Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

Title: By Any Other Name

Author: Lauren Kate

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, 

Pages: 304

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"What she doesn't know about love could fill a book.

With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie's more than good. She's killing it. Then she's given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life- the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and she'll get the promotion she's always dreamed of. Simple, right?

But there's a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie's world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. When she finally tosses her ninety-nine expectations to the wind, Lanie may just discover that By Any Other Name can still be as sweet."

My Rating: 4/5

This was such a fun traditionally published Rom-Com. I would definitely recommend it if you like your romance less of the steamy side and more about the characters falling in love. This book is a romance lovers' dream. The main heroine literally publishes romance novels and sets up debut events. What more can we dream of. With a great cast of characters and a sweet set-up, I would highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Title: Still Me
Author: Jojo Moyes
Series/Standalone: Me Before You Series (Book #3)
Genre: Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 402
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook

"Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you find the courage to follow your heart-- wherever that may lead?

Funny, romantic and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she discovers who she is and who she was always meant to be-- and to live boldly in her brave new world."

My Rating: 4/5

What a conclusion. I love how each book in this series has a different setting and a different idea of our main character. I loved this conclusion and was happy to see how the author took care of Louisa. I also enjoyed the fact that this story focused less on romance and more on other contemporary aspects. I loved the setting the most, just due to the excitement surrounding New York and the idea of further exploring high society. I would highly recommend this as an audiobook because the story isn't super action driven but is very character focused and you get so much more of that in the audiobook. If you are looking for a story where you get the enjoyment of watching someone find out who they are this is for you.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Classic Review: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Lit
Pages:195
Publisher: Penguin
Year Published: 1925
Format: Physical Copy (Library Copy)
First Line: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

"These sumptuous new hardback editions mark the 70th anniversary of Fitzgerald's death.

Jay Gatsby is the man who has everything. Everybody who is anybody is seen at his glittering parties. Day and night his Long Island mansion buzzes with bright young things drinking, dancing and debating his mysterious character. For Gatsby- young, handsome and fabulously rich- always seems alone in the crowd, watching and waiting, though no one knows what for. beneath the shimmering surface of his life he is hiding a secret: a silent longing for the one thing that will always be out of his reach. And soon his destructive obsession will force his world to unravel."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book starts in a strange way and is not at all what I expected. I haven't read a lot of classics so a goal I have this year is to attempt to read more. After the first 50 pages of this book, I was willing to give up but decided to break the read into 50-page sprints per evening and managed to complete it. I actually enjoyed the story overall. I think that it was interesting to see how the author took things from a certain time period and changed them to a futuristic theme. I found that the characters were interesting, although some were unlikeable it was interesting to see the interactions throughout the short novel and I hope to pick up another classic next month.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Title: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction
Pages: 303
Publisher: Penguin
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "It's a weirdly subtle conversation."

"Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn't play wingman for the class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone's business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he's been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon's junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to  step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out- without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot of happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's ever met."

My Rating: 4/5

So let me start out with this book is cute. It's adorable. And you might not think that based on the description, but it's got a lot going for it. Blackmail, a secret pen pal, friend drama, etc. I think that this story is an important one about the pressure of coming out and how society has come to a point where we should be confident with who we are sexuality. That being said all over the world there are jerks, some places more so than others. I hope that in North America most people feel comfortable coming out with who they are, but with the change in leaders in certain may change that. Sorry to pour salt in the wound there America, but Canada's afraid too sooo...... Besides that, this book was cute. I enjoyed it and would read another book by Becky Albertalli.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

So I'll start this in the only way I know how. This book was cute. There were parts of it that infuriated me. Like closed mind jerks and blackmailers, but overall I thought that it was a sweet read. And in the sweetness, there was a point, messages. How everywhere in the world there are people who will not accept someone's sexuality which is ridiculous, but sadly true. I thought that the setting of a high school in Georgia was perfect. It is known in the South there is quite a problem with acceptance overall. I don't know how accurate that is and don't want to claim that I'd know because I've never been, but it's rumoured I should say. I think that this story was incredibly sweet and interesting to read. 

Characters:
Simon: I thought that he was an interesting character to read from. Someone coming out and figuring out how those around him will see him after revealing part of his life. I think he was a sweet character to read about, especially as we watch him fall in love with Blue and get to know who he really is.

Bram: I loved how shy he was and how much we found out about him. He is so sweet, and I can't even imagine Simon with someone else. Perfect first boyfriend material.

Nick: What an awesome guy! I do wish that he had been more intune with Leah's feelings.

Abby: Super outgoing and fun? The perfect gal pal.

Leah: I loved her attitude and understood her way of thinking. I think that she felt so much rejection that it was hard for her to deal with Simon coming out to someone new.

Nora: She reminded me of my sister the way she is so quite and keeps to herself. It was kind of heart breaking but also amazing to see her be a rockstar in the end.

Alice: Supportive older sister for the win.

Martin: There is no excuse for the way that he was acting. It's crazy that he thought it was at all acceptable. Jerk!


Moments to Remember:

Final Line: "Maybe I want it to be."


Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Series/Novel: Matched (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance

Pages: 366

Publisher: Speak, an imprint of Penguin Group

Year Published: 2010

First Line: “Now that I’ve found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?”

“Cassia has always trusted the society’s choices.

And when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia is certain he is the one... until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

Now she is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one dares follow… between perfection and passion.

Society matched them, but love set them free.

In society officials decide

Who you love.

Where you work.

When you die.”

My Rating: 5/5

I guess I’m finally admitting it. I love dystopia. I know that it’s a strange love because dystopia is all about the what if’s of our society, but that’s precisely why I enjoy it so much. Who's to say that our society won’t fall into The Society. This book brought on different subjects for readers. A place that seems calm and perfect. A place where people follow the rules and don’t get hurt. But just for one minute, what if you didn’t want to just follow, what if you wanted to choose? That’s unheard off, isn’t it?

This book follows the change of following to choosing, from being subconscious to fully conscious. Cassia is learning things that others may have waited years to discover. It interests me to the fullest. 

I must say that this book being a romance wasn’t something I was interested in but considering the subject materials and the choices The Society makes for you it all makes

perfect sense that love should be anticipated and awaited. The only questions is who's the love of her life truly? And if there is not only one what in the world will she chose?

THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR A DIFFERENT DYSTOPIA BASED ON THE NEED OF CHOICE!

Thank you for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo