Book Reviews Centre: September 2011

Monday, September 12, 2011

Book Review - "The Sweetest Thing" by Christina Mandelski

Publisher - Egmont USA
Release Date - May 10, 2011
Number of Pages- 352
Source - Netgalley

In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she's decorating a cake. Unfortunately everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems - only her dad's about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

It's 3:30 AM, as I'm writing this, because I just had to stay up and finish the book. Just like Sheridan's cakes this book was pure perfection.

I expected this book to be a very light read, and in most parts it was, but there were some dark and depressing moments.

I loved all the food references in the book, it really complimented the theme and it made it even more fun to read because I love it when books have something that makes it stand apart from other novels in this genre.

I absolutely loved Jack and Lori. They just had really awesome personalities and were always there for Sheridan.

The setting, writing and pacing of this book is perfectly done as well.(I'm not elaborating because there is not much to say about them)

Overall this book is a beautiful coming- of- age story, that I recommend to anyone who likes food.

Rating - A+

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Book Review - "Anna and the French Kiss"

Publisher - Dutton
Release Date - December 2, 2010
Number of Pages - 372
Source - Library

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

holy crap, this is like the best book ever!
It is like a perfect sundae. The characters are the awesome scoops of ice-cream, the plot is like hot fudge, the setting is like a pretty umbrella with awesome writing and perfect pacing sprinkled on top. You gotta read it.

Rating - A+

Saturday, September 10, 2011

In My Mailbox #11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristy at Story Siren

I got two books that I'm stoked to read. Hope you guys had a great bookish week also!

"There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones (netgalley)
"Bright Young Things" by Anna Godbersen (bought)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Book Review - "The Sky Is Everywhere" by Jandy Nelson

Publisher - Dial
Release Date - March 9, 2010
Number of Pages - 272
Source - Library

Synopsis - Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This book was just okay for me. Nothing special.

I think that the author plotted a great storyline with some typical contemporary elements. There were some great twists! The start was a little slow, though.

The characters were all likeable and unique, however I did not develop strong emotional connections with them. Lennie was also a Mary Sue sometimes.

I wasn't too impressed with the setting. I didn't find it original, because this was probably the 5th, or so, book that I've read this year with the 'small town town in North Carolina' setting. There were also some unrealistic elements e.g. a bed in a middle of a forest, etc.

I was quite impressed with the style of writing! I thought it was situation appropriate and that the dialogue was very realistic. Also the poems that were in between chapters were awesome.

The pacing was a little slow at first, but it was perfect throughout the rest of the book.

Unfortunately I didn't really feel the 'wow' factor while reading this book. This book just didn't stand out for me.

The cover was very well designed and visually appealing! The paperback cover is even prettier!

Overall, it was okay.

Rating - B

Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday! September 6, 2011

Hi guys!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser: "I'm out of practice not having had to manufacture a lie in quite a long time. I have to say, that isn't a bad place to be, where you don't have to lie.
("Glass", by Ellen Hopkins)

Happy Reading!