Review: Speechless by Kim Fielding

Title: Speechless 

Author: Kim Fielding

Pages: 62

Format: Kindle (borrowed from library)

Published: Dreamspinner Press

Pulisher: July. 17, 2012

Genre: GLBT, Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Description: Travis Miller has a machining job, a cat named Elwood, and a pathetic love life. The one bright spot in his existence is the handsome guitar player he sometimes passes on his way home from work. But when he finally gathers the courage to speak to the man, Travis learns that former novelist Drew Clifton suffers from aphasia: Drew can understand everything Travis says, but he is unable to speak or write.

The two lonely men form a friendship that soon blossoms into romance. But communication is only one of their challenges—there’s also Travis’s inexperience with love and his precarious financial situation. If words are the bridge between two people, what will keep them together?

Review: A cute short story about two guys with disabilities who fall in love. Travis meets Drew who can't speak or write. I really liked how Travis got used to communicating with Drew and that he doesn't have a problem with it. There moments together were just so adorable. Everything is fine until Travis has to move because of his job and he goes, leaving Drew. I don't want to say anymore and spoil it but I enjoyed it. I think the author could of explained a little more about what Aphasia meant. All I knew was Drew got into an accident and now he can't read or write.

4 out of 5 Stars

There is second short story to this called The Gig but I can't find it on amazon or anywhere else. :(

A Review but not really: My True Love Gave To Me

Title: My True Love Gave To Me

Author: Edited by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Short Stories, Holiday

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 320

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Published: October 14, 2014

Source: Library

Description: If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

Review: I haven't read any books from many of the authors in this book and reading a book with so many authors felt weird. Before I got into the stories they was already ove. I really enjoyed the stories and I wanted more. I only wish some of them was longer. There was only two I didn't like.

Midnight by Rainbow Rowell - 3 stars

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link - 1 stars (I didn't understand this story, I was confused)

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la pena - 4 stars

Polaris is where you'll find me by Jenny Han* - 4 stars (OMG THAT ENDING!!, THIS NEEDS TO BE LONGER and I loved it was a human asian girl living in the noth pole, like the movie Elf where Santa raises a human boy.)

It's A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins* - 5 stars (I love Stephanie Perkins. She really knows how to write lovable characters.)

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan* - 2 stars (I love David Levithan but this was disappointing)

Krampuslauf by Holly Black - 3 stars

What the hell have you done, Sophie Roth by Gayle Forman - 3 stars

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire - 4 stars

Welcome to Chirstmas, CA by Kristen White - 3.5 stars

Stars of Bethlehem by Ally Carter - 4.5

The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor* - 4 stars

* = authors I read before

Review: Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen

Title: Evil Librarian

Author: Michelle Knudsen

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Humor

Format: Hardback

Pages: 352

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: September. 9, 2014

Source: Own

Description: #EvilLibrarian He’s young. He’s hot. He’s also evil. He’s . . . the librarian.

When Cynthia Rothschild’s best friend, Annie, falls head over heels for the new high-school librarian, Cyn can totally see why. He’s really young and super cute and thinks Annie would make an excellent library monitor. But after meeting Mr. Gabriel, Cyn realizes something isn’t quite right. Maybe it’s the creepy look in the librarian’s eyes, or the weird feeling Cyn gets whenever she’s around him. Before long Cyn realizes that Mr. Gabriel is, in fact . . . a demon. Now, in addition to saving the school musical from technical disaster and trying not to make a fool of herself with her own hopeless crush, Cyn has to save her best friend from the clutches of the evil librarian, who also seems to be slowly sucking the life force out of the entire student body! From best-selling author Michelle Knudsen, here is the perfect novel for teens who like their horror served up with a bit of romance, plenty of humor, and some pretty hot guys (of both the good and evil variety).

Review: I really enjoyed it, it was funny and is well-written. I loved Chynthia she has a smart mouth and her inner voice was hilarious. She will do anything to save her friend, Annie who falls for the librarian, Mr. Gabriel who is a demon. Cyn and someone else who I'm not naming try to find a way to get rid of Mr. Gabriel. People are killed, deals are made, and relationships develop. It also involves a play.

Dislikes: I felt like it dragged on a little bit. More demons come into the picture and I think they was unnecessary. 

Quotes

• "Rows of shelves are packed tightly with books, labeled with little signs that say things like WICCA AND SPELL BOOKS, MAGIC HISTORY, and CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE FICTION."
• "I love my minons"

4.5 Stars

Mini Reviews: The Promise of Amazing & Ninth Grade Slays

Title: The Promise of Amazing

Author: Robin Constantine

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 371

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Published: December. 31, 2013

Source: Own

Review: I loved the writing and the two main characters, Wren and Grayson were so cute together. I didn't like what had happened towards the end, how no one really got in trouble, like the so called best-friend. The drama could of been better.

4.5/5 Stars

Read: 9/1/14 - 9/3/14

Title: Ninth Grade Slays (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #2)

Author: Heather Brewer

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Horror, Vampires

Format: Kindle

Pages: 300

Publisher: Speak

Published: April. 17, 2008

Source: Libary 

Review: I didn't like it as much as the first book, Eighth Grade Bites. In this one, you learn more about Vlad and his vampire abilities. Josh, Henry's cousin comes to stay with them and we learn that he's keeping a secret. Vlad meets new vampires and encounters a vampire from the first book. He has to deal with bullies, the girl he likes, a photographer from the newspaper in school who finds out about him, and a vampire slayer who wants to kill him. The ending was where all the action happened, you learn about who the vampire slayer is, friendships are broken, someone almost dies. 

3.5/5 Stars

Read: 8/15/14 - 9/4/14

ARC Review: Jackaby

Title: Jackaby

Author: William Ritter

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal

Format: ARC Paperback

Pages: 304

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Published: Releases on Sep. 16 2014

Source: Own

Description: “Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.

Review: Jackaby did remind me of Sherlock, to his trench coat, his hat, and weird personality, love him. I really like Abigail Rook, she wants adventure, she wants do to something that isn't boring and then she finds it by becoming the assistant. Now about the plot, I loved it. I wasn't expecting that plot twist. I don't if it was just me but I felt that the color Red was Symbol to the creature who was killing people. Besides Supernatural creatures there is a ghost and a duck with an interesting background. I really want to read more with these characters. More of there Supernatural adventures and more on their backgrounds.

4.5 ouf of 5 Stars

Mini Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Genre: glbt, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction, historical fiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 359

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Published: April 1st 2014

Source: Library

Description: Dante can swim. Ari can't. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari's features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself.

But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other―and the power of their friendship―can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

Review: I don't know how to review this book without talking about spoilers so here is a short crappy version. I love the characters. They are so real and the problems they had were real to which makes the book amazing but I didn't like how the characters repeated each other. I love the writing. Its very Quotable. I recommend it. If you have any doubts just give it a try.

Quotes: 

• “I wanted to tell them that I'd never had a friend, not ever, not a real one. Until Dante. I wanted to tell them that I never knew that people like Dante existed in the world, people who looked at the stars, and knew the mysteries of water, and knew enough to know that birds belonged to the heavens and weren't meant to be shot down from their graceful flights by mean and stupid boys. I wanted to tell them that he had changed my life and that I would never be the same, not ever. And that somehow it felt like it was Dante who had saved my life and not the other way around. I wanted to tell them that he was the first human being aside from my mother who had ever made me want to talk about the things that scared me. I wanted to tell them so many things and yet I didn't have the words. So I just stupidly repeated myself. "Dante's my friend.” (I wish I had a friend like Dante)
• “I had a feeling there was something wrong with me. I guess I was a mystery even to myself.” 
• “Senior year. And then life. Maybe that's the way it worked. High school was just a prologue to the real novel. Everybody got to write you -- but when you graduated, you got to write yourself. At graduation you got to collect your teacher's pens and your parents' pens and you got your own pen. And you could do all the writing. Yeah. Wouldn't that be sweet?”
• "What ever happened to reading a book because you liked it?"
• "But I'm not good at making friends. I'm okay with that." (I can relate with this)

4 out of 5 Stars

Mini Review: Two Boys Kissing

Title: Two Boys Kissing

Author: David Levithan

Genre: glbt, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 200

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published: August. 27, 2013

Source: Library

Description: New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. 

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

Review: I love this book. love the writing, the words are so deep and real. You can feel what these characters are going through or been through. Its just an Amazing book, I gave it 5 stars and If you love GLBT or is Gay, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Quotes (there are so many good ones)

• “Love is so painful, how could you ever wish it on anybody? And love is so essential, how could you ever stand in its way?”
• “Things are not magical because they've been conjured for us by some outside force. They are magical because we create them.” 
• “Freedom isn't just about voting and marrying and kissing on the street, although all of these things are important. Freedom is also about what you will allow yourself to do.” 
• “There are all these moments you don't think you will survive. And then you survive.”
• “It is hard to stop seeing your son as a son and to start seeing him as a human being.
  It is hard to stop seeing your parents as parents and to start seeing them as human beings.
  It's a two-sided transition, and very few people manage it gracefully.” 
• “There is no reason that we should ever be ashamed of our bodies or ashamed of our love.”
• “Pink is female - but why? Are girls any more pink than boys? Are boys any more blue than girls? It's something that has been sold to us, mostly so other things can be sold to us.” 
• “We know that some of you are still scared. We know that some of you are still silent. Just because it's better now doesn't mean that it's always good.” 
• “Then he picks up the first book and holds it so Peter can read the title.
  I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This
  
  Peter quiets. Watches as Neil holds up the books one by one.
  
  Just Listen
  Stay
  You’re the One That I Want
  So Much Closer
  Where I Want to Be
  The Difference Between You and Me
  Positively
  Matched
  Perfect
  Wonder
  You Are Here
  Where I Belong
  I’ll Be There
  Along for the Ride
  The Future of Us
  Real Live Boyfriends
  Keep Holding On
  
  When Neil is through, Peter smiles and holds up his hand, gesturing Neil to wait there, to not say a word. He picks out two books from the YA section, then runs to the fiction section for a third. He is still smiling when he returns to Neil and shows his selections one by one.
  
  Take a Bow
  A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You
  Keep Holding On”

  (I love how he put the book titles into a poem message)

              5 out of 5 stars

Review: Love Letters to the Dead

Title: Love Letters to the Dead

Author: Ava Dellaira

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 327

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Published: April. 1, 2014

Source: Library

Description: It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

Review: I just wasn't feeling this book. I felt sorry for the character because her sister died and her family is grieving. But she was stupid and crazy. She didn't do drugs but she did drink alcohol which I didn't like because she's 15 and I hate underage drinking. She only did drink because of her friends and she wanted them to like her. I didn't like the romance, it was to boring for me. They had like two conversations that was about nothing and all of a sudden they are together. The boy Sky, I didn't understand him either. Laurel did two things that could of gotten herself killed right in front of him and he doesn't tell no one. I just didn't see the love. She needed to stop trying to be like her sister. The ending was ok.

2 out of 5 stars

Review: To all the boys I've loved before by Jenny Han

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 368

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Published: April. 15, 2014

Source: Library

Description: What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them... all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

My Review: Cute and funny. It's not just about the boys, it's also about her family and how close they are. Her older sister, Margot goes off to college leaving Lara Jean with the reasponsabilities of taking care of the house and family. This book had me laughing. Lara Jean reactions towards stuff was funny and believe able. There are also some serious moments too. She puts herself in this predicament and it blows up in her face. I loved the writing, it was real and perfect. I didn't like how it ended, I NEED MORE. I want to know what happens with Lara Jean and xx or the other boy. (Sorry if you don't understand this, I don't want to spoil it)

Likes: 

Kitty the younger sister was the best. She's smart and knows what she wants. She has more of a social life then Lara Jean and she's only 9. She even has a fashion sense. 

Dislike: 

Chris, Lara Jean friend. She seems reckless. She never hangs out with Lara Jean and they don't seem to have a lot in common. I know they been friends since they was kids but I didn't see any friendship there. But she was hardly present.

Genevieve. She was friends with Lara Jean as kids but they grew apart. Also Chris's cousin. She is mean. She is the girl who you would call a bitch. 

Quotes: 

"It's a lot of responsibility to hold a person's heart in your hands" 

"It doesn't matter that they're broken up. He was hers first, which means he's hers always."

5 out of 5 stars

Review: OCD, The DUDE, and ME by Lauren Roedy Vaughn

Title: OCD, The DUDE, and ME

Author: Lauren Roedy Vaughn

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Humor

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 240

Publisher: Dial

Published: March. 21, 2013

Source: Library

Description: With frizzy orange hair, a plus-sized body, sarcastic demeanor, and "unique learning profile," Danielle Levine doesn't fit in even at her alternative high school. While navigating her doomed social life, she writes scathing, self-aware, and sometimes downright raunchy essays for English class. As a result of her unfiltered writing style, she is forced to see the school psychologist and enroll in a "social skills" class. But when she meets Daniel, another social misfit who is obsessed with the cult classic film The Big Lebowski, Danielle's resolve to keep everyone at arm's length starts to crumble.

My Review: A must read. This book is written in essay, email, journal form. Its funny and a little sad. Danille is always putting herself down and think she doesn't deserves to be loved. Towards the end you will see she went through something tragic that made her the way she is now. 

Likes: 

• The Characters are likable and funny.
• Danielle likes to read and dress up as characters
• It took me awhile to get used to the way its written, but now I can't imagine it any other way.
• Daniel was a funny character, I wasn't expecting him to be what he is (sorry I don't want to say it and spoil it) It never crossed my mind until he said it. 

Dislike:

• Danielle crush was a jerk.

Quotes I like:

• "The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms..." -George Santayana
• According to her "libraries have shelves." I told her shelves are not included in the technical definition of "library" (pg. 3)
• ...to lose myself in a fantasy, where I convince myself that someday I will be somewhere other than right here. (pg. 9)
• They want me to socialize, not have my head in a book the entire time. (pg. 15)
• But unlike life, which is why it's great to read books, everything works out for the two of them in the end. (Danielle was talking about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. pg. 19)
• There is no barrier strong enough to protect you from life. It finds you. Friends come even if you are not looking for them. Loss finds you even if you aren't ready. (pg. 199)

4 out of 5 stars

Review: A Crack in the Sky by Mark Peter Hughes

Title: A Crack in the Sky

Author: Mark Peter Hughes

Genre: SF-Dystopia, Adventure, Action

Format: Paperback

Pages: 416

Publisher: Yearling

Published: August. 9, 2011

Source: Library

Description: Thirteen-year-old Eli Papadapoulous is worried. Even though he's part of in the most powerful family in the world. Even though his grandfather founded InfiniCorp, the massive corporation that runs everything in the bustling dome-cities. Even though InfiniCorp ads and billboards are plastered everywhere, proclaiming: DON'T WORRY! INFINICORP IS TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING!
Recently, Eli noticed there's something wrong with the artificial sky. It keeps shorting out, displaying strange colors and random, pixellated images. And though the Department of Cool and Comfortable Air is working overtime, the dome-city is hotter than it's ever been. Eli has been raised to believe that the dome-cities are safe and comfortable; that the important thing is to keep working, keep consuming; that InfiniCorp knows better than he, and he should leave everything in their hands. But now he begins asking questions.

My Review: A Great Dystopian book about what is the truth and what is a lie. It has propaganda, conspiracy, brain-washing, terrorist, and a talking animal. It was a great read.

Like: 

• I like how everything was coming together at the end and the way the truth came out about the domes and InfiniCorp.
• Writing, very Detailed

Dislike:

• Eli didn't really do anything until the end. Even when he was givin the truth about his family he still didn't want to believe. I understand why he didn't want to because everything he knew about his family would be a lie and he always grew up thinking his family was helping people. But how much do you need convincing?
• The Ending. Eli knows the truth but nothing was solved. The way it ended made it seem like it is just the beginning. I don't know if there is another book, I didn't see it on goodreads. But I would love to read more.

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Save the Enemy by Arin Greenwood

Title: Save the Enemy

Author: Arin Greenwood

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 288

Publisher: Soho Teen

Published: November. 13, 2013

Source: Own

Description: Everything has been downhill since Zoey Trask’s mother was murdered in a random mugging. Her younger brother, Ben, is on the autistic spectrum and needs constant supervision. It’s senior year, and she’s the new girl at a weird private school in Old Town Alexandria, VA, full of kids who seem too nice to be true—including a very cute boy named Pete. Aside from half-forgotten martial arts and survivalist skills that her widowed father insisted on teaching her (because that is excellent for her social life), Zoey has nothing to offer Pete or anyone else.  

Then Dad is kidnapped. Zoey suddenly finds herself sole caretaker of a younger brother she barely understands. Worse, Ben seems to hold the key to their father’s disappearance in his Dream Diary, a bizarre journal of names and places Ben claims that their mother shares from beyond the grave. And as if Zoey doesn’t have enough on her plate, there’s Pete, who stubbornly refuses to leave her side.

Relying on the skills she never wanted to learn—Dad might have had his reasons after all—Zoey is plunged into a lethal battle to rescue her father, protect her brother, and determine the identity of her family’s true enemy.

My Review: This whole book the main character, Zoey is doing nothing. She letting these people randomly lead her somewhere. She would of been dead already. She is not that smart. I thought she was going to be this kick ass girl who was going to save her dad who was kidnapped. Talking about things that I did not care for and a lot randomness. All of a sudden she starts talking about her clothes, your dad is kidnapped and your thinking about something else. There was no thriller to this or action. She didn't have much contact with the kidnappers. They texted her twice to get something for them and she met someone once who she kicked untill he was down. She mets that person later on again and somehow knocked him out, she did think why is he trying to kill her but never thought to tie him up and ask him. This whole book she doesn't even know if her father is even alive. I got tired of hearing her 'dad says this, dad says that' I don't know what was going on in Peters head, what kind of person is he?. Is he cool, funny, etc. He doesn't even feel mystrious to me. I did not understand the releationship between Zoey and peter. The Author writes a lot of 'she says, he says, I say, peter said, ben said' Its just Plain. The author kept writing four ???? when zoey is asking questions in her head. (Ex. who are the hell is P.F???? who are any of the P.F.s????)

This Quote "I look for Roscoe. I miss my parents. I have this crazy feeling of wanting to make babies with pete." WHAT!? That last sentence is so random.

"as if P.F. is really fucking dumb." The Cursing comes out of nowhere. There was no cursing in the beginning and it just seemed out of place.

She splet with her best friend, Molly's ex boyfriend. Molly was mad at her and she wasn't speaking with her. I guess she still had feeling for her ex. Then her friend gets thrown in to all this mess but then she just disappears. she could be dead. Then at the end pete says he's going to look for her. That whole thing with Molly was confusing.

A lot of Unnesscesary things like a metorite, zoey having to take a diarrhea. She says "I think I might have diarrhea" that was just random. A lot of stuff could of been left out.

I'm only giving it 2 stars because of the plot twist. I didn't like the way it ended.

1 out of the 5 Stars

Read: May. 16, 2014 - May. 17, 2014

Review: (ARC) Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell

Title: Summer on the Short Bus

Author: Bethany Crandell 

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic 

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 256

Publisher: Running Press Kids 

Published: April. 1, 2014

Source: Own (won from yabookscentral)

Description: Cricket Montgomery has been thrown under the short bus. Shipped off to a summer camp by her father, Cricket is forced to play babysitter to a bunch of whiny kids—or so she thinks. When she realizes this camp is actually for teens with special needs, Cricket doubts she has what it takes to endure twenty-four hours, let alone two weeks.

Thanks to her dangerously cute co-counselor, Quinn, there may be a slim chance for survival. However, between the campers’ unpredictability and disregard for personal space, Cricket’s limits get pushed. She will have to decide if suffering through her own handicapped hell is worth a summer romance—and losing her sanity.

My Review:

I'm really in between with this book. In the beginning you see Cricket as this spoiled brat who speaks her mind. Her dad forced her to go to this camp because of something she did. But as time goes she finds out more about the camp, herself, and the Counselors. I didn't really like the romance, I loved other books where the characters fall in love in one day but this didn't catch my attention. Cricket didn't want to be in the Camp and then Quinn finds outs. I don't want to spoil anything but in the end Cricket does change. It was funny, it had me laughing at some parts.

3 out of 5 Stars

Mini Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss (#1)

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 372

Publisher: Speak

Published: August 4, 2011

Source: Library

Description: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Review: I LOVED IT! All the characters were likable except the ones that weren't. Anna and St. Clair moments together were so cute, I was like hurry up and get together. It was funny, some parts had me laughing out loud. I also loved the drama and fighting, too me it was just right, a perfect balance of humor and drama. I usually hate when someone's in a realationship and another person  likes them, and they take forever to get together but this was different because the girlfriend wasn't really there. I love Stephanie Perkins writing in this.

Quotes:

• “For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.”
• “Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?”
• “I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.” 
• “Why is it that the right people never wind up together? Why are people so afraid to leave a relationship, even if they know it's a bad one?” 
• “Why do I care so much about him, and why do I wish I didn't? How can one person make me so confused all of the time?” 

5 out of 5 Stars

Read: February 26, 2014 - March 14, 2014

Review: What I Wore Today: Fashion Remixed Online From Beijing to Berlin

Description: Capturing an online community of artistic, peer-inspired and -supported fashion pioneers, this collection of more than 250 images gives an unprecedentedly unique insight into the real style of girls today. Forget the Paris runways to spot the style vanguard, here are young women for whom taking photos of themselves in their bedrooms, kitchens, and hallways and posting them to blogs and flickr is a daily ritual. The images include favorite peer-voted style gurus from flickr, MySpace, and fashion blogs. Fascinating as an intimate look at street style and as a record of the new wave of amateur portrait photography, this bright, colorful, eclectic read showcases the community where the internet generation get their real fashion inspiration.

My Review: This is really inspirational. Some of the styles are unique but I like that because everyone is different. I always wanted to mix up my clothes but I always thought I would look stupid in other people eyes but seeing this makes me want to try something different this summer. I love that almost all of these clothes are from thrift stores. You can always find something in a thrift store that you have never seen before. I love how these are everyday women showing what they wear. I don't remember seeing anyone from Japan in this book. I don't know if its the book I have but it has two pages of 161.

4 out of 5 stars

Read: December. 20, 2013 - December. 22, 2013

Review: Love (Ai) Suilan Lee

Description: Kyo Tatsuya is a painter who has refused to see his lover for two months, while he prepares his final exhibition as a student of Geidai. He tries to reconcile his past,present and a future his family expects him to follow. While cherishing the love he has for Ryuu Shin. 

Kyo Tatsuya is a painter working his way through college and selling his paintings to earn a living. He grew up an orphan living in a foster home with two foster siblings, a brother and a sister.

And then he meets Ryuu Shin at an art exhibition who takes him to meet his real mother. Due to a bad experience in his past, Kyo doesn't believe Ryuu's claim that he has found Kyo's mother.

Ryuu's determination takes him back to his real mother's house, and a love he never would have found were it not for Ryuu Shin.

My Review: I liked Kyu and Ryuu. I liked how when they first met in the beginning. I liked Kyu attituded but it disappears in the end. I didn't like how he gave into his real family, how he took the family name. It was fast, I know it was about ten months but it was quick to me. The other family members was mentioned but was never in the story. I picture this as a Jdrama, it had that vibe to it. 

I got this for FREE on Amazon for Kindle.

3 ouf of 5 Stars

Read: December. 19, 2013 - December. 20, 2013

Review: Saving Fancesca by Melina Marchetta

Description: Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys’ school that’s pretends it’s coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can’t seem to stop thinking about.
Then there’s Francesca’s mother, who always thinks she knows what’s best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

Review: It was OK. I wasn’t really felling this book, but I pushed myself to read it because I wanted to know how it ended. I got confused at times who was talking and what the conversation was about. The Romance was kinda boring. Her Mom depression, Idk everything was just solved towards the end. It seemed rushed to me. I really wanted to read this, glad I did. But it just wasn’t the right one for me.

2 out of 5 Stars

Read: September. 15, 2013 - September. 24, 2013

Review: Saving Max by Antoinette Van Heugten

Description: Max Parkman;autistic and whip-smart, emotionally fragile and aggressive—is perfect in his mother’s eyes. Until he's accused of murder.
Attorney Danielle Parkman knows her teenage son Max’s behavior has been getting worse—using drugs and lashing out. But she can't accept the diagnosis she receives at a top-notch adolescent psychiatric facility that her son is deeply disturbed. Dangerous.

Until she finds Max, unconscious and bloodied, beside a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death.

Trapped in a world of doubt and fear, barred from contacting Max, Danielle clings to the belief that her son is innocent. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son really a killer?

With the justice system bearing down on them, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth, no matter what it is. She’ll do whatever it takes to find the killer and to save her son from being destroyed by a system that’s all too eager to convict him
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Review:  Here (WARNING, MAJOR SPOILER) IF YOU ARE GOING TO READ THIS BOOK, DO NOT READ THIS.
(NO SPOILERS HERE) I loved the book, great pace, the suspence was really great. the end was surprising. great details. I could not put it down. (I read on the authors blog and she said she is working on a sequel. I CAN NOT wait for that!)

5 out of 5 Stars
Read: August. 20, 2013 - August 22, 2013 2:20am

Review: Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

Description: Josh Mendel has a secret. Unfortunately, everyone knows what it is.
Five years ago, Josh’s life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand. But they don’t—they can’t. And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First there’s Rachel, the girl he thought he’d lost years ago. She’s back, and she’s determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who won’t stop pushing Josh all the way to the brink. And then there’s Eve. Her return brings with it all the memories of Josh’s past. It’s time for Josh to face the truth about what happened.
If only he knew what the truth was …

Review: The Book was well written. It talks about a major issue that happens in real life. I read this a day and finished at 1am. Could not put it down. I can’t believe Josh was worrying about this teacher who molested him, about what she’s doing after she got out of jail. And that he still blames himself even though it wasn’t his fault. He was young boy going through puberty and had a crush on his teacher, she saw that and took advantage of that. She manipulated him into thinking that he loved her and she loved him. She took his teen years from him and a lot more. I can’t believe his parents, they made me mad, all they would do is yell and his mom was seeing someone else. They didn’t find it weird that their son was spending time at his teacher house. I also hear about teachers having sex with kids and it makes me cringe, I don’t understand why they do that. Never Want too. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. Disappointed he lost his friendship with Zik and how it just ended. I was more interested to read the past about Josh and Eve and how everyone found out their secret. When he last saw Eve, I’m glad that nothing happened. I was scared because he wanted her to touch him. I’m glad he found closure and found love for Rachel. I didn’t really like Rachel in the beggining, but I she lost a friend and someone she liked. In the end I liked her because she was trying to encourage Josh. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. I’m also glad he choose to follow his dream.

4 out of 5 Stars
Read: August. 22, 2013 - August. 23, 2013 1:20am

Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Description: In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret…

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

My Review:

I won an ARC copy from randombuzzers.com

(A little Spoilers)

This is my first time reading from this author and I LOVE Stacey Jay writing in this. I love the way it is written. I Loved the plot. I loved the Characters and different POV’s. I loved reading Gem’s POV more than Isra. Sometimes she annoyed me but I still love her. She wants to change her City and help the Banished people. She realizes that the real monsters is her and the people in the dome. I wanted her to speak up for herself, in a part when she was talking to Junjie he just treated her like a child still even if she is the Queen. She didn’t even try to defend herself and make him listen to her because he should follow her orders. I hated that part. And when she let’s everyone talk behind her back. She always talked about how no one listens to her, but she doesn’t make them listen to her. I was so happy when she said “I’ll make them listen” Then she got her sight back. Bo, he confused me, he wants to be a great king and make his father proud. He don’t care for Isra but he doesn’t want her to die because that would mean his future children would die too. He said he wants to be king, but doesn’t. I felt sorry for him, because of his father. His father manipulated him like he did with eveyone else. Junjie wanted whats best for Yuan but he didn’t listen and did many things wrong. I loved Gem, he tries to be Cruel but he’s not like that. I love that in a guy, a guy who acts cold but they really care. Sometimes I wanted Gem and Isra to say what they was thinking, to stop lying and tell the truth. I loved there arguements and when they first kissed. I don’t want to say much but I LOVE IT!! (sorry if I rambled)

5 out of 5 Stars
Read: August. 8 - August. 10 11:31pm

(Side Note) I really read this whole book in one day. I started on the 8th at 11pm till the morning of the 9th. I stopped at chapter 10 or 11. Went to sleep. I didn’t read for that whole day because of stupid reasons. Then today, the 10th at around 12am I read and the when I woke up at 4 or 5pm I started reading until I finshed at around 11pm. I ignored my dog and I didn’t even care about eating. This is the first book where I really would not stop reading until I finished it. My heart is pounding.