Sunday, July 17, 2011

Different Can Be Good

Book Report for This Girl is Different by J.J. Johnson

Cover Story: Relevant and Unique
BFF Charm: Yes
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Sing It Sistah!
Bonus Factors: Hippie Mom, Green, Loyal Pet
Relationship Status:  One With You


Cover Story:

I love this so much. It is so unique yet actually relevant to the book! The text, the lightening, the drawing are all pleasing to my eye and mean so much after finishing the book.

The Deal:
Evie is different. Not just her upbringing-though that's certainly been unusual-but also her mindset. She's smart, independent, confident, opinionated, and ready to take on a new challenge: The Institution of School.

It doesn't take this homeschooled kid long to discover that high school is a whole new world, and not in the way she expected. It's also a social minefield, and Evie finds herself confronting new problems at every turn, failing to follow or even understand the rules, and proposing solutions that aren't welcome or accepted.

Not one to sit idly by, Evie sets out to make changes. Big changes. The movement she starts takes off, but before she realizes what's happening, her plan spirals out of control, forcing her to come to terms with a world she is only just beginning to comprehend.

JJ Johnson's powerful debut novel will enthrall readers as it challenges assumptions about friendship, rules, boundaries, and power. (from GoodReads)


BFF Charm: Yes!
Evie is most definitely best friend material. She stands up for what she believes in but also keeps her friends constantly in mind, even when they aren't happy with her. Her activism and extremely strong moral compass make her a BFF that I realized would be true to herself and her promises. Although she makes mistakes in the book, she easily can admit and attempt to fix them.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Oh Rajas! Adorable and Indian (definitely props for this, because that isn't something you read everyday).  He is so realistic because I can name many boys who don't like to be "defined" by relationships. Evie and Rajas have a couple swoon-y moments. He doesn't always do the right thing but he is totally right for Evie.


Talky Talk: Sing it Sistah!

Evie's different mindset is what makes her observations and judgments for the world around her so interesting to read. Her determination and wit make you root for her educational revolution. She learns from her mistakes, something I also enjoy in a character. Evie is not a character that has been written before but she is a refreshing new voice.

Bonus Factors:
Hippie Mom

Martha is Evie's mom who is a free spirit. She guides Evie to make the right choices but has her own spunk as well!

Green
Evie and Martha live a green lifestyle in a biodome house. Evie doesn't complain about her lifestyle. In fact, she takes comfort in it.

Loyal Pet
Hannah Bramble is Evie and Martha's cow. She doesn't play a large role in the novel but I enjoy her presence nonetheless.

Relationship Status: One With You
I enjoyed this book on multiple levels. Evie is a fantastic character with a unique mind. She is three-dimensional and realistic. Her educational background had me wishing she were in my colleges classes. This Girl is Different is a book for those who appreciate a person for who they are and what they bring to the table.


Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.

More to Come!
On Deck:
Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff
In The Pit:
Misfit by Jon Skovron
Deviant by Adrian McKinty
Park Parties by Sara Grant

Impossible to Relate

Book Report for Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Cover Story: Exemplary
BFF Charm: I'll Take Half of You
Swoonworthy Scale: .5
Talky Talk: Um No. Just No.
Bonus Factors: Curses, (step)Parents That Rock
Relationship Status: Bless Your Heart


Cover Story:
Now this is a cover I love. It is mysterious and somewhat simple. The colors mesh it is pleasing to the eye and stimulating to the brain. This is where the book wins, in my opinion. The rest... well you will have the read the rest of the review to see where that goes.


The Deal:
Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter.
Inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale.
Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child’s birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won’t be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents and her childhood friend Zach beside her. Do they have love and strength enough to overcome an age-old evil? (from GoodReads)


BFF Charm:  I'll Take Half of You

Lucy can be my friend, but I don't see her being a good friend. I think a good friend who could just kick her for being naive and downright stupid might be in order. On the other hand, Zach can be my friend any day. He is the meaning of true loyalty and friendship, not to mention a fantastic significant-other! His determination to help Lucy solve her curse is admirable and almost unbelievable. But that's okay, because so is a lot of the book!

Swoonworthy Scale: .5

This book attempts to be swoonworthy at times with Zach. And although his intentions are there, pregnant teenagers are not helping the swoon-y moments. Not even a RAPED pregnant teenager. Who doesn't have any normal rape victim reactions... (more about that later). While Zach himself could definitely have been high on the swoonworthy scale, Lucy and her adventures make this book hard for any heat whatsoever (at least in my opinion).


Talky Talk: Um No. Just No.

Now I can address the inappropriateness of the entire book that made me ANGRY. Rape is dealt with lightly in this book. Lucy doesn't seem to really have much of a reaction to it that I would expect. Rape is almost rewarded with a marriage. She doesn't seem to struggle, besides with her torment of the Elfan Knight and the curse. UM HELLO? Severely disliked this. 

Bonus Factors:
Curses
Curses are pretty cool. I actually like that Scarborough Fair was used as the inspiration. It created a nice sense of Magical Realism (one of my favorite things!).

(step)Parents That Rock
Don't you love google images? Lucy's awesome stepparents Leo and Soledad rock in their awesome ways that they help Lucy and encourage her to make the right decisions (although she doesn't choose abortion.. which could have been the easy way out of the curse IMO)


Relationship Status: Bless Your Heart

It was a nice try, but the little parts I liked really don't make up for the lack of true emotion that should have been portrayed by Lucy. She pouts and pities herself briefly but never really has a true emotional breakdown, which I believe was definitely called for. Teen pregnancy that is dealt with in a manner I wouldn't (not necessarily abortion but just understanding the weight of the situation) is probably my least favorite thing to read about, making this book a chore at times.

Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.

More to Come!
On Deck:
This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson
In The Pit:
Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff
Deviant by Adrian McKinty
Misfit by Jon Skovron

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bruised But Loved

Book Report for Bruiser by Neal Shusterman


Cover Story: Acceptably Mysterious
BFF Charm: If Only I Could Change You
Swoonworthy Scale: 2.5
Talky Talk: Intelligently Yours
Bonus Factors:  Mysterious Loner Cutie, Poetry That Doesn't Suck, Vocabulary, Adorable Kid
Relationship Status: My Heart Aches But I Yearn For More

Cover Story: Acceptably Mysterious

Oh my, an up-close face. Haven't seen that one before. However, for this one I think it doesn't totally tank. The text is interesting and it wouldn't totally shameful to be seen out in public with.

The Deal: 


Tennyson:
Don't get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted "Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty" by the entire school. He's the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Brontë, dating him? One of these days she's going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it's not going to end well. 

Brontë:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way—no right to threaten him. There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends—why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me. 

Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear workings of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love. (From GoodReads)


BFF Charm: If Only I Could Change You


Brewster can come into my life and be my BFF or boyfriend any day. However, his... erm.. condition which you discover is a bit scary and is so endearing yet makes you want to run away screaming. If I could somehow fix him he would be mine in an instant.

Bronte could also be my BFF. She has a thing for helping "strays", whether they are people or animals. I can relate to that. She seems to actually care for Brewster, although she seems to be a little stupid with her feelings (declaring love after what.. a week? not my style). I could totally hang with her though.

Tennyson is such a love-hate relationship with me. Once he shapes his act up, I really enjoy his loyalty and smartass (in a good way generally) behavior. That being said, his actions with Brewster and the lacrosse game really ticked me off. But at that point I was ticked off about a lot of things.

Swoonworthy Scale: 2.5

This is barely a 2.5 because Brewster is adorable and you love him. You really do. But he never gets a legitimate swoon-y moments because his story is just so heartbreaking. I wish Bronte and Brewster had more (even innocent) alone time. It would have made more sense for their romance, because that is one thing the reader never really got to see.

Talky Talk: Intelligently Yours

Shusterman has a power with words. I cried multiple times while reading this. It is impossible not to feel something. However, what struck me even more was the narration that was intelligent yet believable by multiple characters. Each character had a particular voice and he created a distinct feel through their word choice. Bruiser written so well and does not feel too short or too long.

Bonus Factors:
Mysterious Loner Cutie 
Brewster just screams mysterious loner cutie, with some serious feelings to boot! And is intelligent, especially when he takes his turn at narration.

Poetry That Doesn't Suck
Believe me, I do not generally like most poetry. Especially the stuff put in for the "artsy" factor in YA books. But Brewster narrates using poetry and it is GOOD.

Vocabulary

This is a personal bonus factor. But I like the vocabulary theme with the chapter titles, as well as the more intelligent use of language, especially from Tennyson, Bronte and Brewster. It isn't overdone but it just shows a higher intelligence within a teen. I like that. I'm also a wordie, so I appreciate this more!

Adorable Kid
Okay, I am ready to take Cody home with me! He is so innocent and trusts Brewster so much! Any adorable adoptable kid scores bonus points in my book.

Relationship Status: My Heart Aches But I Yearn For More

This is a serious book with a smart feel to it. I definitely go for more of it, but spaced out. Certain parts of the book felt somewhat helpless (because the situation within it is so serious). It isn't the type of book I read everyday because it gets you in a funk. But it is the type of book you read to consider or change your perspective on life.


Disclaimer: I have used the Book Report Style Grading from ForeverYoungAdult. I do not claim originality in my style of reviews. That being said, this is my own personal opinion of a book I was unsolicited to review. I received nothing for my review except the pleasure of reading.


More to Come!
Impossible by Nancy Welin
This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson

Monday, July 11, 2011

Here We Go Again

So another attempt at a book blog. This time I am going to hook it up with my goodreads account


In terms of rating books, I think I am going to go with the ForeverYoungAdult method (I hope they don't mind!) and change  it for my preferences. All credit for book report style to them, however (and I am eternally in love with their website. Go check them out)! 
In case you wanted something else to do, there is a great contest and book tour coming up in the south. Head over here to check it out!


In the works:
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman