Rapid Reviews. . . .HG, IAN4, DUFF, Locket.

I have read a lot of books since my last review but haven't had the chance to review any of them. Some I wasn't even going to bother with but decided to compile in a "Rapid Review" . . . So, here goes:

#1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ()
Yeah, you saw right. . . I only gave this book TWO stars! I'm going to be completely blunt; What the hell did you people see in this book!?
It's been a few months since I've read this book and my views haven't changed. In fact, I've actually blocked a LOT of what happens in this book. I was not fond of the killing for public entertainment. The names (screw the fact that it's in the future. . . Katniss?), The way Katniss strings along Peeta (who was the ONLY good part of this book), the "twist" at the end, four full pages about her sisters goat, there was no climax, it was "action" the entire time without the action.
I can't give a good review to a book I just wanted to throw. And I've read reviews where people cried. Yeah, I wanted to cry because it was sooo boring & frustrating!!! The one other person who agrees with me? Another Book Junkie!
Now, I want to give it one star. I seriously regret buying this book and will NOT read the rest of the series and won't bother with the movie.  (Well, I may just for Elizabeth Banks and Josh Hutcherson.)

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#2. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (1/2)

When I realized this book was about aliens I knew I wanted to read it immediately. I love sci-fi! As I began reading it I couldn't help but compare everything John does and his powers to Superman. . . (I am very into Superman). . . His super strength, all his abilities, etc. But there were so man differences that it didn't really bother me. 

There was action, romance, futuristic-ness, suspense, romance, I loved it! I rarely read books from a male's POV, because not many are written but even though he was the one talking I still swooned over him. 

Again, it's been awhile since I've read this book so I can't remember all the details I'm sure I loved. 

I will say the movie compared to the book--there is none. I did not like the movie AT ALL. So do not skip the book based on the movie. (Though a lot of people liked it...) I thought the actors fit the characters perfectly, but the way they "movie-fied" it tore away from the book. 

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#3. The DUFF by Kod Keplinger()
I LOVED this book! It was fast paced, real, raw, and kept me completely interested the entire time. It could be because I can relate to Bianca. The girl who is honest maybe a tad bitchy, but feels lost in a world where everyone seems to know their place. And though she finds an outlet that I would rather run from, shut the door lock, bolt and nail a couple planks of ply-wood up for good measure, I can understand why she chose a more distructive outlet. Her life has kind of always been planned for her and she's never really had a chance to be who she wants, so she tries something that's otherwise forbidden with the hottie douche-wagon of the school and finds out she likes it.
(Basically if you listen to John Mayer's song "Assassin" [here] it kind of sums up Wesley's POV.)
We all know how the book would end but the way it ended had me smiling from ear to ear.
There are some rique scenes in there that had me feeling awkward yet loving every minute of.
I picked this book up at about 12am intending to just start the book. I'd get up to do things trying to avoid reading it in one night, but about 4am rolls around and I've finished it. And I want to read it again. But I refrained.
This is a book I wish I'd bought! (And I will, soon.)

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#4. The Locket by Stacey Jay () - ARC

I wasn't thrilled about reading this book, but I figured it'd be a fantasy fluff read that I'd whizz through without any real attachments. It was a fantast fluff read, and I didn't have attachments, but I didn't whizz through it and in fact I left about the last 20 pages unread. Just reading the last page. It wasn't even fluff it was almost gag worthy(the ending) and I love the girliest of girliest type of books and movies, so that's saying a lot.

Katie finds a locket in her grandmother's belongings (hello, thief) and decides to wear it on her anniversary with her boyfriend Isaac. She's done regrettable things in the past and it turns out Isaac knows it, so he leaves her on the side of the road in the pouring rain (hello, douche). It's then that she's sent back in time to the exact moment before she makes her mistake. From that point on I knew this book was going to aggravate me. . . and it did.

There were so many inconsistencies and things that don't make sense even if you go back in time I don't understand how things that would happen before that moment would have changed. I'm sure this was going for the whole Butterfly Effect kind of thing, but how do things happen change if she never went back that far. I asked questions. I didn't get answers. How does someone she never really met all the sudden have a kid. A building (I'm sure was built before she was born) change directions. The fact that I was more concerned with this things than the actual story shows how much I cared. 

Isaac was a douche, Katie was whiny and obnoxious, and Mitch was the one from the start --duh! 

(Wow, that was incredibly negative...sorry.) This book in NO WAY turns me away from Stacey Jay. I want to read her new book Juliet Immortal even though I loved Romeo & Juliet, I'd like to see a different aspect!

These reviews are matters of opinions! I appologize if I offend anyone with anything I've said. I have been reading a lot books lately that I just do not like and I mainly see positive reviews raving of these books and I think there needs to be more honest opinions that show both positive and negative reviews. 

Rapid Review (3)

This is a post containing two or more books that I've read in the past week or two and I'll be giving a short review for all of them in one blog. I'll rate them and tell you if I recommend them. I will not post the summary, you can click the title to go to goodreads.com to read it there. (*They are usually books that aren't in a challenge or are Adult.)

Something Like Fate by: Susane Colasanti
 -- Recommended
Young Adult -- 240 pages
I have read two other Susane Colasanti books and enjoyed them both. I didn't think they were as good as this one though. Yes, I understand that for some people the way Colasanti writes may be quite frustrating. Excerpt from book: Someone comes up behind me and bumps their tray into mine. I spin around, annoyed. Then I realize it’s Jason.
He’s like, “Hey.” ---- “Big spender,” I tell him. “I know, right?” And then we’re just there with our trays. “Anyway,” Jason goes. She uses this "like" and "goes" throughout the book, and I'll admit with the first book it aggravated me, the second one was mildly annoying, now it's just another way someone writes a book. And now that I'm completely past it I think that's why I enjoyed this one more than the others. 
Susane does a great job making this book personal, however I really wish there was more interaction showed between Jason and Lani. More make out scenes. ;-) 
I did catch that Jason states something later in the book that reminded me of a song. I listened to "Love Song for No One" by: John Mayer and found it, asked Susane via twitter and sure enough, she got inspiration from that song. I knew it had to be true, because I know how obsessed Susane is with John Mayer. But surprisingly (other than that inspiration) there is no mention of Mayer in this book.
Anyways, I'm rambling. Basically it's definitely Susane's best and I can't wait to read her next one. 

The Boy Next Door by: Meg Cabot
-- Recommended
Adult -- 379 pages
This is the first Meg Cabot book I've read and I loved it! I'll definitely be reading the next one in the series. It's not a series that necessarily follows the same people, that's a bummer, but I like the way she writes so I'm okay with that.
This book is completely in email format. It was a little weird at times and I would have liked to see what was going on at that exact moment, but I did like it. And I couldn't imagine the book any other way. I don't think the other two (Boy Meets Girl and Every Boy's Got One) are in email format, though.
Most of the book was a little predictable after the first few emails, but I was okay with that. Good writing wins me over anytime.
I loved the ending. Loved the middle. Loved the beginning. Not necessarily in that order.
I don't think anyone actually emails as much as the people in this book do, but I kind of wish people did. Everything is all statuses and instant messages.
I can't wait to read another Meg Cabot book. In fact I'm really excited for Insatiable the newest book from Meg Cabot. I've heard great things about it.

Dead and Gone (#9) by: Charlaine Harris
-- Recommended
Adult -- 320 pages
It took me an exceptionally long time to get this book read. It wasn't because I wasn't into it...I really don't know why. I think it's because I wasn't in the best of moods every time I picked it up, and Charlaine Harris's writing can get a little obnoxious at times.
This book answered so many things that have gone on in this series and I was relieved with that. But of course it brought up so many more questions. And unfortunately (or fortunately, however you look at it) I like Bill again. I will always love Eric a little more (and there is lots of yummy Eric action in this book), but Bill was first--lame.
The cover usually always depicts the most important scene in the book or the climax of the book, but this one didn't, so it completely threw me off. I know what Sookie is holding, but I don't understand why Bill is also on the cover...but that's not important. What is important is what she's holding...such a happy part of the book. (Probably more for Eric than Sookie.)
I loved that there was more than one "climax" to the book, so I really don't know which is the intended one. I'm completely glad Quinn is gone and I do miss Alcide. But everyone else is there and accounted for (who hasn't died thus far.)
I'm putting the next one--Dead in the Family--on hold at the library ASAP. I'm not waiting for paperback.

Rapid Review (2)

This is a post containing two or more books that I've read in the past week or two and I'll be giving a short review for all of them in one blog. I'll rate them and tell you if I recommend them.

Need by: Carrie Jones
3 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
From the cover to the summary to the cryptic one-word name, everything about this book seems so very interesting. But then we get to the innards...
There's only one word I can say about this book: Twilight. Yes, Twilight, the wildly popular book by Stephenie Meyer. The comparisons between the book are so similar that I found myself beginning to say "Bella" instead of "Zara" and Nick was almost a perfect mix of Edward and Jacob.
There are differences like this book is about pixies, human size/looking, blood hungry, pixies...okay so not that different.
After witnessing her step dad die of a heart attack, Zara's mother sends her to Maine; a cold, grey, dreary place; to live with her grandmother--an EMT. From the minute Zara moves to Maine she realizes there is something off about the small town. And there may be things lurking in the forest...she knows because they call her name.
I found myself reading this book wishing it'd pick up and move along but there were some parts I was really into. Like when Zara would quote phobias when she was nervous or scared. I never really got a feel for any of the characters, not even Zara, the narrator. I didn't feel this book had enough depth.
There is a second book to this series, Captivate, that I will be reading only to see where the story will go. Though Jones wrapped this one nicely that you don't feel anxious for the next one.
I wouldn't not recommend this to people who enjoy supernatural stories...but if you're looking for an original, this isn't really it.

Forever... by: Judy Blume
3.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
I have always wanted to read a Judy Blume book and I'm quite into YA's so I figured I'd merge the two and read Forever. Though the book flowed nicely and never really lagged I began to know exactly where the book was heading about half-way through and I didn't like it.
Kath and Michael's relationship through out the book moves along rather quickly. And because there is no defining day as to when it started and continued, you weren't sure exactly how fast it was moving.
I did feel that the style of writing was very YA but the actual wording and context were maybe more for adult. But since I'm 21, I have no problem with that.
I have to say that I wasn't happy with the ending...I wanted more. At least two or three pages. I'd have like to know a little more about Kath, Michael, and Erica's futures.
The book is a very quick read. And I did enjoy it...until the last five page.

Rapid Review (1)

This is a post containing two or more books that I've read in the past week or two and I'll be giving a short review for all of them in one blog. I'll rate them and tell you if I recommend them.

A Season of Eden by: J.M. Warwick
4.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
The flow of this book is phenomenal along with how eloquently it's written. I haven't read a book that kept a steady pace in a long time. However because this book is so short -about 248 pages - we really didn't get to know the characters all that well or get to know their relationships. Especially outside of the relationship between Eden and Mr. Christian.
Upon first reading the summary and glancing at the cover I expected the book to be dark, moody and very depressing. I mean, a teen falling in love with a teacher--not all that light hearted. But it was just that. I feel there really wasn't a real climax in the story, but it is short so I could do without.
One thing I absolutely hated was that J.M. Warwick kept using the word "Retard" in a derogatory and negative way. Authors are obviously very talented and sharp tongued that I think there are many other words that could have been used. I hope in future books of hers that I will be reading she leaves out this atrocity of a word.
I truly recommend this book for a quick book about sacrifice, love, and how far you'll go for the one you love.

How to Hook a Hottie by: Tina Ferraro
4.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
This was almost exactly what I was expecting by the title and summary. A light simple book that may be a little younger than YA. But that isn't a bad thing. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Like A Season of Eden it's a short book and goes by really quickly. The characters don't have much time to develop but it seems even though there wasn't much time I still related to and understood Kate.
Though there were things I expected to happen and didn't I wasn't surprised that they didn't. I wasn't completely taken aback by anything that happened. But it kept a smile on my face the entire time
Kate's plans for her future are completely unrealistic, but she doesn't go on and on about them, so when she realizes they're unrealistic you're not wanted to slap her saying, "I told you so." You just nod your head and keep reading.
I recommend this book for an afternoon  at the beach or lounging at home. You'll probably get a few tips to hook your own hottie. :)

The Lucky One by: Nicholas Sparks
4 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
I am quite the Nicholas Sparks fan, though his earlier books cannot be out done.
I've picked up this book before on a whim that I'd automatically like it. I started reading it and for whatever reason put it down and never picked it back up. I don't think it was because I didn't like it because well I enjoyed it this time around. Though it took a few pep talks to get through the part I'd already read I started to get into it once Thibault finally met up with Elizabeth. The relationship between them developed quickly which helped to keep the book flowing.
The chapters I absolutely hated reading were those of Clayon...Elizabeth's ex-husband. Sparks did a great job making him out to be the jerk that he is. Sometimes I want to stay outside of the mind of a sadist. There was a couple times I had to force myself to get through his chapters. Thankfully his were the shortest.
As most Sparks fans know someone always dies in one of his books, and I was quite surprised at who did in this book. And like most of his books he wraps it up nicely with a happy ending (except Dear John--ugh).
I recommend this for a weekend staying home, on the beach, on a long car trip. Somewhere that it's okay to have a few distractions but won't take you away from the overall story.