Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen Romance, Books about poverty or unfortunate circumstances
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, Elizabeth Scott Novels
Ages: 13-30
This book was so emotionally deep that I found myself close to tears a couple of times. Although Susane Colasanti's books are normally happy teen romances, this was more about finding your voice in the world rather than romance.
Noelle is bullied in school. Her mother completely neglects her. She is poor and her stomach grumbles from only having mustard and mayonnaise sandwiches, she has only a few pieces of clothing, and rides the bus to school even though she is a junior in high school. The kids in high school are extremely brutal to Noelle, except for her good friend Sherae, a unique boy named Simon who doesn't care what people think, and a popular boy Julian. When Julian asks Noelle out, she tries to push him away because she doesn't feel she has a place in his world. He will see that he's way too good for her, and then Noelle will have less of a reason to keep holding on.
I feel like everyone is high school can relate to this book no matter if they've been bullied or been the bully. I was so moved by some of the things the character Noelle had to deal with that it brought tears to my eyes because there are people who go through what she goes through everyday. Noelle perservered through it all, and so can anyone else who is going through a tough time in their life...as long as they keep holding on.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen romance/teen issues
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, Susane Colasanti novels
Ages: 13-30
Although I did like this book, it dragged on for quite some time before Elizabeth Scott abruptly finished the story in the last 20 pages. I was kind of disappointed, and not quite happy when the story was over.
Abby has always lived in her older sister, Tess's, shadow. Even now that Tess is in a coma, Abby is bound to her sister in a way that keeps her from being her own person. Tess is perfect, and everyone loves her. Why wouldn't the hot, perfect, Eli who everyone is lusting after love her too.
Abby wants her sister to wake up so badly, but she finds she is falling for Eli, who is perfect for the perfect Tess. But Abby finds Eli isn't as perfect as he seems, and neither is Tess. Tess has secrets that Abby is just now discovering. Tess had a whole other life that is far from perfect.
If You Like: Teen romance/teen issues
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, Susane Colasanti novels
Ages: 13-30
Although I did like this book, it dragged on for quite some time before Elizabeth Scott abruptly finished the story in the last 20 pages. I was kind of disappointed, and not quite happy when the story was over.
Abby has always lived in her older sister, Tess's, shadow. Even now that Tess is in a coma, Abby is bound to her sister in a way that keeps her from being her own person. Tess is perfect, and everyone loves her. Why wouldn't the hot, perfect, Eli who everyone is lusting after love her too.
Abby wants her sister to wake up so badly, but she finds she is falling for Eli, who is perfect for the perfect Tess. But Abby finds Eli isn't as perfect as he seems, and neither is Tess. Tess has secrets that Abby is just now discovering. Tess had a whole other life that is far from perfect.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen romance with something deeper
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, Susane Colasanti Novels
Ages: 13-30
I had already read this book a few years ago, but reading it for the second time, felt like reading it for the first time. This book was so intensely good that I finished it after only having started it yesterday.
Lauren has the perfect life. She has a perfect boyfriend named Dave, and a perfect best friend, Katie, who has a matching perfect boyfriend, Marcus. Everything in life should be perfect, but it isn't, and Lauren starts to realize that when Evan comes into town. Evan's mom dated Lauren's dad, and they were super close when they were younger. They haven't seen each other for years, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
Lauren's feelings for Evan are intense and scary. Should she risk it all to be with someone who makes her feel alive, or should she play it safe and stay with Dave, who makes her feel nothing at all?
This book is a prime specimen of teen romance. The romance in this book made my heart feel like it was about to burst through my chest, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. It will forever have a place in my heart.
If You Like: Teen romance with something deeper
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, Susane Colasanti Novels
Ages: 13-30
I had already read this book a few years ago, but reading it for the second time, felt like reading it for the first time. This book was so intensely good that I finished it after only having started it yesterday.
Lauren has the perfect life. She has a perfect boyfriend named Dave, and a perfect best friend, Katie, who has a matching perfect boyfriend, Marcus. Everything in life should be perfect, but it isn't, and Lauren starts to realize that when Evan comes into town. Evan's mom dated Lauren's dad, and they were super close when they were younger. They haven't seen each other for years, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
Lauren's feelings for Evan are intense and scary. Should she risk it all to be with someone who makes her feel alive, or should she play it safe and stay with Dave, who makes her feel nothing at all?
This book is a prime specimen of teen romance. The romance in this book made my heart feel like it was about to burst through my chest, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. It will forever have a place in my heart.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen fiction, dystopian societies, parallel universes
Similar to: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Ages: 13-100
This book was definately not what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's hit and miss for me with Elizabeth Scott, but this one was definately a hit.
There are two parallel universes; the world we know today, and another dystopian society universe. Ava wakes up in our universe, with no memory of where she's at or how she got there. The memories she does have are those from the other universe. A place where she came from the creche, the lowest rank in society. She remembers being in love with a boy named Morgan who is high ranked in their dystopian society, so they are not allowed to be together. Morgan is contacting her in our universe, but he doesn't belong there, and the longer he stays, the closer he drifts to becoming nonexistent in either universe.
Should Ava stay in the universe she doesn't remember, where she has a mother who loves her and freedom to be anything she wants to be, or should she go back with Morgan to a society where she will spend her life running to be with her one true love? What is more important in life: freedom or true love?
Normally Elizabeth Scott's darker novels don't appeal to me, but this one was so clever, and so captivating, that once I started it, I just couldn't put it down. With the dystopian society fad, this is definately a must read.
If You Like: Teen fiction, dystopian societies, parallel universes
Similar to: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Ages: 13-100
This book was definately not what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's hit and miss for me with Elizabeth Scott, but this one was definately a hit.
There are two parallel universes; the world we know today, and another dystopian society universe. Ava wakes up in our universe, with no memory of where she's at or how she got there. The memories she does have are those from the other universe. A place where she came from the creche, the lowest rank in society. She remembers being in love with a boy named Morgan who is high ranked in their dystopian society, so they are not allowed to be together. Morgan is contacting her in our universe, but he doesn't belong there, and the longer he stays, the closer he drifts to becoming nonexistent in either universe.
Should Ava stay in the universe she doesn't remember, where she has a mother who loves her and freedom to be anything she wants to be, or should she go back with Morgan to a society where she will spend her life running to be with her one true love? What is more important in life: freedom or true love?
Normally Elizabeth Scott's darker novels don't appeal to me, but this one was so clever, and so captivating, that once I started it, I just couldn't put it down. With the dystopian society fad, this is definately a must read.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen fiction/romance
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, The Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot
Ages: 12-30
I am always so pleasantly surprised when I read a Susane Colasanti novel. It's almost like I forget how good her books really are until I'm reading one of them. This book was one of my favorites by her.
Brooke has just been going through the motions in life. She hates school, so she refuses to do her school work even though she is a genius,she doesn't get along with her mother, and she is in love with a boy who has no idea she exists. All of that changes when she finds out Scott, the boy Brooke thinks she is meant to be with, moves to NYC.
When Brooke moves in with her dad, who lives in NYC, in order to follow Scott, it is as beautiful as she expected, but the relationships she expected to have with Scott and her dad are not what she expected. Luckilly, she meets a great friend Sadie who gets her to sign up for a tutoring program where she meets an awesome boy named John who shows her how to look at the world from a different perspective. Only then, when she realizes that life is beautiful, does Brooke start to turn her life around, and attempt to make a difference in the world.
This book really makes you feel like you can make a difference in the world. I also really connected to this book because I saw a lot of myself in Brooke. I definately recommend you read this book if you are a fan of teen romance in any way.
If You Like: Teen fiction/romance
Similar to: Sarah Dessen Novels, The Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot
Ages: 12-30
I am always so pleasantly surprised when I read a Susane Colasanti novel. It's almost like I forget how good her books really are until I'm reading one of them. This book was one of my favorites by her.
Brooke has just been going through the motions in life. She hates school, so she refuses to do her school work even though she is a genius,she doesn't get along with her mother, and she is in love with a boy who has no idea she exists. All of that changes when she finds out Scott, the boy Brooke thinks she is meant to be with, moves to NYC.
When Brooke moves in with her dad, who lives in NYC, in order to follow Scott, it is as beautiful as she expected, but the relationships she expected to have with Scott and her dad are not what she expected. Luckilly, she meets a great friend Sadie who gets her to sign up for a tutoring program where she meets an awesome boy named John who shows her how to look at the world from a different perspective. Only then, when she realizes that life is beautiful, does Brooke start to turn her life around, and attempt to make a difference in the world.
This book really makes you feel like you can make a difference in the world. I also really connected to this book because I saw a lot of myself in Brooke. I definately recommend you read this book if you are a fan of teen romance in any way.
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