A Cocktail and Conversation--Book Hype

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail & Conversation time. One of the TB&TB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.


Name a case in which a book's hype ruined your reading experience.

Julia:  I don't think I have ever had a book ruined for me because of hype, but I have put off reading books because of the hype and high expectations (Divergent being the most recent example). I have had books that have a hell of a lot of hype surrounding them, like Outlander or Gone Girl for instance, that I read and disliked, but the hype really didn't cause me to dislike it. It just caused me to think what the hell everyone else was seeing but me.

Jen:  Harry Potter - I resisted for years!! But finally gave in and read the entire series last summer. So many people reference the books and talk about the characters that I felt left out! I'm glad I read the series! I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The hype around the book definitely deterred me from reading it as the books (and movies) were being released. 

Kimberly:  The 5th Wave.  I swear, EVERYONE was talking about this book. I was reading raving reviews weeks before it even published. I was so excited to get my hands on it when it finally released. I don't think I have ever been more disappointed. I finished the book, but it took months. I kept waiting for it to get better. I think I only gave it two stars. I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't. I think if I hadn't been so excited and hadn't read so many reviews praising it, I wouldn't have been as annoyed.

Lori:  So many books!  I've bought so many books because of the hype (the first, I remember, was Edgar Sawtelle) and then realized that the book just wasn't me.  Usually in these cases, I don't wind up reading the book at all and just discreetly donate it or let it sit on my shelves forever (where it points and laughs and mocks me), but sometimes I read quite a bit of the book before realizing I'm just not that into it.  I think it's mostly a case of me not looking very closely at the blurb or knee-jerk buying a book; if I had looked into things before buying, I probably would have saved my money.

What about y'all?  Have you ever been let down or led astray by a book's hype?

Top Ten Books About Friendship

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Daisy's Picks

1. Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando: So obviously I needed to list this because it's all about reaching out to someone you don't know yet but who will be your roommate and what may be the start to a beautiful friendship. It was also really cute.

2. The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams: I totally adored this book! It's about 4 friends who all go off on their own adventures, but it's also about the friendship between them. I'm still hoping for a sequel!

3. Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt: I adore Lauren Barnholdt's writing and this book is about a friendship gone wrong. I hadn't expected to like it as much as I did, but it was REALLY good!

Jen's Picks

4. All of the Harry Potter books: I don't this one even needs an explanation. Friendship is such an important element to the Harry Potter series!

5. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: Seriously one of the best friendship books I have ever read. Maddie and Queenie are BFFs and somehow maintain a close friendship during WWII as they both are off doing brave things.

6. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler: Anna and Frankie are best friends who are both grieving over the loss of Matt, Frankie's brother. I loved their friendship so much because they seem so real.

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: New friends in Paris? Yes please!

8. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares: Four lifelong best friends separated one summer but they keep their bond by sharing a pair of jeans that they mail to each other.

Julia's Picks

9. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings is more than just a friendship story, but at its heart, it’s all about friendship. Frodo and Sam of course, but even among all the members of the Fellowship, friendship is a strong theme.

10. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Oh this book. I loved this book as a preteen. Coming of age and friendship I’d say go hand in hand as main themes of this novel. It didn’t recapture the magic when I read it post teen hood, but it was still a damn good book, and a damn good book about friendships.

So what about you guys? What are your favorite books about friendship?

Top Ten Book Covers I'd Frame As Pieces of Art

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Top Ten Book Covers I’d Frame As Pieces of Art:

Jen's Picks: 

If I would have planned this better I totally would have gone to a bookstore and just walked around looking at all the book covers I’d like a print of to hang on my wall. Instead I scoured my bookshelves and GoodReads.

 

  

Across the Universe by Beth Revis: How can you not LOVE this cover??

 

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler: The heart shaped sea glass on the cover is a perfect fit for the book and a spot hanging on my wall. 

 

  

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater: The simplicity of the cover makes it so great.

 

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss: This would be good to hang in an office or someplace you'd see it when you needed a boost of motivation.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll: This clothbound version is super super super pretty! I’d hang a canvas painting of this cover on my wall for sure.

Jamie's Picks

 

I'm just obsessed with the simplicity and beauty of this one. If the heart was something I stumbled upon on Etsy I would buy it and hang it in my home.

  I haven't read this (I own it!) but this cover change for the paperback is BEAUTIFUL.

Kimberly's Picks

 Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder: Isn't it just gorgeous? I love the color and simplicity. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This is my favorite edition of the book, I love the imagery, young girl with a book, sepia toned with the contrast of the rust colored curtains.

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund: Normally I don't care for the "prom/fancy dress clad girl with devastatingly beautiful face" covers. But this is so much better. It's simple and beautiful.

What book covers would YOU hang as art work because they are so beautifuuuuul?

Jen Reviews Where the Stars Still Shine

Title: Where the Stars Still Shine

Author: Trish Doller

Published: Sept 2013, Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Library

Rating: 4 stars

Thoughts:

I can't imagine growing up and constantly being on the move. Living in one place for a year at the most and changing your name each time you move. Seventeen year old Callie lives that life. Her mom kidnapped her when she was five and they have been on the run, always looking over their shoulder, ever since. Callie has never even been enrolled in school, her education consists of text books she buys at the thrift store and reading whatever novels she can get her hands on.

While Callie desperately wants to get away from her mother and have a normal teenage girl life...when that happens she literally does not know what to do. Has she betrayed her mom by wanting a better life for herself? How is she going to fit in with this family she didn't think wanted her?

This is the second book in a row I'll pretty much read in one sitting (thank you rainy day). I had to know what happens next, how Callie's relationship with her dad was progressing, how she was adjusting to having a friend trying to fix her up on dates. She was thrown into a world she had always hoped for and dreamed about.

Potential minor, minor spoiler: My heart sank when Callie's dad gave her the photo album with her name on the cover and she asked if that was her real name. Her mom didn't even tell her what her name was!! Each time Callie and her mom would move they made up new names.

I do wish Callie would have talked about what one of her mom's disgusting boyfriends did to her when she was younger. It affected her a lot and I was proud of her for telling Alex (I think he was the first person she ever told).

Have you read this book? What were you thoughts?

A Cocktail & Conversation -- Favorite Quote About Reading or Books

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail & Conversation time. One of the TBTB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.

Lori asks: What is your favorite quote about reading/books and why?

Julia: I don't pay too much attention to quotes, but I do have a few visual favorites that I have collected for you. They make me laugh or smile and that is why I like them :)

Jen: "Books are a uniquely portable magic" - Stephen King

I recently came across this quote and it is so, so true. You can bring a book (or your Kindle) with you almost anywhere, and books have the power to transport you to other worlds and time periods. Books really are magical.

Paula:  "Reading aloud to someone is one of this world's pleasures" John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire

I grew up reading a chapter if a book every night with my mom. Not only did this help create my love of reading- I think it is the best way to share a story with someone. It's quality time together and interacting in a way that watching a movie can't compare too. When you get so into a story that both of your voices are cracking but you still don't want to take a break - it's magic. One of my best college memories was building a fort in my good friend's living room and spending an entire rainy day reading Peter Pan to each other. So yeah - this quote sums everything up perfectly!


Bridget:  “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

I personally have never actually feared that I would lose my ability to read; however, life often gets in the way of sitting down and just relaxing for a few hours with a book, and when it's been several days without doing that, I do feel significantly "off." But an hour or two with a book on the couch or in bed will fix me right up. Reading has always been something that has come naturally to me--much like breathing--and the thought of ever not being able to read, for whatever reason that might be, is almost as scary as not being able to breathe. I don't just mean books, either. Think about it...just about anything you do on the internet involves reading. I could spend days on reddit, but it's because I like to read people's crazy stories. What would we do without reading?

Kimberly:  "Reading one book is like eating one potato chip."--Diane Duane, So You Want To Be A Wizard

Can you think of a better way to describe how wonderfully addictive reading is? The first time I read that quote, about 12 or so years ago, I actually sighed. It was so perfect. My love of reading so perfectly described in a way that I could explain to others. I was at the airport in San Diego last year, dragging my suitcase behind me and stopped so fast my friend ran right into me. I'd completely forgotten to walk because RIGHT THERE, on the WALL, in an AIRPORT, was my quote. It had been painted there. I was so excited I even took a picture of it.

What about you guys?  What are some of your favorite quotes about books or reading?

Jen Reviews Leap of Faith by Jaime Blair

Leap of Faith by Jaime Blair

Published: September 2013, Simon & Schuster

Source: Library

Rating: 3 stars

Thoughts:

This is the first book in a really, really long time that I read in one sitting (disclosure: I did get up a for a snack and a few times for a bathroom break). I was hooked from the first page.

Faith doesn't have the best family life. Her mom is a drunk, a drug addict, and a sleeps with men for money. Her current scheme is getting paid $10,000 to carry another couple's baby (but they're gross and also drug addicts). Faith doesn't want the baby growing up in the same kind of environment she did, so once the baby is born she kidnaps her.

This was my favorite part of the book, her journey from Ohio to Florida. Faith is sixteen years old and you can tell she has no idea how to take care of a baby (even though she prepared reading books and buying diapers, formula, etc), she has no first hand experience with a newborn. She's petrified every time a police car drives by her, certain she's been caught. Once Faith and baby Addy are in Florida she realizes how difficult things are going to be for her. She tells everyone her name is Leah and that she's a couple years older than she really is. Getting a job is going to be almost impossible, no one to watch the Addy and how will Faith/Leah fill out all of the paperwork without potentially getting caught? Interesting...but it seemed like everything came too easy for her, she caught too many breaks.

Plus, the relationship with Chris moved too fast, it didn't feel realistic to me. Too fast, too serious, too quick. Two teenagers met two months ago and are already bringing up marriage? And the whole thing with Chris's mom and sister seemed out of place.

The ending. One of the most frustrating endings, especially because I don't think there is a sequel planned. When I finish a book I like it to end...not wonder who is on the other side of the door or what the reactions from your fake Florida family are. I felt like the whole book was building up to something and then it faltered at the end.

I enjoyed the overall concept of the book...it just did not live up to my expectations.

With Our Last $20: April 2014 Edition

With Our Last $20 is a feature here at The Broke & The Bookish wherein we answer the prompt of which book we'd purchase with the last $20 left in our pocket for each month -- be it new releases or older books...basically which ever book we'd be so excited to read that we'd be willing to spend the last $20 in our pockets on. I mean, we are The Broke and the Bookish after all. We'd no doubt live up to our name and forgo other things for a new book!

Jamie's Pick:

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page -- oh YES I would be spending the last $20 in my pocket on a Wizard of Oz retelling where Dorothy appears to be a bit cray cray! I've heard some excellent things about it already so ABSOLUTELY this is my pick.







Jen's Pick:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - this book comes out this month and I am so excited to read it! If I wrote letters to past crushes and the letters were actually mailed I would probably have an anxiety attack.  But the great thing about books is we can vicariously live through the characters!

Jana's Pick:

A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller - I've been on a historical romance kick lately, and I love that this one is YA! And this has the whole art class scandal of a girl posing nude and then getting expelled from her French finishing school. There's love and balls and pretty dresses and boys. Count me in! I really want to buy this one!

 

 

Bridget's Pick:

The Shining, signed limited edition…I got an email about this baby today. Unfortunately, it would cost a lot more than just my last $20…seeing as it's $900…sigh. Maybe one day.

Tahleen's Pick:

Usually the books I buy nowadays are cookbooks. Today at the library, I saw a brand new cookbook called Olives, Lemons, and Za'atar by Rawia Bishara. I have all of those (za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend) in my Armenian-American kitchen, so I would totally spend $20 on a cookbook that has them all together.





Julia's Pick:

Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook - I read the first book in this series ages ago, and I've wanted to continue on with it for quite some time. I think if I had the second one in my hand I would just slam through this series. Steampunk is like my favorite thing at the current moment :)

 

What book would you spend YOUR last $20 on in April-- new release, something you just found out about that was pubbed awhile ago, etc. 

Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors in Our Reading Journey

All of us readers have those books that really started us on our way to becoming book lovers. It could be something we read as young children, or it could be a book we picked up in adulthood after years of a reading drought. Or, it could be an author or book that introduced us to a new favorite genre. This week's Top Ten Tuesday puts a spotlight on those books and authors that we credit with our bookishness.

Tahleen's Picks:

1. The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I remember buying the first book of this series for a friend's birthday when I was little, and thinking it sounded so good that I asked my dad if I could have a copy for myself. This started off my late-night reading by the light of the hallway, trying to sneak in a few more chapters before going to sleep.

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Specifically, the one with the awesome scary '80s cover. I really have to give this credit to my friend's younger sister, who was (probably still is) a big fan of L'Engle. I kept seeing this book and others by L'Engle around their house, and after buying another L'Engle book for my friend's sister's birthday (I'm just realizing there is a pattern here), I finally figured I'd try the classic Newbery winner. I've since read every book in the Time Quintet, and many other books by L'Engle, including one of her adult titles.

3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I remember seeing this book in my high school library and being intrigued by the cover, and the description. After passing it by a few times, I picked it up and started reading the first few pages. Bryson had me at "I wanted a little of that swagger that comes with being able to gaze at a far horizon through eyes of chipped granite and say with a slow, manly sniff, 'Yeah, I've shit in the woods'" (p. 4). I've read almost every book of his, listening to a fair few, since, and it started off my love of humorous travel writing.

Bridget's Picks:

4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. This was my first real introduction to sci-fi/dystopia; my cousin, who was 15 or 16 at the time, recommended it to me when I was about 12. He's one of only two older cousins I have, and since I'm the oldest child in my family, he's really the one person in my generation that I've really been able to look up to for most of my life. So of course I read a book that he recommended, and I've never looked back!

5. Emma by Jane Austen. Emma is probably the book that really got me into reading classics. I had read Pride and Prejudice in high school and enjoyed it, but wasn't overly excited about it. Later in college, after my fiance took a Jane Austen class, I borrowed all the books from him and fell completely in love with her. Emma was the first one I read, and it made me really want to learn more about the classics!

6. The Stand by Stephen King. This is the book that actually got me in to Stephen King! I had wanted to read It, but my dad thought it would be too scary for me (I was 13) so he had me read The Stand first. Needless to say, I loved both, and have loved Stephen King ever since!

Daisy's Picks:

7. Sarah MacLean: this woman got me into reading historical romances with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake a couple years ago and it's been true love ever since!

8. Tolkien: Lord of the Rings was my gateway into a love of fantasy novels!

Jen's Pick:

9. Code Name Verity got me out of my reading slump last spring. It drew me in quick and as soon as I finished the book I wanted to immediately reread it to see everything I missed! I'm starting to think every January to March I go through a terrible period of not being able to get into any book I pick up.

Julia's Pick:

10. Kathleen Woodiwiss is the reason 50% of my reading material is historical romance/romance in general. That and my cousin for giving me three romance novels and pretty much commanding me to read them when I was around 12. I feel in love with the romance and haven't stopped since... though my reading tastes have changed over the 15 years that I've been reading them. I've enjoyed every bit of it.

What about you all? What are your gateway books or authors that lead you into a new path on your reading journey? Link up your lists below!

Jen Reviews This Song Will Save Your Life

Title: This Song Will Save Your LifeAuthor: Leila Sales
Published: 2013
Source: Purchased myself
Rating: 4.5 stars

Thoughts:

I've been in a reading slump of epic proportion. This is the first book I've finished in months because nothing would hold my attention. Thank you, Leila Sales for getting me out of it!

Elise, my heart really went out to her. She so desperately wants to fit in that she spends the entire summer buying new clothes and reading magazines that she thinks will help her make friends with the popular kids at her high school. Her hope is that someone will ask her to sit at their lunch table because otherwise she spends lunch period in the library or in a classroom. 

But then one night she accidentally stumbles upon a warehouse dance party and it literally changes her life. Elise finally has something to look forward to and makes friends (Vicky, who is awesome. Where can I find a friend like her??). While probably not realistic for your average teenager girl I loved Elise's "secret" life. No one knew she snuck out of her house to go to a warehouse party every Thursday night. Actually I am amazed that there are teenagers who sneak out of their house without getting caught. The house I lived in growing up was old and creaked too much, to get a door to close you almost had to slam it, and my pets would have definitely given me away.

I really just loved this book and the message of accepting yourself and that there better days are ahead (even when things just seem absolutely terrible).

Is there a song that has saved your life? Or has gotten you through a rough patch?

Music is so so so powerful. There are songs that remind me of certain people or times in my life that I immediately think of when I hear them. 

Book Love

Happy Valentine's Day fellow readers!

Going along with the theme of love, I want to know what books you LOVE. I'm talking crazy, head-over-heels, can't stop thinking about love. What book do you gush over the most? Or what is your favorite love story?

The book I am most in love with and have been thinking a lot about lately is Golden by Jessi Kirby. I love the message of not being afraid to go out and do something and not always staying in your comfort zone. I could really use that extra push of motivation again. A reread is necessary soon.

I've also been stuck in another reading rut so I look forward to hearing what book(s) you're in love with!

No matter what your plans are for today I wish you all a lovely day! 

After work I plan to eat lots of pizza, drink some wine, and dwindle down my Netflix queue (I've been marathoning One Tree Hill lately).

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Hope Santa Brings

 

To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday or see the future topics, click here!

Christmas is tomorrow! Here are some books we hope Santa will leave for us under our tree or in our stocking.

Tahleen's Picks

1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond. I asked for this for Christmas, though apparently my dad read this and thought anything by Ree. Too bad I already own all of her other books... 

2. Three To Get Lei'd by Jill Marie Landis. I've been waiting to read this one, but I just can't bring myself to actually pay for it. I have a hard time spending money on books as a librarian, especially if I know I'll only read it once.

3. Runner's World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training by lots of authors. I have started running more and more this past year, and I've found myself wishing I had a big book of running tips and tricks and training info. This looks like it would be pretty much perfect.

4. American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard. This is my library's chosen one-town-one-read book (we call it Carlisle Reads), and it actually sound super interesting. It's something I know would take me forever to read though, so I think owning a copy might be the best way to go.

5. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. I only recently discover this webcomic, but I love what I've seen. I'd be really happy to see this under the tree!

Jen's Picks

1. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham: Gilmore Girls is one of my all-time favorite shows and I still have not read Lauren Graham's book!

2. Jessica Darling's It List by Megan McCafferty: Love the Jessica Darling series and need to read about her earlier years!

3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver: I've wanted to read this book for such a long time yet I still don't own it!

4. Just One Year by Gayle Forman: Can someone please yell at me until I read this?

5. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: This book isn't out yet until spring 2014 but Santa can work miracles, right?

What are you hoping Santa leaves under your tree or in your stocking?! Raise your hand if you'll probably be buying these yourself with gift cards you get from Christmas because the Santas in your life are too scared to go into the bookstore on your behalf??

Jen Reviews The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

 

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Published: Viking Juvenile, 2013
Source: Purchased myself
Rating: 3 stars

Thoughts:

Meh. That was my overall feeling while reading The Moon and More. No push to keep going but didn't want to put it down either. To me this book was average, nothing to dazzle me. Which was such a disappointment because I love Sarah Dessen novels.

The book takes place in Colby, the fictional North Carolina town Dessen fans know well. Emaline has just graduated high school and is enjoying the summer before starting college in the fall. Her and her boyfriend break up in I believe one of the first few chapters. Emaline's father who hasn't been around her whole life is suddenly in Colby for the summer. So maybe "enjoying the summer" isn't the right phrase. But she gets through it and as with all Dessen books there's a mini lesson or realization in the last few pages.

Question: do you love every book written by one of your favorite authors?

I feel kind of bad not being a fan of this book. But I couldn't connect to it like I can with her other novels.

 

 

Libraries still exist?

 

I get the majority of the books I read from my public library. Free books! What could be better? One day last week I was talking to a couple people I work with and one of them asked how I can afford to read so many books. I told her I get them from the library and her response was, "libraries still exist?"...Yes, my coworker really said that. And she reads too! Not often but she reads at least a few books a year.

I am still shocked that there are people who think public libraries are extinct. Is it just because people are unaware of the free books, DVDs and CDs that library offers? My town's library is small but I can usually get any book I want from any other library in the state.

It breaks my heart to know that people are unaware of the fantastic resource that is the library. The library is so much more than just doing research for a school paper or project.

So fellow readers, are there people in your life who are also clueless about all of the wonderful things that libraries have to offer?

 

 

Finishing A Series

Finishing an entire book series or trilogy is not something I have accomplished often (according to Goodreads I have only completed five series/trilogies). For me to want to read a whole series I need to be highly invested in the book and its characters. Or sometimes if there is too long of a gap in between when I read the first book and the second book...or if the other books just aren't out yet, I'll obviously forget details and need to reread book one but there are SO MANY BOOKS I want to read that I never get around to doing a reread. This is one problem.

My other issue is that when I finish a series I feel...lost. The world that I've grown to love and felt like I've been a part of is over. There is no more. That makes picking up a new book to read hard! I still feel stuck in the mindset of the characters that I just left behind.

This leads to my question:

WHAT DO I READ AFTER HARRY POTTER?

I've picked up books from the library, browsed for books online to buy...but nothing sounds interesting or like it'll hold my attention anymore. I think I'm suffering from a Harry Potter hangover. Help me find a cure!

Jen's Harry Potter Summer

Confession:

Until this summer I had only read the first Harry Potter book...which I read the previous summer...for the first time. My Harry Potter summer started back in June when Kelly, Kimberly, and I were discussing Code Name Verity for our collaborative post. Not surprisingly after a while we strayed from our book conversation and somehow it came up that I had only read The Sorcerers' Stone. Somehow that turned into me agreeing to read the entire series. And I did. In twelve weeks I read books two through seven AND watched the first three movies.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed the series a lot more than I thought I would! I'm not much of a fantasy novel girl and didn't think I'd like the books at all. But I loved the world that JK Rowling created and the cast of characters. She even created a fictional character that I hate with a passion, Dolores Umbridge. I have never hated a fictional character so much. I think Hagrid was my favorite character but I also loved Dobby (even though he was a tad annoying at times).

The wizard world...JK Rowling put SO much thought and effort into that and it shows. I swear she literally thought of everything. One day I'll reread the books and probably discover so many things that I missed the first time around.

Jen Reviews Golden by Jessi Kirby

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Published: 2013, Simon & Schuster

Source: Library

Rating: 5 stars

Thoughts:

I don't even know where to begin. This book is being added to my list of favorites. I've been stuck in such a life rut lately and I feel like this book gave me a push of motivation. It's a book about taking chances and doing things outside of your comfort zone. Plus there is a great plot to go along with it.

Parker Frost never deviates from the choices her mother makes for her. She never breaks the rules or even skips class. Her best friend, Kat, wants Parker to do something unexpected before they graduate high school. Not even something crazy. Kat just wants Parker to do one unexpected thing before they leave the comfort of high school. Stealing the journal of a girl who died ten years ago is unexpected, right?

I loved being able to read parts from Julianna's journal. It really gives you a deeper look into her life and proves the saying, "things aren't always as them seem" right.

Okay, now I just want to gush about how much I loved this book and tell you to read it. But instead I'll leave you with a quote from the book. This book is seriously full of quotes that I can relate to SO much. This is a favorite:

"But almost moments don't count, and it all comes down to the choices I could've made but didn't".

Jen Reviews Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

 

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Published: 2013, Philomel Books

Source: Library

Rating 4 stars

Thoughts:

There's one girl who I work with who I can talk books with. Unfortunately, we rarely work together because we're in different departments and tend to have opposite work schedules. So whenever I do see her one of the first things we ask each other is if we've read any good books lately. I was in the middle of reading Out of the Easy the last time I saw her, and since she had never heard of the book, asked me to describe it in one sentence.  I said it is, "a coming of age story and a murder mystery all in one". I think that's a fairly good description of the book and she added it to her to-read list (bonus: I also talked her into picking up Code Name Verity).

Josie, is seventeen years old and growing up in New Orleans in 1950. She lives in the Quarter and her mother is a prostitute. Josie is determined to go to college and not follow in her mother's footsteps. She works two jobs, one in a bookstore and the other is a less glamorous job as a maid, cleaning the rooms in the same brothel her mother works in. One day a man comes into the bookstore while Josie is working and for some reason she becomes almost obsessed with him. The following day she finds out he has been murdered.

I really liked the murder mystery aspect of the plot. I'm not usually one for mystery books, probably because I watch too much Law & Order SVU. When I read I want something different, and this book delivered. While the mysterious murder did impact the story it wasn't the focus of it. That was refreshing to me.

Willie. My favorite character in this novel. She is the madam of the brothel Josie's mother works for. Willie is strong and tough. No one pushes her around and she is fiercely protective of Josie while letting her make her own mistakes (there was one mistake that Josie made and I wanted to scream, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!").

I was a huge fan of Sepetys first novel, Between Shades of Gray. I was not disappointed by her sophomore novel!

Jen's Top Ten Words/Topics That Make Her Not Pick Up A Book

For a list of past and future Top Ten Tuesday topics and to find out more about Top Ten Tuesday, click here!

Top Ten Words/Topics That Make Me NOT Pick Up A Book

This turned out to be a difficult topic for me! I thought I'd have no problem coming up with ten words or topics that automatically put books on my mental do-not-read list. Then I sat down to write my post and I had the biggest brain freeze.

1. Horror/Thriller: Scary books are not for me. At all. I avoid this genre. I don't need to be creeped out and looking over my shoulder every five seconds while I'm reading! I also can't watch Criminal Minds when I'm home alone. What can I say, I'm a baby.
2. Fairytale Retellings: As much as I love fairytales I just can't get into retellings.
3. Chick-Lit: I hate this phrase! I like easy reads for the beach or when I'm stressed but I hate when books are referred to as "chick-lit". It makes me cringe. *shudder*
4. Time Travel: When a character is jumping back and forth so many times I start getting confused and can't keep up!
5. Motherhood: Not at the point in my life and it is something that I don't want to be reading about.
6. Aliens: Zero interest.
7. Poetry: I want to LOVE poetry. I've made myself read countless poems but I just can't get into it. Every one in awhile I'll come across a line or stanza in a poem that I LOVE but won't like the rest of the poem.
8. Pirates: It's hard for me to follow along with pirate dialogue.
9. Autobiographies: Always seem greatly exaggerated and sometimes not believable.
10. Zombies: I just don't get it.  

There are exceptions to every rule so there is a very good chance I could love books about any of these things! Are there any books I am missing out on based on my list?

Code Name Verity (Elizabeth Wein) Collaborative Review

Kelly, Kimberly and Jen did a buddy read of Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Each of us loved the book! We have so many praises for Code Name Verity but it's so hard to go into detail without revealing the jawdropping plot twists. Instead of a traditional review we decided we would each write about an element of the book that we loved.

Jen: 

I love that this is a female adventure story. Our two main characters, Julie and Maddie are fearless. I wish I was half as brave as they are! Julie is a spy for the British and gets herself into some dicey situations. She is unable to tell her best friend about the things she has done (after all, "careless talk costs lives"). Maddie is a pilot. One of the few female pilots during the war, and if I remember correctly she was a better pilot than some of the men.

I admire their strength and resourcefullness.  Even though the characters of Julie and Maddie were not based on specific women there were women who did the same things these two did. I hope I would have been as courageous as they were.

Kelly:

The first rule of Code Name Verity: you don't talk about Code Name Verity. Extreme sneakiness was just one of the countless things I loved about this book (war, history, plot twists, badasses, etc). However, in my opinion, one of the most striking things is the fierce BFF-ness between Maddie and Julie. The cover is very appropriate -- they never once let go of or abandoned each other, no matter their circumstance. Code Name Verity passes the Bechdel Test: two individual women have a conversation that does not involve a man (you'd be surprised how many things DON'T pass this test). Maddie and Julie don't have romantic subplots - this is simply a story of survival and deep friendship. Boyfriends would just get in the way, these girls have more important things to do.

Kimberly:

Okay, now that I've stopped giggling over Kelly's reference, I have to tell you about this book. Or at least, what little I can tell you. Kelly and Jen both read the book, I listened to the audio. (Which is fantastic, by the way) I love Julie and Maddie.  They are each other's best friend. The type of friend that is closer than a sibling, someone who is somehow very nearly closer to you, than you are. That friendship is what won me over. However, the historical aspect of this story was facinating. I come from a military family. The majority of them are/were in the Air Force, so I've grown up hearing the war stories. This book gave me a different perspective than you normally get of WWII. You hear about the Americans, you hear about the Germans, the Japanese... But how often do you get the story of two women from the UK? Maddie and Julie are both incredible women. They are brave, very smart, and determined to do what they believe is right.


*While the three of us were discussing the novel we got a little off-track and somehow it came up that Jen had only read the first Harry Potter book. Kelly and Kimberly were appalled by this and convinced Jen to read the second book rest of the series this summer. Jen also joined Pottermore where she was sorted into the house of Slytherin. Kelly is also a Slytherin and Kimberly is a Ravenclaw.

The Great Gatsby: Book vs. Movie

I've been waiting for MONTHS for the newest movie adaptation of The Great Gatsby to come out. Since pretty much the trailer was released sometime last year. I must say I was not disappointed.

It has been a couple years since I last read The Great Gatsby so I am a little fuzzy on the details of the book. From what I remember the movie stayed close to the book but there were a few things that were added for the movie or I just forgot.

I loved the flashy-ness of the movie. It was over-the-top but Baz Luhrmann did direct it. The soundtrack is...interesting. Definitely not something from the time period. But it does grab your attention and goes with the "flashy" theme.

And the clothes!! I loved everything Daisy and Jordan wore in the movie! Pretty dresses with sparkles and lots of gorgeous jewlery. Sometimes I wish I could dress like that on a daily basis.

Have you seen the newest adaptation of The Great Gatsby (or any of the movie versions)?  What did you think?