Every You, Every Me, by David Levithan and Jonathan Farmer

Every You, Every Me, by David Levithan and Jonathan Farmer

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 4/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. Someone is stalking him . . . messing with him . . . threatening him. Worse, ever since his best friend Ariel has been gone, he's been unable to sleep, spending night after night torturing himself for his role in her absence. And as crazy as it sounds, Evan's starting to believe it's Ariel that's behind all of this, punishing him. But the more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself. Creatively told with black-and-white photos interspersed between the text so the reader can see the photos that are so unnerving to Evan, Every You, Every Me is a one-of-a-kind departure from a one-of-a-kind author."


Review:

Ahaha, so this is what I really felt like while I was reading this book, but hey, not in a bad or negative way. Most of the time, I was just like "Hey! Oh yeah! That point there's cool! Where's the next interesting thing?" I was kind of lost reading this book, but I don't know if it was just me.

This definitely is not one of David Levithan's best novels. I loved how he chose this to be written with photographs, that is absolutely hipster and gorgeous all at the same time.

"This is it. This is what it feels like to be helpless."

I felt so bad for Evan, the protagonist. I felt like he was going through some sort of depression throughout the whole story. I thought that the ending would be totally different and unpredictable, I actually thought that it was all in his mind. 

This book was so mysterious, I didn't know what to think! It's a different style than what the author usually masters, so please note that. It's very captivating because you just want to know what will happen in the end.

Although it was heart-racing and the romance was beautiful, I didn't like the ending. I wish that it was unpredictable and how David usually ends his outstanding novels. There should've something that made me go and say, "WOW," but I really didn't find that.

Ariel was strange, even though we didn't fully know her. I kept on feeling that she didn't want to hear or see Evan, and all that she was doing was hiding away from the world.

In my opinion, I think that depression and suicide plays a large key in this novel. It's not 100% clear that it's there, but it is, and us readers have to think outside the box to actually see it clearly. It's a deep story, and the photography does a job well done for the overall project.

It was definitely a fresh and light-hearted novel that will give you some emotional thoughts inside.

Dead To You, by Lisa McMann

Dead To You, by Lisa McMann

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 5/5 stars

Okay. What just happened here? Because I was all fangirling from the beginning until the last page and then BOOM. It all ended, just liked that. 

Can somebody please explain the ending to me? BECAUSE I'M DYING HERE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. There. I said it.

Okay, before I begin blabbing and bawling about the suspenseful ending, let's get to the real stuff. *acts macho and all that*

"'Mama,' I whisper into her soft hair. I am at once sixteen, my actual age, and seven, the age they remember me. We are long-lost souls, a mother reuniting with her semi-prodigal son. It is the end of one story and the beginning of the next. Being near her makes my teeth stop chattering."

From the first page, I was totally hooked. Lisa McMann always pleases me with her captivating words and stories. I really expected this one to be a paranormal thriller/horror story, like "Cryer's Cross" and the "Wake" trilogy were. I was kind of glad that this was a chill novel that could actually occur in reality today. You never know what can happen to you one day, it might be your last day, so make it worth it.

LOLL. The plot was so, so, so riveting. It was so mysterious, until about the middle where you kind of find out the truth (where I originally thought that the all of the truth was said, but of course, the ending tricked me.) 

The character who really got on my nerves was Ethan's mother. Even though she stood up for Ethan half of the time, she was also very rejecting and I didn't see a good side of her. She seemed too stressed out, and when she did get stressed out, she'd take it all on her kids.

Blake really became disliked by me as well. He really had some anger problems. He kept believing and saying that Ethan was so stupid for getting into the car and getting abducted. BRO, HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, CHILL. 

A lot of people threw a lot of negativity toward Ethan. I actually really liked him as a MC. He had a deep story behind him and was very calm. I liked the way he thought. YOU WILL LIKE HIM AS WELL.

 WHAT WAS THE ENDING? Like I got what happened, but what didn't make sense to me was the truth behind the ending. Then who was that? (LOL. I won't share spoilers) I NEED THERAPY AND EMOTIONAL ADVICE because I need to see the light.

  But seriously, what a fantastic novel. I adored it so much! The plot was so good and I was never bored. Lisa McMann (as usual) has created a mysterious novel about abduction and family.

Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley

Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 3/5 stars

   Coming from many positive reviews, I really began to believe that this book would be amazing, the

truth is, it wasn't. I was waiting for that moment where I would just be like "Ahh, what a refreshing fantastic read!" but don't even expect a moment like that to occur while reading this book.

   So, basically we have another of those wannabe contemporary novels with a male protagonist who tries to be chill and somewhat like a character from "The Giver" or one of those bestselling teen novels that almost everyone completely adored.

   Yes, yes, we're having a Hilary Duff marathon over here, don't complain.

   Throughout the novel, I felt like there was something hiding in between the lines, especially about Cullen, the MC. He was very vague, and throughout the whole novel, we really didn't find out much about him. He seemed very depressed and annoying, and I find that teens looking for a kick-ass main character won't find that in him at all. He seemed like a boring teen boy who had no potential in him and no chance of succeeding in life. I really thought that something mental strange was going on with him.

 “Your mind has a way of not letting you forget things you wish you could. Especially with people. Like, you'll always try your best to forget things that people say to you or about you, but you always remember. And you'll try to forget things you've seen that no one should see, but you just can't do it. And when you try to forget someone's face, you can't get it out of your head.”

   This book was full of many life-changing lessons and inspirational quotes. It's written so deeply, and you could definitely tell that there was some sort of backstory behind it all. Just look at that gorgeous quote above. <3

    But the problem was, I wish there was more. The story was too short, and the plot wasn't captivating. I didn't see a main point. LOL, Cullen seemed so desperate and thirsty for romance, it's like he was putting himself towards all of the drama with the ladies, I laughed so many times reading his stupidity with chicks.  

      By the end, I pretty much believed that this wasn't the right book for me. It really wasn't my type. I felt too much negativity towards it, but I feel that a 3 star rating would probably the best for my thoughts and how they were put together.

       I recommend this, don't get me wrong. You will like this book if you like the book "Feed," which I actually never picked up but only have read the summary for. They do sound similar, though.

  

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), by Sarah Mlynowski

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 4.5/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harbouring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time."

Review:

10 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS NOVEL: 

1. The whole YOLO message going on: Sarah Mlynowski definitely created a perfect teen novel that teaches us that we have to live life even though we might have a lot of regrets. You will learn from your regrets and they'll make you a better person.

2. The HAHA-humour: Okay, I really didn't L O L, but it was so hilarious in my head. It was absolutely adorable and through all of the mistakes that April made (Haha, 10 of them,) she still made a joke of it and wasn't one of those super-upset characters. Readers will love her.

3. The plot twist: You will be shocked once you find out what happens because you never expect this mainly because a. You don't see it coming, and b. The summary doesn't note it at all. 

4. The fast-paced plot: There were so many wild events going on while the plot moved so fast. I <3 the plot and was barely bored.

5. NOAH: I lovedddddddd Noah and April together! He loved her so much, but you know, something happened. They were absolutely the perfect couple but Sarah Mlynowski made him stupid in the end and made me sad. :(

6. The connection teenagers have with this: It basically goes through all of the worst case scenarios that can happen in a teenager's life. Regrets are the most of them, and we can really relate to these situations, young or old because it happens to everyone.

7. It's bittersweetness: At one point you'll be like, whoa, this is such a rebel protagonist, and at other points, you'll be like, awwww. So it kind of sways between bitter and sweet but mixes perfectly.

8. FUN! This book was absolutely wild and fun. I was so obsessed with it and was one of the reasons why I loved it so much. You just feel like you're watching a cute teenager movie!

9. April: April was a fantastic character. I felt like I became BFFs with her by the end. She had so much potential in her from the beginning, and I was afraid that she wouldn't show it, but of course, my kick-ass best friend did. (:

10. Everything: It was so enjoyable and such a quick read. Sarah Mlynowski has never been better. (:

Six Months Later, by Natalie Richards

Six Months Later, by Natalie Richards

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Rating: 3.5/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "She has everything she's ever wanted. But not her memory...

When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, it was the middle of May. When she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. 

Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her? Remembering the truth could be more dangerous than she knows..."

Review:

• *sighs* Something big was missing from this book. The concept was great and different, but a chunk was missing, and I really couldn't find it and bring it back.
• The plot was pretty good, although I was bored through the beginning. It really started off as the average chick-lit/tragedy? book. The whole tragedy happened so quick and we really didn't get to see a good character development.
• I didn't like Chloe. She was very selfish in some ways. I probably would prefer Maggie, her best friend, to be in this situation. 
• There was really no important romance. I just found the whole point of this book was Chloe trying to get out of that situation. 
• Umm... I wasn't all so interested in this. It was okay.

The Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

The Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James & Nancy Rue

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Rating: 3/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Kirsten has spent her life trying to forget. But mercy begs her to remember.

When she was in high school, a terrible accident fractured her family, and the only relief Kirsten could find was carving tiny lines into her skin, burying her pain in her flesh. The pain she caused herself was neat and manageable compared to the emotional pain that raged inside.

She was coping. Or so she thought.

But then, eight years later, on the night she expects her long-time boyfriend to propose, Kirsten learns he's been secretly seeing her best friend. Desperate to escape her feelings, she reaches for the one thing that gives her a sense of control in the midst of chaos.

But this time the cut isn't so tiny, and it lands her in the psych hospital. Within hours of being there she knows she can't stay--she isn't crazy, after all. But she can't go back to the life she knew before either.

So when her pastor mentions a treatment program on a working ranch, Kirsten decides to take him up on the offer and get away from it all. But the one thing she can't escape is herself--and her shame.

The ranch is home to a motley crew, each with a lesson to teach. Ever so slowly, Kirsten opens herself to embrace healing--even the scarred places that hurt the most. Mercy begs her to remember the past . . . showing her there's nothing that cannot be redeemed."

Review:

• Suicide is a hard concept to write about, but authors usually do an amazing job on writing them. I feel like this book was very vague. It needed something more, more tragedy and romance. This whole church program was kind of ironic, and I wish that it was tragic in another way.
• This book was very slow paced. Not much happened until the late middle. And then it got boring for the rest of the book. I hated the ending.
• The only thing that I actually liked was the main protagonist. Kirsten was very self-conscious and I her thinking, even though she didn't have a positive attitude 24/7. 
• I wouldn't recommend this book. If you're looking for a tragic book, read The Program by Suzanne Young.

Better Off Friends, by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better Off Friends,  by Elizabeth Eulberg

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 4/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "Can a guy and a girl be just friends? In the story, which spans five years, two continents, one BBC sitcom, and countless questions about their friendship; Macallan and Levi are put to the ultimate test when a relationship-changing secret is revealed."


Review:

• Elizabeth Eulberg is a fantastic chick-lit novel writer. Her words and stories are so realistic, every story is absolutely gorgeous and I can't keep my eyes off these amazing covers.
• Better Off Friends was a cheesy, but adorable novel at the same time. I was so addicted until the end, and I really wanted to know what would happen. <3
• Macallan was strange at times- I didn't like her so much. I had that feeling that she had too many good thoughts of herself and was snobby, while Levi was a PERFECTIONOUS male character. They were a gorgeous couple, though. 
• This book was so fast-paced and I absolutely didn't want it to end.
• The whole past-future perspective was great just some little dull moments gave me this opinion. Other than that, this book was awesome!
• I can't wait for more from Elizabeth!

Gloss, by Marilyn Kaye

Gloss (Gloss #1), by Marilyn Kaye

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 3/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "New York, 1963. 

Fashion, music and attitudes are changing, and there's nowhere in in the world more exciting. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela have each landed a dream internship at Gloss; America's number-one fashion magazine. 

Each girl is trying to make her mark on New York and each finds herself thrown head-first into the buzzing world of celebrity, high-end fashion and gossip. But everything isn't as glamorous as it seems - secrets from the past threaten to shatter their dreams. 

They're finding out that romance in New York is as unpredictable and thrilling as the city itself."

Review:

• Umm.. I really had mixed feelings about this one. Three-quarters of my opinion is bad and the other quarter has a good side to it. Let's start with the bad. This book wasn't that great at all. I got bored a lot. The whole story didn't have a meaning behind it, and I didn't like the setting that much either. The 60's was a fantastic era, but I really don't see it in a modern, chick-lit teen novel.
• The characters were pretty bad and dull. Sherry was my favourite, she had some sort of sense of direction in her than the other protagonists.
• The only good thing about this is the concept. I kind of like the idea of internship at a fashion magazine office, who'd think that 4 girls would get this chance in the 60's?
• Okay. I probably wouldn't recommend this book, but give it some hope. Maybe you'll like it.

Anime Review: Another

  "Death is not friendly. It's dark, black where you look at it. You're all alone. But it's not different than when you're alive, right? No matter how many relationships we have, we're all alone."

   Ohmygosh. Can I just say that Misaki Mei is probably one of the best anime heroines out there? She is so kick-ass and her story is deep. I just loved every moment with her. 

   Another was a fascinating, amazing anime. 9.5/10 The story was so unique and mysterious. There were so many plot twists, I didn't know what to expect!

   So the story starts off with the main protagonist, the guy (forgot his name lol) and he's new to Yomiyama School. He previously was in the hospital because of a lung condition, but in the elevator when he was leaving, he met Misaki Mei, a mysterious black-haired girl with a strange eyepatch. The next day, he comes to that school for the first time, and he realizes that Misaki is in his class, Class 3. Everyone tells him that that class in under a curse, and there is one dead person in the class. Nobody could see this person, but there usually is an extra desk. This year's Class 3 realizes that the curse has began, and things are about to get horrifying.

   There was probably a cliff-hanger at the end of every episode. I didn't want to stop watching! Plot twists were the major part of the whole 12-episode anime. The ending was so surprising, even though I kind of saw it coming. Most people never expected that to happen at all. This anime really made you think what would happen, but then you end up wrong all along and you feel like you got hit by a bunch of bricks, no kidding. It was so suspenseful, and I adored this and is one of my favourite anime of all time. <3

Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer, by Katie Alender

Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer, by Katie Alender

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery/Murder/Thriller

Rating: 4/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She'll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen."

Review:

• Mysteries usually don't interest me, but the subject of Marie Antoinette always has fascinated me for many years. Katie Alender has created a fantastic tale of true friendship and mystery.
• First of all, I love this cover. I've had my eye on the book for a while, but I didn't know what to expect.
• What I got what pure greatness. The plot was very well set up and interesting. I enjoyed the character's perspective, and the whole story flowed together perfectly. I found some parts to be weird.. and I didn't know why I was reading this. The idea was kind of strange, and I don't imagine reality to be like this. A world is very difficult to create, but...
• This was okay. If you're a true-at-heart mystery lover, then this book is for you and for your true identity.