Review: Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Title: Love and Leftovers

Author: Sarah Tregay

Published: December 27th 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Ready synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really don't know what to expect with this book at first since it was written in verse. I thought it would be weird and I wouldn't be able to understand the story well and connect with the characters in that format, with just so little words. So I was really surprised when I found myself getting so caught up with the book and connecting with the main character easily. I was surprised to realize that a few words can actually contain and elicit a lot of meanings and feelings at the same time. Those verses was able to voice out Marcie's feelings and thoughts clearly.

Love and Leftovers was a fun, witty and lovely read. I loved how Marcie told her feelings through writing it in poems. Through short verses I was able to understand her, see her frustrations, her struggles, wishes, and desires. Marcie was struggling and lonely with all the situations she was suddenly thrown into - depressed mother, new school, making new friends, being away with people she loved - making her flawed in so many ways, doing wrong decisions and actions. But as the story went on and as she saw the consequences of her actions she was able to learn and realize things from them deal with it and started fixing things she could still save.

I loved how Marcie was able to deal with the lot of issued she had in her life especially with her parents. I liked her dad and how he explained the situation and things to her. Katie was a lovely and adorable best friend, and Linus, of course was a very nice, charming and absolutely sweet boyfriend. Though, I would be honest I did like J.D. at first but, wow, this guy was equally swoony too. I loved how much he loved Marcie and how much his respect for her was. I really loved those songs he wrote and sang and that poem he wrote for Marcie in her diary, it was just so, so sweet!

Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. It was fast-paced and easy with really appealing and lovely characters. :))

Review: Shayla Witherwood ~ A Half-faerie Tale by Tamra Torero

Title: Shayla Witherwood ~ A Half-faerie Tale 

Author: Tamra Torero

Published: May 8th 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Read synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

The synopsis totally caught my attention, it sounds something really exciting and thrilling and who wouldn't when the guy's name is Jace? I was pretty much looking forward reading this but as the story goes by I wasn't really finding anything really interesting or exciting. It wasn't bad at all but for a paranormal book, I really find this bland and boring. 

The story starts when Shaylah Witherwood - a half-farie, half-human - started her real life in a regular high school. She had always been home-schooled her entire life so attending a public high school and socializing with lots of people was all new to her. Aside from that she has to keep her being faerie a secret because it can only cause big troubles for her. 

Much of the story was focused on how Shaylah was dealing with her new high school life - not very paranormal, really - there were parts though were she used her abilities like getting invisible, shape-shifting her ears and stuffs, learning new abilities but it was too cliche or too simple it wasn't thrilling at all. Yes, of course, there were parts were she has to reveal her secret to certain characters but it just didn't add to the excitement.

There was hardly any plot or if there is, it was pretty shallow. For the entirety of the story I keep on wondering what really Shaylah is supposed to do or what should really be happening. There were parts were I thought they were already getting into something really interesting but then it would suddenly turn into totally different way. There were twists by the end ,though but yay, it was too ordinary or cliche for my taste. 

I also feel that most of the characters were undeveloped. For every story I've read there is always a supporting character I grew really fond of but here there is none, maybe the closest is Jace but there are just really few things about him to make me love him enough. 

The good thing though was that the writing was fast and easy. I didn't really grew frustrated of annoyed but just bored. Nevertheless, I think this might appeal more on middle-school type of reading. It was really simple for a paranormal book so I think it would be better for younger readers. :))

*An advance copy has been provided by Cedar Fort via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: January 10th 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Read synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This book brought so many smiles in my face and warmed my heart in so many ways. A very poignant and compelling read that would reach deep down inside you. This is a story told with great humor, intelligence and honesty. I cannot fathom how much this book has struck me but I am certain this book has changed something within me after reading it. 

I've seen this book in a lot of blogs as one of their most anticipated books for this year. So I read the blurb and...I got scared. I mean, I saw right there that it's something that would be really emotional and I just so know the feelings it would left me after reading it. And they pretty much bother me, not because it was bad but whenever I read stories like this I tend to get so attached to the characters that even when it was just something fictional I feel the lost, like I was the one in there and I can't seem to let them go too. So yeah, most of the time I really avoid emotional books. They really crash my heart and makes my eyes a freaking waterfalls. 

But thank you, to those wonderful reviews I've read that convinced me to give this a try because I wouldn't be able find out how this book is so different from most heavily dramatic emotional books I've seen. This book is just so downright beautiful and utterly honest. This book made me see a lot of things in a whole different way, made me realize how lucky I am and taught me so many great life lessons. 

I'm sure I wouldn't be able to give this book justice in this review. But just let me tell you what I really loved about this book. Hazel, Augustus and their life lessons. I've read the first two chapters and I already fell in love with them. Despite the seriousness of the situation this two were absolutely adorable and funny. They were witty, intelligent and strong. And they are honest, they are both cancer victims, so they already know what choices they have, what either way they would go and what might gonna happen next. So there wasn't really those fake, hopeful speeches or dialogues that might have also deceived. They just say what's real and what's not, what's to expect and what's not to hope for. It was harsh and terrible but it was also the truth and the reality. 

I can't helped but be awed at those things they say and how they think. Especially Augustus, how good his heart was and how uniquely he saw things. I may say that the way they talk things was a little unbelievable, with all the use of metaphors, and the talk about universe, existence, oblivion, heroism and nobility - you wouldn't think a teenager could talk like this even in the brink of death but never mind that because what you need is just to see what he was pointing out, see the meaning of what he was saying and think of it, absorbed it and realize things through it. I applaud John Green for creating such outstanding characters, though quite unbelievable but still absolutely entertaining, adorable and really awe-inspiring. 

I spent most of the time laughing, thinking, swooning and chocking back tears. The story was filled with great humor, harsh truths but beautiful life lessons. There were moments like I was already crying then I would suddenly smile or grin because of the witty remarks of the characters. The development between Hazel and Augustus's relationship was something I really loved too, how they grew to really loved each other was so lovely and heart lifting. 

The last few chapters was very moving and beautiful. The ending was perfect. I can't explain how much I was touched by that. It made me cry not because it was sad but because it was so unbelievably heartwarming. And whenever I remember the ending I can't help but think of Augustus, of how great this guys is, how sweet and caring, how honest and intelligent. I'd never met such character as him. He's definitely one of the greatest character I'd ever read. Hazel's the main character here and I really loved her narration but Augustus was really a great highlight in here. 

I really have a lot of things I wanna say but they are all jumbled in my head now and I don't know how I will but them up together orderly. But god, the only thing that keeps coming on my head really clear that this book is downright-flat-out-absolutely beautiful and heart warming read! I loved this book and I would love you all to read this! :))

Review: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Title: You Against Me

Author: Jenny Downham

Published/Publisher: 2010 by David Ficling

Read Synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

WARNING: MESSY REVIEW AND A BIT SPOILERY!

Actually, I really don't know what to say. *sigh* This was a compelling and powerful read but after I finished the book, for some unknown reason I don't know what to feel. Actually, I still haven't figured out my overall and final say about this book but I'll give you my initial thoughts while I was reading it.

You Against Me was a novel that discussed a delicate and tricky issue. I may have steered clear of this book after seeing the blurb since it sounds a little dramatic and complicated. But as I read it, it wasn't really at all like that and I did like the plot and characters. The book tells the story of Mikey, brother of the accuser of being raped and Ellie sister of the accused. And as you may have guessed, yes, they fell in love with each other. 

The story was told in multiple POVs, both of Ellie and Mikey but in a third person. I liked both characters but between the two I find it easier to read and connect with Mickey. I understand that he was always really trying to help his sister and her family but made it in a lot of wrong ways. And I was glad that by the end of the book he completely realized it. I loved it that between him and Ellie he was the one thinking more positive that their relationship has a chance and that he was the one fighting more. Ellie, on the other hand seems to be a little unpredictable. Though it was pretty understandable since she's torn between the choices of protecting her brother or telling the truth. In the end though, she was able to pick the right choice and stick to it. The romance between the two was moving and I adored it though I wished it have been discussed more deeper.

I really admire Jenny Downham for being able to discuss the issues of rape well, especially how she confer the effects of it for the families of both sides. As I was reading this I find myself a little torn between the two families. I saw the struggles of each family to protect their loved ones. I actually felt pity over Ellie's family since I saw how desperate they were trying to keep their family together and for some reasons I admired Ellie's relationship with his brother. I know Tom's guilty but I saw that he was having regrets over it and despite Ellie's choice of telling the truth he cared for her more. I was actually really touched by it.

I had a lot of understanding about the issue after reading this. However there were really a lot of loose ends, I even thought maybe there is a sequel. Maybe that's why I still can't think of my final thought of this book.

Alright, this is really a messy review! Maybe I'll update this soon once I finally gathered my final thoughts.

Cover Reveal: UK Cover - Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Oh, look at that! Isn't it lovely? Adam and Mia~! Above is the UK cover of Where She Went by Gayle Forman! Man, I suddenly miss the two, I wanna reread the book. Totally fell in love with this. ^^

Wating on Wednesday (#6)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, that spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" is..

Unraveling

by Elizabeth Norris

Expected publication: April 24th 2012

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. 

But her reincarnation, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI-agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process. 

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.

*This just sounds so interesting right? With all the mysterious death and the secret investigations I guess I will definitely enjoy this book. :))

Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Title: Bittersweet 

Author: Sarah Ockler

Published: January 3rd 2012 

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Read Synopsis: Goodreads

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is such a cute, sweet and fluffy read. I had a so much fun reading this. I laughed and drooled a lot (oh, just imagine those cupcakes, yum!) in this book. The characters are adorable and brilliant, especially Hudson. That girl is just really funny and hilarious. This is my first Sarah Ockler book and I loved her writing style, and those cupcake descriptions are just soo yummy it left me totally craving. 

After reading the prologue I thought this was a serious, dramatic type of book. But no, it was not. Because it was actually the opposite. Hudson was a talented, brilliant and funny girl. And despite the regrets she had because of her past decisions she wasn't actually overly dramatic, in fact she was really hilarious. She was highly infectious, you know. When she was telling her regrets or how sad she was you would feel what she was feeling. And when she's happy and being all flustered by a boy you'll go all swooning and laughing at her thoughts. I was really amused by her inner fantasies about Josh, you don't know how much I laughed at that. She sometimes could be frustrating especially with her decisions but her adorkableness was enough for me to overlook those. I loved that by the end of the book she finally let go of her regrets and finally realized what she really wanted of her life.

I loved those times when she started training the hockey team. It was amazing and really entertaining. At first the boys were quite rude at her (except with Josh and Will) but as soon as Hudson showed them what she got they started trusting and believing her. I loved how her relationships with the boys developed. They happily welcomed her to the group and when they started winning and they never forget to acknowledge her and give her the credit.

Josh and Will. *coughs* You know how I avoid love triangles but thank goodness, the conflict between Josh, Hudson and Will wasn't very much frustrating. I liked both boys but of course there will always be someone I'll be siding more, which in here was Josh. Josh was genuinely a nice guy. He obviously likes Hudson from the start but can't seem to make the first move. Every time Hudson and Josh were together, I was always like "Kiss now! Kiss now! Lol. That part in the Niagara Falls, I almost believed that they won't end up together. Will, on the other hand was also great guy and I think he genuinely likes Hudson too. I loved that how he knew who Hudson really like and how he let her go and was even the one to tell her that "she should tell him [Josh]". 

Dani, Hudson's best friend was also one of my favorite characters. She's very supportive of Hudson and I loved that she was able to call Hudson out of her behaviour. And Bug too, her relationship with her sister was something. It was so cute and sweet and they care so much for each other. This kid was so brilliant I almost wanted to kidnap him (if that's even possible).  

Overall Bittersweet was a read full of funny, swoony, and heartwarming moments. This is a really wonderful read. I recommend this. And if you haven't read this, just a little warning, get ready to drool over the boys the cupcakes! They're so awesome I can almost taste them! LoL. >:DDD