Review: Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Hate List
By: Jennifer Brown

Paperback: 432 pages

Published: August 11th 2009

 

Synopsis: Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life. -Goodreads.com

 

 

So often I read to escape. I read to go to faraway times, alternate realities and places where everyone behaves predictably (either good or bad) Unfortunately life is unpredictable and things happen for reasons we will never understand. This book takes you there and I am happy I went. This story is about bad tragic things happening because right or wrong they do. Thankfully the character Valerie is taken on the journey of recovering as difficult and sometimes impossible it seems, not bogging down on understanding the past. This book reminded me that unfortunately, I need face through fears and consequences of my actions and sometimes the actions of others. I need to move on regardless of my situation. This is a powerful book and is on the “Must Discuss” list when my daughter reads this. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster and spun me around so much there were times I was not sure who was right or wrong, sometimes life is like that. I think this book realistically and thoughtfully addresses bullying and though the storyline is extreme to the nth degree. I could relate to it so much. It really spoke to me.

 

Review: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Synopsis: Three brothers struggle to stay together after their parents' death, as they search for an identity among the conflicting values of their adolescent society in which they find themselves "outsiders."

When my daughter had to read The Outsiders for her 7^th grade English class I pulled out my copy and decided to re read it! The Outsiders is one of my all time favorite books. I have not read this in a long time though I have read it more times than I can count. When I had to read it for school I read it over and over and over. I read it at least four or five times in the time allotted to read it for class. My copy is old and trashed but I love this book! Re-reading it with the soft silky worn pages fitting in my hand I have to wonder why I have not re-read this for so long.

I love hearing Ponyboy’s voice in my head. Of course as I re-read this now I have the luxury of visualizing the characters from the movie in my mind. (This story is one of the times I really do not mind the movie!) The movie (1983) has Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez and Ralph Macchio. I remember when the movie came out and as a tween girl with a huge crush on Matt Dillon The Outsiders became my favorite movie (and still is). I absolutely stand behind the statement the book is always better! (though I am grateful Francis Ford Coppola did not cast a blond for Dally) In the book the characters are much deeper. I love how it captures that the tough guy greaser can be sensitive and to me that truly is touching. Their loyalty is something to desire. It tells us while sometimes we cannot change our circumstances, we certainly can affect the outcome. If you have not read this you should and if you have you should re-read it.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars!

Review: Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star

By: Maureen Johnson

Intended Age: YA

Hardcover: 372 pages

Published September 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

ISBN 0399256601 (ISBN13: 9780399256608)

Synopsis: The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities. –goodreads.com

OK, this book just looks nice. I love the cover, with its opalescent tone, giving it an ethereal feel. So eerie. I love how the first page each chapter is bordered by these beautiful scrolls and the font is super cool especially when the Chapter begins with the letter I (it looks like a candle)

I have heard about this book on the blogosphere for some time now and I finally got my hands on this book (just released Sept 29^th) Thank you Maggie for getting this for your birthday and letting me read it!

I started this book at night and stayed up as long as I could finishing it before lunch the next day. It is truly creepy! This book could keep you up at night scouring the shadows of your room. Jack the ripper is frightening enough! Now there is a copycat killer and main character Rory has just moved to the locality of the original and now copycat murders. Maureen Johnson ups the stakes by adding a ghoulish twist I really didn’t see coming. All and all it was an awesome hair-raising tale that I highly recommend.

My only complaint is that I read this SO soon after it was published! DARN! Now I have to wait till book two of the Shades of London Series is released. AHHHHHHH! So I will now troll/cyber-stalk Maureen Johnson’s twitters for any news and updates.