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THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

OK SO I FINALLY READ THIS.

JUST FINISHED IT.

I don't know what it is about John Green. He's a fantastic YA writer because he writes for us but not "at us." He doesn't change truths or lighten them or insult us with too much fluff. He's honest. Funny. Sad.

you should read the book.

Sorry we've been lacking in posting. Will be writing much more frequently soon.

In Ireland right now. SO beautiful!!


happy reading.

-rebekah

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Book Review: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe

Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe
Author: Shelley Corriell
Source: ARC from Amulet Books
Pages: 299
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Amulet Books
Rating: 4/5

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

Main Idea: Wow! What a fun contemporary with a spunky, very likeable main character! Definitely one to pick up for a quick, enjoyable read.

One of the big things that can keep me from loving a book is the main character. Is he/she whiny/stubborn/stupid/etc.? If the answer to one or more is yes, then I am annoyed and very likely to be frustrated with the book. But Chloe? Chloe is none of the above. Chloe was fun, determined, spunky, and had a great attitude. I absolutely loved her!

When Chloe's friends desert her, her Junior year independent study project is rejected, and her mother and grandmother's relationship falls apart- Chloe refuses to do the same. She jumps on board with the school's radio station she (and the rest of the student body) didn't even know existed and decides to start her own talk show. Hilarity, heart-break, and heat (in some cases even literally) ensues.

I would definitely recommend picking up this cute contemporary as soon as you can get your hands on it! An adorable read!

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Review - Bunheads

Reviewer: Rebekah
Title: Bunheads
Author: Sophie Flack
Source: Library
Pages: 294
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Reader
Rating: 4/5

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

I took ballet.
And no, I don't mean until I was 7.
During my high school years, I spent at least three days a week at the studio (usually more during performance or recital season). Looking back, I realize that was kind of a lot considering...

A. I am not a ballerina.
B. Like, I don't even take a single, crappy ballet class in college.
C. I wasn't even that good.

But the truth is, I loved it. Still do.

So my point it is, I wanted to read this book.

And I really liked it! I probably won't read it again, but I definitely enjoyed the story. The main character, Hannah is decent, but not just oozing in the personality department. But that kind of makes sense. She's overly disciplined. Her life is rigid, she works full-time, all the time, she lives alone....and she's only nineteen.

It's a simple enough story. Girl loves to dance. Girl dances all day, everyday. Girl wants to be promoted. Girl works her butt off. Literally. Girl must decide.

There's a cute boy. Another rich boy. A triangle? sort of.

Lots of dynamics with characters. You see the "best friend" the "friend you love but hate" and the "annoying friend."

But really, the book is about making choices for yourself. It's about figuring out what is actually the best thing for you. It's about deciding who exactly you want to be down the road. I was definitely satisfied in the end, even though it is somewhat bittersweet.

So yes, even if you don't know the difference between a plié and a posé, I think you should read it!

xo,
rebekah

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Book Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Reviewer: Taylor
Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Source: Library
Pages: 375
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Rating: 4/5

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Main Idea: All in all, I would definitely recommend reading this book. While there is not much Alex, at all... which is a total bummer, it is still a fast-paced, action packed read definitely worth your time!

 

Hmm... well, first of all, this book was NOT what I was expecting. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't that.

However, I did really enjoy this book, hence the four star rating. I am all about a book with action and fast pacing, and save the first 50-75 pages, this book totally had that. I also loved the changing timelines aspect of this book- the way it switched from then and now. However, the "then" part always bored me a bit. I liked the "now" part much better!

A new person was also introduced, Julian. Although, I can't tell you how he fit into the story. That would be a spoiler... But the adventures she and Julian find themselves in were definitely very exciting!

For the most part, I saw all the major plot twists coming as most people have expressed which was kind of a bummer. There were a few smaller ones that I didn't see coming though, so those were always nice surprises! 

Thanks for reading!!

Taylor

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