Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Review: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Summary: It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

Kim's Review: I really enjoyed this book! It was a nice, short, relatively light-hearted read. I really liked the plotlines and the different twists and turns. Lauren and EB's relationship and their struggles were realistic and well done in how they dealed with them. My only complaint is that, even though it was written by two authors, I found it very difficult to separate the two narrators in my mind because their voices are so similar. Even after finishing the book, I still have trouble recalling which girl had which boyfriend/best friend/etc. It would be a lot easier if their "voices" were more distinct.

However, I loved both of the girls' romantic relationships, and I thought how they dealt with moving away from each other was very realistic and awesome. Even though they love their respective boyfriends, neither of them are clingy or annoying and are able to think for themselves, and that's something I always love to see in novels!

All in all, I think this book is fantastic. I seriously loved reading the development of Lauren and EB's friendship, and it would be awesome to see a sequel with the two of them finding their way around university life. If only it were easier to differentiate between the narrators, I could easily give this five stars.


This book will be released on December 24, 2013. Keep an eye out for it! :)

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Review: The First Days by Rihannon Frater

Summary: Katie is driving to work one beautiful day when a dead man jumps into her car and tries to eat her.  That same morning, Jenni opens a bedroom door to find her husband devouring their toddler son. 

Fate puts Jenni and Katie—total strangers—together in a pickup, fleeing the suddenly zombie-filled streets of the Texas city in which they live. Before the sun has set, they have become more than just friends and allies—they are bonded as tightly as any two people who have been to war together. 

During their cross-Texas odyssey to find and rescue Jenni’s oldest son, Jenni discovers the joy of watching a zombie’s head explode when she shoots its brains out. Katie learns that she’s a terrific tactician—and a pretty good shot. 

A chance encounter puts them on the road to an isolated, fortified town, besieged by zombies, where fewer than one hundred people cling to the shreds of civilization. 

It looks like the end of the world. But Katie and Jenni and many others will do whatever they have to to stay alive. Run, fight, pick each other up when they stumble, fall in love…anything is possible at the end of the world.


Kim's Review: This was the first zombie apocalypse book I've ever read, and I went into it expecting gore and blood and action left and right. There was some of that in this book, and the fighting scenes were the best parts. However, I was pretty unsatisfied overall. One thing that grabbed my attention in the first few chapters was the fact that one of the main characters and narrators, Katie, was queer. This surprised me a little just because I felt it was an interesting angle to take. Throughout the novel though, it becomes more of a romance, and ends up seeming more like a novelization of a Lifetime movie than a zombie apocalypse novel. A lot of things frustrated me, mostly regarding how the author handles Katie's character and her relationships. Nearly half the book is about Katie talking to others about her sexuality and relationships. There's a lot of conversation about "turning her straight" or assuming she is in a relationship with Jenni, the other main character, who repeatedly mentions she is straight. Personally, I thought too much time was focused on Katie's sexuality and relationships. There are zombies out there who want to eat your brains, and every other conversation is about who Katie's attracted to? Seriously? I doubt Frater meant for it to come across as offensive, but it seems more like she's trying too hard to make a statement than anything else. This irritated me so much throughout the book, I can write a whole other book about it.

The writing was really simple; if not for the sex scenes and gore, it feels like it could be a book for a sixth grader. Therefore, I was not really sucked into the book, and at times picking it up felt like a chore. I hardly even cared for the characters. The dialogue also seemed fake; some of the things the characters said just felt awkward, like nobody would say it in real life. Considering this is supposed to be an adult book, not even YA, the writing and plot were underwhelming.

Unless my school's Zombie Book Club makes me, I'm not planning on reading the sequel. I can probably predict what would happen anyways, sparing myself the dull characters and boring love triangles.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell


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Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

I've heard a lot about Eleanor & Park, about how great it was. I can say that I was let down by the hype. While Eleanor & Park is a cute and original book, it is not as groundbreaking as I was led to believe. 

Eleanor & Park was conflicted as to whether it wanted to be a dark, grisly look at abusive relationships, or a cute coming-of-age romance. It fell in between both of these, making it a weak attempt at both of them. I felt as if the book had great potential, but it did not develop any of it.

The romance was, of course, the center-piece. I felt like it got overly cheesy sometimes. But, I really did enjoy how unique it was. Eleanor & Park was original, you have to give it that. Nearly everything has been done before, and this book is the first one in a long time to look at romance in a different light. To quote that Selena Gomez song: "It's been said and done / Every beautiful thought's been already sung."  Eleanor & Park was a very original romance, even if it lacked in other aspects. This book examines each flaw, and each struggle that comes with holding onto love when it's slipping away from you. 

This isn't an entirely horrible two stars, but that's just what I think would accurately fit it. Give it a try, but don't buy into all the hype.






Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday: November 13

Waiting On Wednesday: Showcase books you can't wait to read!


The story that began with Unwind continues.

Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they're not just running away from something. This time, they're running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.

Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human.

With the Juvenile Authority and vindictive parts pirates hunting them, the paths of Connor, Lev, Cam, and Risa will converge explosively and everyone will be changed.


I cannot wait to read this book, the third novel in the Unwind series. I'll forever hate myself for forgetting its release date and therefore missing my chance to buy it while I still had money. Somehow, I have to hold out and wait until Christmas. Until then, I'm going to be dying waiting to find out what happens! If you have yet to read the first two books, I highly recommend you get to it - you'll get so sucked in to the story, it won't take long to finish!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Summary: The heartrending conclusion—from Willem’s POV—to the romantic duet of novels that began with Allyson’s story in Just One Day

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

Char's Review: Seeing Willem’s PoV was enlightening and wonderful. It made up for yet another open ending. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this book takes place after Just One Day ends (like I did.) At first I was hesitant, because I, more often than not, loathe open endings. But Just One Year was written beautifully.

Just One Year didn't make me doubt the characters. It had the opposite effect, I now have much more confident in Willem. I understand him, and that makes me understand the connection he has with 'Lulu'. I feel like I can imagine my own ending, and for the reader to have that feeling is a blessing. 

So, as I said before, this book is basically a parallel to the one told from Allyson's PoV. Don't let that turn you off or bore you. There weren't any slow parts to this book. Even when it seemed like it was getting a bit droopy, it still had the can't-put-it-down effect.

If all love stories were written by Gayle Forman, the world would be a better place.


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Currently Reading: The First Days by Rihannon Frater

Katie is driving to work one beautiful day when a dead man jumps into her car and tries to eat her.  That same morning, Jenni opens a bedroom door to find her husband devouring their toddler son.

Fate puts Jenni and Katie—total strangers—together in a pickup, fleeing the suddenly zombie-filled streets of the Texas city in which they live. Before the sun has set, they have become more than just friends and allies—they are bonded as tightly as any two people who have been to war together.

During their cross-Texas odyssey to find and rescue Jenni’s oldest son, Jenni discovers the joy of watching a zombie’s head explode when she shoots its brains out. Katie learns that she’s a terrific tactician—and a pretty good shot.

A chance encounter puts them on the road to an isolated, fortified town, besieged by zombies, where fewer than one hundred people cling to the shreds of civilization.

It looks like the end of the world. But Katie and Jenni and many others will do whatever they have to to stay alive. Run, fight, pick each other up when they stumble, fall in love…anything is possible at the end of the world.


I just started reading this book for my school's Zombie Book Club, and it's pretty good so far! This is the first zombie book I've read so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but it seems like the story is going to be good. I can't wait to see what happens!
  
Do you read zombie books? I'd love recommendations! :) 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith


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This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Published: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 416

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? 


Charlotte's Review:

My expectations for this book weren't too high (mostly because I wasn't too keen on the Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight) but it completely blew me out the water. The premise draws you in, and the adorableness keeps you there.

Graham was adorable, and Ellie was too. Even though the whole story is absurd on its own--I mean when has a movie star you've been emailing come to film a movie in middle-of-nowhere-Maine just to meet you?--but it was still believable and realistic.

All the subplots, like the relationship with Quinn, and Ellie's father, added to the novel and set it apart from the norm. This book made me want to move to Maine, and that's saying something.

This Is What Happy Looks Like has renewed by faith in Jennifer E. Smith and I can't wait to read more!




Saturday, November 2, 2013

Review: I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

Summary: Protect the diamonds
Survive the clubs
Dig deep through the spades
Feel the hearts



Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.

That's when the first ace arrives in the mail.

That's when Ed becomes the messenger.

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

Marissa's Review: It dawned on me the other day when I was looking through my favorites that I never actually wrote a full reaction to this book. The funny thing is that I actually read this almost exactly a year ago, which was around the time Hurricane Sandy happened. I never got the chance to type a review since we lost power for almost a week in a half, so I figured its very fitting to bring it back a year later. Plus, this is one of my favorite books and I always recommend this book. I've said this before and I'll say it over and over, I really truly believe that Markus Zusak is a genius. I mean, if The Book Thief alone doesn't convince you, then you definitely will be after reading this one. Even though this book was written before The Book Thief, I actually read this way after reading The Book Thief. Now, The Book Thief is one of those books I hold on a pedestal. It is literally one of my all-time favorites. So when I actually got around to reading this one, I was nervous. I was pretty much still reeling and I figured that it probably wouldn't be as good. Wrong. It's important to point out that you couldn't get two more different books than this one and The Book Thief. So its almost ridiculous to even try to compare the two together. I really liked this one though. 

My first initial reaction was that the ending was very abrupt. But then I re-read the last few pages, it really sunk in. I feel like there are many different angles people can take with this book (especially the ending) but the whole idea of this book is such a genius thing Markus Zusak came up with. Ed is basically just your regular guy who lives an extremely routine life and is trying to find some sort of meaning to it. He feels like he has always been a disappointment. When he stops the bank robbery, people finally notice him and declare him a hero. But Ed doesn't feel like one. So when he goes home and finds a card in his mailbox with three addresses on them, he is very confused. He visits each house and finds out that inside each house or place are people with all different stories. He starts to help out these people and as he does more and more cards are sent to him with different symbols like clubs, spades, and hearts. Each have a hidden meaning behind them. Not only is Ed helping people, but he is also learning things about the people he never even knew, people who he used to just pass by and even his friends who he sees and hangs out with everyday. 

But most importantly, he learns things about himself and as his feelings towards the world and his own life start to shift, he learns the true meaning behind the word hero. I think we can all take something from this book. I think this book should be one of those required reading books. This book really moved me though. All of the stories Ed learns from visiting the places on the cards were unique and very meaningful. There are so many things I love about this book and its really more of the little things in this book that I love the most. I really do think that everyone should read this and I definitely want to re-read it sometime.