Woah. In a good way.

All Good Things Die in L.A. by Anhoni Patel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


All Good Things Die in L.A. by Anhoni Patel truly lives up to it’s title. The book chronicles the sobering stories of three individuals; united both by their patronage to a small Hollywood eatery and their dreams of “making it” in Los Angeles.

Patel’s unrestrained and hauntingly realistic storytelling made this book difficult to put down. I was completely mesmerized by her straight forward, crude approach to debauching the American dream. The ending left me emotionally raw and yearning for more.

I completely recommend this book for a quick and dramatic read, preferably if you are interested in a completely captivating train wreck. My only complaint is that it was very short. Regardless, I know I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Anhoni Patel.



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3 Star Island...

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was my first Carl Hiaasen book and it may also be my last. I chose Star Island because I share the same unhealthy interest in celebrities as the rest of America and I looked forward to some good satire. The beginning of the book seemed promising; Cherry Pye is a clear caricature of some real life starlets in distress and I thought the premise of her double, Anna, was genius.

I did enjoy the smooth pace of the plot but I absolutely hated most of the characters. There were a few moments where I was so completely disgusted and irritated by the excessive profanity that I put the book down and shuddered; actually skimming until I thought I could read again.

I despised Bang Abbott, which I suppose is the point, and I didn’t really understand the necessity for the governor. I would skip this book despite the rounded up 2.5 stars I’m giving it. Hiaasen did a great job interweaving wildly ridiculous situations but the characters leave something to be desired.



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Another interesting NetGalley read

The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Whole Story of Half a Girl is a superb coming-of-age book by Veera Hiranandani that allows the reader to view how a young girl learns about her identity. We meet Sonia, the main character, right at the end of her fifth grade year. Sonia has been attending Community, a private school that is rich with diversity, has intimate class sizing and no formal grades; all of which encourages each student to learn at their own pace. She looks forward to having the same teacher for sixth grade as well as remaining with her best friend, Sam.



Right before summer Sonia learns that her father has lost his job and therefore can no longer afford for her to attend Community. She begins sixth grade at public school and is confronted by questions of her cultural and social identity immediately.



I completely recommend this book for young readers. It allows a very realistic look into how pre-teens deal with different social situations using believable characters and situations.



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Another old book review that I've been meaning to type out

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really wasn’t sure I would like this book when it first came out. I’ve read every other book by Sophie Kinsella but for some reason “Twenties Girl” just didn’t seem appealing. I finally bought it on my Kindle but waited a few more weeks before trying it out.



At first I really didn’t like it. I thought Lara came off as hopelessly mopey while Aunt Sadie bordered on being obnoxious to an offensive degree. I kept reading, however, and I’m glad I did.



Kinsella’s books are definitely a little formulaic, but I ended up enjoying this book anyway. Once I got into it I found that I liked the little references to the twenties! Would I say this is my favorite book by this author? Not by a long shot. It was a nice fluffy read with enough of Kinsella’s wit to make me finish. I wish I could give it three and a half stars.



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From a few months ago but totally worth a review.

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life by Laurie Notaro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I chose this book entirely based on the title. I figured it was another semi-sappy chick lit book with some injected humor and a happy ending. I had read Spooky Little Girl a few months back and enjoyed it enough to try something else from Laurie Notaro. I’m am so damn happy I did.



The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club is a HILARIOUS collection of short articles Notaro wrote for a weekly humor column. There were parts of this book that made me laugh so hard I shook, cried and peed a little... in public. I’ve even tortured my friends and relatives reading excerpts because I think some sections (ie. the public bathroom one) are just too funny to keep to myself.



I think anyone who can appreciate a little self-deprecation and sarcasm should read this book, or at least try. There is sure to be some section that will have you laugh out loud.



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Easy does it!

I've been reading a lot of YA books lately for both pleasure and for netgalley.  I decided that before I read any of the other two books I have for review, I'd pick something from my "to-read" list.  Of course, due to my lack of decision making skills, I have actually picked three books: Star Island by Carl Hiaasen, All Good Things Die in L.A. by Anhoni Patel and A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.  I'm about three quarters of the way through Star Island and I'm completely enjoying it.  I'm normally not into crime thrillers but there is just enough satire for me to be hooked.  

Great book for middle school kids...

Calli by Jessica Lee Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Calli, by Jessica Lee Anderson, is a fantastic YA (focus on the ‘Y’) novel about growing up. Calli is a self-conscious fifteen year old girl who is faced with pretty unusual situations in an otherwise usual setting. In addition to dealing with standard teen struggles, like friends and boyfriends, she also has to learn how to cope with a new foster sister and the stigma of having two moms.



Anderson does a very convincing job of voicing Calli through the slightly immature and insecure way she reasons and acts throughout the book. This allows the reader to pick up on the subtlety of how Calli starts gaining perspective and new insights into the situations she faces.



While I did enjoy reading Anderson’s writing, this book is definitely one for a younger reader. I think children in middle school would gain the most from reading how Calli’s character evolves and takes her first step into adulthood and maturity. I would absolutely recommend this book to pre-teens both in and out of the classroom.



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MUST READ THIS BOOK

You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In her book, You Are My Only, Beth Kephart expertly intertwines two heart wrenching narratives to create a novel that is both raw and beautiful at the same time.



Meet Sophie Marks, who lives her life hiding from the “No Good,” a reclusive existence in which she is home-schooled and confined to her house. She has always obeyed her mother unquestioningly, but after fourteen years and ten moves she is exhausted. She watches the outside world through her attic window until the afternoon she breaks the rules and sneaks outside to meet her neighbor Joey and his two aunts. This one event forever changes the way Sophie views her world. Set fourteen years earlier, Emmy Rane is left clutching a yellow sock which is all she has left after her baby is abducted one afternoon.



Kephart’s descriptive writing creates astounding imagery; both as a devastated mother and as a teen coming into self realization. While this is technically a YA novel, it could certainly appeal to anyone that appreciates excellent writing. I highly recommend this book for its unforgettable and breathtaking narrative.



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My brain DOES NOT approve

My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I don't even know where to start on this book. I read this for a YA book club, mostly because it was only one dollar on Kindle. The book is about Alice, a seventeen year old girl who is over emotional and not very smart; overall just bland. The book begins with her and her party girl friend Jane getting caught in a situation that of course require male rescuing. Enter Jack; a 24 (!) year old punk/slacker who saves the girls and takes a shining to Alice. I found it very creepy that Alice basically gets stalked by some older guy but her mother and brother have no problem with it. I guess Amanda Hocking thought that by making Jack no smarter than a 5th grader it would cancel out the age difference.

I gave this book one star because I finished it. I didn't think the writing was very good due to the amount grammatical mistakes. I guess I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't already gotten enough vampire and needs something to fill the Twilight shaped hole in their heart.



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Hooray for Book Clubs!

As I've mentioned before, I read a lot. Like borderline addiction a lot. I've been enjoying the recommendations from the BOTN blog but my guiltiest pleasures are YA books.

Why? Why more vampires,
 Amanda Hocking??

I feel sort of creepy typing this, but I've taken it upon myself to join a YA book club on the Goodreads website. It is complete with little hearts and smileys but also surprisingly decent conversation on books! I may be a decade older than most of the participants but it feels nice to discuss what I normally consider embarrassing reading. This month had a few books suggested; The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, Wither by Lauren DeStefano and My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking. I've read the Uglies series a few months ago and enjoyed it but I just don't know about the other books. Particularly the book My Blood Approves. I don't mean to complain as the book was only ninety nine cents on kindle, but what is it that is so appealing about vampires?! I haven't brought myself to read Twilight and I've only seen parts of the movies. I just think I'm more of a zombie kind of girl.

Books on the Nightstand couldn't wait for me to read this...

Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Girls in White Dresses is definitely not your average chick lit novel. It has more substance; it feels more real. The book revolves around a group of three friends as they come into adulthood after college. Each chapter reads like a short story. Jennifer Close does a great job at interweaving them to create poignant commentary of the challenges 20-something year old women go through. This book is a well written beach read and I completely recommend it.



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PLL 2! just kidding..

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Lying Game seems to be a "Pretty Little Liars" 2.0, or another murder mystery involving over privileged teens and their friendships. Throughout the book I felt like I was missing something and then it just ended. In fact I am still not really sure what just happened. The narration is pretty confusing; I feel as though Sutton is meant to be the main voice but once in a while it flips to Emma's POV briefly. I will most likely read the next book because I read this one but I hope there is a little more substance to it.



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Round 9 of Pretty Little Liars

Twisted by Sara Shepard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


First let me say that I am very VERY impatient and tend to wait until book series are complete before I start them. I get too annoyed with cliffhangers so I like to read everything all in one go. I thought Wanted (#8) concluded the series just fine. In fact, I didn't even want to read this book but felt obligated to seeing as I've read the first 8 books in the series. Alas, I don't know how Sara Shepard ropes me in EVERY SINGLE BOOK but she's done it again. It may be predictable but I'm surprised that this pretty little soap opera could be taken any further without feeling too forced. Not only did I enjoy this guilty pleasure but I'm actually looking forward to the next book as well. I haven't gotten into the TV show (thank goodness) but I presume it is the reason Shepard decided to write a few more of these books.



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Fellow Binge-Readers Welcome!

Binge-reader?!  Yes friends, binge-reader.  It is the only way I can truly describe my love of reading.  I plan to document the rest of the books I read this year as well as some I've already finished and just aching to talk about!  I hope this blog helps you pick out your next book or inspire you to start your first.