Review; These Things I've Done by Rebecca Phillips

Title; These Things I've Done
Author: Rebecca Phillips

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published August 1st 2017 by HarperTeen

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I've been starving for some contemporary jewel this year. So far this has probably been the busiest year of my life so far (and that's saying a lot) and I have read a whooping 4 books so far--and it's friggin April.

So I was desperately needing some good quality story to get me out of my funk. These Things I've Done turned out to be the miracle I was hoping for.

I didn't even expect it. I haven't even read a blurb for the book so I was on a blind date. It's so shocking to realize you are so compatible with your blind date (not that I have ever been on a blind date before, mind you) that I am still trying to make sense about what happened.

The book is about a tragic accident where a girl named Aubrey died. It's about the very different and heartbreaking ways the people closest to her, her best friend Dara and her brother Ethan, deal with it.

I saw someone comparing it to In Honor, which has sort of a very similar plot, but I disagree. I thought These Things I've Done was deeper, sadder and more realistic. I actually felt sad about Aubrey dying, which *never* happens. I mean, I am usually very aware that this is only a book and no one died, but this time I got sad anyway. I tend to find flashbacks annoying and repetitive, but in this book I really enjoyed them, and they made me care.

I was so happy about Dara, Aubrey and Ethan and their odd three-way friendship. I was literally so invested. Then I was devastated to learn that a friendship so awesome had crumbled apart so easily.

I loved Dara. She was such a likable protagonist, vulnerable with a side of fierceness. I loved her before, as that fearless girl who loved adrenaline, but I also loved her as a broken, sensitive kid who is full of guilt and confussion. Here's a hug for you Dara: *hug*.

And don't even get me started on Ethan, who handled things so perfectly, so maturely. He's a huge reason why this novel works so well.

Anyhow. I loved this novel. You can't change my mind about it. It's been put on my "read again" shelf. And you should try it too!

Review: Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Title; Top Ten 
Author; Katie Cotugno

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: October 3rd 2017 by Balzer + Bray

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Ah. Where to start? 

I honestly can't find the words because it almost pains me to say that I did not like this book. I will try to make sense of why now.

First of all; the format. What was up with that? The book jumped from time to time without much sense. We'd be reading about senior year and then summer of freshman year, then junior year winter and it wasn't confusing per se (well at least not ALL the time) but it was annoying and pointless. Throughout I kept wanting to fix the damned timeline.

Another thing was that I didn't quite connect with either of the main characters. Even their friendship made no sense to me or them it seemed. And not in a way that they shouldn't be friends just like neither of us know if they are friends just because they want to be together.

But my biggest problem with it, and I hate to say it but I will, is that I found it to be boring. I honestly think the book offered nothing plot-wise. I finished the book not 12 hours ago and I can't tell you what it was about except two teens realizing they are better off friends. I think it tried to add substance by exploring Gabby's mental struggle with anxiety and Ryan's concussioned brain, but it wasn't enough for me. 

For example, they played Ryan's injury a lot throughout the book, they build it up with headaches getting more and more frequent and even having his personality change because of it. I was hoping it will get explored at the end if he had ny consequences because of it, but at the end the issue is suddenly dropped like nothing ever happened. It left me feeling cheated. And I just thought that overall the story lacked depth. 

As always, this is only what I think and in no way reflects an absolute. So I invite you to form your own opinion by picking up the book from your local library or bookstore.