Review: Finding Audrey

After an incident at school Audrey can't leave the house. She can't interact with people. She can't look at people without her dark sunglasses on for protection. She's been trying to make progress with her anxiety with the help of her psychologist.

Now, she's trying things that scare her. She's looking at the world through the lens of a camera. She's going to try to interview someone outside her family.

She interacts with her brother's new friend. He comes over to the house. He doesn't know about Audrey. Still, his kindness helps Audrey open up around him. She starts looking forward to his visits. Can Audrey find happiness again, on her own terms?

My Thoughts: I adore Sophie Kinsella's adult books and I was SO happy to hear about her YA debut. She has the perfect voice for YA. 

Top things I liked:
The moments with Dr. Sarah - how she tried to explain the rules of making strides towards getting better, but that it was going to be a matter of ups and downs. There wasn't going to be an all out cure - and while Audrey could get better, she could also take steps backwards. I found it realistic and an interesting look at life after a bullying incident.
I also really liked that you never found out what that incident was - you could just imagine the possibilities. 
I loved Frank - from his support of his sister to his love for video games. He was funny, sweet, inventive, and entertaining
Their mother - perfectly written in her own addiction to the Daily Mail, her need to get her son off video games, and the lengths she would go to achieve her goals. Wildly entertaining 
Linus - sweet, supportive, likable, and the voice of reason at times
Audrey - flawed, finding herself, taking steps to overcome her anxiety, 
I loved the moments with Audrey and Linus

Cover Thoughts: It's grown on me, but it isn't my favorite
Source: Sent for review

Final Thoughts: Sophie Kinsella knocks it out of the park with her YA debut, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. 

Review: Denton Little's Deathdate

In a world where most people know the date of their death - Denton is one of the few with a young death date. He will die sometime today - on the date of his senior prom. He won't even finish high school.

He has his last time all planned out - spending time with his girlfriend, hanging with his best friend, and finally getting in a little quality family time.

All of that goes up in smoke when he wakes up in his best friend's sisters room hungover. He doesn't remember anything from last night - but his action change the course of his perfect day.  

My Thoughts: Knowing the date you're going to die (anytime in that 24 hour period) could take the book in a very serious direction. While this book is serious - it's also really funny.

The relationships in this book stand out- between Denton and his family, his friends, and his girlfriend. Everyone wants to spend time with him, but he wants to let the day unfold. How do you say goodbye to the people who mean the most to you?

His near accidents make everyone around him more and more paranoid, but he stays mostly calm. I love his talk at his funeral - how he doesn't hold back and tells everyone what he really thinks. I love the idea of passing out candy at a funeral. 

Denton isn't the greatest guy in the world - but he's a thinker plus he's clever and witty. He doesn't always do what's expected of him or the right thing - he's human.

The ending is interesting and leaves you wanting more.

Cover Thoughts: Clever
Source: ARC from a book preview

Fun Fact: The author spoke at the preview and he was amazingly awesome!
Inside the Book: I love the chapter headings

Food for Thought: What would you do with YOUR last day?

Final Thoughts: Denton Little's Deathdate is funny, smart, and will keep you thinking about the book long after you close it. Lance Rubin hits it out of the park with his debut novel.

Review: Being Sloan Jacob

Sloan Emily Jacob can't deal with her family. She's also not happy to be going to figure skating camp, especially given that she purposely destroyed her career three years ago.

Sloan Devon Jacob has an anger problem and instead of getting benched at the beginning of next year (her senior year), she's chooses hockey camp.

The two girls meet at their hotel when they literally run into each other. In having the same name, their bags get mixed up. As they share dinner, trying to get over the luggage issue, Sloan Emily comes up with an idea to change places for the summer. As crazy as it seems, it just might work. Can they get through four weeks without getting caught?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - it reminded me of the Parent Trap minus the parental get together. I loved the dual perspective of hockey and figure skating. I love how the Sloans grew as they were trying to impersonate each other. The romance, the competition, and the family drama also added into my enjoyment.

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but I would have liked it to be on the ice
Source: My Library

Review: Don't Even Think About It

After taking a flu shot, students in one homeroom suddenly start hearing thoughts - EVERYONE'S thoughts. At first it's hard to believe, hard to control, and hard not to think. Everyone has secrets.

They start meeting to discuss what they're going to do. Tell no one is the obvious answer. It could be kind of cool to see what others are thinking. Cheating would be easier. You'd always know what your friend really thought of you.

As time goes on, secrets spill out. Lives are ruined from all the drama: family, friendship, and relationship. Nothing will ever be the same for this group of sophomores.

My Thoughts: Oh man, I would NEVER want this power. At first, I think it might be cool, but then to hear everything would be terrible.  All that noise in your head and all those secrets coming out. Plus I would never want anyone to know what I was thinking. 

But - the idea makes for a wonderful book. I devoured this one. I really liked watching the group trying to figure out what to do with their new powers. I like how they worked out clues to help themselves cope with all the noise. My favorite characters was Olivia - how this new power gave her confidence to break out of her shell and find friends and maybe even a boyfriend. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel!

Cover Thoughts: Before I read it, I really liked it. But now, it doesn't capture the awesomeness of the book.
Source: My Library

Fun Fact: I got to hang out with Sarah Mlynowski as she came to a local bookstore. She's super fun (just like her books.)

Review: Cross my Heart

Laura's spent the last few years in the convent, but she's told that she will be leaving the convent and no longer continuing her life there.

Her sister has drowned. Her father expects her to take her sister's place in an arranged marriage. Laura has no time to grieve for her sister. She's immediately thrust into society with an impatient father who wants to better the family name.

Laura can't imagine marrying Vincenzo. He repulses her. There might be one way to avoid marriage - join the Segreta. The Segreta is a secret society of women, who help each other. The help comes with a price.

The price of her freedom comes with the knowledge that her sister's death might not be an accident. Could the very people who saved her be responsible?

My Thoughts: I really liked this one. I'm a huge fan of the Renaissance and of Italy. I loved the descriptions of Venice, especially the water scenes.  I love the idea of a secret women's society the changes the outcome of the city in both politics and marriage. I liked the secrets, the parties, and the romance.


Cover Thoughts: It's ok but I liked the original cover better.

Source: My Library


Challenge: YA Historical Challenge 2012

Review: Teenage Waistland

Eating for comfort is just the tip of the iceberg for this group of obese teens. They’ve each qualified for a weight loss trial surgery. The Land-Band procedure is currently available for adults. With this trial, the teens are required to keep a journal, write down a truthful account of their food intake, and attend weekly group therapy sessions as the surgery is only a tool and not a solution.

Told in alternative perspectives, Marcie, East, and Bobby share their ups and downs in the aftermath of the surgery. The group comes together to form Teenage Waistland, a support group. They share more than just their favorite foods. Friendships are made and broken. Romantic relationships begin. Family drama ensues. Secrets are revealed.

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this one, but once I did, it was hard to stop thinking about it. I enjoyed it - I liked how there was humor in this very serious plot line. The teens’ lives deal with significant issues which changed their eating habits. They dig down to the deeper roots of their issues and in some cases begin the healing process. It’s a satisfying emotional read that will linger will you after the pages have closed.

Cover Thoughts: Interesting

Source: reviewed for TeensReadToo

Review: Sass and Serendipity

A modern day retelling of Jane Austen's masterpiece Sense and Sensibility.

Sisters Gabby and Daphne are nothing alike.

Daphne's the younger sister - she's romantic, believes the best in people, social, and out going.

Gabby's the older more responsible sister. She helps run the household, studies constantly to win a scholarship for college, and has one best friend.

They fight all the time as neither sister can put herself in the other's shoes. Each sister wishes her sister would be more like her. When their mother goes out of town for job training, the two sisters must learn to live together to survive their mother's absence. Will they ever be able to see eye to eye???

My Thoughts: I can't stop thinking about this book - and wondering how much I liked it. As a sister, I can see both sister's view perfectly. On one hand, it was hard to connect with the sisters as they were so dramatic with each other - everything was in black or white. On the other hand - the story was compelling and I needed to see it ended. I really liked Mule and Prentiss. I loved how closely it related to Sense and Sensibility.

Cover Thoughts: I LOVE the cover! Especially the way the purple and the white play off each other

Source: Blue Slip Media

Stay Tuned: Chatting with Jennifer during her blog tour! PLUS a contest to win the book!

Fun Fact: This year is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility