The Summer I turned Pretty

Jenny Han

Published 2009

276 Pages

Rating: B

Some summers are just destined to be pretty.

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer – they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have all along.

(taken from inside flap)

Belly, her brother Steven and her mother always go to Susannah’s beach house every summer. Susannah has two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. Susannah and Belly’s mother, Laurel have been friends forever, and every summer they spend at this beach house, in Cousin’s. Belly was always the one that was left out. The only girl out of the four kids, she was used to having to hang out with herself. But this summer is different. She’s pretty.

Belly has always been pretty, but for some reason this summer people actually see her beauty. Her brother Steven is going to be a senior, and later in the summer he leaves with his dad to go on a road trip to look at colleges. Conrad is going to be a freshman in college, and he has been acting strange all summer and Belly wants to know why. Jeremiah is still the same, Belly’s true friend, they always stick together. There’s a secret that Susannah is keeping from Belly, and she doesn’t find out until it’s too late. And she also enjoys a summer romance with a boy named Cam.

Belly has to learn that as she gets older, and the summers creep past her, she has to grow up and be a mature, young woman. She battles boys, love, family issues, and her maturity.

The book was a tad confusing at first because there are flashbacks to her previous summers at the beach house, yet I enjoyed this book very much. I am sorry if my review was a little confusing but I am writing this before I leave for my trip, so I am a little excited! Ha. I would recommend this book to every teenage girl who loves romance books with a little something else added to them.

I’ll see/talk to you guys in 2 weeks!!! And maybe I will even have some pictures to show you of my travels! :)

-Arielle.

My Sister's Keeper

Jodi Picoult

Published 2004

432 pages

Rating: B+

Synopsis

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My review

So, I'm going to make this a small review because I'm pretty sure a lot of people know what this book is about. Kate was diagnosed with leukemia when she was two, and that is why Anna was created. To be a donor for Kate. For her entire life, Anna has had surgeries for her sister. But what if she's tired of being a donor? What if she wants to live a normal life? When Anna hires a lawyer to be medically emancipated from her parents, she will no longer have to be a donor for Kate. But without a new kidney, Kate will die.... and her mom isn't going to let that happen.

Okay so I wasn't sure if I would like this book because usually I like action, romance and supernatural books. But I really liked this book! I was hooked from the first chapter. I thought the whole idea of the book was great and it teaches people to value family. This book made me laugh quite a few times but it definitely made me cry too. I also liked how each chapter of the book changed to a different character's perspective. I found myself really liking Brian, Jesse and Julia's perspectives of the story for some reason. Okay let's talk about romance because there was some romance in the book. I absolutely loved the Campbell/Julia relationship and was dying to know what actually happened between the two. I loved how alcohol and drugs were also involved in the story along with cancer. A few good twists and turns in the book too.

Now moving on to things I didn't like about the book. Sara Fitzgerald, (Anna, Kate and Jesse's mom) in my opinion, did not seem to care about Anna or Jesse. All she ever cared/talked about was Kate, Kate and more KATE! I was thinking to myself "You have other children to worry about too, you know!" I mean I understand that Kate is sick but Sara rarely paid attention to Anna and Jesse unless it involved Kate. I'm not sure if this drove anybody else crazy but it did with me. And also, the book confused me at times.

Enough of me babbling. To finish, I recommend this book to pretty much anyone. Everyone and anyone who loves a good, cute and sad read then this is the book for you.

-Marisa

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly meme to post about books that you can't wait to come out in book stores.



Marisa:

Strange Fate by L.J. Smith (Night World series No. 4)

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Strange finds life a mass of contradictions. She’s an ordinary-looking girl, and yet two of the most popular guys at school form her circle of friends. Kierlan Drache and Mal Harman, who are as unalike as any two people can be. That ought to make her happy, but recently she’s been having romantic feelings about each of them—and has seen two silver cords: one reaching from her to Kierlan, and one from her to Mal. What’s going on? In addition, every night she dreams of a future where dragons and vampires rule the world, and of a brave child called Crispy. For a girl who hasn’t even heard of the Night World yet, Sarah has a lot to handle! Even worse, the Apocalypse has finally come—and even the Wild Powers see only one way to stop it. This is an epic volume, which stars all the most beloved Night Worlders from the other books. Be prepared, though, because seven go on a mission to save the world . . . and only two come back.

Briana:

Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

This book sounds SO fantastic. I don't even think I can explain why I want it. Everything about it just sounds so amazong. And the cover! I LOVE IT.

(Arielle is on vacation.)

Wishlist Wednesday (11)

Marisa:

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He's strong and silent and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn't want them.

The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the "differently biotic." But the students don't want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn't breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the "living impaired" from the people who want them to disappear-for good.

When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?

Briana:

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's popular, happy, and dating, everything "Jennifer" couldn't be—-but she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

How cute does this book sound?! I've seen it at Barnes & Noble several times but never picked it up. I know that I want to read it, but I just never bothered buying it. Next time I'm at Barnes & Noble I'm going to try my hardest to remember to buy this book!

(Arielle is on vacation.)

Teaser Tuesday (2)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:-Grab your current read

-Open to a random page

-Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




The Amanda Project Book 1: The Invisible I by Stella Lennon

"The combination of his saying, She's here and looking behind me made me spin around, expecting to see Amanda walking towards us. But all I saw was Nia, slapping her phone shut."

PG. 85

Briana: This book is pretty exciting already. I've never read a book with a character named Nia in it before reading CANDOR by Pam Bachorz, and now I'm reading a second book in a row with a character named Nia in it. Haha. Sorry if that made absolutely no sense at all.






(Marisa may post later. Arielle is off camping!)

Author Interview: Pam Bachorz (CANDOR)

As you guys may know, I just reviewed CANDOR by Pam Bachorz (Click here to read the review!). She was nice enough to let me interview her (first ARC and first Author Interview!).



Briana: The idea for CANDOR is pretty different than any other YA books I’ve read. What or who inspired you to write about subliminal messages?



Pam Bachorz: I think the greatest horror is to lose control of your own thoughts. They are your most private thing in the world--the thing you own above all else. So I've always been fascinated by things like brainwashing and subliminal messages. For this story, I was actually inspired by a mosquito truck, of all things! We were living in a Florida town that hired a truck to drive around twice a day and spray for mosquitoes. Supposedly the spray was harmless to people (and given how many bug bites we still got, I wonder whether it worked on mosquitoes!). One night I was out walking the dog and the truck passed us, with a big white plume of spray coming off the back. We were coated in it. What if, I wondered, the spray was filled with Prozac? And if it was, would anybody even object--or would they pay extra for "happy spray"? From there I went to brainwashing with something else hidden: not medicine, but subliminal Messages that are hidden in music.


Briana: What was the first book that really got you into reading?



Pam Bachorz: My parents read to me, and my sister, without fail every night from the time we were infants. And then they rewarded us with new books when we got good report cards (I still remember standing in the B. Dalton aisle, debating whether I wanted Book 7 or Book 8 of Sweet Valley High!, after I got a good report card!). Probably the most influential book for me, as a kid, was ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. My Mom read it out loud to me and we went through the entire set. From there, I explored L.M. Montgomery's other works. I loved reading about a smart, spunky girl who made a million mistakes but still somehow came out OK in the end.


Briana: If you had to pick one character from CANDOR that you are most like, who would it be?



Pam Bachorz: There's a little bit of me in every character I write, I think (a little embarassing to admit, given how obnoxious some of them are). I think I identify with my main character, Oscar, the most. Probably a psychologist could explain WHY better than I can. I just really understand how isolated he feels, presenting one "perfect" self to the world but feeling very different inside. Probably we can all identify with that: the difference between our public and inner selves.



Briana: Are you planning on writing a sequel to CANDOR or a different novel? If so, can you tell us about it?



Pam Bachorz: I'm not writing a CANDOR sequel right now, but never say never! I'm writing another Young Adult novel for Egmont USA and it should be released in 2010 or 2011. It's about another community with a dark secret, and a main character who has to find a way to free herself of that secret. But beyond that... it's pretty different from CANDOR!


Briana: If your book was turned into a movie (which I totally think it has the power to), who would you want to play Oscar and Nia?



Pam Bachorz: Wouldn't that be amazing? I couldn't point to one actor who could play either of them, but I'm sure they're out there--smart, unafraid to be a sometimes imperfect character, and pretty darn good looking.


Briana: I read on your website that your mother isn’t happy that you’re not using your four degrees that you got in college (a BS in Journalism, a BA in Environmental Science, a Masters in Library Science and an MBA), what does she think now that you’re book is about to come out?



Pam Bachorz: She's ecstatic for me, and actually will be coming to visit at the time my book comes out--we're going to prowl around DC-area bookstores and pet the pretty CANDOR book! My parents were my earliest and probably my biggest fans, in everything that I do (they just wish I'd slow down and savor my achievements sometimes, I think!). I'm very lucky to be surrounded by friends and family who are entirely excited and supportive of my writing. And in fact... you can spot my Mom in one of the candorfl.com testimonials (Or, "Linda", as we call her now...)



Briana: What’s your favorite YA book that you’ve ever read?


Pam Bachorz: Oh no, don't make me pick! No way do I have a single favorite. But my sentimental favorite, I guess, is DOWN A DARK HALL by Lois Duncan. I am not ashamed to admit that I still think about those poor girls, trapped in a school that wants to take over their brains (see a theme here?).



Thank you so much for the interview Pam! I'm so happy that I got to read your book and interview you!

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

Briana: Today was a really great week for me! I wanted to post IMM on Wednesday because I was so excited to show you guys what I got haha. But I waited it out :)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Yes! I'm so happy that I got Shiver! I took a special trip to Barnes & Noble with my mom and had a huge smile on my face when I saw it on the "New Releases" table. There was actually only one copy on the table, so a lot of people must have been picking it up. I'm very excited to read it.

Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars Series #1) by Sara Shepard

Everyone has something to hide—especially high school juniors spencer, aria, emily, and hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.

But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

I gave in to buying another series. I love the cover of this series and I haven't heard a bad thing about it!

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

I won this from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie! I've entered plenty of contests and finally won something! I've really been wanting to read Along for the Ride ever since Arielle reviewed it.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Everyone was getting their copies of Hush, Hush last week and I was so jealous so I sent an e-mail and found out they had just a few left (and one had my name on it!). I was having a great day already and didn't think it could get better until I walked out onto my front porch and saw a beautiful little package! To make it even better, the copy is SIGNED! How awesome!?

Arielle:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

It all comes down to this - a final faceoff between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do youlisten to your instincts, or your friends?

Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end?

I have read this book before but it has been forever!! And I had to borrow it from my aunt when I read it so I am so happy I got this! And the best part... I won it!!! I won it from The Book Reader! So thank you so much!! I am taking this on my vacation that I will be going on soon, and I am very excited!! :)

(Marisa may post later.)

Candor

Pam Bachorz

Published Sept 22, 2009

256 Pages

Rating: A

As soon as I saw the cover and read the description for this great book, I knew I would be reading it when it came out in stores. I was feeling pretty brave that day though, so I emailed Pam Bachorz to ask for an ARC to review. Surprisingly, she said yes! So first, I have to thank Pam for giving me an awesome first ARC! It wouldn't be very fun if my first ARC was a dud!

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

The whole concept of this book grabbed me right from the first page (or the description). Subliminal messages were so interesting to read about! If it wasn't for work and the Harry Potter marathon that my mom and I did, I probably would have finished this book in 1-2 sittings.

I really liked how Oscar was so arrogant and blunt. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but he wasn't the perfect, cookie-cutter kind of guy that I usually read about. Call me crazy, but I find a touch of arrogance to be attractive in a guy. The other characters were also pretty fun to read about, but Oscar was definitely my favorite.

The only thing I didn't like about the novel is that it had to end. I have mixed emotions of a sequel (if Pam decides to write one). I would really love to read about these characters again but I can't imagine how the story would go. How would it be possible for "this or that" to happen? I definitely felt satisfaction at the end though, so don't get me wrong there

I was thinking of holding a contest to give away CANDOR, but I think I'm too selfish of a person to part with it. Sorry guys! I guess you'll have to enter contests or unfortunately wait until September 22nd.

-Briana