Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Count: 469 pages, Paperback

Date Published: February 5th 2013

Find it on Goodreads: Unravel Me

Source: Purchased

 tick

tick

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it's almost

time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

 Warning: There are SPOILERS in the review below for those who have not read Shatter Me.
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Tahereh Mafi.....

 WHY????????


Ahem.... I'll try and write this in the most orderly fashion that I am capable of...

After finishing Unravel Me I sat on my bed with my chin rested on my knees, staring at nothing for a good 5-7 minutes. Thinking. Just thinking. Because, well.... Tahereh Mafi is a freaking artist.

I loved Shatter Me. Loved it, loved it, loved it. It was one of my favourite books I read last year. I loved the story, the protagonist, the love interest, and everything else. Adam and Juliette were on my top 5 OTP list (How do you like that oxymoron?) and I loved Juliette's mind and Tahereh's writing and it was beautiful. So waiting for Unravel Me was PAINFUL. It came out while I was in Ottawa and so when we stopped in the airport in Edmonton I looked in every place they had books and when I finally found it at Indigo I FREAKED OUT... My friend was actually kind of scared, I think. Anyways, I finally found it and waited until I got home to read it so that I could enjoy it, and boy did I enjoy it!

Tahereh Mafi's style of writing may not be for everyone, but I personally think it's beautiful. She's a poet.... An artist. The way Mafi write Juliette's thought process is magnificent and it connected me to Juliette in a way that I don't experience often. There are more than a few ways that I relate to Juliette, (no I can't kill people with my touch :P) and she is one of my favourite protagonists/heroines. Yes she does things that irritate me, but she also does things that I admire and appreciate. She's like a good friend, in a way. Juliette grows a lot in Unravel Me, learning about her powers and gaining confidence in who she is and what she can do and how she can do it.

Then there's the secondary characters. We get to see a lot more of Kenji (YAY!) and he's becoming a favourite of mine! He really pushes Juliette to see the bigger picture and teaches her to become stronger and helps her with her growth. He opens her eyes to a lot. We learn more about his background and his importance at Omega Point, but I want to know MORE! We learn a tiny bit more about James, but don't see a ton from him which is kind of sad, but what we do is a delight, because well, it's James. And then..... Adam. And Warner.

 

 I. Hate. Warner. That's what I have to keep telling myself, because this stupid beautiful book possibly made me love hate Warner. LOVE HATE him. The  character that I absolutely despised with every fiber in my bone in Shatter Me has won his way into my heart somehow... GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I'm so conflicted..........
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In Shatter Me I LOVED Adam. He was one of my all time favourite heroes/love interests. And I hated Warner. He was one of the best villains I'd ever read, because I literally just HATED him. He was so.... Awful! And then, the brilliant Tahereh Mafi has to go and MESS UP MY EMOTIONS.

We learn so much more about Warner and his past and his family and what he's capable of and ughhhhhh I hate the fact that I can sympathize with him because he's supposed to be an awful, despicable human being, right? But no. NO. He isn't. He's a mega-hot, mega-hurt 19 year old kid who seems to be in love with a girl who is in love with a guy he hates. I DON'T KNOW. I'M SORRY BUT CAPSLOCK IS NECESSARY. I CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT MY EMOTIONS THAT INVOLVE WARNER. BAH.

And then there's Adam. Oh, Adam. Of course, because it's a second book in a dystopian trilogy, there's some force keeping Adam and Juliette from being happy together and everything well in the world. THIS CAUSED ME MAJOR SADNESS. Because this conflict just messed up everything. And Juliette was upset  and Adam was upset and she was crying and he was passionately fighting for her and she was trying to protect him and ya-da-ya-da-ya-da you get the story.

So Juliette has Warner who has confessed his love to her and is actually reaching in and showing human emotions but is still that person who made her do terrible things and then there's Adam who is still totally in love with her but obviously there's another force that is keeping them from being together. No wonder she's freaking out.


I'm sorry for this very informal, very crazily written review, for those of you who prefer straight-forward reviews. I just couldn't give this book a normal review. While  Unravel Me stressed out my emotions, I loved it to bits. Tahereh Mafi, once again, you are a beautiful, talented, amazing artist who has now written two books that make me think about things that I have always been scared about thinking of. I truly appreciate that. I love Tahereh's style of writing... She paints her words on the paper that is her canvas and I am living in Juliette's world for a long time after I close the book. There is so much more to this story than a crazy love-triangle, and I adore every aspect of it. Spectacular follow-up.

Have a great day/night everyone!
~Kristy

Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Author: Kristin Cashore

Publisher: Harcourt

Page Count: 471 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: October 1st 2008

Find it on Goodreads: Graceling

Source: Purchased (Secondhand/Library Sale)

Rating:  5/5

 His eyes, Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human....
Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.
Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

My Thoughts: Absolutely amazing.

I haven't read a lot of fantasy lately and I feel the need to get back into it. Graceling was an incredible book that contained a world so unique and captivating that I couldn't bear to put it down. I loved the characters and adored the world Cashore created.

When Bitterblue came out last year, so many people were so excited. It caused a huge buzz in the book world and I was utterly confused. I had only briefly heard of Graceling and wanted to know more about it. However, it did not seem like the type of book I was willing to pay full price for. Whenn I found it at the library sale though, I thought "Why not?" and picked it up. Then it sat on my shelf. And sat. And sat. Until I was talking to one of the girls at the bookstore that I have become friends with and she asked if I had read it yet, and if not, that I NEEDED TO. So I went home and began reading and now, here I am, so in love with the story and the characters and the entire book. I will admit it was a bit difficult to start the book, as it has a lot of world-building and the main protagonist, Katsa is a bit tough to get a hold on to. But eventually, the story sped up and I couldn't stop flipping the pages.

Graceling focuses on Katsa, a girl who has the talent of killing. She is the one her uncle, the king of her land, sends to do his dirty work. When she meets Po, a prince from another land, they become friends and set off on a dangerous mission and uncover terrible secrets that could rip all seven kingdoms apart. Katsa is a difficult one to like at first. She's tough and she's hard, but she's also very conflicted. I personally loved her character in the end. I found her to be so strong and that she actually really did care about the people that she wanted to protect. She would protect her loved ones even if it killed her. She was... How can I put this? BAD. ASS. Then there was Po. I loved Po. He and Katsa had a bit of conflict at the beginning, until they began to realise they could help each other. And then they set off on a long journey in hopes of uncovering answers in regards to Po's grandfather. I ADORED the way Po made Katsa jumpy and embarrassed. It was so funny and sweet at the same time. Here's a girl who needs to be in control, suddenly traveling with a handsome prince who makes her stomach flutter. There are so many things that happen in the book that I'd like to talk about, but I can't just in case someone, like me a few days ago, has not yet read it and thus, I can't spoil it!

So, I will just say, please go read this book if you get the chance. It's so different, but so good. The world-building is fantastic and I was so impressed by how much detail we get about the workings of the seven kingdoms. There was so much in this book and I loved it all. Now, I cannot wait to pick up Fire and then Bitterblue!!!


Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

Page Count: 395 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: June 14th 2012

Find it on Goodreads: My Life Next Door

Source: Won

Rating:  5/5

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

 
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

My Thoughts: This was exactly the type of book I needed...

My Life Next Door was a beautiful book. It was about love, family, friendship, loyalty, and so many other things in a teenager's life.The book had so many vibrant, flawed, amazing characters that I fell in love with. This was a book that was hard to put down, because I was so immersed in the story!

The Garretts were a family that I couldn't not love. Their mother and father after so many years of marriage, plus their 7 children were still in love as ever. They were loud and messy and rambunctious, and such a fun family. Each of the siblings had their own personalities and tiny little story line that made reading this novel so much more real...I adored the little brother George... He was so adorable! Then, there was the Reed family. Their house was prim and proper and always maintained control. Their family was small and it was a bit strained. Sam's sister left for the summer and her mother was always on the go with her campaign. Thus leaving Sam to live her life next door...

Sam and Jase's relationship was one of the best book relationships I've read in a long, long time. It was not an instant "I'm in love with you," but there was absolutely an attraction. They were adorably sweet together and spoke about everything from the physical side of their relationship to college and to so many other things. They took it slow and they became close. It was a relationship that I've always dreamed of having.

Yet, the romance in this novel was not the only story line. There was so much going on in the story, but it wasn't overwhelming.We have Nan, Sam's best friend and Tim, Nan's brother. Tim was a pretty large aspect to this book! Tim had problems with substance abuse, committing to school/jobs, and he drove everyone crazy. But he eventually became a loyal, loyal friend to Jase and Sam and played a significant part. Then there was the 'impossible decision' that Sam had to make, and I will admit, during this part of the book, I was pretty emotional. I was so attached to all of the characters by the end of the novel, and it was hard to see them go through such tough times. But honestly, this book felt so real. There were good moments and bad moments. Tough decisions to be made and consequences that follow. Some things were kind of unresolved, but that leaves the mystery up to the reader, which I loved. I don't think I can say one bad thing about this book. It was one of my favourites I've read all year! I'd suggest this one to anyone, really! I even convinced my mom to read it!

Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Author: John Green and David Levithan

Publisher: Speak

Page Count: 336 pages, Paperback

Date Published: April 5th 2011 (first published April 6th 2010)

Find it on Goodreads: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Source: Purchased.

Rating:  5/5

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.






My Thoughts: Two of my favorite authors in one book? AMAZING!!! 

This book is one of those books that can't help but make you laugh. It's so hilarious and fresh and had me read it in just over a day. I love both of these authors more than I can describe, so this book was just amazing. Their styles of writing are so similar, and yet different enough that it didn't make it seem repetitive, what with two different Will Graysons. John's Will was written in normal type, and David's in all lowercase letters. I found that really interesting and a nice insight to how their minds worked.

I LOVED David's Will Grayson. At first, not so much, but after his first chapter he had my heart breaking for him and I just wanted to give him a hug. His lowercase chapters were so moody and confused, but at the same time he was a delight to read about. I wanted to know more about him than we got from the book! At first I really liked John's Will, and then not so much, until I began to love him even more! He was charming and cute but at the same time has this outlook on life that broke my heart. His two (three?) rules that he lived by were so sad and yet they made sense. Sometimes you've just got to shut up and not care, sadly enough... I loved this Will's relationships with his friends and how confused he was about liking Jane. I can imagine myself being friends with him. And I also liked the relationship between the two Wills. They only interacted a bit, but when they did it was both so awkward and comfortable. The fact that meeting each other reminded them that just because they are named Will Grayson, doesn't mean their name defines them, and that there are tons of people with that name out in the world, too, was really cool in my opinion. It reminded me of that episode of The Suite Life of Zach and Cody where they think their parents switched them on accident and then start acting like each other. A name is not what defines who you are. It's what's inside that does. I think that is a really important lesson.

Ok so kind of getting off topic there! I also wanted to mention TINY! I loved him! He was just the perfect addition to this story! He's John's Will's best friend and then he meets David's Will and they have a thing together that really helps David's Will, figuring out who he is. Tiny's play was just fabulous, I would have loved to be able to see it live, instead of just read it! This entire book was so hilarious and heartwarming, as well as being so original. It broke my heart and then put it back together on one page, over and over again! I can't believe I waited so long to read it! *ducks my head in shame* But it is now up there in my favorites and I will be reading it again and again! 

Let me know what you thought of this book if you've read it! I'd love to know your opinions! 
Happy reading!
~Kristy
(P.S. I think I'm back! *yes!*)

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Author: David Levithan

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Page Count: 336 pages, Hardcover (I read the ARC)

Date Published: August 28th 2012

Find it on Goodreads: Every Day

Source: An ARC was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  5/5

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

My thoughts:  One of my new favorite books!

 If you've been following my reviews for a bit now, it should surprise you when I say that I cried like a baby with this book. But to be fair, not while I was reading it. No, during the read I teared up a few times in some certain parts, but never actually cried. But when I finished the book? Well, let's just say it was 2am and I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of this book that I just couldn't stop the tears. I didn't want the book to end! 

This question is one that almost everyone has probably asked or wanted to ask once in their lifetime. It's such a big question, one that holds an infinite amount of possibilities. But Levithan took the idea of switching bodies and made it into a novel that blew my mind. A's whole existence was relying on another person's body. A has no gender, no race, no sexuality, no family. Nothing that really defines us in life. He goes day to day in another person's body, living their lives as if he were them. It fascinated me, this whole idea! 

I literally don't know what else to say! I just LOVED this book! It has amazing morals and messages about equality and integrity, made me very emotional at some points, and the romance was just too sweet! I loved the complex emotions Rhiannon had involving A, but how she wanted to be with him/her so much at the same time. Then there was the whole thing with her being wary around him/her  when he/she was in the body of a girl but he/she had to convince her that it was still the same person. No difference. That kind of thing just hit me hard and had this huge effect on me. The way Levithan writes is so fantastic. I feel like this book could be displayed in a museum, because it is pure art. 

And then we get to the ending, and it just tore me up inside. I had stayed up all night reading it, and for good reason. I closed the book and the tears unexpectedly started falling. I couldn't control them! WHY DO AUTHORS DO THIS TO ME!?!?!? The ending was just.... ASIKGHAOSGALKHFS!!!! You know!?

Anyway, I'm not sure if anyone will actually get much out of this review, but I have tried to write it about 4 different times, and this is the best I could come up with. Every Day is one of those books that I will be reading for as long as I live. I am so grateful to the publishers for sending me an ARC! But I'll definitely be buying the hardcover, too!!!

Have you read this book yet? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!!!
~Kristy

Review: Raising Wild Ginger by Tara Woolpy

Author: Tara Woolpy

Publisher: Bats in the Boathouse Press

Page Count: 217 pages, Paperback

Date Published: July 1st 2012

Find it on Goodreads: Raising Wild Ginger

Source: A copy was sent to me by the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb from Goodreads

Parenting is hard. That's what Edward Rosenberg has always assumed, although his only experience with children has been as the drunken uncle. Now the love of his life, Sam DaCosta, is yearning for fatherhood. Edward's been sober for years. He and Sam are in a good place. Why rock the boat? On the other hand, how can he deny Sam his dream of a family?

Then they meet Ginger. At twelve she's been through more than either Edward or Sam can imagine. She's seductive, secretive and dishonest. But somewhere between stealing his cash and alienating Sam, Ginger manages to wind herself into Edward's heart. Can the three of them create a family? Or will Ginger blow them all apart?

 My Thoughts: Fantastic. Beautiful. Amazing.


This is an incredible book. I am not normally a huge fan of books not in the YA genre, but this has got to be one of my favorite books I've read in a while. It was so great, filled with a story that made me smile, cry, laugh. I loved the characters and the plot and everything in between. I devoured the book with ease... This is a very special book. 


I have not read the first book in this series, Raising Gillian's Wolves, but I really didn't need to. There were a few details that I was unsure about in the beginning, but it was pretty easy to look past that, considering this is an entirely different story. I have no clue who Gillian is, other than the fact that she lives in Amsterdam and is Edward's best friend, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is this story! The book begins with partners Sam and Edward living together and happily, but Sam is wanting desperately to become a father. Edward, though hesitant, agrees and they take in Ginger as a foster child. Ginger's had a very, very terrible life and a past that is unimaginable. At twelve years old she knows how to seduce men, wears tons of makeup, and is completely, and utterly broken. She steals and lies, but she also worms herself into Edwards heart. Sam's, not so much. Edward and Sam begin having problems, as Ginger is so much to handle, and not what Sam was expecting. But Ginger is a smart girl and knows how to get Sam to warm up to her. But she's also a fragile, hurting little girl who has been abused in the past in a way that will bring tears to the reader's eyes. The book follows Sam, Edward and Ginger's journey to find family and love together, while all healing from their pasts... Especially Ginger. 


I was completely immersed in this book. It was one that had my emotions on a huge roller coaster ride. I laughed, I cried tears of joy, and tears of sadness. I had moments where I wanted to scream and rip my hair out because of the cruelty in this world, as well as moments where I couldn't stop smiling because of how incredible this little family's story was. Ginger was a little girl with a horrific past that makes me tense up in anger each time I even think about it. She will always hold a place in my heart now, for she is a very special character. She is clever and cunning, sad and hurt, and just doesn't really know how to be a twelve year old. But Edward and Sam help her with that and she learns to trust them and love them. I loved all of the characters. Sam and Edward were both a delight. They each had pasts that were a bit traumatic but they had no clue what it would be like to take in Ginger. Edward was probably my favorite character, just because he was so likeable. He was rational and loving and cared so much for both Sam and Ginger. He would do anything to keep the three of them together. 


Another thing I loved about this novel was the fact that the story had so many different aspects to it, but it was never confusing, really. It was just a book about two men, trying to raise their new, twelve year old daughter. Sam and Edward were not a fairytale couple. They had fights and disagreed and they were just a normal, everyday couple. It wasn't all fluffed up. The story was about how their lives went on with Ginger now in it. They had to adjust work and social lives, what with it being summer, she had no school. So she went and worked with a woman in the lab at the university Sam works at, working with rats. Edward continued with his photography, trying to get a book published. They had their synagogue and Sam teaching Hebrew to people for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Ginger had to adjust to being in a Jewish family and making friends with Ora, one of Sam's students. It was just a normal book, about normal people with a daughter that came from a traumatic past. I loved all of the characters in this book, with the small town feeling not too dramatic, but there enough to feel it.

I could continue about this book, but I shan't considering I need to get to sleep. I loved Raising Wild Ginger. It was a fantastic read and I wish everyone could read it. It's a great book about family, healing, love and parenting. If you come across it, please check it out! I'd love to hear what you thought of it, or Woolpy's first novel! If you've read Releasing Gillian's Wolves, let me know what you thought of it!

Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Walker Books

Page Count: 324 pages, Paperback

Date Published: 2011 (first published April 13th 2010)

Find it on Goodreads: Rules of Attraction

Source: Purchased

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

 My Thoughts: SO AMAZINGLY GOOD. 

The follow up to Perfect Chemistry could not have been more perfect. (*cringes* I know, I hate me too...) I absolutely loved the first book in the dramatic, extremely romantic contemporary series and I was hesitant of picking this one up. I wanted more of Alex and Brittany... I couldn't care less about Alex's brothers! Boy was I ever wrong! Rules of Attraction was amazing. I've been reading so many books that in the end had me shrug and say "meh, it was alright," so it was such a delight to read this and adore it. It was another one that I took the beach with me and it was perfect for that. 

Simone Elkeles sure knows how to write her romance. Carlos and Kiara are one of my favorite couples I've read about in a while! Carlos is cocky, a bit of a jerk, and a total rebel. The ultimate bad boy. Then there's Kiara who comes from the perfect family, has excellent grades, and a stutter. They were kind of complete opposites. But this author does the expression "opposites attract" all too well. The relationship between Carlos and Kiara was definitely reminiscent of Brittany's and Alex's, whom we get glimpses of as well. I actually preferred Carlos and Kiara to the older couple's story. There was still quite a bit of gang involvement in it, but not as much as the first book. There was a lot of humor and plenty of steamy moments that had me blushing. Plus, I adored Kiara's family. The Westfords were the most perfect family in modern literature. I thought their relationship with Carlos was so nice and it made me smile every time Carlos would interact with Kiara's little brother. It showed such a great side to the tough guy image he came across as. I didn't like Carlos in the beginning, but in the end, yeah. I liked him. 


Elkeles still has this way of writing that makes you immersed in the story. I couldn't put this book down. It is filled with romance, humor, family, gang-related action, Mexican culture, and cars. I thought the fact that we see into Alex's and Brittany's college lives was so neat, so it really did feel connected to Perfect Chemistry, and it wasn't just a stand-alone novel. They had their own issues and Carlos helps them through their rough patches, too. Yes, the ending was kind of predictable, and yet it so wasn't. I knew what was going to happen in the epilogue, and yet I had no idea what would happen in the final chapters. These books keep you guessing, filled with anticipation. I thought all of the characters were wonderful and felt connected to so many of them. The gang activity in the book felt once again all too realistic and that made it very interesting to read. 


If you haven't read Perfect Chemistry, I'd suggest doing that now! I suppose you don't need to read the first book to read this one, but it would be better if you did. If you enjoy books filled with action and suspense, sweet and steamy romance, plus lots of family, hilarious humor, and a bit of Spanish, this amazing trilogy would be highly recommended. They're perfect for summer time, or really any season!


Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Author: Ned Vizzini

Publisher: Miramax

Page Count: 444 pages, Paperback

Date Published: April 3rd 2007 (first published April 2nd 2006) 

Find it on Goodreads: It's Kind of a Funny Story

Like many smart, ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner seeks entry into Manhattans most prestigious school, Executive Pre-Professional High School. With single-minded determination, he works night and day to ace the entrance exam and gets in. That's when everything starts to unravel. Once Craig starts his new school, he realizes hes just one of many brilliant kids, and he isn't even brilliant, hes average. As Craig starts getting so-so grades, he sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. He begins to have trouble eating, sleeping, and thinking. That's when he tells his parents hes depressed. He goes on medication and talks to therapists, but things keep getting worse, until one night Craig feels so low that he seriously considers suicide.But instead, Craig calls a hotline. The counselor tells him to get to the nearest hospital, and before he knows it, hes signed, sealed, and delivered into one of Brooklyn's finest psychiatric units. Craig's new roommate is an Egyptian schoolteacher who refuses to get out of bed. His neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, and a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors.But somehow in this motley crew, Craig finds real friends and kindred spirits who give him strength. This is a remarkably moving and authentic picture of the physicality, the despair, and even the hilarity, of depression.

My Thoughts: The quote on the front of the cover says it all: 'Insightful and utterly authentic... this is an important book.' -The New York Times Book Review

When I first watched the movie that was based on this book, I had no idea it was a book. But the story sounded really interesting so I watched it. I saw the book in the store the next day, picked it up and then it sat on my shelf for a while. But I'm trying to catch up on the books I've got, so I picked it up and I am so glad I did. This book is one that everyone should read. It's real and it's raw and it's just incredible. 

Craig is an absolutely delight to read about. I know that sounds maybe a little odd as it's a book about a boy with depression, but just the way his mind works is amazing. I felt like I could understand everything Vizzini was writing and I had this connection with Craig, as a character. Craig is probably one of my favorite characters from a book ever. I understand his mind set and the way he thinks with his Anchors and Cycling and Tentacles. I get it. I think one of the things I loved the most about him was that he was a normal teenage boy. But he also had depression. He thought about girls... a LOT, and he stressed about normal teenage stuff. But the thing that got him was that he thought about that normal teenage stuff too much and it became way too overwhelming, leading to his depression and suicidal thoughts. I mean, I won't get into too much detail, except for the fact that I can totally relate with Craig. Other than Craig, the other characters are also amazing. Even with only 444 pages, I felt as if I bonded with them and loved them so much. I haven't felt this way about a book and it's characters in such a long time. I loved Noelle, and Bobby, and Soloman, and Muqtada, and Ebony, and all the others as well. Each of them will hold a special place in that space in my heart for book characters.

The thing about this book is that I took my time reading it. I didn't want to rush it. I wanted to stay in Craig's head forever. When Nia came to visit him in the psych hospital, it made me almost scream in the middle of English class. When Craig started to draw, I was so happy for him. Every single moment in Vizzini's unbelievable work, I will cherish. Plus, an upside to this book was that the movie was incredible too, and it really didn't matter that I had watched the movie first. They're so different from each other, but both so good. I will be rereading this book for a long time and rewatching the movie for just as long. Craig's story is unlike all the books I've been reading lately and I want more. I'll be looking into more of the author's books, most definitely. Ned Vizzini, you are a brilliant author. 

Have an incredible day/night, everyone!

-Kristy

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Page Count: 452 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: September 27th 2011

 

  

Goodreads Description:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

My Thoughts: Can I just marry Noah already? Please? So in love with him and this book!

I finished this book in about 6 hours, on one of the days that I was sick and I was so distraught when it was done! I devoured this book and loved every minute of it... Well, almost. There was one point where it went downhill, but it slowly went back up after that.

Michelle Hodkin has written a story so incredibly intriguing, that I just couldn't get enough of. The language/dialogue is witty and original. Though this book was dark and mysterious, it was also hilarious. I love books that can make me laugh uncontrollably on one page and the next have me shaking with fear and locking the doors. That is what this book did to me! With that being said, don't think this book is a silly, fun, fluffy read. It's dark. Totally creepy and shiver-down-your-spine worthy. That aspect's evident from the very first page.

There is also a completely swoon-worthy romance in this novel that, at times, made me weak at the knees and sighing, while imagining myself in the place of Mara. Not gonna lie, I'm totally in love with Noah. Why, Michelle Hodkin, did you have to create such an incredibly hot and intelligent guy who is impossible to attain? His English accent... *FANGIRLING*. Quick random fact for you: I am Canadian, but all of my thoughts run through my head with an English accent. No, I'm no kidding. It's been like this since I can remember. Weird, but true. Maybe it's because of the millions of times I've watched Harry Potter. Anyways, I'm getting off track. So, the relationship between Noah and Mara was super sweet, but truthfully, a little cliche: The new girl who makes the playboy jerk of the school fall in love and change his ways... Yadayadayada. But, I loved it anyways. ;) There was one part in the book, when Noah drives her to school and everyone's staring, that reminded me completely of this scene in Twilight...

'' Noah grabbed his blazer from the backseat, shrugged it on, opened my door, and then there we were, standing side-by-side as every stray eye turned in our direction.'' (248)

I usually hate comparing things to Twilight, for multiple reasons, but this was just so terribly similar that I thought I'd share. :)

Finally, I had mentioned earlier that there was one part where this book went downhill... Let's just say that this particular scene involved alligators. That's all I'll say, so not to give away any thing important, but this part confused the heck out of me. I didn't fully understand what was going on at this point and this continued up until after Mara's birthday. It began to get a little better after that point, but the damage was done. The first 3/4 of this book was fantastic, but the last bit... Not so much.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is really an incredible book, especially for this being Michelle Hodkin's first novel. Mara Dyer is unlike any other YA protagonist you'll meet. I was overall seriously impressed with it and I'm highly anticipating the release of The Evolution of Mara Dyer on December 12th!

 Have a great day/night, everyone!
-Kristy

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: Harper Collins

Page Count: 338 pages, Paperback

Date Published: November 15th 2011

 Goodreads Description:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel

My Rating: 5/5 stars -  I love this book too much to describe!But I'll try!

Shatter Me is one of those books that you either love or hate, because of the style of writing. In my opinion, I loved it. Tahereh Mafi was able to make me feel like I was in Juliette's head. Which I adore! I read mostly to escape from my life, and this book was the perfect thing for that. The book is like Juliette's journal, with cross-outs and (as much as I hate to say it...) run-on sentences. But, they were intentional! (I hope.)

As I said before, while reading this book, it felt like I was in Juliette's head, watching everything she saw through her eyes. As a character, I loved Juliette! She was both likeable and strong. She was not weak, although she was scared of the power she had. The voice was clear and it was enough to make me adore this novel. Speaking a bit more about characters, Adam is probably my favorite guy/hero/love-interest in the many books I have read in a long time! He cared so deeply for Juliette, accepted her for who she was. There were obviously some special circumstances surrounding those two, but I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet! Then there's Warner, who is seriously captain creeps! I could see that he was in 'love' with Juliette, but I honestly believe that he was in love with her powers more than anything. He was bloodthirsty and trigger happy and just plain vicious!

Then, there is the setting. As much of a post-apocaplyptic world it was, I didn't find anything special or different about it as opposed to other recent dystopian-type reads. There was a government taking over, the people were in distress, what else is new? Except for maybe the big emphasis on the military aspect to it, the 'world' wasn't anything super special. But there's something more to it that we learn about at the end, which looks like it will be really interesting. I think that was the only main thing that disappointed me in the entire book, but it was such a small part of the actual story, the outside world I mean, that I don't really care too much about it! Seeing as I don't want to give anything away, I can't say much on what we do learn about it.

It's strange, but as much as I loved this book, I don't actually have too much more to say about it. It's not a book that I can easily explain my thoughts on for some reason. But, what I can say is that what I did absolutely, 100 % love about Shatter Me is that it clearly has a beginning, a middle and an end. Even though it is the first in a trilogy, it is it's own book. I think that the author did a great job in leaving us wanting more, but still satisfied with what we've got.

So, that's it for this book! I know it took a while, and that this came out last year but let's just say that I have a little catching up to do on 2011's TBR list as well as 2012's! Hopefully I can get some more down sooner than later! I'm kind of proud of this review...  it turned out better than I was expecting it to, considering how much I ramble when I love a book this much! I think it's the pressure of knowing that my English teacher now has the link to this blog and she could be reading anything that I write... (Hey, Ms. Johnson! :D) Haha anyways, I'm really hoping to catch up on my little pile of RNN (reviews needed now!) this week and also finish some e-books! They take so much longer for me to read than the actual physical copies of books! Have you noticed how long The Emerald Quest has been up on my currently reading section!? Shame on me, I know, I know. I'm almost done I swear!

Have a great night/day everyone!
~Kristy

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Lauren Oliver's blurb on the front says exactly what this novel is. "Inventive, funny, beautiful, heartbreaking". Everyone needs to go get a copy of this book ASAP.

Author: Jess Rothenberg

Publisher:  Penguin Young Readers Group

Page Count: 400 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: February 21st 2012

Goodreads Description:
Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

My Rating: 5/5 ~I can never explain to you how much I adore this book. But.... I can try:

 The Catastrophic History of You and Me is one of those rare books that I instantly fell in love with after the first line. I read this: "There's always that one guy that gets a hold on you." and just like that I was hooked. This novel is a masterpiece and Jess Rothenberg seems to have a key to my very deepest thoughts, because everything about Brie I could relate to myself. Brie was so real and so alive (but, dead...) on the pages. She was everything I have been looking for in a protagonist. Funny, caring, sweet but with a dark side that's almost always hidden. Nothing could have prepared me for how much I adored this book. I was in English class one day, reading of course and honestly, the guy sitting next to me probably thought I was some emotional wreck.. This book will make you laugh and it will make you cry, all on the same page. Having a love for music will be a great thing while reading this story. At every chapter, with each new song for the title I would either be singing it in my head, or those rare ones that I didn't know I would look up and fall in love with. The music-chapters set such a great mood for this book!And of course, where would this review be if I did not talk about Patrick? The boy was hilarious and heart-broken. Absolutely gorgeous and what every teen girl hopes to find in their little slice of heaven when they die of a broken heart. His story is one of the biggest spoilers I can give to this review, so I'll just cut off here by saying that Patrick and Brie are officially on my list of all-time favorite characters. Plus, they're up there with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Wow, is all I can say. Despite the tears I shed over this book, it is definitely not a sad story. It has joy and hope and love and loss and everything else in between. I rarely cry while reading, but this one had me reaching for the tissues at some of the saddest parts, and the happiest. The Catastrophic History of You and Me was not like anything I was expecting, but it was so much better. The story is clearly over, but I am still yearning for more.

If you have not yet read this book, I highly recommend that you do. Rothenberg made this quirky, magical and unforgettable world that I loved  more than I can ever say!

Thanks for reading!
~Kristy

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Hey there! So I've decided to not do a Teaser this week, just because I really haven't started any book since I finished Delirium by Lauren Oliver last night. I just couldn't stop thinking about what'll happen in Pandemonium! Anyway, I figured I should probably post my review on The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson finally! So here you go!

Author: Jandy Nelson
Publisher:Speak: an imprint of Penguin Group (USA)
My Rating: 5/5 ~ Adored it!

                                                                      Goodreads description:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

 



Lennie was a very real character in my opinion. She was someone who almost anyone could relate to in some way or another. You could really feel what she was feeling. This is an extremely funny book but also quite sad. It's one of those rare books that I both laughed and cried a significant amount. Now for the boys... I absolutely love Joe. I think he was so perfect for Lennie and their relationship was great. Toby was so sad though, it was hard not to feel bad for him. You find out later in the book some other important information about Bailey and it just makes you want to go and give Toby a hug, considering he should not be with Lennie! I really loved her Grandma and Uncle Big. They were both a great comic relief to the story and a helping hand to Lennie when she needed advice but didn't know it yet.

All in all, I think this book was absolutely amazing. Anyone who loves a feel-good tear-jerker should read this novel!

Bye for now!
~Kristy