Review: I was Here

Meg and Cody were best friends - until Meg committed suicide. Shaken to the core, Cody had no idea her best friend was in so much pain that she needed to take her own life. Although they were best friends, since Meg left for college and Cody stayed home, things have been strained between them.

When Meg's parents ask Cody to pack up Meg's room at college, she doesn't hesitate.  She still can't believe that Meg killed herself and starts looking for clues. Why would her best friend leave everyone behind? Why wouldn't Meg talk to Cody?

When the guilt Cody feels threatens to close in on her. She starts to question Meg's roommates and friends, trying to piece together a timeline and a reason.

My Thoughts:
My heart breaks for Cody dealing with the loss of her friend and trying to make sense of her own life after Meg's gone. The guilt overwhelms her with thoughts of the past few months and how they didn't talk as much. I like how Cody tried to uncover the reasons behind Meg's decision and how it leads her on her own path to figuring out herself.

I liked Cody's interactions with the people in Meg's life: her college friends, Ben, and her little brother. I liked how they all played a part in helping Cody understand more about Meg and about herself. I found my thoughts changing about Tricia over the course of the book.

Guilt and remorse are powerful emotions in this book, along with the feelings of unworthiness. In her search for the truth, Cody slips down the rabbit hole herself. 

I admired Cody's perseverance and determination. Not all of her decisions were smart, but they helped her in the end. I wouldn't mind a sequel - learning more about Cody and what she does next now that she's no longer part of a pair, but on her own.


Cover Thoughts: Symbolic
Source: my Library
Librarian Fact: I made a book list last year featuring books with suicide. I would add this one.

For anyone reading this book, the Author's Note is important and features a phone number for anyone in need  of someone to talk with: Crisis Hotline: 800-273-TALK

Final Thoughts: A book that will pull at your heartstrings one minute and make you want to call your BFF the next minute.

Review: Now and Forever

Sterling and Ethan are in love. When they talk about their future, it's mostly about Ethan's future. He writes the songs his band performs and he has a small record deal.

One day, they hear his song on the radio. After that everything gets crazy. His YouTube videos views jump into the millions. Fans want to meet him. Ethan has a new manager who immediately puts together a tour.

His fame only grows. Suddenly Ethan and Sterling barely have any time together - and time alone it almost impossible. There's always something Ethan should be doing. What would you do if your boyfriend became a mega rock star?

My Thoughts: I really love Susane Colasanti's books and I loved the premise of this book; it reminded me a little of Audrey, Wait. I liked seeing how Ethan rose to fame. I liked seeing how fame changed both Ethan and Sterling - the perks, the freebies, the drama, the new people, and their stolen moments together. I really liked the ending. A fantastic summer book for anyone who has wanted to date someone famous or dreamed about being famous themselves.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library

Review: All I Need

Skye met the last night of summer. They had a perfect day together and planned to meet at the fountain the next morning to say goodbye and exchange digits. Only Seth never made it. He left Skye a note, which she never saw.

Skye keeps thinking of him during the next school year - wondering if he feels the same. They spend the next year just waiting for summer.

When it finally arrives - they find each other again. Sparks fly. With Skye still in high school and Seth in college, can they make their relationship work?

My Thoughts: I really loved this summer romance! I loved the multiple perspectives and knowing what each character thought.  I liked the differences in their relationship: age, family background, and friends - how each of these made them stronger as a couple but also caused havoc in their relationship. I love how the book started with summer and ended in summer - it was different than I thought it would be. I imagined this book was a summer romance that started and ended in three months. I liked that I was wrong - it makes the book a little unique. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: my Library

Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Barbie

Tanya Lee Stone delves into the doll's history including the creation of Mattel and why Ruth Handler felt the need for a doll for older girls. After they finally made the doll, they needed to figure out how to market her. Barbie's clothes became a hot topic as they were luxurious items and mostly purchased in addition to the doll.

Stone collected stories of Barbie: how girls played with them, what their mothers thought of the doll, and how the girls felt about the doll. With such a controversial figure, Barbie made a splash into many childhoods.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I loved reading about how Mattel was born and Ruth's ideas. I loved reading about the fashion of Barbie. I loved reading the reactions of people to the doll; she was either loved or hated. I loved how the author handled the controversy of the doll. I loved the layout of the book - tons of photos of the different dolls and shoes on the bottom on the pages next to the page numbers. It was such an interesting read.

*I do have to say that I might not have read this book if it wasn't do the author. I LOVED her previous book Almost Astronauts.*

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover! It's absolutely perfect.

Source: Inter-Library Loaned

My Barbie Story: As I was reading this book, I remembered the stages of interaction with Barbie. At first it was to play house/school/dating. My sister and I shared some items. I think she had a horse and a blow up pool. We had a locker that turned into an apartment - dorm room style. Later we turned Barbie into a fashion piece and once we found the right outfit, we stopped playing. I don't remember mutilating Barbie, but I do remember cutting one doll's hair. Both my grandmothers would make clothes for our dolls. There are a few favorite outfits that I still remember.

Do you have a Barbie story?

Spotted: What Happened to Goodbye

I can't wait for this book! I Love Sarah Dessen

It comes out in May of next year.

Cute cover