Review ; Something,Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

ABOUT THE BOOK/: I wonder what it would be like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one.

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it.

Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants -- only what she wants may not be what she needs....

(taken from elizabethwrites.com)


THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;

1. Shocking Factor - 9.5/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 9/10
3. Funny Factor - 8/10
4. Honesty Factor - 9/10
5. Originality Factor - 8.5/10

and

Narrator's Voice - 10/10

Overall conclusion - I've been trying to find the exact words to fully describe this novel when I realised that it's already there, on the book jacket.

Once again, Elizabeth Scott has created a world so painfully funny and a cast of characters so heartbreakingly real that you'll love being a part of it from unexpected start to triumphant finish.

That is true, indeed. Her originality makes you want to read it more of it, until you don't realise that you are actually at school, sitting right in front of the teacher whose babbling about Indices and Logarithms. Trust me, I know. I was smiling so happily when I read 'that certain part' the teacher came and asked "why are you so happy that the homework is due the next day?" (I was hiding the book under my table).

I wanted to read this one since I read the excerpt at the back of Perfect You. Hannah is someone I can relate to, not for her parents (obviously) but because the way she hides herself in oversized clothes. Okay okay. That's not entirely true, but I really prefer wearing oversized clothes because then people would be staring at me for my big clothes and not for who I am. You know what I mean? No? Okay, this is turning up to be a body image post.

Back to the review. I've only recently realize that I really really really love how Elizabeth Scott writes. Her words are so relaxing that you don't find yourself rushing through the book but still so eager to know what happens. I love the present tense she writes in instead of the usual past tense. It makes it more real. Nuff said about that. I really love how the characters develops to the end. Also, Scott's good on giving hints about something without you even realising it until you reach the part (if youve read the book, you'd know). Of course, like so many others I love Finn. Will (from Perfect You) is my favourite though but Finn is special. He's adorable and exactly the kind of person you want to spend your life with. He's the underdog, that guy right in front of your face without you ever realising it (cliche, I know but still good). The family problems here is more original and I like how Scott gives every character their own identity thus making the novel more interesting. I also realize that I've been saying 'I love..' a lot in this review which can only mean one thing : I love this book!! This is a light-hearted fun read. Something, Maybe is really something.


My only conflict is that : What does Something, Maybe has anything to do with the book? Maybe I'm just really slow at metaphors and hidden meanings but I still don't get. If you do, please lemme know.


TIQA

Review ; Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

ABOUT THE BOOK/: HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn’t make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won’t soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won’t be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge—and over...

(taken from jennifer-echols.com)


THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;

1. Shocking Factor - 8.5/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 9.5/10
3. Funny Factor - 8.5/10
4. Honesty Factor - 10/10
5. Originality Factor - 10/10

and

Narrator's Voice - 9.7/10

Overall conclusion - I read this book through one sitting, but that doesnt mean a thing. What matters is that, the moment I finish reading it, (while grinning like an idiot) I re-read it again. I agree with most of the other reviews I've come across with because this book is hot! It's real, fast and it'll take up your whole heart until you never want to let go. Going Too Far is really, simply about how everything happens for a reason. Meg is wild, she's unruly, she's fierce and she hates to be tied down. The book is similar to her. What I don't like : the beginning-of-the-ending is too rushed and abrupt. One minute they are blaming each other, and in the next they are planning their future. Another 3 pages or so wouldn't hurt. I've read in an interview that Echols was tentative on writing Chapter 14. Well, I'm glad she did. Its one of the chapter where I could really connect with Meg.


Meg is going to be one of my favourite character from now on, if only because she is so outspoken, powerful yet complicated. The complexity and intensity of John and Meg's relationship is the main reason you won't be able to put the book down. This novel deals with matters close to heart like holding back, giving up and trust. This is one of those novels that you could always relate to even if you won't ever get arrested or don't have blue hair.


My favourite thing about the book would be for how 'jarring and in-your-face' it is. Although I've known from the start that John is 19, Meg was so convincing that I really believed he's 40. And that is a good thing, because sometimes books are so plain obvious you just want to smack the character for not realising it from the beginning. Really. Jennifer Echols did a great job on ringing the truth in Meg's voice. I also adore John's character, especially his over-protectiveness over Meg. Echols really knows how to create adorable boys that you can't resist. (just look at Adam in The Boys Next Door) This book is definitely on my all time favourite list.

I Can't Even Begin

Oh yeesh, should I go down on my knees now and beg for your forgiveness?

Have you ever went to that phase where everything in your life is so f**ked up and 24 hours is really not enough for everything you have to do and you're feeling so lethargic you have to sleep just to maintain that 'glow'?

Ah, welcome to my life.

The fact that I've only read 3 books this year is really sad, I want to bury myself six feet under. I cant seem to remember why I decided to create this blog? *checking the sidebar* Oh yeah, passion for reading. Now why does that seems a bit familiar?

Okay,enough playing hide and seek. I haven't forgotten my passion despite for the fact that its taken a back seat in my life, for a while. I am NOT going to be updating my blog constantly. This is going to sound really horrible but I have to deal with all those other burdens in my life before I'm able to really devote myself to this blog. A high school student, not the best thing.

I will though, from time to time update it, if I can sneak up on the computer.

I AM TERRIBLY SORRY AND I SOUND REALLY LAME RIGHT NOW SO I'M GOING TO STOP.


Thank you for your support, guys :-)

Back To Life! :)

Hey There! I'm sorry I've been away for almost a week. My computer broke down. Doesnt that infuriates you? Unexpectedly, no less. Urgh. I'm lucky I didn't join BEDA since I havent been posting that much. This week is really exciting (for me) which somehow makes me more pissed off that I could not blog about it :(

Revenge it is! I will blog about my week! Muahahaha


On Monday,a I found out that I have won a signed arc of Willow! :D

I am so happy since its going to be my first arc, even though the book is already out. Ive heard many good things about this one, so I'm kind of expecting it to be good. What do you think? Am I expecting too much?

Blablabla. Tuesday was such a bore, speaking from YA but its okay since I get to watch Brothers and Sisters.

Wednesday was unexpected. I got a copy of Going Too Far from Jennifer Echols! (my first mail this year. I am such a noob) I've just finished it, so a review would be up in a few days.

And hey, why didnt anyone told me about True Blood?! I've never even heard of the Sookie Stackhouse series. (again, I am such a noob) Should I go run to the nearest bookstore and buy the series? Help! I need you to convince me. For the tv series, well, I've just seen 4 episodes but I'm definitely gripped. I just love northern accent. Oh, is Bill that beach dude in The Starter Wife? He looks familiar.

I've got to go. I have school on Saturday. GREAAAAAAAAT *pure sarcasm*

TIQA

Review : When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

ABOUT THE BOOK/: At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything....Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?Hilariously and movingly told through Tobey's and Sara's authentic voices, Susane Colasanti's debut novel sizzles in its portrayal of two young people searching for the one.


(taken from susanecolasanti.com)



THE REVIEW /:

Elements ;


1. Shocking Factor - 7/10
2. Thrilling Factor - 8/10
3. Funny Factor - 8.5/10
4. Honesty Factor - 9/10
5. Originality Factor - 7.5/10


and


Narrator's Voice - 8/10

Overall conclusion - Truth be told, I wanted to read this book just for the pretty cover. I was at the cashier when suddenly I caught my sight on When It Happens. Of course, I could only buy one book so I rushed home, called my friend and made her promise she'd buy it. I haven't even read the book jacket, but I just know its something I'd like. And I was right, partly. I didn't just like it, I loved it.


This book is fun, fresh and honest! When It Happens is the ultimate romance read. From the narrative voice, I prefer reading Sara's than Tobey because it seems like Tobey tries too hard to sound tough. I can somehow relate to Sara. She's just looking for something real because sometimes life/ highschool could get a bit over-rated. Tobey is a cute guy, he's adorable and charming, so I get how Sara can't resist him. I was rooting for Tobey since the first. I'm so happy at how Sara's and Tobey's relationship turned out. My favourite character though, would be Maggie. She's hilarious. Scenes with Sara and Tobey are sweet, romantic and well-written. I personally love the remake of the scene in Say Anything with the boom box and all. The funny and easy-going dialogue was what really got to me.

Colasanti connects the main characters through music, thus educating to those of us who needs help in that field. It's fun to read from two perspectives regarding the same situation. Although I can tell how the story goes, its great to explore the book and find some of my prediction wrong. I marvelled at the thought that this is actually a debut novel. Such an inspiring writing. The realistic take on this novel shows how high school really is. When It Happens would definitely suck you in and after you've finished the book, you'd find yourself wide awake, wishing you'd have that something 'real' too.

TIQA

Waiting on Wednesday #1

Waiting on Wednesday is started by Breaking The Spine.

If you love Meg Cabot, you will absolutely love Lauren Barnholdt. She writes in a manner that you can totally relate to. It would bring out the inner-teenage girly side of you. I have read three of her book ; Two Way Street, Four Truths and A Lie and The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney which is a fun, fast paced story.


Yes, Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better (DDSTKB) is a sequel to The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney. This is a tween series, but I love it nevertheless. Devon Delaney is just your typical teenager who wants to be popular. Devon's life is really a rollercoaster ride. In DDSTKB, Devon finally has a boyfriend, famous Luke whose cute and adorable. Devon is suspicious and thinks that Luke is texting with his scandalous ex-girlfriend, Bailey. So, Devon decides to spy on Bailey. However, Devon gets caught up in a semi-scandalous love triangle, that she accidentally turns into a love square.


Thats the best description of the book I could find. This book is out on 22nd September '09 and I can't wait!


to find out more news on Devon Delaney, visit Lauren Barnholdt's website.



p/s; I have exams this week, which means I'm going to be away for a couple of days. But fret not, I will be back :)


TIQA