes. Kyra visits the Library on Wheels which is forbidden because books were banned. She secretly reads them in a tree, or in her family van. Kyra secretly visits her crush, Joshua. They both hope to choose each other instead of Kyra having a man appointed to her. However, everything changes when the prophet visits her family saying that he had a vision from god of Kyra and Hyram, her 60 year old uncle. She is to be wed to him even though he is family, 60 years old, and already has 7 sister wives. Her father tries to talk the prophet out of it but each attempt fails. Kyra tries to run by fails the first time with patrick, the man who drives the Books on wheels truck. She tells Patrick her story, and he offers to help her. She obliges, but the plan is foiled by the god squad. She is surprized when she is just returned to her family, because the last girl who tried to run was killed. She attemps again later on with a spare key in the truck that Patrick told her about. The god squad is hot on her trail, and then the phone that Patrick told her about makes a sound (Chirrup) like he told her it would. She calls the police and the god squad is arrested. Kyra is then put in a foster home. Her foster mother ran away from another colt and brought her child with her. (her child is now around Kyra’s age) She told Kyra that she missed her family too (Not her sister wives) and it was hard even with her child, so she told Kyra it might even be harder for her. Kyra misses all of her siblings, mainly Laura and her baby sister. The ending is nice. Kyra is going to someday look for Joshua (Who had to leave along with a few others) a tree is scraping across the window (I forgot the name, but its the name of the tree that Kyra reads in). I give this story
Some parts make you laugh, cry, and boil in side due to pure anger. such as (How can that happen! She is a girl!) I really hope that this doesn’t happen in the US, other wise i will go to the nearest one and rescue all the girls from this happening.

Friday, July 26, 2013

the book of broken hearts by sarah Ockler

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one. Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas? Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong? Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking **************************************************************************************************************************** Where can I start with this book? Well, simply put. I LOVED every word. Jude's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so she wants to restore his old bike, Valencia, in the hopes that he will remember some things and be able to go on a trip with Jude. The mechanic who can fix the bike for cheap is Emilio Vargas, a boy who she is forbidden to date by her sisters due to all the heart break caused by them. When Johnny Vargas broke her sister Araceli's heart before her wedding, her sisters created a book with blood and candles and oaths stating that no Hernandez was to date a Vargas, and filled also with other broken hearts. I cried when Jude put El demonio in the book, because it states how her father's disease is breaking her heart. It was sad to see Jude's father progress but even though, I still hearted it. I liked how Jude learned to not take stuff and to stand up to her sister's telling her what to do and what is best. She learns to follow her own heart, even if that might not be the best thing. Jude and Emilio's romance was very cute and not cheesy at all. In fact, I loved it so much that they are probably my favorite literary couples. I also respected Jude's decision to not get tested to see if she was going to be like her father when she is his age, because she doesn't want to dread it for the rest of her life. I also loved the story's behind all of her sister's name and Jude's name too. It was, as the title states, a heart breaking story, but it was also filled with love and hope.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Sever by Lauren Destefano

Source of book: Library Date published: Feb 12 2013 Publisher: Simon and Schuster books for young readers Rating: five out of five running shoes
With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them. Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain. In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered. ************************************************************************************************************************************************ The conclusion to the chemical garden trilogy was as happy as it was sad. After recovering in the hospital, Rhine goes to Lindens uncle Reed's house. I really enjoyed this character, and I thought Destefano did a good job showing how much polar opposites Reed and Vaughn were compared to each other. Rhine continues the search for her brother, Rowan, before something happens to him because of his reckless behavior, and later for her search for Gabriel. Cecily did alot of growing up in this book, and I was happy to finally really witness her character fully develop. You also learn more about Rhine and Rowans parents which I thought was interesting and well put. I also liked how in the end, you are left to decide whether Rhine's parents and Vaughn were justified in their actions. That was still a tough decision for me because of the cruel nature of the experiments done by Vaughn...and Rhine's parents...and even though some were crueler than others, you are left to wonder if the ends justified the means. You also learn more about Madame, who is another character who will also puzzle you in the end in whether she is cruel or just sad about her daughter. Destefano did a marvelous job in intertwining all of the characters to each other and in creating a world that is unique and original, one that can never be created no matter how hard someone tries. I finished this book very quickly because I was desperate to find out what happened but not desperate to end. I would have ended quicker but I kept stalling because I didn't want to say goodbye. The ending was very well said and not over done. I liked how no one had babies (any more than they had) or got married....so it is up to you to decide what really happens. Rhine is ultimately a character I will never forget, from her name, to her eyes, to her incredible strength (on the inside) that she has inside herself. It was truly a fantastic book, and an even better series, one that I was glad to read. Destefano is an artist with her words and from within her mind she creates a world so beautiful and heart-wrenching, that the praise I give it will not ever do justice. And did you know that Linden Ashby is not just a character in these novels, but the name of an actor, more notably he plays Allison Argent's Father on Teen Wolf on MTV?

Monday, July 1, 2013

She's so dead to us by Kieran Scott

Source of book: library Pages: 278 pages Publisher: Simon and schuster books for young readers Stars: 3 1/2 out of 5 Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rearview mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends. Friends that liked having trust funds and new cars and friends that didn’t like constant reminders they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing. Now two years later, Ally’s mother has landed a job back in the site of their downfall. Despite Ally’s new low key, happy life, it’ll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Chloe Appleby and Hammond Ross. But then there’s Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake’s friends have a problem with his new crush since it would mean he could make Ally Ryan happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy it’s her. Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past but some things just can’t be forgotten. Aren’t there more important things than money? ********************************************************************************************************************************************* This book is told in the POV of Ally and Jake. I thought this book was pretty good, it had a gossipgirl vibe to it, and was a great beach read. However, I got annoyed of how naive Ally was at times, and she should have been more aggressive rather than passive. Jake annoyed me, but he was bearable. The book is mostly about how everyone hates Ally because her father did something with their money and screwed them all up. It didn't really go into detail about what happened, and I really hope that it is explained more in He is so not worth it, the next book in the trilogy. My favorite characters were Annie because I felt she was funny and interesting. However, it got annoying when Ally tries to become friends with the people who hate her. I was mad a Chloe too because apparently if they were best friends before, why wouldn't you try to make up? And the reason why she was made at Ally was stupid. She got upset because Ally kissed her boyfriend all the way back in the ninth grade... and the Idiot twins got on my nerves. Ok, Kieran Scott, I get that because they are branded the idiot twins that they are in fact, idiots, but she didn't have to make them so annoyingly stupid that it got on my nerves. The ending got me mad too, but I dont want to spoil it. The way she is so forgiving is aggravating too, and it aggravated me a little too much. Hopefully she grows a pair in the next book, or I will be royally pissed. Im out, Maggie.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Pretty Little Devils by Nancy Holder

source of book: Purchased Stars: Four and a half out of five Pages: 256 Publisher: Razorbill Hazel Stone wants nothing more than to be a part of the hottest clique in school, the Pretty Little Devils. When PLD queen bee Sylvia invites Hazel to one of the group's famous soirees, Hazel is thrilled--but popularity comes with a price. ***************************************************************************************************************************************************** I read Nancy Holder before and I have to say.. I wasn't impressed. Her book that I read was written in poor taste and was a major major cliche, however---Pretty Little Devils was a murder mystery that had me guessing until the end! Even when you thought it was over, it wasn't! It held its grip on me until the very end and I finished it in only a day. It was told in the point of view of Hazel, the girl who want to become a PLD and eventually does. She quickly learns the ways of their group--purple scrunchies and babysitting jobs and their ever-so-famous pranks while watching the children. They pool together their babysitting jobs, and when ever they are sitting, someone pranks them good, followed by drinking the parents stash of alcohol. The group seems fairly innocent, until they start to get strange messages and phone calls and even emails, all threatening and creepy. It starts out with the killer killing--butchering animals, then he or she moves on to people. The PLD think that sticking together will keep them from being harmed from the psycho, but it turns out they can trust no one and no one is safe, not even the pretty little devils themselves. So? Do you think you'll guess who the killer is? I have to say that I was very impressed with this book and Ms. Holder did a very good job keeping you guessing and intrigued until the last printed word upon the page. I think this would have been a great movie, and it did become one... But not under the name Pretty Little Devils.. Its called legacy, and is based on it, I suppose but it is nothing like it, From what I've seen from the trailer. Its rated R.. Which a movie about this book shouldn't be and it takes place in college and the names are entirely different... If you've seen that movie, don't blame the book! And don't watch the movie over the book, nothing beats a good beach read during the hot summer months. Au Revoir, M.J

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. ********************************************************************************************************************************************** Wow. I usually shy away from dystopian because I find most of them crappy, stupid, cheesy or all three. Delirium, however was a game changer. In Lena's world set in future America in Portland (Maine, mind you) Love is considered a disease that is easily cured with an operation done at the age of 18 or sooner if you are found to be infected. After this surgery, you are matched with a husband or wife and marry after college. Lena actually looks forward to her operation, wondering what it would be like, when something changes and she finds herself dreading the operation. Like every dystopian, Lena uncovers lies that will most likely lead to a revolution in the next two books. Delirium was a well, beautifully written novel that I highly suggest to anyone with a beating heart. Lauren Oliver never fails to disappoint and proves her talent in this breathtaking novel about love.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Alienated by Melissa Landers

I don't know about you, but vampires and werewolves are so last year. The new trend is not bloodsucking hormonal sparkly teenage boys, or boys who turn into wolves, but aliens! No, not the host by the crappy Stephanie Meyer, I'm talking books like Obsidian By Jennifer Armentrout and Gravity by Melissa West (the second book is expected to come out in August!) and the upcoming book in February, Alienated by Melissa Landers. Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket. Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking. But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet. Holy crap monkeys! Doesn't that sound amazing???? I cant wait until February!!!!! I don't know about you, but I am keeping a countdown till the release date!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Source of book: Library Stars: four 1/2 out of five Pages: 433 Publisher: Disney Hyperion Published date: December 18 2012 When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living ************************************************************************************** The Darkest Minds is a relatively new dystopian novel written in December.
Unlike other Dystopians "cough" Gone *Cough!!!* this book does not glorify that children are great and adults are evil, and even though it shows that, it doesn't say it..not really. I really loved this book. Ruby was such a well rounded character, but she didn't know/understand somethings which happened to her which I can get because she only has a fourth grade education.. There was one part of the book that I didn't like, when you read it you will see..actually two parts. the part near the end and the ending. the ending made me want to rip Alexandra Bracken amazingly intelligent head off! She is lucky there is another book coming out, or I would have died. Ruby's been through a lot despite her sixteen years of age, and she isn't whiny or hopelessly in love like most characters now a days. There was no insta-love either which was amazing because too many books have that and it pisses me off. You will cry and scream and swoon so be prepared!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot



Source of book: Bought
Publisher: Turtleback books
Date finished: May 10th, 2013
Stars: Five out of five running shoes


You've seen the movies. Every teenage girl has at one point or another, I mean its a classic! Well, not really.. but we can pretend. But did you know it started as a book? I sure as hell didn't until I saw it at my Library's annual book-sale. Its about a girl, named Amelia "Mia" who finds out that her father is actually the prince of Genovia, and that he doesn't just work there. Because of his cancer, he can't have anymore kids, making Mia the sole heir to the Genovian throne.
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All she ever wanted was for her best friend's brother to notice she was alive—and to pass freshman Algebra. But now that her dad's told her she's heir to the throne of the country of Genovia (and that her horrible Grandmere is going to be giving her princess lessons every day after school) Mia Thermopolis has enough problems to fill a lifetime of diaries....

OK. This book was so funny and adorable! I loved it so much and I am definitely going to buy every other book in the series and  read them all at once. But I noticed some differences between the book and the movie. Big ones. This is an example of "Hated the movie loved the book" except in this case its "Loved the movie loved the book even more"If you've seen the movies but haven't read the book, I implore you to do so!
Quotes:“What is the appropriate reply to make to a man who says he loves you?
Thank you. You are very kind.”

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Easy by Tammara Webber

Source of book: Library 
Date finished: 5/16/2013
Stars: 1 out of 5 running shoes
Pages: 310
Publisher: Berkly Trade









 He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy




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While the name of the book is Easy, I found this book hard to read. The book starts when Jacqueline, who is most likely in her third year or second year of college is almost raped but saved. She doesn't want to call the police or anything because he was her ex-boyfriends roommate. What? Why? What does this show to girls? That everyone who gets raped shouldn't call police because they will be saved by some mysterious, hot boy? Then she gets cornered by him again, and instead of screaming she says "Lets go to my room." as an attempt to run. How come, when she gets to the dorm hallway, she doesn't scream and yell "HELP! He tried to rape me!" Then she cries and moans about her ex Kennedy. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED YOUNG ADULT! She is like, 20! Young adult should be 13-18 year olds! and it should have sex in it! This book was so stupid, I didn't understand all of the hype! Also, another girl is raped, and even though throughout the book everyone is like "It wasn't your fault" Blah blah, I absolutely believe it is Jacqueline's fault for not saying anything sooner.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Jenna and Jonah's fauxmance


     
Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers-known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.
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Jenna and Jonah's fauxmance...Or also known as the dumbest, horribly  written book I have ever read. Ever.
I stupidly impulsed bought this Ebook, due to the reviews that were very misleading.This was so juvenile and kiddy it made my eyes bleed. 

The authors seem to hate people who are not vegetarian. "There will be an abundance of vegan treats for me and those who are similarly inclined, and plenty of dead animals in tube shape who enjoy that kind of thing." 
Ok. Just because you are vegetarian, does not mean you bash people who aren't, and 17 year old boys who talk like that aren't in this century.

This is the problem with authors, they think they are writing like a teenager when they sound like a  kid or an adult. It just makes me so mad that authors that write like this even get published! There was also references to drugs and sex. The boy, Aaron, basically kept putting his finger to his mouth in which he said " was the universal sign to smoke weed" which I am pretty sure is not.  

What were they thinking! . . I was almost done when I just slammed my kindle down.SO AWFUL!!!!!!! I don't have high hopes for the young adult genre because of crap books like this. I am pretty sure I could have written a better book that this crap.

I give no shoes to this at all. It doesn't even deserves a shoelace.
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