Title: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
Author: Bryn Greenwood
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 344
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "My mother always started the story by saying, 'Well, she was born in the backseat of a stranger's car,' as though that explained why Wavy wasn't normal."
"As the daughter of a meth deal, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. Struggling to raise her little brother, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible 'adult' around. She finds peace in the starry Midwestern night sky above the fields, behind her house. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that ask tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer."
My Rating: 4/5
This book has been catching a lot of attention through booktube and the book community. I will say that it has warnings for assault and rape, as well as abuse in many shapes and form.
I am conflicted about my rating, to say the least. I started this book really interested in Wavy's life (as heartbreaking as it was) and looking to see what she would become after such a tough upbringing, but the story branches into more than that.
There is a minor who has sex with an adult who is more than a little older than her, and it's uncomfortable to think about. There are times in this book that you are cheering the characters on to move towards each other and then you remember the reasons that they shouldn't be together. I think if you are looking for a controversial read this is a good one to pick up.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Before I even start this book is very controversial, I'd say extremely. There are warnings I left in the review, but here are some more for assault, abuse, drug use, etc.
This book follows the story of Wavy from the age of eight to her early twenties. It follows her through the life of her parents (drug users and dealers) and how she ends up in a relationship with Kellen, an ex-con who works for her father.
Characters:
Wavy: I can see how she had to grow up so quickly in the situation she was in. It was heartbreaking to watch her be dumped on whoever was most willing to take her, when she was trying to take care of herself. I can also see how Kellen's kindness appealed to her. I'm not saying what happened in their... relationship (??) is ok, but I can understand how it happened.
Donnal: I would be interested in more of his backstory and some of the things I'm sure he saw at the "ranch." Did he ever try anything that he shouldn't have? What did he do to cope?
Kellen: I just wish that he had been able to say no, at least until she was of age. I know that she acted a lot older than she was, but it doesn't make it ok.
Amy: I liked that she showed who she truly was before the book ended, maybe it will shock her mother more than Kellen and Wavy did.
Renee: She was clearly someone who needed Wavy and who Wavy needed in return. I see that they in many ways grew into adults together.
Liam: Sick.
Val: Was she always like this or did the drug use make her who we saw in this novel.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "She had grown."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Female of the Species
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller
Pages: 352
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook
"A contemporary YA novel that examines rape culture through alternating perspectives.
Alex craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn't feel bad about it.
Three years ago, when older sister, Anna, was murdered and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best- the language of violence. While her own crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can't be trusted among other people. Not with Jack, the star athlete who wants to really know her but still feels guilty over the role he played the night Anna's body was discovered. And not with Peekay, the preacher's kid with a defiant streak who befriend Alex while they volunteer at an animal shelter. Not anyone.
As their senior year unfolds, Alex's darker nature breaks out, setting these three teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever."
My Rating: 5/5
This book caught me off guard. I wasn't ready to feel so many things and to be shocked by the honesty that Mindy McGinnis put into this book. Was it shocking to read from these perspectives and the things that these characters go through, yes, but it was an extremely important read. I would highly suggest this to men and women of almost all ages. There is a trigger warning for sexual assualt, rape and physical assault. I really was blown away by this story and hope to read more by Mindy McGinnis.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This book totally blew me away, I couldn't get over the correlation with my small town and the way Mindy McGinnis really thinks deeper about how deep rape culture runs in our society. It was shocking, but not in the way I expected. The story has a huge trigger warning for violence, rape and sexual assault. The story follows Alex, PeeKay and Jack. All characters who have a different background in this small town.
Characters:
Alex: I can see how people would be distressed about how she handles her life and people in her home town. I can't blame her, but it was hard to imagine someone who was using their instinct for good, instead of for rape how most of the rest of the town acts. I was surprised to see how her storyline ended, and to see her in the animal shelter broke my heart.
PeeKay: I could relate to her need to break out of the mold and to be more than just the preacher's kid. But at the same time she was so willing to let people use that nickname. At the same time she deserves to be happy, and to find someone who is interested in her not her past or the challenge to get her.
Jake: I was turned off from his point of view at start, but he slowly won me back. He was starting to understand how the women in his life felt throughout their life. I could also understand the need to get out of the small town.
Branley: I tried really hard to understand her and how she felt in society, but she was really frustrating as she just continued to "mess up". I hope that she learned her lesson.
Ray: In my opinion he got what he deserved.
Sarah: I liked that we got the perspective of someone who wasn't interested in men romantically. It was an important perspective to have
Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Classic
Pages: 251
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1998
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)
First Line: "Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive."
"Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small, self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless, Harry hears a rumour about a chamber of secrets, holding unknown horrors to wizards of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that turn people to stone, and a terrible warning is found painting on the wall. The chief suspect- always in the wrong place- is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed."
My Rating: 4.5/5
I really enjoyed this second book, even more than I remember enjoying it the other times I have read and reread the series. I think that the characters are just so loveable in this book and now that we do understand some aspects of the grounds it was easier to explore the adventure. I also liked that this story focused on relationships with peers a bit more than the first one where we are just getting to know everyone.
I'm so excited about continuing this reread and getting to remember all that JK Rowling's world has to offer.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Son of Neptune
Author: Rick Riordan
Series/Standalone: The Heroes of Olympus (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mythology
Pages: 521
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Books
Year Published: 2011
Format: Audiobook
"Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.
Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem- when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her 'gift' for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wishes she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.
Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him because the only thing he is good at is archery- although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely- enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.
Beginning at the 'other' camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven."
My Rating: 4/5
This is the second book in the highly acclaimed Heroes of Olympus series. I was interested to pick up this book, but due to how long it took me to complete it I found that I started to lose interest in the story line. I was excited to see characters that I'd heard about in the first book, and revisit favorite characters from the original series. I think that the pacing was good, I just don't know if I related to these characters very much. I am excited to continue on with the series as soon as possible through audiobooks.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Four Weeks, Five People
Author: Jennifer Yu
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Mental Health, Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 384
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "A few words of advice for those attending Camp Ugunduzi for the first time:"
"They're more than their problems.
Obsessive-compulsive teen Clarissa wants to get better, if only so her mother will stop asking her if she's okay.
Andrew wants to overcome his eating disorder so he can get back to his band and their dreams of becoming famous.
Film aficionado Ben would rather live in the movies than in reality.
Gorgeous and overly confident Mason things everyone is an idiot.
And Stella just doesn't want to be back for her second summer of wilderness therapy.
As the five teens get to know one another and work to overcome the various disorders that have affected their lives, they find themselves forming bonds they never thought they would, discovering new truths about themselves and actually looking forward to the future."
My Rating: 4/5
I think that this book is an important read for all youth, but I also think that it was just a case of right book wrong time for me. In another time I might have rated this book a 5/5, but it just didn't seem to click with me 100% this time when I read it. That being said, I really loved the characters and the diverse cast. I think it's important to realize with mental illness that it doesn't just have one face, gender or race. It can look different on everyone.
I also appreciated the idea that it takes time to heal and get better, it's not immediate and not all the characters in the book were magically "cured" which is something I hate.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I think that I explained my thoughts in the review about how this book probably would have been 5/5 stars if I had been in the right mindset. It was really promising to start but I found the potential romances to be slightly annoying. That being said I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and their illnesses. It wasn't stereotypical, as the characters were not miraculously cured. It really makes you think about the time it takes to feel better and how it isn't a forever cure in most cases.
Characters:
Adam: He broke my heart into a million pieces. I understood how he felt so helpless and how he wanted to get better but wasn't able to do the follow through because the idea of being better was amazing, but the getting there was harder than expected. I would hope with time he would be able to recover.
Stella: I think that I related to her the most. The feeling of giving up and rationalizing whether recovering is even worth it. I'm viewed often as being the most pessimistic in my friend group. Also, the way she reacted to those around her, she seemed callous but the more you got to know her the more you realized that she was too scared to become attached.
Clarissa: I was very interested in her perspective, especially since at the start of the story her OCD was influencing her life so negatively, but as I read, I was a little disappointed that it seemed her relationship with Ben is what really helped her. At the same time, I think that being around people who have similar conditions.
Ben: I was also curious about the way his emotions flowed. I was curious to see how that would pan out in the everyday world and continue to wonder about this.
Mason: This is something I think that was hard to swallow, his character flaws are actually mental illness symptoms.
Jessie: I'm not sure I agree with her tactics of breaking Stella out of her shell, but it seemed to work better for her than the hippie-dippie stuff.
Josh: I think his hippie ways kind of made me happy. He really believed in what he was doing and that it would work to help these teens.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "And maybe, for now, that's good enough for me."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
