Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door

By Stephanie Perkins

Hardcover, 338 pages

Published September 29th 2011 by Dutton Books

more details...ISBN 0525423281

Synopsis: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. - Goodreads.com

With Valentine’s Day approaching I thought I would review a sweet chick-lit romance. This is also featured on the 2012 list of Best of Fiction nominees by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

I could not wait to get my hands on this book. I will say though, after reading Anna and the French Kiss (which I LOVED) I was hesitant, I mean, what if this one is not as good?  Stephanie Perkins definitely came through on this one. I loved how Anna and St. Clair show up in Lola’s San Francisco. This is a sweet story I was totally absorbed into Lola’s world. You cannot help but fall head over heels for Cricket. He is seriously crush worthy! Of course in order for Lola to fall for him, she needs to come to terms with who she is and be honest with herself. It is this journey that is so genuine and sincere that drew me into this book. So if you are looking for a sweet Valentine’s Day read look no further!

Mom Disclaimer: I have to say I do not approve of Lola’s relationship with Max! He is a dork!

I give this 4 out of 5 stars

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

By John Green

Hardcover, 318 pages

Published January 10th 2012  

Synopsis: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind. - goodreads.com

Wow! I need to start by saying you will need a box of tissues when you read this.

Normally when reading, I prefer to delve into worlds with monsters and problems that are fantasy and are not mine. The monster in this book is very real and the problems Hazel encounters in this book are legitimate ones. Thankfully they are not mine.

Honestly, I would not have picked up this book if John Green hadn’t written it. As a parent this book was VERY difficult to read. It sent me on an emotional journey of guilt, gratitude, grief, compassion and acceptance.

I am so glad I read this, even as I am writing this half blindly through tear-swollen eyes. This story is heartfelt sweet and touching. It is a very sincere look at a difficult subject that did not leave me with the emotional residue that would scar me. (I cry at commercials) As I reflect on this story I like it even more. If you are looking for a heart-warming story to read for Valentine’s Day (if you are not afraid of shedding some tears) this is a must read!

I give this 5 out of 5 Stars

I am Thankful for Along For The Ride

 Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

This post is to qualify (again) for the 19-YA-Book Giveaway by author Beth Revis. I think this is the greatest idea and cannot wait to see what books people are most thankful for. 

So this summer some random chick recommended Sarah Dessen’s Along for the Ride to me after I finished (and LOVED) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I was told that if I loved Anna I would most definitely love Along for the Ride. She described it to me as a good “beach read.” OK so those of you that know me know I do not hang at the beach nor did I go to the beach this summer. I mean really? Beach Read? ME? Is there a murder on the Beach? Are there zombies on the beach? Are there werewolves or sparkly vampires on the beach?

So you ask what is a beach read? I define (in my mind from the Chris - tionary) a beach read as a book that is a quick read. The story completed at the end, no strings attached. A book you can slip into without over thinking. A book you can set down in the sand to fly a kite without being consumed with what will happen next.  An entertaining light read (sometimes sappy or gushy or gooey) that you would leave for the next vacationers to enjoy.  Also known as book I normally would not read.

Not long after this recommendation I was strolling through BJ’s and saw Along for the Ride. I hesitantly decided to scoop it up. Auden, the main character in Along for the Ride is a braniac insomniac who is given the chance to spend the summer with her father and his new family. She meets mysterious hunky loner and fellow insomniac Eli and together they embark on midnight “quests” both learning to let go and possibly find love. AWWWWW! 

Along For The Ride is indeed a quick read, very entertaining and the story is wrapped up in a bow at the end. BUT that bow is so beautiful on a wonderful glittery present I debated on opening it again. Immediately I wanted to jump back in those pages of fluffy sweetness! Instead I went back to BJ’s like the crazy book lady I am, I dug through the piles of books pushing little kids outta the way and found Just Listen, Lock & Key, and The Truth About Forever. I also have been known to troll the D section of the library, blocking sassy tweens in their skinny jeans to get that copy before they do. I love Dessen’s characters, they are so multifaceted and complex! She immerses you in their fears, insecurities, grief, resentments, and anxieties at the same time she takes you by hand and shows you hope, kindness, understanding, acceptance, empowerment, and true love. Seriously! How comforting.  

The situations her characters face sometimes are very intense and powerful, In This Lullaby, Annabel deals with isolation, and the shame and guilt of concealing her attempted rape, while her sister self destructs with a near fatal eating disorder. In Dreamland Caitlyn’s perfect romance become a nightmare of addiction and physical and mental abuse. I have to admit I was very worried being led down some of these dark avenues but Sarah Dessen guided me through the pain and despair into a happy world with sunshiny rainbows and closure in a very real and very believable way.

So Beach Read? Hmmmm.

Would I read this at the beach? Absolutely!  In a box with a fox! I would read this book here or there; I would read this book anywhere.

Is it a quick read? I could not put it down! So yeah I zipped right through it.

Is it a light read? Not really, I was totally absorbed in the story and characters. I mean What the heck is up with Eli?? When I did set it down for a nano-second it was to make chicken salad for dinner :) 

Would I leave the book for the next vacationer? Heck no! Try to pry it from my hands! I would however leave a nice note recommending it strongly.

I am thankful for Along for the Ride. I especially love that in each of her books there is a cameo by former characters. The settings of her books overlap, making a map of her world in my mind. Because of Along For the Ride I have been introduced to a new genre I would not have explored. I am so grateful I picked up this book. Right now have three of Dessen’s books on my TBR pile and then I will have read everything she has written to date. So Sad! * tear*  That’s OK I will read these again and patiently wait for the next one.

The book I am most thankful for.

The book I am most thankful for. 

 

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

 

This post is to qualify for the 19-YA-Book Giveaway by author Beth Revis. I think this is the greatest idea and cannot wait to see what books people are most thankful for.

OK! Let me explain!

I have always been a reader! I love to read! After my daughter was born, I slowed down and really didn’t read much new, except for picture books! (Which are awesome!) As she began reading I started finding all of my favorites to share with her and began re-reading these. When at the bookstore I was always looking for a specific book knowing if she liked this, she certainly would like that. Classics. 

I never paid attention other books on the shelves or to the Young Adult section at all until Twilight.

Seriously! I reluctantly picked up Twilight to see what the fuss was about. The movie had just come out and as a mother to a tween girl whose friends were reading it; I felt I needed to read it too. I devoured this book and immediately went out and bought the rest in the series. When finished, I didn’t know what to do! So I read them again, and again, and again. My daughter started worrying about me and suggested that I find something else to read. The bookstore was overwhelming; browsing through the young adult section the covers shout at you, you cannot help but pick up the book to see what is about. I wanted to read them all! I decided as a parent I would try to read at least the first of all these new young adult series to be informed. So I read Shiver, preordered Linger and read Lament and Ballad. I read City of Bones and immediately got the rest of the series and pre-ordered Clockwork Prince. I read Paper Towns and bought everything that John Green wrote. I read Hunger Games, Catching Fire and thought I would die waiting for Mockingjay. I have found so many new authors that I love! Last year I read 66 books. This year I have read 85 so far (almost all young adult books) I “say” I read them to know what my daughter is reading, to enrich our discussions. But really I am just a book junkie that is hooked on young adult. I read book blogs, (I have a book blog-ish) I listen to podcasts about books. I have made most of my family stand in lines to get books autographed. I follow my favorite authors on Facebook, Twitter & Tumblr. (I actually joined Twitter & Tumblr to follow authors & bloggers) Twilight introduced me to the incredible world of young adult fiction. I just needed something else to read to fill that hole after Twilight. Today, I am willing to read out of my genre comfort zone and because of that have found some amazing books and authors. Thank you Twilight!

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss

By: Stephanie Perkins

Intended Age: YA

Hardcover: 372 pages

Published December 2nd 2010 by Dutton

more details...ISBN-10: 0525423273 (ISBN13: 9780525423270)

Synopsis: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited? -goodreads.com

I borrowed this book from the library.

I am actually still giddy from reading this. I have to qualify that I have never really been a romance reader. I prefer horror, mystery & gore. So today when I was in the library with an impatient child waiting for me I grabbed this off the must read display. I read it straight through. Actually, I want to read it again! What a great, feel good, squishy, happy ending, sweet book. St. Claire is totally swoon worthy. Grab this if looking for a nice summer read. I definitely will read her upcoming release Lola and the Boy Next Door (due in September 2011)

I give this 5 out of 5 stars