Book Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Book: Graffiti Moon - Cath Crowley


Publishing Date: August 1st 2010


Read from February 05 to 06, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance


Goodreads Summary: 


"Let me make it in time. Let me meet Shadow. The guy who paints in the dark. Paints birds trapped on brick walls and people lost in ghost forests. Paints guys with grass growing from their hearts and girls with buzzing lawn mowers."

It’s the end of Year 12. Lucy’s looking for Shadow, the graffiti artist everyone talks about.

His work is all over the city, but he is nowhere.

Ed, the last guy she wants to see at the moment, says he knows where to find him. He takes Lucy on an all-night search to places where Shadow’s thoughts about heartbreak and escape echo around the city walls.

But the one thing Lucy can’t see is the one thing that’s right before her eyes.

My View:

There are times when you pick up a book and you just can't put it down and Graffiti Moon my friends is one of those books. I can't express in words how much I love this book. The story, the background and the characters are all amazing. There is nothing in this book that I didn't like.

 Art work of Shepard Fairy

The story is about Lucy and Ed and that one amazing night where they discover secrets, confront the facts and share their inner most feelings. 

I must admit, I love art of any form and graffiti art is no exception. I love the works of Banksy and Shepard Fairey. And if you are like me and love graffiti. You should check out the movie Exit Through the Gift Shop. 

Now coming back to the book; the art, the romance, the characters and even the freaking dialogues were just amazing! This is my first book by Cath Crowely and I can't wait to read many more.

The Good:

• The whole art aspect of the story really string a cord with me. 
• Ed and Lucy are really amazing characters and their interactions are hilarious.
• The message of the book is very powerful and not at all preachy. 
• I simply love every character in the book. Seriously! every character in the book was very well thought of. 
• The couples! Ed and Lucy were cute and funny. Daisy and Dylan were just adorable. Leo and Jazz were very real with their insecurities and conflicts. 
• The whole idea of shadow and poet is genius.
• The book is very funny with a hint of seriousness in it. 
• The poems in between by poet were insightful and just plain awesome.
• The pace of the book was just right.

I can go on and on about this book but I don't wanna seem like a fan girl. So all i can say: people who like contemporary novels, this is for you. And for people who don't like contemporary novels, this is the one you should start with.

Overall: 5/5 and a double thumbs up!
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 4.5/5


Favorite Quote: “I guess love's kind of like a marshmallow in a microwave on high. After it explodes it's still a marshmallow. but, you know, now it's a complicated marshmallow.”


Favorite Character: Ed, Lucy, Daisy, Dylan, Jazz and Leo (in-short all!)

 

Book Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher, Carolyn Mackler

Book: The Future of Us - Jay Asher, Carolyn Mackler


Publishing Date: November 21st 2011


Read from February 01 to 03, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Contemporary


Goodreads Summary:


It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

My View:

I won't lie to you, my expectations from this book was HUGE!! Reasons for that are: I love previous books of the authors. Thirteen Reasons Why and The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things both are one of my favorites plus the plot just sounded so amazing. 

The story is about Josh and Emma, two friends who accidentally find themselves on the internet in future via Facebook. I mean the idea is genius and I loved it!

The book was so much more than I can describe it. Initially, I thought it will be just about the Facebook or future thing but it had many layers to it. I enjoyed the book and loved it. The characters seemed real and the setting was fabulous. 

The Good:

• The IDEA! It was just genius and so so awesome. I like science fiction books and I love contemporary books. This was two in one.
• The writing was easy and enjoyable. I just didn't wanted to put the book down.
• The whole concept of the ripples was amazing. It played like a mysterious element to me.
• The whole 90's nostalgia! I did actually got my first computer in 1996, I was eight then but I remember. I remember the dial ups and having a e-mail address that time was such a big deal.
• The characters! I loved Josh, another crush worthy character and I know a lot of people hated Emma but I sort of get her too and I liked her. She was flawed but likable. 
• I said it on another review, but I love books that have alternating point of views.
• The music and movies references. Dave Mathews Band, Greenday (Dookie!),  Alanis Morissette and Oasis (I still listen to wonderwall all the time!).

The Bad:

• I really wanted to know more about Kellen and Tyson. 

Overall: 4.5 and a double thumbs up!
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 3/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote: “When the right moment appears, the key is to not let it pass.”

Favorite Character: Josh

Book Review: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Book: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) - Catherine Gilbert Murdock


Publishing Date: April 30th 2006


Read from January 24 to 26, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Chick-Lit


Goodreads Summary:


When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D.J. can't help admitting, maybe he's right. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn't so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won't even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

My View:

Another one of those books that was sitting on my TBR pile for sometime now. 

Dairy Queen is about 15 year old D.J Schwenk, she is big, tall, hardworking, strong and much to her dismay runs the family farm. She is stuck doing all the chores because of her father's injury. She lives with her parents and a little brother, who doesn't like to talk. The Schwenk love their farm and their football. Both of her older brothers and star football players are away at college and she hasn't talked to them for the past seven months because of a family feud. D.J is overwhelmed with school work and farm work and when Brian Nelson, a rival team quarter back come to offer a helping hand she is not so pleased at first. The summer D.J thought would surely suck turned out to be a summer that teaches her lot. She form unlikely friendships and learn to talk and express her feelings.

If I have to hold a conversation regarding American football I can assure you I will be utterly lost. But, even though the book is filled with football I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. D.J is an amazing character and the premise of the story is very fresh and interesting.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. 

The Good:

• D.J: She is so ordinary and yet so different. She is unlike any other heroins out there. She has a very distinctive voice. I love the fact, that is so reflective about her surrounding, thoughts and feelings.
• The story, background and the whole family dynamics are a breath of fresh air. 
• I love the fact that Brain is not a conventional love interest. He is flawed and that's what makes him so real.  
• Every character in the book is someone you know and can relate to.  
• The story is about normal and real people in normal and real situations. 
• The sports/football aspect of the book. I love sports movies and this book is just like that. An under dog story.
• The book is full of humor, which is always a good thing.

The Bad:

• The first person narrative could be annoying for some. I loved it though. 

Overall: 4.5 and double thumbs up!

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

Favorite Quote: “When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.”

Favorite Character: D.J, Brian & Carter

Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Book: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan


Publishing Date: October 26th 2010


Read from January 17 to 18, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

“I’ve left some clues for you. 

If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Timesbestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

My View: 

I was really excited to read this book, because I simply loved the last book by the duo (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist). I really really liked this book as well. It was hilarious and features two very charming characters. I laughed out loud a lot during this book and finished it in a day, which usually doesn't happen with me. I just couldn't put the book down!

The plot is really engrossing. The story starts with Dash, who finds a red moleskine notebook in his favorite book store, next to his favorite book. The book is planted by Lily, and is filled with little dares. Dash starts to play along with the dares. For most part of the book Dash and Lily never meet face to face and only communicates with the help of the red notebook. 

Both characters are lonely and are looking for love and companionship. The dares they give each other are hilarious. I just couldn't stop smiling that stupid smile while reading this book. 

How I wish I could also have my own lovable geeky snarly boy. In short, I loved this book for it's comical genius. 

The Good: 

• It's funny! I mean really, one of the funniest book I have ever read.
• I loved Lily. She was quirky, funny, bubbly, sweet and so damn cute.
• The dares were fun and very exciting. And did I mention hilarious!
• Dash was so comical. I mean he was the epitome of snarl and totally crush worthy. 
• The backdrop of New York and holiday season did wonders for the book. 
• I love the side characters. Boomer was epic! Aunt Ida, I wish I had a great aunt like that. Cousin Mark, I have a cousin like that. 
• And I loved the interaction between aunt Ida and Dash.

The Bad:

• I have to admit, the book was so unrealistic in parts but it still made me laugh a lot.
• The characters seemed too sophisticated to be 16 years old.

Overall: 4.5 and double thumbs up!

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

Favorite Quote: “I showed him the Post-it. “You see They’re from Lily.”
“Who’s Lily?”

“Some girl.”

“Ooh … a girl!”

“Boomer, we’re not in third grade anymore. You don’t say, ‘Ooh … a girl!’”

“What? You f**king her?”

“Okay, Boomer, you’re right. I liked ‘Ooh … a girl!’ much more than that.
Let’s stick with ‘Ooh … a girl!”

Favorite Character: Lily, Dash, Boomer, Aunt Ida and Cousin Mark

Book Review: Wake (Dream Catcher #1) by Lisa McMann

Book: Wake (Dream Catcher #1) - Lisa McMann


Publishing Date: March 4th 2008


Read from January 13 to 15, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance


For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.
She can't tell anybody about what she does they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can’t control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.

My View: 

Let me just start by stating I love this book! Wake is a perfect example of a excellent paranormal romance novel. 

Seventeen year old Janie has a secret, she visits people in their dreams. She doesn't want to, it just happens. One minute she is sitting in class or at work and the next thing she knows, she is following someone into the forest. It's annoying but she can't help it. She has no control over it. Things get complicated when she befriends the school loner, Cabel. She is surprised to learn that some of his dreams are about her and through these dreams they learn about each others secrets.

Wake is an intriguing book, it just sucked me in from the get go. Even though the story is nothing like it, but the book reminded me of the movie The Butterfly Effect. Maybe because of the writing style, which I must add was so different and kind of brilliant.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. The characters were well defined, the mystery was top notch and it was very romantic. I loved Janie and Cabel as indivisual characters and as a couple. 

I loved this book and can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. 

The Good:

• The story is very powerful, moving and different from all the PNR novels out there.
• Very interesting characters. They were very well define, even though the book is so tight and compact.
• The romance between Janie and Cabel was amazing. It was intense, cute and emotional.
• I adored the character of Janie, she was strong and very realistic.
• The writing takes some getting use to, but I loved it nonetheless. 

The Bad: 

• The book was extremely short, i mean just 210 pages. I so wanted to read more!

Overall: 4.5 and double thumbs up!

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

Favorite Quote: “That was the goth stage, where I decided I'd never get the girl of my dreams because of my scars. Not to mention my hairstyle. (pause) But then she slammed a door handle into my gut. And when a girl does that to a boy, it means she likes him.”

Favorite Character: Janie and Cabel

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Book: Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins


Publication Date: December 2nd 2010

Read from January 04 to 06, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My View:

I am loving 2012 and it's just been 7 days! and one reason for that is amazing books like Anna and the French Kiss. This is a perfect Chick-Lit for a rainy day. It was fun, hilarious, romantic and it made me so giddy. I am still blushing. The characters and the setting both are perfect and I just fell in love with the whole book. 

The story is about Anna, who against her wishes is sent to Paris for her senior year of high school. She doesn't know french and all her family and friends are back home in Atlanta. Things starts looking up for Anna when she meets the handsome French American British guy, St. Clair. The whole book then follows the friendship between Anna and St. Clair. They are funny, ignorant and so in love.

I should tell you, the story is not unique but the writing is brilliant. Stephanie Perkins debut novel is a hit for me. The book is filled with cliches and the biggest one can be the setting, PARIS DUH! But it's just so romantic and awww worthy that I just love every bit of it.

If you are looking for reasons to pick up this book. Chuck everything I said up till now just pick up the book for ST. CLAIR! I have never been so in love with a fictions character in my life. 

This is how I imagine him to look like. (Isn't he a cutie?)

The Good: 

• Anna and St. Clair may be the star of the book but every character in the book is brilliant.
• The setting: Oh Paris how i love you!
• The love story is amazing and awww-some full.
• The Writing is wonderful and fresh. There were times I couldn't keep the book down.
• And St. Clairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I Love HIM! 

The Bad: 

• The cover! It was the only reason that I didnt pick this book any sooner.

Overall: 5 and double thumbs up!

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

Favorite Quote: “I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”

Favorite Character: Étienne St. Clair

Quick Review: The Hunger Game Series By Suzanne Collins

Book: Hunger Games Series - Suzanne Collins
Publication: 2008 - 2010
Read from November 2011 to January 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian


My View:


Hunger Games series is one of the best series and individual books I have ever read. They are my absolute favorites. Suzanne Collins gives such vivid description of this futuristic country of Panem and its population that I could close my eyes and imagine the districts, the capitol and the games myself. 


Another thing that extraordinary about hunger games is its amazing characters. The very strong, unapologetic and sensible heroin Katniss Everdeen, the boy everyone feel in love with Peeta Mallark, the strong and brotherly role model Gale Thawthore and my fovorite character, the funny, quirky and sarcastic mentor Haymitch Abernathy. Plus, it gives an array of memorable characters that you will instantly feel in love with.


There is very little that i don't like about this series and i have no intention to state it. If i continue to write a bigger review it might turn into a gush fest :). So I end it right about now.


Overall:  4.5 and a double thumbs up!
Hunger Games: 5/5
Catching Fire: 4.5/5
Mockingjay: 4/5


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

Book Review: Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Book: Hate List - Jennifer Brown
Publication Date: September 1st 2009
Read from October 31 to November 04, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Drama



Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

My Review:


The book starts with a newspaper clip giving gory details about the massacre that took place in Garvin High School cafeteria. The culprit: Nick, who opened fire on his fellow students. The Victims: Are the people that Nick and his girlfriend Val hated and made a list consisting of them.


The books is not about the massacre itself, its about what happens next. How such a tragedy changes people. Its story of a Val and her struggle to keep it together after the incident. Her crumbling family and social life.

It was such an amazing book that left me stunned and teary eyes. I cried, howled and got very emotional during the read. It just struck a cord with me. The book tells what repercussion bullying can have on a person and community. The story of Valerie is so haunting, powerful and yet so real that i gave me goosebumps. The feel of the book and incorporation of newspaper pieces, interviews and subplots add so many layers to it that you feel transported in the book, in that place at that time. I recommend this book everyone and anyone. If you can get your hand on this book please give it a go. It was without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2011 and I loved every bit of it.

The Good:

• The story is the biggest strength of the book. It deals with a very emotional subject which has been dealt with numerous times. You can either can go so right with it or so so wrong with it and i think Jennifer Brown goes so freaking right with it.
• The characters seems very real and they do change with the changes in the story. Its a self realization and therapeutic journey for them and it was for me as well.  
• The narrative is another high point of the book. The paper piece at the start of the chapters and what follows give it a very mysterious and thriller sort of feel.

The Bad:
Nothing! absolutely nothing was wrong with this book. It is just perfect as it is.


Side Note: 
Jennifer Brown is out with her new book Bitter End but its too expensive for me right now but i just can't wait to read it!!


Overall: 5 and two thumbs up!


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


Favorite Quote:  “Just like there's always time for pain, there's always time for healing.”

Favorite Character: Valerie