Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
If you like: stories with no plot, dystopias, teen dramas
Similar to: Nothing I've ever read before
Ages: 13-18
Although I really wanted to love this book, it was one of the hardest books to get through. It's a really easy read, and one of the few things I found good about this book was the fact that the chapters were really short, but it still took me a long time to finish. I really feel like I should have just quit in the middle of it in order to save myself some wasted time.
At first I found the book to be very confusing and I was rereading pages to see if I had missed something. The only way I understood what was going on in the first 50 pages of the story was because I read the description of the book on the book jacket.
The book Bumped has no real plot. It's a book about two twin girls in year 2036 when a virus is spreading that causes women over the age of 18 to lose the ability to have children. Seperated at birth, Melody and Harmony reunite 16 years later only to find they were raised in two different worlds. Melody is a professional baby maker who lives in a town called Otherside where it is cool to be 16 and pregnant. Young girls often walk around flaunting fake baby bumps just to fit in. Harmony comes from a church town called Goodside that preaches abstinence until marriage. She leaves her "fiance", Ram, and Goodside in order to find her sister Melody and make sure Melody finds God.
When Harmony gets to Otherside, she meets Zen, Melody's best friend. Melody and Zen have feelings for each other, but Melody has signed a contract to be matched with someone in order to concieve a baby for a family who is willing to pay her handsomely. Zen and Melody made a pact that if she does not have a baby before her time is almost up to conceive, she and Zen will "bump", but Melody's agent Lib is supposed to have a bump match any day now for Melody.
When Lib calls Melody to tell her he has found a match, Harmony answers pretending to be her sister. Lib informs Harmony that the match he found is none other than the famous celebrity bumper, Jondoe. Harmony leads Jondoe to believe she is Melody, and tricks him into hooking up with her. Melody is mad at her sister at first, but then she realizes that she never wanted to bump with a stranger at all. She is in love with Zen, and she does not care if he is not an ideal bump match.
Harmony catches Jondoe talking to Lib about how he tricked Harmony (who he thought was Melody at the time) into thinking he had God. Harmony is so upset, that she runs out of Jondoe's house back into the arms of Ram. Ram and Harmony go back to Goodside to raise Jondoe's baby together.
Melody and Zen are together when Jondoe shows up looking for Harmony who he has sincere feelings about, only to discover she is gone. He said that he lied to Lib about not caring for Harmony or being a Christian.
This book is left so that there could be a sequel, but since the first book was so awful, I don't think I'll be reading it.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
Rating: 5 out 5 stars
If You Like: Riches to Rags stories, Young Adult, Happy Endings
Similar to: The Princess Diaries, Gossip Girl, Sarah Dessen Novels
Ages: 14-25
Corrinne is a city girl born and raised in New York. She lives for shopping and being popular, until her family loses all of their money during the recession and is forced to move in with Corrine's grandparents in Texas. Corrinne's lifestyle is flipped upside down and it is like she is on another planet. At first things are tough, but with the help of a new very nice girl named Kitsy, a hottie named Rider, and a sweet boy named Bubby, Corrinne grows and develops into a beautiful young lady that her grandparents are proud of. She goes from dieting, blowing money, and being waited on hand and foot to working a job, driving, and even eating carbs! She even becomes close to her little brother and her mother.
I have to admit I was originally drawn to the goregous and bright cover, but I loved this story. It was a story of riches to rags so to speak. A New York Gossip Girl goes from spoiled rich to being like every other working class American. Add in a best friend, a kick butt family, and a few hotties, and you've got yourself a great young adult novel about growing up and maturing. This was as good as any Sarah Dessen novel, which is quite a compliment from me because Sarah Dessen wrote the book on YA Fiction (no pun intended).
If You Like: Riches to Rags stories, Young Adult, Happy Endings
Similar to: The Princess Diaries, Gossip Girl, Sarah Dessen Novels
Ages: 14-25
Corrinne is a city girl born and raised in New York. She lives for shopping and being popular, until her family loses all of their money during the recession and is forced to move in with Corrine's grandparents in Texas. Corrinne's lifestyle is flipped upside down and it is like she is on another planet. At first things are tough, but with the help of a new very nice girl named Kitsy, a hottie named Rider, and a sweet boy named Bubby, Corrinne grows and develops into a beautiful young lady that her grandparents are proud of. She goes from dieting, blowing money, and being waited on hand and foot to working a job, driving, and even eating carbs! She even becomes close to her little brother and her mother.
I have to admit I was originally drawn to the goregous and bright cover, but I loved this story. It was a story of riches to rags so to speak. A New York Gossip Girl goes from spoiled rich to being like every other working class American. Add in a best friend, a kick butt family, and a few hotties, and you've got yourself a great young adult novel about growing up and maturing. This was as good as any Sarah Dessen novel, which is quite a compliment from me because Sarah Dessen wrote the book on YA Fiction (no pun intended).
The Book of Luke by Jenny O'Connell
Rating: 3 out of 5
If You Like: Teen Fiction, Sarah Dessen Novels
Similar To: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Any other teen book
Ages: 14-22
This book was enjoyable despite that fact that, to me, the characters lacked depth. This is the kind of book that you can put down, but you do not mind reading it because it is one of those guilty pleasures.
Emily is a nice girl. Her mother writes books about good manners, and Emily has always followed them. She has a perfect life in Chicago with her two best friends and her boyfriend. This all changes when Emily's family decides to move back to their hometown, Boston, leaving behind her dad to "figure things out" and her boyfriend, Sean, who decides to break up with her rather than have a long distance relationship.
When Emily arrives in Boston, nothing has really changed since she lived there two years ago. Her best friends Lucy and Josie are pretty much the same girls they were before Emily moved to Chicago. The only person who has really changed is Josie's exboyfriend, Luke. Luke was once the nerdy guy that no girl was interested in, but now he is the most popular guy in school. Unfortunately, the popularity has made the guy who sent Emily a Valentine in 6th grade, a jerk. Josie, Lucy, and Emily decide to write a guide on how to change guys for the better as their contribution to their senior time capsule. The call it "The Book of Luke".
Emily starts dating Luke in order to test the guide to prove it really works, but as she gets to know Luke, she starts to fall for him. Josie, still has a thing for Luke, and thinks that once Emily changes him, she will have a chance to get back together with Luke. When Luke finds out about the book, he announces to the whole Senior class what Emily has been up to. Her friends are angry, but half of the Senior class think what Emily did was cool. Emily lost her two best friends because she lied to them about not liking Luke, and she lost Luke because their whole relationship was based on a lie.
After a day of crying, Emily apologizes to Lucy, Josie, and Luke, and reconciles all of her relationships. Her dad comes home, and she ends up happily ever after.
I usually love teen books because the male in the books is so romantic and you can not help but fall in love with him. In this book, I thought Luke was a cocky, arrogant teenager who had his romantic moments, but failed to woo me. Emily's character seemed weak when she started to fall for Luke. She went completely against everything she originally believed in, in order to please a guy. Overall, the book was enjoyable, but it would not be a book I would read again.
If You Like: Teen Fiction, Sarah Dessen Novels
Similar To: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Any other teen book
Ages: 14-22
This book was enjoyable despite that fact that, to me, the characters lacked depth. This is the kind of book that you can put down, but you do not mind reading it because it is one of those guilty pleasures.
Emily is a nice girl. Her mother writes books about good manners, and Emily has always followed them. She has a perfect life in Chicago with her two best friends and her boyfriend. This all changes when Emily's family decides to move back to their hometown, Boston, leaving behind her dad to "figure things out" and her boyfriend, Sean, who decides to break up with her rather than have a long distance relationship.
When Emily arrives in Boston, nothing has really changed since she lived there two years ago. Her best friends Lucy and Josie are pretty much the same girls they were before Emily moved to Chicago. The only person who has really changed is Josie's exboyfriend, Luke. Luke was once the nerdy guy that no girl was interested in, but now he is the most popular guy in school. Unfortunately, the popularity has made the guy who sent Emily a Valentine in 6th grade, a jerk. Josie, Lucy, and Emily decide to write a guide on how to change guys for the better as their contribution to their senior time capsule. The call it "The Book of Luke".
Emily starts dating Luke in order to test the guide to prove it really works, but as she gets to know Luke, she starts to fall for him. Josie, still has a thing for Luke, and thinks that once Emily changes him, she will have a chance to get back together with Luke. When Luke finds out about the book, he announces to the whole Senior class what Emily has been up to. Her friends are angry, but half of the Senior class think what Emily did was cool. Emily lost her two best friends because she lied to them about not liking Luke, and she lost Luke because their whole relationship was based on a lie.
After a day of crying, Emily apologizes to Lucy, Josie, and Luke, and reconciles all of her relationships. Her dad comes home, and she ends up happily ever after.
I usually love teen books because the male in the books is so romantic and you can not help but fall in love with him. In this book, I thought Luke was a cocky, arrogant teenager who had his romantic moments, but failed to woo me. Emily's character seemed weak when she started to fall for Luke. She went completely against everything she originally believed in, in order to please a guy. Overall, the book was enjoyable, but it would not be a book I would read again.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Update
I realize it's been a while since the last book review, but I've had a busy weekend filled with work, throwing a baby shower for a friend, Mother's Day, and finding out that I'm going to have a new baby niece in October. Anyway, I'm about two thirds of the way through reading "The Book of Luke" by Jenny O'Connell, which is a teen book that I like to consider one of my guilty pleasures. The review will follow soon.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (one of my ultimate favorite books, I think)
If You Like: Friendship, Romance, Happy Endings, An escape
Similar to: Nicholas Sparks, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Practical Magic (movie)
Ages: 18-100, this is a book both you, your mother, and your grandmother will love
Sometimes when I hold a book, it just feels right. That's how I felt when I picked up this book, and once I started reading it, I knew I was right. Sarah Addison Allen is a beautifully descriptive writer. Her words are so vivid. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to. It was as refreshing as a ice cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
This book is about friendship, and the growth of two women who at thirty, haven't quite found themselves.
Paxton lives at home with her parents. She once tried to move out, but her parents just won't let go of their little girl. Paxton grew up in a house of money, and she is restoring the mansion that her family has owned since the 1930s. She expected to fall in love and have a family by now, but it hasn't happened. She is hopelessly in love with her best friend who she thinks might be gay.
Willa grew up the complete opposite of Paxton, but everyone knows her history. Her family once owned the mansion that Paxton's family now owns, but they lost it during hard financial times in the 1930s. Willa grew up in a house that didn't have a lot of money, but she never wanted for anything. Her father took care of her. She owns a sporting goods/coffee shop in Walls of Water, the town she grew up in. She never thought she would settle down in her hometown, and although she is happy where she is, there is something missing from her life.
Paxton and Willa's grandmothers live in the same nursing home, and they share a secret. They have been friends for well over 75 years, and it's the 75th anniversary of the organization they formed together. Paxton is preparing for a ball in honor of this anniversary and the restoration of the mansion.
Both Willa and Paxton reflect on the lives they had in high school, and discover just what they are missing in their lives now. The book ends with both women growing to see their full potential, with a few heaping spoonfuls of love and friendship thrown into the whole recipe for good measure.
This book is about a friendship that has lasted over 75 years, and a friendship that is just blossoming.
I thought this book was a breath of fresh air, and I can't wait to read Allen's other books.
If You Like: Friendship, Romance, Happy Endings, An escape
Similar to: Nicholas Sparks, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Practical Magic (movie)
Ages: 18-100, this is a book both you, your mother, and your grandmother will love
Sometimes when I hold a book, it just feels right. That's how I felt when I picked up this book, and once I started reading it, I knew I was right. Sarah Addison Allen is a beautifully descriptive writer. Her words are so vivid. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to. It was as refreshing as a ice cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
This book is about friendship, and the growth of two women who at thirty, haven't quite found themselves.
Paxton lives at home with her parents. She once tried to move out, but her parents just won't let go of their little girl. Paxton grew up in a house of money, and she is restoring the mansion that her family has owned since the 1930s. She expected to fall in love and have a family by now, but it hasn't happened. She is hopelessly in love with her best friend who she thinks might be gay.
Willa grew up the complete opposite of Paxton, but everyone knows her history. Her family once owned the mansion that Paxton's family now owns, but they lost it during hard financial times in the 1930s. Willa grew up in a house that didn't have a lot of money, but she never wanted for anything. Her father took care of her. She owns a sporting goods/coffee shop in Walls of Water, the town she grew up in. She never thought she would settle down in her hometown, and although she is happy where she is, there is something missing from her life.
Paxton and Willa's grandmothers live in the same nursing home, and they share a secret. They have been friends for well over 75 years, and it's the 75th anniversary of the organization they formed together. Paxton is preparing for a ball in honor of this anniversary and the restoration of the mansion.
Both Willa and Paxton reflect on the lives they had in high school, and discover just what they are missing in their lives now. The book ends with both women growing to see their full potential, with a few heaping spoonfuls of love and friendship thrown into the whole recipe for good measure.
This book is about a friendship that has lasted over 75 years, and a friendship that is just blossoming.
I thought this book was a breath of fresh air, and I can't wait to read Allen's other books.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Matched by Ally Condie
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Forbidden love, Dystopia, Reading something different
Similar to: 1984, Twilight
Ages: 13-80 (lol)
Ally Condie has written a book unlike any other book I've ever read. At first, this book reminded me of "1984", and then this book reminded me of "Twilight". I think that Ally Condie, being an English teacher, knows exactly what young adults would enjoy while also writing something that isn't just a mindless slur of words. Also, the love story in this book was so intense that it had my heart racing in anticipation of turning to the next page. This book leaves you with just the right amount of closure so you are satisfied, but also just the right amount of suspense to be dying to read the sequel.
Cassia lives in a world where everything is decided for you by the Society. The Society decides who you are matched with, when you have children, where you work, and even when you die. When Cassia finds out that her match is Xander, a boy she grew up with, her family is relieved that they know him and his family. Cassia is happy too, until Xander's face disappears from the Match screen and someone else's face pops up. The Society officials tell her it was a mistake, but Cassia can't stop thinking about the other face on the screen...a boy she also knows.
Cassia tries to move on and live her life as the Society wants her to, but with advice from Grandfather, and a growing love for someone she wasn't supposed to be matched with, a rebellion stirs inside of Cassia. She realizes that she is living a life where she is not supposed to think or make her own choices. Once she has realized this, Cassia is faced with real risk, real consequences, but also, real happiness. In a series of twists and turns, the story unfolds before our eyes. Will Cassia go blindly through life doing what the Society tells her, or will she fight for a life in which she makes the choices?
If You Like: Forbidden love, Dystopia, Reading something different
Similar to: 1984, Twilight
Ages: 13-80 (lol)
Ally Condie has written a book unlike any other book I've ever read. At first, this book reminded me of "1984", and then this book reminded me of "Twilight". I think that Ally Condie, being an English teacher, knows exactly what young adults would enjoy while also writing something that isn't just a mindless slur of words. Also, the love story in this book was so intense that it had my heart racing in anticipation of turning to the next page. This book leaves you with just the right amount of closure so you are satisfied, but also just the right amount of suspense to be dying to read the sequel.
Cassia lives in a world where everything is decided for you by the Society. The Society decides who you are matched with, when you have children, where you work, and even when you die. When Cassia finds out that her match is Xander, a boy she grew up with, her family is relieved that they know him and his family. Cassia is happy too, until Xander's face disappears from the Match screen and someone else's face pops up. The Society officials tell her it was a mistake, but Cassia can't stop thinking about the other face on the screen...a boy she also knows.
Cassia tries to move on and live her life as the Society wants her to, but with advice from Grandfather, and a growing love for someone she wasn't supposed to be matched with, a rebellion stirs inside of Cassia. She realizes that she is living a life where she is not supposed to think or make her own choices. Once she has realized this, Cassia is faced with real risk, real consequences, but also, real happiness. In a series of twists and turns, the story unfolds before our eyes. Will Cassia go blindly through life doing what the Society tells her, or will she fight for a life in which she makes the choices?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Ultimate Favorites
Because I only recently started this blog, there are some books I'd like to highlight that I have read in the past. They are books that I would consider my favorites.
Water for Elephants by: Sara Gruen
The Time Traveler's Wife by: Audrey Niffeneger
The Twilight Saga by: Stephenie Meyer
Message in a Bottle by: Nicholas Sparks
The Peach Keeper by: Sarah Addison Allen
Just Listen by: Sarah Dessen
The Princess Diaries Series by: Meg Cabot
The Sisterhood Series by: Ann Brashares
Entwined by: Heather Dixon
Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austen
There are so many others, but I wanted to highlight those because they stand out in my memory.
Water for Elephants by: Sara Gruen
The Time Traveler's Wife by: Audrey Niffeneger
The Twilight Saga by: Stephenie Meyer
Message in a Bottle by: Nicholas Sparks
The Peach Keeper by: Sarah Addison Allen
Just Listen by: Sarah Dessen
The Princess Diaries Series by: Meg Cabot
The Sisterhood Series by: Ann Brashares
Entwined by: Heather Dixon
Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austen
There are so many others, but I wanted to highlight those because they stand out in my memory.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Summer romances, books to take to the beach, happy ever afters
Similar to: Queen of Babble Series, Insatiable by Meg Cabot, Hallmark Romances
Ages: 18-100 because it might be a little too mature for some.
This is the first book I've read by Emily Giffin, and I realize how great of a writer she really is. Her writing style makes the reader able to easily relate to the story. It was a light and airy book that also had depth. It would be a perfect book to read at the beach this summer.
Darcy has always gotten what she wanted, even if it meant stepping on Rachel to get there. Sure, Darcy is a good friend to Rachel, but she tends to have selfish tendencies. Darcy is pretty and confident, and she doesn't have to work hard to get what she wants. Rachel is also successful, but her success came with a lot of hard work, and no matter how much hard work Rachel puts into life, she will never be as confident and successful in life as Darcy.
Things all change when Rachel sleeps with her best friend, Darcy's fiance, Dex. It is Rachel's thirtieth birthday, and with the unsettling thought of getting older, a little liquid courage, and seven years of harboring secret feelings for one another, it just happens. As it happens, feelings that Rachel and Dex had never admitted they had for one another surface. It shakes up the lives of the small, close knit group of friends who summer together in the Hamptons.
Even though Rachel is having an affair with her her lifelong best friend's fiance, you can't help but love and sympathize with Rachel. She is the girl who has always sacrificed her happiness for her best friend up until now. Who will Dex end up with in the end? Will it be his fiance, the beautiful and irresistable Darcy, or the sweet, smart, and real Rachel? What will this mean for Darcy and Rachel's friendship?
In all, I absolutely loved this book, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about reading it. You might think this book is predictable, but who does not love a good old sappy romance? I thought the ending was a nice twist. The book ends finished, but it leaves you in suspense so you will want to pick up the next book in the series.
I can't wait to read Something Blue, which is the second book in this little pair. I'm also looking forward to seeing the movie. If you want a summer romance book that will give you butterflies, this is the book.
If You Like: Summer romances, books to take to the beach, happy ever afters
Similar to: Queen of Babble Series, Insatiable by Meg Cabot, Hallmark Romances
Ages: 18-100 because it might be a little too mature for some.
This is the first book I've read by Emily Giffin, and I realize how great of a writer she really is. Her writing style makes the reader able to easily relate to the story. It was a light and airy book that also had depth. It would be a perfect book to read at the beach this summer.
Darcy has always gotten what she wanted, even if it meant stepping on Rachel to get there. Sure, Darcy is a good friend to Rachel, but she tends to have selfish tendencies. Darcy is pretty and confident, and she doesn't have to work hard to get what she wants. Rachel is also successful, but her success came with a lot of hard work, and no matter how much hard work Rachel puts into life, she will never be as confident and successful in life as Darcy.
Things all change when Rachel sleeps with her best friend, Darcy's fiance, Dex. It is Rachel's thirtieth birthday, and with the unsettling thought of getting older, a little liquid courage, and seven years of harboring secret feelings for one another, it just happens. As it happens, feelings that Rachel and Dex had never admitted they had for one another surface. It shakes up the lives of the small, close knit group of friends who summer together in the Hamptons.
Even though Rachel is having an affair with her her lifelong best friend's fiance, you can't help but love and sympathize with Rachel. She is the girl who has always sacrificed her happiness for her best friend up until now. Who will Dex end up with in the end? Will it be his fiance, the beautiful and irresistable Darcy, or the sweet, smart, and real Rachel? What will this mean for Darcy and Rachel's friendship?
In all, I absolutely loved this book, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about reading it. You might think this book is predictable, but who does not love a good old sappy romance? I thought the ending was a nice twist. The book ends finished, but it leaves you in suspense so you will want to pick up the next book in the series.
I can't wait to read Something Blue, which is the second book in this little pair. I'm also looking forward to seeing the movie. If you want a summer romance book that will give you butterflies, this is the book.
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