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In my mind, I promised to get this posted before the week was out.
This is the hardcover version which, while perhaps underwhelming, reflects the theme of the book better than the paperback version, which is more generic. I was surprised to see that this is published in part by Disney; does this mean we can expect to see a made-for-TV movie starring Selena Gomez soon? Well, I don't know about that.
( Makeover. Dev's term for it was reinvent the brand, but I understood what it really meant. )
- Mood:
accomplished - Music:"Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl" - Broken Social Scene
So. It's been a little while since I last posted (a hint of what life might be like once I'm in grad school). But that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! It just means that between decorating, buying presents, and generally getting into the Christmas spirit, things are kinda busy.
But this book was a surprisingly engrossing read, which is why I finished it before Little Women and The Market. It was a recent purchase, a cheap treat for myself courtesy of Half-Price Books. It'd caught my interest months ago, and stuck out primarily because this seemed to be a Meg Cabot book that dealt with fantasy. ( I couldn't believe this was happening. And yet, at the same time, I sort of could. Which seemd to be how my life was going at Avalon High. )
- Mood:
blah - Music:"If I Never See Your Face Again" Maroon 5
So I FINALLY got to this book, at least a month after checking it out. My goal of reading the entire body of work from Rachel Cohn is going slow but steady.
I must say, I really prefer these versions of the book covers instead of the ordinary stripes motif:
Total meh.
( Perhaps I am a sucky mean person destined to walk through life without Good Karma! Oh, well, I accept my fate. Could you all go away now, please? )
- Mood:
creative
On my copy, it says "scratch and sniff here" on the top of the cup. Unfortunately, I can't confirm the verity of that statement, since the cover is covered with plastic.
( Is love an STD? From what I've seen, it's harder to cure than herpes. )
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:"Sleep On It" - Saving Jane
It really sucks when you finish a book and the first thing you can think of, regardless even of whether or not you liked it, is "At least I didn't pay money for this." Well, okay, maybe I'm feeling a bit miserly lately, but the point is I was disappointed in the direction this book took.
( It's the first time Iris has ever seen her stepsister look, for just a moment, as if she doesn't mind being beautiful. )
- Mood:
confused
I literally squealed with delight as I finished reading this.
The title is so similar to How to Be Popular, I wondered if this was written as a response to that book. And yet, it bears many more similarities to Stargirl. On a different note, it's wonderful to see an original cover instead of some stock photo.
( Lunch at a new school is like the SAT of social tests. It determines your immediate standing. Whomever you choose to sit with tells people who you are, or who you see yourself as. )
- Mood:
bouncy - Music:"Feelings Show" Colbie Caillat
Holy wow, am I really posting another book review two days in a row, even though this book was more than the combined lengths of the two previous books* I'd read? I am quite surprised at myself.
This was one of those instances where I gobbled the book up out of the good kind of fascination, and not the bad kind (see: The Luxe). I was riveted.
*I'm bad at math, so this may be a slight exaggeration.
( In which fate deals me a savage blow, leaving me to my own pitiably meager devices. )
Mangled quote from that one scene in White Christmas (you know, when they sing about snow). Anyway, about the book: it was another quick read, but I think it was just light and quirky enough to get away with it. 
Wow, that's pretty big. I love that cover - I like it when the cover of the book reflects themes or tropes in the book. It strikes me as a friendly cover.
- Music:"Duet" Rachael Yamagata
This is another of my library finds, a short and sweet offering from Carolyn Mackler. Apparently it's a sequel of a previous book, but the main character is different.
Interesting that this should be a road-trip story, since I've been thinking of writing a road-trip story of my own. (This may or may not have to do with the fact that a good friend of mine recently moved to Oklahoma, and many of my school friends are back in Manhattan KS).
( Or maybe we should meet in St. Louis? )
- Mood:
indifferent - Music:"The Artist" Sara Bareilles
This post's title is a slightly altered quote from one of my all-time favorites, Mansfield Park. It's funny (well, not funny ha-ha) how well it describes the extreme non-events in this book. However, I find myself confused as to how I feel about it.
Disclaimer: They didn't wear dresses like that in 1899. But, oh my God, the marketing people they have are geniuses.
( In life, Elizabeth Holland was known not only for her loveliness but also for her moral character, so it was fair to say that in the afterlife she would occupy a lofty seat with an especially good view. )
- Mood: confused
- Music:"Back at Your Door" Maroon 5
I have no idea how I'm going to write this review, but I'm looking forward to trying. I have just finished reading it - all 973 pages - and now I can return it to my grandmother (with one page slightly dog-eared, but let's just keep that a secret).
Warning: Very unsavory details ahead. This book is quite explicit.
- Mood: working
I'm totally serious. The only reason I did is because I had to read it for my Shakespeare & Children's Lit class (other survivers are here and here). I've tried so hard to forget I ever read it, but I finally decided to bite the bullet and post a review.
Apparently, Sharon Draper has other book out that are much better, and reflect her decent talent for YA writing. But this book is one huge FAIL, and I'm not about to excuse her. Here's how much I didn't like it: I've sold it to a used book store.
( Seriously, don't read this. )
- Music:"Never Meant To Hurt You" Wire Daisies
All right, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, since I never really lost my faith in the first place. But I have been noticing that some of the books I've read lately, with the exception of Sweet 16, haven't really wowed me. This book, however, is a major game-changer.
First of all, feast your eyes on this doozy of a cover. Don't you just wish you could jump into it, a la Mary Poppins, and live in that colorful, cartoony version of New York? Because among other things, this book is a gentle celebration of all things New York.
( Every other person in Silicon Valley is of Indian descent or related to an Internet tycoon, and frequently they're both. I'm actually considered pretty mainstream. )
- Mood: amused
- Music:"Can't Behave" Courtney Jaye
Things like this just goes to show that you should always keep trying. This is the third Kate Brian book I've read - bought on a whim from Half Price Bookstore - and I'm very glad I did.
This is one instance where I don't like the cover at all. It's typically pink and bland, and hardly reflects what the actual plot is about.
( She could have done anything she wanted. If, of course, she were still alive. The ghost could kiss it. )
- Music:"Lost" Katy Perry
I am tres excited, because not only is this the first Thursday in over a month on which I can post something, but what I'm posting on is Rachel Cohn's first novel.
The first in the Gingerbread trilogy, this was published in 2002. During that time, it's safe to say that Cohn has certainly grown as a writer, but that in no way diminishes this rockin' debut. It's a great blend of strong characters, quirkiness, and controversial subject matter.
( Forrest Gump is Nancy's favorite movie. That tells you everything you need to know about my mother. )
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:"Me Being Me" Tim Blane
This was a disappointingly short read. For something based on one of the greatest books ever written, it's extraordinarily slight.
But don't worry, that's not all I have to say about this book. It was actually very thought-provoking, not that I want to give the actual text too much credit.
( Read more... )
- Mood:
sad - Music:"I Will Be" - Leona Lewis
I just finished reading it today.
Originally, I wanted to go with a cover that had Clark Gable in all his opened-shirt glory, but then I saw this and thought it better reflected what I thought of the book. Yes, there's a great whirlwind romance between two of the largest personalities to ever grace the pages of any novel, but the Civil War, its aftermath, and the political and cultural atmosphere it created are just as prominent.
( Read more... all 1,038 pages if you dare. )
- Mood:
pensive - Music:"The Secret Life of Daydreams"
Another one from my recent trip to the library. I remember seeing/hearing about this book a few years ago. Now I know why: everyone was busy praising it to the heavens. And with good reason.
On a whim, I went on Rachel Cohn's website and I saw this author's name on her blogroll. Isn't it great that good YA authors love each other? (Note: neither Alyson Noel or our friend Meg made the list.)
( Fact of Life #1: Fat girls don't get much action. Fact of Life #2: I want to increase my kissability. )
- Mood: grateful
- Music:"Fairy Tales" - Sara Bareilles
I liked seeing Kate Brian at my library - it was like running into an old friend, almost. This was written a few years before Fake Boyfriend.
I am slightly disappointed that I wasn't about to find a bigger image (what can I say? I like consistency in size).
Edit: I've found a nicer book cover, along with a new-ish title. I like this one much better. How cute are those dresses and legs?
I think I've figured out why I don't find Brian's books as memorable or as singular as others.
( Reach for the stars. Yeah. Eva couldn't even reach for the salt and pepper. )
- Mood: tired
Okay, class, settle down. This session of Rachel Cohn's Library is now starting.
This is definitely one of the heavier YA novels I've read, as it deals with the aftermath of suicide and drug abuse. But I trust Cohn, and of course I was ultimately satisfied with this. A couple minor things about the covers: the one above is the hardback version, which is different from the paperback I have - however, both covers feature a pretty, slim blonde girl surrounded by nature. This is not our protaganist, but rather the girl who committed suicide.
( She wishes the went-away girl was here now to play their old game, to help her invent a better ending. )
- Mood: hopeful
