Tag Archives: realistic
How (Not) to Fall in Love
How (Not) to Fall in Love
Entangled: Teen
February 3, 2015
Hardcover
352
Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.
Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone.
But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself...if she has the courage to follow it.
Review:
“How (Not) to Fall in Love” is the perfect palate cleanser that mixes romance with deeper issues, making it light but intelligent. Part romance, part mystery, and part family drama, it covers quite a wide range of subjects.
All of the characters are wonderfully flawed and do not fall prey to stereotypes, even though the other characters try to project them onto those who are different. They are well-developed and the dialogue is realistic and snarky. The male love interest is actually a decent guy who sets a good example for the type of relationships girls and boys should expect to have. Unfortunately, that is not always the case with young adult romances, so I’m always appreciative when it happens.
Mental illness and the effect it has on family members is also tackled and handled in a very sensitive manner. There are no miracles to make it go away, and the path is not an easy one. The realistic nature is something many people will be able to relate to, and it will also serve to help educate those without personal experiences.
While there is some adult content, none of it is explicit enough to keep middle readers from being able to read it and appreciate it, and parents can feel at ease with how everything is handled. This makes it a wonderful choice for romance lovers of almost any age.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content:
Mild Sexual Situations, Language, Drug Usage
Since You’ve Been Gone
Juvenile Fiction
Dundurn PressLtd
2015-01-24
224
On the run from her abusive father, fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother flee to London, England for a fresh start. But one day, Edie's mom doesn't come home from work. Afraid to phone the police and risk being returned to her father, Edie begins a desperate search for her mother, and finds an unlikely ally along the way.
Review:
“Since You’ve Been Gone” was a very difficult book to rate. It tackles some very difficult subjects, including domestic violence and racism. To be honest, I had no idea how rampant racism was in Great Britain until reading this novel, and the valuable education alone raised it from two stars to three. I’d like to thank the author, Mary Jennifer Payne, for making me more aware.
The problem with the book was not the plot but the pacing. It all seemed very rushed from one event to the next in a way that did not allow the reader to gain much understanding of each situation. It would have been much better had there been more details offered, even though it would have significantly increased the length. A story about such heavy topics deserves to be fully explored.
There were also a large amount of secondary characters that were completely unnecessary. They presented conflicts that had no resolution in some cases, and in others they just served to muddle the story. One character in particular did nothing for me but make me have an intense dislike of Edie, the protagonist.
It was not terrible, and I can neither recommend nor say it is to be avoided.
This book is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Violence, Domestic Violence
All the Bright Places
All the Bright Places
Knopf Books for Young Readers
January 6, 2015
Hardcover
400
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Review:
I can summarize my thoughts on “All the Bright Places” by saying that this is a book that anyone in the upper middle grades and up absolutely needs to read, including adults. It may be one of the most important books written in this decade, and I will be extremely disappointed if I don’t see it start popping up on school reading lists within a year.
The writing, complete with witty dialogue and two distinct narrator voices, is witty and solid. You feel in the moment along with them, as opposed to reading about their own moment. The characters are well-developed when they should be and not developed when they should not be. That sentence makes little sense before you read it, but please keep it in mind when you get to the end.
Jennifer Niven is a brave woman with bold and risky decisions concerning the plot, and all of those decisions come together to form a masterpiece. I can’t say much else, because the journey is the most important part of “All the Bright Places”, so I do not want to inadvertently spoil even the smallest of moments. I will say that it is a story that will most likely stay with you for life.
In short, here are three things I know to be true about “All the Bright Places”:
- There will be a movie adaptation starring Elle Fanning.
- There will be angry posts all over the internet no matter who is chosen to play Theodore Finch, because he will be so loved by fans, and that is the nature of fandom.
- It will save lives. Literally.
Five stars in this instance needs to be rounded up to 500. Please read it, and please take its messages to heart.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Talk of Suicide and Self-Harming
Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2014-07-01
304
In addition to the P-38, there are four gifts, one for each of my friends. I want to say good-bye to them properly. I want to give them each something to remember me by. To let them know I really cared about them and I'm sorry I couldn't be more than I was--that I couldn't stick around--and that what's going to happen today isn't their fault. Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol. Maybe one day he'll believe that being different is okay, important even. But not today.
Review:
If there is any book that is important to read, it is “Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock” by Matthew Quick.
I feel like I could hit a character limit for reviews simply by listing all of the life lessons to be found in the book, but I will try to keep it at a minimum. It gives excellent insight into the mind of someone who feels they have nothing left to live for, as well as all of the attempts made at reaching out that go unnoticed by most. However, it also makes it very clear that someone does care, even though Leonard may not know it at the time. There is another hugely important issue raised that is very seldom touched on and took quite a bit of bravery to tackle as bluntly as it was, but I don’t want to spoil what happens. Trust me when I say that it will make you think.
The characters are all very quirky and well-written, which is typically the case in anything written by Matthew Quick, and I really appreciated that Leonard is an extremely flawed character. All too often books for young adults tend to portray a victim of bullying and/or someone with suicidal tendencies as being a perfect human being. That is not the case here, nor is it the case with any person on earth. It makes the entire story even more relatable by keeping it realistic.
The writing flows well, and given its subject matter, it is an incredibly quick read. However, the story will stay in your mind long after “Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock” ends.
Everyone should read “Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock”. I know that I will think more carefully about those around me and look for signs of distress, and I hope that others will, as well.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Suicide, Rape
Like the Moon
Like the Moon
Realistic Adult Fiction
S&H Publishing, Incorporated
Paperback
206
In this charming novel, Mary Lewis captures the style, rhythm, and heart of a small, rural community in the South. From the first sentence to the last, she draws the reader in with colorful dialect and lovable, eccentric characters. In vibrant hues, Like the Moon weaves the fabric of a community through its oral storytelling traditions.
Review:
“Like the Moon”, by Mary Lewis Deans Foote, is what can only be described as a work of love about the daily lives of those born and raised in the south.
From the dialect to the common disagreements (should you break the leaves before or after cooking your collards?), it is a perfect picture about life in a small farming area. Everyone born and raised in the rural south can probably say they know all of these characters, by different names of course, in their own communities.
The story is told as though you are sitting around the kitchen table with the narrator, listening to what’s been going on while you were away on a trip. It is all vividly described and characters well-developed, while taking the time to meander through the stories, weaving in and out of memories of the past. It’s a true slice-of-life tale, and most likely will not be enjoyable for those who want a speedy plot with a lot of action.
If you want to take the time to savor slow southern living, then this is the book for you. The only reason I gave it four stars, as opposed to five, is that it is most definitely a niche book, and the dialect may be off-putting to those unfamiliar with the southern way of speaking.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided through the GoodReads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
No content warning, as this is an adult book.
Wildlife
Juvenile Fiction
Poppy
2014-09-16
400
During a semester in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and an unexpected romance with popular Ben Capaldi? That will take some navigating. New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living. Fans of Melina Marchetta, Rainbow Rowell, and E. Lockhart will adore this endearing and poignant story of first love, true friendship, and going a little bit wild.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy given through Netgalley by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
“Wildlife” by Fiona Wood is a book about two vastly different girls coming together during a semester in a wilderness type camp required by their school. It’s set in Australia, and while the differences are strange at first, I thought it was fun to learn more about the life of teenagers there.
The book is absolutely beautifully written, and takes many twists and turns that I did not expect at all. The two main characters, along with a secondary character (Michael), were so well-developed that your heart breaks when theirs do, and you laugh when they laugh. The mood is up and down with the story, ranging from sad to embarrassing to hilarious, and it makes the whole thing realistic.
Speaking of realistic, there is a LOT of strong language and talk of sex in “Wildlife”. It fits with the story, and I love when authors are brave enough to write how real teenagers speak, but I did want to mention it in case anyone likes to avoid those types of things.
The only reason I gave “Wildlife” four stars instead of five is because the ending felt somewhat rushed. It was a natural conclusion, but felt like it needed a couple of more chapters to make it seem less jarring. It was a bit like being on a pleasant drive and then slamming on the brakes. However, it is not anywhere near enough to ruin a wonderful book.
I highly recommend “Wildlife”.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Drinking, Drug Use, Animal Death
Love and Other Unknown Variables
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2014-10-07
352
Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswerable problems. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy pawing at her—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second).
Review:
This is a review of an ARC provided through Netgalley by Entangled Press in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t even know where to begin with how much I love “Love and Other Unknown Variables.” Love may not be a strong enough word. There are so many things about it that make it a breath of fresh air in the Young Adult genre.
Shannon Lee Alexander’s writing seems effortless and flows in a way that pulls you in quickly and keeps you engaged, making it nearly impossible to put it down. The characters are all intriguing and the dialogue is realistic for teenagers, something not always present, which adds to the relatibility of the characters to the target audience.
I was thrilled to find a coming-of-age romance narrated with such tenderness by a male narrator. Charlie is flawed but likable, and grows in a way that is inspiring. It was especially wonderful to see how siblings can grow together and become friends as they age, as well as how those we think we know can be so much more than we give them credit for.
I can’t say much else without spoiling the book, but the themes of difficult choices and thinking outside of the lines, both literally and metaphorically in this case, are explored with an excellent mix of humor and gravity.
I feel privileged for the opportunity to be one of the first to read “Love and Other Unknown Variables.” My honest opinion is that the book, as well as Shannon Lee Alexander, will become a force to be reckoned with in the world of Young Adult literature, something which is well-deserved.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations
All We Had
All We Had: A Novel
Adult Fiction
Scribner
August 5, 2014
Hardcover
272
For thirteen-year-old Ruthie Carmichael and her mother, Rita, life has never been stable. The only sure thing is their love for each other. Though Rita works more than one job, the pair teeters on the edge of poverty. When their landlord kicks them out, Rita resorts to her movie-star looks and produces carpet-installer Phil, "an instant boyfriend," who takes them in.
Before long, Ruthie convinces her mother to leave and in their battered Ford Escort, they head East in search of a better life. When money runs out and their car breaks down, they find themselves stranded in a small town called Fat River where their luck finally takes a turn. Rita lands a steady job waitressing at Tiny’s, the local diner. With enough money to pay their bills, they rent a house and Fat River becomes the first place they call home.
Review:
I received this book for free from Scribner through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
“Every character is a protagonist in their own story” is a quote I once heard (apologies, but for the life of me I can’t find the person who actually said it), and on my own attempts at writing, I have always tried to keep it in mind.
“All We Had” is hands-down the greatest example of this concept in action I have ever read. The heart of the story is Ruthie and her young mother, but every single character has a deep and rich history that is revealed through remarkably little prose. I found myself wondering what happened to them all after the last page, and I imagine I will do so for quite some time.
This book is a slice-of-life story that is a very easy read about subject matter that is not easy to read about. Ruthie shares it all with stark realism, zero nostalgia, and brutal honesty. There are no feelings of self-pity or self-congratulation. It is what it is, and that is how the story is told. As such, it feels raw and honest, ultimately leaving an uneasy feeling in the readers about all of the Ruthies that live within our world.
I don’t want to spoil anything, because in this case the journey is the story, so even a summary feels as though it would give away too much. I can say that it’s on the list of books I will be giving all of the readers in my life this holiday season. Annie Weatherwax is a wonderful storyteller, and I look forward to many more novels from her.
Five stars. I wish I could give more.
Content Warning:
“All We Had” is not actually a young adult book, but I feel like it is an excellent choice for more advanced and mature readers. There is strong language, violence, sexual situations, rape, and animal death, but none of it is gratuitous or presented too graphically. In my opinion, the contemporary social issues raised are important and present many good talking points.
Eleanor and Park
Juvenile Fiction
Macmillan
2013-02-26
328
"Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this 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"--
Review:
After reading “Eleanor and Park”, I felt an overwhelming urge to write a love letter to Rainbow Rowell. It was everything my old, nerdy, hipster heart needed and more.
Make no mistake about it, this book is hipster and nerd to the core. Everything about the 80s that was amazing in terms of pop-culture is here, and everything that needed some good-natured mocking is mocked. It’s a book filled with nostalgia that can still be appreciated by the young. In fact, it should be required reading for the new generation of hipsters.
The writing is sparse, but in a good way. The facts, and only the important ones, are laid out like an outline to a research paper, softened only by the accompanying thoughts and emotions that can only be found in hormonal teenagers finding love for the first time. It makes it realistic, and also keeps things from becoming overly romantic. The heaviness of Eleanor’s situation is never overshadowed by the good, and the good is never completely overshadowed by the bad. Given the subject matter, that balance being so perfectly accomplished is a testament to the author’s talent.
The only reason I am giving “Eleanor and Park” four stars instead of five is the ending. It seemed rushed, and while somewhat understandable, almost out of character. Given the easy flow of the rest of the book, it was a jarring awakening from a literary dream.
The ending was not, however, nearly enough to keep me from recommending it to anyone who is old enough to read it. It is definitely aimed at older readers, with subject matter that is dark and difficult to read. If given to a younger reader, I would recommend an adult read it and discuss it with them.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Abuse
Paper Towns
Juvenile Fiction
Puffin
2009
305
One month before graduating from his Central Florida high school, Quentin "Q" Jacobsen basks in the predictable boringness of his life until the beautiful and exciting Margo Roth Spiegelman, Q's neighbor and classmate, takes him on a midnight adventure and then mysteriously disappears. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Reprint.
Review:
I love John Green. No other author can turn a phrase quite like him, and I greatly respect his refusal to create novels that assume teenagers are not capable of reading about real issues they face in a frank manner, even if that includes sex and questionable language. I expect excellent work from him, and he did not disappoint me with “Paper Towns”.
Part of the brilliance of this novel is that a teenager can read it and get an entirely different story from it than an adult who reads it. Neither are inferior to the other, it’s simply that some of it is viewed differently when time removes you further from the days of high school. I literally cried from the overwhelming sense of nostalgia it created.
Quentin Jacobsen is the “every man” of high school. He is not popular, nor is he quite on the bottom rung of the social ladder. In short, he is smart, but average. Then there is Margo Roth Spiegelmen, the girl who was larger than life in Quentin’s mind. The girl on the pedestal. Haven’t we all had that person in our lives at one point or another? Of course, eventually we learn that they are just as human and average as the rest of us, and that is the point of the story.
The lessons to be learned in “Paper Towns” are good for teens and adults. People are not always who they present to the world. Some are better than they let on and some are worse. The best memories aren’t what you think they will be. Everything has a beginning and an end. All of this is woven into a thoroughly entertaining story that is filled with humor and tenderness. I highly recommend it for those who like Green’s style of writing.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Content
Follow my book reviews and ramblings:
