Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han 

Simon & Schuster/May 5, 2009/Young Adult/276 pages

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY is a wonderful book to read if you want to feel closer to summer again, like I do. I didn't actually want to read this book because, and I don't know why, but I assumed that it was one of those type of summer books where 1) Girl goes to the beach and then 2) meets hot, charming boy that she never thought she could have but they end up falling in love. It isn't. 

Before I actually picked up this book, I had seen quite a few people reading it and seemed to be enjoying it. I finally got around to checking it out at the library and can see the appeal! The main character, Belly, has always to Cousins every summer since she was born. Belly's mother, Laurel, has been best friend with Susannah her whole life. Susannah has two kids, Jeremiah and Conrad. I knew from the start that she was going to have a relationship with one of them.

This book is amazing. Like I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed the fact that The Summer I Turned Pretty is a summer book that has unexpected depth to it. The scenes with Susannah were emotional…I really enjoyed her character. I liked that she would always do things for Belly, like buy her things when her mom wouldn't. I also enjoyed the flashback scenes. Reading Belly's memories of past summers were a wonderful edition to the book.

I think my favorite thing about this book was how everyone was so close with one another. I liked that Belly had a close relationship with everyone and I really love seeing this in books.

*I read this quite some time ago so I'm a little foggy on some things. Will try to reread it again before I read the last book. 

3.6 stars out of 5

RATING

Writing: 5/5

Originality: 4/5

Characters: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Ending: 3.5/5

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Cover: C. The cover is pretty and every and definitely has that summer feel to it but its only okay.
Favorite Character: Belly...Susannah. Wonderful characters.
Put-down-ability: 3. Hard to put down!

*source: public library 

Review: Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

Hyperion Book CH/2009/Young Adult/336 pages

Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year. Presenting Concerns: The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).

I really enjoyed the fact that  PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is a Young Adult book where the main character is in college; there needs to be more YA books feature college aged characters. I read the Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty, which I found really enjoyable, last year (or was it 2009?) and the main character starts off in high school and in the other books she is in college, but technically I found out that they're considered "adult" and not YA. I definitely think that its a nice change from the usual YA book that takes place in a high school setting. 

I picked up this book because the main character, Leigh Nolan, is a psychology major and that is something that I'm thinking about majoring in college myself. I loved how at the start of each chapter there is a little definition of psychology terms. The start of the book starts off with:

Psych Major Syndrome: A common affliction wherein a psychology major, overwhelmed by conditions, effects, and disorders, begins to overanalyze her own life

Alicia Thompson creates characters that are believable. Leigh goes to a small, liberal arts college. Her boyfriend also goes there. I didn't like him but I did really like Leigh and the other guy. I'm not going to use his name because I feel it would give it away, but once you're reading the book you'll know who it is right away.


This book did have it's downs. At parts it was a bit too slow for me but overall, this book was pretty good. I loved all the psychology references, like the Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank that Leigh had to fill in for one of her Psych classes. I liked that her parents studied tarot cards and all of that – that they named her Tuesday. I especially enjoyed when Leigh got assigned to go to a middle school and be a mentor for girls. Those scenes were great! 


I hope Alicia Thompson comes out with a new book. I'd love to read something else by her.

3.3 out of 5 Stars.

RATING

Writing: 4/5

Originality: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Voice: 4/5

Ending: 3/5

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Favorite character(s): Leigh. 
Cover: D. I like the colors but the girl facial expression makes it looks like she has dazed off and whatnot...

Put-down-ability: 5. This was a pretty fast read! 

*Source: public library. 

Unexpected Development by Marlene Perez

Unexpected Development by Marlene Perez Roaring Brook Press/September 2, 2004/Young Adult/176 pages

"I'm not sure you really want to get into what I did this summer, Mrs. Westland. Sex. Sex is how I spent my summer vacation." Megan knows twenty different words for "breasts," and can recite them alphabetically-but she can't remember the last time a guy looked her in the eye first, not the chest. Size matters, as Megan found out in the 5th grade, when she developed the largest breasts in the class. Now she's 17 and wearing her twin brothers' baggy sweatshirts can't hide the fact-two facts, really. When her summer job at Pancake Palace puts her in close touch with Jake, who smells like "temptation and Ivory soap," Megan wonders if he can like her for herself, not just her body. Can lusty, busty Megan learn to trust Jake -and herself? Megan tells about her summer of sex in somewhat poignant and very funny journal entries to her favorite teacher

From the beginning we find out that Megan's teacher has asked her class to do the assignment, 'how did you spend your summer vacation?' and, I don't know about you but, I don't think I would ever be comfortable enough to write what she did to her teacher. And I'm pretty close with quite a few of my teachers. What really caught my attention about this book was that the main character, Megan, has big breasts and she is very self-conscious about it t0 the point where she wants to get a breast reduction. I thought that the book was good overall but was lacking in a couple of parts. I think that the book kind of ended suddenly and that there could've been more, especially with Megan and Jake's relationship at the end of the book. I would like to say that Marlene Perez does an amazing jobs with subjects such as sexual harassment, body issues, and other sexual issues. I could definitely relate to Megan and would recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a book dealing with these things. * And this is really, really weird but as I was reading the book I kept feeling that Megan didn't sound like a Megan. Has this ever happened to anyone? Or is this just me. Haha.

RATING

Writing: 4/5

Originality: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Voice: 4/5

Ending: 3/5

Overall: 3 stars

Favorite character(s): I didn't really have a favorite character but I'll say Megan because I could relate to her a lot. Cover: C+ Uhh. Well. The cover is definitely out there. I mean, look at where the author's name is placed. Haha. This is one of those covers that I wouldn't want to be seen with because of it's revealing nature (and I get embarrassed easily) but its also one of those covers that I'd be intrigued by and want to pick up!

Put-down-ability: 3. This book is less than 200 pages, so it's a really fast read.

*Source: public library.

A Mess of Everything by Miss Lasko-Gross

A Mess of Everything by Miss Lasko-Gross

Fantagraphics Books (April 30, 2009)

Age Group: Young Adult

Paperback: 232 pages

Summary: "Melissa is now in high school, where the stakes are higher as she copes with an anxiety-induced drug habit and an anorexic best friend. Melissa finds herself negotiating the kinds of everyday problems facing young adults today—such as alienating her friends with her uncomfortable honesty and accidentally breaking her best guy friend's heart. Eventually, her woes cause her to nearly flunk out of school, and by the end of the book Melissa faces the choice that we all do at some point: to take the risk and pursue her dreams or settle for a safer, more secure routine."

Review: At the end of the day, my friend gave me this graphic novel to read. I wasn't actually planning on reading it, but since I had some free time in the class, and there was a sub in AP US History I figured I'd go ahead and read it.

A Mess of Everything is actually the 2nd book in Miss Lasko-Gross graphic novel autobiography but since it's a stand alone, you can go ahead and read it without reading the first. The comic deals with Melissa's struggle of fitting in, anorexia, friendships and so many other things. I enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty good comic!

On a random note, the book doesn't say where it takes place, but as I noticed in one of the pictures there was a building with "123 Beacon St" or something and my first thought was that it took place in Boston and then there was another picture. I checked the author's site and what do you know, she was born in Boston. Although the drawings were subtle, I'm glad there were details like that!

Graphics: I thought the drawings were well done and I really liked the saturation to them! I would give the cover a 3/5.

3 stars.

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott Publisher: Simon Pulse (March 24, 2009)

Hardcover: 224 pages

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: "Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it.

Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants -- only what she wants may not be what she needs....

Once again, Elizabeth Scott has created a world so painfully funny and a cast of characters so heartbreakingly real that you'll love being a part of it from unexpected start to triumphant finish."

Review: I have only read two other books by Elizabeth Scott: Perfect You and Bloom and they both have been amazing! I was eager to read Something, Maybe and Elizabeth Scott does it again!

The book starts off with, "Everyone's seen my mother naked," and you absolutely have to continue reading after that! Having parent's like Hannah's would be difficult for anyone. Her mother sits in front of her computer with hardly anything on and she has a father whose old enough to be her grandfather, that lives in a mansion with women like her mother.

The romance isn't overly the top. She works at BurgerTown, a popular fastfood place, with the guy she has a major crush on, Josh and the boy who annoys her, Finn. I thought Finn was sweet and didn't like Josh that much. I liked reading about Hannah's friendship with Teagan. I thought it was a really nice touch to the story!

I enjoyed the book! It was sweet and I think Elizabeth Scott has a knack for creating belivable characters which is awesome! I'd reccomend this if you're looking for a nice, realistic book to read!

Rating:

Characters: 8/10

Originality: 7/10

Ending: 7/10

Writing: 9/10

Voice: 9/10

Plot: 8/10

Favorite character(s): Finn. I can't help it. I love sweet guys like him.

Cover: D. I just do not like the cover.

Overall: 3 stars. Cute book. PLUS Hello! It's Elizabeth Scott! I need to read The Unwritten Rule!

"Charmed Thirds" Review

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

Publisher: Crown (April 11, 2006)

Hardcover, 368 pages

Reading Level: YA

Jessica Darling’s in college! Things are looking up for Jessica Darling. She has finally left her New Jersey hometown/hellhole for Columbia University in New York City; she’s more into her boyfriend, Marcus Flutie, than ever (so what if he’s at a Buddhist college in California?); and she’s making new friends who just might qualify as stand-ins for her beloved best friend, Hope. But Jessica soon realizes that her bliss might not last. She lands an internship at a snarky Brooklyn-based magazine, but will she fit in with the überhip staff (and will she even want to)? As she and Marcus hit the rocks, will she end up falling for her GOPunk, neoconservative RA . . . or the hot (and married!) Spanish grad student she’s assisting on a summer project . . . or the oh-so-sensitive emo boy down the hall? Will she even make it through college now that her parents have cut her off financially? And what do the cryptic one-word postcards from Marcus really mean? With hilarious insight, the hyperobservant Jessica Darling struggles through her college years—and the summers in between—while maintaining her usual mix of wit, cynicism, and candor. 

I recently started reading the Jessica Darling series. I loved the first 2 books, Sloppy First and Second Helpings! I was really excited to start reading this book. The first part of the book was okay, but I didn't really like the rest of it.
Now, I know that the Jessica is in college, but it was just: sex, sex, and more SEX! I mean, I guess I'm still looking for those bashful guys in the stories and awkward girls, and the first kiss is always hesitant and sweet. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with sex in YA, it was just unexpected.
One part of the book, I really loved however, was when Marcus sends Jessica a couple of through a course of a couple of years, while he is away in California at a 'college' and is going through some sort of phase. On these postcards are just one word and I really like what it spells out in the end.
And all though, I think this will probably be my least favorite book of the series, it was still an okay read! I look forward to reading the other two.
Writing: 7/10
Voice: 5/10
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 7/10
Ending: 8/10

Overall: I give this book ★★★ stars
Will have the 4th and 5th book reviews up in the next couple of weeks!
Edit: Review of Fourth Comings.