Monthly Archives: May 2014

Forever…

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Author:  Judy Blume           forever
Publisher: Pan Children’s
Genre:  Young Adult
Source:  Purchased

 

 

 

Goodreads:  Katherine and Michael meet at a New Year’s Eve party. They’re attracted to each other, they grow to love each other. And once they’ve decided their love is forever, they make love.

It’s the beginning of an intense and exclusive relationship, with a future all planned. Until Katherine’s parents insist that she and Michael put their love to the test with a summer apart…

“Forever” is written for an older age group than Judy Blume’s other novels for children. It caused a storm of controversy when it was first published because of its explicit sexual content.

It was a book ahead of its time – and remains, after thirty years in print, a teenage best-seller. America’s No. 1 children’s author has written some of the best books of our time about real-life issues – family stress and pressures, what happens when your parents divorce, the problems of growing up and sexual awakening, bereavement – with insight, sensitivity and honesty.

Ope’s Opinion:  I have very mixed feelings about this book.  First, I am a Judy Blume fan, so I was excited to read this book.  On the other hand, I thought it was going to be a love story and it was mostly about sex.  It was very realistic – maybe more so then I wanted!

I have two grown daughters, I am not sure if I would want them to have read this book in their teen years or not.  It would show them two responsible teens.  It would also show how young love doesn’t usually last.  I would hope it would make a young person really think and make informed decisions.

I have a book shelf for my granddaughter – I don’t think this will be one I will keep for her.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like this book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Love and Other Foreign Words

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love and othr

 

Author:  Erin McCahan                                 love
Publisher:  Dial
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Source: Sparks Point Studio

 

 

 

Goodreads:  Perfect for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell, Love and Other Foreign Words is equal parts comedy and coming of age–a whip-smart, big-hearted, laugh-out-loud love story about sisters, friends, and what it means to love at all.

Can anyone be truly herself–or truly in love–in a language that’s not her own?

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue–the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn’t always like, and the best friend who hasn’t said a word–at least not in a language Josie understands.

Ope’s Opinion:  I bounced between three and four chairs.  I liked this book more then the average book, but it wasn’t a hold your breath kind of story.

This book was about love – all kinds – between sisters, parents, those about to get married and those still figuring out what love is all about.  The sisters love is the center of the story.  They were not always nice to each other, but they kept coming back to the fact that they love each other.

I loved that Josie ( the main character ) does not take romantic love lightly.   She thinks about her feelings before she expresses them.  Josie is very snarky – so if you like that kind of character you will really like her.

Erin McCahan can write good dialogue.  She keeps your attention.  I will read more of her books.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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Bloom

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Author:  Marilyn Grey                 bloom
Publisher:  Winslet Press
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Source: Winslet Press

 

Release Date:  May 19, 2014

 

Goodreads:  

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

Have you ever wondered how many people would still love you if you were no longer beautiful? Have you ever thought of people who wake up and can’t stand the idea of seeing their reflections? Have you ever considered that death may be easier than life?

I never did. Not once. Not until one moment, one mistake, changed my life forever.

I woke up to beeping machines, hovering faces, and pain like you wouldn’t believe. I’m not just talking about my burns either. I’m talking about my heart.

My name is Sarah Jordan and this is my story. I’m tired of pretending to be perfect. Of painting on a smile when I’m struggling. My story isn’t always pretty and easy to read, but it hasn’t been easy to live either. I’m opening up. Letting you in. So maybe, just maybe, together we can peel away the masks and find true beauty. True life. Underneath it all.

Welcome to my heart … bound within the pages of Bloom.

Book 5 in The Unspoken Series. This is a 10 book series, best when read in order.

A beautiful, successful, sweet personality with the world at her fingertips, Sarah Jordan falls in love with James, a charming man who adores her. But he comes with broken pieces and a daughter he adopted when his brother and sister-in-law died in an accident he feels he could’ve prevented. When she finally decides to say yes to his many proposals, they are both burned in a campfire accident. After a year of hospital beds and stark lights, Sarah is released to go home with everything but her former beauty. As she recovers, James struggles with regret and guilt as Sarah fights to overcome the depression that comes with a new life so different from the one she loved so much. Her joy and security are tested while budding relationships cleanse wounds they never knew they had.

Ope’s Opinion:  This book has a heartbeat of it’s own.  You could feel it as you read each page. It is a love story, but not in the traditional sense.  It is about learning to know and love your true self.  

Sarah’s heartbeat started out weak and irregular.  As the story unfolds, it becomes stronger and more regular.  You root for Sarah to heal ( on the inside ) from page one. You will feel Sarah’s pain, you will see her hurt, and you will laugh with her.

Marilyn Grey writes a book that  will inspire you to be a more beautiful person from the inside out.  She writes in such a way that helps you see the world from another perspective.  I recommend this book.  Bloom is a beautiful book!

Rating: Five Chairs – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on…..
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