North of Beautiful

Terra has lived her whole live with a large birthmark on her face. She's tried all the surgeries, which it defied, and now settles to cover it with tons of makeup. To her dad, the birthmark is just one of the many things wrong with Terra, and she's just another disappointment in a long list of them including her mother and brothers. But Terra's on a journey, accompanied by her new sometimes goth friend, Jacob, she might just realize that north of beauty is a good place to live, and make a stand.

The bad stuff: Terra and her boyfriend Eric sleep together, and what is with that? Has sex become simply a more friendly way to make out? It seems to be cropping up in more and more books I read, like Along for the Ride and Ordinary Ghosts, and I just can't agree. Not to mention STIs, this casual sex seems to have destroyed the intimacy and commitment that make sex so amazing (I've heard : ). Also, there's some swearing, what else is new in the world?

The good stuff: I can't be reminded enough that beauty is truly a thing from within. As hackneyed as this sounds, the focus on appearance is only staved off by surrounding oneself in messages like it.

My view: Especially since I started going to college as a high school student, I've felt a little north of beautiful myself. When I surrounded by all the well dressed, mature, manicured people that attend college I feel like I simply am too fat, under dressed, dull and pimply to exist in their world. But here is a book that condemns those who judge on appearances, including me. This is a message I can't hear enough, like most people (and the ones that don't want to hear it, their opinion doesn't matter then, does it?)
My one word:

Forward

13 Little Blue Envelopes

Ginny is a good daughter, she's quiet and follows the rules. But when her aunt dies and leaves her step by step instructions in 13 blue envelopes, Ginny takes a leap of faith and follows her aunt's wishes.

The bad: Nada.

The good: I love books where the characters step outside their comfort zones and experience a new way to live life. 'M not saying that we should all travel around Europe with little to no money, but...

My view: I picked this book up at my library, thinking it looked interesting. And it was. Though it is different than Sarah Dessen's style, I feel like they are comparable. Fun, light and interesting, I loved it. My one word:

Freeing

Perfect Chemistry

Here's the classic story: Perfect girl isn't really so perfect. Bad boy isn't really so bad. But when they meet, neither one can tell. Through a deepening relationship, they discover that they are more similar that they thought, and they're falling in love. (Okay, writing that made me realize that the story is really similar to Just Listen, but it's not that good. At all.)

The bad: Swearing, sexual monologues, sex itself (which is bad, as we all know :-) without any commitment. And the cover, seriously, I was embarrassed when my dad looked at it...

The good: I appreciated that this book dug into the whole gang thing, which is something I am completely out of touch with and can't judge it's accuracy, but I felt like this book treated it realistically (kinda). As opposed to the silly movies where the hero only has to say "no" and the bad guys go away... And of course, the whole "look beneath the surface" thing, which is valuable.

My view: I enjoyed the beginning, even considering the sexual atmosphere, but the end lost my interest. I really thought Brittany would be more savvy (which is not my new word). I really thought the author could have gone farther with the book. My one word:

Underdeveloped

My Most Excellent Year

TC is a warm hearted funny guy who has set his sights on Ale (it's suppose to have an accent on the e, but I just spent five minutes typing every combo of Alt 22-- and couldn't find an e with a accent on it so just imagine). Ale is the daughter of political people who dislikes TC on principle and would prefer to be a dance rather than a diplomat. TC's brother Augie is gay, and everybody know accept him. And for an eleventh grade writing assignment they must recount their most excellent year, and they all pick their ninth grade year.

The bad: Mild occasional swearing.

The good: I loved TC and Augie, they were really kind and were completely amazing brothers (friends, read the book and you'll understand). They completely trusted each other, which I thought was amazing. TC describes himself really well, he says that whoever he takes into his heart is there to stay, and he is willing to do anything for them. And in the end TC says that a kiss after 5 months is better than a kiss after 5 minutes. Love him.

My view: This week has been a big school week, and next week is promising the same amount, if not more work. Waiting for one of my classes to start, I began this book. Immediately I completely forgot about all the pending assignments (a good thing???) and was completely in love with TC, Augie and Ale. My one word is:

Charming

Getting the Girl

Sherman Mack is interested in girls. He's not creepy, he just likes girls. So when a girl he wants to impress suggests that he investigate the perpetrators of the dreaded D-listing that's going on at their school. D-listing is a process that involves an unknown person pasting pictures of girls in the bathrooms. These people are then treated as if they don't even exist. In his own unique way, Sherman becomes determined to stop this labeling that is ruining people's lives.

The good: Basically, the moral of the story is that high-schoolers (and other teens) give people labels that don't easily come off, and that inaction is just as harmful as a direct attack. It's a good thing to keep in mind.

The bad: Sherman's mom is an exotic dancer wanna be. And normal high school swearing.

My view: Lacking in laughs, intelligence and surprise, this book's jacket promises more that it delivers. The main character is pathetic, and I couldn't really find any redeeming qualities in him. The story was kinda flat and textbook teen book. Bland is the perfect word to desicribe this book.

Just Listen, A Favorite!

This is a story about Anabel and her relationships (and I mean it in the broad term, not like she had bunches of boyfriends or anything). This is a story of Anabel discovering the truth about the people she knows, and herself. This also a story about Anabel and Owen, who meet over many lunches spent alone. This is a story about music.

The good stuff: Owen reaches out to Anabel when she needs it most, and he doesn't let her get away with anything less that the truth. He is committed to always telling the truth, an interesting idea! There is so much beauty in this book, it's all about building relationships that are supportive, and healing in families.

The not so hot stuff: This book addresses some issues that are serious, and aren't for the faint hearted. Eating disorders, rape, underage drinking and depression are all part of this book.

What I like about it: I can relate to Anabel, in fact, she is almost completely like me, it's scary. Her family is super similar to mine to. So every time I read this book (and it's been quite a few) I feel challenged to be the best I can be, especially in the honesty area. I know I'm always not telling the whole truth to keep the status-quo. Also, this book always has me dreaming of my own Owen (yet un-found) who is human, but is still trying to live up to his own standards. This is the perfect rainy afternoon read.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Hannah killed herself, and now there are tapes circulating around to thirteen different people, detailing how each of them is a reason she killed herself. Clay gets them, and what he hears changes his life.

Hannah lays quite a bit of the blame for committing suicide on other people. If they had just listened, just not mocked her, just been better, she wouldn't have killed herself. Does she really realize what kind of life long effect this will have on these kids??? A girl is raped. Basically, this book is really depressing (maybe she wants people to join her in suicide).

Clay is just a really pretty nice guy. And he takes this whole tape thing pretty well, considering how he could have. I guess.

I found this whole book to be disturbing. We've got a decent guy, who really likes this girl, then the girl kills herself, then the boy gets tapes on which the dead girl tells thirteen people that they caused her suicide. Maybe she mentions once that there was more to her suicide than these people, but you really come away thinking that if only these people had been better people, she wouldn't have killed herself. This simply isn't the case. Hannah was struggling with MAJOR depression, and having a good friend won't cure that, and it's wrong to imply that, because it puts an unbelievable amount of stress on depressed people's friends. This made me really angry, because I know what it is like to be friends with a depressed person, and I (or anybody else who knows a depressed person) can't take responsibility for their feelings. If they are clinically depressed, they have a mental illness (as horrible as that sounds) and should be in therapy/on drugs. It's not their fault they're depressed, it isn't mine either, it's an illness that needs treatment. Hannah shouldn't have made those tapes laying the blame on her acquaintances' door.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick's girlfriend just dumped him. Norah's boyfriend just dumped her. I sense a plot. Throw in some music, lots of crass junk, snatches of romance and lots of f-words and you've got Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Lot's of swearing. It's not even educated swearing. It's like the authors thought, "This is a teen book. Teens swear. Let's use the f-word twice in every sentence and then teens can relate to this book." Not so much. Not only is it annoying and offencive, it's just plain confusing to try to figure out what everyone is saying through all the swearing and crude slang. Books aren't suppose to be just like real life, otherwise no one would read them. So then the authors deviate from the whole "let's stick to real life" thing and make Nick and Norah fall madly, passionately (aka hormonally) and (") truly (") (") in love ("). Whatever.

Well, in the morass of debauchery there is some very good romance. Nick and Norah both want what is best for the other (when they don't want to have sex). And sticking by friends is shown to be a good thing (but Norah takes it too far).

I would not recommend filling your mind with this crap. Even if there is some sweet stuff, it really isn't worth it.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

Cammie is the daughter of two spies, and is thus expected to become one herself. Since she was a child (well, she still is a child, legally) she has attended an all girl spy school, where she's done pretty good till she met Josh. That's when things started going wrong.

Cammie lies to her mom, and deceives her a lot. She feels bad about it, but that doesn't stop her. She never even gets any consequences for it. She's also a spy... So she does a lot of lying and beating people up.

Working together is shown to be a good thing.

This was a fun read, but it had an unsatisfying end, which makes me dislike it. It was suppose to be all mysterious, but they kinda forgot the mystery. Some of the things that happened were fun, but the plot was inane.

Airhead

Emerson Watts is happy the way she is. I mean, what more could she want, she's got a great friend who plays video games with her (and is really hot too, not that she'll say anything), and a good family. So why is her sister always comparing her to a stupid supermodel? Like Emerson even wants to be like Nikki Howard.

Nikki kinda has issues with boys (and kissing them). I'm not saying there's anything wrong with kissing boys, but when one of them is your kinda boyfriend, one is your friends boyfriend, and the other is the one you really want... Then I think there is something to be worked out.

Very interest little side moral, one of the characters says that girls have and obligation to be careful about how they treat guy. Not make them fall in love with you unless you want to. Very interesting. Basically a good book, you see some kinda mild stuff, but it's frowned upon.

I thought this was a fun book, you have to suspend reality, but don't you always? Meg Cabot's trademark fun and fast pace.

Avalon High

So, I've kinda been a snob, because I disdained books by Meg Cabot after trying The Princess Diaries and disliking it. But this title caught my attention (I have a weakness for King Arthur) so I picked it up (along with Airhead, more on that later). This got me started on a big Meg Cabot streak, so watch out. Anyway, Ellie is the daughter of two proffessors on sabatical for a year. Consequently she starts attenting Avalon High and mets A. Will, Lance, Jennifer and Will's brother Marco. You figure out the rest.

Hmmm... Mystical stuff, if that is a bad thing.

Yay! (I just learned how to spell that) Lots of wonderful things, like loyalty, being yourself, breaking free (no singing) and fighting for your destiny. Also the parents seem pretty cool (hers at least).

This is totally my favorite Meg Cabot so far. The story was witty, fast paced and also had room to be reverent towards the mystical side of the Arthur legend. I really liked it!

Amazing Grace

Grace (or Ace, or Emily) is da best! She is beautiful, strong and intelligent. But she is sick of being all these things while being watched by the public. So she cuts her hair, cancels her contract and moves too... Alaska?

Well, the stories moral is, I don't know, kinda wishy-washy. I know alot of people believe that kinda stuff, and I think it has its place, but... It's also a little shetchy on the moral side (for the older people, not her)

Grace makes some great friends. Really great friends, that she feels comfortable being herself with. The story is all about her being true to herself and finding worth in herself.

I read the entire book in an hour. It was full of inspirational stuff, but a bit like icing. Sweet but you can't eat too much.

3 Dragon Heir

This is the last book (*sob*) of the amazing Heir trilogy. The second book left off with the signed treaty placing all under guild control back in the wizards' fiery hands. Now all hell has broken loose, and our favorite characters are breaking also. Can they find the strength to come together? (Wow, that sounds like a book back!)

Hmmm, a little swearing. Some drug use, but it is firmly frowned upon.

Where to begin? Everyone is fighting their hardest to protect the under guilds from servitude. Redemption is important. Everyone is (a least the good guys are) amazing. Ideals are so important in these books, and yet they don't over look the real every day things either.

I didn't really like this book as much as the others, which made me really sad. It's because in the first two, our main characters made good decisions. And in this one, they're all falling out, and getting angry, and being stupid, which has it's place in stories, but not when the first two books weren't like that!

4 Breaking Dawn

This is the last book following Bella's journey from normal human to possibly vampire? I can't really say much more than that; you don't want me to give away what happens (even though I pretty sure everyone knows).

Other than being a boring book, this book celebrates the insensitivity that comes with being a vampire. Disemboweling people is just part of the job, it seems. There is a lot of talk about Bella and Edward's (momentarily forgot his name) sex life, so if this bothers you...

Well, um, Edward is really committed to Bella for better or worse...?

BORING! The third book was so good because Edward was so completely committed to Bella's well being. It was also almost ruined because of Bella's consistent insensitivity and stubborn stupidity. In this book Edward fades into the background in favor of Bella, so the book is an emotional, illogical mess.

3 Eclipse

The last book left me yelling "MARRY HIM YOU IDIOT" (sorry to those who haven't read it and whom I just ruined it for) and wondering if I should even read the third book. Thankfully I had already ordered it and so I let it be. Because this is the best Twilight book.

It's the usual. And Bella is even more insistent the her and Edward have sex (you would think she only liked him because of his body...Probably true, that and he can make her a vapire) Lots of killing of bad guys by good guys (good thing?), and humans by vampires. Kinda disturbing that their best solution is death.

Okay, I'm not 'in love' with Edward, but he really is the best character. He shines (hehehe) in this story with selflessness and true love for Bella.

So I liked this story the best because it was about the stuff I find most interesting. Human relationships and how they change over time and with stress. I really loved Edward's and Bella's reaction to the troubles they face together. They are both so determined to stay together forever. If that's a good thing or not, they don't seem to care.

2 New Moon

So everything isn't perfect for the star crossed (what does that mean?) lovers Bella and Edward. In fact, things are so not good that Edward decides that Bella is really better off without him. Edward desperately doesn't want to leave, but he's so dangerous. Bella goes off the deep end.

Well, the book is kinda about blood sucking vampires, if that bothers you. Kinda the sames stuff as last book. And Bella lies to her dad a lot about just about everything. And she just can't function without Edward, LAME!

Ummmm, Jacob is a good friend. Edward is just trying to do the right thing.

I really didn't like this book, it was just a long book full of nonsense. It was way too long, like wading through pitch. There really isn't a story without Edward. He is totally the best character, and since Bella is his opposite, she really ruins the books. Which is too bad, because she's the one we're suppose to be rooting for...

1 Twilight

Sooooo, disconnected teenager that I am, I just read Twilight. Anyway, Bella is just trying to keep her life on track in a world that seems to try and force her off. Then she meets Edward (sad, but I had to think for a second) and she falls in love with the beautiful, yet odd, ummm, guy.

So, as most of you probably know Edward and his 'family' are vampires, they just live off of animal blood. So if you think vampires are the root of all evil (like my mom), don't read this book; there are better ones out there. There is some swearing... And Bella seems kinda obsessed with sex...

Really Edward is the best thing about this book. He's actually a good guy, a real gentleman. When Bella gets out of control, he's there to bring things back. And he genuinely cares about her. That's why a billion girls love these books.

I thought this book was fine, a romantic one time read. But it's completely overshadowed by the third book.

2 Time of the Eagle

Avala is the daughter of Gabriel and Ashila, and her destiny calls her to finish the time of the eagle her father started. Only Avala doesn't feel that she is up to the task, and would much rather stay at home and heal people. A series of events pulls her towards her destiny with the help of friends.

Magic-y stuff.

Giving up what you want for the good of all. Commitment, justice. Lots of good stuff.

SO, I was disappointed by this book; I don't think it was nearly as good as the first. Maybe I should read it again, but that was my impression. It's sad, because the first was so good...

2 Evil Star

Matt is needed again, this time a second gate is opening in Peru. But who is Matt's friends and who are his enemies? Will Matt, with his friends, be able to save the earth from destruction by The Old Ones?

The Old Ones are back in full force (not really out but they still are in the story). Matt loses control and makes some stupid moves.

Richard is still helping Matt, letting him live in his house, taking care of him (mostly) and putting himself in danger for him. It sounds like Matt is finally going to accept that he's a part of this (he is ?? Wow).

I think it might have been better for Mr. Horowitz to stick with reality. The whole Old Ones/ Five idea is a little hard to swallow. He seems to be using the same themes as from Alex Rider, but they just don't work with fantasy. We can sympathize with Alex not wanting to be a spy (though it gets a little old), but fantasy is all about excepting you destiny, why can't Matt? And what is it with rich and/or deformed people??

1 Raven's Gate

Matt hasn't had a good life. His parents died when he was eight, the aunt who he lives with is nasty, so when he finally finds a friend, he would do almost anything to keep him. When a job goes bad and someone is stabbed, Matt has two choices, jail or a fostering program. It turns out it might have been better if he had chosen jail.

The Old Ones are the ultimate evil, according to the book, Christians call them Satan, but he is just a shadow of The Old Ones. These books of Mr. Horowitz are more horror than action.

Matt gets mixed up in the wrong crowd, but he's generally a nice guy. Richard, though reluctant, helps.

A weird religion and a creepy story, a character whose head is impenetrable, and a story line that is very similar to Alex Rider. You can just skip the weirdness and read Alex Rider (again), it would probably be more worth your time.