This Is Not a Drill

This Is Not a Drill
Beck McDowell
Penguin
10/25/2012
From: Library

Grade: C
Audience: Teens





Synopsis:

Two teens try to save a class of first-graders from a gun-wielding soldier suffering from PTSD.

When high school seniors Emery and Jake are taken hostage in the classroom where they tutor, they must work together to calm both the terrified children and the gunman threatening them—a task made even more difficult by their recent break-up. Brian Stutts, a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq, uses deadly force when he's denied access to his son because of a custody battle. The children's fate is in the hands of the two teens, each recovering from great loss, who now must reestablish trust in a relationship damaged by betrayal. Told through Emery and Jake's alternating viewpoints, this gripping novel features characters teens will identify with and explores the often-hidden damages of war.

My thoughts: 
I really wanted to like this book. Though it is a sad topic I still wanted a great book. For some reason I just couldn't. The first thing that could have influences my dislike is how close to the Sandy Hook shooting it is. It was not the same thing, obviously, but it was a a man with a mental illness terrifying a bunch of 1st graders with a gun. I kept flashing back to that with every page.

The other thing about it that I was not too fond of is the way it kept going back to the past. I would just be getting into the story and then *boom* rewind. I would have preferred it having separate chapters for the flashbacks.

If I could ignore those two things it was an okay book. The characters were likable despite their struggles. They had a great chemistry (when they were not being traumatized) and worked well as a team. The little kids were portrayed accurately. You could really feel their innocence.

I recommend this book to people who don't mind going back and forth between time periods.

Wednesday Wishlist

Wednesday Wishlist is a feature I started years ago. I spotlight 1 book that is already out that I want to read and review.

Winter Longing
Tricia Mills
Penguin
8/12/2010









Synopsis:

When Winter's boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she's robbed of the future she'd only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer's presence continues to haunt her.

But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can't change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?

Why I want to review it: 
This sounds like an incredibly emotional story. I can feel Winter's pain just reading they synopsis so I can only imagine the emotions I would feel for her throughout the book.

Where the Light Falls

Where the Light Falls

Katherine Keenum

Penguin 

2/5/2013

 From: The publisher

Grade: B

Audience: Adult

Synopsis (Barnes and Noble):

As the Belle Epoque dawns, Paris attracts artists from everywhere. One is Jeanette Palmer, daughter of a prominent Ohio family, who has left Vassar College under a cloud of scandal.

Amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and teaching studios, Jeanette befriends other female artists, as well as an American Civil War veteran named Edward Murer. She begins to achieve a level of artistic success. And her happiness increases as she and Edward grow more intimate with each other.

But Edward is plagued by his demons and addicted to laudanum—and as the world opens its arms to Jeanette, and the society around her is transformed by cultural and scientific innovations, she must resolve a conflict utterly new to so many women: the choice between ambition and love. 

My thoughts: 

Historical fiction is very touch and go with me. I think I have to be in the right frame of mind when I start reading it. I am a huge contemporary fan and when I do go back in time I prefer less 1950's and up. This book somehow made me want to read it from the moment it arrived at my door. I settled in to read it that night.

The characters were beautifully developed and I enjoyed learning their stories. It is so rare when you like every character in a story. I could not help but feel that way with these people. 

The story had a easy flow and kept you turning the pages. I stayed up way too late reading this book because of that. The story developed perfectly over time, not giving you too much too son. That played a key role in my desire to read it. 

I recommend this to all my adult readers.

 

Must Monday

Must Monday is a feature I started years ago. I spotlight one book that is not yet out but I am dying to read and review.

Star Crossed
Jennifer Echols
Pocket Books
2/26/2013









Synopsis:

He said . . . She said.

Publicist Wendy Mann has always competed hotly with her rival Daniel Blackstone, but this time they’re headed for a collision. Wendy’s job is on the line if she doesn’t save the image of a spoiled young starlet who’s posting provocative pictures of herself all over the Internet in a snarky attempt at revenge on her former boyfriend. Daniel is representing the ex, a onetime teen heartthrob who never grew up. With the feuding Hollywood pair scheduled to appear on the same Las Vegas awards show, Daniel and Wendy are determined to do whatever it takes to defend their own clients.

Unfortunately, the chemistry between Wendy and Daniel is even more explosive than that of their Hollywood stars. L-O-V-E was always a four-letter word for these two ultra-competitors; they never counted on the scorching heat that erupts between them. But Wendy’s high-gloss exterior hides a dark past—one that’s lurking behind the bright Vegas lights. Their careers are on the line, and so is Wendy’s life. . . .

Why I want to review this: 
I adore Jennifer and her writing is always superb. I worked with her back in 2009 when Going Too Far came out. Ever since then I have been a big fan.

Ali's Pretty Little Lies

Ali's Pretty Little Lies
Sara Shepard
Pretty Little Liars series
HarperCollins
1/2/2013

Rated: A
For: Teens





Synopsis:

Before there was A, there was Alison DiLaurentis. Boys wanted to date her, girls wanted to be her, and somebody wanted her dead. . . .

It's the end of seventh grade, and Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the girls of Rosewood Day. Ali runs her clique with an iron fist, and she's got enough dirt on Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer to keep them in line. But Ali's hiding a dark secret of her own, something so huge it would destroy everything if it ever got out. She's desperate to keep the perfect life she's worked so hard to build, but in Rosewood deadly secrets have deadly consequences. . . .

Set in the weeks leading up to Ali's murder, this special Pretty Little Liars tale is told by the prettiest little liar of all: Ali herself. For the first time ever, we see how the mystery began . . . and how Alison DiLaurentis's life ended.

My thoughts: 
I was incredibly surprised by this book. I only read it because I feel like I have to finish the series but now I am glad that I did. I really have no desire to read about a bunch of middle school kids running around because I am way past that stage in life. This book had no childish games being played. The girls seemed way older and more mature than any middle school kid I have ever met. They were going through very adult things. Do not let their age keep you from reading this book.

I really liked that this book helped me to see how things came to be. The story is not as black and white as we think it is. Was Ali really just a bitch? Is there more to the story? You will find out in this book. We have known all along that there was something that made each girl want to be her friend. From the outside I have always been skeptical because Ali seems like a real pain the butt to me. After this installment I feel like I have a better understanding. It renewed my faith in this series a little bit.

The storyline was pretty typical for this series. Not a lot at first but about half way through you can't put it down. The story became very addicting, as always. Some parts were cheesy and predictable but for the most part it was way better written then the last few books in the series.

I recommend this to fans of the series. I recommend the series to teens and reluctant readers. 

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

Tiger Eyes
Judy Blume











Synopsis:

 Davey has never felt so alone in her life. Her father is dead—shot in a holdup—and now her mother is moving the family to New Mexico to try to recover.

Climbing in the Los Alamos canyon, Davey meets the mysterious Wolf, who can read Davey’s “sad eyes.” Wolf is the only person who seems to understand the rage and fear Davey feels.

Slowly, with Wolf’s help, Davey realizes that she must get on with her life. But when will she be ready to leave the past behind and move toward the future? Will she ever stop hurting?

Resettled in the "Bomb City" with her mother and brother, Davey Wexler recovers from the shock of her father's death during a holdup of his 7-Eleven store in Atlantic City.

My thoughts:
This is my all time favorite book. I have read this book 7 or 8 times but not since I have been an adult. With the upcoming movie release (this girl is working on getting tickets to the Atlanta, GA premiere) I decided I had to read it again. This time my husband and I read it together! I was so happy that he loved it. I would go to put it down after reading to him for half an hour and he would beg me to read just one more chapter. Davey has the sarcastic spunk that he appreciates.

I have yet to read a book the dives so realistically into the depths of loss. Usually we see the loss from how one character reacts to the story. Judy was able to show us just how changed everyone in the story was because of this death, all while keeping the main focus on Davey. You can feel the hurt and desperation as if you were a part of the story.

Each character is incredibly well developed. You see all sides of them at some point. Davey's friend Jane is one of my favorite characters because of that. She is seen so differently through each persons eyes. Her parents see her as an angel, her teachers see her as intelligent, and Davey see's her as... actually I'm going to make you read and find that one out.

I recommend this book to everyone. I know I am a crazy fan girl but I accept that. I remember in Middle School my English teacher offered extra credit to those who wrote an author and got a response. I wrote Judy (not that I needed extra credit, can you say overachiever) and was so excited that she wrote back. Pretty sure that was the highlight of 7th grade....

Wednesday Wishlist

Wednesday Wishlist is a feature I started years ago. I spotlight a book that has been out for some time that I want to read and review.

Aces Up
Lauren Barnholdt
Random House
8/10/2010








Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old high school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley, but her dad just lost his job, and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped.

When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore.

Soon Shannon's caught up in a web of lies and deceit that makes worrying about tuition money or a high school crush seem like kid stuff. Still, when the money's this good, is the fear of getting caught reason enough to fold?

Why I want to review it: 
I read her book Watch Me a year or so ago. It was incredibly enjoyable to read. I read it all in one sitting. I am hoping this one will be just as refreshing.

Must Monday

Must Monday is a feature I started years ago where I post about a book that is not yet out but I am dying to read and review.

Slated
Teri Terry
Nancy Paulsen Books
1/24/2013








Synopsis:

Kyla has been Slated—her memory and personality erased as punishment for committing a crime she can’t remember. The government has taught her how to walk and talk again, given her a new identity and a new family, and told her to be grateful for this second chance that she doesn’t deserve. It’s also her last chance—because they’ll be watching to make sure she plays by their rules.

As Kyla adjusts to her new life, she’s plagued by fear. Who is she, really? And if only criminals are slated, why are so many innocent people disappearing? Kyla is torn between the need to know more and her instinct for self-preservation. She knows a dangerous game is being played with her life, and she can’t let anyone see her make the wrong move . . . but who can she trust when everyone is a stranger?

Why I want to review this book: 
I have never read anything like this book. It sounds so intense. I feel like this would be the kind of book you have to dedicate an evening to reading because it is not letting you go.