Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Review: Better off Friends


Why can't we be friends?

Sometimes, when we meet someone as fun and awkward as we are  -- we just click. For Levi it was fast. Macallan took longer to open up, but soon, these two became best friends, finishing each other sentences and sharing family dinners. So why should growing up change everything?

Now, Macallan is angry that Levi spends too much time with the boys, while he's angry over the feelings he has for her. Worse, no one can date them without getting in the middle. It's a fiasco! Why can't they just be friends?

Eulberg wrote an compelling story about the coming of age (first period and kiss), bullying, dealing with a parent's death, and falling in loveIt's clear that the most beautiful relationships out there take place between two people who are friends to begin with. It's what being soul mates is all about. But for these two, who refuse to take the risk of rejection, pretending not to be in love is difficult and extremely entertaining for the reader.




Friday, May 16, 2014

Feature and Follow Friday: Snapshot



Parajunkee Alison Can Read


FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY



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



Q: Have you met a favorite author and have a picture? Share. 



Not many authors come to Montreal. How depressing!!

I did, however, get to meet author Karen Avivi at Chapters less than a year ago.


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Review: Catch a Falling Star


Late at night, when all the world is watching television stars strut their stuff on the tele, Carter is lost in the sky watching real stars shine bright. Her best friend's Chloe's fangirl obsession over Adam Jakes never appealed to her. Who needs all that media fuss? Not Carter. Ironically, her unimpressed behavior toward Adam, grants her an offer to play the role of his fake girlfriend for a couple of weeks until the press forgets his rehab story.

Paparazzi? Keeping secrets from your best friend? Celebrity ego?

Seems like a lot to handle. But when her brother's life is on the line, and the only way to save him is by raising a heap of money, Carter will have no choice but to take the lifetime offer and risk her heart in the process.

Lots of romantic dates are in the plot. We see so many actors fall in love while working together and wonder what is the exact moment when fiction and reality crashes. Catch a Falling Star is a really great example. Culbertson mixes in the story of Carter's brother's gambling problems, and her Dad's struggle to maintain the cafe alone while his wife travels the world, providing the story with a bit more of a spark. If only the climax would have combine all the subplots.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Write Something, I'm giving up on you



 




TOP BOOKS I ALMOST PUT DOWN BUT DIDN'T


Call me old fashion but I just can't DNF (did not finish). As a book reviewer and a virgo, I need to read from cover to cover before I can rate it in any form. Sometimes, the ending makes up for the whole story. Sometimes not.  




1-Go Ask Alice
Anonymous
I hoped it would get better and the character would be taught important life lessons, but she was far too immature for that. 



2-The Scorpio Races
Maggie Stiefvater
Both MC's had too many problems to smile. I felt quite disconnected, but am glad I stuck to it. 



3-Hanging by a Thread
Sophie LittleField
Gorgeous cover and great mystery plot, but I kept putting it down due to the slow pace. 



4-The S-Word
Chelsea Pitcher
The plot lacked depth, leading to several confusing ends. Not for me. 




5-Crash
Lisa McMann
Huge fan of McMann -- this book not so much. The MC has a vision, then has it again, again. And again... Books shouldn't drag like that.



6-Beautiful Disaster
Jamie McGuire
He's jealous of all the guys who approach you because deep down he cares, he just doesn't know how to tell you plot gets tiring after a while. 



7-Demonglass
Rachel Hawkins
Very slow paced, but worth reading. Especially for the end. 



8-Delirium
Lauren Oliver
Oh that ending!! I'm glad I didn't put it down. 



8-Where she Went
Gayle Forman
This book was heavy, emotionally that is. I had to put it down for a while and come back to it later.



9-After
Amy Efaw
I couldn't stand the character, even after getting to know her better. Too bad. Abandoning a newborn was a great topic to focus on for a YA book.



10-Dreams of Significant Girls
Cristina Garcia
There was no need for the lack of dialogue. Sadly, the story never picked up. 


Which book made your list?




Friday, May 9, 2014

Feature and Follow Friday: Full-bodied and Mature



Parajunkee Alison Can Read


FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY



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



Q: What living author would you like to have diner with? 



I would most certainly eat Shakespeare.

Wait, it seems I was too hungry and misread the question.

Let me rephrase that. I would serve Shakespeare to John Green and his wife to celebrate the upcoming film The Fault in our Stars. A perfect occasion to celebrate!!