Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Review: I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I love Markus Zusak's young adult books. I fell in love with The Book Thief a while back and decided to purchase I Am the Messenger a couple weeks ago. It's not quite as good as The Book Thief but it definitely has Zusak's flair to it.

Synopsis: Ed is a rather lame nineteen year old cab driver with not much going for him. Until he begins to receive aces in the mail and becomes the messenger.

My Thoughts: This book was great. It was hard to get into at first, but once I did I could not stop reading. Zusak is a truly magical author and his books are sheer gold. The writing style of this book is good and the sentences are well-formed. This book is great for fans of The Book Thief and young adult books in general.

Final Rating: 8/10 stars!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Review: Winger by Andrew Smith

OMG!! I borrowed this from the library but I really wish I owned it. I'll definitely be buying it when it comes out in paperback in September.

Synopsis: Ryan Dean West is a fourteen year old junior at rich kid boarding school. He's left wing for the varsity rugby team. And he's in love with his best friend, Annie Altman.

My Thoughts: When I first began this book I thought it would be much better suited for boys. However, I continued and fell in love. This book is so well-written and it broke my heart. I stayed up for hours reading it because I couldn't put it down and when I tried to sleep I couldn't until I finished this book. Read this book now!!!!

Final Rating: 10/10 stars!

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

I stayed up really late last night reading this! Definitely recommend it.

Synopsis: Lara Jean wrote a letter to every boy she ever loved and kept them in a hatbox her mother gave her. They weren't supposed to be sent, but when they are, her whole life changes.

My Thoughts: I got this book from the library because I am not supposed to be buying books but when it comes out in paperback I will definitely get it! This is a great book. I really enjoyed the story and the writing style. I will certainly be on the hunt for more Jenny Han books! If you're looking for a fun, interesting read pick this up at the bookstore or library!

Final Rating: 9.7/10 stars!


ARC Review: Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

Hi!! I'm writing this from the past: July 14. Not really though, you're just seeing something I wrote a week and a half ago for the first time. That's because it's a review for an ARC! Can't Look Away comes out August 26, and I highly suggest you read it.

Synopsis: Can't Look Away is about Torrey, a YouTube beauty guru whose life is stricken with tragedy when her sister is hit and killed by a drunk driver.

My Thoughts: Donna Cooner did a wonderful job of showing the impact this terrible event had on Torrey and her family. You are able to see the transformation Torrey goes through as a result. The writing quality was very good as well. At some points the story was slow, and I didn't really appreciate some of the characters. I really enjoyed the Dia de los Muertos incorporation and felt it added some extra culture to what could be a bland story.

Final Rating: 7.5/10 stars!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Hello!

Hi! I would love it if you would interact more! Reading my posts is great and I thank you profusely, but I want to know what you think. What books do you like? What do you think about the books I've reviewed? What books would you like me to review in the future? Leave me feedback in the comments of my posts.

xo,
J

Review: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

This book made me cry.  It was so amazing.

Synopsis: Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother when she was eleven and taken to a boarding school by Hannah. Six years later, Hannah's gone missing and Taylor feels like it's her job to find her.

My Thoughts: This book was hell to find. No bookstores carry it, at least not where I live (Arizona, where we have nothing but cactus), so I had my local indie, Changing Hands order it. If I lived closer to the bookstore that would've been no issue, but I'm about thirty minutes from it. So by the time I finally picked up the book I was dying to read it. I'd heard about it on some website that had recommendations for young adults. In the beginning I was a little confused because the schools in Australia are clearly very different from ours here. I adjusted and it became a very lovely read. It was so sad and when I finished it I felt exhausted, as if I had gone through the whole ordeal myself. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Good luck finding it!

Final Rating: 10/10 stars!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

ARC Review: Starry Night by Isabel Gillies

Synopsis: Wren, an aspiring artist, and her best friends planned on attending her father's Met party. Wren didn't plan on falling in love with Nolan.

My Thoughts: I'm sorry but this book made me want to slam my head against a wall.  Wren just made dumb decision after dumb decision. But, it did have some art elements I enjoyed.

Final Rating: 7.5/10 stars!

Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Synopsis: Greg is an average high school senior who befriends Rachel, a fellow senior with leukemia.

My Thoughts: Even though this is a YA book, I didn't feel like it was intended for girls to read, in fact it did its best to drive me away. It was extremely vulgar at parts, which I did not enjoy. I'm not going to give it a final rating because I didn't like it. Normally I would still rate a book I didn't like but it seems unfair to rate this one. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book unless you're okay with quite offensive language.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Just a few things...

Howdy! It's been a few days since I've posted a review but don't worry I am still here! I'll be posting a few tomorrow for Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The Impossible Knife of Memory, and Starry Night.
I'm currently working on a project so even though I'm still reading a ton, I'm not able to post as much as I like. I'll be finished with the project soon so I won't be gone too long. And I can always be reached at my email: jordynreadsbooks@gmail.com. Talk soon.

-J

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Review: Just Like Fate by Suzanne Young and Cat Patrick

I read this book for free on pulseit.com! It's a great website so check it out! Right now the two free books are sci-fi which I'm not a fan of but usually they have some really great picks!

Synopsis: Caroline's grandmother is sick, probably dying. She's been by her side since her stroke and is looking for an escape, a way to escape her gram's illness and all the stress of everything. So when her BFF offers her a night out at a party she has to choose whether to stay or go. Suddenly, her life is split into two paths with different fates.

My Thoughts: Okay so this book is like totally Sliding Doors, am I right? Maybe I'm the only one that's seen that 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow film. It was a good book. Definitely interesting to see how one choice can define your life. The writing was not terrific, but that may be because there were two authors and sometimes co-authored books can get styles all mixed up. This was an okay book and I don't regret reading it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Final Rating: 6.5/10 stars!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Review: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Goodreads Synopsis: For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

My Thoughts: I wanted to like this book so much. It was good. It was not great. I didn't really feel any emotions about it, not even at the end. The character of Grace would have added depth if her story line had been resolved.

Final Rating: 7/10 stars!

Review: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Can you tell I love E. Lockhart? I do!!!!

Synopsis: Frankie Landau-Banks used to be quiet and geeky. Until she became a force to be reckoned with. This is the story of her transformation.

My Thoughts: This book started out slow, but it was worth it. It turned out to be a very enjoyable read. Just because Frankie doesn't have a sob story or big problem she needs to overcome, doesn't make this book any less great. She picked something and challenged it. I think this book can really help boost a girl's self esteem if she ever feels like there's something she can't do.

This book can be hard to find at bookstores so I would recommend ordering it or reading it on an e-reader.

Final Rating: 8/10 stars!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

ARC Review: The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

Okay, you have to admit, this is the weirdest concept of the book ever! A fictional celebrity biography? It's crazy, but Adele Griffin manages to pull it off. In fact, she pulls it off very well.

Synopsis: Addison Stone was an up and coming artist, before she died suspiciously at 18 years old. This fictional biography follows her troubled life through interviews with loved ones and photographs of Addison and her art.

My Thoughts: This book was awesome. The photos added so much. It really helped you picture Addison's life. Adele Griffin did an amazing job of writing in so many different voices depending on who was speaking in the book. If I didn't know better I would think this was a real biography. It reads like a novel but with all sorts of added goodies. Loved it! Be sure to grab it when it comes out August  12, 2014.

Final Rating: 8.5/10 stars!

Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

This is not a positive review, so if you loved this book I suggest you click off of this page.

Synopsis: Varsity tennis captain, Ezra Faulkner, was supposed to be homecoming king, but that was before - before his girlfriend cheated on him, before a car accident shattered his leg, and before he fell in love with unpredictable new girl Cassidy Thorpe.

My Thoughts: First off, I have to say how glad I am that I did not buy this book. I checked it out at the library on a whim, I didn't know anything about it but just plucked it off the shelf. Later, when I was doing I little dig about it I discovered it has received quite a bit of praise. I, however, don't think it's necessarily deserved. The book was painful to work through. The writing was certainly not my style, as well. I wasn't crazy about the story, but it wasn't awful. This just isn't a book I'd recommend.

Final Rating: 4/10 stars!

Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This was the first book I read this summer! Man, what a great way to kick off the summer. This book is excellent. I'm not really sure how to sum it up without lying, so I'll have to give you the official one.

Official Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends - the Liars - whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth.

My Thoughts: This book was too short! I wanted it to be longer. I really enjoyed it and was totally shocked at the ending. I'm loving the buzz it's getting. Some of the sentences were choppy but that is my only complaint. The story was amazing and very interesting.

Final Rating: 8.5/10 stars!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

ARC Review: Blind by Rachel DeWoskin

This book caught my attention one day when I was picking up ARCs. The concept of it was totally terrifying and totally possible.

Goodreads Synopsis: Imagine this: You are fourteen, watching the fireworks at a 4th of July party, when a rocket backfires into the crowd and strikes your eyes, leaving you blind. In that instant, your life is changed forever. How do you face a future in which all your expectations must be different? You will never see the face of your newborn sister, never learn to drive. Will you ever have a job or fall in love? This is Emma's story. The drama is in her many small victories as she returns to high school in her hometown and struggles to define herself and make sense of her life, determined not to be dismissed as a PBK - Poor Bling Kid. This heartfelt and heart wrenching story takes you on Emma's journey and leaves you with a new understanding of the challenges to be faced when life deals a devastating blow.

My Thoughts: Rachel DeWoskin has a real gift for writing. Since I read Blind, I have been dying to find more of her books. The story in Blind was just so fascinating and different. It was a very unique idea and certainly unusual. I find it refreshing when young adult books are about something, like vision impairment, that many people struggle with yet those who don't know have it know very little about. The novel confronts the judgment and challenges Emma faces and how she reacts to them. Definitely pick this book up when it comes out August 7, 2014!

Final Rating: 9/10 stars!

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I heart this book! I totally fell in love with Noah the first time I read it. Not to mention that it features an American going to Cambridge Uni's vet school which has been my dream for like ever!!! I grabbed this book randomly off the shelf months ago and had to race back the next day to get the sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, which I will not be reviewing because it'll give away too many spoilers!

Synopsis: Mara doesn't remember anything about the accident that claimed the lives of her friends. All she knows after waking up in the hospital is what other people are telling her. She's not sure what to believe, and she certainly doesn't believe she can fall in love.

My Thoughts: This book was awesome! Sure, it's not perfect, but what book is? It kept me enthralled until the last page, when I jumped into the car to go pick up Evolution. I would definitely recommend this book. I'm not usually a fan of paranormal/not completely realistic young adult novels, but I really enjoyed this one.

Final Rating: 9/10 stars!

Just by the way, the final book in the series, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, comes out November 4! Michelle Hodkin has promised to sign every book from the first printing of the US edition.

Book Haul!

In the past few days I've gone to the bookstore twice, once to Barnes and Noble and once to Changing Hands. Here are the books I picked up (the ones I've read are italicized):

  • Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
  • I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
  • The List by Siobhan Vivian
  • ARC - The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin
  • ARC - Starry Night by Isabel Gillies
  • Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
  • A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett
  • Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
  • Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
  • The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson*
*I was so excited about this! Changing Hands is a used/new bookstore so I was able to find a used copy of this book for only $9.50 that looks almost new. Plus it's signed!!!

Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

It's a well-known fact that I love Rainbow Rowell. I really LOVE her books. I'm dying to head over to my local indie, Changing Hands, to get a copy of Landline which just came out a few days ago. Before yesterday I'd only read Fangirl and Eleanor and Park but I had recently grabbed Attachments from the bookstore and was decidedly taking a one book YA break.

Even though Attachments isn't technically YA, I think most fans of young adults and especially fans of Eleanor and Park and Fangirl will love this book.

Synopsis: Beth and Jennifer are perfectly aware that someone is reading their work emails. This doesn't stop them from sending each other hilarious messages all day, every day. Lincoln can't believe this is his job. Getting paid to read other people's email? It's ridiculous. Until he starts to fall for Beth and realizes he's in too deep to tell her.

My Thoughts: This book was awesome! As always, Rainbow Rowell's writing skills are amazing. It's hard to believe this was her debut novel because her talent is SO IMMENSE. I can't recommend this book enough. It's adorable, but still serious. Read it! Read it! Read it!

Final Rating: 10/10 stars!

I will definitely be grabbing Landline ASAP.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

Every year right before Homecoming a list gets posted. It's a list that tells who the prettiest and ugliest in each grade. 8 girls, 8 stories. Each one is on the list for a different reason. 

This book was spectacular! It really makes you think about what defines "pretty" and "ugly". I enjoyed how the books switched perspectives every chapter. This helped because there was one character I didn't love, so I didn't have to hear much about her for 7 chapters or so. The story was interesting and kept me intrigued. I was even reading it while walking through the grocery store. The book was very unputdownable! Can't wait to read more of Siobhan Vivian's books. 9/10 stars!

Review: Perfect by Ellen Hopkins

This book was seriously addicting! I stayed up super late just to finish it. Okay, maybe midnight isn't super late, but I usually go to bed at 10. Unless I'm reading a good book, like Perfect.

Perfect is about four high school seniors and their paths to perfection. Cara, the good girl who might have different ideas about love than her parents would like. Kendra, who will do anything it takes to have the perfect body and face. Sean, who might be willing to play hard ball in order to reach his perfection. And Andre, who is living a completely different life than anyone would believe. This book was really good! The beginning pulls you in with characters like Cara and Kendra. However, I was completely disappointed with Andre and Sean. I found them boring and unoriginal. Even though it was a really awesome book, the fact that 2/4 characters weren't great brought down its rating. 7.5/10 stars!

Monday, July 14, 2014

ARC Review: Schizo by Nic Sheff

This book - out this September - was great! I felt like it gave a vey realistic view of mental illness.

Synopsis: Miles is completely unreliable as a narrator. This makes sense of course, because he's schizophrenic. Not to mention that he blames himself for his little brother's disappearance.

My Thoughts: This book is a psychological thriller that gives an amazing look inside the mind of someone with mental illness. Sheff's writing is reminiscent of a teenage and makes the book more honest. Check this book out when it's released in September!

Final Rating: 8.5/10 stars!

My little bunny

As you probably do not know, I was out of town from June 22 - July 11. Normally I would be delighted to get out of the literally burning hell that is Arizona, but the only drawback is that I have to leave this little guy behind.
Which is obviously never good!! He gets really sad when I'm away because his pen is in my room so people only visit him up there a few times a day. He has like 5 plushies to keep him company in his big room (16 sq. feet). The biggest issue with leaving is that when I return he is always angry! This is not a one time deal either, it's happened probably a dozen times, maybe more. Sometimes he stays mad for weeks! It may be unusual to think of a rabbit being angry or holding a grudge, but trust me, it's possible. Van Gogh is a major grudge holder! Which really stinks because he gives the cutest little kisses. But obviously he doesn't do that when he's mad! Hopefully I'll get back on his good side soon and he won't pee on my bed again!

Review: Positive by Paige Rawl

There are no words for how much I love this book. I JUST REALLY LOVE IT. It comes out August 26 and be sure to pick it up from your local bookseller! It doesn't even require a long review. I feel that everyone should read this book. It is necessary. Please read it and tell me what you think.

Paige was one of the good kids. She was a cheerleader, soccer player, and a good student. The only thing that made her the tiniest bit different was her HIV-positive status. This memoir was written with a raw honesty that is rarely achieved. But this book nails it. Paige's story is heartbreakingly true. The writing was spectacular and I read the whole book in one sitting. Even though I have an ARC, I know that I will purchase this book when it's released August 26. 10/10 stars!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Review: #scandal by Sarah Ockler

I'm not going to lie, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler made me bawl like a baby. However, this book just did not work for me. I was able to read it on pulseit.com, and honestly I'm thankful to not have wasted my money. #scandal is about Lucy, whose private moment with her best friend's boyfriend gets posted on Facebook, along with half the senior class's party pics. The story was slow and boring, and took way too much effort to work through. 6/10 stars!

Review: Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Can I just say that I cannot wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After?!?! If that gives you any clue to how I feel about these two books!

Anna and the French Kiss

Synopsis: Anna and the French Kiss is a charming novel about Anna, who is sent to boarding school in Paris (that's right, Paris!) for her senior year of high school.

My Thoughts: This book was amazing. I swear, I actually asked my parents to send me to boarding school in Paris after I finished it. It's a no for now, but who knows. This was such a great read. It left me filled like only a good book can. Highly recommend!!

Final Rating: 9.5/10 stars!

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Synopsis: Lola and the Boy Next Door is an adorable book about Lola, whose life seems to be going grandly until her mysterious next door neighbors move back in.

My Thoughts: I was worried that nothing would be able to live up to Anna but this book did! It's just as good as its prequel. I loved this book. Lola was such a lovable character. I loved the tie-ins with the characters from Anna and the French Kiss. It was great how it took place in San Francisco because it's such an interesting city. This is a must read.

Final Rating: 9/10 stars!

These books were both so cute! I bought them on Kindle because I couldn't find them in any local stores, but I really do wish I had them in print! Stephanie Perkins is a lovely author and I can't wait for Isla to come out in August. She really makes you fall in love with her characters (i.e. Etienne *swoon*).

Review: Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

Hiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!! *waves* Sorry for the absence! I was out of town/without my computer for three weeks. Anyway, I'll be posting rapid-fire reviews of YA books for a little while. It'll be a mix of some old, some new, and some advanced reviews. This is a review of Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern.

This book was excellent. It truly deserves all the praise it's been given. Say What You Will is about a 17-year old girl named Amy. She has cerebral palsy and just wants a normal senior year. So, instead of having adult helpers, she decided to have other students assist her. One of them, Matthew, has his own problems. He and Amy connect on a deeper level than either ever thought possible. Say What You Will was a beautiful depiction of teenagers and the problems they face. 9.5/10 stars!