So, it's been awhile, and has not exactly been 10 reviews, but here it is, the next part of Breaking Pieces of a Real Heart!
We had moved seven times since my parents split when I was eight. My mother claimed it was for the job, but I think she was trying to run. Run away from anything and everything that reminded her of the elusive, the heartbreaker, Mr. Nick McLean. We've been everywhere from L.A. to New York and she seems to find something that reminds her of him in every place. You'd never notice the breaking pieces of a real heart underneath the cut-throat, hard-ass prosecutor mask, but they were there, I'd bet you anything.
This time, we were off to Woodbridge, Virginia, 20 miles outside D.C. and the future home of Heather and Eliya Kevins. Needless to say, I was pissed about the move, but I got over it. Or so my mother thought. It was always the same. "I promise we're here to stay." then 6-8 months later, our life is in boxes in the back of the suburban and we were on to the next "undiscovered adventure". These "adventures" were quickly becoming predictable if you asked me. Luckily, mym mom timed this one just right. Moving from South Carolina to Virginia presented an almost imperceptible change in temperature and scenery. The suburbs were still white picket fences and the grocery stores were still Kroger. The only thing that changed was the state name on our driver's licenses.
As always, thanks for you support of the blog, Love you all!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
So, now that I've calmed down from that brag/buy session...here's a fresh review for you all!
Quinn's life is filled with women who've been hurt by men, and she herself has pledged to make "safe" and "smart" decisions. Just a short time previous, Quinn's wild-child, promiscuous dad came back into her life, bringing in his many shortcomings, as well as a half-sister to Quinn and her sister Charlotte. Together, Quinn, Charlotte, Frances Lee (the half-sister), a cute guitarist, and one giant Big Bob...statue? Something like that...They go on a karmic past, meeting the women of their father's past and discovering what lies ahead for them if they don't cross the line every now and again.
I've read this book before this moment, but every scene between Quinn and Jake still gives me butterflies. Quinn's relationship with Daniel, someone for whom she feels...on the fence...to say the least, is so...boring, that the contrast is stark and shocking. (Literary term being thrown at you) Jake and Daniel are clearly foils, and the way Caletti uses that is so wonderful.
This book deals with some issues that teen girls from broken homes deal with. Her portrayal of the back and forth, constant spying and lies, of a particularly nasty divorce, is really heartfelt and real. Weaving in stories from the women in Barry's life and the women in Quinn's life of love, loss, heartache, and big mistakes, Deb Caletti weaves a story of a karmic quest not soon to be forgotten. I promise you, pick this one up and you won't soon forget it either. Have fun!
Teaser Quote: "Let me hold you to sleep."~Jake to Quinn
Quinn's life is filled with women who've been hurt by men, and she herself has pledged to make "safe" and "smart" decisions. Just a short time previous, Quinn's wild-child, promiscuous dad came back into her life, bringing in his many shortcomings, as well as a half-sister to Quinn and her sister Charlotte. Together, Quinn, Charlotte, Frances Lee (the half-sister), a cute guitarist, and one giant Big Bob...statue? Something like that...They go on a karmic past, meeting the women of their father's past and discovering what lies ahead for them if they don't cross the line every now and again.
I've read this book before this moment, but every scene between Quinn and Jake still gives me butterflies. Quinn's relationship with Daniel, someone for whom she feels...on the fence...to say the least, is so...boring, that the contrast is stark and shocking. (Literary term being thrown at you) Jake and Daniel are clearly foils, and the way Caletti uses that is so wonderful.
This book deals with some issues that teen girls from broken homes deal with. Her portrayal of the back and forth, constant spying and lies, of a particularly nasty divorce, is really heartfelt and real. Weaving in stories from the women in Barry's life and the women in Quinn's life of love, loss, heartache, and big mistakes, Deb Caletti weaves a story of a karmic quest not soon to be forgotten. I promise you, pick this one up and you won't soon forget it either. Have fun!
Teaser Quote: "Let me hold you to sleep."~Jake to Quinn
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Heyheyhey!
Heyyoooooo! people of the blogosphere!!!!! yeah, i'm superduperhyper. you can tell. well, ya know, it's only because I'M GETTING A NOOK TODAY!!!!!!! wonderful stuff. #soexcited. and yes, i just used a hashtag on my blog. deal with it. I should stop it before I insult somebody. anyway, more reviews to come!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti
Fair warning...this book was nothing like I expected it to be.
Cassie Morgan is the stepdaughter of the brilliant yet certifiably insane Dino Cavalli, a world-renowned violinist and composer. While at first Cassie was angry at him for being a self-centered, ego-centric bully, now she's only scared at what his depression might bring on her and her mother next. Then he decides to take on a student, the irresistable Ian Waters, an extremely talented violinist and a total hottie, who is extremely kind and wonderful. Basically the book tracks the ups and downs of Dino's growing depression, paranoia, and irritation, and the budding and forbidden romance between Cassie and Ian. It's a wonderful story.
This is a pretty typical teen romance, but some of the issues it deals with are really real. The psychology behind depression is fascinating, and the connection between the great artists and creators of the world and depression and insane behavior is really interesting (this is why I'm taking psychology next semester. I'm again, a nerd). It's a great story, and a really interesting look into the mind of a genious and how behavior affects a family (albeit a fictional one). Although I'm not exactly raving about this one, it's a good break from the monotony and if you want to pick up a book just for a good story, this is a good one!
Teaser Quote: “Sometimes you build up these walls, you build and you build and you build up these walls and you think they’re so strong, but then someone can come along and tip them over with only his fingers, or the weight of his breath.”~Cassie Morgan
Cassie Morgan is the stepdaughter of the brilliant yet certifiably insane Dino Cavalli, a world-renowned violinist and composer. While at first Cassie was angry at him for being a self-centered, ego-centric bully, now she's only scared at what his depression might bring on her and her mother next. Then he decides to take on a student, the irresistable Ian Waters, an extremely talented violinist and a total hottie, who is extremely kind and wonderful. Basically the book tracks the ups and downs of Dino's growing depression, paranoia, and irritation, and the budding and forbidden romance between Cassie and Ian. It's a wonderful story.
This is a pretty typical teen romance, but some of the issues it deals with are really real. The psychology behind depression is fascinating, and the connection between the great artists and creators of the world and depression and insane behavior is really interesting (this is why I'm taking psychology next semester. I'm again, a nerd). It's a great story, and a really interesting look into the mind of a genious and how behavior affects a family (albeit a fictional one). Although I'm not exactly raving about this one, it's a good break from the monotony and if you want to pick up a book just for a good story, this is a good one!
Teaser Quote: “Sometimes you build up these walls, you build and you build and you build up these walls and you think they’re so strong, but then someone can come along and tip them over with only his fingers, or the weight of his breath.”~Cassie Morgan
Tangled by Carolyn Mackler
Surprise! I kinda gave up on TMI for now, because I've read them wayyy too many times. But I took my sisters to the library yesterday (I'm one of those overbearing crusader types) and picked up three new books, and I've already finished two...testament to my nerdiness. So here's the first one I finished!
Tangled is about four teens, Skye, Jena, Dakota, and Owen, who journey to Paradise, an island in the Carribean (not Paradise, OH from I am Number Four...that's what I thought at first and was almost dissappointed.) for spring break. Skye and Jena meet Dakota, a player with a sad past, and yeah...some stuff happens. Dakota breaks Jena's heart by ditching her for Skye...interesting stuff. Anyway, Owen is Dakota's brother, but we only see him once on this vacay and don't really learn his name until Dakota's chapters, and don't really learn who he is until Owen's chapters. The story tracks these four teens through their daily lives, dealing with some deeply personal issues and finding their way in a cut-throat world.
The book is broken down into 4 parts, each told from one of the teen's point of view. We start with Jena, then Dakota, Skye, and finally Owen. As you read, you begin to put pieces together and figure out how they're all connected outside of Paradise.
Mackler deals with some pretty tough stuff in this book. Although from the outside it looked like a fun teen romance that would be a great break from semester finals, on the inside were some pretty real feelings that left you scared and sad, ecstatic and joyful, and also contemplative. I found myself in the little quirks and characteristics of each character as they told their story.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it all, but some parts got too real for me. Some of the language was terse, not something I expected to see, and sometimes something I struggled with (even more than Black vernacular in a Hurston novel). It was really hard for me to push through the book and finish, even though it ended happily, and without the commentary on sex or the male anatomy. As someone who prides myself on having values, it was really hard to push through this book, so even though the plot line was awesome, I had that strong and sinking feeling that if I owned the book, it would probably be marked beyond recognition so I could even feel comfortable reading it again.
As it was, I did enjoy the book beyond that minor detail. Owen and Jena (the main characters, basically) were enchanting and real, even if some of the things they did or thought weren't. The problems they faced were very...real is the only word I could use, and I found them reminding me of myself a lot more than I thought they would.
Teaser Quote: "As I closed my door, I wondered how it's possible that one person's entire world can change while the other person is still making watermelon soup."~Skye
Tangled is about four teens, Skye, Jena, Dakota, and Owen, who journey to Paradise, an island in the Carribean (not Paradise, OH from I am Number Four...that's what I thought at first and was almost dissappointed.) for spring break. Skye and Jena meet Dakota, a player with a sad past, and yeah...some stuff happens. Dakota breaks Jena's heart by ditching her for Skye...interesting stuff. Anyway, Owen is Dakota's brother, but we only see him once on this vacay and don't really learn his name until Dakota's chapters, and don't really learn who he is until Owen's chapters. The story tracks these four teens through their daily lives, dealing with some deeply personal issues and finding their way in a cut-throat world.
The book is broken down into 4 parts, each told from one of the teen's point of view. We start with Jena, then Dakota, Skye, and finally Owen. As you read, you begin to put pieces together and figure out how they're all connected outside of Paradise.
Mackler deals with some pretty tough stuff in this book. Although from the outside it looked like a fun teen romance that would be a great break from semester finals, on the inside were some pretty real feelings that left you scared and sad, ecstatic and joyful, and also contemplative. I found myself in the little quirks and characteristics of each character as they told their story.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it all, but some parts got too real for me. Some of the language was terse, not something I expected to see, and sometimes something I struggled with (even more than Black vernacular in a Hurston novel). It was really hard for me to push through the book and finish, even though it ended happily, and without the commentary on sex or the male anatomy. As someone who prides myself on having values, it was really hard to push through this book, so even though the plot line was awesome, I had that strong and sinking feeling that if I owned the book, it would probably be marked beyond recognition so I could even feel comfortable reading it again.
As it was, I did enjoy the book beyond that minor detail. Owen and Jena (the main characters, basically) were enchanting and real, even if some of the things they did or thought weren't. The problems they faced were very...real is the only word I could use, and I found them reminding me of myself a lot more than I thought they would.
Teaser Quote: "As I closed my door, I wondered how it's possible that one person's entire world can change while the other person is still making watermelon soup."~Skye
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