Liv

• Rated 0 stars

“I don't think this book was quite as good as the first one. We've still got our spunky heroine who gets into loads of magical and real world drama. we've still got the cute leading man who is witty, handsome, and has a delicious accent. And we've still got our energetic plot that's loaded with twists, which although far-fetched, add a certain charm to the story. The thing that's lacking is something that I'm not really able to put my finger on. I think it might be that this whole book is just a continuation of the last one. And to that you might say; well isn't that what the second book in a series is supposed to be? And I'd answer; well...to some extent, yes, but really it shouldn't be. I like it when a sequel keeps references and characters from the previous book yet still adds a whole new dynamic to the story. Like the addition of a new main character, or perspective would have been nice. I just felt like all of the magical fantasy, Colin is cute, Morgan is wacky, stuff was getting a little old. I wanted a new book that would bring something different to the table than the first one did. But yes, this book was good and enjoyable, and even though it might have been lacking something I would've liked it to have, I can't deny that it was still a fun and light book that will captivate you just like the first one did. I love my fluffy books so I'm hoping the third one will satisfy me a little more than this one did.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“Why oh why do books that have so much potential of being good summer fluff reads have to turn out so badly? The Book of Luke started out okay, but everything just went downhill from there. The whole guide to guys thing was cheesy and the using Luke as a test subject was cliched and predictable. I could guess every twist in the story and towards the end, everything smoothed out quickly and without any bumps or problems which was completely expected and unrealistic. If one of my friends betrayed me like Emily did to her friends, I wouldn't be as quick to forgive and forget as Josie and Lucy were. They just seemed all too ready to forget the bajillions of things Emily had done wrong and let her off scott free. I think the one good part about the book was Luke. He was the one character who seemed real and actually likeable to me. He was the perfect guy character with flaws and annoying habits included, although based on the way he fell for Emily, I can't believe the horrible backstory that the author gave him. I wish there had been more thought and planning and details put into the book. It felt like the author just took a typical YA story, added some different characters and called it a book. And that is just not enough to cut it for me. I wanted some originality and unexpected twists but nothing like that was present and I was bored and unsatisfied. This book is not highly recommended.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 0 stars

“I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. Because knowing Scott Westerfeld, it had to be good. I've read all the Uglies books, the Midnighters books, and the Peeps books, and fell in love with them, and thankfully that didn't change for So Yesterday. The one thing that cracked me up about this book was how Hunter kept talking about how he came to New York from Minnesota and how he had to change all his Minnesotan ways to actually become cool. Ah, boy. Do us northerners really have such a bad reputation as being hicks? Sure, Target is our favorite store, we bundle up in hideous parkas to brave the frozen winters, and use the term Uff Da on a daily basis, but I didn't think we were so uncool as to be referenced in a book all about coolness. I think that's really funny! And a book that makes me laugh is a good one for sure. I loved, loved, loved So Yesterday because of its whole vibe. It subtly draws you in and uses a bunch of radical ideas to keep your attention. I enjoyed thinking about the innovators, the jammers, the Hoi Aristoi. If that stuff was actually real, would I even know it? It was neat to get a peek of what could possibly happen behind the scenes of pop culture as we know it. The writing was smooth, the characters were created with detail, and the ending was great; possibly left open for a sequel? I hope... I highly recommend So Yesterday. It will captivate you, spark your interest, and make you think about things you never thought you'd have to think about. :P”

Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 0 stars

“The more books I read, the more predictable they become. I guess that's to be expected because as I go, I'm absorbing more plots, characters, and author ideas so I'm able to compare and predict more and more. And for the most part, this book was very predictable. I think it was a lot like She's So Money except with the genders reversed; what with the tutoring, the unreachable jock, the falling for each other in the end. It was all so cliched and unexciting. I knew what was going to happen through out the whole book and something like that is not enjoyable to read in the least...except it was. Weirdly, as unexciting as the story was, I wasn't completely lulled or put off. There was some little thing in there that made me not want to put the book down. I think it may have been how relatable Natalie was as a main character. Her character was one of the main things the author got right. Natalie is that perfect girl who you feel could be your best friend. She was written so that she would have issues and flaws and yet still seem like someone who deserved a happy ending, and for me, that was the one part that redeemed the book. The plot was ordinary, the side characters were ordinary, the ending was completely and utterly ordinary; but the one unordinary thing in the book, Natalie, was the one thing that made it worth reading. And I would recommend this book, just so you can meet a super cool girl that you may possibly want to make your new best friend.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I don't think the writing or the plot was particularly remarkable, but there was something in it all that drew me in. I wasn't flipping pages manically or anything like that, but it was interesting enough that I wanted to keep reading. I think the whole futuristic world that the author created was a little far-fetched, but it was just wacky enough to be fun and entertaining to read about. The unitards, sked-pets, and hover blades probably won't happen in the next ten years, but there's a thing about the future world that is undeniably drawing to me. You know how your parents told you stories about how things were so much different in their childhood? It'll be cool to see the stories we're telling our children in 20 years. Will they be as appalled at our ruggedness as we were by our parents'? I think that single aspect of the book was what drew me in. Because really, other than that, there wasn't anything hugely amazing about the story. The plot was predictable as was Taz and Flo's relationship, and the ending was perfect and happy. There needed to be lots more excitement, but I think the book did fine because of its actual subject matter. So although I Was a Teenage Popsicle wasn't terrific, it wasn't horrendous either. I'd recommend it and I myself will try to get to reading the sequel, Beyond Cool, soon.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“This book was promoted as a sequel to Such A Pretty Girl, but I don't think it is. They both deal with tough issues in today's world, but that's where the similarities end. The characters, setting, and even perspective are different, which is nice. I don't think I could've read another book related to Such A Pretty Girl. Just reading that once was enough for me. Leftovers brings its own goods to the table and even though it's an extremely different type of narrative, I think it's just as good as the first book. The thing I liked best about it was the way it was told. The chapters alternate between who's telling the story and as they're telling the story, they are actually speaking into a recording device for a person who's revealed at the end. And even through that, they each have a different method of talking. One narrates as if you're actually her, and the other tells it like a diary. Those things helped to distinguish points of view and details of the plot which was quite handy because there are many little details to keep straight. This book is much more of a thinking and analyzing book than Such A Pretty Girl which was a refreshing difference. I also liked how the girls were down to earth, funny, and completely relatable, despite their terrible home lives and the horrible things they went through during the course of the story. They themselves were undeniably changed and as the reader, you got to be there to see them go through it. And the ending is flooring. I loved it so much. My one itsy bitsy complaint about this book was that I think the ages of the girls were a little bit unaccurate. I think, no I hope, girls who are in their freshman year of highschool wouldn't be going through the things that Blair and Ardith went through. But really, I don't know. The one thing I do know is that this is a seriously amazing book and it is a definite must read for any teenage girl of today. But as with the first book, beware of some explicit content.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“So maybe this wasn't the greatest book to read while on a vacation, but I got so wrapped up in it that the fact that it was filled with raw emotion and heavy ideas, didn't really register with me. I think there's only a certain number of authors who can pull off a story like this one while making it realistic and addicting at the same time. The subject matter was far from light and I was glad for that change as I had been reading a lot of fluff up until then. This book made me think and actually feel something for the first time in a long time. There are many books out there that will confuse you and make you use your mind, but there are only a couple, Such a Pretty Girl included, that will tear at your heart strings and make you ache; whether that be with sympathy, disgust, horror, or another equally strong emotion. This isn't a book to take lightly but even though it has many heavy elements you can't help but be engrossed by the story. I got pulled in almost grudgingly because as I was reading, I didn't want to be able to get into the book, but I knew that if I was to truly appreciate the book for what it was, I had to submerge myself in the gruesome yet gripping story. And I'm so glad I did. The book really got to me and I think I'll remember it for quite some time; and that my friends, is the mark of a truly good story. One that will captivate you and pull you in no matter what. And for that, I highly recommend it. But, just as a warning, it's only for mature readers as there is a bit of graphic content.

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“There were some things about this book that worked and some that didn't.
What worked: The characters. They were wacky and zany enough to be believable. The whole idea of starting a club for geeks is just weird enough to sound like it could fly. I'm sure something like that might actually be popular at some of our schools, right? Shelby and Becca also had some great friendship chemistry going. When they first met each other, it just kind of felt right. It really clicked for me. Even among people, I don't think that happens very often so it was great that Laura Preble was able to convey that kind of connection through prose.
What didn't: The whole book was kind of slow to me. There was nothing about it that grabbed me or really made me want to keep reading. At all. And while the afore mentioned wackiness can be a good thing, I think it got rather out of hand. It sort of turned into a big free for all, anything flies, type of situation which isn't all that fun to read about. I wanted more structure and normalcy. Shelby also kind of annoyed me at points because she was so single minded. She got upset or discouraged over the littlest things, which wasn't fun to read about either.
In conclusion: This was an okay book. Not superb, not horrendous, just in between. I suppose I recommend it, but really, only pick it up if you've got nothing better to read, because it won't do much for you and what book's worth reading if you're bored throughout the whole thing?

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“Blech. I think there's just one word for this book; no. The whole geeky thing, while in the first book, it may have been entertaining, just got too over the top. Even sophomores in high school should be mature enough to not run around in super hero costumes out of a manga novel they themselves invented. To me, that's just a little weird. And I know that weird was what they were going for in the first place, but, I don't know, it was just too weird (did I use the word weird enough for you there?). I truthfully don't know anyone who would do the stuff that the Geek Club did in this book. And throughout the whole thing, you have all these guy issues that just got repetitive and boring. Shelby likes Fletcher, Shelby can't commit, Fletcher's sad, Shelby and Fletcher make up, Fletcher wants to take it a step further, Shelby backs away, Fletcher dates another girl, and in the end they happily get back together. If that wasn't enough for you we have the whole Becca is in love with Jon who is in love with Amber thing going on. Which, oh my, threatens to break up their friendship. The book was really slow, boring, unoriginal, and just plain dreary. Like the first one, I found no reason to keep reading, although I did, just to say I finished the book. The one good part of the book for me was the karaoke bit. Although highly predictable, I loved that whole part of it. What can I say, I'm a sap for that kind of stuff. But really, unless you're just looking for a way to pass time, don't read this book. It's just not worth it. I'm sad to have written such a bad review...maybe the third book will change my mind. *crosses fingers*

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Liv wrote this review Friday, August 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“There's been a good amount of hype about these books, right? And for the most part it's justified. The thing that really sold the book for me was the spunky main character, Morgan. It's not often that you get to read about a strong girl who doesn't depend on anyone else and makes her own decisions. Usually, you read about girls who are dependant on other people, or are obsessed with guys, or something like that. And really, that sucks. But Morgan's the kind of character that you feel could be that close sister you never had. I think the other pretty great part about the book was the complete and utter wackiness of it. It had a nice light vibe which kept everything moving and just kind of carried you along. It was funny too! I found myself laughing out loud during many parts of the book, earning myself strange looks from the people around me. I think the only thing I wasn't completely satisfied with in the book was that the whole faery world aspect of it wasn't explained well enough for my taste. The ways in which she got into the alternate world were random and unconnected and that whole concept seemed kind of wierd and pointless. I think there was some sort of reason involving brainwaves that was told about but I kept wondering; why does she even need to be a half goddess? It didn't lend much to the overall story, in my opinion and more details and solid facts would have been welcomed. I think the only good part about the faery world was how the Irish setting tied in. That was the one part I liked. Other than that small section of the book, Why I Let My Hair Grow Out was a very nice, light book, and I would recommend it as a fast way to pass time. Just don't get too hung up over the confusing faery world parts. ”

Liv wrote this review Friday, August 15 2008. ( reply | permalink )