Sunday, August 23, 2009

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie to share the awesome things we’ve received in the mail in the previous week.

I only got one book this week, but I'm super excitrd to finish my summer reading to start this one!



After by Amy Efaw

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .

Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made—Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible— she turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon’s unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.



What did you get this week?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Review: Sweethearts by Sara Zarr



Sweethearts by Sara Zarr


Summary: 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. Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.


My Thoughts: From the cover, you'd never guess that this book is the emotional tale that it is. I guess that's why they always tell you to not judge a book by it's cover.

Jennifer and Cameron have always shared a impenetrable bond. Being bullied and picked on, these two were always there for eachother through thick and thin. Years later, after the dissapearance of her best friend, Jennifer has evolved into Jenna. She goes to a different school, lost her baby fat and lisp, made some friends, and gained a boyfriend. However, Jenna can't help but think to the days when it was just her and Cameron against the world. She starts to question who she really is, and if she likes the person she changed in to.

Jenna's life is turned upside down by the reappearance of Cameron Quick, they boy she thought was gone for good. Life hasn't been kind to him, and Jenna starts to remember some unpleasant memories she'd rather forget about their past.

Sweethearts really suprised me. I hadn't loved a book like this in a long time. The main characters had multiple layers to them that the readers got to see stripped away throughout the book. The writing was pheonomenal, leading me to never want to put the book down. Overall, It was a beautifully, heartbeaking tale of friendship, and love, and not being able to, or wanting to let go of that one person that's always loved you for who you really are.

Memorable Quote: "Because love, love is never finished. It circles and circles, the memories out of order and not always
complete."


Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday (3)



Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Pub. Date: October 15th, 2009


Summary: dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

This is the type of book I drool over. I love angsty books. I love stories of friendships that aren't all rainbows and butterflies. I love reading about the coping and moving on process. Alot of people like to read books that are fun and happy (I do, too!), but I also like to read things that are a little darker with some deeper emotions.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

In My Mailbox

Eh, I've been really slacking on updating my blog. I've actually been procrastinating on everything I need to do (don't even get me started on my summer homework).

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie to share the awesome things we’ve received in the mail in the previous week(s).

I'm not going to post summaries for the books today (the books are all well known), just the covers, I'm being lazy I know.



Airhead by Meg Cabot




Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson




The Clique Summer Collection by Lisi Harrison

So, how was everyone else's week, book-wise?

Friday, August 7, 2009

Mandatory Music: Send it On

Yeah, I know this has nothing to do with books, but I want to share this brand new song that came out today with everyone. I love the message behind it, and the voices are so powerful (Mostly, Demi Lovato, which is fine with me, because she is amazing). I love it when people use their voice to make a positive contribution to the world, which this song does. It has a message that everyone can do something to make this world a better place ("just one spark starts the fire."). Just humor me, and listen to it if you have the time.





Song by Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and Selena Gomez. (Yes, I listen to Disney stars. And everyone here should be listening to Demi Lovato, anyways.)



So, what did you guys think of the song? I want the truth. Trust me, I'm not a fangirl, so I wont be hurt if you dont like it. :P