Author Archives: opesopinions

The Fine Art of Pretending

Posted on by
Reply

Author:  Rachel Harris                          art
Publisher:  Spencer Hill Contemporary
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Source: BEA

 

Publication Date:  September 30, 2014

 

Goodreads:  According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you’re friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.

But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

Ope’s Opinion:  Oh, what a cute young adult read!  The story is a little predictable, but in a perfectly awesome way.  Seeing the story from both the girls ( Aly ) and the boys (Brandon) perspective really gave made this fun to read.

It was great to see Aly figure out who she really is and what she really wants.  I think young girls think what they look like and who their boyfriend is defines them.  This book really brought out the fact that Aly had to find herself before she could be comfortable with her friends.

I also think Brandon was portrayed as most boys in high school are – mostly interested in sports and friends.  Girls are a complication they don’t always know how to deal with!  It was great to see Brandon struggle with his feelings.

I would recommend this to a young adult reader.  I think they could relate to the characters, the story will keep their attention and it has an appropriate amount of romance in it.  There is a little more foul language then needed to be there, but not over the top.

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

 

Anatomy of a Misfit

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Andrea Portes                     anatomy
Publisher:  Harper’s Children
Genre: Young Adult
Source:  BEA

 

 

Goodreads:  This emotional, hilarious, devastating, and ultimately triumphant YA debut, based on actual events, recounts one girl’s rejection of her high school’s hierarchy—and her discovery of her true self in the face of tragedy.

Fall’s buzzed-about, in-house favorite.

Outside, Anika Dragomir is all lip gloss and blond hair—the third most popular girl in school. Inside, she’s a freak: a mix of dark thoughts, diabolical plots, and, if local chatter is to be believed, vampire DNA (after all, her father is Romanian). But she keeps it under wraps to maintain her social position. One step out of line and Becky Vilhauer, first most popular girl in school, will make her life hell. So when former loner Logan McDonough shows up one September hotter, smarter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika knows she can’t get involved. It would be insane to throw away her social safety for a nerd. So what if that nerd is now a black-leather-jacket-wearing dreamboat, and his loner status is clearly the result of his troubled home life? Who cares if the right girl could help him with all that, maybe even save him from it? Who needs him when Jared Kline, the bad boy every girl dreams of, is asking her on dates? Who?

Anatomy of a Misfit is Mean Girls meets The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Anika’s hilariously deadpan delivery will appeal to readers for its honesty and depth. The so-sad-it’s-funny high school setting will pull readers in, but when the story’s dark foreboding gradually takes over, the devastating penultimate tragedy hits like a punch to the gut. Readers will ride the highs and lows alongside funny, flawed Anika — from laughter to tears, and everything in between.

Ope’s Opinion:  Let me start with explaining my rating for this book – I think I am the wrong reader for this book.  I do think some teens will really relate to and like Anika.  I think she was very negative and sort of a snob in her own way.  She may have had a rough life ( lots of us do ), but that made a shell on her that made me jsut not really care for her character enough to want things to be better for her.

The writing was another stumbling block for me.  The descriptions of people were hard to relate to.  I don’t think there was a positive description, except maybe Anika’s mother.  I believe the word “like” was over used in this book.  The way the students talked about other students was offensive.  Even if this is realistic, I don’t think I want to encourage teens to read this and reinforce that language.

The ending of this book was hard to get to, but almost made me give this book three chairs instead of two.  So you may be willing to read through it to get to the end.

 

Rating:  Two Chairs – I may have one friend who might like to read this book.

e3de1-2chairs

 

 

Capitol Hell

Posted on by
2

Author: Jayne J. Jones & Alicia M. Long             capitol hell
Publisher:  Beaver’s Pond Press
Genre:  Women’s Fiction
Source: BEA

 

 

Goodreads:  When recent college graduate Allison Amundson, a small town girl from South Dakota, lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the United States Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III, she thinks she is on the fast track to success.

However, she quickly learns that crazy co-workers, a high maintenance boss, an over-the-top family and an unexpected Presidential bid make Capitol Hill seem even more dysfunctional than portrayed on TV. In fact, it is Capitol Hell.

The second Allison sets foot in the prestigious Senate Russell Building, things begin to go awry. Allison soon realizes her co-workers consist of a Chief of Staff who has little to no control over the antics in the office, a Press Secretary who is not only pompous, but who is constantly primping and preening, and worst of all the Senator himself, who cares more about his rise to fame than the people of Minnesota.

As Allison struggles to juggle a new career, her blooming love interest in Cam (a quiet but loyal Legislative Assistant), and her ever-declining bank account, she is comforted only by her co-worker Janet, a fireplug who spends the majority of her time on-line dating, trying to land a Senator of her own.

Just as Allison and Janet begin to figure out the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, their lives are turned upside down when Senator McDermott announces his bid for President of the United States. Soon, Allison and Janet find themselves at the center of one of the craziest campaigns in history, and hilarity ensues.

This off-beat, funny novel captures and shares what it is like to be a young staffer working on Capitol Hill.

Ope’s Opinion:  If you have spent any time in Washington, DC, or Capitol Hill, or interested in political insights – you will really want to read this book.  It will keep your attention from beginning to end.  It has some humor  – some so close to realistic it made me giggle.

The authors of this book obviously had insider information – it was interesting and informative as well as entertaining.  I am sure Allison’s office mates are similar to office mates everywhere – you may relate to some of them.

There were some unanswered questions left at the end.  Does that lead us to a sequel?

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

Peetswea Bag in Seattle

Posted on by
3

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Seattle.
I took my new bag that I had just bought from Kristi at Peetswea from her Etsy shop.

sweepeat bag

In Seattle you must pay for a bag if you are buying something – keeping things green!
This bag worked to be my pocketbook and my shopping bag.

bag at starbucks

This is my bag at Starbucks.
It carried my book for some reading time with my tea and muffin in the morning.

bag at belles

This is at a place called Belle’s.
It is a french pastry shop that is a must in Seattle.

bag at airport

This bag is perfect to travel with.
This is at the airport on the way home.
The bag is holding my book, snack, and plane ticket.

Need a bag – go to Etsy shop Peetswea.  

Nancy Clancy – Secret of the Silver Key

Posted on by
Reply

Author:  Jane O’ Connor        nancy
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Genre:  Children
Source:  BEA

 

Goodreads:  Join Nancy Clancy in New York Times bestselling team Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser’s fourth Nancy Clancy chapter book about the past, present, and future! Nancy and her best friend, Bree, must go back in time to solve their latest mystery. While Nancy’s class learns about time capsules in school, another relic from the past pops up in the present. Nancy buys an old desk at a tag sale and soon finds out that someone left behind a key. In the perfect follow-up to Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth;Nancy Clancy, Secret Admirer; and Nancy Clancy Sees the Future, Nancy and Bree set out to unlock the secret of the silver key in the hopes of finding some treasure along the way. But unlocking the mystery soon proves to be more difficult than they had thought, and when the answer isn’t what they had expected, Nancy and Bree learn there are some things that remain timeless forever.

Fans of Fancy Nancy will love joining Nancy Clancy in the latest edition to the chapter book series. The central theme of all the Nancy Clancy books shines through, showing the power of positive thinking and the will to never give up.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is book four in the series, but the first one that I have read.  It can stand alone, but it is so good I recommend starting from the beginning of the series.  As an adult I enjoyed the story.  I would enjoy reading it to a younger reader or having a middle grade student read it to me.

I was impressed with Jane O’Connor’s introduction of new vocabulary words.  She used the word in a sentence, then explained it’s meaning.  I thought it was a clever way to expand a new readers vocabulary.

The pictures in the book are a nice complement to the story.  They will keep a  young readers attention if someone is reading it to them.

I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for short chapter books for gifts.  I will definitely buy the firsts ones for my granddaughters shelf.

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

 

 

Accidents of Marriage

Posted on by
1

Author:  Randy Susan Meyers   accidents
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre:  Women’s Fiction
Source: BEA

 

Publication Date: September 2, 2014

Goodreads:  Accidents of Marriage explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the destruction left in the wake of spouse’s verbal fury. Ben never meant to hurt Maddy. He never imagined his recklessness would lead to tragedy.

Maddy is a social worker trying to balance her career and three children. Years ago, she fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now he’s lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies. She vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids – which works to keep a fragile peace – until the rainy day when they’re together in the car and Ben’s volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the hospital fighting for her life.

Randy Susan Meyers takes us inside the hearts and minds of her characters, alternating among the perspectives of Maddy, Ben, and their fourteen-year-old daughter. Accidents of Marriage is a provocative and stunning novel that will resonate deeply with women from all walks of life, ultimately revealing the challenges of family, faith, and forgiveness.

Ope’s Opinion:  I am having a hard time reviewing this book.  I think it is a good story to highlight emotional abuse.  I am not sure there was anyone in this family who were not emotionally abused.  I think this was a realistic look inside a difficult family.   There were lessons to be learned from this book – they are hard lessons.  

 I did not “enjoy” reading it.  There were a few times I almost stopped reading.  It was kind of depressing.  I wanted to see improvement in the relationships, I wanted some resolution and I wanted to eventually like the family – that did not happen.

I have read Randy Susan Meyers and I will read her again. I think I would recommend The Comfort of Lies, if you have not read her before.

 

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
a85cf-3chairs

 

Coming Soon …..

Posted on by
2

….  On a Bookshelf near you!

In September I hope to read…

last breath

Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Goodreads: From a remarkable new voice in suspenseful women’s fiction comes an emotionally searing drama about a woman who risks her life to discover the devastating truth about her family… 

Humanitarian aid worker Gia Andrews chases disasters around the globe for a living. It’s the perfect lifestyle to keep her far away from her own personal ground zero. Sixteen years ago, Gia’s father was imprisoned for brutally killing her stepmother. Now he’s come home to die of cancer, and she’s responsible for his care—and coming to terms with his guilt. 

Gia reluctantly resumes the role of daughter to the town’s most infamous murderer, a part complete with protesters on the lawn and death threats that are turning tragedy into front-page news. Returning to life in small-town Tennessee involves rebuilding relationships that distance and turmoil have strained, though finding an emotional anchor in the attractive hometown bartender is certainly helping Gia cope. 

As the past unravels before her, Gia will find herself torn between the stories that her family, their friends and neighbors, and even her long-departed stepmother have believed to be real all these years. But in the end, the truth—and all the lies that came before—may have deadlier consequences than she could have ever anticipated…

What is coming soon …. to a bookshelf near you?

Let me know – I am always looking for a good read!

Truth and Kisses

Posted on by
Reply

Author:  Laurie B. Friedman         kiss
Publisher: Lerner Classroom
Genre:  Middle Grade
Source:  BEA

 

Publication Date:  September 1, 2014

 

Goodreads:  April’s New Year’s resolution: to get back together with sweet, funny Billy. But what’s going on between Billy and their friend Brynn? And why does April want to keep her friendship with Matt, her hot neighbor, a secret?

Ope’s Opinion: This is the third book in this series.  I have not read book one or two.  Book three read just fine without having read one or two.  I do think I was missing some back ground of April’s relationship with Brynn, but it was still a good read.

April, Brynn and Billy are average middle school students.  They miscommunicated and got their feelings hurt – it felt realistic.  I like the way the adults treat the students.  The adults are obviously in charge and have a relationship with the kids.

I think a parent would be comfortable having their middle grade child reading this book.

I would read another book from Laurie Friedman.

Rating: Four Chairs: I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

 

The Homecoming

Posted on by
2

Author: Robyn Carr                       homecoming
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity

 

Publication Date:  August 26, 2014

 

Goodreads:  In a small town, reputation is everything. In her latest novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr explores the burden placed on a young man returning home to face his mistakes—the first step in claiming the life he was meant to live …

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been.

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self.

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

Ope’s Opinion:  There were some great things in this book and a few disappointing things.  Let me start with the disappointing so we can end on a good note.  Robyn Carr does not usually use the “f” word and she used it in weird places in this book.  This book is part of a series.  Robyn usually updates us on all the other characters we had met in the past – there were not many updates in this book.

Now, lets get to the good part.  Seth and Iris are a really cute couple.  It was fun to watch them come together.  I love how Robyn Carr handles secrets with her characters – she does not wait until the last pages to reveal the secret.  She gives plenty of time for her characters to work things out.  She really knows how to tell a story.

I really liked how Robyn Carr handle the abusive situation.  I thought it was great to see a school counselors responsibilities.  It was encouraging to watch these characters confront abuse head on – as scary as that is.

As usual I am looking forward to her next installment in this series.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
3 chairs

 

Positive

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Piage Rawl, Ali Benjamin            positive
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Genre:  Memoir
Source:  BEA

 

Publication Date: August 26, 2014

 

Goodreads:  An astonishing memoir for the untold number of children whose lives have been touched by bullying. Positive is a must-read for teens, their parents, educators, and administrators—a brave, visceral work that will save lives and resonate deeply.

Paige Rawl has been HIV positive since birth, but growing up, she never felt like her illness defined her. On an unremarkable day in middle school, she disclosed to a friend her HIV-positive status—and within hours the bullying began. From that moment forward, every day was like walking through a minefield. Paige was never sure when or from where the next text, taunt, or hateful message would come. Then one night, desperate for escape, fifteen-year-old Paige found herself in her bathroom staring at a bottle of sleeping pills.

That could have been the end of her story. Instead, it was only the beginning. Paige’s memoir calls for readers to choose action over complacency, compassion over cruelty—and above all, to be Positive.

Includes twenty-five photos from Paige’s personal collection throughout.

Ope’s Opinion:  Before I start this review, you should know I am not a big reader of memoirs.  I have read several books about HIV and teens – I did not realize the bullying and isolation were still happening today.  I would have thought by now with all the information that is out there, people would not be so misinformed.

Paige’s voice in this book was clear and informative.  She was not whiney even though she was dealing with a lot of difficult situations.  I actually thought she was very mature for her age.  It was great to see Paige use her illness and hard lessons for good.

Being positive is a theme in this book. Even though Paige is HIV positive, she tried to have a  positive attitude. Paige wants us to look at life from a positive perspective.   I think she also wants others to treat everyone in a positive manner.

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs