I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Summary: Jude and Noah are twins, but they aren't similar at all. At the age of 13 Jude and Noah are still pretty close siblings, but as they grow up they fall apart from one another. At the age of 13, Jude and Noah were already had incredibly different personalities and interests. Jude is popular and brave. Meanwhile, due to Noah being gay he tends to try and hide himself and recluses himself to art one of the only places he can find himself not being judged by who he loves. They begin to fall apart when their mother, who has never chosen a favored child, chooses Noah. At this point, although Jude has always been her father's favorite, she feels jealous. Then she does something that impacts Noah's life. Jude and Noah's parents agree to send them to an art school the next year and although Jude isn't very excited Noah cannot wait to go. Until Jude becomes jealous and ... *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: I loved this book SO MUCH. It may be the fact that I'm a twin myself so I feel a bit closer to this story? ANYWAYS Jude and Noah are pretty representative of my twin sister and I. Although we're identical we're pretty different. I really enjoyed this book not only because of Jude and Noah, but also because the plot is so amazing. In the beginning I have say I may have favored whoever was speaking, but slowly I could see parts of myself in both Noah and Jude so I really liked that. Being able to see both Jude and Noah's perspectives. My absolute FAVORITE part of the whole book is how Jude and Noah used to "split up the world. " It just really reminds me of things I would do and things little kids talk about when you're really young. It was just really touching to see Jude and Noah bond even after they've had their differences. *scroll down for spoilers* Read if You Like: twins, plot twists, sibling relationships, love, family, life Cover: 4/5 (cute I love the colors!) Rating: 5/5 Favorite Quote: "I gave up practically the whole world for you,” I tell him, walking through the front door of my own love story. “The sun, stars, ocean, trees, everything, I gave it all up for you.”
Summary Spoilers: ... and doesn't turn in Noah's application. However later a tragedy happens. Their mother passes away, but before that Noah saw something he wasn't supposed to and didn't tell Jude. On the day their mother passed away, Noah saw his mother cheating on his father with another man and kept it from his family. Noah is also been able to reunite with his childhood love. After a long adventure, Jude admits to her secret and Noah tells her as well and they find out that Jude's art teacher is actually the man their mother was cheating on. However, everyone soons finds peace with one another now that all these secrets are told.
Opinion Spoilers: I was pretty pissed at their mother. I also couldn't believe such a nice man , Guillermo (the artist and man the mother was cheating with ) could try to take away the mother of Noah and Jude. I was, however, pretty relieved when they were finally able to all finally tell their secrets. I was also super happy for Noah at the end, because for a while it seemed like he wouldn't give in to what he knew he was, but he realized he is who he is and I was so happy/proud for/of him?? Overall I was just really happy with the ending and how it all tied together.
Comments
Not After Everything by Michelle Levy
Summary: Tyler was going to have the ideal life. A life with a nice girlfriend, lots of friends, a scholarship to Stanford. He threw it all away after his mother killed herself. Now his life couldn't get worse. Tyler lived with his abusive, alcoholic dad who forces him to pay for everything he needs to live. Now he's forced to work as much as he can to save up for everything even things like toilet paper. The only thing that's keeping him going is his dog, that fact he can lock him room, and that in a couple more months he can leave. His life takes an unexpected turn however, when he breaks up with his girlfriend and takes up a new job a some photography studio. There he rekindles an old friendship he practically forgot all about. *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: It took me a while to actually start liking this book but once I got into it, I really did. The part about Tyler's mother's death, I found a bit too descriptive and gory, but besides that the start of the book seemed alright. However it didn't hit me almost all the way until Jordyn.*scroll down for spoilers* Read if You Like: lost friendships, love, loss, how to deal with loss Cover: 4/5 Rating: 4/5 Favorite Quote: " 'I really don't deserve you.' 'I wish you'd stop saying that.' "
Summary Spoilers: At this new job at the studio he reunites with Jordyn. Jordyn used to be one of Tyler's closest friends when they were younger, but now that Jordyn has turned goth he can barely recognize her under the makeup, hair, and baggy clothes. After the initial hate battle between them Tyler and Jordyn soon become close friends again and ,not to long after that, boyfriend and girlfriend. However, Tyler still feels wary about sharing his situation and feelings with Jordyn, but when he does they become closer than ever. Even with Jordyn as Tyler's new hope in his life, back at home he still deals with his abusive father. One day Tyler's father gets too far and almost kills Tyler in a drunken stupor. Luckily Jordyn was nearby and able to call for help, saving Tyler's life. Even though Tyler and Jordyn know they are in love, when college comes Tyler also knows he has to leave this town and Jordyn understands and so they both leave one another.
Opinion Spoilers: I felt SO bad about Tyler's dad. Every time something happened I honestly wanted to help defend Tyler or just do something about it. I was SUPER glad Jordyn could help him out and it seemed like such dream family Jordyn had compared to Tyler's that it even made me grateful for my family. This was a great book but also so disheartening. I loved the way everything turns out it the end though. This is definitely a great YA book because it seems so realistic even though you know it's actually a fiction story. It honestly seems like there could be a Tyler and Jordyn going through this somewhere in the world and that's why and I really enjoyed this story.
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Summary: Meg has grown up in a world of her own. A world where her parents let her pursue her passion and a world where she has always been able to see the brilliance of her parent's work. She has gotten close to Theo and Paul, but everything changes when her parent's invention, the Firebird, is stolen Meg's father is killed and Paul uses the Firebird to jump into a different dimension. Theo and Meg automatically believe Paul was the one who killed Meg's father and in order to get revenge they follow Paul to whatever dimension he jumped into. In this dimension, the technology is extremely advanced and Meg has lost her whole family and lives with her aunt instead. Luckily Theo is close by and they meet up and go find Paul. *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: At first I have to admit I was a bit confused as to what was going on, but after a couple pages in I was hooked. This was one heck of a story and my family can confirm how much I was talking about this and especially how much I wanted to pre-order the next book! I love EVERY SINGLE PART of this book, and it is definitely one of my favorite books now. The whole idea of this story really captivated me. From the dimension traveling to the plotline. However I have to admit my favorite part would be Meg seeing herself in different dimensions because the variety can't help but make you imagine what you might be like if there are different dimensions. In one world you could be an astronaut and another a surfer, the possibilities are endless and that amazes me. Now, let's talk about the absolutely amazing characters and plot. It's probably obvious my favorite characters are Meg and Paul, but honestly I have to say that through reading this I really like her parents?! Does that seem weird... It's just because of how brilliant, creative, and brave they are. I think that the characteristics her parents have are traits many people wish for. OK NOW THE PLOT <3 I LOVE IT. Although ALL of the plot line was absolutely amazing, my favorite had to be the plot twists I had NO IDEA were coming. They only made me even more entranced with the story and I know I won't forget what happened in this book! *scroll down for spoilers* Read if You like: sci-fi, love, dimension travel, adventure, plot twists, a great book Cover: 5/5 (This cover is INCREDIBLY beautiful can I give it a 6?) Rating: 5/5 Favorite Quote: "I would love you in any shape, in any world, with any past. Never doubt that."
Summary Spoilers: Meg quickly finds out Paul was not behind her father's death, but Theo doesn't believe her. Paul leaves this dimension and soon Theo and Meg follow. In this dimension Meg is a Russian princess. However the society is not as advanced and so Theo can't get to Meg is this dimension, not to mention Meg's broken Firebird. Meg ends up spending a lot of time as a princess and with the Paul in this dimension. However, Meg really is spending time with the Paul in THIS dimension because Paul got his Firebird taken away. While Meg tries to get her Firebird fixed Meg bonds with Paul and forms a secret relationship with him. However events happen including a battle and Paul dies and Meg has to jump into the next dimension. Her Paul made it to the next dimension, but here Meg soon finds out that the REAL traitor is Theo and that her father IS STILL ALIVE. With the help of Paul she is able to bring back her father and everything is great and everyone is happy.
Opinion Spoilers:I WAS SO MAD AT OTHER DIMENSION THEO. To be honest... I was sort of rooting for Theo in the beginning, but all that happened and even though the REAL Theo was innocent I feel like he still has a part of the traitor in him. These plot twists were absolutely amazing though and I can't stop telling people I know about this book. I just love it SO MUCH.I also know that I REALLY WANT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK. *clicks pre-order* (EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK THOUGH)
Forever For A Year by B. T. Gottfred
Summary: Carolina and Trevor are both in high school and they quickly fall in love. Trevor is new to Carolina's school, and although he quickly falls for Carolina at first he is deterred because everything tells him Carolina isn't "cool" or "popular." Meanwhile Carolina has sworn off boys, but can't help falling for Trevor. Soon they both realize how much they love one another and finally become girlfriend and boyfriend. At the same time, Carolina has a goal of becoming one of the "popular girls" this year. This goal changed Carolina and may have cost her more than she expected. *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: Forever for a Year is one of those books where you can't seem to decide if you like it or not. It's a book where you can't help but hope for a happy ending yet everything seems to go wrong. Although I loved the characters, I can't say I really enjoyed the plot. There wasn't any certain part of the book where I couldn't wait to read more. Everything was at a slower pace. Sometimes I do enjoy slower books, but I think I didn't enjoy this as much because I just expected a face paced novel. I have to say this will never be a favorite book of mine, but that I think for people who enjoy slower YA romances this could easily be a favorite. Another part I didn't quite enjoy was how much drama there was in this book. I know I know, this is fiction, but it felt so fake when all these things go wrong and get better and the plot just didn't seem realistic to me and it never completely grabbed my attention so after putting both those into account I just couldn't completely enjoy this book. I really don't want to say a book is bad, but I didn't find this book a page turner. *scroll down for spoilers* Read If You Like: love, heartbreak, new relationships, drama, firsts Cover: 4.5/5 (I love the font and the cherries; they're so cute and pretty at the same time) Rating: 4/5 Favorite Quote:
Summary Spoilers: Carolina is quickly drawn to the appeal of being popular especially since her best friend has the same goal in mind. However, after starting to date Trevor, Carolina and her best friend don't have the same kind of friendship they did before. Even after a while Caroline and Trevor don't have the same kind of appealing relationship they did before and Carolina finds herself a bit bored with her life. Then she makes the biggest mistake. She calls an older guy from school to see if she really would end things with Trevor and though she leaves him immediately everything goes wrong when he claims they kissed. Trevor is extremely angry and their relationship can't ever go back to the way things were. Trevor and Carolina are no more. They live on with their own lives and came to the fact that even though they both loved each other the timing wasn't right and they went on with life.
Opinion Spoilers: I thought that the whole spoilers part was quite cheesy. Some parts added a nice plot line, but others I thought were , personally, unnecessary. However I REALLY enjoyed the Acknowledgements the most. PLEASE if anyone reads this book really just finish the story and then read the acknowledgements. I think after reading that my ratings moved up from a 3.5 to a 4. Like THAT is how much I loved the ending. Overall this book is worth a read if you enjoy books similar to this one.
The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor
Summary: The Things You Kiss Goodbye is in the perspective of a teenage girl called Bettina. Her father is very strict with her and therefore her life choices are very limited. That is until Brady Cullen took her heart and also miraculously her father's permission to date her. Bettina and Brady were each other's first love and they were both so happy. However Brady started out as a shy caring boy but as they both get older it is quickly obvious how much Brady changes. As Brady get more popular the way he acts ,in general, changes but the way he treats Bettina changes massively. Then Bettina meets Cowboy. *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: This book was not at all what I thought it would be, but in both good and bad ways. Let's start with the good. I absolutely loved the way Leslie Connor described Bettina and her life. It was like getting to know Bettina herself. The whole book also flowed really well together. Unfortunately, at least for me, I felt like around the beginning to the middle of the book everything was moving at such a slow pace. So although we got a lot of description of her life it slowed everything down. Besides that, it was a great set up. There are more of both good and bad things but I have to save them for the spoilers ;P sorry. *scroll down for spoilers* Read If You Like: Love, heartbreak, sad stories, first love Cover: 3.5/5 Rating: 4/5 Favorite Quote: LOL THIS IS MORE LIKE A COUPLE SENTENCES THOUGH " 'I mean I saw him in my mind's eye. Your friend. I imagined in, Bettina. I imagined that he was out back with you and the boys. And I thought, what's so bad? We could welcome him - somehow- we could reach an understanding. I would have tried for you. I would have helped you tell your bampas.' My mother reached for me and I let her take my hands. 'I am so sorry we never go that chance.' "
Summary Spoilers: Cowboy is older, but incredibly kind to Bettina and is the first ounce of kindness Bettina has received in a long time. Meanwhile, Brady is getting even worse with Bettina and soon Bettina has bruises and scratches all over her body from Brady, but she still doesn't leave him. Eventually Bettina realizes she is falling in love with Cowboy and vice versa, but both have their own problems Bettina with her abusive boyfriend Brady and restricting family while Cowboy has an abusive mother that he can't seem to find the heart to leave behind. Finally Bettina and Cowboy exclaim their love for one another and promise to leave both their abusers. Bettina is even able to get her mother to understand that she was in love and to even meet Cowboy soon. Unfortunately, the same day, Cowboy gets into a car problem and dies. When Bettina finds out the next day, she is heartbroken and for once her family partially understands. Her grief fills her life for a while and in a desperate attempt to feel better she even cuts off her beautiful, long hair. At last Bettina realizes though she will always love Cowboy and think about him, she has to live life and continue on.
Opinion Spoilers:More good stuff...COWBOY. Yes yes he was old but I was so happy someone could drag Bettina away from Brady. I was literally so pissed at Brady I could have verbally damaged him... because I'm probably not stronger than him physically. I really hated that someone who started so sweet had to become such an evil person later on. At the same time I was angry at Bettina, because she was waiting for the old Brady to come back when it was clear that she should have left. Now, the bad news. WHY DID COWBOY HAVE TO DIE. It really didn't seem fair that after all Bettina went through that the one person, the one good thing she had in her life and fell in love with so much, had to die. It felt incredibly unfair and it made me quite angry. Overall, it had a unique plot and I enjoyed reading it.
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Summary:Saint Anything starts with a girl called Sydney.Sydney WAS rich, but after her brother's repeated mistakes her family had lost a lot of money. Now here she is about to go to a PUBLIC school for the first time. This was a brand new start a way to hide her brother's past as well as her connection to him. Here she could start over. At Sydney's new school she starts out alone until one day she decides to go for some pizza at Seaside Pizza. Here she first meets Mac who helps her with her order. Next she meets a Layla and they quickly bond over the fact Sydney is the only one who ever wants a root beer flavored YumYum. At home Sydney has to deal with: 1. an over controlling mother 2.a drug addict/ drunk driver/potential murderer brother who is at jail 3. a friend of her brother that is practically on the edge of sexual harassment.(Her brother was drunk and hit a boy, David Ibotta, and caused him to no longer be able to use his legs.) Sydney doesn't talk to Mac or Layla or even buy pizza for a while, but finally after a while and an interesting night at a nightclub with Eric's band (Eric is Layla and Mac's friend) Sydney is finally a part of their little friend group. Soon Layla and Sydney become the best of friends, but everyone has bumps in their road.*scroll down for spoilers*
Opinions:This is probably one of my favorite books of all time. I usually hate rereading anything, but I wouldn't even mind rereading this one. My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE part of this book is the way the characters were made. You can tell how much effort Sarah Dessen put into each and everyone one of them. If these characters were real and I passed them on the street ,after reading about them, I really think I could figure out it was them. Not only were the characters so well written the book in general was absolutely amazing. So much was going on, but at the same time it didn't overwhelm your mind and the plot and the way the words flowed together was just perfect. *scroll down for spoilers* Read if you love: adventure, life, death, love, friendships, hardships, PERFECT STORIES Cover: 5/5 Absolutely stunning! It gives off such a mysterious/intriguing yet beautiful feeling. Rating: 5/5 Favorite Quote:
Summary Spoilers: (so much goes on but I'll try my best here we go!) Mac and Sydney get into a secret relationship. Layla helps protect Sydney from Ames (her brother, Peyton's, perverted friend). Sydney sleeps over at Layla's house and they go to the hidden carousel in the woods. Eric's band (which includes Irv, Ford, and Mac) got to participate in a competition that potentially help there band win a lot of bigger shows with bigger audiences. However when they go to Sydney's house to record she takes one sip of beer/wine? at the same time her mom comes through the door. Then her life is heavily restricted. Layla also finds out about her secret relationship with her brother, Mac. Soon changes are made however when Sydney finally talks to Peyton and realizes she's not the only one feeling guilt. Her family is slowing readjusting and Ames is kicked out and Sydney's friends are again accepted. They band also wins the competition. At the very end Sydney gains the confidence to finally go and meet David Ibotta as well as apologize to him.
Opinion Spoilers:My favorite part was at the carousel, but the cover only made that image even better. I was also SUPERDUPER happy Ames got what he deserved because he was a pervert and UGH I wanted to punch him as soon as I realized what he was doing to Sydney. Mac and Sydney are relationship goals though! They are so kind to one another and even after everything that happened they pulled through together. Then there's Layla and Sydney which are friendship goals because you can really see how perfectly they fit one another and how they're both so much better when the other person is around. Overall this book has to be my favorite as of now (and probably for a while now) it is so well written and everything was absolutely stunning!
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Summary: When Anna is suddenly whisked away from the only world she knew in Atlanta, Georgia and sent away to a boarding school in Paris, she was furious and nervous, but she never could have guessed what was really going to happen. At her new school, SOAP (School of America in Paris), she makes a whole new group of friends: Meredith, Josh, Rashmi, and St. Clair. Soon Anna can't help but admit that she's in love with St. Clair... unfortunately he also happens to already be in a serious relationship with Ellie. *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinions: Anna and the French Kiss is such a great classic YA romance. After not reading one for a while I have to say I really enjoyed this. I think the reason I really enjoyed this book though was because of how unlike fairy tales you were able to see all the problems Anna and St. Clair's relationship went through. For example, in the beginning it was pretty awkward because of St. Clair already being in another relationship. So I'm going to be honest here, I really should have read this book sooner, but I never bothered to read the summary and I really judged this book by it's cover. It has an amazing plot and the characters are easy to get to know and just a few pages after meeting everyone you feel like you are also a part of this group. This part might just be because of how I've grown up, but there is honestly more drama in this book than all of the drama that has ever happened at my school (granted that it's a nerd school (but a great one love y'all if you're reading this ;D )). So honestly I really didn't think the book needed so much? At some points I even had to check to make sure I knew what was actually happening, but now being my hypocritical self I do have to say drama makes the book pretty interesting so there's that too. *scroll down to read spoiler's review* Read if you love: YA, love/romance, boarding school, Paris, movies, drama Cover:the eiffel tower one- 3/5 the pink one - 4.5/5 Rating: 5/5 Favorite Quote: "I wish for the thing that is best for me."
Summary Spoilers: Anna and St. Clair get to bond a lot during Thanksgiving break and only get closer by texting during Winter break. During this time St. Clair also finds out his mother was diagnosed with a high stage of cancer. When they get back things seem a bit awkward, but they quickly bond once again. Then a walk to the park leads to Anna's French Kiss (HAHA I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE STEPHANIE PERKINS), but Mer sees them and after having a crush on St. Clair her heart is absolutely broken. Then St. Clair runs after her and Anna is left confused. After hating St. Clair for a while and even dating another boy, she finds out St. Clair actually broke up with his long time girlfriend Ellie for her while Anna thought he was just running away from her. So, Anna and St. Clair finally get together and have their happy ever after.
Opinion Spoilers:THE CANCER PART WAS REALLY SAD ST. CLAIR AND HIS MOM DID NOT DESERVE THAT AT ALL. I won't even tell you what happened to his mom even some spoilers aren't meant to be spoiled ;). Anyways, although I knew they were going to get together at the end (like most YA love stories) I didn't except all these plot twists and that what really enjoyed about this plot!
Between Us and the Moon by Rebecca Maizel
Summary:Between us and the moon is a story about sixteen year old Sarah who falls in love and at the same time into a pit of lies. When one day her boyfriends breaks up with her because she "watches the world" Sarah is determined to change. So Sarah (aka Bean) tries to be like her popular and beautiful sister Scarlett. She fakes her age, clothes, and even tells people that she's headed off to MIT in the fall. However at the same time she's starting a relationship with Andrew a friend of Scarlett's and an incredibly kind boy, but he's 19 and she's only 16. Soon her lies are almost standing in the way of their relationship. She only expected a summer fling, but as Bean really falls in love with Andrew she knows her secrets and lies are about to be exposed, but should she really risk the truth? Isn't it better the way it is? *scroll down for spoilers*
Opinion: Do you know that moment in a horror movie where the pretty girl is about to open the door and let a murderer in? That's pretty much how I felt when Sarah started lying I was just mentally screaming STOPPPPP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE in my brain ... for pretty much a good 3/4 of the book? Even though that was going on I have to say I really enjoyed this read! ... *sigh* I really can't say much of my opinion without spoiling this story though :/ so... *scroll down for spoilers* Read if you love: love, summer romances, lies, truths, future Cover: 4.5/5 I love the typography and that you can see the stars! Rating: 5/5 Favorite Quote: "Let's swim to the moon"
Summary Spoilers: Sarah doesn't tell the truth, in fact she holds off for as long as possible. On the very last possible night she had to tell Andrew the truth and he pretty much has to leave her. Sarah's heartbroken, but through this relationship she formed a new one both with herself and her sister.
Opinion Spoilers: I sort of knew this was going to happen? but at the same time when it did I was really sad... I can't lie and Sarah and Andrew weren't a cute couple because they really were and I really wish that they were closer in age because then there definitely would have been a happy ending. Even though the relationship didn't work out, I was really glad Sarah found herself, because it was clear in the beginning (after the first breakup) that Sarah really didn't feel complete, but by the end she did find out she was an amazing person and throughout her life she would meet people that would love her for her and not force her to change.
|
Stephanie C.A fan of anything fiction, furry, & fun. Archives
June 2019
Categories
All
|