Review: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

the lowdown

Cassie is a natural. She's a natural at reading people, and knowing a lot about them, just by looking at them. She just didn't know that this innate ability would catch the attention of the FBI. Cassie didn't know she'd become a Natural. The Naturals is a program run (secretly) by the FBI which hopes to train teens with natural abilities that could be useful in crime solving. When she's approached with an offer from them, she's shocked. Still reeling over the loss of her mother, and with an absentee (although he's in the military) father, Cassie decides she's not really tied down, and decides to enter the program, much to the chagrin of her grandmother, with whom she lives. Plus, in the back of her mind, she wonders if honing her ability might not help her solve her mother's murder. So she does it, and she decides to go live in a house run by the FBI, with other extraordinary teens, to learn how to catch serial killers.
I have to confess that this isn't a totally fair review, because I accidentally spoiled myself on a major plot point about 20 pages before it happened. I was enjoying the book so I decided to request the sequel from my local library, and in doing so, saw the description for the sequel, which included a major plot twist. Oops. So I can't pretend like this book shocked me, because I knew some pretty major stuff. That being said, I was kind of disappointed with this book anyway. It was still a good book, just not as good as I was hoping. I love a good murder mystery...Criminal Minds, CSI, Law and Order, Psych, Monk, you name it, I'm there. I thought that this concept had a lot of potential, I mean serial killer profiling teenagers? I'm so there. Unfortunately, I think very little of that potential was realized. Still, because I think there are so few well-written books that capture two of my favorite genres (mystery and contemporary YA), I'd still recommend giving this one a read if you like that combination.

the good 

• The premise was awesome and getting inside Cassie's head as she profiled people was definitely cool. There's obviously a little needed suspicion of disbelief to get on board with how much she's able to tell about someone about how they park their car at the mall, but I was willing to do it. I think that kind of stuff is fascinating. 
• The characters were pretty funny. Think about the kind of kids that would end up in a house for FBI trainees, add in a couple of grumpy FBI agents, and you've got a good yourself a good time. That being said, I wish that more had been done with them. Again, I felt like there was a lot of potential, with little of it being realized. There were two love interests, both with interesting backstories, but neither backstory was really explored. 
• Some parts of this book were really well done and made me not want to put the book down. Others were a little dull, to be honest. I think that the mystery was also really well handled, you know, until I ruined it for myself. The fact that there were parts that were that well done gives me faith for the future installments, where I hopefully don't spoil the ending. 

the bad 

• It was too young adult without being good at it. The romantic moments in the book just felt forced and honestly, a little juvenile (although I'm a slightly older YA reader). There was also a lot of house drama between the teenagers living there that just really didn't interest me. There wasn't enough meat on the bones of the YA stuff for it to be good, and then focusing so hard on trying to force that really detracted from the mystery aspect. Neither aspect was great, they were both just okay. 
• The love triangle. Dear Lord, this was the captain of all unnecessary love triangles. It was very frustrating, quite honestly, because I couldn't make myself give a crap about either of the guys because all the book talked about was their skill set. Again, no exploration of their admittedly kind of fascinating backgrounds. 

the quote
"No matter how long they did this job, or how much training they had, these agents would never have instincts as finely honed as ours."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
I borrowed this from the library (like I always do) and I don't regret it. The concept and the profiling is so cool that I definitely recommend reading it if you like that kind of stuff. I still requested the sequel, and will definitely give it a read. So still read it, but definitely borrow it.

overall score: 7/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Guest Review: Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca

guest review into
Hi everyone! My name is Leticia. As was mentioned in the Sunday Preview, I am the younger sister to Laura. I'm a sophomore in high school. I enjoy hanging out with friends, shopping, and reading. The main genre I read is young adult and some mystery. I hope you enjoy my review and I look forward to reviewing some more in the future.

the lowdown
Before freshman year of high school Kelsey and David became best friends. One night changed all of that when Kelsey became the talk of the school. Her parents told Kelsey that they would be moving away. Kelsey saw this as a opportunity to restart her life and leave behind everything that has happened. Now it's senior year: Kelsey has a new group of friends, a baseball player for her boyfriend, and popularity. Everything is perfect until David comes to town. Everything that Kelsey has built is falling apart little by little. The more time she spends with David, the more she sees she can never let go of him.

I really enjoyed this book because it lays out every detail to perfection. Gina Ciocca made it feel like I was watching everything play out in my head and she made me want to leap into the book and join along. This book is real in focusing on the high school life, which is great since I am currently in high school and I can relate. Last Year's Mistake is a book that really captured my attention. I could re-read this book a million times.

the good

• While I was reading this book I felt like I was in the book. Like I was one of the characters. Gina really drew me in and I wanted to belong and to join in on everything that was happening in the book.
• The characters that are portrayed in this book are like teens these days. They have boy drama in real life and in the book. This made everything seem like high school life today for me and my friends.
• I really love the way the author wrote the book. She really understands how teen girls feel and how they react to situations in the book. And she was able to portray that in her writing.

the bad

• The book could have really had more things going on between Kelsey and her boyfriend. The drama was there but it could have stood to be a bit more spiced up and to bring more to the storyline.
• It could also have had more description about school wise. Like their classes, and how the school layout was. Maybe something to help picture everything in my head a bit more clearly.

the quote
"Violet's hand shot into the air. "Mr. Ingles? Wasn't Shakespeare gay?'... Mr. Ingles grabbed the back of his chair and leaned on it. "It's a highly debated topic, Ms. Kensing. Shakespeare was, of course, married to a woman, and he fathered several children." "But that doesn't mean anything, right? He could have been trying to hide it."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
 This book is one that I recommend that every teenager should have on their book shelf. I would have to say buy it!

overall score:10/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

the lowdown

Sydney has always felt invisible in the shadow of her older brother, Peyton. Peyton was always larger than life, charismatic, while Sydney hung out in the background. But Peyton's adventures turned increasingly reckless, culminating in a drunk driving accident which leaves a young boy permanently paralyzed. With Peyton in jail, and her parents more focused on him than ever, Sydney feels not only invisible, but alone. But then she meets the Chatham family. They teach her about dum-dum selection and proper french fry eating and, most importantly, that she is seen.
I feel like I start every review off saying how excited I was to read whatever particular book I'm reviewing (which shows 1. that I'm just really excited about reading, but also 2. that I only pick stuff I'm pumped to read. Who would have guessed?) But that was really the case this time. I'm a huge Sarah Dessen fan. I think she is the bee's knees. I was lucky enough to meet her in person when she was on tour for The Moon and More, and we've tweeted back and forth a couple of times (fun fact: one was about dinosaur balloon animals and the other was about Kristen Bell. I full on spazzed both times.) Anyway, I love her and I love her writing. I've always loved reading, but her writing was what really got me into reading young adult books. I felt this book, you guys, I felt it in my bones. I don't know if it's because it reminds me of something I'm dealing with in my personal life, or just because the writing is that powerful, but I devoured this book. Like a good book does, it spoke to me, to a part of me that needed speaking to. Any book that can help you process a difficult time in your own life is a good book indeed. 

the good 

• The characters are so well developed that you feel like you really know them, and you loved growing with them. I wanted to crawl into this book and just give Mrs. Chatham a hug. No one does characters and character development like Dessen. No one. While this may not be her most notable work in that regard, the characters and development still shine bright. I found Sydney, as a main character, to be a little blander that past entries by Dessen, but still likable. I found myself relating to her reaction to Peyton's situation, and certainly found myself occasionally frustrated by her propensity to shy away from voicing her opinion in certain situations, she was definitely an enjoyable main character. 
• The plot, particularly the plot line between Sydney and Peyton, was intriguing and expertly handled. For me, this is where this book really shined. It's definitely a darker Sarah Dessen than some may be used to (although not as much as Dreamland), but it was, as I said, really well done. 

the bad 

• The one thing that this book is missing is that moment that her books so frequently have. Difficult to articulate, you know it when you read it. It's that moment where she offers up some little advice, as only she can, about life, and then you realize the character has changed. While the plot still felt resolved, it didn't pack quite the punch to which I'm accustomed from Dessen.

the quote
"...it wasn't until later in the day that I realized the most shocking thing at all. It wasn't that I'd broken down, but that I hadn't been alone when I did so. You only really fall apart in front of the people you know can piece you back together."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
Even though I almost always check stuff out from the library before reading it, I bought it before even reading it. I'm such a Dessen fan that I knew I'd want to have it. Embarrassingly, hers are the books I'm saving so my daughter can read them some day, and I knew no matter what I wanted to expand my collection. I don't regret it! If you're a Dessen fan, you won't regret it. Buy it. 

overall score: 9/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Preview Review: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

the lowdown
Perdu is the owner of the Literary Apothecary. He is able to see into the soul of people and figure out which books they need during that moment in their lives. all except himself. He was left heartbroken by a women and all he has left is a letter he refused to open 20 years ago. He goes on a journey to the South of France to finish his story and find peace.

When I first saw this book I was hesitant to order it. I am glad I did because it opened my eyes to a new way of looking at books. Usually we see them as a way to distract ourselves from reality and to get away from it all. This book shows how books can actually give you the comfort you seek or the help you need. Books open doors to feelings you haven't felt before or the ones you need to feel again. Nina George captures the beauty of Perdu and his 'readings' of people and what they need a dose of in their lives. She is able to pull you into this place where you can find yourself.

Pick up your copy of The Little Paris Bookshop on Tuesday, June 23 at a bookstore near you!

the good

• Its a wonderful storyline and its a book that I really enjoyed. Nine George captures you and brings you into this Literary Apothecary and it made me want to visit. Perdu is someone who everyone can relate to because that heartbreak he goes through makes him who he is how he has to overcome this hurt. 
• The characters are very well developed and I am able to distinguish each of them and imagine them in all their glory. You can tell Nina George took her time to develop these characters and give them a backstory, a history, for Perdu to be able to connect with them on some level.

the bad

• The writing of the book can be confusing at some points. It may be since it is set in France that the french throws is off but I did find myself having to reread a few sentences to make sure I was understand what was going on.
• It is a bit hard to get into at first. The book does start off a bit slow but as you keep reading you get sucked into the life and ongoings of Perdu. Like I mentioned above, its confusing and thats what made it hard to get into at first.

the quote
"Books are more than doctors, of course. Some novels are loving, lifelong companions;some give you a clip around the ear; others are friends who wrap you in warm towels when you've got those autumn blues. And some...well, some are pink candy floss that tingles in your brain for three seconds and leaves a blissful voice. Like a short, torrid love affair."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
 I would buy it because it is a book I would pick up again and reread over and over again. It is a light read and allows for one to think over past books they have read to see if they have helped in some way.

overall score:8/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review.

Sunday Preview: June 21 - 26

just to recap
Last week we reviewed Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham and Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight. Our Flashback Friday was Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer. We realized in hindsight that Reconstructing Amelia was old enough that it should have been a Flashback Friday book. Liz and Laura communication fail. Oops. We're probably going to change our policy on what constitutes a Flashback Friday and we'll let you guys know next week!


this week
That announcement doesn't matter, though, because this week instead of a Flashback, we're going to have a guest reviewer! Cue the confetti! Laura's sister, Leticia, will be reviewing Last Year's Mistake for us. You can also look forward to a review of The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, set to hit shelves Tuesday, and Saint Anything by beloved author Sarah Dessen.

 

Flashback Friday: Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

the lowdown

Gigi and her two best friends, Neerja, and Bea, are just biding their time in high school, waiting for their all but certain acceptances to good colleges so that their lives can begin. When they hit the Ivy Leagues, they'll have everything. But when they discover how empty Neerja's idolized, genius older sister's senior yearbook is, they realized that there may be more to getting everything than what they thought. They decide that they've got to take action to get everything they deserve, including a full yearbook.
I actually just read this recently, but it was published a while ago. I wanted to read this because it seemed like something that I could relate to...in high school I was definitely a lot like Gigi.  I also hate reading books about girls who aren't interested in being perceived as intelligent. It's a huge pet peeve of mine, so I figured I would really like this book. Overall, it was a cute read. Nothing groundbreaking, but it didn't really pretend to be and I wasn't expecting that. I found Gigi to be a relatable character, with some feminist undertones that I appreciated. 

the good 

• The friendship. I absolutely wanted to go hang out with Gigi, Neerja and Bea. I seriously adored their best friendship and the way they support each other. This little friendship group was definitely the highlight of the book, and they serve of a great example of how to write female friendships without cattiness. I really enjoyed reading about them growing as they were pushed out of their comfort zones. 
• The supporting characters, specifically Gigi's family. I love that Gigi's mother is another smart female (this book has them in spades!) and that she cares a lot about Gigi even though she's not there for her all the time. But I especially liked Gigi's hilarious french-speaking grandmother who pretty much lets her do what she wants. As far as the love interest goes...it's hard to say much without giving the plot away, but I liked him a lot, too, but wish that he would have been developed a little more.
• I really appreciated the representation in this book. It can always be better, and actually the main character Gigi is pretty bland, but I appreciated that Neerja was Indian and that there were references being made to a lesbian couple.

the bad 

• The plot was definitely predictable. I can't say that there was anything about this book that caught me off guard or surprised me. That being said, it was an enjoying sort of predictable, and it was paced well. 
• There wasn't much of substance here. It was a nice, light pick-me-up read, which is what I was expecting, but I would't have been disappointed if I found that it covered deeper and more difficult topics. There was definitely room for it--some of the characters had some really interesting and trying family situations that I think could have been fleshed out a little more. 

the quote
"Friends should have the right to adopt one another after age thirteen."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
Borrow it. This book is definitely worth reading if you're looking for a smart young adult book. I don't see myself coming back to reread this one, though, and so this is a great one to grab from your local library or a generous friend.

overall score: 7/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

the lowdown
Amelia is a 15 year old attending Grace Hall in Brooklyn. Her mother, Kate, is a litigation lawyer in a Manhattan law firm. When Grace Hall calls Kate one afternoon to tell her Amelia has been suspended and Kate promptly heads to the school. Once she arrives she is given horrible news: Amelia has jumped from the roof and died. Kate goes on a journey to figure out what lead Amelia to jump from the roof, but instead figures out its not the truth. She is told that Amelia didn't jump. Kate tries to figure out what happened to Amelia on that day and piece together the life Amelia had that Kate never knew about.

This book is amazing! I have read a few page turners in the past, but this one is on the top my list. I found out about the book when it was mentioned in an article a few months back. Afterwards, I was on the hunt to find it and read it. I am so glad I did. This mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and I always wanted to know what happened next. Reconstructing Amelia is not a book you want to start before bed because you will want to finish it that night. If Gone Girl is a book that you loved, then this needs to be your next read. It keeps you hooked and interested, right from the start. Kimberly McCreight outdid herself in this novel.

the good

• The writing of this book kept me hooked. I wanted to know what was next, who was involved, what would happen. It was a need by the end. I loved how interesting she made it and how it was told. Having many points of view on the same moment helped get perspective and it really shaped the book.
• Being able to tap into a teenager's mind the way she does in the book is amazing. Usually it's simple and straightforward, but in the book, she takes it a step forward and has her mother figure out all her secrets and put the pieces together to solve the mystery that is her daughter. Tapping into this new territory is great and gives McCreight a leverage over other psychological thriller authors. 
• The storyline and being able to visualize all the people, the school, and the actions was amazing. McCreight gave life to this book with her vivid details and it made me want to be in the book and experience it through another one of the characters. It was as if a real life mystery was unraveling before my very eyes.

the bad

• The way it keeps flipping between points of view can be confusing if you aren't quite paying attention to the chapter liners. I had some difficulty at the beginning, but as the story developed it was easier and so much more insightful when it switched points of view.
• Some of the context was a bit more R than PG but it all flowed and made sense as to where the storyline was headed. Its not as bad as other novels out there, but this is one flaw that could have been left out and it would not have been missed. 

the quote
"Sometimes its hard to tell how fast the current's moving until you're headed over a waterfall."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
 In my opinion, if you cannot already tell, buy it! It needs to be part of your book collection if you love Gillian Flynn. This novel keeps you on your toes and it won't disappoint.

overall score:9/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham

the lowdown

Scarlett is a fifteen year old Muslim detective who lives in Las Almas. She is an orphan, having lost her mother to cancer and her father to murder. Luckily, she still has her sister, who is a resident at a local hospital. When a young girl comes to her office requesting help because her brother is acting strangely, Scarlett has no idea that this seemingly innocent case will lead her to discover secrets about her family, her faith, and herself.
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love it really bad. I really appreciated that the main character was a Muslim woman of color. Goodreads also lists this for fans of Veronica Mars, which is my favorite show ever, so I mean it when I say that I really wanted to love this book. I couldn't, though, and I didn't. Without giving too much away, I will say that the somewhat paranormal aspect of the story was irritating to me. I just didn't really enjoy it and I didn't finding myself suspending my disbelief throughout the story. I didn't hate this book; it certainly wasn't bad enough that I did not want to finish it, I just can't say I really enjoyed it, either.

the good 

• I really appreciated the representation that this book offered. I always find it refreshing to have a character who's not a white teenaged girl. In this case, We've got a Muslim American who's also a person of color. Love it. I do have to say that I've read that the author's characterizations of the tenants of Islam are somewhat inaccurate, perhaps bordering on offensive. I'm not well versed enough in the Islamic faith to say whether or not this is true, but it's worth noting.
• Scarlett is a total BAMF, which I love. While she's not necessarily afraid of relying on others, it's amazing how much Scarlett is able to accomplish on her own. Recognizing and ditching a tail? Check. Being able to beat down the bad guys with her blackjack? Check. Yep, she's definitely a badass.
• I really liked how the author wrote Scarlett's narration. I love narrative driven stories, and I thought that aspect of the story was well done. While I didn't love the plot, I did enjoy getting inside Scarlett's head and seeing not only how she solved the mystery, but also how the various revelations in the book impacted her.

the bad 

• There were a few, minor inconsistencies and sloppy editing that lead me to believe that this may have been rushed to print. For instance, the book jacket says that Scarlett is fifteen, but at one point in the book, Scarlett says she's sixteen. While that didn't change my understanding of the story, it definitely made me question how carefully the book was finished.
• The paranormal/cult aspect of this book, which constituted a majority of it, just did not ultimately appeal to me. If the story and characters are good and compelling enough, I'm usually willing to suspend disbelief for enjoyment purposes. I did not feel that way about this book. The paranormal aspect felt rushed, and I don't know that I feel like it was fully resolved. Given that it was the focus of the book, and not the characters, I think that it needed to be really well done to succeed, and unfortunately I don't think that's the case.
• The story felt a little short to me. I didn't feel like I got to know anyone other than Scarlett particularly well. Given that this is a young adult title, I was expecting quite a bit of focus on the characters. Instead we get a mostly absent sister and a whole cast of minor characters who appear when it's convenient to the story. The mystery aspect of the book was definitely the driving point, which would have been fine if it's was well done and interesting, but for me, it just wasn't.

the quote
"'Then I guess we'll have to do things the hard way,' I said. 'Because I'm real good at my job, and real bad at letting things go. Sooner or later, I'll bust up your little freak show. And when that happens, I guarantee you're not gonna like it."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
 Ultimately, unless you have a particular interest in a paranormal Muslim cult, this unfortunately falls in the skip it category.  

overall score: 5/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sunday Preview: June 15 - June 19

just to recap: 
 Last week we reviewed Going off Script by Giuliana Rancic and The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne. We also had our first Flashback Friday and that was The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.

this week:
You can look forward to reading reviews on Scarlett Undercover and Reconstructing Amelia. Our Flashback Friday this week will be Smart Girls Get What They Want.

 

Flashback Friday: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

the lowdown
I actually haven't reread this book in awhile but it has always been one that I can easily pick up and reread all over again. Dan Brown makes Robert Langdon jump out of the page. He takes you, and places you in the middle of all the action. Compared to the movie, the book is much better because it better describes what Langdon is feeling and how he analyzes every piece of the puzzle. It plays on what you believe and you will begin to question everything you have heard about Jesus Christ and the last supper.

The books is perfect for anyone looking to jump into the historical fiction genre and is a great example of how well books can really capture you and make you play mind games. Dan Brown does a wonderful job of opening your mind into this controversial topic and really makes you question everything you have ever thought was true.

the good

• The characters in the book are so descriptive that you can imagine them as living people. RobertLangdon and Sophie Neveu come to life in this book as the perfect pair to figure out the puzzle. 
• The complexity of The Da Vinci Code cannot compare to his other books. There is something so unique to the book that made it a page turner. You always wanted to know what was going to happen next and if Sophie and Robert were going to be able to figure it out. 

the bad

• The controversial topic of the book and its history facts makes for a read as if he, Dan Brown, was trying to push his convictions on you. Even if it is historical fiction, there is some truth to what he has to say and thats what makes for a tough read. You would have to be open-minded going into this page turner book.
• The book does get a bit repetitive after a while and you begin to find yourself bored for a while. I would skim it for a bit because some of the information written didn't deem to be of importance and wouldn't really tie into the storyline. 

the quote
""The Last Supper is supposed to be thirteen men. Who is this woman?
Everyone misses it, our preconceived notions of this scene are so powerful that our mind blocks out the incongruity and overrides our eyes.""

skip it/borrow it/buy it
 Even though I have this book, I would recommend borrowing it because its a book that many people who aren't historical fiction junkies, would be bored of in a few chapters. The book is definitely not for everyone so if you do read it, go into it with an open mind.

overall score:6/10

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

the lowdown

Kate Quinn's mother died a year ago. Since then, nothing has been the same. She was shipped off to live with her aunt and uncle in South Carolina, far away from Los Angeles where she grew up. Where her best friend Penny lives. Where her life was. Little did Kate realize, that was just the tip of the iceberg. One day after she gets home from her new school, she discovers a huge crowd of press outside her aunt and uncle's house and a Presidential candidate in her living room. What she finds out next, that this man she's seen on the news, is her father, changes everything. Kate's world is turned upside down once again upon learning that she is the product of an affair her father had with her mother, who was working on his first campaign. She decides to go live with him and his family her new family, which includes a step-mother and twin half-siblings, and work on the campaign.

I read somewhere that this was like Sarah Dessen meets Aaron Sorkin/The West Wing and I love The West Wing and Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, so I was all in. This book didn't disappoint. I loved the character depth and growth in this story. This book got off to a bit of a slow start, but really picked up. I thought that the author's handling of issues in the book and the world she created were very compelling. This is a must read for any YA fan. 

the good 

• The way in which the author handled issues in the book was very well done and felt authentic.  While I've not personally spent any time as a member of a political campaign, it felt very realistic; it did not feel like a romanticized notion of what it might be like to be on a campaign. Thorne's handling of Kate's grief over the loss of he mother was also very well done. It was true to that emotion and not glossed over too much, which happens far too often in novels dealing with loss, I think, but also didn't overcome other elements of the story.
• I really loved the characters and character development. This story is first and foremost a family drama, which I really enjoyed, but I think is tricky to do well. Without well written, likable characters, this storyline could have become very annoying. I can't imagine what it must be like to find out that you were the product of an affair and that you have another family, let alone to go and live with them, but this book tackles that storyline well. It would have been easy to draw lines and make "good" and "bad" characters in this story (like an evil, calculating father who cares only about his career and not at all about his family, or an terrible step-mother unwilling to welcome in the offspring of her spouse's illicit affair). Thankfully, Thorne was smart enough not to do that, and it really made the characters come alive. Instead, what she left us with was an imperfect family struggling to make the best of an imperfect situation, and their trials and tribulations along the way...which definitely brought me to tears multiple times (full disclosure: I'm a book crier, so take that with a grain of salt). 
• The love story is another of the book's strong points. It was sweet and innocent, like many "first" relationship stories, but managed to stay away from crossing the line where it was saccharine and overdone. Additionally, despite being a YA title, the love story really wasn't the primary focus of the book, which I appreciated. I hate it when I read a story that has a great romantic interest, but nothing else of substance to back it up. That was definitely not the case with this book. 

the bad 

• While I liked the writer's writing style quite a bit, some of her phrasing was repetitive. There was a point at which I thought if another character blanched I was going to throw the book out the window. It wasn't enough to disrupt my overall enjoyment of the book, but it was enough to be noticeable.
• For all the great character development in this story, there was definitely one character that felt a little underdeveloped: the main character Kate. You get sparks of her personality at different moments throughout the book, but she never feels fully developed. Most of the other characters seem to have a better sense of who they are but I never felt that way about Kate. In some ways, that was relatable, because I often feel that way at times, but at other times it made the reading a little bland. That being said, Kate wasn't annoying, and while occasionally bland, she was a tolerable main character. 

the quote
"'No, I don’t feel ashamed.'

My voice ricocheted from the speakers, echoed by a shriek of feedback. I guess I’d spoken a little too loudly. The crowd had fallen dead silent. I saw that the senator had come back, his hand hesitating inches from the microphone, but what could he do? I was talking, he couldn’t stop me. His hand dropped.

I swallowed.

'There’s no shame in being born. I don’t have to apologize for that.'"

skip it/borrow it/buy it
Highly dependent on your tastes. For me personally, even though I got this from my local library, I intend to buy it, because the subject matter is right up my alley. I definitely recommend reading this book if you're a YA fan at all, but you may not find yourself returning to it if the political aspect doesn't interest you. Because of that, I'll put it in the borrow it category.



overall score: 8/10

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Review: Going Off Script by Giuliana Rancic

the lowdown

From the Fashion Police and E! News host Giuliana Rancic, comes this hilarious new book about her childhood, life with Bill, surviving cancer and achieving her success on television. In twelve chapters, Giuliana is able to transport you into all these moments in her life and she gives us a sense of actually knowing her. Giuliana becomes a best friend you never knew you had.

I adored, absolutely adored the book. I am a big fan of Giuliana Rancic and when I heard she was releasing this book, I went to the store and bought it right away. and I am so happy I did. If you have ever seen her show or caught her on Fashion Police or E!News, you know she's hilarious and she was able to transfer that into her book. She touches on her hardships of making it into 'the biz,' her life with her husband Bill and son Duke, her cancer and infertility struggles, and on the heartbreaking death of her friend and cohost Joan Rivers. All of her ups and downs are chronicled in her book and its a must read for those looking for a good, kickback, beach read.


the good

• Giuliana takes you through her childhood and how she achieved her success in making it in "the biz". She's able to walk you through her life as a rebel child and how she paved her own way in the E! network. She really worked hard to make a name for herself.
• Joan Rivers was a great friend and mentor and when I got the chapter about her, I cried. She truly inspired Giuliana and the way she wrote about her made me feel like I knew her and I could vision Joan doing and saying all these things Giuliana was writing about. 
• The hilariousness in the book was amazing. Having watched Giuliana on all her shows, I could hear her voice as I read and all her jokes made for a read that was easy and relatable. She's witty and humorous and when you read, you can sense her feelings as she was experiencing them and reliving them while writing the book. 

the bad

• Giuliana has this habit of sometimes being a bit over dramatic in her stories, but who isn't. Its well written but sometimes it can be slow and then it can pick up right away. The rollercoaster of some emotions and stories can suggest that it wasn't edited that well.
• The stories in some areas are linked back into another chapter and it would have been helpful if she had just done one chapter about it. For example, she brings up Joan early on in the book, but I felt like that would have fit in better with the chapter on Joan instead. The connection of stories is very important and its something the editor could have remarked on.
• She dived into the making of her tv show with her husband, Giuliana and Bill, and it did give an insight into the struggles they faced but at the same time, I think she could have talked a bit more about Bill because he is a part of her and she only mentions him a bit as well as her son Duke. 

the quote

""Will you marry me?" he asked.
I pretended I couldn't hear him over the whir of the helicopter's propeller, but really I just wanted to hear him say it again. And again.
"Yes!" I finally answered. He slipped the ring onto my finger.
...
Later, when I went to the bathroom, Bill heard a sudden yelp. "Holy crap!"
"Honey, what's wrong?" he called.
"This ring is innnnsannnnnne!" I shouted back. I hadn't looked at it in the light yet."

If you have ever heard her tell stories, you know that hearing this in your head as she would say it is the most hilarious thing ever.

skip it/borrow it/buy it

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down and I recommend you run out and buy it! Its a great book to have on your book shelf and pick up and read when you want a kick-back book. Its everything rolled into one.

overall score: 10/10

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Sunday Preview: June 8 - June 12

just to recap..
Last week we reviewed Yes Please by Amy Poehler and Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.

this week
You can look forward to reviews of Going Off Script and The Wrong Side of Right. We're also starting the first of a series of reviews called Flashback Fridays, where we'll be reviewing books that were published more than 2 years before the date of the review. This week's introductory Flashback Friday review will be The Da Vinci Code.

Make sure to check back for these reviews!

Review: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

the lowdown
From the author of Gone Girl comes this new book, Dark Places. At seven years old, Libby Day has lost her family and everything else in her life. Her family was murdered and Libby had testified against her brother, Ben. Now, 25 years later, Libby is opening the case back up in search for the true murderer after The Kill Club contacts her about their interest in Ben and his innocence in the murders. Libby begins a trek down memory lane and meets people from the past who have had some connection to her family and their murders. 

This book really captures you and takes you on a wild ride of Libby Day's life after the murders and how she tries to piece together all the information from the day surrounding the murders. The book kept me on my toes and I did not want to put it down. Just like Gone Girl, I could visualize the actions and the people and how everything and everybody was a piece of the puzzle that Libby Day needed to finally find out who killed her family. Gillian Flynn makes for a story so compelling that you want to, need to, got to find out who killed The Day family and if Libby will do what it takes to get the answers she's looking for.

the good

• Gillian Flynn is able to capture you and bring you into the everyday life of Libby Day. She's able to open up this character and you can imagine her walking around her apartment and going through all of her emotions. She's made Libby a character we can all relate to in one way or another.
• You begin to root for the unsung hero, and hope for Ben Day to be cleared of the murders. Ben is someone you think would be able to pull of a big stunt like this but as you read the book, his character really develops and you develop a sweet spot for him. 
• The mystery of the book is so compelling that by the last 100 pages all I wanted to do was read. I had this need to figure out who murdered the Day family and how everything went down. The writing in this books was so good and the fact that it can captivate you as easy as it did, deserves a star for that alone.

the bad

• It does start off as a slow read but once you get going, it picks up. You have to give the book about 3 pages before you want to dive in and figure out the mystery. The book does do some picking up about halfway and that helps it alot lot. The first paragraph isn't as griping as Gone Girl had been so it takes a bit longer.
• The many different points of view in the story will sometimes confuse you because Flynn flips between the present and the day of the murders. If you aren't paying attention, you could get confused.
• Some of the characters are boring and lack personality. They can seem as if they don't really play a role in the book and that can get uninteresting. Most of them do tie into the Day family and the murders, but otherwise you're left wondering "Why is that person important to the storyline?" 

the quote
"You think you know the answer, you're going to find peace? Like knowing is somehow going to fix you? You think after what happened there's any peace for you, sweetheart? How about this. Instead of asking yourself what happened, just accept that it happened."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
I absolutely adore Gillian Flynn and this book would have to go under the buy it category. It is a book I would pick up and reread all over again because it kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time.

overall score: 7/10
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Review: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

the lowdown

Yes Please is a scattered collection of essays and Amy Poehler's musings on life. Divided into three sections: Say Whatever You Want, Do Whatever You Like, and Be Whoever You Are, which each have their own chapters, it wanders throughout her life without any particular order. She focuses a lot about her upbringing in Burlington, Massachusetts, and her experiences before SNL rocketed her to fame. Sprinkled in there are a few tidbits about SNL, which she confesses would be difficult to sum up into a single story. This book isn't all sunshine and roses, though. Like many comedians, Poehler has faced some tough times in her life, particularly her divorce from husband Will Arnett, which she also touches upon.

I waited for forever to get my hands on this book, y'all, and I was so excited to read it. I've read Bossypants and Is Everyone Else Hanging Out Without Me? by Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling respectively, and loved them (hopefully I'll get a chance to reread them and review them for you guys!). I had equally high, if not higher, expectations for this book, and ultimately don't feel disappointed. Basically, once every couple of months I get an itch to read a funny and smart book written by a funny and smart woman about her life, and this scratched that itch. 

the good 

• You're pretty much just hanging out with Amy Poehler for a few hundred pages, and that can't be a bad thing. I could hear her voice in my head as I was reading it, and it felt like a conversation with her. (Side note: I've heard that the audiobook version of this is fabulous) 
• Reading about Amy's path through improv to SNL and beyond was really interesting. If you haven't dreamed about dropping everything and moving to New York (in her case, Chicago first) and trying your hand at comedy/acting/modeling/acrobatics, you're lying to yourself. Hearing how it actually happened, and in a realistic way, was really cool. 
• Parks. And. Rec. There are a couple of sections about the show and I just finished watching it all so it hit me right in the feels. Man. What a great show. And reading about it and her relationship with all the cast members was just fantastic. It made me feel like I really knew everyone who worked on the show and that is phenomenal in and of itself. I would read an entire book about that show. If you're a Parks and Rec fan, this should probably be on your to-read list because of these sections. And also because I'm assuming you probably at least tolerate Amy Poehler enough to be interested in her life. 
• She's candid. She writes that she doesn't want to talk about her divorce because it was a sad time in her life and she doesn't like people knowing her shit, and while that's true, she does speak pretty candidly throughout the book about the emotions associated with that time in her life. She makes you feel for her, and that's a pretty powerful thing. She also writes quite a bit about her children, and you can feel the love that she has for them in a way that's not contrived or forced, but feels sweet and genuine.

the bad 

• She pretty much bemoans having to write a book for a lot of it. She does it in a blasé way, so it's supposed to be funny, and I'm sure I'd have the same response if I was writing a book, but it wore a little thin as the book went on. No one forced her to sign the book deal.
• She writes a lot about her drug use, and almost kind of brags about it? It's not that bad, but I was already feeling this way before I happened on the entire section dedicated to it and what she learned from it. She's not explicitly advocating for drug use, and certainly not harder drugs, but the frequency of stories that started off with how stoned she was kind of wore on me by the end. 

the quote
"If there's anything I have learned from hip-hop, it's that there's nothing sexy about a baby that ain't yours."

skip it/borrow it/buy it
This has got enough substance and re-readability that it falls into the buy it category. I absolutely adored a lot of this book, and could see myself rereading it for smiles in the future.

overall score: 8/10

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