Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan- Review

 

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him? (goodreads.com)

So this is an older book and it emerged on my radar when I was looking for an author to do another Skype chat at my library. Although we had a small group last years chat with Marissa Meyer was great. So I found a list of authors who'll do Skype chats for free (theoretically) and I went down the list to see what names I recognized. I hadn't read any of Brennan's books but I knew that I knew the name for some reason, so I bought this book on my Nook and I wasn't dissapointed.

First, I really like that the book took place in England, I felt like it gave the town a cloak of mystery, but I have to say that my favorite part of this book was the dialogue. My speech patterns and those of Kami as basically identical (which may not be a great thing because she's like 16 and I'm about a decade older than that). I've read books that I've liked but there has always been something off about the character like their annoying habit of trying to save the world alone, or throw themselves in the face of danger, or their too helpless, or too fearless. Basically I just can't imagine a real person doing what they characters in the book did. That's wasn't a problem in this book. Kami and her friends could have been any group of teens that walked into my library, minus the mind reading thing.

The story was quickly paced and there was just enough suspense to keep you reading, but not too much that you said "Screw it" and went to read spoilers on Goodreads. I don't want to give to much away, so I'm just going to say read it, it's not like it's going to take you very long. 

Minor irritations... Kami, I really think you made the wrong decision. I understand how difficult it probably was being around Jared, but I think you too it too far. For the love of all that matters in this world, open up you mouth and communicate with the man. (That's what I would have said to her if I was in the book... but I wasn't.)

I look forward to reading the second book but I was so worked up over and slightly annoyed by how the first one ended that I don't know when I'm going to be able to manage it.

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Something Real

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Winner of the 2012 PEN New England Discovery Award!

There’s nothing real about reality TV.

Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before. (goodreads.com)

With all the reality shows in the world, I have a good feeling about this book.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"How long had they been tracking us across the desert? How long had they had this kind of magic at their disposal?"

Pg. 116 The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

 

Manag Monday #3 Bunny Drop Vol. 2

Like a plot out of a soap opera, bachelor Daikichi Kawachi's boringly normal life got a touch of the abnormal when he learned that his late granddad left behind a love child. And further rattling the unexpected skeleton in the closet? The ungainly, unglamorous Daikichi's impulsive decision to take in little Rin! But as the impromptu dad and his charge learn to adapt to both one another and their very new living situation, Daikichi is plagued by thoughts of Rin's mother. Who is she? Why has she been quiet all this time? Hot on the trail after discovering a modem at the old man's computer-less abode, Daikichi plays detective in search for answers. But elementary school enrollment, extracurricular activities, and other parental obligations wait for no man, so when the day of confrontation with the mysterious Masato arrives, will Daikichi be prepared?! (goodreads.com)

Manga Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read.

Bunny Drop picks up right where it left off. Daikicki is raising Rin as best as he can preparing her for Kindergarten and searching for her mom. After some detective skills and he's able to locate her and I was pretty shocked by her reaction. I'll never understand some parents.

I don't remember what it was like to be 6 years old but I do remember what it was like to be a preteen. When Rin came home and asked for a new hairstyle because a girl at her day care said that she wasn't pretty. My heart broke, I almost cried, and then to find out that Rin's night time habits have changed so drastically because of what other children have been saying in school just baffles the mind... except not really, because when all you want to do is fit in, it's hard not to take what others say to heart. I don't know, as funny as some moments in this manga were, it kind of hit me in the heart. I defy any haters of manga to say that this type of literature is silly and worthless :P (I've heard these exact words uttered by parents in the library so excuse my passionate moment please).

Roomies by Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando- Review

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate. (goodreads.com)
 
I was very surprised with this book, I was expecting something like Fangirl. I was prepared to read about two girls in their first year of college getting acclimated to the freedom, and new people, and class load... you know, all that stuff that we've all been through. I was so shocked when it finally occurred to me that most of this book was about Lauren and EB's lives the summer before college and the e-mail exchanges between them. My roommate and I pretty much stopped after we figured out who was going to bring the TV and who was going to bring the fridge (I was the fridge). I love that Lauren and EB sort of became each others confidants, we all know that it's easier to tell something to a complete stranger that the people closest to you.

There was so much character development in this book! It was so intense! Without giving too much away these girls really learn a lot their last summer home before college, it's amazing how over a three month period you can learn more about yourself and your wants, than in the four years of high school.

I don't feel like I can say anymore without spoiling, I'll just announce that I'm going to dub this my first 5 stars book of the year. I was pleasantly surprised, this book had a lot going for it.

Feature and Follow #6

Feature and Follow is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Question of the Week: What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

I'm looking forward to so many books that I can hardly stand it.

Cress by Marissa Meyer- I was such a fan of the first two books and we even did a Skype chat with Marissa. She's so awesome, and she's kind of a nerd too which I love!


Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige- I'm a sucker for story adaptations.


The Treatment by Suzanne Young- Sequel to The Program I can't wait for this book!!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Erased

 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

 They thought they had escaped. They were wrong.

After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is trying to make sense of the memories resurfacing from her old life. At the same time, she's learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
Then a figure from Anna's childhood reappears. Is it a Branch setup, or could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Uncertain of where her loyalties lie, Anna must fight to learn the truth -- before she is betrayed again. Ultimately, the answers hinge on one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep readers guessing until the last age is turned. (goodreads.com)

I have this book sitting on my coffee table and I can't wait to read it. I read the first book in the series, Altered, not too long ago and there's still a large part of Anna and the boy's past that we know nothing about and I feel like more of the mysteries are going to come to light with this new book.

I just have to finish my book club book first, I kind of don't want to :(