On My Wishlist (64)

In On My Wishlist I spotlight books that I'm really looking forward to. I know there's a meme Waiting on Wednesday and there even are others, but I'm going to rebel and do it how I want it (hehe). I'll feature the synopsis as posted on Goodreads and put a linkie to the Goodreads page of the book. This week: Golden by Jessi Kirby.

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Publication date: May 13th, 2013

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

Goodreads page

So this is one of the books some of my friends have been raving about. Basically, I haven't heard one bad word about this book. Which has me nervous, because my expectations are pretty high for this one and the only experience I have with that is that the book turns out to be disappointing because I ended up hyping it. So. Having said that, I'm very curious and excited to read it, but I'll probably do it in secret so I won't be ambushed.

Random Book Off My Shelves (1)

As a book hoarder, I often buy books that end up neglected on my shelves. I know, I know. Often times I just forget I own that particular book, or am not aware that it's a particular genre so it doesn't get picked up. Anyhoo, lots of reasons. I found that when I see a book again, I usually want to read it relatively soon. So this new feature is a combination of me showing books on my shelves and me trying to get myself to actually read them again. Here goes!

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder was actually a book I was ridiculously excited about all the way back in 2011. I even started reading it, but DNF'ed it at about a third of the way in. It wasn't that I disliked the book, I just didn't feel like reading it anymore and thought I'd pick it up later. Fast forward to 2014 and it's still neglected on my shelf, though I must add she's in the company of her sequel. And seeing this book makes me wonder.. Was I wrong in putting it down? Should I give it another chance? I think I'd like to.


Have you read Inside Out? What did you think? Should I pick it up again?

Review: Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer

Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer
Published: January 1st, 2012 (Fiction Studio)
Pages: 328
Source: for review
Series: NA
Buy the book: Bookdepository
Rating: ★★★☆☆


Apron Bramhall has come unmoored. Fortunately, she's about to be saved by Jesus. Not that Jesus-the actor who plays him in Jesus Christ Superstar. Apron is desperate to avoid the look-alike Mike, who's suddenly everywhere, until she's stuck in church with him one day. Then something happens-Apron's broken teenage heart blinks on for the first time since she's been adrift. Mike and his boyfriend, Chad, offer her a summer job in their flower store, and Apron's world seems to calm. But when she uncovers Chad's secret, stormy seas return. Apron starts to see things the adults around her fail to-like what love really means, and who is paying too much for it. Apron has come unmoored, but now she'll need to take the helm if she's to get herself and those she loves to safe harbor.

Don't let yourself be fooled by the fluffy looking cover: this book takes place in the eighties and deals with immigration problems, selfharming, unwanted pregnancy, homosexuality and AIDS. Hidden behind the cutesy cover is a story that deals with some serious issues and does it well.

Our main character, Apron, is a teenage girl who is wise beyond her years, especially when you consider the setting of this book. She's a lovely character, open and honest, caring and with her heart in the right place. When she realises how the people around her react to Mike and Chad's relationship, she is baffled. How can they be disgusted by their relationship, especially when it's made entirely out of love? She's not afraid to speak her mind and I thought that was admirable.

I quite enjoyed reading this book. It managed to surprise me with some touching scenes and I particularly enjoyed the balance of deep and thoughtful things combined with the humour at the right moments. It wasn't a heavy read, but it deals with some heavy subjects. I applaud the author for being able to do that.

Even though I enjoyed it, I wasn't exactly wow'ed, hence the 3 star rating. I will say that I do want to check out more of Hummer's work, seeing that this book pleasantly surprised me.

Review: Running Girl by Simon Mason

Running Girl by Simon Mason
Published: January 2nd, 2014 (David Fickling Books)
Pages: 448
Source: for review
Series: NA
Buy the book: Bookdepository
Rating: ★★☆☆☆


Meet Garvie Smith. Highest IQ ever recorded at Marsh Academy. Lowest ever grades. What's the point, anyway? Life sucks. Nothing ever happens.

Until Chloe Dow's body is pulled from a pond.

DI Singh is already on the case. Ambitious, uptight, methodical - he's determined to solve the mystery and get promoted. He doesn't need any 'assistance' from notorious slacker, Smith.

Or does he?

First of all, let me point out that I don't think this is a bad book. At least, I don't think so. Not really. It just really didn't work for me. I managed to finish it, but I didn't enjoy reading the book.

Okay, so what was my problem with this book? To be honest, I had several. The first is that everything is so completely unbelievable. The most popular girl in school disappears and the investigators have no idea who is behind Chloe's disappearance, yet Garvie is able to find clues in everything. I understand that Garvie has an IQ of about a billion and he's supposed to be smarted than me, I failed to believe about 3/4 of the theories he came up with. It didn't make sense that experienced adults fail to recover a single clue and a teenager pops up who finds so many clues he can write a book with them. Perhaps if the investigators wouldn't have been so useless, it would have been more realistic, but in this form, it really didn't work.

Another thing that bothered me was the flatness of the characters. They didn't come alive, didn't have their own distinct personalities or traits, and I think that's part of the reason I really didn't connect to this story. For me, the characters need to carry the story. In this case, they didn't. Sure, you could see the difference in thinking when we switch from Garvie to Singh, but that is mainly because Singh's thoughts keep drifting off to him being the youngest DI, so it's not like there's a different voice there, not really.

I love books with either great chemistry between the characters, funny dialogue or books that make me feel things, but this book didn't have any of these things. I finished it because I wanted to know who did it, but when I found out it wasn't a surprise at all. The way to get there was ridiculous and involved a break-in to investigate evidence at the scene and caused a massive eyerolling marathon. Nope. Not buying it.

If you like mysteries with a super smart character and don't mind if the story is completely unbelievable, you might want to pick Running Girl up. If you don't, I think it's best to stay away.

On My Wishlist (63)

Back from hiatus! In On My Wishlist I spotlight books that I'm really looking forward to. I know there's a meme Waiting on Wednesday and there even are others, but I'm going to rebel and do it how I want it (hehe). I'll feature the synopsis as posted on Goodreads and put a linkie to the Goodreads page of the book. This week: Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer.

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer
Publication date: March 26th, 2013

Synopsis
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. After all, real life will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. But when an unexpected event proves they're missing out on the full high-school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. The trio makes a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge and totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed; it could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that might mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for...

Goodreads page

No, I have not read this yet. Yes, the covers looks absolutely adorable. And yeah, this sounds like my kinda book. One of them feel good ones that will manage to cheer me up from whatever funk I'm going through at that moment. So why haven't I read it yet? Well, I only discovered this book's existence when Debby fangirled about it on Twitter. And since I don't exactly have the biggest book buying budget as of now.. It has sadly been on my wishlist ever since. But I will buy it. Soon, my precious. Soon. *wrings hands*

On My Wishlist (62)

Back from hiatus! In On My Wishlist I spotlight books that I'm really looking forward to. I know there's a meme Waiting on Wednesday and there even are others, but I'm going to rebel and do it how I want it (hehe). I'll feature the synopsis as posted on Goodreads and put a linkie to the Goodreads page of the book. This week: Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens.

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Expected publication date: February 25th, 2014

Synopsis
Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

Goodreads page

This sounds like a contemporary along the lines of the books of Kody Keplinger, A.S. King and Courtney Summers' contemporary books. One that deals with issues and not afraid to show it off. No sugar coating. I love that. Ever since I first came across this one, I've wanted to read it and I'm very much looking forward to the moment I finally have this in my hands so I can start flipping the pages. Definitely one of my most anticipated debuts for 2014!

On My Wishlist (61)

Back from hiatus! In On My Wishlist I spotlight books that I'm really looking forward to. I know there's a meme Waiting on Wednesday and there even are others, but I'm going to rebel and do it how I want it (hehe). I'll feature the synopsis as posted on Goodreads and put a linkie to the Goodreads page of the book. This week: Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff.

Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff
Publication date: September 17th, 2013

Synopsis
A SHATTERED EMPIRE
The mad Shōgun Yoritomo has been assassinated by the Stormdancer Yukiko, and the threat of civil war looms over the Shima Imperium. The Lotus Guild conspires to renew the nation’s broken dynasty and crush the growing rebellion simultaneously – by endorsing a new Shōgun who desires nothing more than to see Yukiko dead.

A DARK LEGACY
Yukiko and the mighty thunder tiger Buruu have been cast in the role of heroes by the Kagé rebellion. But Yukiko herself is blinded by rage over her father’s death, and her ability to hear the thoughts of beasts is swelling beyond her power to control. Along with Buruu, Yukiko’s anchor is Kin, the rebel Guildsman who helped her escape from Yoritomo’s clutches. But Kin has his own secrets, and is haunted by visions of a future he’d rather die than see realized.

A GATHERING STORM
Kagé assassins lurk within the Shōgun’s palace, plotting to end the new dynasty before it begins. A waif from Kigen’s gutters begins a friendship that could undo the entire empire. A new enemy gathers its strength, readying to push the fracturing Shima imperium into a war it cannot hope to survive. And across raging oceans, amongst islands of black glass, Yukiko and Buruu will face foes no katana or talon can defeat.

The ghosts of a blood-stained past.

Goodreads page

I deliberately chose this cover instead of the cover that will match my copy of Stormdancer because Yukiko looks mighty fierce on this one. The other one is, quite frankly, a bit meh. Anyhoo, I'm quite excited to get my hands on this one and find out what happens next. I'm a bit nervous that I'll have the same difficulties with reading the book as I did at the beginning of Stormdancer but still. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.