Book Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

December 23rd, 2008
Walker Books for Young Readers
360 pages (Paperback)

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart. (From GoodReads)

My senior chemistry teacher made us sit in alphabetical order too, but this never happened to me.  And I almost went to University for chemistry.  And I almost changed majors to chemistry this past semester.  I was very wrong in thinking nursing involve chemistry...

This book was fabulous and adorable and all-things wonderful.  I sat in the sunshine and read the whole thing and enjoyed every page.  The pace was good.  The relationship had just enough tension to keep me intrigued, without annoying me too badly.  I'm a sucker for a good starcrossed lovers tale.  And there was violence.  My cup of tea.

My only complaint would be the Spanish.  Yes, it's essential to the book, and I'm not saying it shouldn't be there.  But I don't know any Spanish.  Some days I can barely handle English (don't even get me started on French...).  The Spanish was getting on my nerves, because I had no idea what it meant and wasn't about to look it up each time.  Random question: Are there any eReaders with Translators in them?  My Kobo has a dictionary, but no translator.  Just curious.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Published June 7th, 2011 by HarperTeen
368 pages (Hardcover)

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have. 

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them. 

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time. (From GoodReads)

I have a love/hate for books like this.  I love them because they make me laugh.  I hate them because they make me feel like I wasted my high school years.  

However, despite feeling like I need to repeat my high school experience and get it right this time, I loved this book.  I would call this a great beach read.  It was fast-paced and witty.  I'm usually not a fan of flashbacks, but the writing style of this book made it work.  If you have a few hours to simply lounge around in the sun, pick up this book.

And don't get me started on the ending!  I thought I had it all figured out (I was kinda right), but there are a couple of extra tidbits added in that just pull everything together wonderfully.

When I finished it, I actually had a little freak-out and hoped there was a sequel (which there isn't and there should be!)  I wanted more!  SO much more!  I want more Hudson!

In summary, read this.  Yup.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: 40 Things I Want To Tell You by Alice Kuipers

Check it out on GoodReads here !

I probably should have seen the big plot twist coming, but I really didn't.

I have really mixed feelings about this book.  On one hand, it's discussing a very real issue in our society, which is great.  However, I spent the majority of the book wanting to punch Bird in the face.  As a character, she just annoyed me so much.

I was conflicted on the writing style as well.  I like the Top Tips that pop up throughout (I'm gonna make the Flan), and the integration of the advice column was good.  But the same things seemed to be happening over and over again.  At one point it felt like I kept reading the same page multiple times.

Overall, if you prefer real-life over the paranormal trend, check this book out!

Much love, Samantha