Review of "Flipped"

“Flipped”

by  Wendelin Van Draanen

My Rating:

 Pub. Date: February 13, 2012

Pages: 224

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: Library

Edition: E-book and Paperback

Synopsis: Flipped is a romance told in two voices. The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance.


In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years.


When I first started “Flipped” I was a bit concerned because it took me a little while to get into it.  I thought the premise was cute, but for 50 pages I believed that was all the book had to offer.  I had no idea this book would have such an emotional impact.  One of the characters seemed to be pulled right out of my life and it touched me on a personal level.  I know not everyone can have this experience while reading “Flipped”, but it just amazes me how books can strike such a cord with an individual that you feel like the book was written just for you.

Why would other people like to read this book?  The characters are great.  You may not always like them, but they are so real you can’t help getting wrapped up in their story.  The love story in “Flipped” is very cute, but there are also very seriously issues, integrity and family are two big ones, which move the book past just a cute read.  I wish someone had actually told me this was more than just a love story, because for some reason that never sunk in for me. 

“Flipped” is a book that can be relatable to many readers for multiple reasons.  The situations are things that people face every day and the characters will grow on you like mold on 20 day old bread; hopefully, you’ll fine most of the characters more pleasant than mold. ;)  This really is a great book to read on your own or for a book club.  “Flipped” is proof that great things come in small packages.  

Review of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"

“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”

by Ransom Riggs

My Rating:

Pub. Date: June 7the 2011

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Source: Gift

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis:  A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is a book that I will keep for the rest of my life.  I love everything about this book- the story, to the characters, and the marvelously selected photos.  I will admit that I did not find this to be a quick read, but I enjoyed every moment I spent on this book.  I did not mind taking my time because I wanted to absorb every detail.

“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is hard to describe.  It is paranormal, but it felt base in reality more than most paranormal books.  Jacob’s difficulties with him grandfather and the journey for the truth about his past were both thing many people struggle with.  They may not get the opportunity to go to English to discover more about a family member as fascinating as Jacob’s grandfather, but wouldn’t you given the chance?  I know I would have rushed a plane given the opportunity.   It had some terrifying moments with monsters that would have haunted my nightmares if I weren’t such a fan of horror movies.  “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is just such a breath of fresh air; I can’t say that I’ve read anything like it.  If you want to get a taste for the book, you could always just skim the pages and check out some of the pictures.  I’m not sure if that would spoil the plot, but at least it will give you a sense of what you are in for.  If the pictures don’t lure you into reading the book then you just completely lack curiosity.

I’m not really sure what else there is to say without giving away the plot.  “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is something best read without much knowledge, but with an open mind.  The book is peculiar, but I found it absolutely charming.  This isn’t a book for everyone, but I hope everyone at least gives it a shot.  I know this is a super short review; I just don’t want to spoil the delightfulness of this gem by ruining the plot.

Review of "Fault In Our Stars"

"The Fault In Our Stars"

by John Green

My Rating:

 Pub. Date: January 10, 2012

Pages: 318

Publisher: Penguin Group

Source: Bought

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

"The Fault in Our Stars" is my favorite book by John Green.  I had serious issues putting it down.  I stayed up WAY too late two nights in a row reading it.  If I didn't have a job, I would have read it in one sitting.  I don't think I've had a crush on a book this hard since "The Hunger Games".  


Why is this book so swoon worthy?  The character are AWESOME.  Hazel and Augustus are characters with depth and personality.  They may not have talked like your average teenager, but they've been through more in a few years than most people go through in an entire lifetime- makes sense to me.  This is especially true in Hazel's case- she is way beyond the intellectual level of most high school students and John Green shows this through her dialog.  Isaac is another great character that I kind of wish had more face time.  


Of course the book had more than just great characters.  "The Fault In Our Stars" was beautifully written with a fantastic plot.  I have to admit I had no idea what the book was about before I bought it.  I just knew that John Green had a new book and I HAD to read it.  The book is about teenagers battling cancer so it does tear at the heartstrings, but is also hilarious.  John Green is one of the masters of mixing devastating issues with humorous dialog and hi jinks.


This is a must read book!  I am just going to wrap up my review now because you just have to go out and read it.  This is a book that will permanently live on my bookcase and I will lightly nudge my future children to read.  I say nudge but I'll probably end up being like "OMG YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK OR I'LL GROUND YOU FOR LIFE!!!". Just kidding, I would probably just use reverse psychology and tell them they aren't allowed to read it.  I think this review just got weird... In short, the book is LEGENDARY.

Review of "Unearthly"

"Unearthly"

by Cynthia Hand

My Rating:

Pub. Date: January 4th, 2011

Pages: 435

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Purchased

Edition: E-book

Synopsis: When Clara Gardner learns she’s part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn’t know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

I'm not sure why I didn't pick "Unearthly" up last year.  It has fantastic reviews and is right up my ally.  I think I was just so disappointed with the last few angel books I've read that I just needed a break.  Also, I am not a huge fan of the cover.  I'm not sure I would have read this book if it hadn't been for the $.99 price tag on BN.com.  Seriously, best $.99 ever spent!  I just could not put the book down.  

Clara is a great female character.  She was strong, but didn't always have the answers making her a realistic teenager.  Who doesn't love an athletic girl who can hang with the boys and still look hot at a formal?  I love the fact that typical gender roles were reversed in "Unearthly".  It wasn't the female that needed saving, but the male.  The love triangle in "Unearthly" worked well because it wasn't as generic as in most teen books.  It wasn't just a girl confused between a bad boy and a golden boy, Clara's purpose took it to another level.

The love story and Clara's arcane purpose would have been enough to keep me interested, but Cynthia Hand's angels were very intriguing.  They are very mysterious leaving plenty to learn in the upcoming books.  I am dying to know where Clara and Christian's relationship is headed in "Hallowed".  Although, I think I am on team Tucker... but in a pinch I wouldn't mind curling up with Christian.  Let's be serious, both guys are totally swoon worthy.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of "Twilight", "Shiver", and all those other wonderful paranormal books, especially if you are into angels.

Teaser Tuesdays January 10th 2012

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Any one can participate! Just

1-Grab your current read.

2-Let the book fall open to a random page.

3-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.

4- Please share the title and author of the book to allow people to find the book if they like the teaser you’ve given!

***Please avoid spoilers!***

Crossed

Ally Condie

"It's a song, I tell myself, same as I always do  The bass sounds of the heavy shots, the soprano of the screams and the tenor of my own fear." (Page 17)

I am so excited I finally have this book!  I have been waiting on the wait list at my library since it came out.  It feels like forever, but I guess it has only been two months.  Now it is time to read it... yay!

Feel free to share your teaser sentences by adding a comments.

Review of "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"

 "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"

by Laini Taylor

My Rating:

 Pub. Date: September 27, 2011

Pages: 432

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

In case you didn't see all the hearts, I LOVED "Daughter of Smoke and Bone".  Laini Taylor is a beautiful storyteller; she was able to combine the beauty of Prague with paranormal romance to create an epic fantasy novel.

The characters are one of a kind.  Brimstone is a monster that sells wishes for teeth.  Yes, you read it correctly, TEETH!  At the same time, he is part of the only family that Karou has ever known.  Karou herself is wonderfully mysterious.  She has tattoos and "naturally" blue hair, is extremely artistic, runs dangerous errands, was raised by monsters, and has no idea who she is.  Karou is a strong female character searching for her identity, but nothing can prepare her for the truth.

The way Laini Taylor described Prague transported me back to this beautiful, historic city.  Prague is a fantastic city and is the perfect setting for this book.  It is so romantic with great old-world charm that I could totally picture there being secret doors that lead beyond our world.

On top of characters, plot, and beautiful storytelling, there is this huge war that has taken over two civilizations for hundreds of years and Karou is getting sucked in.  I know this probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but you will just have to read the book to find out how all these pieces fit together.

"Daughter of Smoke and Bone" is filled with so many mysteries that it hooks you from the first page until the last.  And let me just say that the last page will blow your mind hole!  How can Karou be family with monsters?  Why does Brimstone collect Teeth?  Who is Karou?  Honestly, just go buy "The Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  It is awesome and one of the best books that was released in 2011.

Review of "Entwined"

"Entwined"

by Heather Dixon

My Rating:

Pub. Date: March 29, 2011

Pages: 480

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: e-book

Synopsis: Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

I LOVE the cover of "Entwined".  It fit the romantic aspects that I was sure would be a part of a book that highlighted dancing and magic.  I think I loved the cover a bit too much because the book did not live up to it.  I really liked the retelling of the 12 dancing princesses  fairy tale.  It was great to understand why the King was so harsh.  He became a character with depth instead of just a horrible father trying keep his children from having any enjoyment out of life.  I liked how the daughters struggled to  live with their father.  Their difficult relationship felt true and grounded the story in a way that made it seem more realistic.  For the most part, I liked how the girls didn't adhere to social norms.  They had spirit and I enjoyed that.  

There were a few problems with "Entwined".  First, the daughters were kind of dense about the danger they were in.  I understand their naivety at first, but out of 12 girls only the oldest started to worry... it was very unrealistic to me.  Especially since these girls are strong minded and educated.  Second, the book was kind of slow.  I think it was just a bit too long because there were times when not a lot was happening.  I am a fan of dancing, but some of it could have been cut out.  It was just a bit too much.  I guess the problem was that I didn't love Heather Dixon's writing style.  It just wasn't my favorite.

Overall, I liked the book.  It didn't take me a long time to read, I just wish there had been more editing.  I am glad I read it because I did enjoy the plot.  I have a feeling that there will be readers out there who love this book, but I am just not one of them.