Freaky Friday: Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Title: Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books

Rating: 5/5

♢   ♢   ♢   ♢

If you're looking for an exceptional summer read from start to finish, this novel is definitely the one to grab from bookstores. It is the first novel from Ransom Riggs and doesn't fail to disappoint in the slightest. 

The book centers on protagonist Jacob Portman whose grandfather passes away at the beginning of the book. Jacob, who is close with him, feels lost and questions the strange way his grandfather died. Could he have been murdered? Was he attacked by a wild animal or worse?

After months of agony, he makes his way to England where he explores relics of his grandfather's past. From old friends and loves, exploring a somewhat haunted house, and eventually embarking on time travel, Jacob is in for a wild adventure while discovering who his grandfather really was before coming to America. All of which involve the supernatural and peculiar children he thought were dead. 

Peculiar Children also uses vintage photography throughout to further create the characters and storyline to reel readers in. Each of the photos are real and cited in the back of the book. Some showcase the peculiars exercising their power, while others simply show Jacob or another character in action. 

 

A movie is set to debut in March of 2016. It stars Asa Butterfield, Eva Green, and Samuel L. Jackson. There is also two books titled Hollow City and Library of Souls that follow this prequel. The latter will be released on September 22nd of this year. 

The Distance Between Us Review

The Distance Between Us
Kasie West
Harper Teen 
July 2013
4/5
Quotes:
“Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"
"I've missed my hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy.” 
 “A lot of people don’t get my humor. My mom calls it dry humor. I think that means “not funny,” but it also means I’m the only one who ever knows it’s a joke.” 
“Caymen?”
“Yes?”
“You look terrified. Does this scare you?”
“More than anything.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t bring my mints.”
“And now the real answer . . .”
“Because I’m afraid that once you catch me, the game’s over.” 
"Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.” 

Even though this book has been out for two years now, I've never gotten around to reading it. Now that I finally have, it's safe to say that I'm even more in love with Kasie West's writing now. This book specifically is the perfect light and adorable summer read.

Caymen Meyers was raised by her single mother to believe that poor and rich people come from completely separate worlds, and she belongs to the first world. She works in her mother's doll shop where she gets plenty of practice observing the rich people who buy the dolls. She can instantly tell that Xander Spence is beyond rich. As she gets gradually closer to him, she realizes that the two have more in common than she initially anticipated. However, it seems like the rest of the world is against the pair being together, and Caymen learns a family secret that threatens her outlook on her life entirely.

I really enjoyed the main characters Xander and Caymen. I felt like they were well developed and I loved watching their relationship grow. I think the supporting characters could have had a little bit more development because most of them were meant to be unlikable - besides Caymen's friend Skye. So it's safe to say that I liked the characters but felt like they weren't memorable as a whole.

The relationship is obviously one of the big selling points of the book. It tells the story of a great summer romance that has a realistic and gradual build. The two face challenge after challenge and you start to wonder if they are ever going to get together at all. But that's often how it works in real life and I like the accuracy of the relationship in general. Another enjoyable part was how quirky and witty the pair of them are. When together, they seem to bring out a whole different to each other and that's fun to read about as they develop not only as a couple, but as individuals as well.

All in all, this is a book that will make a nice summer read. Yes, it's on the predictable side, but what do you expect? It's a summer Young Adult Romance book and if that's something you typically enjoy, then I'm sure this book is something you'd be interested in. Kasie West is a fantastic writer and I recommend starting with this book first if you've never read any of her stuff!

Everything, Everything Review

Everything, Everything
Nicola Yoon 
Delacorte Books For Young Readers
September 1, 2015
5/5
Quotes:
"Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything." 
“How am I suppose to go back to my old life, my days stretching out before me with unending and brutal sameness? How am I supposed to go back to being The Girl Who Reads?” 
"Maybe growing up means disappointing the people we love." 
 “I was trying so hard to find the single pivotal moment that set my life on its path. The moment that answered the question, 'How did I get here?' But it's never just one moment. It's a series of them. And your life can branch out from each one in a thousand different ways. Maybe there's a version of your life for all the choices you make and all the choices you don't.” 
“In my head I know I've been in love before, but it doesn't feel like it. Being in love with you is better than the first time. It feels like the first time and the last time and the only time all at once.” 
   
I've heard some amazing things about this book so I was excited to finally pick it up for myself. It turned out to be more brilliant than I was even expecting. Madeline is a witty and fascinating character and she's probably one of the quirkiest narrators I've seen in a YA book for a long time.


The book follows Madeline, an eighteen year old girl who hasn't left her house since she was a baby due to the rare disease SCID. Maddy is allergic to pretty much everything and has to live in a bubble. Her only contact comes from her nurse Carla and her mother, who also doubles as her doctor. Any visitors that she does have are forced to go through a serious examination and decontamination. Her whole safe world is turned upside down by her new neighbor Olly. What follows is a heartwarming love story between the two as they must face these real life issues.

The characters in this book were absolutely fantastic. Our heroine Madeline has many awesome little quirks, including the hilarious spoilers that she wrote about classic novels. She also draws entertaining illustrations that will certainly amuse readers. For someone who's never been outside of her house, she is still extremely cultured and full of wit. Now that I've spent time talking about Madeline, I want to talk about the super swoon worthy love interest of hers. Olly is just as smart and witty as Madeline. He also is insanely charming and I love how protective he is of the people he cares about. 

Focusing on the relationship itself, Maddy and Olly gradually begin a relationship that affectionately begins through instant messaging and slowly progresses into in person meetings. I love this relationship and the life experience that Olly teaches Madeline as he becomes her first love. The roadblocks placed in front of them seemed very real to me and not at all cliche like some Young Adult romances can get.

This is a very fast paced read due to the short chapters and how it isn't always traditional chapters. Meaning, some will just be illustrations, Madeline's book spoilers, or emails between Madeline and Olly. It's a book with a totally unique plot filled with heartwarming character to match. What more could you ask for from a Young Adult book? I strongly recommend picking this book up in September when it's officially released!

Top Ten Characters Who Love Books

 
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks theme is characters who are fellow book nerds.

1. Cath from Fangirl 

Cath is pretty much the queen of the fanfiction community in this story. She's dedicated to her favorite book characters and she's a totally cool nerd about it all.

2. Charlie from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Charlie is an incredibly smart kid and his teacher Bill gives him some amazing literature to read. He finds himself in characters like Holden Caulfield. Even though he might start reading less once he actually starts living his life, but he's still a bookworm at heart.

3. Hermione from Harry Potter

By far one of the most intelligent book characters of all time. Our heroine is constantly reading and learning from books.

4. Matilda from Matilda 

This young girl starts reading from a really young age. She seeks refuge in her library and the thousands of books she discovers along the way.

5. Liesel from The Book Thief

Well obviously this couldn't be left off the list since it does have book in the title. Liesel actually risks her own life just to steal books. Now that's taking the whole bookworm thing to a whole different level. 

6. Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars

Whenever I think about fictional bookworms, she's one of the first ones I think about. She may only read one book, but her passion for this book is beyond contagious.

7. Auden from Along For The Ride

This Sarah Dessen character is included on the list due to her literary background. She was named after the poet W.H. Auden and she consumed herself with reading for most of her life. Of course, she learns to put the books down during this particular summer with Eli and the other characters from the book.

8. Marie-Laure from All The Light We Cannot See 

Marie-Laure eagerly reads stories like 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. She gets lost in this world and desperately wants to hear more of the story. That's what a good book does: provides a different world to distract you from your own.

9. Amory from This Side Of Paradise

He's a well read and well educated young man who is constantly picking up new books. Despite him being very privileged and pretentious, he's an intelligent guy who loves books. What more could you ask for?

10. Devon from First & Then

This is a new book that is coming out this October. I've never read a Jane Austen book but this book is apparently written in a similar format to those. While I loved the football side of this story, I also loved how passionate Devon was about Jane Austen books.

Every Day Review

Every Day
David Levithan
Random House
August 2012
4/5
Quotes: 
“There will always be more questions. Every answer leads to more questions. The only way to survive is to let some of them go.” 
“People are rarely as attractive in reality as they are in the eyes of the people who are in love with them. Which is, I suppose, as it should be.” 
"This is what love does: It makes you want to rewrite the world. It makes you want to choose the characters, build the scenery, guide the plot. The person you love sits across from you, and you want to do everything in your power to make it possible, endlessly possible. And when it’s just the two of you, alone in a room, you can pretend that this is how it is, this is how it will be.” 
 “I am a drifter, and as lonely as that can be, it is also remarkably freeing. I will never define myself in terms of anyone else. I will never feel the pressure of peers or the burden of parental expectation. I can view everyone as pieces of a whole, and focus on the whole, not the pieces. I have learned to observe, far better than most people observe. I am not blinded by the past or motivated by the future. I focus on the present because that is where I am destined to live.”
“It's one thing to fall in love. It's another to feel someone else fall in love with you, and to feel a responsibility toward that love.” 

I've read a lot of amazing books lately, and this one is definitely one of the best. I think what makes it such an incredible story is Levithan's talented writing ability combined with this unique concept. It works out to be one of the most mind blowing books I personally have ever read.

Every Day is about A, who has no known gender or identity, but isn't the devil either. A spends every day in a different body and he never finds himself in the same body twice. This means A never develops any relationships, family, or unique memories. Things change when A lands in the body of Justin and falls in love with his girlfriend Rhiannon. Every day A wakes up as someone different, sometimes a girl, sometimes a boy. No matter who's life he is living, Rhiannon is still who he wants to be near. What follows is a beautiful, tragic, and complicated look at the true meaning of love and relationships.

A is our lovable and insightful narrator. I love hearing things from his point of view because he describes everything that happens on a day to day basis with such careful observation. A is one of the most standout characters I've seen in awhile. Our other main character is Rhiannon, who is sort of a tough character to totally figure out. We actually get to see her side of all these events in the companion novel, "Another Day" which is coming out this fall. I actually already have a copy so I will be reviewing it soon! Anyway, A sees Rhiannon as a sad girl who is dating this douchebag who doesn't treat her right. I think we can tell a lot about her simply by how quickly she trusts A. From what we can tell, she's a fascinating character and I can't wait to learn more about her.

The relationship between A and Rhiannon is obviously ridiculously complicated. However, I think it's still really beautiful how real it seems. They don't have an easy path, they encounter more road blocks than most, but I like how the issues weren't your typical YA couple drama. I can't reveal much else about the relationship itself, but let's just say that I loved it.

This is such a mind blowing concept for a book and David Levithan executes it in such a natural fashion. Whenever I would attempt to put this book down, I'd find myself thinking about it. Even now that I've finished it, I'm still thinking about everything that happened. To put it simply, it's a great read and I doubt I'll come across another book that is so unique and haunting in the best way. 

 

On the Jellicoe Road Review

On the Jellicoe Road
Melina Marchetta
Penguin Australia
August 2006
5/5
Quotes: 
“It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love.” 
“If you weren't driving, I'd kiss you senseless," I tell him.
He swerves to the side of the road and stops the car abruptly.
"Not driving any more.” 
“But grief makes a monster out of us sometimes . . . and sometimes you say and do things to the people you love that you can't forgive yourself for.” 
“Is a person worth more because they have someone to grieve for them?”  
“No," I say, looking up at Griggs. "It's actually because my heart belongs to someone else." And if I could bottle the look on his face, I'd keep it by my bedside for the rest of my life.” 

This was originally published in Australia under the title "On the Jellicoe Road" but was shortened when released in the United States two years later as "Jellicoe Road." Regardless of what the title is, it's an amazing book and I can't believe it took me so long to read it. If you haven't read it yet either, I definitely recommend picking up a copy soon!

It's difficult to summarize the book without giving too much away about it. Honestly, it's best to walk into this novel not knowing much, it'll be much more mysterious and suspenseful that way. What I will say is that it revolves around Taylor, a girl who attends the Jellicoe School. She is the leader of the boarders at her school and leads them through the territory wars which are against two other groups: the Cadets and the Townies. Her biggest challenge is the terrifying and mysterious leader of the Cadets, Jonah Griggs. Taylor's world gets complicated when Hannah, her closest ally, disappears without warning. All Taylor has as a guide is a manuscript that Hannah wrote that Taylor slowly realizes is about her own life. She uses it to not only find Hannah, but to find out more about her own past and secrets as well.

I loved Taylor way more than I initially anticipated. She's a headstrong character who also is witty, funny, smart, and incredible. I really loved watching her evolve and mature throughout the novel. She's one of the most well written young adult heroine that I've seen in awhile. Additionally, I loved Jonah Griggs, but who doesn't? I also thought her friends Raffy and Chaz were great and fascinating supporting characters. I found myself wanting to know even more about them and about their own stories. The four characters that are the center of Hannah's manuscript are also hilarious and fun characters that you can't but love right away.

The relationship between the tough Jonah Griggs and the sassy Taylor Markham is charming and endearing. I loved the banter and how this relationship had such a slow build up. The two also have a history that is pretty difficult to discuss and simply needs to be read. I will say that the truth about this gradually comes out at the best and sweetest times possible. I think the best part about Jonah Griggs is that he doesn't say memorable things to Taylor that make him extremely swoon worthy like Augustus Water or Park Sheridan, but his actions say it all. He does things to show her how much he cares, which is what any girl wants from a guy.

This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It's safe to say that I've never read anything like it and I don't really expect to read anything like it again. This book surprised me by how fascinating it is. It draws you in from the very first page and I love books that manage to hold your attention from start to finish. Another highlight is that it can be read in just one sitting, it's an easy read and I promise you won't be able to put it down.

Go Set a Watchman Review

Go Set a Watchman

Harper Lee

HarperCollins

July 2015

4/5

Quotes:

“She was almost in love with him. No, that’s impossible, she thought: either you are or you aren’t. Love’s the only thing in this world that is unequivocal. There are different kinds of love, certainly, but it’s a you-do or you-don’t proposition with them all."

“You deny them hope. Any man in this world, Atticus, any man who has a head and arms and legs, was born with hope in his heart. You won’t find that in the Constitution, I picked that up in church somewhere. They are simple people, most of them, but that doesn’t make them subhuman.”

“But a man who has lived by truth—and you have believed in what he has lived—he does not leave you merely wary when he fails you, he leaves you with nothing.”

                  When I first heard that Harper Lee was releasing a sequel to her beloved To Kill a Mockingbird, I panicked. Was this something that Lee truly wanted to do? Her sister, who cared for her estate had recently passed away, and I worried the older woman was being taken advantage of.

                Now that I’ve read Go Set a Watchman, however, I understand why Harper Lee’s lawyers and publishing agent pushed for its release: the book is nothing short of yet another masterpiece. Though it’s an early draft of the novel with spelling and grammatical errors, Watchman brilliantly resurrects our favorite characters and tackles the topic of racism.

                We are reintroduced to Scout Finch, who is now 26 years old and living in New York. She is coming home to Maycomb, Alabama for two weeks to visit her aging father Atticus. During her stay, we see Scout (now referred to as Jean Louise, her given name) play around with a potential lover, visit and reminisce about old friends, and learn about the NAACP and just how her town feels about it.

                While the book contains good points as well as bad, I overall found this to be an easy read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I did not mind the way Atticus was portrayed. In Mockingbird, he was a hero and the one we cheered on in court as he defended an African American man. In Watchman, Atticus is said to hold racist beliefs. I wasn’t bothered by this in the slightest. Atticus never says outright that he hates African Americans or believes they shouldn’t be citizens. Which is why people shouldn’t let this tidbit dictate whether they read the book or not. Other chapters and characters in the novel make it a notable read and definitely one that everyone needs to see in today’s time and age regardless of if they like the newer Atticus.

                I recommend this book to anyone wanting another perspective on the topic of racism. Like Mockingbird, this novel makes plenty of excellent points on the treatment of African Americans and how equality can be achieved. Even if one is unsure this book will live up to the hype of the prequel, it will definitely come pretty darn close.

Fangirl Review

Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
St. Martin’s Press
September 2013
5/5
Quotes:

“To really be a nerd, she’d decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.”
“How do you not like the Internet? That’s like saying, ‘I don’t like things that are convenient. And easy. I don’t like having access to all of mankind’s recorded discoveries at my fingertips. I don’t like light. And knowledge.”
“In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you can’t Google.)”
“Just… isn’t giving up allowed sometimes? Isn’t it okay to say, ‘This really hurts, so I’m going to stop trying’?”
“It sets a dangerous precedent.”
“For avoiding pain?”
“For avoiding life.”
“You’ve read the books?”
“I’ve seen the movies.”
Cath rolled her eyes so hard, it hurt. (Actually.) (Maybe because she was still on the edge of tears. On the edge, period.) “So you haven’t read the books.”
“I’m not really a book person.”
“That might be the most idiotic thing you’ve ever said to me”

This book was a very sweet surprise for me. I’ve held off reading this book for nearly two years now and I’m not completely sure why. I think I held Eleanor & Park to such high standards that I was afraid this one wouldn’t live up to it. However, Rainbow Rowell is an excellent writer and her second novel was honestly just as great as the first.

Cath is going away to college and her best friend who also happens to be her twin, Wren, doesn’t want to be her roommate. So she’s forced to room with an older roommate named Reagan and her boyfriend Levi. Cath has always been an introvert and she turns to writing fanfiction about the magical Simon Snow. On the other hand, Wren turns to partying and boys, slowing drifting away from her twin sister and the fanfiction they used to write together. Cath struggles with worrying about her single dad and his health issues. While she also must face the fact that her mother left them when the girls were just eight years old. Gradually, Cath leans on the bubbly and outgoing Levi and her walls slowly come down.

Cath was by far one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever seen. As an introvert myself, I see myself in Cath as she gets lost in her writings and struggles with the truth of whether or not fanfiction is plagiarism. Levi is one of those fictional characters who you instantly swoon over. He isn’t the most popular guy on the college campus, but he’s got an incredible personality. Rowell describes him as someone who is always smiling and that his presence alone instantly lights up a room. Another character I loved was Cath’s roommate Reagan. I love that she bonds with Cath at the dining hall by judging everyone who walks by. She’s a sassy and memorable secondary character. Wren is a character who you gradually warm up to, it’s obvious that she loves her twin sister, sometimes she just needs a break. I loved the twins dad, he had a great deal of wit about him and I appreciated all of the pop culture references.

The romance between Cath and Levi happens at a realistic speed. The two begin as friends then it slowly but surely turns into more. I honestly didn’t completely see it coming since it built so much, I could barely even tell that he liked Cath. I like the pairing between them since they are totally different people. Like they always say, opposites attract and you don’t get more opposite than Cath and Levi.

This book is an enjoyable read that you won’t want to end. It’s safe to say that I wish the story of Cath and Levi didn’t end here. I think that anyone could read and love this book, but I think that nerdy teen girls could probably relate to it the best. If you’re like me and haven’t read this book, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Eleanor & Park Review

Eleanor & Park
Ranbow Rowell
St. Martin’s Press
February 2013
5/5
Quotes: 

“I want everyone to meet you. You’re my favorite person of all time.”
“Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.”
“I don’t like you, Park. Sometimes I think I live for you.”
“The first time he’d held her hand, it felt so good that it crowded out all the bad things. It felt better than anything had ever hurt.”
“I miss you, Eleanor. I want to be with you all the time. You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever met, and the funniest, and everything you do surprises me. And I wish I could say that those are the reasons I like you, because that would make me sound like a really evolved human being …‘But I think it’s got as much to do with your hair being red and your hands being soft … and the fact that you smell like homemade birthday cake.”

I can’t believe this book is already more than two years old. It feels like just yesterday when it first came out. This is a book that I believe had a huge hand in making young adult contemporary romance novels popular. Of course, John Green is also the champion of that, but I’d say Rowell is up there with him. Anyway, this is a read that you just shouldn’t miss out on. It makes you feel so many different emotions and you’ll never want it to end.

Eleanor is a new girl who is described as “overweight” and is teased for that and the worn out vibrant clothing she wears. Park is a semi-popular Asian boy who cares more about mixtapes, his walkman, rock music, and comic books, than actually being popular. The story takes place in the 80’s but really the only time you’ll notice it is due to the whole walkman part of the storyline. The rest of the book follows these two characters meeting for the first time on the bus and how the music and comics they end up sharing with each other, ultimately has a major influence in helping them get together. It’s not love at first sight, but the scene where Rowell describes them holding hands for the first time is an extremely memorable moment.

I really love Park’s mom and dad, I think his mom especially gets where Eleanor is coming from. One night, his mom tells Park about all of the struggles that she personally had to go through, seeing Eleanor with her own family, and how she acted around them reminded her of this. Obviously, there’s more characters that you hate then ones that you love. Eleanor and Park are the main focus here and that’s how it should be.

The romance that they have is one that I found particularly heartwarming. Some people say that it isn’t realistic, but I love that what brought them together was comic books and music. Park naturally says some of the sweetest lines in Young Adult book history and you can’t help but see exactly why Eleanor fell for him in the first place. Yes, they might be young, but the love they have for each other shines through the pages nonetheless.

I recommend this book to anyone regardless of how old they might be. I think this is a book with Adult crossover potential because of how universal the events that happen to them are. Yeah, there are other books that also have common teen issues, but I just have never seen it written so naturally and accurate as this one.

Emmy & Oliver Review

Emmy & Oliver
Robin Benway
HarperTeen
June 23, 2015
4/5
Quotes: 

“Could you please stop dripping your sarcasm all over my car’s interior?”
“The only way I could describe what kissing him felt like was, like the last day of school, knowing that months of freedom and sunshine lay before you, the feeling that you could do anything you wanted and time stretched out in endless possibilities.”
“That’s when I first learned about true frustration, that wrenching ache when the thing that matters the most to you barely makes a ripple in other people’s lives.”
“The world continues to spin even when we want it to stop, I thought. Especially then.”

Emmy & Oliver is a book that tackles a tough topic like kidnapping in a teachable manner. Due to this subject alone, it’s actually not as heavy as you’d think it would be, it has some fun and easy going moments. It’s a book that you’ll be unable to put down once you pick it up for the first time.
Emmy’s next door neighbor and best friend Oliver disappeared ten years ago and never came back. Now, he suddenly enters Emmy and the rest of her friends and families lives as quickly as he left it. The book is really about how everyone in the town was massively affected by Oliver being kidnapped. Emmy’s parents became afraid to let her out of their sight, his mom became a mess, and many other similar stories. Oliver was kidnapped by his own father. His parents were separated and his father knew it was unlikely that he’d get to see his son often so he took off with him and told Oliver his mother left them. The novel deals with the aftermath of Oliver’s return.

Emmy is actually rather boring besides her love for surfing. No worries, her best friends Caro and Drew make up for her lack of personality. Caro is sassy, organized, and downright hilarious. Drew also has his own level of sass and funny moments throughout the novel that you can’t help but love. Emmy’s father is protective of her, but at the same time, he says these hysterical things that make you laugh out loud without a doubt.

The relationship between Emmy & Oliver is one of my favorite YA relationships that I’ve read recently. I think the awesome thing about it is how they were best friends as kids and it’s sweet how they have flashbacks in order from the last time they saw each other to the first, spread out throughout the novel. I love that things aren’t always perfect between them, they banter a lot but it’s a playful and adorable romance that fans of Young Adult books can’t help but love.

Emmy & Oliver stands out because I personally have never read a YA book that has this type of kidnapping storyline. I particularly love how Benway explores the mixed feelings that Oliver feels towards his father. He hates him for taking him away from his life, but he also grew so used to living life with his father, who kept him safe and happy, and doesn’t know how to be without him. The childhood best friend turned lovers as teenagers isn’t a new one, but Benway still adds a fresh perspective through the distinctive flashbacks.

This is the second best book I’ve read this summer (Saint Anything is first) and I definitely recommend it. As I previously mentioned, it’s not anything heavy, but it’s still a powerful and lovely read that you don’t want to miss out on. I especially think that it’s geared towards those who obviously enjoy these types of books, but I also believe that adults might love it just as much.

Faking Perfect Review

Faking Perfect
Rebecca Phillips
Kensington
June 30, 2015
3/5
Quotes: 

“He made me feel uneasy, unbalanced, alive. He made me feel wanted.”
“I didn’t love Tyler Flynn, I didn’t even like him.”
“First you steal my rum and now my cigs,” Tyler said indignant. “What’s next? You want my wallet? My heart? No wait…you already stole that.”
“I missed the exhilaration and buzz I felt around him, even when we were fighting.”

Rebecca Phillips has created a light and fast paced coming-of-age story. This is a book very fitting for a quick read while spending the day at the beach. It’s not my favorite book, but it does keep your interest.

Faking Perfect follows Lexi Shaw, a girl who is constantly pretending to be something she’s not. By day, she follows her little clique of seemingly perfect straight A students, by night she deals with her alcoholic mother and has a strictly sexual relationship with bad boy drug dealer Tyler Flynn. She has strict rules that Tyler must follow including: not teasing her about her crush on her friend Ben, not telling anyone about them, and avoiding her at school. Lexi gets thrown a curve ball when she learns that her father, who her mom said was dead, is really alive and now has a new family. She must make the choice regarding him and her future in general.

Lexi is a fairly annoying character. Honestly, you don’t end up liking her very much. She just seems selfish and obnoxious to me. I love her best friend, the geeky yet cool Nolan and also his mom, who takes care of Lexi better than her own mom. Her friend Shelby is also a funny and memorable character. My favorite adult is probably her father Eric because we don’t see enough of Nolan’s mom. Ben and her other fake friends are annoying to say the least. I love Tyler a lot and would have loved to see him more in the book.

There’s a bit of a love triangle happening here. But it’s still obvious who she’s going to end up with. Despite this, it still takes her forever to wake up and realize who she belongs with, which is naturally very frustrating. I like her relationship with Tyler because although he has a bad reputation, how he treats her doesn’t reflect that at all. She feels safe with him and that makes me truly appreciate the relationship as it grows into something more than physical. Tyler is charming but I definitely want to know more about him. There’s a big gap in many pages where Tyler is missing due to Lexi freaking out that he’s gotten to attached and that’s the time the love triangle actually shows up. But I do believe that had to happen since she obviously isn’t going to change her mind instantly and run to Tyler, she had to come to terms with her feelings on her own.

I would recommend this to those who love light and fast paced novels. This isn’t a heavy book by any means, it didn’t take me long at all to complete it and I doubt anyone else would take that long with it either. This is a relatable coming-of-age story that doesn’t beat around the bush longer than it should, it gets to the point fast enough. This is a book you should pick up and read sometime this summer!

Saint Anything Review

Saint Anything
Sarah Dessen
Viking Juvenile by Penguin Press, Random House Publishing
Released May 5, 2015
Young Adult
Rating: 4/5
Quotes from the book: 

“I was used to being invisible. People rarely saw me, and if they did, they never looked close. I wasn’t shiny and charming like my brother, stunning and graceful like my mother, or smart and dynamic like my friends. That’s the thing, though. You always think you want to be noticed. Until you are.”
“He had a nice smile. Seeing it, I felt like I’d won a prize, because he was so sparing with them.”
“As I shut the door and started to walk away, I heard him say, “Hey. Sydney.”
“Yeah?”
“You had on a shirt with mushrooms on it, and your hair was pulled back. Silver earrings. Pepperoni slice. No lollipop.”
I just looked at him, confused. Layla was walking toward us now.
“The first time you came into Seaside,” he said. “You weren’t invisible, not to me. Just so you know.”
“For as long as I could remember, other people had either overshadowed me or left me out in the open, alone. But Mac, as Layla had said all those weeks ago, was always somewhere nearby. He left me enough space to stand alone, but stood at the ready for the moment that I didn’t want to. It was the perfect medium, I was learning. Like he was my saint, the one I’d been waiting for.”

“In every friendship, at some point comes a test. Never before in my experience, however, had it involved food.”

Saint Anything is a perfect summer read that you’ll never want to put down. Sarah Dessen never disappoints when it comes to tackling tough issues that teens go through. Her 12th book is about families, being invisible, and belonging. In my opinion, it’s a huge must read.
Sydney has always been invisible and in the background because of her brother Peyton. Her whole families lives are flipped upside down when Peyton is sent to jail for drunk driving and hitting a young boy and paralyzing him. Sydney is looking for a change so she transfers schools and begins looking for a place where she belongs. She ends up meeting the Chathams at the pizza parlor. There’s Layla, the quirky girl who calls herself a connoisseur of fries, older sister Rosie who loves ice skating, Mrs. Chatham who is sick but still manages to hold the house down, and the watchful and protective Mac.

Sydney is an incredibly easy character to relate to. Her feelings are very similar to how many other teenage girls feels and I love how honest Dessen creates Sydney to be. The most fascinating and unique character is definitely Layla. She’s a quirky character but she’s also a memorable one. I also love Layla’s mom and her fascination with reality TV. Sarah Dessen is great at having these weird yet lovable supporting characters that certainly manage to standout.

The relationship between Sydney and Mac goes down sooner than some of Dessen’s other books. We don’t have to wait until the last page but that’s also something that I enjoy. I think the bond between Sydney and Mac was obvious from the beginning and she didn’t have another boyfriend so there weren’t any huge obstacles between them. Mac is a sweet and caring guy and it’s impossible not to swoon over him. The little things that he does for Sydney throughout the novel are just so considerate and adorable.

Saint Anything stands out from other Young Adult books in the respect that it really explores how something bad that someone close to you does can come back on you just as hard. Yes, this has been done in many other books in the genre. However, I haven’t seen any of them that portray it in this same light. Sydney is taking responsibility for what her brother did, she lets the guilt just pile on her. I also think that how Dessen writes about Ames, her brother’s friend who comes to live with her family and is like a replacement son, is eerie from the beginning. She allows his bad vibe to progress gradually throughout the novel and I’ve never seen that done before.
I would recommend this to pretty much anybody who loves to read and doesn’t mind the occasional Young Adult book. This is one of those books where you don’t have to be a teen or even a die hard fan of the genre to love it. I also think that it doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve read any of Dessen’s previous works, this is a great place to start since it’s her at her very best.
Questions to answer in the comments:

• Who was your favorite character?
• Do you think Sydney was a good and strong protagonist? Did you relate to her?
• What were your initial thoughts about Peyton and did those change by the end of the book?
• Would you have visited David if you were in Sydney’s shoes? Do you think that’s even her responsibility to talk to him?
• Which member of the Chatham family was your favorite and why?

Pixelated Review

 

Pixelated L.S. Murphy
Bloomsbury Spark
Released June 30, 2015
Young Adult
Rating: 3/5
Quotes from the book:
“I’m a moth to a bug zapper. Once I touch him, we’ll burn bright, but I’ll flame out.”
“Maybe breaking my own heart is easier than letting him break it, but I doubt it.”
“I slam into someone who wraps his arms around me, making me feel like the world will be okay with his touch. It could only be Les.”
“I made my choice the minute I met you, Piper.”
“Les kisses me harder, longer, and with all the passion in a Latin ballad.”

Pixelated is a novel that hooks you in from the first line. I was unable to put the book down. It’s fast paced and it makes for the ideal summer beach read.

Piper Marks is forced to move to Clarkston, Iowa her senior year of high school. What Piper loves more than anything is to take pictures. Her mom and her new husband bought out the local newspaper and ask Piper to fill in when their full time photographer quits. Her new job requires her to spend a lot of time taking snapshots of the football games. This leads her to Les Williams, the charismatic yet mysterious and quiet star of the football team. There’s a lot of drama thrown into the mix for good measure as Piper gradually learns how to adjust to this small town life. All the while trying to avoid getting her heartbroken by beautiful Les who has a girlfriend that Piper has never actually seen.

I like how passionate Piper is. The way Murphy writes some of Piper’s thoughts about her surroundings and finding the perfect shot is really beautiful and descriptive. It makes you want to head out to a place with some incredible scenery and start taking your own pictures. I don’t think we see enough female bonding in general. The girls Piper bonds with at her new school are for the most part forgettable besides some of the drama that they later cause. I would have also liked to see her connecting back with her old friends more than she did.

The relationship between Piper and Les is obviously the heart of the book. There’s a slow build up between them but you can’t help but wonder why Piper doesn’t push more to get him to talk about his girlfriend. Everyone around her constantly mentions this girlfriend except for Les, who seems to be into Piper. I think Les is a really great character. According to some of the other kids, he never talks to anybody outside of the guys on the football team so it shocks the whole school when he starts talking to Piper in public. I like how they first form a friendship although the tension is pretty much always there between them. This isn’t my favorite YA couple by any means, but I thought it was still pretty decent.

This is different from other YA books because of the topic of photography. I’m sure there are other books that talk about it but I’ve never read a YA book with another narrator that was so in love with it.

I would recommend this to fans of young adult books who want to read something fast paced during the summer. Of course, you can read it anytime, but I think it’s fitting now in particular. It’s something light and Piper is a great narrator, fans of any young adult books in general should take a liking to it.

L.S. Murphy is a great writer and I look forward to reading her books in the future. Pixelated is an easy read that may have it’s fair share of your typical young adult book moments, but it also is creative and passionate. I really enjoyed the story and the characters in particular. It could be predictable at times and it more or less followed a specific format which I wasn’t a huge fan of, but it was still a decent book.

Questions to answer after you’ve read the book:

• What did you think about Les? Were you mad that he wasn’t upfront from the beginning regarding the whole girlfriend situation?
• What were your thoughts on how Piper treated her mom, mom’s new husband, and her own father?
• What did you think about the information Piper discovered about her father?
• Who was your favorite character?
• Are there other YA books that have mentioned photography in this way that you’ve read before?

Be sure to answer these in the comments so we can talk about it!