Top Ten Tuesday: Sunshine, Lollipops and Books

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TBR BOOKS FOR SUMMER 2013

The temperature is rising, lattes are a buck at Mcdonalds -- the best time to lounge in my backyard with one hand on my coffee and the other on a book. Thrilling!!

Hot Cover/ Promising Writer

Keplinger kept me "hostage" on my lounge chair with Duff, I doubt it was pure coincidence. The girl is talented. 

Desert Heat

Until recently, I was clueless that Uncommon Criminals took place all over the globe. Set me up for a first class ticket.  

Rainy Day -- No Problem

The title speaks for itself.

Oh, Love

What is a summer without love? BookCupid can handle the heat. 

Review: Cracked

Everyone has a good and a bad side, but sometimes the bad is so dark and disturbing, the good ain't worth knowing.

That's how Bull is portrayed in the book. He bullies Victor psychologically and physically, even exposing Victor's privates in front of the entire class. Yes, he was taught violence at home. And although his Dad beats him, none of it makes up for him doing it in return.

Cracked isn't an easy read because bullying isn't a pleasant topic. But I found it so difficult to relate to any of the characters. They were too many stereotypes: rich bullied kid who cannot disappoint his parents academically nor disturb their shopping, while poor bully kid lives in a trailer and gets beaten up by his alcoholic father. To be honest, I would have prefered the opposite; it would have set the story apart from so many others.

On the plus side, the stay at the hospital did appear very realistic and the author managed to discuss the benefits of group therapy.

Feature and Follow Friday: Deathbed

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Activity: Spine Poetry. Create a line of poetry with your book spines (take a picture) Not feeling creative? Tell us about your favorite poem.

A little morbid, but definitely an original, he he.

Review: Drama

What happens offstage is often a lot more interesting than what happens onstage. Especially with characters like Callie, a total go-gether. She likes Greg and instead of beating around the bush, she kisses him first. But life doesn't always give us what we want -- and now Greg is ignoring her, a new guy is in the picture (but won't go to the dance with her), the sale tickets are down, the crew is spiraling out of control.... the list goes on for poor Callie. 

I love the diversity in this book. Raina uses characters from multiple backgrounds and ethnicity: gay, straight, shy, overly confident. When you mix it with the teenage love complications you get an average high school experience. The graphics are detailed and harmonious. All in all, a pleasant read. 

Other books in the series

Smile

Sisters

Top Ten Tuesday: Do you know where your children are?

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP FAVORITE BEACH BOOKS

When I was four -- to keep me quiet during a dinner party -- my uncle said I could eat in front of the TV.  I followed him into the living room where he set up a small table and clicked on the first channel he could find. Lucky me, I got to watch Jaws. 

Since that terrorising evening, I associate the beach with sharks. And till this day, I always bring something scary to read at the beach so it can keep me grounded and far from the ocean.