Friday, July 29, 2011

Forgotten / Review

Author: Cat Patrick
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
1 edition (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316094617

Book Description:

Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.

When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

My thoughts:

After reading Forgotten by Cat Patrick I came away feeling that it was original, unique, and absorbing. It is well-written and definitely held my attention. No doubt, young people will find this psychological drama a super cool, fun read.
There are a lot of twists and turns here which will keep the reader on their toes until the end. A well-deserved 4 stars for this young adult novel. Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Ex-Girlfriends United / Review

Author: Matt Dunn
Age: Young Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark;
Original edition (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402245041

Book Description:

Faced with the prospect of a lifetime of singledom, Dan must track down his many exes in order to put things right. Along the way, he discovers he has much to learn about himself. Particularly when he meets up again with Polly-and realizes he wants her back. Can Dan convince his former love he's changed? Can his friend Ed convince him he needs to change in the first place? And can the two friends use their newfound knowledge to help other men in the same boat?

My thoughts:

This book will appeal to young men and women alike. It certainly gives the reader some insight into male thinking and hopefully some life-lessons by the time it is finished. An entertaining read.

Spoiled / Review

Author: Heather Cocks and
Jessica Morgan
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316098256

Book Description:

Sixteen-year-old Molly Dix has just discovered that her biological father is Brick Berlin, world-famous movie star and red-carpet regular. Intrigued (and a little terrified) by her Hollywood lineage, Molly moves to Los Angeles and plunges headfirst into the deep of Beverly Hills celebrity life. Just as Molly thinks her life couldn't get any stranger, she meets Brooke Berlin, her gorgeous, spoiled half sister, who welcomes Molly to la-la land with a smothering dose "sisterly love"...but in this town, nothing is ever what it seems.

Set against a world of Redbull-fuelled stylists, tiny tanned girls, popped-collar guys, and Blackberry-wielding publicists, Spoiled is a sparkling debut from the writers behind the viciously funny celebrity blog GoFugYourself.com

My thoughts:

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but as a reviewer I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised. It is well-written, humorous, and filled with fashion that will interest most teenage girls. Will give it to my granddaughter. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Flashback / Review

Author: Dan Simmons
Hardcover: 560 pages
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books;
1 edition (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316006963

Book Description:

The United States is near total collapse. But 87% of the population doesn't care: they're addicted to flashback, a drug that allows its users to re-experience the best moments of their lives. After ex-detective Nick Bottom's wife died in a car accident, he went under the flash to be with her; he's lost his job, his teenage son, and his livelihood as a result.

Nick may be a lost soul but he's still a good cop, so he is hired to investigate the murder of a top governmental advisor's son. This flashback-addict becomes the one man who may be able to change the course of an entire nation turning away from the future to live in the past.

A provocative novel set in a future that seems scarily possible, FLASHBACK proves why Dan Simmons is one of our most exciting and versatile writers.

My thoughts:

Some of the book's reviewers seem to say they believe this is a political statement by the author. I saw it differently. It is a seriously well-written, action-packed novel that certainly gives the reader plenty to think about. I found it a very good read.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Our Summer Reading List

Great summer reads. Enjoy!

1.The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2. The Complete Short Stories of Flannery O'Conner

3. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

4. Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

6. Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

7. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

8. Now You See Her by James Patterson

9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

10. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

11. Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin

12. Thursday at Eight by Debbie Macomber

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL SUMMER OF READING!!!!