Categotry Archives: Contemporary
Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell
Second Story Press
April 5, 2016
Paperback
235
Frederick has a lot of rules for himself—like if someone calls him Freddy, he doesn't have to answer them, and he only wears shirts with buttons. But when his friend Angel—his only friend—goes missing and he is questioned by the police, he doesn't have a rule for that. Friendship is a new concept for Frederick, so when Angel asked him to keep a secret no matter what, he agreed. But do the rules of friendship apply when your friend is missing?
Review:
I can’t say that “Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell” is a bad book. In fact, I enjoyed most of it quite a bit. There were a couple of problems that kept it from being a four star book, though.
The story centers around Frederick, who has Asperger’s, and Angel, who is only his second friend. Frederick and his wandering stream-of-consciousness voice may be difficult for some to follow, but it’s an accurate portrayal of how many with Asperger’s (or add, adhd, etc.) think. One caveat with this is that people remember: If you’ve met one person with Asperger’s, you’ve met one person with Asperger’s. Think of this as a general view, not necessarily a specific one. Anyway, the situation in which he finds himself is complex for anyone, let alone someone with a different way of processing the world, and the portrayal of how he works through it is fascinating.
Angel is a mystery to him, but his observations do develop her character well. However, there is an abrupt shift to her point-of-view that irritated me. Here is a wonderfully refreshing story told by someone with a different way of looking at the world, and it suddenly shifted from his story to hers. We have more than enough books about the neurotypical, and I would have liked to see this one remain Frederick’s.
Granted, there is quite a significant event that happens (one I cannot elaborate on because it is a spoiler), so I can understand why the author may have thought it important to switch to Angel, but that event could have been tackled using Frederick. In fact, the handling of it seemed a bit rushed. It was a good thing to include, but I believe more exploration of the aftermath would have been more beneficial.
Overall, I can neither recommend nor not recommend “Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell.” If it seems interesting to you, give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Suggestive Dialogue, Sexual Situations
My Kind of Crazy
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
April 5, 2016
336
A promposal that (literally) goes up in flames sparks a friendship that might be just crazy enough to work Hank Kirby can't catch a break. It's not that he means to screw things up all the time. It just happens. A lot. Case in point: his attempt to ask out a girl he likes literally goes up in flames when he spells "Prom" in sparklers on her lawn...and ends up nearly burning down her house. Peyton Breedlove, a brooding loner and budding pyromaniac, witnesses the whole thing and blackmails Hank into an unusual friendship. But when Hank learns about the dark secrets Peyton is hiding, their relationship may turn out to be his biggest disaster yet.
Review:
I really wish there were a half-star option, because “My Kind of Crazy” is a solid 4 1/2 star read.
There is a lot of heart to be found in this book. Mental illness and the topic of not fitting in are heavily covered, but before you think “not that again”, please read on. It is NOT handled in the typical way. First of all, I cannot remember reading any other YA book that tackles pyromania. That alone makes it unique. The issues are presented as serious, but there is a gentle humor in it as well. The problems aren’t made light of, but it does make it obvious that there is humor in almost every situation, and your attitude is as important as anything else in determining the outcome. I promise that sentence will make more sense if you read the book.
I loved Hank, Peyton, and the stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold Monica, red tassels and all. Main characters and secondary characters alike are developed beyond the surface. That makes for a nice character-driven read. The feeling of being stuck where you are is something I think many young adults (and adults) can relate to, and it is handled here in a way that has you feeling their hopes and fears as if they were your own.
The only problem I had was the ending felt a bit rushed, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the story.
I recommend “My Kind of Crazy” for young adults and adults alike. If you’ve ever felt on the outside looking in, this is the perfect book for you. It is a good book for reluctant readers as well, since it’s a quick read that doesn’t skimp on plot or character development.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Emotional Abuse
Don’t Get Caught
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
April 1, 2016
336
Get even. Get revenge. Just don't get caught. Max Cobb is sick of being "Just Max"—the kind of guy whose resume boasts a measly 2.5 GPA and a deep love of heist films. So when an invitation appears in his locker to join the anonymous, untraceable, epic prank-pulling Chaos Club, Max jumps at the opportunity. Except that the invite is really a setup, and Max, plus the four other misfits who received similar invitations, are apprehended by school security for defacing the water tower. Max has finally had enough. It's time for payback. Time to unmask Chaos. Let the prank war begin.
Review:
“Don’t Get Caught” is hands-down one of the best young adult books I have ever read. It’s a nice break from the tragedy filled contemporary, fantasy, and dystopian genres.
Max, the main character, is obsessed with heist films. He knows the list of heist movie rules with the same precision that Randy from “Scream” knows the rules of horror movies. When combined with an unlikely group of very different personalities all on a mission, he is able to put his skills to good use. All of the characters are well-developed and engaging, and all of them go beyond the normal teenage tropes. Think “The Breakfast Club” with a little less angst and a lot more humor.
The plot is based around a prank war. I don’t want to go into too much detail, because much like heist films the beauty is in the twists, but I can say that this book had me literally laughing out loud. In fact, it was more of an embarrassing belly laugh that turned into snorts, hiccups, and ultimately choking. It really was that funny. There is also only a hint of romance, so those who find that “not their thing” will get a break from love triangles and the like.
“Don’t Get Caught” is one of those rare books that will hold universal appeal. The target audience is high school and up, but almost every adult will also enjoy it, even if they are not necessarily fans of young adult books. If you like humor, you will probably like this. Also, if you have a reluctant reader in your life get this into their hands as soon as you possibly can. It’s the type of book that can help foster a lifetime love of reading.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Dialogue, Brief (Very Brief) Sexual Situations, Violence
In Real Life
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
March 1, 2016
240
Hannah Cho and Nick Cooper have been best friends since 8th grade. They talk for hours on the phone, regularly shower each other with presents, and know everything there is to know about one another. There's just one problem: Hannah and Nick have never actually met. Hannah has spent her entire life doing what she's supposed to, but when her senior year spring break plans get ruined by a rule-breaker, she decides to break a rule or two herself. She impulsively decides to road trip to Vegas, her older sister and BFF in tow, to surprise Nick and finally declare her more-than-friend feelings for him. Hannah's romantic gesture backfires when she gets to Vegas and meets Nick's girlfriend, whom he failed to mention. And it turns out his relationship status isn't the only thing he's been lying to her about. Hannah knows the real Nick can't be that different from the online Nick she knows and loves, but now she only has one night in Sin City to figure out what her feelings for Nick really are, all while discovering how life can change when you break the rules every now and then.
Review:
Real rating: 3 1/2 stars
“In Real Life” is a quick read that still packs a punch in the acceptance of the difference between expectations and reality.
I really appreciated that the book took seriously the importance of friendships that can form online. Some of my best friends were met online through mutual interests (let’s be real, those interests revolve mostly around books), and I value them as much as the ones made “in real life.” The expectation of someone you have met online measuring up to what you have made them out to be in your head is a major part of the book, but the same thing is true of those we meet elsewhere. Learning to adjust your expectations to reality is a part of growing up. Honestly, many a failed relationship is due to not accepting that, including everything from friendships to marriages.
The characters were typical teenagers, and I believe their reactions to circumstances were accurately portrayed. However, Hannah could be more than a little bit judgmental, and the adult in me wanted to scream at some of the bad decisions they were all making. None of this ruined the plot for me, but it did cause me to deduct a star.
Bonus: It’s a diverse book!
“In Real Life” is a book that will resonate with anyone who has a bond formed with someone they met online. I believe it’s a good read for anyone upper middle grade and up.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations
Nookietown
Fiction
Macmillan
February 23, 2016
368
A funny, emotional and at times racy novel about a service connecting married men (with their wives' consent!) and divorced women.
Review:
My first instinct was to give “Nookietown” two stars, but then I reconsidered because there is a strong possibility that this is a case of “it’s not you, it’s me” book syndrome.
I requested it because the plot seemed like a fun and easy read. It was an easy read in the traditional sense of the phrase, but I despised the characters so much that I found myself dreading trying to finish it. There was also quite a bit of suspension-of-disbelief required, which is to be expected in a book about husband swapping, but it went way beyond what was to be expected.
That being said, I really do think quite a few people will enjoy “Nookietown” and find it the perfect summer beach read. Don’t pass on it just because of my review if the premise sounds interesting to you.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.
Yellow Brick War
Dorothy Must Die, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
March 15, 2016
432
In this third book in the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, new girl from Kansas Amy Gumm is caught between her home—and Oz. My name is Amy Gumm. Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because—just like Dorothy—I got swept away on one too. I landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling: Assassin. The way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz—and Kansas—is to kill her. And I’m the only one who can do it. But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened. And if I don’t find a way to close it? Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again. Now it’s up to me to: join the Witches, fight for Oz, save Kansas, and stop Dorothy once and for all.
Review:
I’m not even sure if I can objectively review “Yellow Brick War”, and since this one isn’t for a publisher, I’m not even going to try to be dignified.
*flail* Ilovethemsomuch. *flail*
Ahem.
If you can’t tell, I liked the book. It may be my favorite of the series.
The best plot twist isn’t even in the book.
Is it next year yet?
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
The Awakening of Sunshine Girl
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Weinstein Books
March 1, 2016
Hardcover
320
Based on the wildly popular YouTube channel, "The Haunting of Sunshine Girl" has been described as "Gilmore Girls" meets "Paranormal"
Review:
“The Awakening of Sunshine Girl” is a great follow-up to “The Haunting of Sunshine Girl.” It has all of the humor and chills of the original, while furthering the story of how Sunshine came to be.
The plot breezes along at an easy to read pace that doesn’t slow down. All of the favorite characters from the first book are back, just as enjoyable as before, along with the addition of some new ones. All of the history of the Luiseach was fascinating and made me want to learn more.
I wish I could say more but almost everything I can add would spoil the story in some way. I’ll leave you with this: you’ll probably wish you had the next book already in your hands when you turn the last page.
“The Awakening of Sunshine Girl” is a good choice for all of those who enjoy a good ghost story that, while it includes disturbing imagery, actually falls into the clean category. Only minor language and a few kisses are involved. It’s also perfect for reluctant readers, though be sure they begin with the first in the series!
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Disturbing Imagery
Save Me, Kurt Cobain
Delacorte Press
March 8, 2016
272
A chance discovery makes Nico, fifteen, believe that not only is Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the 1990s grung band Nirvana, still alive, but that he might be her real father.
Review:
“Save Me, Kurt Cobain” is not a book meant to be read by everyone (which is in no way a bad thing), but for those it is meant for, you will enjoy it immensely.
At its heart, it is the coming-of-age story of Nico Cavan, a girl who has been lost in the world since the age of four. She is an extremely well-developed character who evokes both sympathy and, at times, rage. Believe me, sometimes the reader will truly want to shake her and ask what the heck she is doing. The auxiliary characters are developed to the perfect point of being both mysterious and understood. In other words, you see them as Nico sees them.
The book is also a love story to music. While Nirvana is the central band, as is obvious from the title, there are many other good ones mentioned. I really hope some of the younger readers will give them a try. I grew up in the Kurt Cobain era, and the facts and stories about him brought an intense wave of nostalgia. Though I do have to admit I felt ancient when they were classified as oldies that parents listen to. Many of the facts presented I had never heard, and I found that to add quite a bit of enjoyment to my reading experience.
My only complaint is that the beginning of the book seems to drag somewhat. All of it is important to where the story goes, so please remember that if you are tempted to stop reading. It is totally worth it.
“Save Me, Kurt Cobain” will appeal to all of the audiophiles, artists, “freaks”, and the lost. It’s perfect for both young adults and adults.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Drug Abuse, Discussions of Suicide
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
Algonquin Books
September 8, 2015
Hardcover
304
With Bernard, her husband of fifty-five years, now in the grave, seventy-eight-year-old Harriet Chance impulsively sets sail on an ill-conceived Alaskan cruise that her late husband had planned. But what she hoped would be a voyage leading to a new lease on life becomes a surprising and revelatory journey into Harriet’s past.
There, amid the overwhelming buffets and the incessant lounge singers, between the imagined appearances of her late husband and the very real arrival of her estranged daughter midway through the cruise, Harriet is forced to take a long look back, confronting the truth about pivotal events that changed the course of her life. And in the process she discovers that she’s been living the better part of that life under entirely false assumptions.
In This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! Jonathan Evison has crafted a bighearted novel with an endearing heroine at the helm. Through Harriet, he paints a bittersweet portrait of a postmodern everywoman, her story told with great warmth, humanity, and humor. Part dysfunctional love story, part poignant exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, nothing is what it seems in this tale of acceptance, reexamination, and forgiveness.
Review:
“This is Your Life, Harriet Chance” is unlike any other book I have read. It combines a series of past events presented in the style of the game show “This is Your Life”, the ghost of a recently deceased husband, and a family whose dirty laundry is slowly being hung out for all to see.
This is definitely a meandering book and will best be appreciated by those who enjoy simply being along for the ride. It jumps all over between past and present. Even the flashbacks are in no particular order. The nature of Harriet’s past ranges from pure to scandalous, with everything in-between. In short, it’s a life that isn’t sugar-coated when looked back upon. The current family issues that are mixed in do a wonderful job of showing how our past can help shape our futures while not necessarily defining them. I can’t help but wonder what I would see if I looked back on my life in the same manner.
Overall, “This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!” is an enjoyable read for someone who enjoys the slice-of-life writing style.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.
Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY Book 1)
DMILY, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
December 1, 2015
416
Love is everything but expected. Eden Monro came to California for a summer of sun, sand and celebrities Â- what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers: a dad she hasn't seen in three years, a stepmonster and three stepbrothers. Eden gets her own room in her dad's fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother, Tyler Bruce. Whom shecannot stand. He's got angry green eyes and ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She's never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pull her into their world of rule-breaking, partying and pier-hanging. And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't... Did I MentionI Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.
Review:
“Did I Mention I Love You” is a somewhat twisted love story that is geared toward older young adults and new adults. It wasn’t my favorite book, but it was good enough to make me interested in reading the sequel.
The main characters of Eden and Tyler are well-developed, and they both range from completely unlikable to tolerable. I never felt that I particularly liked either of them, but that didn’t bother me very much since I at least knew where they were coming from. The secondary characters are more like high school clichés. They fit in with the story being told, though, so I can’t complain too much about it. What I do wish that the book had been trimmed down around 100 pages. It was entirely too long.
I have two other problems with the book, and while one would think the “forbidden” romance may be one, it is not. That part was a big selling point to the entire thing for me, to be honest. What I do have is a deep concern that the series is going to lead down the dark path toward romanticizing unhealthy relationships. I hope I’m wrong about that.
My other problem was with the excessive drinking. Either I grew up in a bubble or these teenagers live a very different life on a very different planet. I can’t think of even one of the wildest of my classmates (from the dark ages) who managed to party that hard virtually every single night. Those kids must already have pickled livers from the level of alcohol consumed. It seemed completely unrealistic.
“Did I Mention I Love You” will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and it is most certainly not meant for young readers. However, if you like forbidden romances and have some patience, then I recommend you to give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Child Abuse, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Underage Drinking
Follow my book reviews and ramblings:
