Review: Notes To Self

Title Notes To Self
By Avery Sawer
Genre YA contemporary
Pages 158
Recommended by Jessica

First sentence I don't know if the lighting was actually there or if my brain added it afterward, when I searched it over and over for what Emily had said that night.

Synopsis
Best friends Robin and Emily were in a horrible accident, they fell from a ride at an amusement park after climbing it after hours. Robin wakes up but Emily is in a coma and Robin can't remember what happened that night. Did they fall? Did they Jump? In an effort to remember what happened, Robin learns more about herself as well.


What it has going for it?
This was a short story that totally engaged me. I saw Jessica's review and instantly downloaded it onto my phone. I had to know what happened to these girls. I was obsessed with the mystery. However, after beginning to read it, I saw that it wasn't just about the mystery, it was a journey of self discovery with a beautiful message of not putting off till tomorrow what you can do today. There was romance and angst and a touch of humor all combined to add to the mystery and by the end I was filled with the warm fuzzies and very, VERY satisfied. I don't want to say more, in fear of spoiling it, you'll just have to read it to see how amazing it was.

What was lacking
Nothing, I really thought it was rather perfect.

Favorite moment
The drive to the ocean, the restart theory. Teared up a little there!

Yea or Nay?
Yes, do yourself a favor and read this one. You can download it here for just .99. Now, why wouldn't you do that?!

Congrats To "My Boys"!

A Big congrats to "my boys" who won the league title and, as per tradition, were placed on display for the villagers...as it should be. ;)

You can watch a bunch of these shirtless flirts dance in celebration if you want. Don't worry, I won't tell you peeked. ;)

Review: Precious Bane

Title Precious Bane
By Mary Webb
Genre Adult classic/historical fiction
Pages 320
Recommended by Kim and Melissa 

First sentence It was at a love-spinning that I saw Kester first.

Synopsis
Prue lives with her brother and mother on a farm in England in the 1820s. Cursed with a cleft lip, Prue has little hope for romance but when Kester enters her life, she dares hope.

What it has going for it
Wow, where do I begin? I struggled through the first 120 pages of this one. The writing style and character slang was hard to get the hang of, and it said it was a romance and after 120 pages I was like, "hello, where's the romance?" ;) The funny thing is, that by the end of the book I was much more touched by the symbolism (yes, that's right, you heard me, the symbolism was done right! Not too subtle, not too blunt, just right.) than the romance. I did love the romance, though. I kept thinking it was completely unrealistic but still so sweet until I started to see the symbolism in it and realize why it seemed "unrealistic". What I loved the best, though, was Prue. Here you have a character who's looked at like she's a freak and who is even thought of as a witch by some people, that rises above all that because of how good she is. She loved everyone and was so good and kind, trying to do what's best in every situation and it completely conquers the fact that she has a cleft lip. Oh, I just can't say enough kind things about this book! You must read it!

What's lacking
Those first pages were hard to get into but they were, actually, setting up the plot, I was just being impatient for the romance.

Favorite moment
When Prue realized Kester knows it was her playing the part of Venus. I was humiliated and thrilled right along with her!

Yea or Nay?
Yes, just yes!

Look What You Made Me Do!

So, when I whined about wanting to go spend tons of money on books the other day, a ton of you suggested I go to the library instead. Good advice. I hunkered down and finished one book I was struggling with and am almost done with the other and was feeling free so I headed to the library.

Nine books later! In fact, I had ten but when I got to the check out desk, ends up one was supposed to be on the hold shelf. It's probably for the best anyway. ;)

I was actually so happy with the books that were in, and think I got quite the variety. Thanks for everyone's advice and for those of you who thought I should have bought some??? Don't worry, I will. ;)

What do you think of my haul? Think I can read them all in six weeks?

From top to bottom:
Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
Georgia Nicolson 2 by Louise Rennison
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deeb
Happyface by Stephen Emond
Starcrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Hmmm, now which one should I start with? Suggestions?

April Wrapup

Wow! April's over and I've done a monthly wrapup post for a whole year now!

It was a weird month. The first half went well the second seemed to drag a bit. I think that had more to do with my mood than what I read but oh well. Here's what I read this month.

The Minority Council (Matthew Swift 4) by Kate Griffin.
Awesomeness of course! If you'd give in and read these already, you'd know what I'm talking about. ;)

Black Heart (Curse Workers 3) by Holly Black
I really hope she writes more in this series. I NEED more Cassel

Watership Down by Richard Adams
500 pages about bunnies? A touch long.

The Demon's Lexicon (Demon's Lexicon Trilogy 1) by Sarah Rees Brennan
I'm intrigued, more please.

Return to Exile (The Hunter Chronicles 1) by E.J Patten
The next great MG? I can see that. Witty humor and crazy adventure.

Yeah, that's all the reading I accomplished this month. Favorites were, The Minority Council (obviously) and Black Heart. Least favorite, Watership down.