Book Review: The Passage by Justin Cronin

My Copy of The Passage

Book: The Passage - Justin Cronin

Publication Date: January 1st 2011

Genre: Adult Fiction,Science Fiction,Mystery

Pages: 963

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

My Copy: Bought (Paperback)

Buy: Amazon India | Flipkart

Goodreads Summary: 

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

My Views:

This book is a beast and i was intimated by it for a long time. It sat on the shelf collecting dust for over an year but once i started it, it was hard to put it down. It is a first part of a trilogy and in that context it reads like an origin story. A government experiment gone bad which results in the collapse of the world as we know it. 

The books starts and you are hooked within the first fifty pages. You connect with the characters and are interested in knowing what happens to them. Then something happens which threw you off completely. Personally, it took me sometime to get used to the change in story but once you get past the initial shock and the story moves forward it becomes this page turning epic survival saga. 

It's essentially a vampire novel and before that puts you off, trust me it's one of the good ones. I enjoyed every bit of it. Justin Cronin's writing is exquisite. The characters are multi layered and the story is fast paced. The book is very intense at times and has been compared to The Road by Cormac McCarthy (I haven't read that one) and Stephen Kings works.

The amazing thing about this books is that even after reading almost 1000 pages and still wanted more by the end. It was that interesting. I loved the start, there were some hiccups in the middle but the end made up for it. I would definitely will be picking up the next books in the series. Give this book a read, i promise you won't regret it.

Book Review: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Book: You Against Me - Jenny Downham


Publication Date: July 7th 2011 


Read from February 25 to March 04, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemperary, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide. Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skillfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another.

My Views:

I have heard great things about Jenny Downham first book Before I Die, but for some reason I just can't get my hands on it. So, when I came across this book i just picked it up without giving it a second thought.

I went into this book without any knowledge about it and I was really surprised with the plot and it's treatment. The story and the treatment is very true to life. Rape is a very tricky subject and this book deals with it in a very mature manner. 

I liked the characters and it was not difficult for me to relate to them. I really liked Ellie and Mikey. I like the family dynamics and the conversations between the characters.

The book is great, it could have been a little better but I still ended up loving it loads. 

The Good:

• The story and the subject matter. It's different!
• The characters feels real and they talk like real people.
• The love story and the back story of Ellie and Mikey.
• The mystery part of the book. There is not much of it but whatever is there is done very well. 
• Thought provoking. It really made me think and i genuinely like that in a book. 

The Bad:

• I just wished the book to be a little more darker, grittier and intense. Other then that I don't really have any complains.

Overall: 4/5 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “If you want a girl to like you, you have to listen like a woman and love like a man.”

Favorite Character: Mikey

Book Review: The Weepers: The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

Book:  The Weepers: The Other Life - Susanne Winnacker


Publishing Date: May 01, 2012


Read from February 08 to 09, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction


Goodreads Summary:


3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world

Sherry has lived with her family in a sealed bunker since things went wrong up above. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find a world of devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage, mutant killers.

When Sherry's dad is snatched, she joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers.

But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all?

My Views:

I love zombies! and I really liked this book. It was totally unexpected. I love zombies and science fiction, and this has the best of both worlds. Totally a fun read.

The story is about Sherry, who is living with her family in a bunker for the past three years because of the outbreak of a deadly virus aka rabies. This has turned people into flesh eating zombies. The book starts when the family consumes the last bits of the food left in the bunker. So, Sherry and her father have to go back into the big bad world to fetch some food.

The story line is not very unique but it has a very special element to it, that makes it so entertaining. I just couldn't put the book down.

The Good:

• Amazingly fast paced book with some very serious action packed scenes.
• Basically the book is a survival story and a good one at it. Who doesn't like those?
• I really liked some characters in the book and Joshua as a character fascinated me. Definitely an add to my crush worthy boyfriend. 
• The writing was very very good. Kudos to  Susanne Winnacker.
• Great twists and turns. It kept me at the edge of my seat.
• I really like Sherry's voice in the book.

The Bad:

• I would have liked a little more of the world building. I know this is a part of the series and there is more to come but still a little more would have been better.

Overall: 4/5 and a double thumbs up!
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 2/5
Cover: 3/5


Favorite Quote:  "They’re called the Weepers, and you don’t weep for them.
You must kill them, or they will kill you..."



Favorite Character: Joshua

Thanks Marshall Cavendish via Netgallery for the arc!

Book Review: Zombie Love: The Outbreak by Eric J. Sobolik

Book: Zombie Love: The Outbreak - Eric J. Sobolik


Publishing Date: August 6th 2011


Read from January 29 to February 01, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Horror


Amazon Summary: 


Zombie Love is the story of a widespread virus, in a way that has never been done before. As people lose loved ones, some decide that sometimes the people you love are the only ones worth fighting for. As factions form, and the world crumbles, people must choose sides. Help or destroy.

When a virus is developed as the ultimate cure all by reversing death itself, the world is plunged into a crisis of faith, dedication, and love.

In book one we meet Summer Strom, a normal high school teenager who is thrown cruelly into a set of circumstances that nobody should have to deal with. She has to fight back against everybody she knows as she battles for the only thing worth fighting for. Love.

My View:

I am not into the zombie genre. Actually to think of it have only read a hand full of zombie books which is weird because I love zombie movies. When I was ask to review this book, I just jumped right at it and I was not disappointed at all. It was a very fast and easy read. 

The book is about Summer Strom and Daniel Harris, who are life long neighbors and finally starts to notice each other but luck is not on their side. There is a virus outbreak which is turning their town into flesh eating zombies and while saving Summer, Daniel gets bit and the whole thing gets very messy.

The book starts with a prologue which define the tone of the book. The book is actually very funny and a very quick read. It being the first book in the series it's all about: who these characters are?, what happened? and how it happened? 

I story is touching, humorous, scary, light and clever. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series. 

The Good:

• It's short, sweet, smart and funny. 
• The writing is very clever and incredibly simple. Which is a very good thing.
• The romance aspect is very sweet and cute.
• I really liked Daniel and I wished there was more of him in the book. 
• Even though it has been done a thousand times and but i still love the alternating point of views of Daniel and Summer.
• The ending blew me away and I want more of it.

The Bad:

• I didn't like Summer as much as I liked Daniel. 
• Hence, I wanted more of Daniel.
• The constant day dreaming bit of all the characters was a little weird. Funny. But weird.

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 4/5


Favorite Quote: "Daniel had never felt he was the most creative person. He had a dog as a boy, named Barky, who barked a lot.

This was the first in a long line of Daniel naming things with the first thing that came to mind. His stuffed polar bear was called Bear, and lamp that was in the shape of a rocket ship was just called Lamp."


Favorite Character: Daniel

Many thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book for review.

Book Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Book: Spin - Catherine McKenzie


Publishing Date: February 7, 2012


Read from January 17 to February 1, 2012


Genre: Adult Fiction, Chick-Lit, Contemporary


Goodreads Summary: 


Katie Sandford has just gotten an interview at her favourite music magazine, The Line. It's the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate - and shows up still drunk at the interview. No surprise, she doesn't get the job, but the folks at The Line think she might be perfect for another assignment for their sister gossip rag. All Katie has to do is follow It Girl Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they'll reconsider her for the job at The Line.

Katie takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Katie begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason. Katie has to make a decision -- is publishing the article worth everything she has to lose?

My View: 

Spin is about Kate. Or Katie. Whichever. She is a thirty something slacker who suffers from a drinking problem, not that she aware of it. All she want is her dream job at the music magazine, The Line but she gets hammered the night before her interview and losses her chance. The next few weeks goes in a blur with sulking, wine and television. 

Next thing she knows, she gets a call back from The Line and they want her for a special assignment. She has to go undercover and spy on "the" Hollywood scarlet, Amber Shepard in rehab. Katie is ready to do anything for her dream job or so she thinks. 

I was highly surprised by the book. The book was witty, fresh and had some incredible characters. The book could have gone all serious on us but it doesn't. It's a lighthearted, fast paced and a very funny read. 

The character of Katie is hilarious. She is smart, funny and hopeless. If you're looking for a flawed character look no further, Katie is a epitome of it. Even with the lying, scheming and drinking; she is still a very likable character.

The Good:

• The book is incredibily funny. I laughed out loud on many occasions. 
• I really liked Katie. She is convinced she doesn't have a drinking problem and so her interactions and reactions with people in rehab are entertaining and funny.
• I loved Katie interactions with Saundra, the therapist.
• Music! I loved the music aspect of the book. The references of artists and songs. It actually made me fell is love with "Black Horse and The Cherry Tree" all over again. 
• The book has a array of very interesting characters. I liked Amber, Henry, Saundra, Greer, Joanna and Rory,

The Bad:

• I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half. I don't know exactly why but I think the writing is way better in the second half.
• This is not an issue book and it doesn't take itself very seriously. If anyone is looking for a issue book this might not be your cup of tea or better your glass a wine.
• The realistic factor of the book is pretty low but who cares it's just a fun book.

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote: "Like U2 says. I'm stuck in a moment I can't get out of.
You said it, Bono. And a nice guitar riff, The Edge. You work that shit."

Favorite Character: Katie, Amber and Greer.

Thanks HarperCollins via Netgallery for the arc!  

Book Review: Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson

Book: Hunting Lila (Lila #1) - Sarah Alderson


Publishing Date: August 5th 2011


Read from January 26 to 29, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery


Goodreads Summary: 


17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them…

My View:

Hunting Lila is a story of Lila, who's mother was murdered years ago in mysterious circumstances. She is forced to move back to London with her father leaving behind her brother Jack and his best friend Alex, who Lila secretively is in love with. Lila is lonely and she has a secret, she can moves objects by just looking at them. After a mugging incident in London which nearly exposes her secret, Lila runs back to Southern California to her brother and Alex. Both of them work at a super specialized agency called The Unit. Lila has no idea what they do but it is extremely odd as there is a creepy SUV following her every move. She senses there something very wrong but she has other things to worry about, like Alex and her feelings for him. And then things starts to get even weirder when Lila learns that the people The Unit is hunting just might be the same people that killed her mother.

I will be honest I picked this book purely because of it's gorgeous cover. I mean just look at it, isn't it a beauty?

Hunting Lila was a roller coaster ride for me. It has it's high points and it's low points. But generally the book kept me entertained and engrossed. The best part about the book is that it has almost all the ingredients in it. There is a paranormal theme, a mystery at the core, a contemporary romance plus a supernatural feel to it. 

In the end I was satisfied with how the whole story shapes up and eagerly await the next installment that will be hitting the shelf later this year.

The Good:

• The book is a lot of fun, fast paced and full of action. 
• The whole X-Men thing going was very interesting. I love the origins sort of story. 
• The second half was the book was just brilliant.
• The romance was great. I loved how Lila and Alex relationship grows.
• The cover! I know it shouldn't count but it is very shiny and pretty. 
• Likable characters: Lila, Jack, Alex and all the others that shall not be named.
• The ending was great and left me hanging for more.

The Bad:

• The first half the book was a filled with Lila swooning over Alex, which i totally get but sometimes I just felt like skipping those parts.
• I would have liked more to know about the back story and origins of the powers.
• I felt like not much credit and weight age was given to poor Jack. 

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 5/5

Favorite Quote: "I felt his other hand sear hot against my cheek. He bent his head, and in a voice that Jack couldn’t hear, said, “When you came down the stairs, and fell into me, that was the moment.” Then his lips pressed against mine."

Favorite Character: Lila & Alex 

Book Review: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Book: The One That I Want - Jennifer Echols

Publishing Date: December 6th 2011

Read from January 21 to 23, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

My View: 

Boy oh boy! I don't know how will I justify my ratings and comments about this book. The book was not very original, nor the subject matter was very interesting. I just read Keeping the Moon, which sort of have the same subject but  Keeping the Moon was a lot serious than this one.

The One That I Want is about Gemma, who is still trying to figure out who she really is. Her only friend or so-called friend is Addison, who is always mean to her. Gemma has lost a whole bunch of weight and has just made it to the majorette team. At majorette camp Gemma and Addison come across Max and Carter, from a rival school who are their for football camp. 

Gemma is instantly attracted to Max, the guy who was staring at her while she practiced her majorette routine. But then Max asks Addison out even though Gemma and Max has this incredible connection. To make the matters worse Gemma is stuck with Carter, who is dull and boring.

Normally, this is not the kind of book I like but i really enjoyed this one. The characters were nice and the writing was addictive. I loved Max, he was so swoon worthy.

Even though the story was not new, I would still recommend this book to anyone because of Echols writing.  

The Good:

• As i said already, the writing was just amazing, addictive, easy to read and very good. 
• I loved Gemma, her attitude, her purple streaks, her insecurities and her relationship with Addison. (I have had that friend!)
• Max oh Max. Max was funny, charming and very very sexy. I loved the fact that he was Japanese.
• The interaction between Gemma and Max was frustrating but funny and sweet.

The Bad:

• I hated Addison. Addison was mean, shallow and self centered and I wanted to choke her. 
• It was predictable but cute nonetheless. 
• I wanted more of Delilah and Robert.

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 3.5/5
Cover: 3.5/5

Favorite Character: Max and Gemma 

Book Review: Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Book: Keeping the Moon - Sarah Dessen


Publishing Date: September 1st 1999


Read from January 19 to 20, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age


Goodreads Summary:


Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.

My Views:

I have a few confessions to make before I write any further. One, this my second book by Sarah Dessen. I am embarrassed to admit it, but it's true. Second, This book is been sitting on my shelf for the past 4 - 5 years. Again, total embarrassment.

Keeping the Moon is about Colie, who never really had any friends. Because of all the moving around she did as a child and because she was overweight. The story starts when Colie is send to Colby, to her aunt for the summer. She is forty pounds lighter but still very lonely. Her mother is the queen of workout infomercials and is away a lot of the times. Colie is not looking forward to the summer and expects the worst out of the situation. Little did she know, that this summer will change her forever. 

Keeping the Moon was a short and easy read. The story was inspiring and beautiful. The characters were very interesting and different and the writing was just brilliant. I cried a lot reading this book. It was very touching and powerful. The book was written in 1999 but it has such a timeless feel to it. 

The Good:

• The writing was brilliant and compelling.
• The character were very unique and original. Norman was not the handsome boy next door and Aunt Mira was so eccentric and fascinating.
• I love the camaraderie between Morgan and Isabel. Morgan was naive and sweet. Isabel, on the other hand was tough and witty. Their friendship was cute and funny.
• Colie, as the protagonist was awkward, insecure and quite. Which made her very relatable.
• The book made me laugh and cry alot.  

The Bad:

• There was nothing really bad with the book but, it gets predictable at times.
• Morgan's plot was a wee bit too dramatic for me.

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4.5/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3.5/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “All the bitchy girls in the world are just a training ground for what men can do to you.”

Favorite Character: Colie,  Norman & Isabel. 

Book Review: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Book: Love Story - Jennifer Echols


Publishing Date: July 19th 2011


Read from January 11 to 13, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance


She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines..

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

My View: 

This is my first book by Jennifer Echols, who is a famous for her contemporary romance novels. Love Story is a sweet, fun and frustrating at times. It's fast paced book and uses very original methods for conveying the story. 

Love Story is about Erin, who grew up in Kentucky with her grandmother. She aspires to be a writer in New York City, much to her grandmother dismay. When her grandmother learns about her plans, her grandmother disinherit's her and gives her college fund and the family farm to Hunter, the stable boy. Now Erin has no money and has to work her way through college, her only solace is her creative writing class and soon that happiness is also snatched away from her when surprisingly, her former friend and now enemy Hunter joins the class. The two has a long history with each other and through their stories they get reacquainted.   

The story is somewhat original and very quirky, the presentation is very fresh and new. I love how the book starts with one of the stories that Erin has written for her creative writing class. The stories within the story is a fantastic device and it is used very interestingly. 

Erin and Hunter are very interesting characters. They have this love hate relationship going that makes this book very enjoyable. Hunter is alluring and  mysterious which makes him a very good love interest. Erin is very strong and hardworking which makes her very human. There are many layers to the story and characters which make this book very entertaining.

My only real problem with the book is the ending. If feels a little rushed and abrupt. I would have liked to see the more of these two characters and where they are heading. 

The Good:

• The creative writing classes. The stories that Hunter and Erin wrote, which gave insight on the background of these characters. Plus, the discussion that followed in the class about these stories.
• I really like the side story of Summer and Manohar. They were hilarious!
• The writing was very easy to read and hooking.
• The mystery surrounding Hunter and his intentions.

The Bad: 

• The story can get frustrating at times because the lead characters are so very stubborn.
• The abrupt ending. It left me a little unsatisfied and story felt incomplete. 

Overall: 3.5 and a thumbs up. 

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote:  “I saw myself exactly as he saw me.

And that made me angry.” 

Favorite Character: Hunter, Erin and Manohar

Book Review: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Book: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) - Suzanne Collins


Publishing Date: August 24th 2010


Read from December 29, 2011 to January 02, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

My View:

I have already given a quick review of the whole Hunger Game series Here. 
Needless to say, I love the whole series. I picked but Hunger Games back in November of 2011. followed by Catching Fire and then I finally landed on Mockingjay. I didn't wanted to read them consecutively as I wanted to savor every installment. 


Mockingjay is the final installment of the Hunger Games series. As much as I was sad to let these characters go. I was very excited to find out, how the series will end. The good thing is, I was not disappointed at how Suzzane Collins ended things.


The story picks up from where the last installment left off. Katniss has survived the Hunger Games for the second time and President Snow is still after her. I expected or predicted what this book might turn out to be but I was highly surprised (in a good way!) that whatever my brain would concoct, the book was nothing like that. 


The book answer everything that you hoped for and all the pieces did fit together at the end. The series itself is not just another love story or love triangle but it's also about survival, freedom and hope. 


The character stay true to themselves and even though people might be disappointed by how Katniss is shown in this book but, I love the way Suzanne Collins dealt with such a difficult premise in such a realistic way. Keeping in mind, all that Katniss been through in this book and before. 


I admire Suzanne Collins for sticking to her guns and for not getting influenced by any of the conventionality that many expected her to fall into. 


There is a little that I don't like about the book but that is not even half compared to how much I love this book.


Overall: 4 and a double thumbs up!
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote:   “It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.” 

Favorite Character: Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch

  

Book Review: The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver (Ruby Oliver #1) by E. Lockhart

Book : The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver (Ruby Oliver #1) - E. Lockhart


Publication Date: June 24th 2009

Read from January 02 to 04, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Humor

Ruby Oliver is 15 and has a shrink. She knows it’s unusual, but give her a break—she’s had a rough 10 days. In the past 10 days 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),

drank her first beer (someone handed it to her),

got caught by her mom (ag!),

had a panic attack (scary),

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)

and 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.

My Review: 

I picked up this book because it was sitting on my shelf for wayyyy too long and I had to read it. To be honest I was not excited going into the book coz for some reason I thought it will be too young for my taste and I might not enjoy it. But to my total surprise, I don't know when i started enjoying it and found my self laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

The book is about Ruby Oliver aka Roo, who goes to Tate High School with her best friend Kim and other friends Nora and Cricket. She is semi popular and loves her boyfriend Jackson. But then her perfect world starts to crumble when Jackson dumps her for Kim (Yes! her best friend!) and she starts having panic attacks. She goes into therapy and for strictly therapeutic reasons, find herself making list of her 15 boyfriends (real or not) and along the way she gets to know who she is and what really matters to her.

I loved Roo! She was far from perfect and makes lots of mistakes but then again that's how a teenager is, and that's the reason i find her so relatable. She is insecure, great at talking, intelligent and very ordinary looking. If i was still 15, there is no doubt in my mind that Ruby would be my best friend!

This book was very therapeutic for me. I kept asking myself the questions, that Doctor Z asks Ruby which ultimately gave me a better understanding about myself. (Or so I think!)

I recommend this book to every female on this planet earth and beyond. It was an eye opener for me and I cant wait to read more of Ruby Oliver books.

The Good:

• The book is hilarious. I laughed and giggled almost through out the read.
• To me at least the book gives a message of hope. That after all the crap that happens to you. You can still come out of it feeling okay.
• It is a really fun read and super cute in places.
• Ruby! She is my soul sister!
• Some really crush worthy guys *winks*
• The lists! All the lists not just the boyfriend one. 

The Bad: 

• Not really a flaw in the book, but i freaking hate Kim Yamamoto!
• Well i am a sucker for tears and i didn't cry.

Overall: 4 and a two thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 3/5

LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote:   “I hate those endless descriptions of a heroine's physical attributes . . . it really bothers me how in books it seems like the only two choices are perfection or self-hatred. As if readers will only like a character who's ideal--or completely shattered.”

Favorite Character: Ruby Oliver, Noel DuBoise and Gideon Van Deusen

Book Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

Book: Room - Emma Donoghue

Publication Date: September 13th 2010

Read from September 13 to 20, 2011

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Drama

In many ways, Jack is a typical 5-year-old. He likes to read books, watch TV, and play games with his Ma. But Jack is different in a big way--he has lived his entire life in a single room, sharing the tiny space with only his mother and an unnerving nighttime visitor known as Old Nick. For Jack, Room is the only world he knows, but for Ma, it is a prison in which she has tried to craft a normal life for her son. When their insular world suddenly expands beyond the confines of their four walls, the consequences are piercing and extraordinary. Despite its profoundly disturbing premise, Emma Donoghue's Room is rife with moments of hope and beauty, and the dogged determination to live, even in the most desolate circumstances. A stunning and original novel of survival in captivity, readers who enter Room will leave staggered, as though, like Jack, they are seeing the world for the very first time.


My Review:

I remember reading the synopsis of Room back in 2010 on goodreads and i was utterly intrigued and I knew I had to read this book. Room is a story of a nineteen year old girl which was kidnapped and held captive for seven year and in those years she gives birth to her son Jack. Pretty basic right? But here comes the twist. The book is narrated from the point of view of Jack the son not the mother.

How can a adult book with such a horrifying topic be written from a 5 year old point of view?

Well that's where the brilliance of the author Emma Donoghue comes in. The book is very different and it's nothing like anything I have ever read. The narrative is so unique and fresh that I got hooked very early in the book.

Another brilliant thing about the book is that it does not limit itself with horrors of captivity and it touches upon what happens after escape. The stark reality of going back to the big bad world.


The Good:

• The narrative and it's uniqueness is the selling point of this book. 
• On several occasions in the first half of the book I found my heart racing and I just couldn't put the book down. 
• The atmospheric feel of the book is so haunting.
• Jack and his innocence and the pain his mother feels for him is very emotional. 

The Bad:

• As the narrative is unique it was difficult to follow the book for the first few chapters. It gets easier and you get the hang of it but still it might be annoying for some.
• The book is not plot driven at all.
• The second half of the book is not as fast paced as the first. 

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: N/A
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote: “When I was a little kid I thought like a little kid, but now I'm five I know everything”.

Favorite Character: Jack

Book Review : One Day by David Nicholls

Book: One Day - David Nicholls
Publication Date: August 28th 2009
Read from December 20 to 26, 2011
Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY.

My Review: 

One Day is a realistic love story about two friends Emma and Dexter. Em and Dex & Dex and Em. The story follows these characters for better part of their adult life which might seem pretty ordinary but One Day is different because you can only read about one particular day of these peoples life in the span of twenty years. One Day is not like any other love story, there is no love at first sight and no romantic cliches but still it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I particularly think the book brilliant in some parts and not so great in others. 

The Good: 

• The interactions between characters seems very real and is the high point of the book.
• Every girl can relate with the character of Emma. She is one funny and feisty female and very practical maybe too practical at times but that adds charm to the character. I simply adore Emma Morley. 
• They are so right for each other but so clueless and as an audience you just wish and pray for them to end up together. 
• Brilliant minor characters and quirky personalities. 
• References to the pop culture are very cleverly incorporated. 

The Bad:

• The ending! Really if the ending was better it might have been almost perfect.  
• The whining, arrogant and not so liked character of Dexter. I know he was meant to be that way and he does redeem himself in the end but man i hated him for the better part of the book. 

Overall: 3.5 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LOL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 2/5

Favorite Quote:  “Call me sentimental, but there's no-one in the world that I'd like to see get dysentery more than you”.


Favorite Character: Emma Morley