Review: Ruby Oliver Books 1 & 2

Title The Boy Book (Ruby Oliver 2)
By E. Lockhart
Genre YA, Contemporary
Pages 208



First Sentence The Care and Ownership of Boobs.

Synopsis
Ruby is back. Still not talking to her former best friends Kim or Cricket but Nora is still talking to her and Noel and her are becoming better friends. The panic attacks still are in full swing. Thankfully Dr Z is helping. If only Ruby can get over Jackson, make new friends and survive Junior year at Tate prep.


What is has going for it
I'm so glad I picked this series back up. I adored the first book but just hadn't managed to get to the rest of the series. My reading slump was killing me and these were the cure. I read this one in a day. Ruby is all kinds of awesome. It always makes a good book that much greater when you relate to the MC and I totally relate to Ruby. No, I don't have panic attacks. Nor am I a sexy nerd girl with boys chasing me and ex best friends, but I get Ruby. She just cares a little too much about what everyone thinks. Huge fault of mine. I could see myself getting panic attacks if I didn't get it under control. Anywho, these books are just too awesome. Funny and heart string pulling. I can't wait to read the last book in the series.

What's lacking?
Still not a huge fan of the weird footnotes but I have no other complaints.

Yea or Nay?
Yes! Read this book. Read the series!

Title The Treasure Map of Boys (Ruby Oliver 3)
By E. Lockhart
Genre YA, Contemporary
Pages 248


First Sentence I'm not always a good friend.



Synopsis
Junior year at Tate prep is half over. Ruby is still having panic attacks. She's in charge of the school's bake sale and fighting feelings for Noel, but she's piecing her life back into control....hopefully.


What is has going for it
Oh, man, guys. I love these books. This one was my favorite so far. Ruby is getting her life under control. OK, she has a few set backs but who doesn't? I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ruby get it together. And I laughed way too hard in this one. The dog, the marshmallow Jesus'. Too funny! And then that ending. Wow! I can't wait to see what happens in the final installment.

What's lacking
Nothing. Nothing to hate is this one. Hey, I'm even getting used to the footnotes.

Yea or Nay?
Yep! Read it and laugh and cry and then thank me for recommending them. I'll wait. :)

Utah Book Month Read Along

As part of Utah Book Month I've been reading Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan. I'm also reading it for my book club and the author herself will be coming to our book club meeting. Exiting right?! I thought so. We're reading this book in two sections as it's a fast read. Here's my thoughts for the first half.

1. What's your overall impression of this story so far? Are you liking it? If so, what do you like? Are you not liking it? If so, what do you not like?

This one is definitely a romance. I wish more was going on than just a romance but, it's OK. I'm not hating it anyway.

2. Do you like the cover? What does it suggest about the book?

Nope, sorry, the cover is just not my thing.

3. What do you think about the dynamics of Rachel and Emma's relationship? How would you feel if you were Emma? If you were Rachel?

Honestly I feel like we didn't get that great of a look at Rachel and I'm nearly done with the book. She just seems like a plot device not a real person. 

4. Let's talk about the slow build up between Jake and Emma. Which part was your favorite?

Slow build? What slow build? This was major instalove. No they didn't quite act on it right away but close enough.

5. Brett has a playboy persona with a tidbit of actual humanity hiding underneath. What do you think he's really like? What are his motivations?

The verdict is still out on Brett. I think his character could be used in a more creative way but that's just me.

6. What real celebrities would you cast for these pretend celebrity characters?

I suck at this.

Selena Gomez as Emma

Jared Padalecki as Jake

Alex Pettyfer as Brett

Taylor Swift as Kimmi, even though she can't act

7. What do you think about the behind the scene particulars of filming a TV show? Does it sound fun? Hard? Exciting? Boring?

This is another thing that's bugging me. What is this TV show? It sounds boring as sin! The scenes we do see are like two lines long and I really don't get it. Oh well. I guess it's not about the TV show but still.

8. What do you think about Emma's vow to never date a guy she works with? Do you think real life celebrities have this same policy?

Emma, Emma, what vow? All you date are costars and you don't seem to be changing that anytime soon. Yes, we all know costars date. No real surprise there. 

9. If you were Emma, would you have told Rachel what's going down with Jake WAY before now? Or do you think Emma is justified in keeping things secret?

Emma's "secret" is like the only drama/plot in the whole book. So, yeah, I'm fine with it. I need something to keep me reading, you know? 

10. What's your evaluation of Jake's character so far?

He's a little too nice for my taste. Too perfect. 

Review: Girl, Stolen

Title Girl, Stolen
By April Henry
Genre YA, Suspense
Pages 213

First Sentence Cheyenne heard the car door open.

Synopsis
Cheyenne is the daughter of the owner of a powerful corporation. In a terrible accident she lost her mother and her sight and his been dealing with these losses ever since. Just when she is getting her life back together she gets kidnapped. But Griffin,brought up with less privilege, didn't mean to kidnap Cheyenne but now that his scamming father knows who she is and what she's worth things are about to get tricky.



What it has going for it
It feels like I have been wanting to read this book forever. I can't even remember the first time I saw it but I just had to read it. I love kidnapping stories with not so bad guys and throw in the fact that the MC is blind?Oh, yeah! I had to read it. I finally got my hands on it and dove right in...


What's lacking
...and was highly disappointed. Very few things in this book were believable. First of all Cheyenne has pneumonia but hardly acted sick. I've had pneumonia three times in my life and, let me tell you, you're hardly conscious let alone capable of conversation and escape planning. The whole thing felt juvenile; the characters, the plot, everything! Then there was the cliche characters with cliche names to go along with them. I mean, come on, Jimbo and TJ? Obviously the thugs, right? Ugh!

Yea or Nay?
Save yourself the mind numbing disappointment and skip this one.

Utah Book Month Week 1

Week one of Utah Book Month is at a close. Sadly, I didn't finish or review a Utah author book yet, but I'm working on it. I also missed the Twitter Chat with Michelle Paige Holmes. So basically I'm a failure. Wah Wah WAHHHHHH! I did however get a few photos posted for the Utah Book Month Instagram challenge.

Day 2 Stack

Day 4 eBook

Day 5 Nightstand

Wow! I only did three. Yeah, I really am on a roll! Sigh! Oh well, I'm having fun and that's all that matters...right?

Review: Georgia Nicolson 3&4

Title Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas (Georgia Nicolson #3)
By Louise Rennison
Genre YA contemporary
Pages 183



First sentence Dreamt of Robbie feeding me chocolate sandwiches.



Synopsis
Georgia is back. Now the official girlfriend of a sex god, Georgia has it all. Too bad Dave the Laugh is suddenly looking so interesting.



What it has going for it
These books were just what I needed. I was having a major reading slump and Georgia and her silly antics were perfect to pull me out of it. This one had me highly amused because of what happened with Dave the Laugh but I won't say more, lest I spoil it.

What's lacking
I can see how some people might find this series TOO light and fluffy and, yes, even ridiculous. I also noticed that Georgia can seem quite selfish at times and that might be a turn off. I, however, enjoy them.

Title Dancing in my Nuddy Pants (Georgia Nicolson #4)
By Louise Rennison
Genre YA contemporary
Pages 214

First sentence 
I've never seen a sparrow be quite literally washed of its perch on a tree.

Synopsis
With Robbie the Sex God gone on tour all the time Georgia is having a hard time keeping her eyes off of Dave the Laugh.





What is has going for it
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Georgia and her antics again. Angus was in full form and Dave the Laugh is getting quite dreamy. I just don't think poor Georgia can't be herself around Robbie. Either way, I'm happy to continue with her in her journey to find out which boy to choose.

What's lacking
Not much really, just substance. These books are really just for a laugh. Don't go looking for some deeper meaning.


Yea or Nay
Despite how racy the sound, I assure you, they're pretty clean and highly amusing. I would recommend them.