Saturday, June 15, 2013

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.

Friday, June 14, 2013

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.



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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

 



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.







Sunday, June 9, 2013

Review: Shadowlands


A mom lost to cancer, a dad that is barely present, a sister who can't see past her own nose, a lover who is her sister's ex-boyfriend -- Rory has a pretty messed up life. And to make matters worse, she becomes a serial killer's prey. 

Witness protection provides the family with an SUV and sends them off to an island (an upgrade from where they used to live) providing us with the perfect setting to meet hot, tanned, handsome teenage boys who can court our girls. 

Until Rory's visions begin, switching the genre from contemporary, to thriller, to romance, to sci-fi -- to  -- what exactly am I reading and what happened to the serial killer? Yes, the ending has a twist, but in order to conclude that way, Kate Brian was forced to throw the entire plot out the window. 

Prepare for the unexpected!

Looking for the sequel