Review: Eleanor and Park

Title: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell
Release Date: February 26th 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 325
Source: Netgalley

Summary:

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.

"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.

"I’m not kidding," he says.

"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."

"What about Romeo and Juliet?"

"Shallow, confused, then dead."

''I love you," Park says.

"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.

"I’m not kidding," he says.

"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.”

My Thoughts: 

The first thing I noticed about this book was the beautiful cover. It was so simple yet it caught my attention immediately, and I am so glad. Guys, this book was amazing. Eleanor and Park is such an incredible coming of age story and I am so happy I was able to read it!

This book was just so deep and emotional. Rainbow hit the mark on this book perfectly. What I really loved about this story were the characters, Eleanor and Park. Each character was just so incredible and lovable.  I really adored seeing how Eleanor and Park’s relationship grew over time. It was such a realistic approach to young love that I was reminded of my high school days.

The romance wasn’t the only thing I loved. Seeing Eleanor’s home life and watching her struggle really added to the story. Sometimes she really aggravated me with how she acted or what she said, but then I saw why. It just was such a strong part for me.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. I wanted more and it felt a bit too open for me. I kind of hope there will be a sequel or companion in the future!

If you’re looking for a great story, pick this one up!

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Uses for Boys

Title: Uses for Boys

Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidt
Release Date: January 15th 2013
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Pages: 240
Source: Netgalley

Summary:

“Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.”

My Thoughts: 

This book has been one of the hardest I have ever had to review, simply because it was just so strange. To begin with, I wasn’t expecting what this story was really about. I figured it was going to be a fluffy coming of age story but I was so wrong. Uses for Boys is a much darker and mature story centered on a young girl.

This story focuses on what Anna feels is love. By being neglected by her mother and father at a young age, she turned to what she thought as a substitute – sex. It was such a depressing story but I saw the importance in it. While not everyone is graced with stable parents, others try to fill that void the best they can. For Anna, it was the company of boys. Instead of using her mind and personality, she used her body to attract love.

The story is meant to make you feel uncomfortable in my opinion and in my case it did. While it was awkward to read at some points I could vividly picture this kind of thing happening to someone in real life. The writing was very well done and I lost myself in Anna’s mind quite often.

As I said before, this book was hard for me to review. It was just so strange. If you want and out of the box coming of age story try reading Uses for Boys. There are large amounts of mature themes in the book though, so be wary of that.

Overall, I really did enjoy reading this book.

Rating: 3.5/5

Waiting for Wednesday (11)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine! Each week, bloggers spotlight what upcoming release they're eager for.

Title: 45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson

 Released: July 11th 2013 

Summary from Goodreads:
“Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:

She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 8 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in two
months.

Welcome to the world of informercial diet plans, terrifying wedding dance lessons, endless run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.

And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin -- no matter how you add it up!”

Review: The Rules for Disappearing

Title: The Rules for Disappearing

Author: Ashley Elston
Release Date: May 14^th 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 320
Source: Purchased

Summary:

“She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.”

My Thoughts: 

When this book first came into my radar, I was beyond intrigued. I have always been interested in what a person has to endure while they are in the witness protection program. I super excited for the book needless to say. Yet, with there being so much potential for an amazing story, I was saddened when the whole thing fell flat for me.

In the beginning of the novel, the story felt so strong. I mean, I had to force myself to stop reading to do other things. I was so drawn into the mystery of Megan and her family and wondering what could have happened to them to put them in such a situation that they had to become new people.

Later as the story progressed, my feelings started to change. I started to slowly lose interest in the story and the direction it was headed. While I really liked Megan in the beginning, I couldn’t stand her by the end. I just had so many issues with her character that I started to not care about the book at all. I found her annoying and selfish. It was obvious her and her family were in a large amount of danger and yet she made such bold decisions that often put not only her, but her whole family in jeopardy. It aggravated me so much I just wanted to reach into the book and slap her! Simply put I couldn’t connect with Megan and I like that greatly impacted my whole experience with the book.

Another person I found myself loathing was Teeny, Megan’s little sister. While the reader is supposed to feel bad for Teeny because of her mental state of changing identities so much, I just couldn’t stand her! She was so whiny and a brat. I had no care for her at all.

A large portion of the story has to do with Megan’s romantic life. Now, I don’t mind romance here and there, but when it completely drowns out the plot of the book, then I have a problem. The romance between Megan and Ethan felt so rushed and insta-loveish. It didn’t help the story progress at all. In fact, most of the decisions Megan made had to do with Ethan. She literally endangered her family just to see a boy. It was just so irritating.

Now, I didn’t completely hate this book. I really loved the thriller parts of the book and the mystery of what happened to Megan and her family. I just wish there were more parts of that, instead of the love story.

In the end this book just wasn’t for me at all.

Rating: 2/5

Review: Burn for Burn

Title: Burn for Burn

Author: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Release Date: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Source: Purchased

Summary:

“BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.”

My Thoughts: 

I first read Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy and fell in love with it. When I heard she was coming out with a new book I could not wait. I loved the idea of three very different girls coming together for one thing – revenge.

The one thing that I really liked about this story was how three girls bonded and came together. Out of all of them, Mary’s perspectives were by far my favorite. I could identify more with Mary and her past than the other two and wanted to see how her end of the revenge worked out. As for the other two, Lillia and Kat, I didn’t really get attached to. Lillia’s character seemed to me like the typical popular girl. To me there wasn’t anything special to her. My feelings were the same for Kat too.

As far as the actual plot, I really enjoyed seeing the planning and scheming the girls did. The actual revenge scenes themselves were satisfying and totally drama filled. While I loved some parts of the book, others just felt boring and cliché. Just like typical high school drama, which I mean is okay, but I was expecting something a little more.

While I read this book thinking it was a contemporary, but towards the end there’s a plot twist that completely throws me off. The whole story takes a huge turn that made me confused. It just wasn’t what I was expecting.

While the book is very entertaining and I did enjoy it, it just wasn’t amazing. If you’re looking for a lighter read then I suggest picking this up.

Rating: 3/5

Review: Long Black Coffin

Title: Long Black Coffin

Author: Tim Curran
Release Date: December 18th 2012
Publisher: DarkFuse
Pages: 390
Source: Netgalley

Summary:

“The Long Black Coffin is a '67 GTO. A street-eater and a life-taker. Like an open grave, it's hungry for death.

Vic Tamberlyn committed suicide in it. His son Kurt asphyxiated in it. Maybe there's no connection, but Kurt's best friend, Johnny Breede, doesn't believe it. He begins seeing dark connections, convinced that beneath the skin of the Coffin there beats a black, terrible heart. But it's even worse than he can imagine.

For the Long Black Coffin has a history. And that history will lead Johnny into a web of murder, insanity, and sexual perversion. He'll learn gruesome family secrets that connect a decade-old series of child abductions to a primordial evil that lives on in the car in the form of a sadistic teenage girl.

A girl whose mother was human, but whose father was anything but.”

My Thoughts: 

I have never been a huge horror fan but I’ve been trying to branch out and read different things. While I was browsing netgalley one day, this book caught my attention right away. While it wasn’t the best read ever, it was still enjoyable.

The writing was super creepy and compelling and captivated me from the prologue (which was creepy and made we want to read more). The writing kind of reminded me of Stephen King’s (which is saying a ton). The main protagonist Johnny Breede was funny and full of spunk but still was practical and had a conscious.  

While the story mostly had an eerie moods, there were some pretty cool scenes in it too. There was a lot of drug and party scenes that led to some interesting comments. My favorite line would have to be “Swear I just saw a unicorn smoking joints with centaurs”! Yes – that’s actually from the story. Those druggie scenes were majorly cray. I really liked these parts because as a new horror reader, it was nice to have some light parts to calm my nerves.

Now, onto the gory goodness. The actual horror story was really interesting, especially with the dark themes and mystery involved with this story. Kurt, who was Johnny’s best friend, played a huge role to the plot in the beginning. I really liked seeing his obsession with his father and trying to analyze his life. The real central part about Kurt was the introduction to his father who was cruel and had a deadly secret. The whole story from there has to do with Johnny discovering what it is and dealing with the demons that came with it.

There were a lot of sexual scenes that kind of added a weird twist to the story. If you don’t like sex or are too young, then I don’t suggest reading this book. There were parts in the book that felt long and drawn out but later those parts lead to something greater. Also, the mystery was built over time and actually served a purpose rather than a filler. Really loved that too.

Towards the end I started losing interest in the story simply because I got tired of the sex. Other than that, I’d recommend this book to those looking for a horror novel that isn’t super gory.

Rating: 3/5 

Review: Rape Girl

Title: Rape Girl

Author: Alina Klein
Release Date: September 1st 2012
Publisher: namelos
Pages: 126
Source: Netgalley

Summary:

“Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.”

My Thoughts: 

I never feel comfortable talking or reading about rape because of how intense and horrific it can be. While I have not read many books on the topic I was interested in this young adult version because I wanted to see a younger perspective on it. I wanted to see how a young girl would cope with the aftermath of such a horrifying event. Sadly though, Rape girl fell short for me. Now, don’t get me wrong, the story has some very powerful and realistic scenes that left me feeling raw.

I really wanted to connect to Valarie and feel all the pain and sorrow she had to go through, but I couldn’t really feel anything for her. This whole book is super short and to be honest it felt incomplete by the end and some chapters felt like they were put together at the last minute. I just didn’t have enough time with Valarie to actually develop strong enough feelings for her struggle. Also, I had a huge problem with her character too.

While Valarie went through an unforgivable experience, it deeply bothered me on how she seemed only concerned with how other’s would view her rather than trying to cope. It bothered me so much because I just couldn’t connect with that at all. I wanted to be in her mind and see how her mental health was after the event and see how she worked through that. The social aspect just really turned me off. I mean Valarie’s mother having her breakdown felt more realistic to me than anything else. It was just so frustrating, and the ending didn’t do anything for me either.

While this book missed the mark for me, I do see the importance of this story. Rape Girl is a powerful and graphic novel I feel would be great for young readers. While the story didn’t go into enough depth for me, I think it would be a great read for younger readers wanting a glimpse of tougher issues.

Rating: 2/5