Perfection : A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz

Perfection starts off strong and entertaining. You are easily taken into the life of Metz. You feel compassion, anger and frustration and what she is left deal with after the untimely death of her husband. As the novel progresses, more and move is revealed however there is a sudden change in the authors writing and it makes a quick downward spiral into boredom. The writing become lethargic and the last chapters are hard to get through. Check it out or borrow it. 

Grade: B- 

Synopsis (B&N) A breathtakingly honest, gloriously written memoir about the complexities of forgiveness when a young widow discovers her husband's secret life after his death Julie Metz seemed to have the perfect life—an adoring if demanding husband, a happy, spirited daughter, a lovely old house in an idyllic town outside New York City—when in an instant, everything changed. Her charismatic, charming husband, Henry, suffered a pulmonary embolism and collapsed on the kitchen floor. Within hours he was dead, and Julie was a widow and single mother at 44. Just like that, what seemed like a perfect life melted away. But the worst was yet to come. Six months after his death, Julie discovered that her husband of 12 years, the man who loved her and their six-year-old daughter ebulliently and devotedly, had been unfaithful throughout their marriage, going so far as to conduct an ongoing relationship with one of Julie's close friends. This memoir—moving, simple, filled with incandescent images—is the story of coming to terms with painful truths, of rebuilding both a life and an identity after betrayal and widowhood. ltimately, it is a story of rebirth andhappiness—if not perfection.

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls) by Ally Carter

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover is the weakest novel in the, Gallagher Girls Series. The wit is gone, the storyline is bland and the characters have lost their special appeal.

The ending is a bit on the predictable side. Despite the book leaving me with a overall "blah" feeling I would still read another book in this series because the first two are that good.



Grade: F

Synopsis
When Cammie “The Chameleon” Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers’ plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.
As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?
Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey’s private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth. . . .

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson once again, writes a book you can sink your teeth in. It is beautiful and haunting. It chills you to the bone.

The characters are well written and the storyline is extraordinary. Once you start reading this novel you will not be able to put it down. It kept me up till 2am and I had to be at work at 8 am!

You will not be disappointed and the ending comes way to soon.


Grade: A


Synopsis
“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.


Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies.
But now Cassie is dead. Lia’s mother is busy saving other people’s lives.
Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia’s head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way – thin, thinner, thinnest – maybe she’ll disappear altogether.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the National Book Award finalist Speak, best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores one girl’s chilling descent into the all-consuming vortex of anorexia.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is a story told in an alternating fashion between two characters. The writing is seamless and Stiefvater makes the transitions between the characters flow with ease. The characters are well written, the plot is original and the ending leaves you craving more (sequel is due out in fall of 2010). The romance is sweet and innocent, similar to that of the first love. An enjoyable read. Curl up with this book tonight.

Grade: B+ 

 Synopsis For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice

The Geometry of Sisters starts of really good but then makes a steady nose dive downwards.

The story was initially wonderful but some where along the way it feels as though Rice, lost her passion and the story became very bland, boring and predictable.

The characters are fairly well developed but the story line leaves much to be desired.

Grade: D



Synopsis (B&N)
What is one sister without the other? Is it even possible to imagine?

New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice explores the complex emotional equations of love and loyalty that hold together three pairs of remarkable sisters. Here in the halls of Newport Academy, a unique private school that has attracted generations of rebels, outcasts, and visionaries, an unforgettable lesson in the eternal truths of sisterhood is about to begin….

After years away, Maura Shaw has returned to Newport, Rhode Island, to teach English at the academy. Behind her lies her life as the perfect Midwestern wife and mother, a life that seemed on the surface to be all she had ever wished for. That illusion vanished in a storm off Mackinac Island in the wake of an accident that engulfed Maura’s husband and her older daughter, Carrie. Now, with her son and younger daughter, she hopes to find a new beginning.

Newport has never failed to infuse Maura with a sense of mystery and hope. But for fourteen-year-old Beck, the move is a painful upheaval from everything she has ever loved—especially her sister, Carrie. Ever since her sister disappeared, Beck has retreated into the world of mathematics, where principles are permanent, unlike so many other things in life. Without Carrie, Beck has lost half of herself—the half that would have fit in at the elite private school she and her brother, Travis, will now attend. The half that made things right. Still, Beck clings to the hope that her sister will return to them.

Beck isn’t alone in her struggle to adjust. At sixteen, Travis is juggling a long-distance first love and an attraction to anexpensive-looking girl with a wicked sparkle in her eye. And for Maura, ghosts linger here—an unresolved breach with her own beloved sister and a long-ago secret that may now have the power to set her free….

Splendor: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) by Anna Godbersen

Splendor is the newest novel in the Luxe series and it just doesn't hold up to the rest of the series. The ending is rushed and disappointing. The rest of the book is just "ok". It seems as though Godbersen gave up on her characters and the story lines, leaving this reader with no desire to read any other of her novels. Borrow it, check it out, just don't buy it.

Grade: D

Synopsis (B&N) New beginnings. Shocking revelations. Unexpected endings. A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes. Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle. In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

A Touch of Dead : The Complete Stories (Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series)

A touch of dead is just ok but keep in mind I don't really care for short stories and Harris herself admits that short stories aren't her strong suite.

The stories are bland, there is no true climax and everything is resolved as quickly as a 30 minute sitcom.

Sookie, however is till adorable and likable. Not a must read but a I like the character so I'm going to read about her.


Grade: C

The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor

The Bitch Posse is poorly written, the characters are unsympathetic and the premise unbelievable.

The ending explains nothing and leaves you wishing that you'd never come across this "book".

This book is difficult to finish, it took me way too long to read it. The material is dark but that isn't what made this book so terrible because it had the potential to be decent.

Skip this book or borrow it. I loathed it,


Grade: F





Synopsis (B&N)

These are the confessions of The Bitch Posse. Cherry, Rennie, and Amy were outcasts, rebels, and dreamers. And their friendship was so all-encompassing that some would call it dangerous. This is the story of three women—as seniors in high school and as women in their mid-thirties—who formed a bond in order to survive the pitfalls and perils of their lives. Their secrets have torn them apart, while inextricably binding them to one another. hat happened to them? And can they survive their shared history, even today?

Royal Blood [Vampire Kisses 6] by Ellen Schreiber

Royal Blood is the sixth installment in the Vampire Kisses series. It is a cute book and very typical for Schreiber. The romance between the characters remains very sweet and innocent.

A light, fast read that will take just a few hours to finish. Worth the read if you are a fan of the series. Does not stand well on its own.


Grade: B-

Synopsis

Summer break is over, and Raven is hardly eager to be returning to Dullsville High. Not only does school mean daily interaction with preppy pest Trevor Mitchell, but her sleep-filled days and romantic nights with her immortal boyfriend, Alexander, must come to an end. Plus the shock of morning classes isn't the only change in store.

An unexpected letter turns up at Alexander's mansion—announcing his parents will be coming to town. And once they arrive, just about everyone has had a sighting of the macabre couple except Raven. What could be delaying Alexander from introducing Raven to them? Could Alexander be hiding something about his parents' homecoming?

When Raven is finally invited to the most thrilling dinner party of her life, the next turn of events could transform her entire future with Alexander. The sixth book in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series takes an unusual twist in the continuing romance of Raven and Alexander

Thinandbeautiful.com by Liane Shaw

Thinandbeautiful is a slow read. It is unoriginal and like every other story I've ever read about eating disorders.

I had a difficult time getting into the story. It is highly predictable. I actually skimmed chapters in order to finish this book.

Don't purchase this, check it out of the library or borrow it from a friend.

Grade: D-


Synopsis: (B&N)

This single-focus anorexia novel includes the contemporary element of "pro-ana" Internet influence. In a clinic, Maddie writes out her memories, from kindergarten through a rocky puberty and to the present, interspersing them with current days in "prison." She finds treatment tedious and irrelevant; she thinks she's fine and her parents have been duped. Her dulled-down diction sounds younger than her age (17). Maddie's an unreliable narrator with severe body dysmorphia, in profound denial. Despite her obvious narrative untrustworthiness, however, librarians and teachers should be aware of some potential "triggers" herein, including calorie counts, purging tips and numbers of pounds lost. By the end, Maddie only begins to acknowledge she might have a problem. Website thinandbeautiful.com, where friends encourage starving and purging, was Maddie's most blatant enabler pre-treatment, but Shaw shows Maddie's points of vulnerability for years before that, making the pro-ana-Internet impact less key than the title implies