Back Pages Review: That's Not What Happened

LeeAnn survived a school shooting three years ago. Her best friend did not. Things become twisted in the weeks after the shooting and Sarah's story is not true. By the time LeeAnn realized it, it was too late to speak up.

But now Sarah's parents are writing a book. LeeAnn wants the truth to come out. The more she thinks about it, the more she realizes maybe the others want to tell their stories too.

She asks them to write letters - about that day, about those moments, and about those who died. This is their story.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this story - it brought up so many questions. It would make a great book discussion book. I loved that this book was about the survivors - not the murderer. In fact, his name is redacted throughout the whole book. I loved how the stories intertwined and came together. I felt heartsick for the survivors and all that they went through. Interesting points the questions of: truths, religion, kindness, people's perceptions, and changing yourself. 

Cover Thoughts: Great!
Source: ARC from years past
Library Recommendation: If this book isn't in your library's collection, buy it!

*Back Pages review title came from Andi @ AndiABC

Monday Matinee: The Duff

When Bianca's neighbor opens her eyes to the fact that she's a DUFF (designated ugly fat friend), she enlists his help on becoming date-able in exchange for her chemistry notes. 

My Thoughts*:
I really really enjoyed this movie.

I loved Bianca: she was sassy, smart, weird, relatable, and entertaining. I loved Bianca acting like a goof-ball during the clothing montage.

I Loved her mother - from her professional life to her dating sites to her advice at the end.

I liked Wesley - he was entertaining even though he was cocky. I liked the moments he had with Bianca.

I liked how classic mean girl assumed she was going to be famous and had one of her friends film everything about her life - just in case. 

I liked her Bianca's two friends - they both had talents and not just a pretty face.

I love it when the book author has a cameo in the movie!

*I fully admit that I haven't read the book this movie was based on yet. So I'll ask you, how closely did this match?

Final Thoughts: Buy this one for the Teen Dept in your library - but watch it yourself first!

Review: Shut Out

Lissa hates it when he boyfriend fights with the soccer guys. She particularly hates it when he leaves her in the back seat of his car to chase after them. She has a hard time expressing her feelings to him of the hurt, anger, and cheapness she feels.

After he leaves her arms to play yet another prank on the soccer guys, Lissa realizes that she's had enough. The football team and the soccer team have been at odds for years. She bets that the current teams don't even know why they're fighting, except that it's tradition.

She wants to break the tradition. She emails all the girlfriends of the football players and her ex-best friend who's dating a soccer star. Lissa explains her idea: stop hooking up with the guys until this feud ends.

Soon it's girls against the boys. Who will win this war???

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this read. I loved how the girls came together, not just to fix the issues with their boyfriends, but how they really became friends. I loved how they began to talk frankly about sex and relationships and double standards. I really loved the relationship between Lissa and Cash.

Similar Read: Lonely Hearts Club

Cover Thoughts: I really like it - doesn't the model look like Liv Tyler?

Source: From the publisher

Out: September 5th