Reading

﻿This page is all about BOOKS. Mostly because, come Friday, I forgot a lot of the books I read in the past week. Go me? ANYWAYS! I'll try and list them here, also some books that I like and possibly reccomend for my peers. (ooh. I used a Different Word. Ooh. I'm bad.) Also, please don't think I'm a slow reader, reading only 18 books in 3 months. Most of these were pretty thick. (And quality, not quantity)

1. //The Truth About Forever//- Sarah Dessen Considered making a graphic novel out of this book, it was pretty ideal, lots of speech, descriptive words, and emotion. Sadly, the library loans don't last long enough. 2. //Just Listen//- Sarah Dessen 3. //The Clique// (manga)- Lisi Harrison and Yishan Li 4. Various //Clique// novels- Lisi Harrison

I love Sarah Dessen now. (not in the ick way, sheesh) I like how she kept the same storyline, with Wilflower Ridge and Queen Homes? Anyways. I just really like them. I probaby shouldn't post my thoughts about Lisi Harrison though. But I can clearly see how she made up Massie. Although I do like her comebacks. "Is my name V? No. Then why would I follow U?" Its sarcastic and mean, but it could come in very useful. Very useful indeed.

Clique- It was a little despicable at how conceited and materialistic they were, just to keep their alpha status, and it was even more despicable at how much they cared. I had to keep reminding myself that they were only 12. 12! I certainly have not met anyone so pretentious, and I wish the author would have made Claire overcome Massie, instead of succumbing to her, but I suppose that might not happen in real life. I admired Layne, and how she let Massie slide off her back. I didn't know why Kristen wanted to keep Layne's friendship a secret, except for the popularity. Wouldn't she rather have a true friend (whom she wouldn't have to shop and spend the thousands of dollars she never even h had) instead of Materialistic Massie? I don't think the author was teaching good morals in this book.

5. //Th1rteen R3asons Why-// Jay Asher I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting how the settings changed (because of what Hannah was describing) Throughout the book I kept thinking "Gee, I wonder when he's going home. Is it safe for him to be wandering out so late??"
 * March 10 **

6. The Book of Awesome- Neil Paschrica

7. //Forever Changes-// Brendan Halpin I loved this book. I admired Brianna's outtake on life and death. It absolutely killed me when Brianna died, and it was very easy for me to feel the character's emotion. I loved how she lived her life to the fullest, and had no regrets when she died, but that almost seemed surreal. I felt a little sorry for Stephen Pelletier because he had to support a CF kid while only working at Bargain Zone and customizing bikes. I admired his positive attitude. It was interesting because the author was male, and that made the male's point of view more authentic, and he portrayed the female very nicely. I also liked how her friends were so loyal, and supported Brianna.
 * March 18 **

8. //Along For the Ride-// Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I actually doubted I would like this book. Surprise, surprise, I didn't not like it. I loved it. I was very surprised at how much Auden missed out on, and I thought Auden's dad was a complete jerk. I hated him. I thought his "9-hour sleep" rule was just an excuse to skip parenting responsibilities. I liked Maggie, she seemed open and friendly.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sometime from March- April 11 **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(in no particular order) **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9. //Lock and Key//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I read this book way back in January 2011. A RR has already been completed

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">10. //The Client//- John Grisham <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This book was a tad confusing at some points- who knows what, etc. I was sad at the end when Mark had to leave. When Reggie took on other clients during Mark's case, it felt like she was leaving him. I felt she should be giving 108% to Mark's case, because he really needed her.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11. //Speak//- Laurie Halse Anderson <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I didn't understand why Melinda almost seemed to be provoking her parents.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12. //Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother//- Amy Chua <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I was shocked at how tough and "caring" Amy was to her kids. I didn't like how she threw around the term "a good Chinese parent". You can't stereotype a culture. I don't think any Chinese parents push their children that hard. I understand its important for them to reach their full potential, but I agree with Lulu- (to Amy) "lots of the things you say you do for me, you're actually doing for yourself!" They spent so much time on piano/violin, I was very surprised they were able to maintain top grades. If they weren't planning on being professional musicians (an educated mind thinks they won't, the educated mind thought most "Chinese parents" wanted a more stable job in something like science, law, or medicine.) What's the point in all this if they were not going to go professional? One thing's for sure, I'm never calling my parents "tough" after reading that. Although I didn't entirely agree with Amy, I thought she was very honest.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">13. The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes- Bill Watterson

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">14. //Movers and Fakers//- Lisi Harrison <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I was delighted to read that the characters here weren't nearly as stuck up as Massie and her clique. Charlie definately had more morals than Massie. I liked this book a lot better, although the acadamy was a bit surreal, but I still liked it. On the contrary, however, even though Massie is incredibly stuck up and pretentious, it's still fun... interesting- to read about girls who live the luxury life. So long as you don't behave that way too.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">April 26 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15. //The Life of Glass-// Jillian Cantor <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I wonder what would have happened if Ashley was more involved. Or if their father hadn't died. I liked how Ash and their mother had expertise in the girly area, so they weren't cluelessly bumbling around. If that would have happened, I think it would have taken away the "hah, I'll show her" aspect. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">16. //The Lying Game//- Sara Shepard (audiobook) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I realized this was a mystery book a few chapters in. I could spot the mystery point, the clue/ breakthrough, red herring, climax, and wrap up. The only part I didn't like was that I never found out who the killer was. The author should work on her closure.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">May 15 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">17. //North of Beautiful//- Justina Chen Headly <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I didn't realize how prominent a port- wine stain was until I googled it.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**June 5** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">18. //This Lullaby-// Sarah Dessen (audiobook) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">19. //Keeping the Moon//- Sarah Dessen (audiobook) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">20. //Before I Fall//- Lauren Oliver <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">21. //Amy by Any Other Name//- Maureen Garvie <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">22. //The Truth about Forever//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">23. //The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants//- Ann Brashares <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">24. //Just Listen//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">25. //What Happened to Goodbye//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I have to say, I was //extremely// angry at Katie- er Katherine Hamilton, the mother. She had the audacity to //cheat// on her husband, with his //idol// and yet criticized his parenting. Does she have any idea of what damage she caused to the whole family?! She had the //nerve// to ask for full custody! *expletive* I was very happy when Mclean told her that the divorce was her fault. Which is/ was very true. "Why aren't we close anymore, Mclean?" Maybe it's because you ruined my life, my childhood, my self esteem, and my self confidence. **Favourite quote**: "I made a choice. You made choices too, remember?" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">OH! Nice **burn!!** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A note on Sarah Dessen: I love the references aka "easter eggs" she puts in her books. There are so, so many!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">August 3 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">26. //The Truth About Forever//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">27. //Just Listen//-Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">28. //What Happened to Goodbye//- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">29. //If I Stay//- Gayle Foreman

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sept 7 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">30. The Truth About Forever- Guess. I dare you. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">31. Bright Purple- Melody Carlson <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">32. This Lullaby- Guess. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">33. Not Suitable For Family Viewing- <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">34. Along For the Ride- Guess again <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">35. The Tension of Opposites- Kristina McBride <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">36. That Summer- Sarah Dessen <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">37. What I Meant Was...- Marie Lamba <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">38 Love That Dog- Sharon Creech <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">And YES, I read this on my own. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">39. Recovery Road- Blake Nelson <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I've always noticed girls are more promiscuous if the author is a guy- UNLESS it defies their persona. Although I would attribute it to the guys don't have that same "self respect" for the girl characters. If you know what I mean. It takes one to know one.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">40. My Little Phony- Lisi Harrison <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">41. It's Not Easy Being Mean- Lisi Harrison <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">42. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies// (OOTHBWTMD)- Sonya Sones

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I really like this book! I haven't finished it yet. But I find it amusing how Justin calls it "One Of Those Hideous Books Where Taylor Swift Gets Murdered By Carrie Underwood" Or vice versa. (Underwood, Swift)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">43. The Ashleys- Melissa de la Cruz <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">One guilty pleasure of mine is reading about superficial, spoiled, clever rich girls. You know you want to hate them because they're so MEAN MEAN MEAN and all.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">But you can't.