Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

Beautiful. Real. Heart-wrenching.

I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book! Graffiti Moon spans just one night and is a beautiful story about friendship, trust, and love... and a second chance.

Graffiti Moon follows six teenagers through the night after their graduation from high school (or year 12 as it’s called in Australia). Lucy and her best friends decide to go out for a night of fun to celebrate. However, Lucy is on a mission to find Shadow, the famous graffiti artist that she feels connected to through his art. Even though she has no idea who he is, she feels like he is the only one who can understand her, and she is determined to find him. Instead, thanks to her friends Jazz and Daisy, they end up hanging out with Ed, Dylan, and Leo. Which is awkward since years before she had a disastrous date with Ed that ended with her breaking his nose.

Lucy is disappointed, and trying to figure out how she’s going to get away to search for Shadow… until Ed says he knows him and can help her find him. The night becomes a course of misadventures, as they all search for the graffiti artist team Shadow and Poet.

Graffiti Moon is beautifully written – lyrical with witty dialogue, an excellent plot, and fantastic characters! The story is told by alternating perspectives between Lucy, Ed, and Poet, which I felt was done perfectly. Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

"I liked that he had hair that was growing without a plan. A grin that came out of nowhere and left the same way.” -- Cath Crowley

Reading Graffiti Moon, for me, was like reading a piece of art. Lucy’s passion is glass blowing, while Shadow paints, and Poet writes poetry, so art has a huge role in this novel. Yet, the story remains grounded by their very real life problems that all teenagers can relate to in some way.

Graffiti Moon is easily one of my favorite reads of 2011, and I’m so grateful that it was released in the US! I want to read more from Cath Crowley so I hope Knopf Books continues to publish her work here!

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral (iPhone App Edition)

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony, illustrated by Rodrigo Corral

Publisher: Razorbill/PenguinTeen
Release Date: February 2, 2012
Format: iPhone App
Source: Bought
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Buy: iTunes | Amazon | IndieBound

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks."
But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along... (Goodreads)

Chopsitcks is a novel where the written story is very much secondary to the format. I read this story via its iPhone app, which is such a unique way to experience a book! The story is told with pictures, notes, letters, music, instant messaging conversations, and YouTube videos laid out scrapbook style. The book app is interactive, but you can simply flip through the pages in order or randomly if you’d like. Or, you can do what I did, and slowly explore each page (in order) – tapping the page to move things to discover what’s underneath, listening to the music, and watching the videos.

Chopsticks is both a love story and a mystery. I think readers could look through it a second time and experience it differently; and it would have a different ending. Glory is a teenage piano prodigy who falls in love with Francisco, the boy who moves in next door. Her father is both her piano teacher and manager, and forces her to go on a European tour – partly for her career, but mostly to separate her and Frank.

While on tour Glory begins to mentally spiral and starts only being able to play chopsticks at all her performances. Frank is the only one who can calm her, but the more intense their relationship becomes, the worse Glory gets… and the lines between real and imagined become blurred.

Chopsticks is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a while. I’ve already gone back through it again, trying to gleam more from all the material. My only complaint with the iPhone app is that not all the videos would play for me. Some worked, some didn’t and I couldn’t figure out why. I emailed the app developers but I haven’t heard back yet. I really don’t believe I missed any part of the story by not being able to view all the videos, but it was an annoyance.

The only reason I didn’t rate this book higher is because though I loved the scrapbook style of the novel, I didn’t feel as emotionally tied to the characters as I usually do with books you read. I could sense Glory’s ups and downs, happiness and sadness, but I didn’t feel connected to her. Instead I felt like a detective, trying to solve her mystery – which was great in its own way.

I really enjoyed exploring this book, and highly recommend both the hardcover and iPad/iPhone app editions, for the experience and the story!

Check out the awesome book trailer:

Audiobook Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green, read by Dan John Miller

Publisher: Dutton and Brilliance Audio
Release Date: October 16, 2008
Format: Audiobook (8 hours)
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night-dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows her. Margo's always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she's always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they're for Q. Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers. (Goodreads)

Paper Towns was the first John Green novel I picked up. I have no idea how I missed out on this for so long! I finally understand the awesomeness of Green’s books. His characterizations are right on – his characters realistic and relatable. The writing is clever, with dialogue that’s honest and… real.

There are so many things that I loved about Paper Towns… I loved how insightful Q, the protagonist was and how he observed people around him and analyzed himself. I loved the message about accepting a person for who they really are, not how you think they should be, and being real – finding your own truth.

“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”

The storyline is witty and realistic (have I said that word enough?), about Q’s quest to find Margo that includes an epic road trip with his crew. Paper Towns is somewhat of a mystery as Margo leaves clues for Q when she up and disappears. I loved the road trip – there’s excitement, adventure, and parts were downright hysterical. It made me feel nostalgic and seriously had me laughing out loud! I also really enjoyed how Green incorporated Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, and referred to The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I felt that the narrator, Dan John Miller, suited Q perfectly… I never doubted that he was the character. I think he did a great job with timing and the voices.

Paper Towns was a great introduction to John Green’s novels, and honestly I think it’s my favorite (I’ve read/listened to 4). Add this one to your TBR list, or better yet, go pick up a copy today! DFTBA.

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads | vlogbrothers

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability 
of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy

Release Date: January 2, 2012

Format: Advance Reader Copy

Source: Borrowed
Age Level: Young Adult
My Rating: 5+ of 5 stars

Buy: Amazon | Indiebound

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. (Goodreads)

I devoured this book in less than 3 hours; I just couldn’t put it down. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight spans 24 hours, and is shock full of lovey goodness. It’s a story about love, family relationships, coincidences, and yes, fate.

The day starts with Hadley dreading being in her father’s wedding to a woman she’s never met. She’s angry with her father and resents his wife-to-be that broke up their family. She misses her flight to London by 4 minutes. Four measly minutes that completely alters her day, and her life… because she meets Oliver while waiting for a later flight.

I feel the need to clarify that though this book entails love at first sight, instant connections, and is a bit predictable… it is beautifully orchestrated. It doesn’t feel like instant love, and it’s not cheesy. Jennifer E. Smith is an amazing storyteller! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is perfectly paced, and so well written that you are immediately drawn into the story that doesn’t let you go. All the characters are solid, and the chemistry between Hadley and Oliver is fantastic. I was able to relate with Hadley, sympathize with both her parents, fall in love with Oliver, and even like wife-to-be Charlotte.

I absolutely loved this story. The only negative thing I can think of to say is that it's too short! I was sad when it ended; I just wanted it to keep going. If you can’t tell by this review, I highly recommend this book!

Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.

With graceful and honest writing and an electric love story, this is a book about growing into your own skin. For fans of Perfect Chemistry, Sarah Dessen, and John Green. (Goodreads)

Kiss Crush Collide is a light quick read. I read it in a day. When I first read the synopsis and saw the cover many months ago, this instantly became a must read. I was so excited when I received this book for review, and really looked forward to reading it. I was sold as soon as I saw that it was pitched to fans of Perfect Chemistry and John Green… I have no idea how that comparison was made… because in my opinion Kiss Crush Collide cannot be prepared to them in any shape or form. Honestly, I feel like I was cheated with a bait and switch. I realize that I set my expectations too high, and I should know better, but sadly it did impact my opinion.

Leah has a seemingly perfect life… She’s beautiful, popular, has a family approved boyfriend, and a bright future ahead of her. She has two older sisters and everything always magically falls into place for them, yet being in their shadow stifles her. She views her sisters’ lives as a road map, a way to see into her own future. When she meets Porter, a guy that works at the country club, she feels a spark for the first time. She feels woken up, and she doesn’t want to follow the path her sisters blazed; she wants to make her own choices.

Though I enjoyed the storyline, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with the characters. I didn’t really feel anything for Leah, and I was frustrated by how little Porter was developed. I expected the story to be mostly about Leah and Porter's relationship, but felt it was more about Leah's relationships with her sisters and mother. I kept waiting for more. More dialogue, more of an emotional connection, more… depth.

I really wanted to LOVE this book, but I was left feeling disappointed. If you ignore the comparisons Kiss Crush Collide becomes more likeable. I’d recommend this to fans of YA contemporary looking for a quick fun read.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads

Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: December 27, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy daydream-worthy
love.

(If only it were that easy)

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls round, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school, where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your 'arents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know until you've lost it? (ARC back cover)

This was such a fun read! I was surprised by how much I loved reading in verse, which I was unsure of going in. I was quickly pulled into the story, and had a hard time putting it down. This is a heart-warming story of a girl navigating life between her parents getting divorced and learning what real love is all about.

This novel is written as Marcie’s private journal, a notebook where she writes about her personal thoughts and experiences. Since she loves writing poetry, it’s all written in verse. This style made it easy to feel emotionally connected to her as a character.

Marcie’s parents are getting divorced after her Dad reveals he’s gay and in a new relationship. Her mother escapes to New Hampshire, with Marcie, to be near family and falls deep into depression. Marcie was forced to leave behind her friends and boyfriend, a group that calls themselves the Leftovers. She’s lonely in a new place, not sure if she’ll be staying or eventually moving back to Idaho. She’s juggling being a teenager while having to take care of her mother. She craves love and affection, and finds it in JD, a boy she meets at her new school in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, she’s trying to keep her relationships with her friends in Idaho.

I have to say that I absolutely loved the Leftovers. I could totally relate, since this is the group I was with in high school, expect I referred to it as being a Floater… I found a bit of my HS friends in each of the characters, and this made the story even more enjoyable for me!

This is a cute, quick read and I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction. Love & Leftovers is a great debut for Sarah Tregay – I can’t wait to read more from her!

Author Links: website | goodreads | facebook

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

[My interview with Jennifer Castle]

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

"Anyone who's had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It's all about Before and After. What I'm talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy."

Sixteen-year-old Laurel's world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel's life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss--a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways. (Amazon) 

Heart-breaking. Honest. Beautiful.

The Beginning of After follows Laurel’s journey of grief and learning to move on after losing her parents and brother in a tragic car wreck. I was gripped from page one. I lost my mother at the age of 16, and though my story is completely different, I could relate with a lot of the aspects of grief in this novel. The Beginning of After is possibly the best depiction of grief I’ve read in YA. I wish I had this book as a teenager.

I felt that Laurel’s emotions and actions were right-on. She moves through shock and denial to out-right anger and sadness. Jennifer Castle did an excellent job of capturing the intricate parts of grief… from the random details and images she remembers of her family and life before, to how her grief impacted her relationships. Also, how she didn’t want to be pitied, but at the same time feared not being pitied.

Laurel’s relationship with David was complicated and realistic in how it developed and changed over the years – from being childhood friends to not friends at all – and how they were brought together again by the tragedy. I absolutely LOVED Masher, David’s dog, and how he was such a source of comfort. Really, I appreciated every character in this novel, and felt they were all well written.

Though the story is sad, I felt a sense of hope at the end, and I’m still wondering about the characters! The Beginning of After is an emotional journey, and an excellent debut for Jennifer Castle.

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

[My interview with Jessica Park]

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 11, 2011
Format: PDF
Source: Author
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

Flat-Out Love is a warm and witty novel of family love and dysfunction, deep heartache and raw vulnerability, with a bit of mystery and one whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees romance. 
Something is seriously off in the Watkins home. And Julie Seagle, college freshman, small-town Ohio transplant, and the newest resident of this Boston house, is determined to get to the bottom of it.


When Julie's off-campus housing falls through, her mother's old college roommate, Erin Watkins, invites her to move in. The parents, Erin and Roger, are welcoming, but emotionally distant and academically driven to eccentric extremes. The middle child, Matt, is an MIT tech geek with a sweet side ... and the social skills of a spool of USB cable. The youngest, Celeste, is a frighteningly bright but freakishly fastidious 13-year-old who hauls around a life-sized cardboard cutout of her oldest brother almost everywhere she goes.

And there's that oldest brother, Finn: funny, gorgeous, smart, sensitive, almost emotionally available. Geographically? Definitely unavailable. That's because Finn is traveling the world and surfacing only for random Facebook chats, e-mails, and status updates. Before long, through late-night exchanges of disembodied text, he begins to stir something tender and silly and maybe even a little bit sexy in Julie's suddenly lonesome soul.

To Julie, the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Not until she forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer. (Goodreads)

I absolutely LOVED this book. It is easily one of my favorite reads of 2011. Immediately after I finished, I wanted to re-read it all over again… but instead I went back and re-read my favorite parts. Afterwards, I stalked the book’s website which didn’t really help me move on from the book because Jessica Park has posted chapter tidbits there! They just made me want to re-read it even more! I’ve been struggling with writing this review for quite a while, mainly because I’m afraid I will not do this book justice.

The characterization is outstanding. The characters quickly drew me into the story, and once I was hooked, I couldn’t put this book down. Park has created some unforgettable characters. I just loved Julie, nerdy lovable Matt, quirky and endearing Celeste, and of course adventurous and gorgeous Finn. I’m a little sad this is a stand-alone novel because I MISS these characters.

Flat-Out Love takes place in Boston, and this story made me fall in love with the city all over again! I really enjoyed seeing Boston through Julie’s eyes as she traveled around the city looking for an apartment. Also, I have to say this book left me with a serious craving for Dunkin’ Donuts (sadly there isn’t one near me). I also really liked how Park incorporated Facebook statuses and messaging into Flat-Out Love, they made the story current, relatable, and entertaining!

I know this will sound cheesy, but Flat-Out Love is the first book in a long, long time that has touched me this deeply. I could relate to so many aspects of this book. I felt that Park did an excellent job of delicately capturing the aspects of dysfunctional families while tackling some difficult issues. This is a story about love and loss, family and tragedy.

Flat-Out love is a memorable and fantastically romantic story that I know I’ll be reading again and again. I highly recommend this book!

Stay tuned for my author interview with Jessica Park and giveaway of Flat-Out Love! Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Publisher: Flux
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult, 16+
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | Indiebound

Goodreads Synopsis:
Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college-and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain-or finally heal their heartbreak?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read this while traveling, and I barely noticed that one of my flights was delayed 2 hours. It was so, so good. The characters are flawed and realistic, the romance between Chelsea and Clint is... HOT.

I'm actually surprised at how much I loved Playing Hurt considering that the protagonist Chelsea cheats on her boyfriend Gabe. Her family goes to a lake resort for 3 weeks and she is able to convince herself that having a fling with her "trainer" Clint while stringing along her boyfriend is fine. I wanted to slap her more than once. I do not condone cheating, but yet I found myself sympathizing with her. One of my favorite characters was her brother Brandon because he called her out on all her BS. I wanted to give him a high five... or fist bump.... something!

Chelsea and Clint are both broken. Chelsea is physically and emotionally broken after getting injured and having to say goodbye to her dream of playing basketball. She's a mess, trying to figure out what to do with herself. Clint has never quite recovered from his past, and even though he's supposed to be helping Chelsea get stronger, they end up helping each other heal. Schindler described the emotions of the characters so beautifully and perfectly. She made me cry. In public. And I might have a bit of a crush on Clint :).

The great writing and pacing made it difficult to put this book down. It's all you could want in a summer read! I'm really looking forward to reading Schindler's first novel, A Blue So Dark.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Publisher: MTV (Simon & Schuster)
Release Date: July 19, 2011
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult, 16+
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | Indiebound

SHE'S WRITING ABOUT HIM. HE'S WRITING ABOUT HER. AND EVERYBODY IS READING BETWEEN THE LINES.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true. (author website)

What a fantastic read, as expected from Jennifer Echols! I practically read this in one sitting... my only break was to make dinner and eat. I was quickly pulled into this story by Echols' realistic characters, their chemistry, and the beautiful settings of Kentucky horse country and the city of New York.

What I loved most about Love Story, besides the steamy chemistry between Erin and Hunter, was that it takes place during their freshman year of college. It was a nice break from most YA novels that take place in high school. I loved the dynamics between the roommates, friends, and classmates... and the insight into their college experience. It made me feel nostalgic and want to go back to my college days and do it all over again.

I also really enjoyed reading the stories written between Erin and Hunter. They were almost like a bonus to the main story itself. Though about 3/4 of the way through I was so anxious about the main characters that I admit I groaned a bit to read them because I wanted to go straight to the parts where they interacted with each other. The chemistry is that good!

Love Story comes out a week from today - July 19th - so add this to your summer reading list!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: April 6, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | Indiebound

Goodreads Synopsis:

Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

This was such a good read. Dessen has an amazing way of writing stories about real relationships and real issues. I read Just Listen when the WSJ article came out about the darkness of YA books. The article and the overwhelming response from book bloggers/authors/readers (trended on Twitter with #YAsaves hash tag) put this book in a whole new light for me. This is a perfect example of how YA novels save lives. In Just Listen, Dessen tackles eating disorders, self-image, and overcoming assault. She doesn't hold back, and I love her for it!

Annabel and her family live in a glass house. Cars that pass by slow to look in on their "perfect" family eating dinner together. On the outside, Annabel seemingly has the perfect life. What people don't see is her family in shambles, and that she has been living with a secret which is the cause of her self-imposed isolation.

I simply enjoyed reading this book. It's leisurely paced, with great character development. I did have a hard time with Annabel keeping her secret for so long. At times I wanted to shake her (and her mother) to make her get with the program. But I know there are girls out there that would have reacted the same way in her position. I also wished there was more romance, though I did like sweetness of the slow building relationship between Annabel and Owen.

Just Listen is about honesty... being honest with others and most importantly yourself. This is now my favorite Sarah Dessen novel.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Publisher:  Walker Childrens
Release Date:  December 23, 2008
Age Level:  Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart. (Goodreads)

One word. FANTASTIC!

Perfect Chemistry was the first book I read by Simone Elkeles, and she just blew me away. I read this in one sitting... which meant staying up more than half the night. I can’t remember the last time I’ve done that! The next day, I went back and re-read parts of it… wanting to just devour it again. This was like West Side Story and The Outsiders meets Pretty in Pink. The writing is amazing, and I was completely immersed in the story. The characters are believable and have so much depth. I never would have thought I could get emotionally attached to a “perfect” cheerleader and a gangbanger! Hmmm… all I can do is gush… so how about a list of things I LOVED about this book:

• I LOVED how the chapters alternate perspectives between Brittany and Alex, so that you could get entirely into their heads.
• I LOVED that the story is about two kids from opposite sides of the tracks, with differences in wealth, race, and social circles.
• I LOVED that Brittany could recognize her own façade.
• I LOVED that Alex was a smarty pants.
• I LOVED that Brittany was so dedicated to her sister
• I really liked the friendship that developed between Brittany and Isabel, and how realistic it was…
• I LOVED how Elkeles tied in so many life lessons into a beautiful love story (don’t judge a person by how they appear on the outside, or where they are from).
• Most of all, I LOVED the chemistry between Brittany and Alex!

Seriously, I can’t say enough good things about this book! I did find the ending to be a little too… tied up in a neat little bow… but I loved the characters so much that I just ate it up. In case you couldn't tell... I highly recommend this book! Be advised that this is aimed toward older teens as it deals with drugs, sex, and gang violence.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited? (Goodreads)

Love love LOVED it. I read this in less than 24 hours... I just didn't want to stop reading, and I was sad when it ended. Every character is well written - flawed and realistic. I felt like I knew them, that Anna's friends were my friends. Ugh, and St. Clair is completely swoon-worthy and now possibly my favorite male fictional character. What made this love story so sweet, is that it wasn't an instant romance. It was the gradual, real, relationship building good stuff.

I have to say that I also loved that this book took place in Paris! I actually studied abroad right outside of Paris when I was in college and it was hands down one of the BEST experiences of my life. I could relate to Anna about how she learned her way around the city (except I didn't hesitate to get out and do things). Reading about the city and her experiences was like the cherry on top of the best sundae ever (I know, complete and utter CHEESE... but this book does that to me)!

This made it onto my favorites book shelf. I know this is a book I'll be picking up again and again. Seriously, one of the best YA books I've read. I can not wait to read more from Stephanie Perkins.