Let's Talk Books! Discussion #2

Topic: Book covers

We've all heard the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover." This is what I think of that

In my opinion the cover is the first thing that makes me pick up a book, so if it looks boring, or ugly I most likely won't pick it up... 

Im not saying I'm proud I do this, but its true. 

The cover sets the whole mood of the book; so if its plain, boring, or out right ugly looking, people aren't going to be tempted to pick it up and read the synopsis. I also think the spine should be eye catching, because thats the first thing you usually see in a bookstore or library.

It's really sad that people judge books on their covers because some of the best books are not always the prettiest.

Now onto the real issue....

Books in a series whose covers don't match... 

No matter how hard I've tried, I can't come up with a logical explanation on why publishers wouldn't make the series covers match.

So, now I am going to list a couple of reasons why all books (part of the same series) should match.

Reason #1- It looks nice on my book shelves. I think everyone can agree that it looks so much better when books are all the same hight and the covers in series look great together.

Reason #2- So that people can identify the series. If you have a bunch of book in a series that match, and one that doesn't people will never guess the book is part of the same series. 

Reason #3- Well.... I can't really come up with any more... Besides the fact that it's annoying if they don't.

 So... Yeah. 

Q: What are you thoughts on book covers that don't match??? Comment below!

This has been my thoughts on book covers.... I don't really know how to end this...(awkward)

Almost as awkward as this handshake:

Shatter Me By: Tahereh Mafi

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Released: October 2nd, 2010

Official Synopsis: "I have a curse.

I have a gift.

I'm a monster.

I'm more than human.

My touch is lethal.

My touch is power.

I am their weapon.

I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is 

fatal, but The Reestablishment has 

plans for her. Plans to use her as a 

weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime

without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight 

back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one 

boy she thought she'd lost forever."

My Review: 

Juliette is a 17 year old girl whose touch can kill... Literally. No one knows why but every time someone tries to touch her skin she drains the life out of them. She didn't ask for this to happen but its a curse she can't seem to get rid of. Her parents stuck her in an asylum when she turned 14, and now she's suddenly being let out, but for all the wrong reasons... The world that we know is gone. The climate is a huge mess, all plants are dead, the clouds aren't even white. A group called The Reestablishment has promised to fix our world. But instead of keeping their promises, they're killing innocent people, getting rid of all evidence of our past, and even going as far as to get rid of all language and religion. Juliette is thrown into a world of lies, secrets, love triangles, and deception. Will she be able to use her power to destroy the government, or die in the process?

The writing in this book is absolutely poetic. The way Tahereh Mafi writes is truly beautiful. She uses cross-outs and repetition to show what the main character's true feelings were, even the ones she was to scared to admit to herself. However, with that being said her writing style is one you are going to love, or hate. I'll admit, at times I would have to reread a paragraph of line just to make since of it, but it got a lot easier as I kept reading. 

The stories love triangle was a MAJOR aspect in this book. I would even go as far as to call this a romance book even though it's classified more as a dystopian. Juliette is stuck between two guys; Warner, the heartless ruler who we soon discover has more to him than what meets to eye. Then there's Adam, Juliette's first friend from her childhood. The only one who was kind to her when everyone else turned the backs. The relationship between Juliette and Warner didn't ever feel like insta-love, but the same can't be said for her and Adam. I understand why it felt that way, but it just bothered me. Shatter Me is a very character driven book. All of the people in Mafi's story were complex and had so many layers to them that start to unravel as you read the story. At times Juliette seemed a bit whiney, and her stubbornness and naivety would cause her to make rash decisions, but as you read the 2nd and 3rd book she definitely gets a reality check. I loved how Juliette's actions were realistic  I felt that I might of done the same things in her situation. Overall this was an amazing book that has wonderful writing and characters.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor By: Lucy Christopher

Author: Lucy Christopher

Publisher: Chicken House

Released: May 4th, 2009

Official Synopsis: 

"You saw me before I saw you.

A girl: Gemma, at the airport, on her way to a family vacation.

You had that look in your eyes.

A guy: Ty, rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar, eyes blue as ice.

Like you wanted me.

She steps away. For just a second. He pays for her drink. And drugs it.

Wanted me for a long time.

He takes her, before she even knows what's happening.

To sand and heat.

To emptiness and isolation.

To nowhere.

And expects her to love him."

My Review: Gemma, a sixteen year old girl, is at the airport getting ready to go on a family vacation. She and her mom got into an argument, so Gemma goes to get a coffee from the cafe to "cool off". When she gets there she notices a good looking guy, probably in his early to mid twenties staring at her. He then offers to pay for her coffee. When this mystery guy is preparing her coffee, he drugs it. Once she is drugged, this guy takes her to the middle of nowhere... and expects her to live with him forever... 

The story follows Gemma and her captor, Ty, in their new lives, trying to survive in the desert. Ty feels like he has saved Gemma from city life, and he is prepared to keep her with him forever.... He has supplies for EVERYTHING and it will last for years. You soon discover that Gemma's abductor Ty, has been stalking her for six years! And he has "wanted" her for two... Gemma has to find out how to get out of this place and away from this crazy man. Will she succeed, or die trying? 

 Stolen was written as a letter directed to Ty. The author words things as if she is writing to you and you are the captor. For example: Instead of saying, "He took me." It would say, "You took me." At times Lucy Christopher's writing style in this book got a little confusing. This led to me having to re-read certain paragraphs. The main character starts to develop feelings for Ty, but keeps denying that it's not Stockholm Syndrome... But I honestly couldn't come up with any other explanation. Ty cared for her in a sick, creepy, and demented way, and the main character, Gemma, got that at first but eventually I think she kind of gave up on the hope she will be rescued, and let her guard down. One thing I think the author could of done better is describing the characters. I  couldn't picture them in my head, mostly I didn't know what Gemma looked like. One thing I think Lucy Christopher did well, was create an interesting story line that kept me wanting to continue to read. I read the book in one day, it was one of those books you just can't put down. Overall this was a well written book with an interesting story line, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a thrilling pathological YA book.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars!

My Life Next Door By: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick 

Publisher: Speak

Released: June 13th, 2013

Official Synopsis: "Life in Samantha Reed's home is neat and clean and orderly- precisely planned by her local politician mother. Next door, at the Garretts', things are loud, messy, and irresistible. And when gorgeous Jase Garrett climbs the trellis outside her bedroom and enters her life, she finds herself falling passionately in love with him and everything he brings with him. The only hitch is, she's got to hide it from her mother. Then something unthinkable happens, and Samantha is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?"

My Review: My Life Next Door was an adorable and heartbreaking story about Samantha Reed, a teenage girl who has to live up to her strict mother's standards, and Jase Garrett a young boy who has a loving mother and father with tons of siblings and drama; falling in love, and having to deal with consequences that come with having a forbidden romance.

Samantha's mother has despised the Garrett's since they moved next door 10 years ago. She hates anything that could destroy her image of a perfect family, with herself, Samantha, and Tracy; Samantha's older, and rebellious, sister. But Samantha has always wondered what it would be like to live a carefree and adventurous life... And when Jase Garrett climbs up the trellis to her bedroom window her life will change forever.

Samantha soon falls madly in love with Jase and his whole family. But she has to keep her relationship hidden from her mother, who would flip out if she knew... One night something tragic happens that effects both the Reed's and the Garretts's and Samantha is faced with a hard decision... Which family is best for her? The Garrett's with their loving, and hectic household. Or her mother and sister; who are the only related family Samantha has left. Samantha has to learn that family is the ones who will support you in all your decisions and love you unconditionally. Not necessarily the ones your related too.

This book has been on my TBR list for a while and I'm very glad I have now read it. The book sucked me in from the first few pages, and once I started reading I couldn't stop! The relationship between Samantha and Jase was written beautifully. Even though it progressed quickly, it didn't feel like instalove. The character development in Samantha was great! She went from a shy girl who did anything her monstrous mother said, to a bright confident young women. I think that Jase really helped Samantha "come out of her shell" and Samantha helped Jase deal with the stress of all that he is going through in the novel. This book was very relatable and realistic. I could picture myself in the main characters situation perfectly. Overall this book was all I expected it to be and more! It definitely deserves the hype!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Let's Talk Books! Discussion #1

Topic: Buying

Books

Heres the problem: Once I go into to a bookstore looking for 1 specific book, I end up leaving with 5.... And this wouldn't be a problem if books weren't so freakin expensive!

So because I'm a 
teenager... and for there broke... I try to come up with a list of reasons why my parents should buy me this particular book, but the

best excuse I can come up with is: BECAUSE I NEED IT
After my many attempts to get someone to buy me a book I so desperately need, I usually end up getting this look from my mother

And after "the look" comes the same routine:

1st: the negotiation

The conversation usually goes like this:

Me- "Can I get this book?"

My Mother- "No."

   

Me- "What if I pay half."

My Mother- "No."

  

Me- "How about I pay you back?"

My Mother- "Still, no."

So as you can tell the conversation usually goes nowhere and I end up paying for my own book...

Step 2: Begging

(I think this is pretty much self explanatory)

Step 3: The Guilt Trip: At this point I have now exhausted all my tactics to try to convince my parents to buy me a book, and resort to guilting them... This doesn't always go the way I planned and I end up getting a lecture on how I should be "more responsible with how I spend my money."

This gets one of my notorious eye rolls

And finally after all my lame attempts to get the book... I still don't get it.

Better Off Friends By: Elizabeth Eluberg

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publisher: Point

Released: February 25th, 2014

Official Synopsis: "For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't just be friends, but theses two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's  friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they're best friends- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends to much time joking around with Macallan and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder... are they more than friends or are better off without making it even more complicated?"


My Review: 
This is by far one of the cutest books I have ever read! Better Off Friends is a coming of age novel that deals with the age old question; can guys and girls be best friends, or will it always become more?

Macallan and Levi have been best friends since 7th grade. But as they grow up things start to get more complicated... Everybody always thinks they are a couple because they believe that guys and girls can't just be friends. This especially becomes a problem in high school, because all the guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's "off limits." And all of Levi's girlfriends become jealous when Levi wants to hang out with Macallan. As you read their story you get to see how each of them feel's about the other through the years; And how they work through these problems.

The book follows Levi and Macallan's relationship from 7th grade to juniors in high school. Better Off Friends is written in dual perspectives. One chapter will be in Macallan's perspective and the next in Levi's. In between each chapter there is a conversation between the the two main characters from the present day talking about what happened in the previous chapter. And their conversations are HILARIOUS! I love that as the characters age they have experiences that most people have gone through. For example: when Levi is in 8th grade he goes on a date with a girl at the movie theater, and he is freaking out, thinking he going to do or say the wrong thing. Most people have had a similar/almost the exact same experience as Levi. 

The character development in all the characters was great and we got to see how each of their personalities changed as they got older. One thing that I wasn't happy about was I felt that we didn't get to read about one or two different grades. It felt like author skipped 9th grade which is important because thats the first year of high school. This story is appropriate for almost all young adult readers. I would say 6th grade and up. I really enjoyed Elizabeth Eluberg's writing style. It flowed very well, which made this a really quick read. At times I just wanted to give Levi a piece of my mind, and at other times I thought he was the best person in the world. Which is a good thing, because that meant he was human just like all of us, and sometimes he was clueless or careless but he always came around and realized that he was wrong. Which shows a lot about a person. Overall this was a great book and recommend it to everyone!

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Fangirl By: Rainbow Rowell

Author: Rainbow Rowell


Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition


Released: September 10th, 2013

Official Synopsis: "Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon 

Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life and 

she’s really good at it. She and her

twin sister, Wren, ensconced 

themselves in the Simon Snow series 

when they were just kids; it’s what go

t them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, 

writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the 

characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but 

Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she 

doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, 

completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly 

roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a 

fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end 

of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only 

wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying 

about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never 

really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she 

ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving 

Simon Snow behind?"

My Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is a classic 

coming of age story about a girl named Cath who has 

always depended on her twin sister Wren, but when they 

go off to collage Cath has to learn how to be more 

independent, which isn't easy when she has to constantly 

worry about her dad, who is mentally unstable, and 

continue to write her VERY POPULAR fan fiction about 

her favorite book series called Simon Snow. 

The book starts off with Cath and Wren moving into their 

separate dorms, which made Cath feel betrayed by her 

sister because she always thought they would dorm

together, until Wren decided against it. When Cath gets to 

her dorm she sees a boy in her room, and she's very 

confused... Soon she learns this boy is a boyfriend? Or 

Friend? She doesn't really know... To her real roommate  

named Reagan. Reagan is never in their dorm, she's always 

partying or working... Cath writes fan fiction for a book 

series called Simon Snow, which is  basically the Harry  

Potter of this world; and Cath's story is  about Simon and 

Baz (the main characters) falling in love, 

she writes her fan fiction under the name Magicath. Her 

story get 40,000+ reads per chapter. Cath is taking a 

fiction writing course usually only meant for 

upperclassmen, so it's a big deal they let Cath take 

it as a freshmen. Levi is always in the dorm and he and 

Cath start to become very close, and they soon discover 

they have feelings for each other... but right now Cath's  

life is very stressful. When she got to collage her sister 

basically abandoned her altogether, now all Wren does is  

party and get drunk... Her dad is going downhill in his 

mental health, and Cath isn't there to watch over him, so 

she is constantly worried. On top of all that her mom, who 

left them when they were 8, is trying to make contact with 

them again. The story follows Cath trying to deal with all 

these problems, while also trying to figure out her 

relationship with Levi. 

This story would be a good fit for the older young adult 

reader. For me, I couldn't connect that well because I 

haven't  had a lot of the same experiences. But even 

though I couldn't connect, I still think it was written very 

well. While your reading you get to read some of her fan 

fiction as well as the actual Simon Snow story. It got a bit 

confusing for me because I didn't really know what was 

going on in the Simon Snow novels, I felt that it skipped 

around a lot. But on a better note, I also felt that it gave

the reader a good idea of what kind of writer Cath was,

and how dedicated to Simon Snow she is. The character

development for Cath was slow in the beginning, I felt like

she could of came "out of her shell" a little faster. As for

Wren I think it would of been nicer to see how she was

before she "went off the deep end." I really enjoyed how

Rainbow Rowell made family a big part of Cath and Wren's 

life. I've read to many books where the teenage characters

are off doing crazy things and the whole time your

wondering were the parents were the entire novel. Are

they just oblivious or did the author forget to put write in

parents? The relationship between Levi and Cath took a

REALLY long time, there wasn't enough pages of the being

an "item". Overall this was a well developed and well

written book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rainbow

Rowell's writing style.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!