Review: Simply Irresistible

Author: Jill Shalvis
Publish date: 2010
Source: purchased ebook
"Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother--a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career--if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes--and mouth--are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor." (Goodreads)

I read Simply Irresistible because of Ginger from G Reads! love for the entire series. This ebook version of this one was pretty cheap and I read it in a few hours during the readathon. I didn't think it was fantastic, but it wasn't terrible either.

I knew from the start that Simply Irresistible was going to be one of those books with a happy ending no matter what, as most romances of this variety have. Of course I was pulled in by the hot contractor mentioned in the blurb too. Who wouldn't be? The book was pretty cheesy, but not cheesy enough to make me stop reading it.

SPOILERS BELOW

One thing I didn't like about Simply Irresistible was how Jax seemed to be the answer to EVERYTHING. I mean, seriously, he had like seven jobs and everything explained at the end? Too much. Seemed to press the idea that you need a man for things to work out. Gah.

Review: Safekeeping

Author: Karen Hesse
Publish date: 2012
Source: arc from conference
"Radley just wants to get home to her parents in Vermont. While she was volunteering abroad, the American People's Party took power; the new president was assassinated; and the government cracked down on citizens. Travel restrictions are worse than ever, and when her plane finally lands in New Hampshire, Radley’s parents aren’t there.

Exhausted; her phone dead; her credit cards worthless: Radley starts walking." (Goodreads)

I received this book in a box of arcs/books given to me from a conference last spring. I put it in my classroom and when I was deciding what to read for the Readathon, I remembered Safekeeping and how much I loved one of Hesse's other books, Out of the Dust. However...this one didn't exactly stack up to her previous work.

I really like the basic premise of Safekeeping, but unfortunately did not like the execution. Since Radley doesn't know where her parents are (and we know that from the blurb), it added an element of mystery, along with the fact that something bad is going on in the US. The problem for me was...where is the world building? I felt like I had no idea what was happening to the country, why Radley's parents were MIA, and why she could just walk to Canada. Consequences for actions, like getting thrown in jail, made no sense. When she got to Canada, though, everything was hunky dory. Seems a little sketchy that Radley could cross a border and just be fine.

Another thing I had some issues with while reading was the photographs interspersed throughout. I am not saying that pictures can't be in a YA book: they definitely can, but in Safekeeping, they were distracting and didn't add anything positive to the story. Honestly, the photos just weren't good. Period. Half of them didn't even relate to the text on the page or story in general.

One last thing before I end what is basically a rant: I didn't like the ending and how preachy the book felt by that point. I won't spoil it, but if you've read it, you probably know what I mean. I honestly will not be recommending this to anyone and am pretty disappointed overall.

Review: The Boyfriend List

Author: E. Lockhart
Publish date: 2006
Source: Library
"Fifteen-year-old Ruby has had a rough ten days. During that time she:

* lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
* lost her best friend (Kim)
* lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
* did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
* did something advanced with a boy (#15)
* had an argument with a boy (#14)

* had a panic attack
* lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie)
* failed a math test (she'll make it up)
* hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends)
* became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
* had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the boys'!?!)

But don't worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists." (Goodreads)

I read this book during the readathon, meaning I read it between 8am and 11am last Saturday...not my usual reading time! Even so, I devoured it and LOVED it! I love Ruby Oliver!

One of the things I loved about The Boyfriend List is how detailed it was, especially when describing what high school and teenagers are like. We all know that high school can SUCK sometimes (friends and boys) and I think Lockhart really captured that. Some of the details about Ruby's life really jumped out at me and made me crack up, much like Sloppy Firsts. I have to admit though...I like Ruby more than Jessica! Don't hate me!

I think this book would be great for high school students to read (adults too, let's be honest) because it really shows that you can work through your issues and things will be okay. Ruby is such a real and likable character, whom you love even though she makes mistakes. No one is perfect, but that's okay, and THAT'S why teen girls need to read this. I will definitely be book talking this one to my students and getting copies of the series for my classroom.

Also, I loved the footnotes. I feel like I talk with footnotes or random asides all the time, so I thought they were perfect. Basically, I loved this book much more than I thought I would and now I want everyone to read this series!

Read-a-thon Updates April 2012

Final Update: That 11pm update was pretty telling for how the rest of the night would go--not very productively! I fell asleep for about an hour at 11 and when I woke up at midnight, decided I was done for good. I think if I didn't have this sore throat/cough, I would have made it longer, but not too much. Definitely not an excuse...I must make it longer in October!!

BOOKS READ
Firelight by Sophie Jordan (FINISHED)
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (FINISHED)
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (read 100 pages, then set aside)
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (read 100 pages before falling asleep)

Overall I am pretty proud of myself, considering this was my first readathon. I liked my reading choices for the day for the most part; I tried to start with something fun and I ended up enjoying both Firelight and Paranormalcy. Under the Never Sky just did not work for me, although I'll probably attempt to read more later. I'm really digging Poison Study so far, but I was too tired to keep going. I wish I had started that one earlier.

Looking forward to October!

11pm: Not a very productive 3 hours! I read a bit of Poison Study, but was distracted by the Tigers' game on TV and some general sleepiness. I'm going to do my best to read more!

8pm: I finished Paranormalcy around 7 and then took a dinner break (homemade chicken noodle soup--YUM). I'm going to read a few more chapters of Under the Never Sky to see if I can get back into it, and if not, I'll try Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. 

Paranormalcy was a quick and fun read. I'll probably read the sequel, Supernaturally, at some point in the next few months. I'm pretty sure the third book is coming out soon, too.

5pm: Currently on page 150 of 335 of Paranormalcy. It's a little different from what I normally read, but pretty fun so far. I took a break for lunch and a shower around 2:30, so I should be full speed ahead for a while! 

2pm: I set aside Under the Never Sky after 100 pages and am starting Paranormalcy by Kiersten White instead. 

My lovely sore throat is getting worse, however...I really hope this doesn't interfere with reading today. I'm thinking I may need a nap later this afternoon, which normally I would have no problem with, but come on! I want to read all day! Damn you, sickness!

12pm: Finished Firelight at 11:45 and will be starting Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi next. 

11am: On page 222 of 323 of Firelight. I had to take a couple breaks to eat breakfast and wrap a gift (random, but I completely forgot about it!), but think I will be finished within the hour. I really like it so far; definitely the right book to start the morning with. 

8am: Began Firelight by Sophie Jordan, which I purchased at RT last weekend. She signed it and was quite lovely to meet. Also consumed massive cups of coffee.