My rating: 8/10. I liked the book. It shows some peoples struggle with High school. Some parts kinda confused me though and it kinda got off track some moments. But its still liked it.
-Lynn
Friday, November 30, 2012
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
Written by Stephen Chbosky
Have you ever felt like you don't belong? Like you shouldn't live in the world you do? That's how Charlie feels. He writes everyday to an anonymous person. He writes about what it feels to be in High School, and how it feels to be a nobody. Till he meets Patrick, a bad boy that he becomes best friends with. Then he meets Sam, Patrick's sister, who he secretly loves. Patrick and Sam show Charlie what it like to have fun and come out of your safe zone. Everyday his letters to this anonymous guy gets happier and happier. Charlie starts to know what it feels like to have friends and not be a nobody. Charlie gets together with Mary Elizabeth, one of Sam's friends, because Sam says they would be good together. But Charlie ruins everything when he tells everyone he really loves Sam. Will Sam every forgive him for breaking her friends heart? will Sam and Charlie every get together? My favorite part is definitely the ending. If you like romance books you'll like this book.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
"Gossip Girl"
Written by: Cecily von Ziegesar
Serena van der Woodsen is back on the Upper East Side. Before leaving for boarding school, she was the most popular teen in Manhattan. Serena comes back with the expectations of regaining her old friends, her popularity status, and and invitation to one of the most exclusive parties in the area. However, things don't go exactly as planned. While struggling to accept these new developments, Serena meets Dan, an average teenage boy. This is new for her, as she's only ever socialized with the people of the same monetary status. Throughout the novel, all the elite are followed by Gossip Girl-- a girl with a blog that reports on all the latest news. Everything they think is private can instantly become public knowledge with Gossip Girl. I don't have a favorite part per-se, but I enjoy reading Gossip Girl's blog.
My rating: 5/10. I think this book was over-hyped. I was prepared for a brilliant new novel, but what I got was a well written diary. This book has a 5/10 because I think the Gossip Girl and Dan characters are wonderfully crafted. It doesn't garner a higher rating because it read like a diary. It followed the lives of all the characters with some drama and romance, but not enough to keep me interested.
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| From: talking-gossip.com |
My rating: 5/10. I think this book was over-hyped. I was prepared for a brilliant new novel, but what I got was a well written diary. This book has a 5/10 because I think the Gossip Girl and Dan characters are wonderfully crafted. It doesn't garner a higher rating because it read like a diary. It followed the lives of all the characters with some drama and romance, but not enough to keep me interested.
- Louise
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
"The Hunger Games"
Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 with her mother and12-year-old sister, Prim. Katniss and her best friend, Gale, sneak past the district lines to hunt to put food on the table. For the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Prim Everdeen is selected in the lottery as the female tribute. To protect her little sister, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Peeta Mellark name is drawn as male tribute for District 12. Will Katniss survive "the Hunger Games"?
My Rating: 10/10. This book is one of my favorites. When I thought of the concept of children killing children I didn't think I would like it. But it's so written well, once I sat down to read it, I didn't get up. I also feel that the book relates to the world today. It shows that we may not seem like it but we do actually sit there and fight each other. Also there is someone ruling us, they might not be as cruel as the capitol but the government controls our actions in life today.
-Lynn
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
"Bunheads"
Written by: Sophie Flack
"Bunhead" is a slang term for an extremely dedicated ballerina. A bunhead lives for ballet. They've dedicated their live to their art. Bunheads by Sophie Flack is a work of fiction based on Flack's own life as a professional ballerina. The book details the life 19-year-old Hannah Ward, a dancer with the Manhattan Ballet Company. In the company, you live or die by Otto's (the company director) cast list. The cast list details the ballet each dancer will be performing and the level of dancer he or she is (principal, soloist, demi-soloist, corps, or apprentice). Hannah has dreamed for years of becoming a soloist and decides to do whatever it takes. Then, Hannah meets Jacob, a pedestrian (the ballerinas' term for someone not involved in the ballet world), and she becomes conflicted between wanting to spend time with Jacob and the need to spend that time perfecting herself for the ballet world. Soon, changes in the cast list for the ballets cause Hannah to realize that she needs to make changes. All of this leads up to a shocking resolution.
My rating: 8.5/10. Flack's novel is well-written; however, I found myself looking for more details. Flack doesn't elaborate on what the different types of positions are (principal, soloist, etc.). But, I was pleasantly surprised by the inside look into the life of a professional ballerina. A wonderful debut novel by Flack.
When I first started reading Bunheads, I was under the impression that it was the basis of the TV show of the same name. After reading it, I realized that I was mistaken. Flack's novel is entirely different from the TV show. They are both wonderful insights into the ballet lifestyle though.
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| Picture from: www.4dancers.org |
My rating: 8.5/10. Flack's novel is well-written; however, I found myself looking for more details. Flack doesn't elaborate on what the different types of positions are (principal, soloist, etc.). But, I was pleasantly surprised by the inside look into the life of a professional ballerina. A wonderful debut novel by Flack.
When I first started reading Bunheads, I was under the impression that it was the basis of the TV show of the same name. After reading it, I realized that I was mistaken. Flack's novel is entirely different from the TV show. They are both wonderful insights into the ballet lifestyle though.
-Louise
Monday, November 26, 2012
"The Last Song"
Written By Nicholas Sparks
Veronica ("Ronnie") hasn't talked to her father in three years. When her parents divorce and her dad moves away, she loses her passion for playing piano because she used to play with her dad. But when she has to spend the summer with him in North Carolina, she realizes she has to talk to him, even if it's angry talk. Then she meets Will, a local boy who has had his far share of girlfriends. Ronnie starts to lets her guard down around Will and starts to fall in love with the last person she ever would have ever thought of liking. In the process her relationship with her father changes. She opens herself up to being happy, but is she also opening herself up to pain? When Juilliard starts heavily recruiting Ronnie to go to there to study piano, she has to decide whether to hold on to her anger or to let it go and begin playing the piano again. Complications arise when she discovers her father has been hiding something from her all summer, a secret that had to come out sometime. Will Ronnie forgive him?
My Rating: 8.5/10. I loved this book. It has a good story line and keeps you attached.I did not, however, like the ending.
Picture From: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=712&q=The+last+song&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bpcl=38625945&wrapid=tlif135299401773910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Hw2lUKKqIMTj0QGP2YCwBQ#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=The+last+song+book+cover&oq=The+last+song+book+cover&gs_l=img.3..0.6000.7329.2.7735.5.2.0.3.3.0.94.141.2.2.0...0.0...1c.1.Nus6V2nrbpI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=371e9c462c3b9b01&bpcl=38625945&biw=1440&bih=712
-Lynn
Picture From: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=712&q=The+last+song&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bpcl=38625945&wrapid=tlif135299401773910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Hw2lUKKqIMTj0QGP2YCwBQ#um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=The+last+song+book+cover&oq=The+last+song+book+cover&gs_l=img.3..0.6000.7329.2.7735.5.2.0.3.3.0.94.141.2.2.0...0.0...1c.1.Nus6V2nrbpI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=371e9c462c3b9b01&bpcl=38625945&biw=1440&bih=712
Week Number 3: Books to Movies/TV
Because not everyone is a reader, and TV and movies take up a lot of time in our daily lives, we are offering all the reasons to turn off the TV and save money on movie tickets. So this week, as the title suggests, we'll be reviewing books that have been made into big-screen or TV movies! Louise will be covering Bunheads and Gossip Girl (book #1 in the wildly popular Gossip Girl series) to tempt you to turn off the TV. Lynn will be tempting you to save money on movie tickets through her review of The Last Song, The Hunger Games, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. So, turn off the TV, save your money for something that can last a lifetime, and tune in this week for five new reviews by Lynn and Louise.
Friday, November 23, 2012
"Dreamland"
Written By Sarah Dessen
Caitlin has always tried to live up to her sister, Cass. Cass is athletic, has good grades, and she understands Caitlin.On Caitlin's sixteenth birthday, Cass runs away, sending Caitlin into her own little dreamland, where nothing seems to be real. Caitlin starts to become her own person. She joins cheerleading with her best friend Rina. Even though she hates cheerleading, she doesn't quit because for the first time since her sister left, her mom begins smiling. Then Caitlin meets Rogerson, a cute bad boy with whom she begins spending all her time. He's the only one who makes her feel like Caitlin and not Cass's sister. But what will she do when being with Rogerson ends up being worse then being without him? Why won't Caitlin write her sister back? Will Cass ever come home? Is Cass the only one who would understand what shes going through? My favorite part of this book is when the truth about Rogerson finally comes out. It comes fast, but you sit there and think, finally!
My rating: 8/10. I liked the book, and the storyline was compelling. It wasn't, though, one of Sarah Dessen's best written stories.
-Lynn
Thursday, November 22, 2012
"What Happened to Goodbye"
Written By: Sarah Dessen
| Picture from: goodreads.com |
Some people may think that having multiple personalities is a physchological disorder. For Mclean Sweet, it's what happens every time she moves to a new place. Mclean used to have a normal home life with married parents that loved each other. When her mom, Katie, had an affair, Mclean left with her dad, Gus, whoworks for a company that buys, fixes, or closes restaurants all over the country. Since leaving with her dad two years ago, Mclean's been in four different towns, four different schools, and has taken on four different names and personalities. Now, in Lakeview, she accidentally calls herself by her actual name for the first time in two years. She doesn't feel as though she knows who she is anymore. In Lakeview, Mclean makes actual friends whom she actually lets into her real life. Throughout the book, Mclean finds herself, a love that may last, and a place to call home. Written by bestselling author, Sarah Dessen, What Happened to Goodbye is a well-crafted, original novel about love, friendship, and the power of finding a place for yourself in this huge, messed-up world. Should be on everyone's must read list.
My rating: 10/10. I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions while reading this book; sometimes I was moved to tears, and other times I was laughing right along with the characters. I was rooting for Mclean throughout the book to find herself and a home. Dessen kept me coming back for more, and I simply couldn't close the book.
-Louise
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
" Along for the Ride"
Written By Sarah Dessen
My rating: 10/10. This is one of my all-time favorite Sarah Dessen books. I couldn't stop reading it. It was written really well, stayed with the storyline and never got off message. It's amazing!
-Lynn
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
"Just Listen"
Written By: Sarah Dessen
My rating: 8/10. Dessen gets down to the gritty stuff in the life of an anorexic through Whitney, the life of someone with anger management issues through Owen, and the life of a teenage model through Annabel. This book relates to everyone, and the writing is magnificent. However, I found myself only giving Just Listen an 8/10 because the beginning was a lot of background details. This isn't something that keeps me occupied as I like a moving storyline.
| Picture From: goodreads.com |
Just Listen is a marvelous read about the life of a teenage model coming into her own skin. Annabel Greene, an in-demand model, is going through life on autopilot. She doesn't have the heart to tell her mom, who lives vicariously through her daughter, that she doesn't want to model anymore. Her sister, Whitney, was also a model, but she developed an eating disorder and now lives back at home with Annabel and her parents. Annabel doesn't have many friends anymore because Sophie, her former BFF, think Annabel slept with her boyfriend-- the truth, however, is much more complicated. Then, Owen Armstrong comes along, changing everything. Annabel doesn't know anyone even remotely like Owen. He is a member of a court-ordered anger management class, a complete music freak, and the host of an early morning radio show. Owen teaches Annabel valuable life lessons, the most important of which is "just listen". Because this is a young adult ROMANCE blog, this book will obviously contain a love story as well. My absolute favorite part of this book is the first time Annabel and Owen really sit down and talk about subjects that aren't facetious. I don't think I've ever experienced such a powerful story in a fiction novel. Sarah Dessen weaves a realistic tale that anyone can relate to. Fans of romance and music alike will find this book pleasing.
My rating: 8/10. Dessen gets down to the gritty stuff in the life of an anorexic through Whitney, the life of someone with anger management issues through Owen, and the life of a teenage model through Annabel. This book relates to everyone, and the writing is magnificent. However, I found myself only giving Just Listen an 8/10 because the beginning was a lot of background details. This isn't something that keeps me occupied as I like a moving storyline.
-Louise
Monday, November 19, 2012
"This Lullaby"
Written By Sarah Dessen
Remy has had a lot of boyfriends, and learned everything about boys from her mother who is now working on husband number five. She's the girl who always knows when to give a boy "the talk", right before anything gets too serious. Then she meets Dexter, a cute musician-- their meeting is my favorite part of the book. Remy spends a lot of time with Dexter, following his band to gigs and pretty much everywhere else he goes. Does she actually like this guy? Or, is she setting him up like she did the others for "the talk"? How will she react when Dexter plays "that song"? Love romance? You'll love this!
My rating: 9/10. I loved this book! Once I started reading, I didn't put it down. It's well-written and has a good story line.
-Lynn
Week Number 2: Sarah Dessen
So, now that you've seen some of the paranormal books we read, we feel you should experience some contemporary romance novels. Because Lynn and I absolutely LOVE Sarah Dessen, we are dedicating this week to her books. You can expect two posts from me, one of What Happened to Goodbye, and the other, Just Listen. Lynn is going to be reviewing This Lullaby, Along for the Ride, and Dreamland. I have to say, I think we're quite excited about this particular week, and we hope you are, too! (NSL)
-Louise
-Louise
Friday, November 16, 2012
"Twilight"
Despite the strangeness of her situation, Bella finally feels that she is where she belongs. My favorite part of this book is Edward's reaction to Bella when they meet. This is a love story that wrestles with the questions of what love is and what it means to belong. If you love paranormal romance, Twilight is for you.
My rating: 9/10. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. It had a good story line and it stayed with that story line through the whole book. It isn't a ten because the story line isn't my favorite but its still good.
-Lynn
Thursday, November 15, 2012
"The Raven Boys"
Written By: Maggie Stiefvater
I originally came across this book when I won a contest and received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) to review, and I loved it!
Blue Sargent is a non-seer-- a person who can't see either the future or spirits-- and an outcast in her own family. She doesn't have the ability to see the soon-to-be dead on St. Mark's Eve-- a holiday known to seers, a time when they take the spirits' names. And, she has never loved anyone.
All that changes when her Aunt Neeve visits for the very first time. After meeting Aunt Neeve, Blue sees her first spirit, but the only information she is able to get out of him is his name, "Gansey". Blue meets Gansey at work one day, but doesn't like him at all. When he shows up at her house for a reading--her mother and aunts are all known as fortune tellers in their town-- she realizes there's more to him that meets the eye. Blue, Gansey, and Gansey's three friends, Noah, Ronan, and Adam, embark on a journey to find Glendower, an ancient king, in order to be granted a favor.
As the story unfolds, Blue progresses from a person that has never loved to someone struggling to sort out her feelings for two very different guys. There are many surprising twists that Stiefvater throws in, including a murder mystery, that add to the story in a good way. My favorite part is the revelation of a shocking detail.
Fans of mystery, romance, and the paranormal romance genres will absolutely devour this book.
My rating: 7/10. Stiefvater weaves an impressive tale that is extremely well written. However, I didn't find myself feeling like I needed to come back to this book all the time. Often when I read a book I love, I'll come back to it and read it again . This book was difficult for me to read through again because it featured more background than action, and action is what draws me in.
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| Picture from: vh1.com (found on Google Images) |
Blue Sargent is a non-seer-- a person who can't see either the future or spirits-- and an outcast in her own family. She doesn't have the ability to see the soon-to-be dead on St. Mark's Eve-- a holiday known to seers, a time when they take the spirits' names. And, she has never loved anyone.
All that changes when her Aunt Neeve visits for the very first time. After meeting Aunt Neeve, Blue sees her first spirit, but the only information she is able to get out of him is his name, "Gansey". Blue meets Gansey at work one day, but doesn't like him at all. When he shows up at her house for a reading--her mother and aunts are all known as fortune tellers in their town-- she realizes there's more to him that meets the eye. Blue, Gansey, and Gansey's three friends, Noah, Ronan, and Adam, embark on a journey to find Glendower, an ancient king, in order to be granted a favor.
As the story unfolds, Blue progresses from a person that has never loved to someone struggling to sort out her feelings for two very different guys. There are many surprising twists that Stiefvater throws in, including a murder mystery, that add to the story in a good way. My favorite part is the revelation of a shocking detail.
Fans of mystery, romance, and the paranormal romance genres will absolutely devour this book.
My rating: 7/10. Stiefvater weaves an impressive tale that is extremely well written. However, I didn't find myself feeling like I needed to come back to this book all the time. Often when I read a book I love, I'll come back to it and read it again . This book was difficult for me to read through again because it featured more background than action, and action is what draws me in.
-Louise
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
"Magic Under Glass"
Written by Jaclyn Dolamore
How would you feel if you were living in a world of magic? When Nirima gets a job as a Singer, she finds herself in a world of magic. Hollin Parry, a sorcerer, hires her. She lives in his house and sings with his piano-playing Automaton. But is it true that the Automaton is haunted? One day as Nirima is singing with the Automaton, it begins talking to her through the piano keys. Through him she finds out many secrets of the magic world, such the Automaton's real identity and the truth about Hollin Parry's wife. What will Nirima do when faced with a choice of suitors? My favorite part of the book is when we meet someone unexpected and learn that all is not as we have been told it is.
My rating: 6/10. I liked the book, but it definitely didn't keep me interested. In the beginning there wasn't much action, They focused to much on introducing the characters and the story that it didn't get interesting till more then half way through the book.
- Lynn
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
"Die for Me"
Written By: Amy Plum
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| Found at: klearsreviews.blogspot.com (Found on Google Images) |
How many people can honestly say they know someone who gave their life for another? How about someone who comes back to life with the purpose of saving lives for all eternity? Those select few, “revenants”, are immortal beings who continually give their lives for others. Die for Me by Amy Plum, is about Kate Mercier, a human, and Vincent Delacroix, a revenant. After Kate’s parents die, she moves to Paris to live with her grandparents. Kate’s Parisian adventures include frequenting a local cafe where she meets Vincent. She instantly feels as though she’s always known him. When Kate sees Vincent’s best friend, Jules, die for someone, Vincent comforts her by taking her for a snack and telling her everything will be OK. A few days later, Kate sees Jules alive and well, and she thinks she’s going crazy. From then on Kate is involved with the revenants and their eternal battle with the Numa, the revenants' enemies. My favorite parts of the book are the intimate details Plum gives of Paris and the moment when Vincent meets Kate. Overall, this was a superbly written book, and my personal favorite of all the paranormal romance books. I would definitely recommend Die for Me to anyone looking for a paranormal romance, or even just a regular romance book.
My rating: 8.5/10. I love that Plum gives vivid descriptions of the characters and setting. Also, I liked that the "revenants" aren't zombies; they're just normal people who die repeatedly.
-Louise
Monday, November 12, 2012
"Monster High"
Written by Lisi Harrison
Merston High to Monster High in less than one school year? The book Monster High focuses primarily on two girls. Melody, a "normal" girl, has just moved to Salem because of her asthma. Melody falls for her cute geek neighbor, Jackson. Then, there's Frankie, who was just made fifteen days ago by her parents. Yes, I said made. She and her parents are monsters. They hide it well, though,as do all the other monsters in Salem. The "normies"-- what monsters call real people-- don't know they live among monsters. Frankie falls for Brett, a "normie". What will happen when Melody finds out her crush is a monster? What will happen when Frankie decides she doesn't want to hide who she really is anymore? At the end of the book, the school throws a "monster mash", a school dance to show the monsters they aren't afraid of them. This is when Frankie comes out, and the storyline shifts. That's probably my favorite part of the book. To me the main idea is that it doesn't matter how you look on the outside, the only thing that matters is what's on the inside. If you like paranormal romance, I recommend you read this book.
My rating: 6.5/10. The book was good but it didn't keep me interested. I could put the book down and not go back to it for a couple hours.
-Lynn
Week Number 1: Paranormal
In order for you, the reader, to have some semblance of an order to how we relate the reviews we're doing, we're giving you a weekly post stating the theme of the week and the books we plan to review.
To start things off here at Summary Romances, we've decided to review some young adult paranormal romances. Lynn will be reading and reviewing Monster High, Twilight, and Magic Under Glass. Louise will be reading and reviewing Die for Me and The Raven Boys.
However, due to the fact that we didn't have time to post last week, with Hurricane Sandy and all, we feel we still need to post what we had planned for last week. Halloween was on the schedule, and we had the perfect idea-- paranormal romance! We had it all planned out, we obtained the books we needed to read and everything. Then Sandy hit.
In the spirit of Halloween,we've decided to give you your fill of paranormal romance reviews just a little bit late.
To start things off here at Summary Romances, we've decided to review some young adult paranormal romances. Lynn will be reading and reviewing Monster High, Twilight, and Magic Under Glass. Louise will be reading and reviewing Die for Me and The Raven Boys.
However, due to the fact that we didn't have time to post last week, with Hurricane Sandy and all, we feel we still need to post what we had planned for last week. Halloween was on the schedule, and we had the perfect idea-- paranormal romance! We had it all planned out, we obtained the books we needed to read and everything. Then Sandy hit.
In the spirit of Halloween,we've decided to give you your fill of paranormal romance reviews just a little bit late.
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