Review: You

Author: Charles Benoit

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: This wasn't the way it was supposed to go. You're just a typical fifteen-year-old sophomore, an average guy named Kyle Chase. This can't be happening to you. But then, how do you explain all the blood How do you explain how you got here in the first place?There had to have been signs, had to have been some clues it was coming. Did you miss them, or ignore them? Maybe if you can figure out where it all went wrong, you can still make it right. Or is it already too late? Think fast, Kyle. Time's running out. How did this happen? 

“You are surprised at all the blood.”

The book hooked me from the very first sentence.  

I had a few reservations about the book. I thought the employment of second person would be “gimmicky” and put me of the story completely. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The second person narrative brought this book to life. It was disturbing and painfully realistic. I’ve never felt so “connected” to the main character.  I felt his pain, anguish and his hopelessness.  There were times I was overwhelmed with this emotional rollercoaster.

“You” are Kyle, a high school sophomore loner who made some bad decisions and is now one of the “hoodies” in his “loser” school.  Kyle biggest regret is been in Odyssey High (the "better, smarter" high school) with his old friends. The constant use of “you” intimately connects you with the plot; you can’t help wondering what you would have done in this situations.

I found most of the other characters to be quite bland and two-dimensional. Zack, however, is a fascinating YA psychopath. When we are first introduced to Zack, I liked him. He was unique, and initially, he almost makes a great 'good guy'. I thought he would be the guy who would “save” Kyle. The guy who would push Kyle. I was in for a little shock. Kyle has a sick obsession to hit everyone’s “spot”. The thing that would drive you mad. This drives the plot forward which inevitably leads to the bloody scene we are introduced to on the first page.

As the book was hurdling towards it climax, I started to feel desperate. I didn’t want to end up down this road.  I felt like I was being pushed towards situations I didn’t want to be a part of.  Situations that Kyle didn’t want to be a part of. But “You” chose this. “You” have to deal with it. 

Review: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher:  Razorbill

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Summary: When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. 
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

I read this book and I honestly didn't know how I was going to review it. I sat on my desk with my laptop, thinking about what was I going to say. This was a decent book. It wasn't horrible. Then what was wrong? 

Its utter unoriginality. I felt like I read this book before. It was like...Like De-ju vu. 

The main characters Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes were just too cliche for me. Brittiany is your typical cheerleader who is obsessed with being "perfect". She kept repeating over and over again how she must remain perfect and it became a bit tedious after a while. Her sister is disabled and her protectiveness and love for her sister was her saving grace. But, this aspect of her character was not handled subtly. I personally preferred Alex's chapters. I could empathise with him more. I wish the book was just written from his point of view. 

The bet aspect of the novel was also cliche and really overdone in YA. Still, the romance was entertaining and I wanted everything to work out for them. The love between the characters and the stakes is what I really liked. 

The ending was a bit flat; and I didn't like the resolutions. The epilogue....What do I say about the epilogue. It was ridiculous. Seriously, the book was realistic and down to earth then I'm hit with this epilogue and I'm expected to believe the main characters found a cure for Alzheimer's. That just killed the little bit of the love I was beginning to feel. 

However, I didn't hate the novel. I just feel somewhat "meh" about it because it didn't really bring anything to the table. Still, the book was somewhat engaging, a fast read and compelling social commentary.

Review: Twenty Boy Summer

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publisher:  Little Brown & Co

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Twenty Boy Summer is the debut novel by the extraordinary by Sarah Ockler. Its a tale that effortlessly weaves in love, tragedy, heartbreak, friendship, betrayal and forgiveness. The novel was a roller coaster ride that left me breathless.

The Zanzibar Bay vacation is beautifully described. The descriptions are lusciously vivid. Ockler's writing is almost lyrical. I felt like I can almost taste the salt heavy in the air. Almost feel the breeze against my skin. Almost see the endless sea. And I could feel Anna's emotions as Ockler portrayed it beautifully and conveyed it fantastically. There are beautiful key phrases repeated throughout the course of the novel, my favourite was "I'm not fine, thanks for not asking." Such repetitions can sometimes border on cliche, but Ockler skill really shines through as this comes across poignant and profound in the novel.

Twenty Boy Summer is a character-driven novel, so it was important for all the characters to be developed well. And Ockler is able to characterise wonderfully. I was emotionally attached to Anna’s journey Through Anna's memory flashbacks, the audience even gets a pretty distinct picture of Matt. Her character growth and development was my favourite part of the book. There was a constant internal struggle not to forget Matt and keep his memories close to her, but she recognised the need to move on and actually start living. Francesca’s and Anna’s friendship is one with ups and downs but always remaining strong despite the heated fights. It was a realistic portrayal of the two teenagers handling their grief and trying to find a way around it.

Twenty Boy Summer isn't exactly a light-hearted comedy; but it's not exactly grieving angst either. It's a painful and lovable story where Anna and Frankie transition from kids to young women. The story contained several dimensions that wove a beautiful tale of trying to live a life that is overshadowed by death. By the end of the novel, I felt like the character's growth was inspirational. We will all go (or have gone through) a death of a loved one, and the novel teaches us that even though it doesn't feel like it, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.

A heart breaking novel of death, friendship, and secrets. I'm definitely hungry for more work from Sarah Ockler!

Review: Wintergirls

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend's death from bulimia as she struggles with anorexia.

Anderson unflinchingly plunges readers into the mind of Lia, forcing us to count calories with her, punish our bodies for eating too much, cut ourselves to feel control. I won't lie and say it wasn't disturbing, almost scary. Wintergirls has to be one of the most desolate, and traumatic novels I have read.

Anderson's writing is almost hypnotising, she has a way of explaining a situation thoroughly using as few words as possible. Genius. It is lyrical and poetic. It did a wonderful job at magnifying the emotions. Many of the jarring and raw descriptions stayed in my head long after I put the book down. Anderson also used a unique printing style in this novel. Strike through words and sentences, blank pages that create the most thrilling plot seem almost unbearable, different fonts for websites and thoughts

Anderson tackles this difficult subject matter in such an honest and unflinching way. Wintergirls is about Lia's relationship and obsession with food, yes. But it isn't just that. It's about grief. About guilt. About family and control and addiction. It's about not just sinking, but actually diving towards the bottom until you are faced with a decision: to let yourself drown or to start fighting to reach the surface and breath.

Lia's struggles are so in your face that you can't help but become emotionally connected. Her family and loved ones keep reaching out she doesn't want to get better. That's the problem. Cheating on weigh-ins. Pretending to eat food she hasn't. Detesting her own body, although she is nothing but skin and bones. This is a great example where I didn't like the protagonist but I still empathised with her.

Wintergirls is the voice of a generation of females starving for acceptance, love, understanding, and freedom. Wintergirls will  transcend time and genres. 

This is not an easy book to read - nor should it be. Laurie Halse Anderson places the reader deep into the psyche of a girl whose demons are threatening to overwhelm her.

Review: I Am The Messenger.

Author: Markus Zusak

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers  

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he’s hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That’s when the first Ace arrives. That’s when Ed becomes the messenger. . . .Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission? 

After I finished this novel I had to sit back because I was in awe at the mastery of the writing, the power of the message, the truth of such stories. This book has weaved it's way into my soul. I Am the Messenger captures the the dilemas I go through as a young person. Its depicted my frustration and insecurities and also my hopes and unfulfilled wants.

Once again his language is magic. The dialogue takes on the action of the predominant emotion. If he wants to reach for a friend, the words reach. And the way he breaks his sentences to evoke emotional pauses is poetic. Zusak has a perfect combination of length and pauseI. In a way, his writing transcends language.

Ed is a protagonist whom you come to care about within the first couple of pages, and whose story is deeply engrossing, emotionally engaging and also inspiring. As Ed submerges himself into these strangers' lives. He learns to care for them personally and insightfully discovers a message for them that will alter their lives. Sometimes the messages are easy to deliver, other times they require a lot of strength. The characters were also well-written. They had depth. At the beginning, there were some characters who I immediately labeled as flat and two-dimentional. As I progressed through the book, though, I realized I was wrong. Every character has their own problems and their own way of dealing with problems. 

Ed is an understandable, down-to-earth guy who we respect and want to do good. His friends, while not perfect role models, are supportive, funny, and real. The addresses hold many interesting people in store, and even though most of them aren't angels, they're at least honest.

The absolutely only thing that took away from the book at all was the ending. I thought it was rather rushed, and tied up a little too neatly. It was a little bit of a "huh? What just happened?" ending." I was never quite sure that I really understood who was sending Ed on these missions. Though I adored Ed's understanding that he isn't the messenger, but IS the message.

 

 I think there is a unique beauty in Zusak's story. Ed discovers the changing power in simple, personalized messages of love, even if they're ones he's forced to deliver. Ed's story is simple proof that if a guy like him can stand up and do what he did, then maybe everyone can. "Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of." 

Zusak leaves us with our own challenge. We have to find our own names on an ace and we have to discover the real messege: that anyone, no matter how ordinary can be great.

Review: Perfect You

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them.... Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

Elizabeth Scott's second novel is a poignant tale about first crush, anguish of losing a best friend, and the bemusement that comes with having to parent...Your parents. PERFECT YOU is a story of one girl's struggle to fit in to a world that keeps changing

The biggest strength of this book is Elizabeth Scott's ability to authentically capture the complex, conflicting feelings in a love/hate relationship. Underneath his flirtatious facade, Will is not what he seems. I loved the clever arguments and smart banter between himself and Kate. Elizabeth Scott has a talent for flawed girls with a unique voice and her leading men border on the divine.However, at times I lost my patience with Kate failing to believe over and over that Will may honestly want to go out with her, that he may ACTUALLY like someone like her. 

Also, I felt that Kate was too-quickly forgiving Anna of her unwillingness to acknowledge her around her new friends or stand up for Kate when she's being laughed at. I could not get pass how Kate was so willing to overlook everything Anna had done (or hadn't done, in this case) every single time. As soon as Kate was ready to forget that Anna and her would never be real friends again, Anna suddenly makes an appearance, says a sweet word or two, and Kate's all for it again. Yes, I realize that's the author's point, trying to emphasize that to certain people, it doesn't take much for that glimmer of hope to appear and disappear again, but it's somewhat annoying and off-putting.

And while I felt like it all wrapped up a little too fast as Kate's bleak outlook peaked, the ending was still rewarding and offered just enough closure in the epilogue-like final chapter. Props to Scott for not sugar-coating any of the harsher realities of teen and family life.   I mean, 99% of the time, the parent realizes his/her mistake, grows up, learns a lesson, and becomes a better person. Here, you’re kind of hit with reality. Not everyone realises their mistakes or wants to change themselves. People, even our parents, can be selfish.

 PERFECT YOU has just the right combination of humor, charm and weight to satisfy any reader, eventhough it had it flaws it was still an enjoyable read.

Review: Anatomy of a Boyfriend

Author: Daria Snadowsky 

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers 

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary  

Summary: Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body. Then I met Wes, a track star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn't believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing—and touching—parts of the body I'd only read about in my Gray's Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was scary. It was fun. It was love. And then came the fall

I think what sets this book apart from others is how brutally honest and real the portrayal of first love actually is. First kisses and first touches are awkward. Anatomy of a boyfriend was able to show the innocence of both character's brilliantly. It felt raw. Unlike so many romance books which seem to gloss over love and sex, Snadowsky showed that exactly what it is for a teenager to fall in love for the first time.

At times I found the narrator irritating, but the voice was believable. The main character was inconsistent at times, her actions didn't match the given descriptions. Dom somehow goes from being a bookish, reserved girl to being a sex-crazed, clingy girlfriend in a matter of weeks. For me, this just was not a believable transformation. On the other hand, her supposedly boy-crazy best friend, Amy, displays much less of this behavior and is much more tolerable than Dom, in my opinion. There were some funny moments, but the heartbreak scenes weren't expanded as much and seemed a bit rushed.

The sex scenes seem to have caused some controversy. I personal felt that those scenes were very clinical and seemed to lack a lot of emotions. I was somewhat disappointed at the way it was approached as it ended up reading most of all like a book version of American Pie, as seen from a girl's point of view. Snadowsky doesn't waste any time with euphemisms or by dodging the issue, and instead boldly sweeps readers off their feet as she captures the awkwardness and confusion. There's two different sides of me that were conflicted while reading this book. The curious side, and the cringing side

The ending wasn't as satisying as I would have wanted it to be. I wished that the book would have offered a little more conclusion in this department: was it really love? Should she have waited? Is there a point at which you can tell the difference? This novel is quick, interesting, and at times, laugh out loud funny. This was a good book to pass time, but it has some serious flaws. The astute reader will pick up on the many parallels between Snadowsky's book and Blume's hit Forever, they serve as a sort of tribute to the groundbreaking author.

Review: Stargirl

Author: Jerry Spinelli   

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Summary: Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love. 

This book reminded me a quote by Quentin Crisp  

"The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another." 

After I read this book, I began questioning the unspoken rules we all follow at our high school. 

Why do I wear what is acceptable to wear? 
Why do I make 'acceptable' jokes? 
Why do I watch 'acceptable' TV shows? 

Why do I choose to conform? 

Simple. Its better to be in than out. 

Then I read about Stargirl, who is her own person and does things her own way and she was simply... 

Breathtaking. 
Wonderful. 
Inspirational. 

She filled me with a great passion to be my own person, and to go around and do things that feel right by me. 

This book is truly a classic, because the author was able to pinpoint our need to fit in and do the 'okay thing. 'It explores a lot of issues centered around social conventions and how they play in our lives for good or bad. Spinelli's insights are thought-provoking and engaging. It was never 'preachy' and I didn't ever feel like I was being talked down to. In the end, the book makes you want to be a better person, perhaps in ways that aren't quite "normal." .  

 Yes, I put this book down and thought: Its time I decided to choose what is okay for me and what isn't. Don't you love when a book affects you?

Review: It Started With A Dare

Author: Lindsay Faith Rech
Publisher: Graphia
Genre: Young Adult
Summary: Self-proclaimed nobody CG Silverman sees her move to an upscale new school as her chance to be somebody different. Her devil-may-care attitude attracts the in-clique, and before CG realizes it, a routine game of truth or dare launches her to iconic status.While this rebel image helps secure CG’s newfound popularity, it also propels her through a maze of unprecedented chaos, with each new lie and every dare opening doors that, in most cases, were better off left shut. CG is on a collision course with disaster. Will she be able to keep up the façade? Or will the whole world find out she’s a fraud?
Cover: I absolutely love the cover. It fits the main character perfectly



I think there is always a problem when you come start reading a book with expectations. The reviews for It Started With A Dare were pretty good, and when I recieved this book I was expecting a funny and poignant coming of age story. But CG's (main character) personal growth was marred by her constant pathological lying and an often callous disregard for other. Yes, CG was funny and she did make me smile every now and again, but in the end I didn't really like her as a character. Personally, its important that I 'connect' with the main character, if I don't then I don't care what happens to her and that's how I felt by the end of the book.

When everything blows up in her face, I don't think CG is truely remorseful. Eventhough she had hurt a lot of people.

The pacing in the novel was great and the climax was...climaxtic. But my real problem with the novel was the characterisation. This was a character-driven novel, but I didn't feel like any of the characters were fleshed out. I think the majority of the characters were just too sterotypical. The rich kids were all mean, snobby and a bitch. The poor kids were all humble, sweet and generally good people. The novel were ridden with stock characters and it brought the book down.

The voice was the best part of the book. It, credit to the author, sounded like a 15 year old girl.

There was a lot of 'tell' and not enough 'show' in the novel. We are told CG thinks she is invinsible and a 'nobody' but we don't really ever see where these feelings stem from. She also ditches her best friend (who is romantically interested in her) because she no longer wants to be a nobody. But I felt it was a douchy thing to do.

There was a lot of potential in this book, and a lot of themes that the author could play around with. However, I again felt like it was all underdeveloped and the author mainly scratched the surface and didn't really dive into things.

At times the plot was hard to believe and quite unrealistic and coincidence played to big of a role. And CG's lies were a bit out of control and over the top and I didn't understand how anybody would believe them.

The dialogue was snappy and at times funny. It was a quick read and some younger teens may find it enjoyable.

However for me it was somewhat of a disapointing read.