Sarah Dessen

  I have decided that I cannot write a review for every single Sarah Dessen book... I mean I could, but I don't want to. Not because I'm lazy, or because I didn't like her writing, but because I loved her writing.

  I have read every Sarah Dessen book. The first one I read was "Lock and Key". I was 11 when I read it and still remember it. The story was about development and assimilation. And the most recent book that I've finished by Dessen is "Dreamland". It's a heart wrenching story about abuse and loss. In between those two, somewhere I read "Just Listen". It's funny actually... My name is close to the female protagonist's and my boyfriend and her boyfriend have the same name and the exact same personality... anyway... This is a story about falling outs, trauma, and mental illness.

  What I'm trying to say is Sarah Dessen captures basically everything into a collection of YA books. I also want to point out that all of the characters are connected to the other characters Dessen has created. A huge thing I look for in books is a way to relate to the characters. Sarah Dessen makes this so easy. Each girl is given a different back story, a unique personality, and a different problem. But each girl is written so amazingly that it's easy to relate to every one despite the differences.

  I don't however, like how we are thrown into the middle of a situation in the beginning of every book. Other than that, the books are easy to get into, hard to put down, and the stories stay with you for a while. 

  These books are geared towards teenage girls and that's who I'd recommend them to.

The Fault in Our Stars

  "The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green is the best YA book I have read. Ever. Everyone has either read it, seen it, or heard about it. It's about two teenagers with cancer. Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus "Gus" Waters. John Green is an amazing writer and I don't like him very much for that reason.
  He is able to write a book from the point of a teenage girl SO, SO well. What's more, is that this teenage girl has cancer in her lungs. I could say so many things about such a small book. Okay? Okay. This is obviously a tragic love story. It's also realistic fiction. It's a work of literary genius. Every word is carefully crafted and the tone and the mood of every line is so clearly conveyed. It feels like you ARE Hazel. and it feels like you're feeling what she's feeling.
  I read the book in 3 days. I COULD NOT put this book down, like it was glued to my face. It's a metaphor. Every page is a roller coaster of emotion and everything is flawlessly written. Gus and Hazel are teenagers. They walk, talk, sound, behave, and look like normal teenagers would. They are stressed. Both respond like any normal teen would. They cry. They break things. They cry more. They talk. And cry more.
  There is so much humor and happiness in the book as well. The characters are all funny and they all have unique personalities that are so perfectly illustrated. The book shines a light on other problems besides break ups and bad test grades and mean parents. It brings this side of life out of the shadows.
  I seriously recommend this book to everyone ever. It's the kind of book that will be good to have on your read list

Sad News

  I want to take your attention from the books and their reviews for a moment and talk about some real world stuff that affects readers in the Broome County area and myself.
  My "deal" with Penguin Group is that they send books to me (ones I've asked for and others) and I can review them on my blog to help promote the books. I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing this so much, and I need to thank Diane Quattrochi who is a family friend and works with Penguin Young Readers, for giving me this amazing opportunity. On my social media accounts I actually say I work for Penguin as an unofficial "Book- Reviewer". It's a gift that keeps on giving. I have been introduced to so many new authors and have read so many good books. I have also developed quite an impressive book collection. I am so thankful to be allowed the privilege of doing this.
  Sadly, the local chapter of Penguin Group is closing this coming February. Random House has recently purchased Penguin. Mrs. Quattrochi along with many other people will be losing their jobs in Penguin Group. It's very sad and I feel so bad for the people losing their jobs.
  There comes the inevitable question of the book-sale, though it's one of the less important. This November will be the last book-sale. I'm very sad but also very excited. This will be our last chance to buy books from Penguin at such a low price. I plan on saving basically all of the money I make leading up to the sale. These last few months will also be my last chance to ask for books to read and review. I recommend you save your money as well and I also strongly recommend buying everything you can.
  I hate to break this news... though I'm not really. But I thought you guys ought to know if you didn't already.

Legend (not "Prodigy")

  "Legend" by Marie Lu, is set in a post- modern civil war time frame. So basically, after our time but before the apocalypse. What was previously North America, is now divided into two countries at war with each other. The Republic and The Colonies. Two teenagers named Day and June take our minds in this swift moving novel. They are both remarkably smart, fast, driven, and caring. However, Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal. And June is a military Prodigy, for the Republic, and is assigned to try and lure Day into the Republic's custody.
  I'm not going to lie, this book is so hard to write about. it's taken me over a year to figure out how to write about it. I absolutely loved it. I loved all of the drama (who doesn't?!) and I loved the light it shone onto what our society is deep down. The book illustrated the military side of our country, and the educational and the technologically advanced side with it. Lu also made sure to show the corruption in the military and the educational system and the modern technology.
  The romance embedded into the story is also dramatic and extreme and beautiful. I can't really talk about it without giving it away but I want to. The whole story itself is tragic and unfortunate. It's gripping and I couldn't put it down.
  I didn't, however, like how the characters fit the perfect mold society has created in a sense. It seemed like too much stress and responsibility to be put on teenagers. It would have been a little better if they weren't already in the adult mindset and if they fed into the "teenagery" habits a little bit more. Pressure doesn't affect Day and June like normal teenagers and it makes it difficult to relate to.
  Katniss cracked under the pressure placed on her. She had nightmares, and she kissed the wrong people at the wrong times. Tris shut people out at times and was fairly reckless in most situations. All I'm saying is these characters in "Legend" were beautiful but too perfect. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing book, but like teenagers, it wasn't perfect.
 

I always write like I'm writing a school paper. I normally use a little rubric that I found when writing my first review and have recently noticed that I give a lot away and I sound like a Robot. This time I tried to break from that rubric a little.

Tarnish

"Tarnish" by Katherine Longshore was a seriously captivating book. It took me a week and I could NOT put it down. Anne Boleyn arrives back at the English Court from the French Court and is immediately disliked for her French demeanor and her sharp tongue. Her sister Mary is the king's "whore" and their brother George is a drunk. Anne Boleyn doesn't fit in and Thomas Wyatt (a married poet) bets Anne that he can make her shine. Anne Boleyn wants to change but she wants people to hear what she has to say. Katherine Longshore shines Anne Boleyn's story under a modern light and it is beautiful.

While I truly loved this book, I didn't like how Longshore built on a certain relationship and then just let it crash in the last few chapters. It was also upsetting the way women were demeaned and insulted and disrespected. It also makes me grateful for the way times have changed. I very much understand that Anne and a certain person do not end up together in history, and Ms. Longshore cannot control the way women were treated, and I 'm so not saying these things affected the integrity of the book. I did love the relationship between Wyatt and Anne, as it was very loose and educated.
This book is very obviously historically influenced. I recommend it to anyone interested in the early 1600s, anyone who finds interest in scandal, and anyone who is willing to broaden their mental dictionary.

Just an Update

So I haven't posted in forever! I apologize! I know I promised that I would more but my classes are hard and I've had so much homework. I hope you all had a very happy and satisfying Christmas! I sure did. I got a tablet and it has a very handy jack for my wireless keyboard!! I just noticed this about 15 minutes ago and thought of all the reviews I haven't posted.
I got so many books at my favorite book sale, and sadly I've only read one of them. "Tarnish" was awesome and I am in the process of writing a review for it. I'm currently reading "Allegiant", and I'm so in love with it! I am also re-reading the Harry Potter series (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!) and am currently on The Goblet of Fire. I will of course, eventually, have a review for that as well.
I hope you all are having a good year so far, and I hope your year stays good.

Inside Out & Back Again

  "Inside Out & Back Again" is an incredibly moving, true story of a ten year old who lives in Saigon, but sadly, the Vietnam War nears closer to her home. In the first few pages we learn that Hà is a stubborn girl (A.K.A. a rebel) who knows what she is supposed to do, but does what she sees fit. We also see that see is the youngest, and is the only daughter. Her mother is clearly the head of the house. after a few poems, Hà and her family must flee, and they end up taking refuge in Alabama, where Hà's journey really begins.
  This book may be a much lower reading level than I am used to, but this story is just so beautiful. Thanhha Lai incorporates her memories, from when she was in this same situation, into this little girl's story. Hà is no doubt, my favorite character. The simplicity in her attitude makes me so happy, but at the same time, very sad because when she moves to Alabama, she has no idea how mean and vicious American children can be. Reading about Hà's struggle with the "Pink Boy" made me so sad, but like she says "The pity giver feels better, never the pity receiver."
  I would also like to say that I did not come across this book using my Penguin Group connection, but through the New York State curriculum. I was not supposed to finish this book so soon (I just got it yesterday), but i couldn't help it. I'm not sure who specifically to recommend this amazing book to. I do believe that this book is a MUST READ no matter how old you are.

"Matched" (not whole series)

  Matched is (of course) is set in a post- apocalyptic society. Unlike other books  I have read, it's not a Dystopian environment, but a Utopian one. Cassia, Xander, and Ky all live it the province of Oria. When Cassia and Xander are Matched, Cassia is required to view a slide show about Xander. At the end Ky's face pops up which is clearly a mistake on the Society's (Their Nation) part. The Society never makes mistakes. Everything is transferred to technologically advanced devices. Pens, pencils, and paper have been eliminated. Illnesses, deformities, and diseases like the flu, Autism, and Alzheimer's have been cured, so every body is also perfect. The point is, this seemingly little mistake is actually a huge mistake that begins Cassia's fight for her society's god given rights.
  While the facts are cool and all, this book Reached me on Cassia's determination and love for the people close to her, is overwhelming and it makes the book that much more amazing. Every other in "Matched", we constantly hear about how much Cassia loves and adores her family. I also like how Cassia is relieved when she is Matched to Xander. She doesn't have to move to another province, and she doesn't have to leave her family. I also relate to that whole being with your best fiend thing:). Though I do like almost all of the book, I  find it incredibly weird and a little ridiculous that they don't have a prominent leader. I also find it mind blowing that the citizens don't have books. I think I'd die without books. I'm not sure how other people will connect to this book but I find it moving, and I absolutely recommend this book to those people who are very particular about everything, and also to anyone who like the Dystopia/ Utopia setting. Thank you for reading. :):)

Apologies!

  I'm SO(!) sorry that  I did not post all summer. My aunt just got married and I was in her wedding! School also just started for me last Thursday. I just want to let you all know that I may not be totally on top of the whole blogging thing.
  If you haven't already you can follow me on Instagram (dreamland1219).If you want a preview of reviews to come, I often post pictures of the book I am currently reading. I also have a Wattpad account(Bookworm1219).
  I read a few books over the summer and have more reviews for you eager readers! I read three books by Sarah Dessen, and two other unforgettable books that I recommend to everyone and anyone, but I have not yet written reviews for any of them. Again, I apologize. But I do have reviews for books that I read at the end of last school year. If you want to know what books I have read this summer, below is a list. :)

• "The Probability of Miracles" by Wendy Wunder (Yes that is her real name!)
• "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
• "The Truth About Forever" by Sarah Dessen
• "Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen
• "Dreamland" by Sarah Dessen (Inspired my Instagram name!)
• "The Disenchantments" by Nina LaCour

  I just want to thank Penguin/ Putam for the amazing books that they send to me!! Below is a list of some other amazing Penguin/ Putnam books.

• "Vampire Academy" a saga by the amazing Richelle Mead
• "Bloodlines"  a trilogy also by Richelle Mead
• "Dreamland Social Club" by Tara Altebrando
• "Babe in Boyland" by Jody Gehrman

  I also want to thank the 1,000 people who have viewed my blog!! It makes me so happy and giddy to open up my blog after two months and to see that my pageveiws went up that much!! I love you all and thank you!!!!