Book Review: You Got This! Unleash Your Awesomeness, Find Your Path, and Change Your World by Maya Penn

Goodreads says:

Everyone is talking about the entrepreneur, animator, eco-designer, and girls’ rights activist Maya Penn. Her TEDWomen Talk has been viewed over 1,200,000 million times (and is one of the top 15 TEDWomen Talks of all time). Now this amazing teenager has written an inspirational handbook for teens and young adults to help them discover their passions and maximize their full potential for a creative, successful life.

Maya Penn is a remarkable teen entrepreneur who has given three TED Talks, created her own eco-friendly fashion line, developed animated films, and appeared on The View with Whoopi Goldberg. She has even been name-checked by bestselling authors Gabrielle Bernstein, Steve Harvey, and Eve Ensler. All while still in middle school!

Although Maya is extraordinary in many ways, and her success is a testament to her own creativity, passion, and fearlessness—these are traits that can be cultivated in all of us.

In You Got This! Maya shares her incredible journey to becoming an artist, designer, philanthropist, and business owner. She provides a creative blueprint for teens and young adults, along with the tools she used to build an authentic, exciting, and connected life, and offers creative prompts for cultivating success. So let your creativity and passion flow freely and watch as your world transforms—it all starts with you!

Mya sounds like the child that every parent would be proud of. 

Sometimes, I need a break from fiction, romance, and drama.  There are times when I feel like I need to expand and grow up in my reading tastes. However,  I do read non fiction and biographies.  Lately, I feel like I need inspiration. 

I found Mya Penn's You Got This!  to be inspirational.  It makes me want to reevaluate my life.  Mya started her own business at eight.  What was I doing at eight?  I was playing with Barbie dolls and drawing pictures and writing story books in my room or in front of the TV. 

While this book is geared toward teens and young adults, adults can benefit from it too.  There are a lot of good points in this book.  For instance, letting go of unhealthy toxic friendships, surrounding yourself with positive and supportive friendships, creating a dream board, etc.  I never thought about creating a dream board, it sounds like something I should try.  It does help to write down your goals because you are more likely to accomplish them. 

5 out of 5 stars

Personal digital copy purchased from Amazon

Book Review: Teach Me by R.A. Nelson

Goodreads says:

Teach Me invites readers inside an experience that fascinates everyone—an affair between a teacher and student—and gives an up-close-and-personal answer to the question: How does this happen?

Note: I deeply apologize for being missing from the blog and not posting reviews.  My absence doesn't mean that I'd stop reading.  Since I have other priorities reading and writing reviews took a back seat. 

I am going to be honest here. I wasn't a big fan of this book and I even questioned why I bought it.  I first heard about Teach Me ten years ago when I was taking a writing course.  I looked for the book, but couldn't find it at my local library branch or bookstores.  It is quite possible I wasn't looking hard enough.  Anyway, I found it in eBook format on Barnes N Noble's website two years ago.

It took me two years to read this story.  The main plot of the story is that Carolina "Nine" has an affair with her poetry teacher Mr. Mann.  Often times, we hear about these situations happening at our local schools and shake our heads and think, how does this happen?  What was that teacher thinking? What do they want with a teenager?  How can they be so stupid enough to jeopardize their job and career?

I think that the author was trying to answer these question through Nine and Mr. Mann's story.  It started off as a crush. They started spending time together outside school. And this was probably not a smart idea.  One of the things I have learned from my training as an instructor, you have to create boundaries and firmly stand by those boundaries.  I have encountered a situation where I was trying to be a good friend, but that was interpreted as potential girlfriend material.  If you are a teacher of any sort, you have to be teacher first.  I think Mr. Mann forgot that somewhere along the way.

It is pretty obvious that Nine never had a romantic relationship. So when Mr. Mann suddenly ends the relationship, Nine doesn't know what to do with herself or how to respond to the situation.  Sorry for the spoiler alert. 

The story was intense and mind boggling. I remember gasping and shaking my head at Nine's antics as I turned the page.  I remember back in high school, I had a crush on my biology teacher.  I pictured a life together, but in reality, I knew it wasn't going anywhere.  I just couldn't imagine myself doing the things that Nine was doing.  People find these types of relationships fascinating, but I lost interest quickly.  While I appreciated the suspense, Teach Me just didn't do for me.  I wish that I would have checked out this book from the library. 

3 out of 5 Stars

Personal copy purchased from Barnes N Noble

Book Review: Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Goodreads says:


Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy's pregnancy, Sebastian's coming out, the cute boys, her father's meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity.

July 24

My mother named me Gabriella, after my grandmother who, coincidentally, didn't want to meet me when I was born because my mother was unmarried, and therefore living in sin. My mom has told me the story many, many, MANY, times of how, when she confessed to my grandmother that she was pregnant with me, her mother beat her. BEAT HER! She was twenty-five. That story is the basis of my sexual education and has reiterated why it's important to wait until you're married to give it up. So now, every time I go out with a guy, my mom says, "Ojos abiertos, piernas cerradas." Eyes open, legs closed. That's as far as the birds and the bees talk has gone. And I don't mind it. I don't necessarily agree with that whole wait until you're married crap, though. I mean, this is America and the 21st century; not Mexico one hundred years ago. But, of course, I can't tell my mom that because she will think I'm bad. Or worse: trying to be White.
This is the first time I have ever read a novel about a Mexican American character. Usually, the charracters I read about are either white or African American.  I am not trying to be negative here, but other cultures have a story too, and they should be heard.   (Just wanted to get that out of the way). 

I have never heard of this book or Isabel Quintero until I listen to the podcast, First Draft by Sarah Enni.  After listening to the podcast, I wanted to find out more about the author and her debut novel.

A former classmate and friend once said that he was called English muffin. Why, because he is Mexican American and white.  After hearing this I became very curious to hear about what life is like for a Latino  or Hispanic person growing up and or living in the United States.  I have another friend who is Mexican American who told me about life growing up and the things that he was exposed to. 

I have read some reviews on Goodreads and the reviews overall good and others were mixed.  Some would say that there is a lot of drama going on in this book.  I can honestly say that the struggle is real for Gabi, her friends, and family.

The most heartbreaking part about this story is that Gabi's father is a drug addict and the letters she writes to him.  Her brother can't understand why their father doesn't love him.  I just wanted to hug both of them and tell them that everything is going to be okay.

Meanwhile, Gabi deals with her mother's expectations of what it means to be a "good girl"  according to her culture and mother.  Her friends Cindy and Sebastian deal with their own life changing circumstances.  There is so much I want to say about this novel, but I don't want to give away too many spoilers.  I think that it paints a realistic picture of teen life no matter what culture that person is from. 

4 out of 5 stars

Copy borrowed from library

 

Book Thoughts: Saint Anything By Sarah Dessen

Goodreads says:

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When evePeyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

It has been two years since Sarah Dessen's last novel The Moon and More. So I was super excited to hear that Saint Anything would be in bookstores and on eReaders this year, so without hesitation, I purchased a copy.

Saint Anything feels different from any of Sarah Dessen's other novels.  First, it's the cover.  Usually they're brightly colored summer themed covers, although not all of her books take place in the summer season.  Also, the mary-go-round on the front of the book, I didn't quite get it when I first saw the cover.

In the beginning, this book felt really sad.  We meet Sydney who is dealing with the aftermath of her brother Peyton's wreckless behavior which land him in jail.  Sydney struggles to find her place in her family, especially when Peyton is the center of attention even from jail.

Sydney switches schools and decides to go to Jackson where nobody knows her.  I don't blame her, because I wouldn't want people asking numerous questions or staring at me neither.  Sydney's afternoons use to be lonely until she meets the Chatums.

The thing that bothered me the story is the fact that Sydney's parents, her mother in particular doesn't notice Sydney's loneliness or the fact that Ames-Peyton's best friend is still hanging around.

Throughout the book, Ames gave me the creeps.  I just kept wanting to grab Sydney's parents and say, open your eyes people, something is not right about this guy.  

 

Spoiler alert, my gut feeling was correct.   Note: I am embarrased to say that this review has been sitting in my drafts folder for a few months now. 

 

 

 

4 out of 5 starts

Personal copy of purchased from Barnes N Noble

Book Review: City Love by Susane Colasanti

Goodreads says:

Sadie, Darcy, and Rosanna are living together in New York City the summer before their freshman year of college begins. With no parents, no rules, and an entire city to explore, these three girls are on the verge of the best summer of their lives.

Sadie is a native New Yorker. She is hopeful, romantic, and an eternal optimist who is ready to find her soul mate. Then she meets her dream boy: cute, funny, and quirky in all the right ways. The chemistry between them is unreal. Could he be the one?

Darcy is a free spirit from SoCal with rebellious tendencies and unlimited financial resources. Moving to New York City is just another adventure for her. Darcy wants this summer to be all about boy adventures—nothing serious. But how much fun is too much?

Rosanna leaves Chicago for NYC so she can put her past behind her and reinvent herself. The only thing standing in her way is the grand total of seventy-three cents she has saved. Then she meets a guy who wants to show her the glamorous side of New York—a side that she would never get to experience on her own. If Rosanna doesn't resist, she may find herself in city love.

Told from alternating points of view, City Love captures the moments in each girl's life when everything is thrilling, amazing, and terrifying all at once . . . in a way it will never be again.

I was excited about reading Susane Colasanti's City Love. However, the excitement wore off as I progressed through the novel.  I am not sure how to review this novel because nothing really happened until the end.  City Love wasn't a quick read mainly because of my schedule which includes teaching and studying for my certifications exams.

I understand that this novel is the first of a trilogy.  City Love for the most part reads like a personal travel blog as the girls explore New York City.  All three girls are hiding secrets that they want to forget and enter into romantic relationships.  I guess Colasanti is building up for the second installment for the series.

This novel is different from Colasanti's other novels because the girls are out of high school and going to college.  Also they live on their own.  So can this novel be classified as young adult or new adult? It is also different because it is part of a series and we are left with a few loose ends.

Will I read the follow up?  Maybe. I wish that I had more to say about this novel, but I don't.  I wasn't that impressed with City Love.

3 out of 5 Stars

Personal digital copy purchased from Barnes N Noble 

Book Review: The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Goodreads says:

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

I first heard about this book in 2012 when the movie version came out.  I saw it in Wal-Mart and considered buying it but I put it back.  Last summer, I purchased a copy and it has been waiting for me to be read.

This book reminds me The Catcher in the Rye in so many ways.  I read The Catcher in the Rye some years ago when I took English 101 one summer.  Reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower felt very depressing at times, and I had to put the book down.  

We are introduced to Charlie who is struggling through his first year of high school.  The story is told through a series of letters to an "anonymous" person whom he refers to as "dear friend."  

Charlie is really intelligent but socially awkward.  He is encouraged by one of his teachers to "participate." In other words to be more social.  Charlie finds a group of friends who accept him-Patrick and Sam.  

It appears that Charlie struggles with the realities of growing up and change as his friends head off to college.  Charlie is hospitalized and it is not clear if it is for depression or some other mental disorder.
In some ways I felt that I could relate to Charlie.  I didn't always fit in and was the source of mockery due to my vision impairment and other reasons throughout school.  For the most part, I stayed to myself.  I remember being sent to the guidance counselor's office weekly and I was even matched up with two classmates to be my"buddies."  Well, that only lasted until the end of the school year.

By high school, there were a few people I hung around.  I was pretty much invisible and blended in the background.  Guys didn't pay me any attention and I didn't go to prom which wasn't a big deal to me.

I guess that you can say I'm socially awkward.  There are times when I feel like a giant sore thumb and so far behind when it comes to life experiences.  Last summer, I was informed that I wasn't hired for a job because the staff members felt uncomfortable around me and said that I didn't "participate." Even as an adult, I often feel out of place.

Even as an adult, fitting is still an issue to an extent. Dealing with life changes with friends and family is still challenging at times.  I think that readers can relate to Charlie in some way, even if you are not in high school.

Book Review: Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Goodreads says:

Meet Corrinne. She's living every girl's dream in New York City—shopping sprees at Barneys, open access to the best clubs and parties, and her own horse at the country club. Her perfect life is perfectly on track. At least it was. . . . When Corrinne's father is laid off, her world suddenly falls apart. Instead of heading to boarding school, she's stripped of her credit cards and shipped off to the boonies of Texas to live with her grandparents. On her own in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the life she's supposed to be living. She doesn't care who she stomps on in the process. But when Corrinne makes an unlikely friend and discovers a total hottie at work, she begins to wonder if her life B.R.—before the recession—was as perfect as it seemed.

When the book first opens, you will find Corrine shopping.  Within the first chapter, I came across designer names than I could count of.

Corrine's life changes when she returns home, and her life is about to change in a way that she doesn't expect.  She expects to be heading off to a prestigious boarding school. However, because of the recession, her dad looses his job and the family has to make big changes financially.

Corrine and her brother are sent to live with their grandparents in Texas.  Corrine has to get use to a whole different life style which she dislikes.  She learns to adjust and makes new friends.

My opinion of Corrine changed as the story develops.  I found her to be snobby and clueless.  This girl didn't even understand what recession meant.  Sometimes I got annoyed and wanted to abandon the book. However, as she changed, I began to feel better about her.  

4 out of 5 stars

Personal digital copy purchased from Barnes N Noble

Book Review: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Goodreads says: 

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

Here is another book that has been waiting patiently for me on my Nook and I finally got around to reading it.  The timing was perfect considering it has been extremely cold and I starting to wish for warmer weather.

The first thing that I noticed that Lilah aka Dee is that she reminds me of Taylor Swift.  Matt Finch who was in band called Finch Four reminds me of the Jonas brothers.  (I am not familiar with Jonas, but I know who they are).

A scandal arises threatening to ruin Lilah's image, and Matt is brought in to save it by posing as her fake boyfriend.  Honestly, it took me some time to wrap my head around how this would help.

What I liked about this book is that it focuses on friendship not just centered around romance. Maybe that after Reagan's breakup, she was guarded. However, she falls for Matt but fights it.  Maybe because he is different from other guys she's dated.

Open Road Summer also takes a look at what it is like to be famous.  It is clear that it is not as glamorous as it looks-people always want to be in the know about your personal life and your whereabouts.

I never had an interest in country music.  But now I feel like I should give it a chance.  I have heard a lot of positive reviews for this book, despite not knowing much about the author, I wanted to give the book a chance.

4 out of 5 Stars 

Personal digital copy from Barnes N Noble

Happy Pub Day!!!

Happy pub day!!! So it's official. Taking on the Writing World: The Ups and Downs of the Writing Life is officially out today.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

To celebrate, until January 31, 2014 I am offering 10% at Smashwords.  If you purchase the book from Smashwords, you can get 10% off  by entering code: JR27F.   How can you support the cause? Here's how?

1. Like me on Facebook 
2. Follow me on Twitter @lbyrdwrites
3. Follow me on Google+
4. Follow me on Goodreads.
5. Add it to your Goodreads to read list.  

Reviews and comments are always welcomed.  Happy reading!!!

Book Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads says:

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last? 

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.
I am finally back with a brand new book review of Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins.

I have been reading the novel off and on for a month or so because I have been distracted by reading other books. However, I decided to buckle down and focus on finishing this book.

Why the detour?  It took awhile for the story to pick up speed. The book didn't get interesting until after the first hundred pages.

So we are back in Paris at SOAP-School of America in Paris.  At first, I thought that the story was going to solely take place in New York. Actually, the setting is divided between Paris and NYC.

Josh and Isla have been crushing on each and they finally get together senior year.  So their relationship should be smooth sailing. Well not exactly.

Spoiler Alert: A trip to Spain lands the couple in hot water with SOAP.  Josh gets expelled and Isla gets attention.  Now the couple has to deal with maintaining a long distance relationship.

The thing that worries me about Isla is that she over thinks things and is afraid to take risks.  She also feels that she is unlovable.  Isla's only friend is Kurt.  It takes some time for Isla to break out of her comfort zone-well she is forced out of her comfort zone.  Josh and Isla break up, but can they find their way back to each other?

Readers will see cameo appearances from Meredith, Anna, Cricket, Lola, St. Clair, Sanjita, and Nate from Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door.  Fans of the series will be pleased to know that Anna and St. Clair are still together.  There is a big surprise in the book. Hint, hint.

Isla and the Happily Ever turned out to be a good book. I have heard positive reviews around the web. Stephanie Perkins tied everything together nicely.  At first, it's sort of hard to see how all three books connect, but once you read all three books, you will see the connections.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Personal digital copy purchased from Barnes N Noble

Cover Reveal: Taking on the Writing World

Thanks to the cover creator on Amazon KDP, I was able to create a professional cover that I am absolutely happy with!  Drum roll please...

Note: I made a change in the subtitle.  The book with be called: Taking on the Writing World: The Ups and Downs of the Writing Life.

I can't wait to finish the book and put out there for readers to read.  Stay tuned for an excerpt.  

WIP: Taking on the Writing World

Hi, I guess that it is not too early to announce that I have been working on a new book project.  I have been reading a lot of books about writing and reading about experiences from different writers. Reading those experiences inspired me to tell my story.

I wanted to write about my experiences with writing contests, classes, rejections from publications, and other adventures and misadventures and share some words of wisdom I picked up through the years.  I still consider myself  a newbie although I have writing online for almost five years.  I still have a long way to go, but I am not as green as I use to be.

I am not so quick to enter just any contest promising money and publication.  I am not in a big hurry to hit to publish button.  Case and point, I wish that I would've taken my time with the short stories on Smashwords.  There have been times when I have caught mistakes and had to upload a new version.  I hoped to make money off my stories, but it took me nine months to earn $11.03.  The lesson here is don't publish to make a quick buck.  These things don't happen overnight.

I am half way through the book and I have written almost seven thousand words.  That is a world record for me.  It is more than the word count of the failed unfinished novel that I attempted.  What's different this time around?

I have been writing out each chapter by hand in a notebook and when I am ready, I type it on the computer.  This strategy cuts down on getting distracted by the Internet.  I feel more productive when using this method.

I plan to publish through Amazon's KDP to reach a wide audience.  I can't wait to publish, but I don't want to rush it.  I am so glad that KDP has a book cover creator so I will have a professional looking cover.

The working title for my first full length non fiction book is Taking on the Writing World: The Ups and Downs of Getting Published.  I hope to have it on Amazon by January 2015 at the latest.

Stay tuned for updates!

Book Cover Make Over!

I have exciting news!

I thought that it was time to get more professional looking book covers for the eBooks I currently have on Smashwords.  I have learned a valuable lesson: don't make your own book cover if you don't know what you are doing or if you do not have the right tools.

I am still learning the ins and outs of the self publishing business.  I think that having a lack of professional covers for my books is the reason why the aren't selling so well.  In order to reach a wider audience, I plan to publish them on Amazon as well.  Not everyone knows about Smashwords.

There is a new project in the works.  Stay Tuned!

Book Review: The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Goodreads says:

"Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions."

It has been months since Ginny's return from Europe.  When she was in Greece, her backpack was stolen along with the letters from Aunt Peg.  Without the last envelope, Ginny  was unable to complete the final task.

Months later, Ginny receives an email from someone in London who found her backpack and envelopes. Ginny heads back to London to retrieve her stolen items.  When she arrives, she encounters plenty of surprises and the opening of old wounds.  When Ginny visits Keith, she finds out that he has a girlfriend. 

Ginny meets Oliver who is willing to help her find Aunt Peg's remaining paintings.  The catch is that Oliver wants to split the profits with Ginny. Ginny was all geared up to travel to Paris with Oliver alone.  Sensing that Oliver was out to use Ginny, Keith decides drive Ginny and Oliver to France himself.  (Thumbs up for Keith).  

Ginny is off on another European adventure with Keith, Ellis, and Oliver.  Thank goodness that she doesn't have to do it alone.  The group travel to Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland.  Another advantage is that Ginny can have her phone, computer, maps, and guidebooks if necessary.  

I was eager to read The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson because I was curious to find out what happens to Ginny.  I wanted to know if Ginny simply moved on and forgot about the envelope.  I also was curious to know if Ginny and Keith were girlfriend and boyfriend.  

In my review of 13 Little Blue Envelopes, I wrote about  how the author ended the novel with a lot of loose ends.  At least the follow up novel tied up a lot of these loose ends.  I can't help but wonder what Ginny's parents have to say about all of this.  (Just a thought).  At least Richard gets to make a few appearances.  

On an additional note, I wanted to read The Last Blue Envelope because a friend of mine went to London a few weeks ago.  I wanted to feel like I was there.  Reading about Ginny's adventures and misadventures makes me wish that I could have taken a similar trip to Europe when I was her age.

Another positive aspect of this novel is that it was stronger than the last novel in terms of showing not telling.  Maureen Johnson doesn't just simply tell us what happens.  I got a better sense of what was going on within each scene.  For instance, there is a scene were Keith's car was traveling down the road. It was described as "farting and spitting."  Yes, I know it sounds disgusting, and we all know cars don't does things, but this description gave the Keith's beat up car human like charracteristics.  Also, there was a lot of humor between the characters.  For me, that is always a plus.

Book Review: Kendra by Coe Booth

Kendra by Coe Booth is the story of a fourteen year old girl named Kendra Williamson who has been living with her grandmother since birth.  Kendra's mother Renee has been dedicated to getting her education, and just graduated with her PhD.



All Kendra wants is to finally be able to live with her mother, but it's obvious that Renee is not ready yet.

Meanwhile, Kendra's grandmother becomes a bit over protective because Renee was the same age as Kendra when she gave birth to Kendra.  The last thing that Kendra wants is a baby.  However, Kendra's grandmother always threatens to have her checked if she suspects anything-and I mean anything.

Life gets complicated when Kendra finds herself caught between two boys-Darnell and Nashawn.  Back at home, Renee claims that she's not ready to raise Kendra.

This is what really grinds my gears: there are people who out there who really want to have children but can't.  On the other hand, there are the people who are having children left and right and refuse to take responsibility for them.

Kendra senses this-Renee wanting to carry on with her life without her.  It is clear that she is use to being fancy free and can come and go whenever she please.  This may explain why Kendra finds herself hooking up with Nashawn.  I think that all she wants is some sort of connection with someone.  Nashawn  is actually going out with Adonna- Kendra's aunt/best friend.  One day, Kendra reveals that she has been hooking up with Nashawn and the girls get into a fight which destroys their friendship.  Kendra's grandmother puts her foot down and sends her to live with Renee whether she likes it or not.

As a 30 something reader, I found the fight between Adonna and Kendra to be senseless.  What did it accomplish?  Absolutely nothing-it just made a bigger mess of the whole situation.

There were moments when I really wanted to yell at these characters and give up on this book. However, I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next for everyone.

To an extent, Kendra is mature for her age, but she can be immature emotionally.  She appeared to be more mature than her own parents.  Kenny is still pining after Renee even though she has clearly moved on, and Renee keeps coming up with excuses. I'm not against education, but Renee has three degrees now and a job, what excuse can she come up with now?  I would have been upset too when she goes out and get a studio apartment not a two bedroom apartment.  Really? Really?

I suppose I could go on and on about the characters in this novel and how I shook my head at their actions. I hope that things work out for Kendra.  There were some loose ends at the end of the book.  Kendra ends up with Nashawn-the guy that was using her and Darnell is out of the picture.  Will Kendra mend her relationship with Adonna? And will Renee finally give Kendra the mother and daughter relationship that she has been wanting?

Book Review: Now and Forever by Susane Colasanti

Goodreads Summary:

What if your boyfriend was the world's biggest rockstar?

Sterling is crazy in love with Ethan. Not only is he the sweetest boy she's ever met, but he's an incredibly talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. And since forever, he's believed he has what it takes to be a star.

When Ethan becomes an overnight sensation, he's thrown head-first into the glam world of celebrity-and so is Sterling. Before she knows it, she's attending red-carpet premieres, getting free designer clothes, and flying around the country to attend Ethan's monumental sold-out concerts.

It's a dream come true...but whose dream is Sterling living? And what do you do when "forever" comes to an end?

Now and Forever is the story of Ethan and Sterling.  If the name Sterling sounds familiar to you, well it is especially if you are a Susane Colasanti fan. Sterling appeared in the novel, Waiting for You.

In the novel Waiting for You, Sterling was best friends with Marisa.  However, they are not as close as they use to be.

Sterling use to date guys online, until she received a wake up call.  Now she has a real life boyfriend-Ethan, rising rock star.  As Ethan's popularity increases, things began to change for the couple.  Ethan no longer has time to go to school especially with all the appearances, interviews, and his upcoming tour. He has to get a tutor in order to keep up with school.  As time goes by, people are talking to her more and asking for autographs.

Sterling becomes insecure about her looks after comparing herself to other celebrities.  Problems arise when Sterling reads negative comments about herself on Ethan's fan page.  Ethan and Sterling grow distant, and when Sterling needs support and someone to talk to, she turns to Damien when Ethan is unavailable.  

Here's a major spoiler alert, Ethan cheats on Sterling.  The thing that shocked me is the fact that Ethan would cheat on Sterling- with a fan.  I was expecting the girl to be a celebrity.  Now and Forever is different from Susane Colasanti's other books in the sense that it is not about finding your soul mate in high school or love at first sight.  For instance, I get the feeling that Marisa and Nash aren't together anymore.  I'm not very clear on their relationship status.  You will just have to read between the lines to figure it out.

For many, this novel may seem far fetched-the idea of your boyfriend being a rising star.  How often does that happen?

I wish that there was a happier ending for Ethan and Sterling.  However, in reality their lives were moving in different directions. Maybe they will be friends, who knows.  I found Now and Forever to be a quick read. I read it within two weeks.  (Note: it took me forever just to write and post this review).  I read it on my lunch breaks and during my commute to and from work.

Book Review: Just Write: Here's How by Walter Dean Myers

This is the first time I have ever written a review for a non fiction book. I hope that I do a good job.

In the seventh grade, my reading teacher Ms. Cobbs assigned us to read Hoops by Walter Dean Myers. Since then, I have been drawn to his books despite the fact that most of his books have male protagonists and talk about sports.  From time to time, you need a change of pace.

Just Write: Here's How has been on my Goodreads to-read list for awhile. Earlier this summer, I found out that Walter Dean Myers had died.  I have been eager to read this book and see what his thoughts are about the craft of writing.

I don't read a lot of non fiction unless it is something I am really interested in.  However, I think that is important for me to read something beneficial-especially if it has to do with writing.  I call myself a writer.  I have published a number of web articles on various content sites, write for my personal blogs, and self published some of my short fiction on Smashwords.  However, I am not always taken seriously.

Just Write: Here's How is geared towards young adults, but older readers like myself can read it too.  Mr. Myers talks about his journey as a writer and writing tips to help readers become a better writer.  I appreciated these tips.

• Create an outline:  For some reason, creating an outline for fiction is hard for me. When I write my consumer reports for Knoji.com, my outline consists of talking points I want to focus on in my report. This keeps me on track.  So why can't I do this for fiction?  There have been countless times I have bought notebooks with the intention of writing out my novel, but it didn't happen. Also, I have abandoned a particular project several times.
• Character timeline: I never considered writing out a timeline for your characters.  This can help keep your character's life events in order and on track.
• Cut out pictures of what you think your character will look like: Here is something I will have to try. Usually what I think my characters will look like stays in my head.

Just Write: Here's How is a quick read and I finished it in a week.  After reading this book, I feel inspired to start writing again.  

Book Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

From Goodreads:

Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke–about–town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous–though utterly romantic–results. But will she ever see him again?

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.


I saw 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson at Target a few years ago.  It didn't appeal to me at the time, so I put it back.  Recently, I read a review by Write Meg! and decided to take a chance.  I enjoyed reading about international locales such as London, Paris, Italy, Greece, Scotland, and the Netherlands.  

My problem with this novel is that Ginny's character feels flat.  The novel is written in third person, and there is more telling than showing.  When I took a writing course from the Institute of Children's Literature a few years ago, I was constantly warned about "show don't tell."  

Now, I see the difference.  I often wondered about how Ginny really felt about the journey, Aunt Peg's letters and why she ran off to Europe.  How did her parents feel about Ginny going to Europe by herself?  

Another downside to this novel is that there seem to be no resolution at the end.  What happens to Aunt Peg's artwork?  What about Ginny and Keith's relationship?  Are they friends or in an actual relationship? Will Ginny keep in touch with Richard?  There are just so many unanswered questions.  

Other than these issues, I enjoyed reading 13 Little Blue Envelopes.  I finished it within two weeks.  I read a chunk of the novel during my trip to the beach.  I also found time to read on lunch break and during my bus ride to and from work.  

I was eager to find out where each envelope would take Ginny.  She met many interesting people along the way like Mari Adams and the family in the Netherlands.  I am eager to read The Last Envelope to unravel the mystery of the last envelope and maybe just maybe Maureen Johnson has addressed the above mentioned questions and other questions readers may have.  

Book Review: Pinned by Sharon G. Flake

From Goodreads...

"Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common--they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school’s most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis is confined to a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he’s a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal.

In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love.

Told in alternating voices, Take down explores issues of self-discovery, friendship, and what it means to be different."

The first time I saw Pinned by Sharon G. Flake  was at a local Barnes N Noble.  Wrestling didn't interest me and still doesn't.  Recently, I looked up the novel and read the summary, I decided that I should at least give the novel a chance.

The story is told in the points of view of Autumn and Adonis in alternating chapters.  The first person narration allows readers to see things through the eyes of both characters.   Autumn is the only girl wrestler at her school and she excels at the sport. However, she can't seem to  apply the same effort to her school work.  Autumn is reading below grade level and struggles in math.  If she doesn't get her grades up, she is off the wrestling team.  You would think that this would motivate her to pull it together, but it takes a whole lot more than that.

Autumn has a learning disability which makes reading a struggle.  On top of that, Autumn's parents struggle with reading themselves.  Therefore, reading wasn't a big deal until the teachers contacted her Mr. and Mrs. Knight.  On the other hand, Adonis loves books and is a good student.  He is frustrated with Autumn for her lack of motivation and other reasons.  I also understand his frustration because he has to work twice as hard as anybody else because he is a physically challenged African American male.  I don't mean to bring race into this, but it is reality for  many people today.  Adonis's frustration likely comes from if he can make an effort, than so can Autumn.

Throughout the novel, I was frustrated with Autumn myself.  I am avid reader.  It's pretty obvious because I take the time to post book reviews here for free.  I have three library cards-for three different counties, a Goodreads account, and a stack of books at home.   Therefore, I can understand Adonis's viewpoint. However, I found him to be a bit judgmental.

He says that he can judge a person by the type of books they read.  Really? Really?  I have to wonder if Adonis was a real person and saw my Goodreads page or my stack of YA novels, what would he have to say about me?  I read a mix of general fiction, historical fiction, biographies, non fiction, and young adult fiction.  

I confess that I'm not into the classics.  I attempted to read Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte but quickly lost interest.  I think that a lot of English majors would not be too pleased with my reading choices, and would not considered me well read.  

Another interesting situation in this story is that Autumn likes Adonis-really likes him.  However, Adonis doesn't seem interested in her until later.  (Spoiler alert)   

I don't want to give too many spoilers, but I will say that Pinned is worth the read.  Sharon G. Flake expresses the importance of reading without sounding like an after school special or preachy.  I was also happy to see a physically challenged person  in the story.  Adonis was not treated as a stereotype.  

Book Review: Anywhere by J.Meyers

Fresh out of college, Skye decides to run away from her problems temporarily, and spends the summer backpacking in Europe.

There are times when everything doesn't go according to plan, and this was proven in the opening chapter of Anywhere.  When Skye and Paige arrive in Paris, Paige discovers that she is pregnant and decides that it is best to return home.

Now, Skye is left to travel alone until she meets Asher at the train station.  Skye and Asher get to know each other on the train ride to Rome.  As they travel together, they build a friendship, and their friendship turns into a relationship-or should I say an attraction to each other.  Skye believes that the last thing that she needs is to jump into a relationship after ending her engagement to her fiance Blaine.

Is it true love for Asher and Skye or just a summer fling in Europe?

I discovered Anywhere by J.Meyers on a site called Smashwords. If you have never heard of Smashwords, it is an ebook publishing site for independent authors.  You can purchase books really cheap and even free.

I was attracted to this novel because it is about a girl who decides to travel to Europe.  My European adventures are limited to episodes of House Hunters International, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, and geography classes from college. Also, in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Lena goes to Greece, and in London in Sisterhood Everlasting.

What I liked most about this book is the vivid descriptions of Paris, Rome, the Swiss Alps, and Germany. (Maybe I should visit a travel agency and plan a trip, or become a travel writer).

Skye was engaged to her fiance Blaine.  She discovered that a life with Blaine wasn't for her. I think that this was very brave of her.  Skye's situation is even more complicated because her mother thinks that she should go through with the wedding and she is making a big mistake.  The fact that Skye chooses to travel with a guy she meets at a train station would make any concerned parent cringe.

Skye's relationship with her mother is no doubt complicated.  I really don't know what the problem is besides the fact that Skye chooses not to marry someone that isn't right for her.  In my honest opinion, Skye probably saved herself from an unhappy marriage and or divorce.