3/26/2017

Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist | Book Review




Book Review:
Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist


Spoilers?
Maybe.

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Title - Love and First Sight
By - Josh Sundquist

Publication - January 3rd, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format - Hardcover, 281 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Love is more than meets the eye.

On his first day at a new school, blind sixteen-year-old Will Porter accidentally groped a girl on the stairs, sat on another student in the cafeteria, and somehow drove a classmate to tears. High school can only go up from here, right?

As Will starts to find his footing, he develops a crush on a sweet but shy girl named Cecily. And despite his fear that having a girlfriend will make him inherently dependent on someone sighted, the two of them grow closer and closer. Then an unprecedented opportunity arises: an experimental surgery that could give Will eyesight for the first time in his life. But learning to see is more difficult than Will ever imagined, and he soon discovers that the sighted world has been keeping secrets. It turns out Cecily doesn’t meet traditional definitions of beauty—in fact, everything he’d heard about her appearance was a lie engineered by their so-called friends to get the two of them together. Does it matter what Cecily looks like? No, not really. But then why does Will feel so betrayed?


The Rating:



My Review:

No gif was found to display my feelings on this book.


The Cover:
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

This is one of those books that my friend let me borrow via their e-reader so I haven't seen it in person to judge or admire. But by the picture I really liked it. It's colorful and cool. I would love to own my very own copy just to show it off.


The Story:
 Will makes the decision to go to a public high school instead of another school for the blind. He quickly makes friends and it all goes smoothly until he gets the opportunity to be able to get his eyesight back. And he takes it. 
He struggles to understand the things he sees and along the way finds love.


Relationships:
There were not many couples in this, so I'll just talk about the main ones.
Will x Cecily
The are amazing. Two very cool people who liked each other and understood each other in ways others didn't. I think that from the beginning I was rooting for them to be a thing and I celebrated when they did. 
I was going to say something else but again I forgot.
😞


Family Dynamics:
As for Will’s family.
They cared about Will and they supported him in every way but I felt like Will's mom was a bit- I don't know like sometimes she wasn't thinking about him. Like giving him some space nd letting him make his own decisions. But she was helpful when he needed to figure things out with his newfound eyesight. His dad was a bit off too. Like in the way that he told Will not to get the surgery. but I got where he was coming from. He knew the side effect of a surgery like that, being a doctor and all. But he did come around which was cool.


Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
I liked the museum. With the paintings and the cute scenes that took place there. A+.


Overall:
I adored this book. It was certainly different from other books I've read. Being that it was from a teenage boys perspective and that he was blind. 
I liked how everything that the main character, Will, was going through was well described. I felt I could understand him and what was going on better. I also liked how when he was able to see, the author, Josh Sundquist, wrote how Will saw things, how much harder he had to work at it to be able to understand what it was he was seeing.

I liked this book and I liked Will's journey but I think I would have loved to hear more about his friends and of Cecily. It was a book centered on Will but I felt that his friends could have been given more time in the spotlight. Maybe a short story or two.


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3/15/2017

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven | Book Review




Book Review:
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Spoilers?
Maybe.

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Title - Holding Up the Universe
By - Jennifer Niven

Publication - October 4th 2016 by Knopf
Format - Paperback, 388 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.


The Rating:



My Review:


My review in a gif. Which equals 5 stars.

via GIPHY


The Cover:
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

I like the blue water color and the marble. For me, it signifies the two main characters relationship with one another. 
The font is also very simple and beautiful too.


The Story:
 Libby used to be Americas Fattest Teen now she lost most of the weight and has to start high school. Hoping most people had forgotten she tries her best to be herself. A dancing maniac with a heart of gold.
And then there's Jack whose the popular kid that everyone knows. Except that he's been hiding the fact that he has a condition that makes it difficult for him to see or remember people's faces. Even his family.


Relationships:
There werent many couples in this, so I'll just talk about the main ones.
Libby x Jack
I was so rooting for them since the beginning. Jack did mess up by doing what he did but he was the perfect gentleman after. 
I like how by reading the story you notice that they were kind of meant to meet and be friends. I like that. I also like how they looked out for each other in their own way. Libby helped Jack with his condition and Jack helped Libby realize she was awesome.


Family Dynamics:
As for Libby’s family.
I want to give Libby's dad a huge bear hug. I admire that man so much for being there for his daughter even in the hardest of times. 
Losing his wife the way that he did and then seeing his daughter spiral like that must have been hard but he never wavered. He did the best that he could with what he had and that deserves a real golden 'Best Dad Ever' trophy.
Her mom sounded kick ass too. 
Awesome mom + awesome dad = YAY!


Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
I don't think I was paying attention to the settings but the car scenes where Libby is driving or where she's with Jack are the best. I also like where Jack and Libby are on their date and their dancing like it's nobody's business. 


Overall:
I adored every part of this book. 
Libby was amazing. Beyond what I thought she was going to be. She was so inspiring and so strong and courageous. I loved her as a character. 
And Jack was an ass for most of it, but he was just lost. And I liked how Jennifer Niven portrayed that. Cause sometimes when we get lost we become bad guys and assholes.


Is it weird that I thought of Footloose while reading this? 
I mean a dancing maniac (Libby) goes to a new school (Martin Van Buren High School) where no one knows him (kinda). And even though he just wants to dance and be free everyone around him, especially the town (the Martin Van Buren High School Damsels) don't want him to dance. But then a beautiful girl comes into his life (Jack) and they dance together.

Granted it has been a long time since I've watched Footloose and I never finished it from start to finish. So I don't know if I'm right.


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3/08/2017

By Your Side by Kasie West




Book Review:
By Your Side by Kasie West


Spoilers?
Maybe.

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Title - By Your Side 
By - Kasie West
Publication -  January 31st, 2017 by Harper Teen
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson.

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?


The Rating:



My Review:


My review in a gif. Which equals 5 stars.
Gif representing my feelings on the book is missing. I just couldn't find one, to sum up my feels.

UPDATE(3/9/2017);
I found one that I think represents what the characters looked to me.

via GIPHY

Book kindly provided by friends. Thank you.


The Cover:
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

I do adore the book covers for Kasie West's books. Except for the times, the font or the font color made no sense. But this one as perfect.


The Story:
 Autumn get accidently locked in the library with barely any food, no phone, in the freezing cold,  and no electricity. Worst of all she finds that she's not alone and that a boy who goes to the same high school as her is there too. 
Add a love triangle, a bad boy, anxiety, car accidents, and secrecy and you have this awesome gem of a story.


Relationships:
There werent many couples in this, so I'll just talk about the main ones.
Autumn x Dax
I thought they had good chemistry. They were clearly comfortable in each others company even if they barely knew each other and the fact that she didn't let her condition get the better of her when it came to Dax was good.
I think I'm saying that they just fit together. He calms her down and she brings him happiness. They're perfect.


Family Dynamics:
As for Autumn’s family.
They actually cared for her mental health which automatically makes me give them 10 out of 10 points for parenthood. Cause some parents just don't get the emotional and mental aspect of growing up, its like they forget that they went trough that too. 
I also liked her brother. He was perfect. Meaning he actually cared about her too. Like even if he was older than her and was in college he actually wanted to spend time with her. 10 out of 10 points.


Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
The library was my favorite. And I know that's a bit obvious being that the story is centered around the characters being locked in there. But I just didn't find myself in any other setting.


Overall:
I do love this book. And it should be no surprise because I did read PS I Like You, On The Fence, and The Fill-In Boyfriend and I loved them. 
I think I only have two other Kasie West books that I want to read; The Distance Between Us and Lucky in Love.

I don't really know what else to say seeing that at the moment I'm writing this I'm super mega sleepy.

Check out my previous review for
How To Keep a Boy From Kissing You by Tara Eglington.


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Book Depository

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This Is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer | Book Review




Book Review:
This Is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer


Spoilers?
Maybe.

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Title - This Is My Brain on Boys
By - Sarah Strohmeyer
Publication - May 10th, 2016 by Balzer + Bray
Format - Hardcover, 342 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself, anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.

That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.

But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?

Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight with a mysterious, dark-haired boy, who has delicious chocolate-brown eyes and a few secrets of his own.

With an experiment to mastermind, an infatuated exchange student on her hands, and at least one great white shark (more on that later), can Addie’s prefrontal cortex outwit her heart? Or will she have to give in to her amygdala and find out, once and for all, if this thing called love is more than just her brain on drugs? 


The Rating :




My Review:

My review in a gif. Which equals 4 stars.

via GIPHY

Book kindly provided by friends. Thank you.

The Cover:
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.
Cute cover. Bright pale blue background. I love it.
😍


The Story:
I have clearly forgotten what it's about. Too much on my mind.
😑


Relationships:
There were more than one couples, and relationships in this book but I will only talk about one of them.
Addie x Kris
I feel like I've done this before and just forgot to publish it so I barely remember my thoughts on these two. Ugh!!!!!!


Overall:
OK! 
So I'm just going to delete most of the format in which I do my reviews because I cannot, for the life of me, remembers what my thoughts were on this book. It's like it was wiped out of my brain. Now I hope you don't take that to mean that I did not like it or that it was not memorable. It's just me and my busy brain. I forget things a lot.
But I do feel like I have written about this book here and upon some searching, I found that I had was written good things.

I wrote such comments like:
"I just immediately feel I should say that I already love it. It does have a ton of big scientific words that I don't understand, but I still like the story it has, and the romance between the two main characters. It's sweet and smart, and I like it."
&
"I also finished reading This is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer last week as well and even if it was all big words and confusing plots I actually liked it a lot. "
 In my blog post 'Stacking the Shelves 5' & 'Stacking the Shelves 6'.


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Book Depository

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3/07/2017

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson | Book Review




Book Review:
The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson


Spoilers?
Maybe.

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Title - The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You 
By - Lily Anderson
Publication - May 17th, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Format - Hardcover, 352 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Trixie Watson has two very important goals for senior year: to finally save enough to buy the set of Doctor Who figurines at the local comic books store, and to place third in her class and knock Ben West--and his horrendous new mustache that he spent all summer growing--down to number four.

Trixie will do anything to get her name ranked over Ben's, including give up sleep and comic books--well, maybe not comic books--but definitely sleep. After all, the war of Watson v. West is as vicious as the Doctor v. Daleks and Browncoats v. Alliance combined, and it goes all the way back to the infamous monkey bars incident in the first grade. Over a decade later, it's time to declare a champion once and for all.

The war is Trixie's for the winning, until her best friend starts dating Ben's best friend and the two are unceremoniously dumped together and told to play nice. Finding common ground is odious and tooth-pullingly-painful, but Trixie and Ben's cautious truce slowly transforms into a fandom-based tentative friendship. When Trixie's best friend gets expelled for cheating and Trixie cries foul play, however, they have to choose who to believe and which side they're on--and they might not pick the same side.


The Rating :



My Review:

My review in a gif. Which equals 5 stars.

via GIPHY

Book kindly provided by friends. Thank you.

The Cover:
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

Although after reading the book I'd think the cover is more interesting than my initial thought, but I wish it was less in your face.


The Story:
This story is bout a girl named Trixie Watson and her rivalry with Ben West.
It's like--OK-- Imagine Much Ado About Nothing but with genius high schoolers in an academy for the geniuses and they are also nerds. Like comic books and Doctor Who, and Marvel vs DC references. I love it.


Relationships:
There were more than one couples, and relationships in this book but I will only talk about one of them.
Trixie x Ben
I thought that it was accurate to the thing it was based on (Much Ado About Nothing) in which they hate each other at first. I thought and felt the same way about Ben like Trixie did. Especially with the mustache part. But after the story progressed I did think they were cute together.
And them being all nerdy and stuff really did make their story much cuter.


Family Dynamics:
As for Trixie’s family.
I really did like her parents. Which surprises me because I rarely like the family of the main characters. Her parents were smart, hard working people. Like her dad is a teacher, and her mom is a psychologist. Which prompted Trixie to have some hard times with them because they didn't understand somethings that were going on with her life but besides that they were cool. Like the parts where her dad was almost as nerdy as her wich led to believe that that's where she got it from.


Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
The comic book shop was cool. With the walls of comics and the Doctor Who figurines behind the case next to the cash register. And the park. The school was also pretty cool. And her room. 

This book had more places that felt real compared to other books. 
Like it was more described and more there. It's hard to explain this but I think that the settings just felt more lived in. If that makes any sense.


Overall:
I think I may have finished this book in like 3 or 4 days. Which alone is pretty impressive, but the fact that I read another book based on Much Ado About Nothing. Cause the last book I read and reviewed was also based on the play was really cool and totally not planned. 

I think that with that in mind this book is more based on the play than the other one. Like in this one it's more obvious what scenes correspond to what parts of it. They hate each other and bicker. They overheard that the other might like them and change their thought on each other. Then they start a secret (not so secret) relationship. There's also the friend that gets framed and how the two, being Trixie and Ben, band together to help her out.

The romance was cute, the friends were great friends and also cute, and even the bad parts were brilliant. I truly do love this book and would re-read it.

Check out my previous review for


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