Tag Archive for: Contemporary

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That Summer

That SummerTitle: That Summer
Author: Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Pages: 198
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

THAT SUMMER wasn’t what I expected at all. I kept hoping the book would get better and that the story and/or characters would grab me at some point, but none of that happened. I was also disappointed in the ending. I felt like I had waited for something very anti-climactic and didn’t seem true to the characters portrayed in the book. Maybe I was blind, oblivious, or bored, but I didn’t see it coming. The only character I really got to know was the MC, Haven, and I didn’t like her very much. I felt bad for her in the circumstances she was in, but there was something about her that just rubbed me the wrong way.

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Wonder

WonderTitle: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Series: Wonder #1
Genre: Contemporary, Middle Grade
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 320
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I had no idea what WONDER was about when I first started reading it. I had heard so many good things about it and I agree with all of them. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It has so much good in it and I think everyone should read it–both kids and adults.

I don’t think I’ve cried more reading a book than I did with this one. And, I cried all different kinds of tears. Sad ones, happy ones, shocked ones, confused ones, and mad ones. I felt every emotion while reading this book.

I liked that Auggie’s story was told from different POVs. I appreciated more POVs than others. I loved being in Auggie’s head because, of course, only through him can you know what it’s like to be him. I also loved being in Summer’s and Jack’s heads because they were Auggie’s best friends at school. I also liked being in Vi’s head and hearing what life was like to have a brother like Auggie. Justin’s and Miranda’s POVs were just kind of meh to me. My edition also had the bonus POV from Julian and I’m really glad I got to read his for different reasons than the others.

Auggie was an inspiration to me. He took everything in stride. He had his moments like any person would, but he was so positive and so forgiving. I love that the main take away from this story is to be kind.

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Cut Me Free

Cut Me FreeTitle: Cut Me Free
Author: J.R. Johansson
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Pages: 320
Reason Read: Received for Review
Rating:

My Thoughts

When I first heard about CUT ME FREE, I was worried it would be too hard to read because it was about child abuse. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it. The story, writing, everything about it was phenomenal. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The story was so intense. I wanted to finish it as soon as I started reading it.

Johansson wrote this story in a way so that it wasn’t too graphic, but it still got the pain and sadness across. She also brought some hope into the story so it wasn’t all depressing. And, at the same time, she wrote believable characters that made you feel what they felt.

I felt so many emotions. I was so sad for Piper, Sam, and Sanda. I was horrified that people could do this and think it was okay. I’m angry that people do this and I was scared that something would happen again. Finally, I was relieved when Piper and Sanda found each other.

Piper was a great character. I loved reading her perspective. It was truthful and hesitant. Because she didn’t have a normal upbringing she questioned herself and her motives. I also loved Cam. I loved that he took an interest in Piper and he could tell that she was scared and didn’t trust anyone. I loved that he pushed her, but not too hard because he knew she needed time to heal.

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The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our StarsTitle: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 355
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I was excited to read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS because I had heard such good things about it. I’m disappointed that I didn’t love it. I liked it, though. (I’m pretty sure it’s because a coworker spoiled the whole thing for me.)

I really liked Gus a lot. I loved his outlook on life and I wanted to punch cancer in the face for him. I liked Isaac too and I loved Gus’ and Isaac’s friendship. Hazel was a little more bland for me and maybe it was because it was from her point-of-view and she was focusing on Gus rather than herself. I liked her okay. She just wasn’t memorable in the way Gus.

I liked that the story was about helping Hazel and Gus through their struggle, giving them some semblance of a life while their bodies tried to fight cancer instead of about making life okay and everything all right. I thought it made the story and struggle more real.

This is my first time reading a John Green novel. Even though I didn’t love this one, I’ll still read more of his books because he’s a fantastic writer. There was so much insight and emotion in the story. I liked that he didn’t gloss over cancer. He showed the bad side, the ugly side. It was very realistic, which didn’t dishonor victims of cancer.

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Wintergirls

WintergirlsTitle: Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 278
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

Going into WINTERGIRLS, I knew it was about eating disorders, but I didn’t know how that was going to be portrayed exactly. I figured it’d be very emotional. The first-person POV made the story seem more real, almost too real. There are times when Lia lets her negative talk run rampant and it was almost too much for me because I have a hard time dealing with my own negative talk. I can honestly say that I’ll never read this again.

The story and imagery are powerful. It’s well-written, although I didn’t like the writing style very much. While I think it’s great that Anderson tackles these horrible issues that teens face, I came away with a sense of loss, depression, and a little bit of “I could see myself doing that” kind of thinking. I don’t think that’s what Anderson was going for. I’d hope she’d want readers to come away with a sense of hope. The book does end on a positive note, but 97% of it is so depressing that the last 3% doesn’t really do much for the overall feel of the book.

If the book had been written in a third-person POV, I think I may have been more okay with this story. I may have seen the book as a help to understand what people with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia go through. But, instead, I saw too much of a mirror into myself and my own issues. I don’t suffer from either of those eating disorders, but I do suffer from an eating disorder and I suffer from self-deprecating behavior and depression. While I read this, I couldn’t stop the negative talk because it wasn’t actually mine.

I think other readers could see the value in WINTERGIRLS and its message, but it just wasn’t for me.