Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Curtsies & Conspiracies, Book the Second of Finishing School by Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The love wasn't as instant with this one as it was with Etiquette & Espionage, but it's still enjoyable. Sophronia is still attending finishing school and learning how to be dastardly, yet proper. There are dandy vampires, strong werewolves, attractive working class boys, Duke's sons, and everything else in this steampunk series. Check out the first book in the series to see if it's your thing! Also, don't forget to try Soulless--my favorite!

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban

The Tragedy PaperThe Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I felt like I was reading another version of Thirteen Reasons Why, and that wasn't a good thing. Duncan returns to his senior year at a boarding school to find that a student from last year, Tim, has left him a gift of CDs. The CDs are his own story, and it's an interesting one. Tim is an albino who transferred to the school for his last semester, and his relationship with a popular girl on campus is one that Duncan wants to hear about.

Unfortunately, I wanted Tim's story, told from his perspective. I didn't think Duncan's viewpoint added anything to the plot at all, especially when I felt like I was getting the definition of tragedy shoved down my throat during the classroom scenes.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

In Real LifeIn Real Life by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love the gaming part of this graphic novel and how Anda gets sucked into the online world. Love the girl power MMO scenes and how Anda is adopted into a guild.

But wasn't too thrilled with the China part. You'll see what I mean if you read it.

I'm just not a fan of feeling like I'm being force-fed.

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Friday, November 14, 2014

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour BookstoreMr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I can't do it. I can't finish this book. I've tried the audio. I've tried the print years later. But it's just not for me. I don't like musty bookstores. I feel like this is another book made popular because librarians like to read about books and other libraries.

I know this is an Alex winner, but this is would I never would have voted for if I were on the committee. It just feels like a book librarians would love instead of high school students.

I do, however, love the glow-in-the-dark cover.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3)Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so much romance that it almost made me sick, but isn't that what teen love does to adults? :) Isla has been crushing on the cute artsy boy at her Parisian boarding school for years, but it takes teeth pulling and anesthesia for her to talk to him for the first time. Give it a few months and their paths finally meet again, and, of course, it's pure and instant real love.

Wow, I'm such a cynic.

But it's a great romance. Best part? The author's dedication in the back of the book. She wrote the three romances with her husband in mind:

"Finally, thank you to Jarrod Perkins. I'm crying now just because I typed your name. I love you more than anyone. Ever. Times a hundred million billion. Etienne, Cricket, and Josh--they were all you, but none of them came even close to you. You are my best friend. You are my true love. You are my happily ever after,"

Screw Josh in this book--I want my own Jarrod Perkins.

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Friday, November 7, 2014

How to Build a Girl by Caitlyn Morgan

How to Build a GirlHow to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Raunchy and hilarious, this isn't a read for those of you who don't like cuss words or masturbation scenes. However, for those of you who don't mind a little debauchery, read this!

It's the early 1990's and Johanna is trying to make it in the world, despite her family trying to pull her down. Her dad is on disability and proud of it, and her mom keeps popping out kids. Johanna really wants to be a writer, and decides that she's going to be a music reviewer, even if she has to spend all her money on renting records from the public library. (On a side note, what libraries charge for that????)

She makes it big. She's a great writer. Her reviews burn and sizzle and soon she's getting in free to the biggest gigs (Smashing Pumpkins!!!) in town, and hanging out backstage with the band. She's only 16, folks, but the booze, drugs, and sex flow. Is she making it big? Or is she falling down the rabbit hole?

This is a hilarious coming-of-age story about a not-skinny girl trying to fake it until she makes it. And raunchy--consider yourself warned!

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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Forgive Me, Leonard PeacockForgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Awww, man, kids like this sadden me. Leonard Peacock is living his last day. His backpack has his grandfather's gun in it and he plans on killing Asher Beal and then committing suicide. But, first, he has some presents to give out to his closest acquaintances. Poor Leonard has an absent mother, who chooses her French boyfriend and career over living with her son. What the heck, mom? Raise your kid! Leonard is brilliant and weird and eventually you find out why he's questioning his sanity. Good read along with The Catcher in the Rye and It's Kind of a Funny Story.

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