Mini Review: Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

title: Keep Holding On
author: Susane Colasanti
Published May 31st 2012 by Viking Juvenile
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Very cute, very expected. Not saying that expected is bad, though. The book is all about standing up for yourself and dealing with your insecurities and accepting you for who you are, weird and all.

I think it’s a great book for tweens. The writing is easy and fast-paced. Although I have some complains because this book might as well be called a series of unfortunate events because that was all it was, a range of situations in which a teen girl was bullied and the correspondent expected reactions. It felt like a bunch of unfortunate events put together instead of a book, or a story, you know what I mean? It just lacked depth. And sometimes it felt more like a lecture than anything, for example, all those words Noelle says at the end, when she gets all inspirational? Way cheesy. And the romance was nonexistent. Julian is supposedly in love with Noelle (he actually dropped the L word, no kidding) but there’s no relationship build-up and we never get to see what is that makes him love her.

But I still think it is a good book for teens, and I hope they get more of it than I did. And I am 100% on board of this anti-bullying train, and it’s awesome that YA authors are taking a part and writing stories that could possibly help teens everywhere.

 

Review: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Title: Wanderlove
Author: Kirsten Hubbard
Published March 13th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Goodreads // Amazon
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What a ride.

No literally, it’s like I’ve been traveling alongside Bria all this time. This book is all about that one journey, that special growth journey you take some time in your life, it can be metaphorical or physical, and lucky Bria Sandoval had the chance to make both. She takes us with her to the beautiful countries of Guatemala & Belize, crossing borders, breaking barriers and crushing old misconceptions about this hidden paradise.

I loved Bria. She is believable, she is going through some stuff, she just broke up with her boyfriend (who I amicably call the bastard) which made her gave up her art, the thing she loved the most; and she’s trying to escape all of that by booking a Mayan route tour with Global Vagabonds. But that turns out to be a huge disappointment, so she ditches them for a pair of backpackers that invite her to join them, Starling & Rowan.

 I loved both Starling & Rowan, too. They were everything I was hoping they’d be, they were open minded and adventurous and completely enchanting, I would have been thrilled to meet people like them in one of my trips. Rowan especially, he is so different from your cookie-cutter YA male, he is mature and independent; there’s a raw quality to him too, like Bear Grylls except young and not disgusting. But you can’t believe to imagine how attractive he was, even though he wasn’t very chatty, his actions always spoke volumes, like how he buys bracelets from every kid that asks him. I loved how he was trying to reform from bad boy to good boy, instead of the other way around.

Like Rowan, I also love it when Bria talked about art. I am not much of an art geek, and honestly most of the time I don’t get it when people talk about art, but Bria was a whole ‘nother thing. It was beautiful, the way she explained her love for art; it practically changed me.

And what an amazing change of scenery! I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for this setting, and for the exposure Ms. Hubbard is giving to the people in both Belize & Guatemala, from the bottom of my heart I thank you in their name.

Also, there's a paragraph stuck with me, Rowan talking about why people don’t dare to step out of their calculated tour routes and taking a chance and seeing the country for what itt really is and not just like an attraction; and about how people are always afraid of goiing to third world countries and how they forget that people live there their whole lives. It made me feel embarrassed even though I’ve never been one of those people, but it is kind of sad because it was so true.

So I am enamored, what a great book, infinitely amazing. I loved Kirsten Hubbard’s writing so much; it was beautiful, so beautiful. A master-piece, I’m sad it doesn’t get much recognition, but I’ll make sure to lend my copy to my friends (life-threating them if they don’t give t back of course).

 

 

Review: A girl named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Title: A girl named Digit
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Published June 5th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
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I wish this book could understand how much I love it, but since books have no brain I am going to tell YOU instead. I love this book! There, I said it, and I am so not ashamed because this book was amazing, it has everything I like: likable characters, fast-paced story line and some serious swoon-worthy scenes.

First of all I would like to point out how ingenious Annabel Monaghan is. I mean a character like Farrah (aka Digit) is not easy to create. Farrah is a genius, no kidding, she is so good at math she discovered a terrorist code hidden in MTV’s most watched show, and now her life is at danger. Enter FBI agent John, the one guy chosen to protect Farrah while the others catch the bad guys, Farrah might think he is really cute but he is older and not to mention he could lose his position so yay for forbidden romance!

I loved Farrah, she’s like Sheldon Cooper but a girl, and 17 years old, and less annoying. Farrah was incredible in the sense that she was so friggin intelligent yet she was just like any other girl, it was so funny to read about her cluelessness that unfortunately put her in the most embarrassing situations, but that was what made her so adorable, even though she had the weirdest habits. She was so hilarious and her voice was the best, exactly the kind of girl I like reading about.

Now while John Bennett was definitely swoon-worthy (more than that, really he was amazing) and the fact that he was twenty one was REALLY hot, like I-can-day-dream-about-him-without-being-creepy-cause-he-is-older-than-me hot; Farrah is the one that made the book for me (which rarely happens I always love the guy more) because she was made of awesome.

Also, each chapter started with a bumper sticker, some of them totally hilarious, and there were chasings and codes, and terrorists, and safe houses and guns and it was just so entertaining, I swear I was laughing out loud at pretty much every chapter, I can’t wait to read more from the series, I’ll be waiting impatiently for book #2!.
 

Hee-Hee this scene is when John and Farrah break into a school while running from the bad guys,
I thought it was hilarious that she totally consumed all those juice boxes and then,
well you don't see anywhere else where she can sleep but...

 

Oh btw, I went to a book fair last week and there were some teenage girls asking the salesguy for recommendations and after he finished giving them I totally shoved this book in their faces. There wasn't anything wrong with the other books except they weren't A Girl Named Digit.

Review: Torched by Andrea Lynn Colt

Title: Torched
Author: Andrea Lynn Colt
Published September 2012
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Well that was fun. No seriously, I haven’t enjoyed a book quite this much in a long time (probably because I haven’t read any book at all this past month, thanks very much Plastic Surgery rotations!) and reading Torched was exactly what I needed in my life at the moment, something fresh and full of funny dialogue.

I personally loved that it dealt with serious issues thrown in there, like arson and bullying but in a completely realistic way and without getting into over the top drama. The characters were also great, especially Rose, who I ended up loving because she was tough as nails but also kind of clueless about life and sometimes a bit shallow. Rose is the head cheerleader in her school’s squad, she’s blonde and drives a convertible that she calls ‘cloudmonster’ (I know) BUT… she’s also the valedictorian! Way to kill stereotypes, Rose! So she made me instantly like her, with her wit and sarcasm she could take anyone and it was refreshing to see a character like her in YA contemporary (you know, outside of a Meg Cabot book). I also loved the relationship she had with her parents, not because it was good (believe it wasn’t the case) but because it felt so real, she loved her parents and they loved her too but she (and me) couldn’t help but get exasperated at their state of perpetual cluelessness.

And now that we talk about characters, Paxton Callaway, next door neighbor, Star Trek lover, prank war starter and hottie extraordinare also made the book for me. I loved his relationship with Rose and actually with everyone, he’s so polite and awesome, I want him for my collection of male YA characters that fill my head at night ;). Aww and am I the only one who thinks a guy trying to make out with you while using crutches is totally hot? You know, he can’t even stand up without help yet he’s going out of his way to kiss you on a thanksgiving night.

Moving on, I loved that this story went beyond your typical YA contemporary. Here our main girl gets framed for a crime she didn’t commit and know the whole town thinks she is a criminal, even her parents think so. And the only person who is helping her is her oldest enemy, Paxton. I loved trying to figure out who did it, my head formulated so many theories before I hit jackpot, because you know, there were a lot of suspects here, kudos to Ms. Colt for creating a fun mystery.

So that’s it, I super enjoyed this book and actually wished it was longer, it left me wanting more.

 

And I haven't made a scene recreation in ages! but this book was practically begging me, so many awesome scenes to chose from!

 

So what is Rose doing? Oh nothing, just SPYING. In Paxton's room. And his secret folders. And his closet.

And then Paxton walks in, and I'm off to re-read that scene because it was fun haha. Laterz.

Review: Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Title: Bunheads

Author: Sophie Flack
Published October 10th 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Goodreads | Amazon
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I devoured this book like you have no idea. I’ve always been kind of amazed by ballerinas, their dedication and discipline is something I respect and applaud. But I know there’s a dark side to it, even if from the audience all you can see is the brightest, most wonderful kind of light you can see through an art performance.

Bunheads it’s all about the bright and the dark side of ballet, it’s about maturing and about relationships and compromise and priorities. Hannah Ward is the main character, a corps ballet dancer, not a soloist, not a ballerina. She’s been doing ballet since she was eight, and she became part of the Manhattan Ballet Academy when she was only 14, she had to move to NYC alone and she was determined to become a soloist. Hannah is definitely talented, and oh so dedicated, but in the cut-throat world of ballet, that’s never enough.

Example: Hannah’s chest develops…

Ordinary girls = thrilled; ballerinas = nightmare.

Is it her fault = no; do her teachers care that it isn’t = no.

She is expected to take care of it somehow, because any kind of fat in a ballerina’s body is simply not acceptable.

You guys, I suspected things like that happened to ballerinas, but Jeez it blows my mind… the things this girls go through, it’s like they are part of the army of something. No matter how perfect Hannah’s life seems from the outside, inside everything’s falling to pieces. I love the realness of this book, I love the relationships between Hannah and her three closest friends. I especially like her frenemy, Zoey. I love the tiny bit of romance this book has, Jacob the adorable musician/ NYU student. I pretty much love everything about it.

I love this picture so much

Now this picture reminds me of Hannah because that ballerina looks like a rebel. And Hannah, intentionally or not, is kind of a rebel. She has attitude and she has guts and she doesn’t care if you are the son of the company’s owner.

So basically, this book is about the journey of a dancer, how someone can be so passionate about something, working so hard for something, that they never realize they’ve stopped enjoying it. It’s about having the guts to walk out (or stay in). I admire Hannah’s courage to do what her heart told her even though she was so scared.

I wish I could write an amazing review for the amazingness this book is, but I can’t. So I’d settle for: get this book. Seriously, contemporary fans will love it and ballet fans (like me) will probably obsess with it for a long long time.

Review: Something like Normal by Trish Doller

Title: Something like normal
Author: Trish Doller
Expected publication: June 19th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Goodreads | Amazon
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I spent 4 hours completely engrossed in this book. I even missed lunch. And the most important thing, I lost 4 precious hours of studying. Do I regret it, though? Not at all. I can tell you this, for me to sit through a whole book in just one day (when I clearly have things to do) is one heck of a sacrifice, and I won’t do it for any book, but Something like Normal was just really good.

I loved that it was written in a male POV. Especially because Travis was easy to sympathize with, you can’t help but root for the guy, he’s been through so much; he just got back from Afghanistan and there’s nothing in home that he missed, only his jerk of a brother who stole his girlfriend, her douchebag of a father who always treats him like poop, and his mother’s overwhelming love, it is just too much for him to take right now.

Lost in his nightmares and filled with guilt for surviving the shooting where his best friend Charlie was killed, Travis is kind of a train wreck. Until he sees Harper, the girl whose reputation he trashed back in middle school. And before they realize it, Harper and Travis get to know each other and discover they’re more alike than they thought. I loved their relationship, it was cute and didn’t feel rushed, I liked that they knew each other for a long time, and I liked that Harper didn’t lose her faith on Travis and was up to get to know the real him.

How beautiful is this picture, people?
check for more of the inspirational pics behind this story--> Ginger interviews Trish

The thing I liked the most about this book was the realness of it. It feels like you could really be reading someone’s story, like this Travis guy could be real and walking down the street in the other side of town. And it was educational to see the kind of things that marines go through, I am sorry to see that happening to anyone but it is reality and no one can escape that.

One thing I didn’t like though, was the language. It bothered me. I mean I guess I should have expected it, Travis is a nineteen year old after all, but the thing is I don’t know anything about 19yo boys, (I barely know anything about 19yo girls and I am one) so I was a surprised they can be that crude (although I refuse to believe all of them are like that, and Travis has had a tough life). I didn’t agree with most of his word choices (I am not talking about the swearing, although that was annoying too) when he referred to something Afghanistan related. I would be very angry to read that if I happened to be Afghan, but since I am not I was just angry. But I can’t ask people to feel the way I do, so if you don’t find it a bit insulting then good for you.

I will only advice that when you read this book you keep a clear mind and get a comfortable seat because you are going to be there for quite a long time. Because this book (with its contemporary romance and raw and real take on marines) will totally have you at the edge of your seat.

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Published April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile         
Goodreads | Amazon
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Why do you lie to me, people? Here I am thinking this is gonna be one of the best books I've ever read, a real tear-jerker, one of those "changed the way I am now" kind of books.

And what do I get?: none of that. Nada. And I'm not mad, because by now I've learned that most of the time I go against the current when it comes to big-hype YA books, but for once, I mean have you seen the fan masses behind this book?, I thought this book had a good chance with me.

So anyway, you all know the plot, Mia's family has died in a horrible car crash and she's in critical condition, now Mia is at the limbo, wondering what's best, to let go and go with them or to stay. That sounds good, right? I bought this book months and months ago thinking it sounded excellent, but the journey that she goes through is full of old, boring memories. I know I sound mean but ahhh really, there were just so.many.memories, just when I thought we've gotten past the 'I just had the best father/mother/brother/boyfriend/grandma/neighbors/music teacher/life' memory, another would come my way at the turn of the page

And it's not that I don't like flashbacks, I mean I enjoy them as much as the next girl, but seriously, this book was all written in flashbacks. And that was a little boring.

But moving on, I liked the parts were the real-time was going on, when Mia's body is at the hospital and everyone comes to visit her, those parts were sweet. Except for maybe that time Adam sneaks into her room in the hospital, that I know people might think it's romantic, but as a med student I just find it reckless and stupid and if I were Mia's doctor I would have been annoyed haha.

I would say though, that I really want to try the sequel, Where She Went, because at the end of my copy, there's a chapter of it and it's in Adam's POV and it was fantastic, I'm hooked (although I have a feeling I know exactly where the story is going, my guess is on Mia loosing her memory and not knowing who Adam was, and Adam taking off).

Feel free to throw virtual tomatoes at me for not liking it.

Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Title: Virtuosity
Author: Jessica Martinez
Published October 18th 2011 by Simon Pulse         
Goodreads | Amazon
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Ah, virtuosity. Music, romance, what can possibly go wrong?

Something always goes wrong.

The book turned out to be better than I thought but not as good as I hoped. I liked the getting to know the violin scene, I liked the Chicago setting, I liked the story’s building up. I loved the first chapter, it fulfilled its purpose of hooking me from the start.

What bugged me though, was Carmen’s personality, she is a total virtuoso, and maybe that’s just the way musicians are, but sometimes she was just, so, clueless. I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow a backbone during most of the book; annoying girls are something I cannot stand, but I somehow got over her and was able to finish the book with my head still full of hair.

The story is about Carmen’s violin competition for a Guarneri violin, which she wouldn’t need ‘cause she has a Strad, a $1.2 million dollar violin her grandparents lend her, but she wants to win for the year-long, world-wide tour that is also part of the prize.

But lately, Carmen hasn’t been herself. Ever since she started to take meds for stage fright she’s been going through the motions, like a robot, not enjoying the music like she used to. The exciting part here is that I recognized the med right away, knew what it was for, knew what were the risks and everything; it gave me a thrill haha. Although I understand that people are scared of meds, I wish I could tell them that meds do not take away their creative side or anything, the pharmacology industry has come a long way to help people and most of the side effects people talk about are just placebo.

She knows she can do it, the other only person in the whole competition who really stands a chance is Jeremy, a handsome Brit that is the male version of her career. When Carmen meets Jeremy she can’t believe how good of a violinist he is, not to mention he’s so charming and good looking. And when he asks her out and they start to know each other and even though they’re supposed to be enemies, the attraction is there and it can’t be denied. I like the sparks in their relationship, I thought it made sense for them to get together; they had so much in common. But young and naïve, they had to ruin it somehow and from Jeremy asking Carmen that, and Carmen’s mom doing that, *sigh* they almost blow it.

Good thing everything got sorted out at the end. And I actually enjoyed how it ended, even though it was a bit unbelievable, it was still worth the time I invested.