Short Book Review: Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

Ruby McQueen is a sixteen-year-old high school student with the name, she thinks, of a rodeo cowgirl porn star, or, maybe worse, a Texas beauty queen runner-up. Ruby, ordinarily dubbed the Quiet Girl, finds herself hanging out with gorgeous, rich, thrill-seeking Travis Becker. With Travis, Ruby can be someone she’s never been before: Fearless. Powerful. But Ruby is in over her head, and finds herself risking more and more…

Ruby was a good character. There was nothing really special about her just like she described herself, she was the “Quiet Girl.” While she was a little boring the supporting characters were dynamic and fun to read about. The book was a lacking in a interesting plot which made it boring, I found myself skimming some parts. I did not find Travis as charismatic as Ruby did although he "had" all the qualities. There is not much to say about the book besides the fact that it was decent.

Book Review: A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandel

Book Review by, The Little Sister
Check out my other review of The Lonely Hearts Club

Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt trapped in her small town. Her parents are increasingly overprotective, and even her best friend, Rachel, has begun to slip away.
So Cora seeks solace in art, drawing elaborate maps and envisioning herself in exotic locales.

Then Cora’s maps lead her somewhere unexpected: to Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died. Cora forms a tentative bond with Damian—himself an artist—who reveals to her the truth about who her brother really was. As Cora begins to piece together the fragments of her life, she finds herself falling for Damian. But, will she have the courage to follow the chart of her heart?
Cover Summary



I absolutely loved this book. Without a doubt. From the very beginning, this book left me in awe and in tears. Cora, to me, personifies a truly strong and courageous character which makes her increasingly admirable and a likeable character. I definitely liked her. Her response to the different obstacles in her life after her brother’s death was inspirational. While she did mourn and grieve and shed many tears over her lost brother, she still held on strong and remained in reality and continued on with her life. She didn’t allow this tragedy to dictate her life and lose herself.

Many people, after losing a loved one, just stop living their life and submerging themselves in their sorrows and regrets. However, Cora, realized that she is young and have much to live for still. Her response to her parents was also impressive and noble. She demonstrates selflessness, kindness and perceptiveness towards her somewhat neglecting parents.

The characters in the book were also realistic which is something that I love. There are some books that have too perfect to be real characters but this book didn’t. The flaws and the redeeming qualities in these characters is abundantly clear. I find that many people can actually relate to these characters, their emotions as well as their situations.

While I mercifully never had to endure the death of a loved one, I was still able to connect with certain aspects of these characters and their lives. I’m sure many people can as well. Especially the relationship between Cora and her friend Rachel. Definitely a circumstance that teenagers or even adults can say that they have experienced at some point in their life.

The relationship between Damon and Cora was also sweet and realistic.I really liked the natural feel of it. While Cora is fourteen, Damon is seventeen and yet their relationship is constructed so nicely that it isn't strange at all. The fit well together and it was nice to read about their brief romantic moments where they are devoted and tender towards each other. Not only was the story great, but so was the writing.

The writing of an author is something that I may often comment on. It is extremely important in a good book. There are different styles of writing and I really liked this book’s and Sandell’s style of writing. It was simple and easy to grasp and at the same time included a somewhat sophisticated language. I absolutely recommend others go out and read this fantastic book. Especially if you’re into some angst with a splash of romance.

Book Review: Forget You by Jennifer Echols

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

I’m a big fan Jennifer Echols after reading Going Too Far, her first romantic drama. Unfortunately, Forget You did not have the same effect as the previous book. I found the main character Zoey a little oblivious when it came to her relationship with Brandon. For a girl who takes multiple Advanced Placement classes you would have expect her to know and execute her relationship with Brandon better then she did. Her “thing” with Doug was strained due to Zoey still having a “boyfriend” but they did manage to have some heated scenes. Where Zoey was lacking in many ways, Doug was not. He was a desirable character that redeemed the book.

Her quest to uncover what that happened the night of the accident was anything but suspenseful. When she makes a big revelation of that night it was not really surprising and seemed obvious.

Overall, was a okay book. It was not great because it did not have the same effect as Going Too Far where I read in one sitting and re-reading it (Go read!). But its worth a shot. I love this author's ability to write some very sexy romance. ;)

Book Review: Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Stolarz

Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, a new boy at school who had a very mysterious gift – psychometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry and experiencing strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow been transferred to her.

Ben returns to school, but he remains aloof, and Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Camelia makes the painful decision to let him go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at Knead, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events uncovers secrets from Ben’s past – and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it's up to Camelia to figure out who – before it's too late.

This book was alright. I had some issues with it like reoccurrence of the threatening phone calls and notes. It was a bit overused especially since it occurred in the previous book. The romance aspect was lacking I felt like Ben was giving mixed messages to Camelia which got to be a bit annoying. What I did like about the book was Wes and Kimmie’s presence. There interaction which each other was always had humor to it. I’m not giving up on the series just yet. I hope the next book Deadly Little Games has much more interesting plot then this book's plot.

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else…


This was amazing! I don’t even know where to begin. It had so many twists and turns it never got boring. I was entangled into Kaylee and Nash’s life. The problems that she encountered in the last two book seems minuscule compared to what she has to face in this book as she learns more about the Netherwold and has to fight the evil force for those she love. Kaylee, was strong and did not let anything deter her from her what she believed in. Rachel Vincent creates a layered world paired with great characters to keep the plot moving and intriguing.

I just have to add, I can not wait for the next book! The ending was so..., I can't even formulate words to describe it but leaves you aching for the next book.

Book Review: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games… but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself.

A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault.

This book was a pretty powerful book. I absolutely loved Parker’s voice, she was blunt, uncaring of what she said, and honest which made the book funny in her depressing state.

There were times I could relate to Parker, like her grades and etc. The supporting characters were interesting and kept the story going. The romance part of the novel was unusually interesting. I was surprised by how much I liked Chris, the “perfect boyfriend” she broke because he still loved her even after her major transformation. The ending was perfect in every way, everything came to a full circle and left me content with whole novel. I definitely recommend this book.

Book Review: My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks on stage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.

Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….
Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die.

The second book of the Soul Series was a satisfying one. It had an interesting plot line involving pop stars and the selling of souls. The book opened up a new perspective in the bean sidle world. Kaylee’s power continues to grow and become stronger with the help of Nate and his mother. This is one book in the series not to be missed. I can not possibly wait to read the next book as Nate and Kaylee’s relationship grow and another new addition of a twist. Overall, it was a good and quick read. I can not wait for the next book.

Book Review: The Lonely Hearts Club

Title: The Lonely Hearts Club
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Page: 320 pages

Penny Lane Bloom has completely sworn off boys after an unforeseen incident involving her childhood sweetheart. From that moment on she vows to herself that she will not date another boy. But soon her new attitude catches the attention of other girls who have had endured the same heartache caused by boys and together they form what become known as The Lonely Hearts Club.

I have to admit, I was wary when I began reading this book and did not have such high expectations from the book, however I did like the idea of a bunch of girls coming together due to their immense dislike for boys to bash them. It made me slightly giddy because I happen to be very cynical when it comes to boys and their sincerity and intentions so I read it and I must say it was not what I expected. While it is not quite one of my favorite books it’s not on my hate list either. It was actually quite good.

The characters were relatively realistic which is always nice to see in books because it makes them all the more relatable. What also gave this book extra points was that it didn’t just discuss the relationship between a boy and a girl, but also the relationship between friends and I found it to be nice and true. Not all friends are loyal to the end but then there are some that make up for those indigenous ones, the ones that are true and there for you in times when you are unable to take action and give you the push that you need. It was also intriguing to see how slowly but surely Penny along with some other girls from the club were actually beginning to change their opinions on boys in general as they met boys that were decent. This book is great in that it gives girls hope and some insight in that maybe not all guys are idiotic, crass or dense.

Rating: 6.5/10

One of My All Time Favorite Book

Okay, as a little gal attending first grade or was it kindergarten...I LOVED this book, still do.




I picked this up one faithful day in my magnificent public library in Queens, New York thinking it was going to be a "scary" story. Instead it was not scary but amazingly good with beautiful and vibrant images of a boy named Max who becomes king of the magical land of Wild Things.

More info here

LOVE this book. LOVE the illustrations. Can't wait for the movie out in October 16, 2009. So psyched for its release.

Book Review: The Devouring

Title: The Devouring
Author: Simon Holt
Publisher: Little Brown
Pages: 240 pages
Release Date: September 1, 2008


Reggie Halloway, fifteen-years-old has a lot on her plate, especially, since her mom left her and her family, almost a year ago, without warning. She forced to take a considerable number of extra duties around the house, taking care of her younger brother Henry, maintaining school, friends, and a job. And it doesn’t help that her father has been distant and uncaring ever since the day her mother left.

But things take a turn for much worse, when Reggie finds a mysterious old journal telling the story of mysterious creatures known as the Vours that inhabit human bodies in Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice. Reggie assumes that the journal, is merely the musings of a mental person. And so for fun Reggie and her best friend, Aaron decided to participate in Sorry Night and “try” to conjure up this so call Vours. During these hours the Vours steal the most afraid being and this year its Henry. Now it is up to Reggie to save her brother from this evil being. But first she needs to fully understand these monstrous creatures but most importantly overcome her own fears.

Reading this reminded me the good old days when I was a sixth grader reading R.L Stine books. In true Goosebumps and Fear Street nature these books were creepy. The main character, Reggie was likable and I could feel her frustration about the situation with her brother. I thought this was going to be a stand alone novel because form what I remember there was no indication of a sequel. But I don't care because I really, really want to read the sequel The Devouring #2: Soulstice. Can't wait to find out what happens next.


(Sorry, the review sucks read the book a while back. November of 2008 to be exact.)

Book Review: My Soul To Take

Title: The Soul Screamer Series: (Book 1) My Soul To Take
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 384 pages

God bless Rachel Vincent’s latest YA book series The Soul Screamers for getting me out of a horrid month long reading slump. I was captivated by the very first page.


The book begins with Kaylee and her best friend sneaking into a club. There she meets and finally talks to her long time crush Nash Hudson who later consoles her when she is near hysteria because she predicted the impending death of a girl in the club. When three more beautiful teenaged girl drop dead and on two occurrences Kaylee has the urge to scream, she is convinced that she is going insane. Nash tells her otherwise, he explains to her the reason for her urge to scream is because she is a bean-sidhe like him. Kaylee is overwhelmed with new information that she is not humane but she quickly accepts it in order to save the lives of innocent teenage girls who are being attacked by premature deaths.


My Soul To Take was a great and successful beginning to Rachel Vincent’s foray into Young Adult literature. The writing was captivating and flawless, no awkward dialogues or actions. The main characters, Kaylee, Nash, Tod and Emma were all very charismatic and had this certain charm about them. Kaylee and Nash’s relationship seemed natural and developed even though they got together fairly quickly. I was happy there was no immediate confession of their “undying love” for one another but it was evident through their actions. Plus I liked the fact that Kaylee, even though she had a long term crush on Nash, doubted his intentions in the beginning when he first started showing his interest for her.


The plot was intriguing and it was interesting to learn about what exactly banshee’s were and how they functioned. Vincent creates a supernatural world that is believable and fascinating all the same. Overall the book was amazing. I want to read the sequel My Soul To Save immediately!


Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: Sea Change

Title: Sea Change
Author: Aimee Friedman
Publisher: Scholastic (Point)
Pages: 320


Note: The review will be short considering I read it a month ago.

The book begins with Miranda, sixteen years old, who has to spend summer in Selkie Island with her newly divorced mother. There she learns about her mother’s unusual past as well as learn about the folklore about mermans that circulate throughout the island.

Oneday, she meets an mysterious boy named Leo. Miranda instantly feels a connection to him and vice versa, resulting in an intense relationship. However, Leo’s mysterious behavior has her questioning his true identity.

The romance aspect of the book was lacking. I thought that Miranda and Leo got together far too quickly and I did not see why exactly they were interested in each other. The great thing about the novel was the use of imagery was perfect. I could envision the beautiful places of Selkie Island.

Overall the book was decent. Something I would recommend for a very quick summer read.


Rating: 2.5/5

Book Review: Willow

Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban
Publisher: Viking, Penguin
Pages: 336 pages
Release Date: April 2, 2009


Okay this book is one I’ve been lusting for so long. And now that I finally got to read it and needless to say I was enamored by it.

The book begins with Willow, seventeen living in NYC with her older brother David and his young family, seven month after her parents died in a horrible car accident. As if the accident isn’t already enough to make anyone mourn for years what makes it worse is Willow was the one driving. This of course leads her in a state of depression, constantly relieving the terrible events of the accident. Willow unused to such pain, resorts to cutting herself as a antidote for her mental pain of being an orphan and being a burden to David and his family. No one knows about her situation, that is until Guy, who is determined to prevent Willow’s from causing herself pain. The book chronicles Willow’s road to recovery, realization, redemption and first love, with the help of the people who matter the most, the people who loves her.

The book is told in the third person narrative but the readers stay with Willow and everything she feels and experiences is witnessed and yes this does mean the cutting scenes. It was fascinating to find out what drives a her to begin cutting and why she feels it is necessary.

Guy is any girls dream, supportive, protective and yet not so overbearing unlike some male characters (coughEdwardCullencough). I understood his overwhelming need to help Willow because he bluntly states that he does not want her in his conscious if something happens to her. As someone who has that same mentality, I can see why he feels that way. Guy was a prominent character because through his and Willow’s interaction, readers witnessed just how much Willow has developed from the beginning of the novel to the end.

Overall, a great book, exemplifying just how complex humans are. I would definitely recommend this as a must read, for those curious of the inner workings of a “cutter.”



WORDS TO KNOW
diffidently- lacking in self-confidence
dubious- 1) hesitating or doubting (2) not to be relied upon (3) of questionable value
stupendously-extremely impressive
opiate-something that causes a unrealistic sense of contentment
diatribe (n)- a harsh and forceful verbal attack
pallid-pale, especially because of poor health (2) feeble
oblique-not explicit or direct
reprimand (n)-formal expression of disapproval
alchemy(n)- a mysterious or paradoxical process
genuflect(v)- lower one’s body by bending one knee to the ground in worship or sign of respect
cataclysm(n)- a violent upheaval or disaster
frivolous(a)- not having any serious purpose or value (2) carefree and superficial
desultorily-(a) lacking purpose or enthusiasm (2) going from one thing to another erratically
innocuous(a)- not harmful or offensive



Memorial Weekend Read

Book Review: Sleepaway Girls

Title: Sleepaway Girls
Author: Jen Calonita
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Pages: 304 pages
Release Date: May 1, 2009


This book was just an average book. The plot itself was simple and I wasn’t a big fan of it. Sam Montgomery, decides to spend the summer in Whispering Pines, as a counselor-in-training (CIT), to distant herself from her best friend and her new boyfriend’s antics. On her first day, there she quickly learns about the cliques within camps, there are the evil bitches, aka Ashley and Gabby, the heart throb, Hunter, and the playful but cute, Cole, and other CITs Em, Grace and Court, who she befriends immediately and they create a club known as the Sleepaway Girls.



Soon after arriving at camp, Sam is catapult into a war, the Sleepway Girls vs. Ashley and Gabby, who are dead set on making her life hell in Whispering Pines, including causing havoc between the guys she like. And during all this she manages to have fun and learn to stand up for herself.


I didn’t particularly like this book, I was bored through a lot of the book. There was no big lead up to anything, like the pranks or other activities mentioned. The way the romantic aspects played out was unrealistic. For example Em, Grace, and Court, and they all have crushes on three other guys (senior counselors or CITs, like themselves) and by the end the book, all three guys like them, same situation with Sam and her crush. I guess this counts as a spoiler but honestly, you kind of figure it know its going to happen. None, of the characters, minor or major particularly stood out to me, it was just flat if anything they seemed a little immature for fifteen year olds. The book can be pretty much summed up as a YA book disguised as a middle grade novel.


April 2009 Spring Break Read

Book Review: Sliding on The Edge

Title: Sliding on the Edge
Author: C. Lee McKenzie
Publisher: WestSide Books
Pages: 268
Amazon

Shawna Stone, sixteen years of age, and basically does not give a rat’s ass about anybody. She can roam around her Las Vegas without any problem. But Shawna Stone, is not like any other teenager, she plagued by the Monster, who tells her to cut herself. No one knows about Shawna’s problem, not even her own mother, who is too busy gambling in the local casinos, that is until she is unexpectedly, forced to live with her grandmother, Shay’s ranch in California. There she is faced with strict rules from her grandmother Kay, who is desperately wants to reach out to Shawana. Both have to learn to come into terms with one another.



Hmm...the book was quite different, then any I’ve read. I’ll admit the thought of the main character having a mental disorder derailed me a bit. The first two chapters were a little odd but after that the book hit its stride and was excellent.



My only problem with the book was the alternating point of views of Shawna and Kay’s perspective on the same scene. Yes, it did manage to give readers insight to each of the character’s feelings, which was good (especially when Kay and Shawana were not in the same place), but it kinda got a little annoying when the scenes and dialogues in the chapter overlapped. But other then that, I really appreciated the alternating point of views.


The characters were great. I really liked Shawna and her tone and Kay, although a much older person then Shawna was easy to relate to was dealing with moving into a new place and experiencing things she never did before, like having a stable parental figure. Kay, in the other hand was going through having to take on a teenager and understanding what she was going through.



I loved the setting of the book, Kay’s farm and the overall feel of the place. Its really weird to explain but when I think back to the book, I think of the darkness of the book but I also imagine sunny skies and the comforting feel of the farm.



Overall, Sliding on the Edge was an amazing book with a nice blend of romance, and characters coming to self-actualization. Definitely, recommend it for a quick but meaningful read.


April 2009 Spring Break Read