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jessicabeckett's reviews
1981 reviews
Almost Home by Jessica Blank
5.0
Full review/potential spoilers alert: http://bookgirl.co.vu/post/73380090882/something-happened-then-part-of-me-thats-be
In Jessica Blank’s debut novel, Almost Home, she weaves together seven individual lives and proves that you can sometimes find a family, not based on blood or location, in even the most unexpected places. In this case, seven teenagers find each other as they abandon their life for one tragic tale or another and find themselves living on the streets of L.A.
You will often feel pity for these characters as their lives are explained. There will be heart breaking moments that feel like someone has kicked you in the stomach, and there will be moments in which you find yourself cringing at the tragedy of each individuals stories of the past or present on the street. If one thing, this novel is brutally honest in the way Blank carves each characters story as they try to figure things out for themselves in a way that many teenagers will never have to.
It's got all the makings of a perfect novel targeted at young adults and certainly is on my recommendations.
In Jessica Blank’s debut novel, Almost Home, she weaves together seven individual lives and proves that you can sometimes find a family, not based on blood or location, in even the most unexpected places. In this case, seven teenagers find each other as they abandon their life for one tragic tale or another and find themselves living on the streets of L.A.
You will often feel pity for these characters as their lives are explained. There will be heart breaking moments that feel like someone has kicked you in the stomach, and there will be moments in which you find yourself cringing at the tragedy of each individuals stories of the past or present on the street. If one thing, this novel is brutally honest in the way Blank carves each characters story as they try to figure things out for themselves in a way that many teenagers will never have to.
It's got all the makings of a perfect novel targeted at young adults and certainly is on my recommendations.
Skinny by Donna Cooner
3.0
Full review: http://bookgirl.co.vu/post/86264972444/its-like-being-on-a-tightrope-stretched-tightly
Skinny follows the story of a teenage girl who is overweight and struggling with a lot of things that include but are not limited to the typical hormonal worries of a young persons mind. She is only 15 years old and she weighs 300lbs; most of this weight coming from stress, sadness and boredom related eating habits. In part this definitely has to do with the unfortunate loss of her mother — the weight is doing quite a bit of harm to her physical health but her mental health as well.
It’s never fun to be the fat kid in a class full of cruel teens. And to make matters worse, she has a nagging voice in the back of her mind — she calls the voice, Skinny — that keeps telling her she’s never going to be worth it or beautiful. And all of this is stopping her from letting her true self, her voice, shine through at the end of the day.
Skinny follows the story of a teenage girl who is overweight and struggling with a lot of things that include but are not limited to the typical hormonal worries of a young persons mind. She is only 15 years old and she weighs 300lbs; most of this weight coming from stress, sadness and boredom related eating habits. In part this definitely has to do with the unfortunate loss of her mother — the weight is doing quite a bit of harm to her physical health but her mental health as well.
It’s never fun to be the fat kid in a class full of cruel teens. And to make matters worse, she has a nagging voice in the back of her mind — she calls the voice, Skinny — that keeps telling her she’s never going to be worth it or beautiful. And all of this is stopping her from letting her true self, her voice, shine through at the end of the day.
Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner
3.0
Donna Cooner is back with a story of loss and growing up in the digital aged spotlight. She manages to smoothly transform a familiar story of death in the family into a modern, teen friendly take in the form of fictional Youtube beauty guru Torrey Grey as she navigates a new setting following the tragic death of her younger sister.
During this time Torrey questions herself, her life and seems to be swallowed up by guilt over her treatment of her little sister the day she passes away. And to top it all off, her so called best friend betrays her in more way than one. Donna does a pretty great job at making Torrey believable and although she can be — at times — insufferable in her quest for popularity at her new school, Torrey is a character you want to root for.
Full review: http://bookgirl.co.vu/post/93221009242/cant-look-away-by-donna-cooner-rating
During this time Torrey questions herself, her life and seems to be swallowed up by guilt over her treatment of her little sister the day she passes away. And to top it all off, her so called best friend betrays her in more way than one. Donna does a pretty great job at making Torrey believable and although she can be — at times — insufferable in her quest for popularity at her new school, Torrey is a character you want to root for.
Full review: http://bookgirl.co.vu/post/93221009242/cant-look-away-by-donna-cooner-rating
Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper
4.0
Surely by now my followers realize that my number one literature weakness always, always has involved witches. And that is what sparked my desire to read Salt & Storm, a historical fiction novel that centers around, well, a witch.
Review to follow: http://bookgirl.co.vu
Review to follow: http://bookgirl.co.vu
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
4.0
FULL REVIEW HERE: http://bookandbroadway.blogspot.com/2015/05/killing-mr.html
Killing Mr. Griffin was one of the very first books I obsessed over (I’m not kidding, it stayed with me for years after the first read – I even loved the cheesy, made for television adaption of it) and as an early teen, no one’s writing took me on a frightening thrill ride quite like Lois Duncan.
She is, and always will be, one of the queens of suspense in the young adult genre - her work has aged incredibly well (with a few exceptions in phrases and names, which isn't anything to get riled up about if you recall the original print date) even now in the decades that have passed since publication.
Even if you aren’t familiar with her work by her name alone, it is likely you’ve seen loose adaptions based upon specific stories. I Know What You Did Last Summer perhaps being the most prominent one and Stranger With My Face being the most recent.
In 2005, while in middle school, I was assigned Killing Mr. Griffin for an English project. I remember scoffing at the names and the way they talked and yet I found myself drawn to the settings, the plots, the characters and the spine tingling way Lois portrayed everything. When I flipped my pages back to read how old it was, the names suddenly made sense. And the, shock: it was just too good. Impossible to put down.
At the time, it felt like Lois Duncan could probably make a glass of orange juice frightening if she wanted to and this is what connects a younger audience to her books and continues to captivate them all these years later. She writes her books for a younger crowd, perhaps to give them their first taste of thrillers, so her writing is simple and to the point. Reading them now reminds me of sitting at a campfire and being told spooky stories.
Back to the review. When you’re in school and have a reading assignment, especially at such a young age, you almost never expect to enjoy the story you’re studying - but Lois’ writing draws you in and refuses to let you go; leading you down a fast track of having finally found something good to read. Lois, in other words, made reading fun and simple.
(And spooky.)
Most of the peers in my class loved it just as much as I did. A group of high school students, a majority of them being decent kids who just do idiotic things, decide to play a prank on their overly mean teacher, Mr. Griffin to “teach him a lesson.” Their plot is stirring in rather quickly: they'll 'kidnap' him, they'll have some fun with it and scare him a bit, and then they'll let him go.
But, as they say, sometimes even some of the best laid plans go wrong…
Killing Mr. Griffin was one of the very first books I obsessed over (I’m not kidding, it stayed with me for years after the first read – I even loved the cheesy, made for television adaption of it) and as an early teen, no one’s writing took me on a frightening thrill ride quite like Lois Duncan.
She is, and always will be, one of the queens of suspense in the young adult genre - her work has aged incredibly well (with a few exceptions in phrases and names, which isn't anything to get riled up about if you recall the original print date) even now in the decades that have passed since publication.
Even if you aren’t familiar with her work by her name alone, it is likely you’ve seen loose adaptions based upon specific stories. I Know What You Did Last Summer perhaps being the most prominent one and Stranger With My Face being the most recent.
In 2005, while in middle school, I was assigned Killing Mr. Griffin for an English project. I remember scoffing at the names and the way they talked and yet I found myself drawn to the settings, the plots, the characters and the spine tingling way Lois portrayed everything. When I flipped my pages back to read how old it was, the names suddenly made sense. And the, shock: it was just too good. Impossible to put down.
At the time, it felt like Lois Duncan could probably make a glass of orange juice frightening if she wanted to and this is what connects a younger audience to her books and continues to captivate them all these years later. She writes her books for a younger crowd, perhaps to give them their first taste of thrillers, so her writing is simple and to the point. Reading them now reminds me of sitting at a campfire and being told spooky stories.
Back to the review. When you’re in school and have a reading assignment, especially at such a young age, you almost never expect to enjoy the story you’re studying - but Lois’ writing draws you in and refuses to let you go; leading you down a fast track of having finally found something good to read. Lois, in other words, made reading fun and simple.
(And spooky.)
Most of the peers in my class loved it just as much as I did. A group of high school students, a majority of them being decent kids who just do idiotic things, decide to play a prank on their overly mean teacher, Mr. Griffin to “teach him a lesson.” Their plot is stirring in rather quickly: they'll 'kidnap' him, they'll have some fun with it and scare him a bit, and then they'll let him go.
But, as they say, sometimes even some of the best laid plans go wrong…
Converge by Rebecca Berto
4.0
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. To read my full review of Converge please proceed to BOOKED J's blogspot location here.
[This review contains adult content. 18+] Converge is my first experience with a book penned by the phenomenal Rebecca Berto and I’m so glad it was. I simply cannot wait to dive into her impressive list of published work. I typically stray from erotic fiction at the risk of cliches swallowing me and the probability of boring, repetitive sexual encounters.
There’s only so much I can deal with when it comes to reading the same stories over and over again. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Converge had some of the hottest, most intriguing and mind blowing sex scenes I’ve seen written in a very, very long time. I am blown away by the quality of it all.
Berto is THE author to read from in this genre, I’m discovering, and I simply could not get enough of this steamy and erotic love story she’s provided us. New Adult fiction as a genre has never looked so appealing to me and it’s all thanks to Rebecca Berto, ladies and gentlemen. I’m seriously applauding her right now.
[This review contains adult content. 18+] Converge is my first experience with a book penned by the phenomenal Rebecca Berto and I’m so glad it was. I simply cannot wait to dive into her impressive list of published work. I typically stray from erotic fiction at the risk of cliches swallowing me and the probability of boring, repetitive sexual encounters.
There’s only so much I can deal with when it comes to reading the same stories over and over again. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Converge had some of the hottest, most intriguing and mind blowing sex scenes I’ve seen written in a very, very long time. I am blown away by the quality of it all.
Berto is THE author to read from in this genre, I’m discovering, and I simply could not get enough of this steamy and erotic love story she’s provided us. New Adult fiction as a genre has never looked so appealing to me and it’s all thanks to Rebecca Berto, ladies and gentlemen. I’m seriously applauding her right now.
Gossip Girl, The Carlyles #2: You Just Can't Get Enough by Cecily von Ziegesar
4.0
FULL REVIEW: http://bookandbroadway.blogspot.com/2015/05/you-just-cant-get-enough-g.html
and soon here: http://bookgirl.co.vu
In You Just Can’t Get Enough, the second book of the Gossip Girl spin off, Gossip Girl: The Carlyles, readers see things heating up once more in the lives of this batch of wealthy teenage Upper East Siders. And it’s oh-so-obvious that the drama that blew into the city with the arrival of The Carlyle triplets is only just getting started. But how much drama can one set of siblings really bring to Manhattan?
We’re greeted once more by the familiar voice of Gossip Girl as she reports to us the scandalous happenings of this next generation of up-to-no-good kids – and things are certainly far more entertaining in this installment than the last one. Back are the same group of teenagers from this generation – Baby, Avery, Owen, Rhys, Jack and a variety of other side characters and as always, this second book picks up right where we left off.
Jack is losing heat – her home life, ballet, her social life and now her boyfriend have all seemingly fallen from her grasp. And she’s on the ultimate war path when it comes down to the Carlyles. What happens when she falls upon a piece of information that will certainly come in handy about Owen Carlyle and what – or who – he did last summer? And how can she use it to her advantage?
More importantly, what happens when it all backfires? And what sassy entries does Gossip Girl have planned for these kids?
and soon here: http://bookgirl.co.vu
In You Just Can’t Get Enough, the second book of the Gossip Girl spin off, Gossip Girl: The Carlyles, readers see things heating up once more in the lives of this batch of wealthy teenage Upper East Siders. And it’s oh-so-obvious that the drama that blew into the city with the arrival of The Carlyle triplets is only just getting started. But how much drama can one set of siblings really bring to Manhattan?
We’re greeted once more by the familiar voice of Gossip Girl as she reports to us the scandalous happenings of this next generation of up-to-no-good kids – and things are certainly far more entertaining in this installment than the last one. Back are the same group of teenagers from this generation – Baby, Avery, Owen, Rhys, Jack and a variety of other side characters and as always, this second book picks up right where we left off.
Jack is losing heat – her home life, ballet, her social life and now her boyfriend have all seemingly fallen from her grasp. And she’s on the ultimate war path when it comes down to the Carlyles. What happens when she falls upon a piece of information that will certainly come in handy about Owen Carlyle and what – or who – he did last summer? And how can she use it to her advantage?
More importantly, what happens when it all backfires? And what sassy entries does Gossip Girl have planned for these kids?
My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews
4.0
"There were shadows in the corners and whispers on the stairs and time was irrelevant as honesty."
In preparation of Lifetime's adaptation of this very book, I've decided to revisit the very first book I'd ever read that disturbed and haunted me in my early teen years. V.C. Andrews is known for her enthralling works of twisted fiction--family sagas twinged with great descriptions and horror, betrayal and rags to riches. All the trigger warnings are necessary for her novels and they certainly aren't for every one. Our biggest trigger would be sexual violence.
Everything about V.C. Andrews and her original catalog is filled with twists, turns and great sums of controversy. For years, her novels have dominated their genre and gone past the decades that have come and gone. This is due primarily to her captivating and disturbing tale of Flowers in the Attic and the novels that followed in the Dollanganger Series. I guarantee you that a good portion of us have all read at least one book by her and loved or hated it due to its content. Andrews isn't for the weak of heart and while she wasn't the greatest author to exist from her generation, or any that have since passed, you've gotta give it to her for standing the test of time.
My Sweet Audrina is one of the most frightening, heartbreaking and twisty turny stories I've ever had the privilege (or misfortune) of reading.
Continued: BOOKEDJ.
In preparation of Lifetime's adaptation of this very book, I've decided to revisit the very first book I'd ever read that disturbed and haunted me in my early teen years. V.C. Andrews is known for her enthralling works of twisted fiction--family sagas twinged with great descriptions and horror, betrayal and rags to riches. All the trigger warnings are necessary for her novels and they certainly aren't for every one. Our biggest trigger would be sexual violence.
Everything about V.C. Andrews and her original catalog is filled with twists, turns and great sums of controversy. For years, her novels have dominated their genre and gone past the decades that have come and gone. This is due primarily to her captivating and disturbing tale of Flowers in the Attic and the novels that followed in the Dollanganger Series. I guarantee you that a good portion of us have all read at least one book by her and loved or hated it due to its content. Andrews isn't for the weak of heart and while she wasn't the greatest author to exist from her generation, or any that have since passed, you've gotta give it to her for standing the test of time.
My Sweet Audrina is one of the most frightening, heartbreaking and twisty turny stories I've ever had the privilege (or misfortune) of reading.
Continued: BOOKEDJ.
Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
3.0
As a note, a printed galley of this novel was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
Ginny Moon is a highly intriguing novel that hit a lot of high and low notes. I don't want my rating to fool you--I did appreciate this novel and thought it was very important to its genre. There were a few things I didn't like about it, which were what landed it between 3 and 4 stars, I may update it to 4 of 5 stars at the end of the day, like the ending.
For the most part Benjamin Ludwig crafts an unforgettable tale that combines innocence and a little heartbreak. I can't explain how I felt while reading it without spoiling and that's the opposite of what I want to do. It shines light on a character that is vastly underrepresented in modern and classic literature, and its prose is thoughtful--elegant and thought provoking. Ludwig managed to impress me deeply with the way the plotline is captured and you can feel everything as you are reading. I do mean everything.
Full of solid relationships (family and all its confusions) and sprinkled in are a lot of mixed genres; Ginny Moon is charming. I do think that even the most reluctant of readers will appreciate this novel and the characters in it. The tone is such a compelling one that you can't really put it down.
Continued: BOOKEDJ
Ginny Moon is a highly intriguing novel that hit a lot of high and low notes. I don't want my rating to fool you--I did appreciate this novel and thought it was very important to its genre. There were a few things I didn't like about it, which were what landed it between 3 and 4 stars, I may update it to 4 of 5 stars at the end of the day, like the ending.
For the most part Benjamin Ludwig crafts an unforgettable tale that combines innocence and a little heartbreak. I can't explain how I felt while reading it without spoiling and that's the opposite of what I want to do. It shines light on a character that is vastly underrepresented in modern and classic literature, and its prose is thoughtful--elegant and thought provoking. Ludwig managed to impress me deeply with the way the plotline is captured and you can feel everything as you are reading. I do mean everything.
Full of solid relationships (family and all its confusions) and sprinkled in are a lot of mixed genres; Ginny Moon is charming. I do think that even the most reluctant of readers will appreciate this novel and the characters in it. The tone is such a compelling one that you can't really put it down.
Continued: BOOKEDJ