Top Ten Clues You're Clueless (Book Review)

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

by Liz Czukas

Published December 9th 2014 by Harper Teen
Synopsis via Goodreads:
Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees—of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments


Review:

This reminded me of the movie (I haven't read the book) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Reasons?
This is pretty much the story of a girl (Chloe) having an awful day. EVERYTHING goes wrong.

The Characters:
I can't actually comment much on the characters, as you only get to spend a day with them. But I will say that that one day packed a big punch! I liked watching everything happen through Chloe's eyes, and honestly wish I had had more time with her. However, Chloe makes a pretty stupid decision (as a matter of fact more than one), but I do think that this was pretty realistic in terms of how old she was. Just be prepared to yell at Chloe at a few points in this book.
Also, if you are looking for a book with diverse characters, this is definitely one for you!

The Plot:
As I said above, the entire plot is just one very bad day. One very bad CHRISTMAS EVE day. Chloe has to work early, early in the morning Christmas Eve at a grocery store. Her day starts off terrible because she sleeps through her alarm, it continues being terrible through different incidents at work, and to top it all of, her and the other "minor" people who work at the grocery store are accused of stealing $10,000 (or about that).
I would call that a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Also, the whole thing about the boss making Chloe and her friends stay at work even though it is CHRISTMAS EVE and even though there is no legal reason to make them stay there (they let the adult employees go home) REALLY bugged me. I mean COME ON. This is not OK to make the minor employees stay around and let all of the adult employees go home. And then something happens (sort of an emergency!!!) and they don't call an ambulance??? I just don't get it.
So, don't go into this expecting a realistic plot.
However, I was very entertained the entire book. At no point was I ever bored, and I definitely wanted to know what happened to that money (which made me read the entire book in one sitting).

Although this book was completely unrealistic, and I kept on yelling in my head at Chloe. Top Ten Clues You're Clueless was actually really entertaining. So, if you just want to be entertained, and are not looking for a realistic book, I would definitely recommend this one!

Take Me On (Book Review)

Take Me On 
(Pushing the Limits #4)
Katie McGarry

Hardcover, 544 pages

Published May 27th 2014 by Harlequin TEEN

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for

Review:

If it is any hint to how much I love Katie McGarry's books, I re-read Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, and Crash Into You before diving into the wonderfulness that was Take Me On. First of all, something that disappointed me but did not make me love this book any less. - No Echo/Noah and Beth/Ryan :-( I was pretty disappointed that they didn't show up in this book. But on the bright side, you do get to see a lot of Rachel/Isaiah. One thing that makes Katie McGarry's books so amazing are the flawe...more If it is any hint to how much I love Katie McGarry's books, I re-read Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, and Crash Into You before diving into the wonderfulness that was Take Me On. First of all, something that disappointed me but did not make me love this book any less. - No Echo/Noah and Beth/Ryan :-( I was pretty disappointed that they didn't show up in this book. But on the bright side, you do get to see a lot of Rachel/Isaiah. One thing that makes Katie McGarry's books so amazing are the flawed characters. You get to see a whole lot of the troubles that life throws at you in them. And Haley and West are no exception. I'm not going to go into depth about why I loved Haley, West, and the entire story line. But all I can say is that this story was amazing. And if you loved (or even liked) Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, Crash Into You, Red At Night, or Crossing the Line. Then you will love this. Guaranteed. And the fact that Breaking the Rules (sequel to Pushing the Limits) about Echo and Noah is coming out later this year makes everything much better about them now showing up in Take Me On.

What I Thought Was True (Book Review)

What I Thought Was True Huntley Fitzpatrick Hardcover, 416 pages Published April 15th 2014 by Dial Books for Young Readers Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.I enjoyed My Life Next Door....One of the things I remember most about it was the beautiful writing. And Huntley Fitzpatrick definitely brings that back with What I Thought Was True. The Characters: CASSIDY's CHARACTER! Yes, Cassidy was my favorite part of this book. He was sweet, caring, and so loving the entire book (a nice refreshing "good boy" after reading so many romances with "bad boys"). But at the same time, he does have problems throughout the book. And he isn't perfect. Gwen was a great ch...more Review: I enjoyed My Life Next Door....One of the things I remember most about it was the beautiful writing. And Huntley Fitzpatrick definitely brings that back with What I Thought Was True. The Characters: CASSIDY's CHARACTER! Yes, Cassidy was my favorite part of this book. He was sweet, caring, and so loving the entire book (a nice refreshing "good boy" after reading so many romances with "bad boys"). But at the same time, he does have problems throughout the book. And he isn't perfect. Gwen was a great character to read about, she struggles with wanting to "get off" of the island, and not wanting to "get stuck" doing her mothers cleaning service and her fathers ice cream place her entire life. All of the secondary characters are very deep (for lack of a better word). Gwen's parents are divorced, her father isn't a huge part of the book....But the part he is in he gives Gwen some very bad advice. He mother loves reading romance novels, but at the same time is trying hard to keep her family afloat.....Her grandfather is doing his fair share by fishing....And her brother is the sweetest. One of the biggest things I didn't like in this is that it sometimes gets confusing....With Gwen thinking back and then jumping back to the present. This wasn't enough for me to not like the plot, but it was a negative element. There were some other things with the plot (and characters) that I wasn't too crazy about, but the confusion is the biggest thing. This book is written in Huntley Fitzpatrick's (now) trademark beautiful writing....There are some wonderful quotes in here. The characters are done great. And I really enjoyed this. Will definitely be reading everything else by this author!

We Were Liars (Book Review)

We Were Liars
E. Lockhart

Kindle Edition, 240 pages

Published May 13th 2014 by Delacorte Press

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.




Review:
Things to know before you read this review/the book....

1. The main character has amnesia. So the narration is unreliable and confusing.
2. This book is pretty short. So if you are wondering whether to read this or not, it doesn't require a big investment of your time.
3. I guessed the end surprise really early on.
4. Even if you are not enjoying this, you will probably keep on reading it just because you want to know what the end surprise is.
5. Be aware the word I am going to use the most in this review is confusing.

The Characters:
The main character Cadence annoyed me. And her narration is extremely confusing. But I did feel sympathetic about her character.
The Plot/Writing:
The plot is (again) confusing. Half the time I didn't know what was going on, because it seemed to me that the character was sometimes in the present and sometimes looking back. And I sometimes had a hard time distinguishing which was which.
The writing in We Were Liars is very poetic....At points I actually felt like I was reading poetry.
I wasn't crazy about how the plot turned out. I think I was expecting something a little less like dramatic Pretty Little Liars and a little more suspenseful.

Altogether there was a lot of positive hype going around about this book. And I think that I was expecting something better.
It is pretty short, and I know a lot of people loved it.
I wish that there had been more to the plot.

The Geography of You and Me Book Review

The Geography of You and MeJennifer E Smith

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published April 15th 2014 by Poppy

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

Review:

Jennifer E Smith is one of my very favorite contemporary authors. After The Statistical Probablilty of Love At First Sight and This is What Happy Looks Like I was expecting something brilliant.....And even though I didn't like this one quite as much as I did the other two, this one was still really, really good.

Lucy and Owen live in the same apartment building in New York City. One day, the entire east coast goes dark and they get stuck in an elevator together.

I was expecting more of the story to be them stuck in the elevator. But it turned out to be a very small amount of time.
When they meet each other, they immediately hit it off. They spend the next few hours getting to know each other.


Then, a little problem comes up in their relationship....Lucy gets the news that her Dad has gotten a job in Europe. And Owen gets the news that he is leaving New York.
It causes a little hiccup, but soon they decide to keep up their relationship with email and postcards.
Owen and Lucy have a best friend kind of relationship. Which is also one of the nicest things about their story.

One of the things I wasn't as crazy about is that (in my case) I was a little confused when Lucy was thinking I couldn't quite separate what she was thinking and what was actually happening.

Other than that I really enjoyed Lucy and Owen's characters. Owen is not the kind of guy that all of the girls are head over heels in love with him. Which makes him all the more endearing.
I LOVED the ending. Jennifer E Smith gives a realistic ending while still keeping up a fairy tale romance.

As I said above, really liked this one. If you enjoy cute and fun contemporary romance then I would definitely recommend this one!


Have you read The Geography of You and Me? Or any of Jennifer E Smiths other books? What did you think?

Side Effects May Vary Book Review

Side Effects May Vary
Julie Murphy

Hardcover, 330 pages

Published March 18th 2014 by Balzer + Bray

Recommendation Level:

3. Would only recommend this if you are into this genre/type of book.

 

What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

 

 

 Review:

An entire day since I finished this and I am still figuring out whether I liked it or not.

The Plot:
The book is split up into Alice and Harvey's points of view. And is also split up into then, and now.
Alice finds out she has cancer, and (according to the synopsis) creates a bucket list. And starts to right a bunch of wrongs. Yet I felt as if very little of this book focused on the bucket list. The other thing is this book takes a while to pick up speed. It was a bit boring for the first 1/2 of the book or so.
After the first 1/2, I found myself liking this book more. I think that I started to understand the characters better.

The Characters:

The big thing I noticed while reading reviews for this one, is that people didn't like it because of Alice. Alice is not a nice character. She is mean in parts of this book. She uses Harvey. Yet in some way I still liked reading her point of view. I even liked it better than reading Harvey's. When you are reading about a character being mean/snobbish who has everything in the world, and has a seemingly "perfect" life....It is one thing. But reading Alice's point of view. And seeing her go through finding out she has cancer, bullying, and a ton of other things that I won't mention in fear of spoiling the plot. Alice is much more realistic. She doesn't take everything in stride. She is frustrated.
So I didn't enjoy the things Alice did. But I did enjoy how realistic she seemed.

Harvey is just Harvey. He is completely infatuated in Alice. And Alice does take advantage of that (and Harvey knows it. I wasn't a huge fan of his character. He wasn't amazing, and wasn't terrible.

Overall I think that the author did a great job with realistically portraying Alice. But since I wasn't as big of a fan of the way the plot was set up, and I wasn't a huge fan of Harvey....I would only recommend this if you are into Realistic Contemporary Fiction.

Have you read Side Effects May Vary? What did you think?

Waiting on Wednesday (16) Just Like the Movies

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is-

 

Just Like the Movies  

Expected publication: June 15th 2014 by Walker Books for Young Readers

 

I recently read Kelly Fiore's Taste Test and really liked it.

I can't wait to see what Just Like the Movie's is like!

 

 

Synopsis via Goodreads

Pretty and popular track star Marijke Monti is confident about almost everything – she’s got great friends, a great family, and she’s on her way to the State Track Championship. In fact, the only thing Marijke isn’t confident about is her relationship with Tommy Lawson.

Lily Spencer has spent her entire high school career preparing for the future – she’s participated in every extracurricular activity and volunteer committee she could. But, at home, she watches her mother go on date after date with dud-dudes, still searching for “the one.” Lily realizes that she’s about to graduate and still hasn’t even had a boyfriend.

While they live on each other’s periphery at school, Lily and Marijke never seemed to have much in common; but, after a coincidental meeting at the movie theater, Lily gets an idea – why can’t life be like a movie? Why can’t they set up their perfect romantic situations, just in time for their senior prom, using movie techniques?

Once the girls come up with the perfect plans, they commit themselves to being secret cohorts and, just like in the movies, drama ensues.

Monday YA Author Interview with Lauren Morrill

Lauren Morrill,

www.laurenmorrill.com

Meant to Be (Delacorte / 2012)

Being Sloane Jacobs (Delacorte / January 7, 2014

On Twitter @LaurenEMorrill

On Facebook

Where are you from?
I grew up in Maryville, TN, went to undergrad and grad school at Indiana University, then moved to Boston for 4 years. Now I live in Macon, GA, where I'm glad there's no winter!

When and why did you begin writing?

I've been writing my whole life, but I didn't start approaching it as a career until I was mid-way through graduate school and still not sure of what I wanted to be when I grew up! Right about that time I rediscovered YA through John Green and Sarah Dessen, and I knew that was what I needed to be doing. It took another few years before I actually wrote and sold a book, but that's where it started!

What books have most influenced your life most?

Just As Long As We're Together by Judy Blume is the book that made me want to be a writer. It's my all-time favorite, and I still reread it every few years. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Sarah Dessen is my favorite YA author, both for her writing and for the way she conducts her career. She's incredibly generous and kind to her readers, and I look to her as an example of how to be a good member of the YA community. I have all her books and reread one whenever I feel like I'm in a slump. 

What book are you reading now?

Right now I'm reading a book called The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes. It comes out in 2015, and so I'm reading an early copy, and I'm absolutely in love with it. The writing is beautiful, and the story (a contemporary) is haunting and amazing. Add it to your Goodreads list now!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Kathryn Holmes, who I mentioned before. I also love Amy Spalding and can't wait to read what she writes next. 

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

This is so hard, but I'm going to go with Sarah Dessen again. She builds these vibrant worlds populated with all these really complex, well-drawn supporting characters. That's what makes it so great when those characters pop up in future novels. They're so real that they become like friends, and catching up with them is so fun! I also love how her books are all so full of heart. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The first draft is the hardest for me. Starting from nothing is PAINFUL. The revision is where fun happens for me.

 
Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)
Yes! I've always devoured books. I was lucky that my mom almost never said no to me in a book store, and I almost never went anywhere without a book on me. I used to get in trouble for staying up late reading with a flashlight!

 What character in your books do you relate to most?
 All of my characters have a little bit of me in them, but I definitely identify with Sloane Devon's competitive edge in Being Sloane Jacobs. I've been told it's hard to play games with me because I get sort of intense!

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?
Roller Derby! I've been a skaters for 7 years now, and I love watching tough female athletes execute strategy and get out aggression. 

Favorite Movie?
Father of the Bride 

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla 
Puppies or Kittens?
Puppies! 

Beach or Mountains?
Beach 

If you could be a color, what color would you be?

Blue 

Favorite Dessert?
key lime pie 

If you could be a book character, what character would you be?

Jessica Darling from Sloppy Firsts (and the rest of the series), because she's hilarious and a great writer 



I would definitely recommend both of Lauren's books to YA Contemporary lovers.......(You can check out my review of Being Sloane Jacobs here)

The Summer I Found You (Book Review)

The Summer I Found You
Jolene Perry
Source - E-arc from Albert Whitman Teen via Netgalley
Expected publication: March 1st 2014 by Albert Whitman Teen

All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.

Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?



Review:

First of all I am going to let you know three things.

1. The cover doesn't really have much to do with the book.
2. Both of the characters in this book have some serious issues going on in their lives. They do have a reason to complain a little.
3. Yes Kate does complain and handle her problem worse than Aidan, even though her problem is not as big. But she is also two years younger than him, and I didn't think that her complaining was excessive.The book switches between Aidan and Kate's points of view. The switching was done well, and I enjoyed both of their takes on life.
Yes, Kate is immature with her diabetes problem. But she is in high school and having to deal with a huge life changing medical problem. Having to stick yourself with a needle and having to watch what you eat CONSTANTLY is no fun at all. Also, a while after finding out this problem. Kate's wonderful (do you sense my sarcasm?) boyfriend breaks up with her. With no warning at all. Claiming it was because of them going to different colleges in the fall. But then goes on to date a high school girl a year younger than him.

A little after the break up. Kate is introduced to her best friends cousin Aidan. There was some "love at first sight" in this book. But it wasn't a big enough issue to bug me.

Aidan's life changing problem is that he lost his dominant arm while stationed overseas in the military.
He seems to handle his problem better than Kate is handling hers, but it is also pretty obvious that Aidan is struggling.

I liked the chemistry between Aidan and Kate. I think that their romance was cute, but also heartbreaking.

Overall if you like contemporary. And if you can deal with some hard life problems with the characters. And if you can deal with a little complaining and cluelessness on Kate's part. Then I think that you will like this one.
(3.5/5)

Monday YA Author Interview With Katie Cotugno + Giveaway

Katie Cotugno

Twitter - Goodreads - Website

 

Where are you from? I'm from half an hour outside New York City originally, but I've lived in Boston for ten years.

When and why did you begin writing? The first story I ever wrote was in my dad's office on his Macintosh Classic--I was six, he parked me there to keep me quiet while he was in a meeting. I started typing and basically never stopped.

What books have most influenced your life most? My favorite books are Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, Richard Russo's Empire Falls, and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. As a kid I loved the BSC books, and anything by Roald Dahl--Matilda in particular, I read like a dozen times.

What book are you reading now? I just finished Holly Black's White Cat, which I loved, and am about to start Zadie Smith's On Beauty, which I'm reading for Lesley University's MFA program. 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Every single member of the Fourteenery, natch. Seriously, what a bunch of smart, beautiful, unique debut novels--and debut novelists.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? Not being embarrassed. Believing that I had something to say. Sticking to it. 

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read) I have, yeah! I used to come home from the library with like fifteen books at a time when I was elementary school. I was totally that kid.

What character in your books do you relate to most? Probably Reena, since I spent the most time with her, but she and I definitely have our differences.

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play? I'm so excited for the Olympics! I love figure skating, especially pairs.  
 
Favorite Movie? Almost Famous, always always always. 
 
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
 
Puppy's or Kittens? Puppies!
 
Beach or Mountains? Beach. 
 
If you could be a color, what color would you be? Bright, screaming orange. 
 
Favorite Dessert? S'mores. 
 
If you could be a book character, what character would you be? Kay Thompson's Eloise, for sure. "Tomorrow I think I'll pour a pitcher of water down the mail chute."

Giveaway:

Katie is giving away a SIGNED copy of How to Love to one lucky winner!

Please see terms and conditions in the rafflecopter before entering.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

How to Love
Published October 1st 2013 by Balzer + Bray

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?