RAK - June

This is my first time participating in Random Acts of Kindness set up by Book Soulmates. My RAK wishlist is here but I thought I would show you 5 books I would really like to receive this month!

<-- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler  --->

Abandon by Meg Cabot --->

<-- Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles 

<-- We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Stay by Deb Caletti --->

<--- What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen








Wither by Lauren DeStefano --->







Any books received would be greatly appreciated. If you are also taking part share your wishlists below and I will check them out :)

Review: Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

       
Title: Withering Tights
Author: Louise Rennison
Series: Misadventures of Tallulah Casey #1
Pages: 351
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 2nd 2010
Source: For review
Rating: 3 stars

Wow. This is it. This is me growing up. On my own, going to Performing Arts College. This is good-bye, Tallulah, you long, gangly thing, and hellooooo, Lullah, star of stage.

Tallulah Casey is ready to find her inner artist. And some new mates. And maybe a boy or two or three.

The ticket to achieving these lofty goals? Enrolling in a summer performing arts program, of course. She's bound for the wilds of Yorkshire Dales—eerily similar to the windswept moors of Wuthering Heights. Tallulah expects new friends, less parental interference, and lots of drama. Acting? Tights? Moors? Check, check, check.

What she doesn't expect is feeling like a tiny bat's barging around in her mouth when she has her first snog.

Bestselling author Louise Rennison returns with her trademark wit, a hilarious new cast, and a brand-new cheeky heroine who is poised to discover plenty of opportunities for (mis)adventure!

I'm not too sure where to start. I read the book in two days and to be fair I don't really have a bloody clue what even happened. It was absolutely barmy. The things Tallulah gets up to is borderline ridiculous but amusing none the less. I did enjoy it but I can't really wrap my mind around what actually happened.

Tallulah is eccentric, mad and just darn crazy. She is always getting caught up into some sort of drama whether it be getting caught watching a couple snog or Irish dancing. She acts like a fourteen year old which is good. She had insecurities about her knobbly knees and worries about her first kiss as most teenage girls do. Tallulah is the basis for most teenage girls with a heap of crazy mixed in. 

Some things Tallulah did were a little crazy for my liking and her actions were questionable. She is also a little hypocritical in some parts which I didn't like. It didn't bother me too much though.

I did get very immersed in the book. I read it quickly and did enjoy it when I read it. It is a quick read about a teenager trying to find her place in the world. I wouldn't call her a role model but she  can show girls that they aren't alone in their insecurities and that everyone has them. 

I'm not too sure how I feel about this book. Whilst reading the book I didn't really have any problems with it. It was only when I thought about the book did I notice the things I didn't like too much of it. The is probably better suited for younger teens as they will probably find it more relatable. Overall it was a light, quick read that left no impressions on me. 

In My Mailbox (05/06/2011)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

Passion by Lauren Kate
David by Mary Hoffman
Fury by Elizabeth Miles


My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey


The Tales of The Beedle Bard by J.K. Rowling
Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
The Gift by Alison Cronogg
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare


So You Think You Know Harry Potter?
Hunter's Heart by Julia Green
Tell Me What You See by Zoran Drvenkar
Blue by Sue Mayfield
The Fearful by Keith Gray
The Storm Garden by Phillip Gross
The Broken Bridge by Phillip Pullman
Odin's Voice by Susan Price
Snitch by K.K. Beck
It's Okay, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers by Louise Rennsion
Attica by Garry Kilworth

Review: One Seriously Messed-Up Week: in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samonsite by Tom Clempson

         Title: One Seriously Messed-Up Week: in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samonsite
Author: Tom Clempson
Series: 1st in a series
Pages: 407
Publisher: Atom
Release Date: June 2nd 2011
Source: From Atomics

Our hero?
Jack Samsonite
His mission?
1) pass his GCSEs
2) get the girl (to notice he exists)
3) survive the week without a serious face punching
Good thing he’s got a plan. Well, half a plan…

I almost have no words for this book. It has to be the strangest, most peculiar book I have ever read. I go to all girls school so I don't know if it is an accurate representation of boys in a mixed school but if it is...WOW. It was certainly amusing.

This book will not be liked by everyone. There is swearing, there is toilet talk. There are plenty of things people will turn their noses up at. I will admit if someone offered me a book, saying it contained mentions of whether you wipe your behind standing up or sitting down I would politely decline. However, the book just felt so normal and so real that I was completely swept away with it.

Jack was very funny. He doesn't have the greatest school life and I love him for that. His uncool nature and the embarrassing embarrassing situations he gets himself into makes for a great novel. As a character he is highly entertaining and someone who just made me smile. His friend James. AWESOME. That is all I have to say about him!

It doesn't seem like it had much of a plot but I don't feel it is hugely about a standardised beginning, middle and end. It is about Jack's (eventful) week. Not much happens. It isn't an action packed book. It isn't intended to be. It is a nosey into Jack's life and to be honest it is highly entertaining.

The ending had me so surprised. I was questioning my gut, jumping back and forth between my conclusions and my gut failed me. I was completely and utterly shocked! I love it when a book shocks me!

This book is hilarious. It is not for everyone but if you like a good laugh, don't mind some swearing and crude conversations this book is for you. If you like the Inbetweeners you will love this!

Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

         
    

Title: Virals

Author: Kathy Reichs

Series: Virals #1

Pages: 454

Publisher: Arrow

Release Date: November 2nd 2010 (UK)

Source: From Publisher

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever. 

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.

I have never read anything by Kathy Reichs before but my sister read her adult crime series. My sister and I have different tastes so I was unsure whether I would like this. I shouldn't have worried. The book was full of action, drama and mystery and I loved that!


Tory was a kickass main character. She was fearless and brave but despite that she had a soft side. Her group of friends were a huge part of the story and I liked them all. They all felt unique and individually crafted. With Tory being the only female in their group the dynamic was great. Tory's father Kit was very funny. The relationship between Tory and himself was awkward which made for some very funny scenes.


The plot was unusual. The idea of contracting a disease that can make you semi wolf, semi human  was really interesting. Despite it being far-fetched it was written in a realistic way, making me believe it could really happen (scary thought!). The discovery of the murder was a nice touch as I feel the virus on its own wouldn't have been substantial. The murder mystery had me guessing right up until the very end!


Tory's voice was what really drew me in. Her narration was captivating and she definitely had the essence of a teenage girl. I always like it when you feel like you are connecting with someone your own age. She was very relatable (up until the wolf DNA thing). 


The ending was a little far fetched for me. Some things seemed too far out of the realms of possibility. It didn't bother me too much, however. The ending on a broader scale was a nice end to the novel.


Virals is filled with action, mystery and danger and I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Discussion Post: Dual Narrative

I am a sucker for dual narrative. I love love love it! Some of my favourite books have dual narrative. I think I love it because it adds another dimension to the novel and it allows to see extra information as well as get to know the main characters more intimately. 


Perfect Chemistry is a wonderful example of dual narrative done right. As it a hate to love relationship it shows the development of Alex and Brittany's feelings and at what stage their feelings changed.






A less traditional form of dual narrative is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It alternates between Hannah's tapes containing the reasons why she committed suicide and Clay's reactions. It made the book that much more dramatic and haunting.





The Noughts and Crosses series isn't quite dual narration. Over the series there are multiple narrators in the books, some characters only narrating once. It just gave the story a more rounded feel and felt very detailed. An awesome series.




What do you think about dual narration? What are your favourite dual narrative novels?

Waiting On Wednesday (6)

Hooked by Catherine Greenman

August 9th 2011

Thea Galehouse has always known how to take care of herself. With a flighty club-owner mom and a standoffish, recovering-alcoholic dad, Thea has made her own way in her hometown of New York, attending the prestigious and competitive Stuyvesant High School. But one chat with Will, a handsome and witty senior, and she's a goner—completely hooked on him and unable to concentrate on anything else. 

Always worried that she loves Will more than he loves her, Thea is pleasantly surprised when their romance weathers his move to college and Will goes out of his way to involve her in his life. But then, Thea misses a period. And that starts Thea and Will on a wild ride that neither of them could have possibly prepared for. When they decide to keep the baby, their concerned parents chip in what they can to keep Will in school and give both teenagers a comfortable place to raise their child. But when a freak accident leaves Thea shaken and threatens to upend their little family altogether, Thea is forced to turn to the last place she would have chosen for comfort: her stiff, uncompromising father. 

This smart, touching first novel brims with realistic, beautifully drawn characters, and reminds us that love is never as easy or predictable as we might like it to be.

It sounds like a really interesting read. I am always curious about how teenagers are able to deal with pregnancy at such a young age. It is also a 2011 YA author debut.