The Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: In Seven Ways We Lie, a chance encounter tangles the lives of seven high school students, each resisting the allure of one of the seven deadly sins, and each telling their story from their seven distinct points of view.
 
The juniors at Paloma High School all have their secrets, whether it’s the thespian who hides her trust issues onstage, the closeted pansexual who only cares about his drug-dealing profits, or the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal. But it’s Juniper Kipling who has the furthest to fall. No one would argue that Juniper—obedient daughter, salutatorian, natural beauty, and loyal friend—is anything but perfect. Everyone knows she’s a saint, not a sinner; but when love is involved, who is Juniper to resist temptation? When she begins to crave more and more of the one person she can’t have, her charmed life starts to unravel.
 
Then rumors of a student–teacher affair hit the fan. After Juniper accidentally exposes her secret at a party, her fate falls into the hands of the other six sinners, bringing them into one another’s orbits. All seven are guilty of something. Together, they could save one another from their temptations—or be ruined by them.
 
Riley Redgate’s twisty YA debut effortlessly weaves humor, heartbreak, and redemption into a drama that fans of Jenny Han and Stephanie Perkins will adore.

Cover: I really like this cover.  I think there is something almost comical about the fact that it's "Hello, my name is..." stickers with the seven deadly sins.  Very seldom does someone come straight out and say they're sinned or done something wrong, but that's what these stickers do.  They introduce you.  I like it because everyone has succumbed to all of the seven deadly sins at some point in their lives.

My Review: I found this book to be very real, and I'm entirely sure why because nothing like this happened in my high school, but I just feel like it could.  The story follows seven different people going through Junior Year in their own way.  There are lies and secrets and jealousy and rumors, which definitely happens in high school (and beyond).  Olivia made a reputation for herself that she doesn't deny but also questions the double standard of, Kat is trying to isolate herself from everyone around her, Matt is more than he appears to be, Claire can't stop comparing herself to her friends, Juniper seems to have everything figured out but still gets herself into sticky situations, Lucas is scared to tell the truth about himself, and Valentine is struggling to figure out exactly who he is.  I liked that the book was told from all of their points of view and not one character figuring this all out about them because some things stay between different characters as they form bonds with each other.  All of these kids just want to be recognized for who they are and try to live a life that makes them happy even with outside circumstances that aren't.  Junior year is tough because it's the year everything starts to matter for college, and you're at an age where you're basically an adult.  It's a crazy year, and it's definitely easier to playoff struggles at home or within yourself than have them add to the stress.  But it gets to be too much and reactions differ from person to person:  Matt & Olivia and Lucas & Valentine have each other, Juniper drinks, Kat quits her passion, and Claire does hurtful things to the people around her.  This book did a great job of showing how everyone reacts differently to situations.      
There were two things about the story that I didn't really like.  One was that Claire never admits that Lucas was right and she compares herself to others.  I think by the end she knows she needs to stop comparing and judging, and she has that moment of guilt when she realizes Lucas knows it was her who started the rumors about him and a teacher, but she never outright admits he was right and I wish she did.  Second, I personally don't think a school would give as much information about the student-teacher affair as they did.  Maybe they would hold the assembly at the beginning of the story, but I'm not 100% convinced, and I really don't think they would announce over the loudspeaker what teacher it was and that he turned himself in.  I feel like that's such bad attention on the school that they would try to keep it under wraps.        

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26 Kisses by Anna Michels | Book Review

Reading Group: 16-years-old+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Kasie West meets Morgan Matson in this hilarious and heartwarming debut about a girl’s summer mission to get over her ex-boyfriend by kissing her way through the alphabet.

Getting dumped by her boyfriend is not how Veda planned on starting her summer. When Mark makes it clear that it’s over between them, Veda is heartbroken and humiliated—but, more importantly, she’s inspired. So she sets out on the love quest of a lifetime: use the summer to forget about Mark, to move on, and move up. All she has to do is kiss twenty-six boys with twenty-six different names—one for each letter of the alphabet.

From the top of the Ferris wheel at her hometown carnival to the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, Veda takes every opportunity she can to add kisses (and boys) to her list, and soon the break-up doesn’t sting quite as much. But just when Veda thinks she has the whole kissing thing figured out, she meets someone who turns her world upside down.

Cover: I think this cover is really cute.  It's 26 kisses; lipstick kisses with a letter designated to each one.  It's clever and tells what the book is about in a simple way.

My Review:  I really enjoyed this book, and it was a quick read for me.  Being dumped the way Mark dumped Veda was definitely a shock, and it seems the best way to get over being shocked is to shock everyone else around you.  So Veda goes from the girl who only ever kissed one boy for two years to the girl who kissed 26 boys in one summer.  Of course, this came with some fallout when her little brother started hearing rumors about her and when those rumors were blown out of proportion (but what rumor isn't?).  And I know people may have been upset when Killian came around, and Veda wouldn't go out with him because she wanted to finish the challenge.  I mean come on, why kiss a bunch of randos once and be called a slut when you can kiss one boy all the time?  The challenge/dare/bet whatever you want to call it started as a way for her to get over Mark and it worked.  When Killian was in the picture Veda was over Mark and ready for a new boy.  But I get why she wanted to finish it.  She needed the accomplishment of it, even if it meant being called awful things behind her back and getting weird facebook messages.  I think we've all been in situations that we really want to quit, maybe even tell ourselves we're going to, but never do.  I know I've done this in school (nerd alert!).  I took AP Stats my junior year of high school and even from the summer work I knew I was going to hate it.  I could have dropped it, added a study hall to my class schedule, and been perfectly happy, but I didn't.  I stuck with it and hated every second of it, but when it was over, I was really proud of myself.  Now, I know, those are two different situations, but I really don't think they're all that different.  At the end of it all, I got out of taking a math class in college and Veda ended up with Killian anyway.  Because I think he understood too.  Even though he hated everything about the challenge, he let Veda finish it, even helped her, because he knew that was how he was going to get what he wanted.  The challenge worked for more than just getting over an ex.  It helped Veda step out of her comfort zone, finally deal with the Seth situation, and realize exactly what she wanted in her life.  I think we could all learn something from Veda's summer.    

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When We Collided by Emery Lord | Book Review

Reading Group: 16 years old+ 

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Seventeen-year-old Jonah Daniels has lived in Verona Cove, California, his whole life, and only one thing has ever changed: his father used to be alive, and now he is not. With a mother lost in a deep bout of depression, Jonah and his five siblings struggle to keep up their home and the restaurant their dad left behind. But at the start of summer, a second change rolls in: Vivi Alexander, the new girl in town. 

Vivi is in love with life. Charming and unfiltered, she refuses to be held down by the medicine she's told should make her feel better. After meeting Jonah, she slides into the Daniels' household seamlessly, winning over each sibling with her imagination and gameness. But it's not long before Vivi's zest for life begins to falter. Soon her adventurousness becomes all-out danger-seeking. 

Through each high and low, Vivi and Jonah's love is put to the test . . . but what happens when love simply isn't enough?

Cover: The front cover of this novel has paint splatter behind the title, which I think is a really good representation of collision.  Yes, Vivi is very into art, and her mom is even a painter, so that could be a reason for the paint splatter, but even if that wasn't the case, I think it would work.  Splatter paint is messy, even when it's done intentionally, but it can be beautiful, and I think that is an excellent representation of this story.

My Review: I can't help but relate this book to Love & Gelato because in both stories the main female character goes looking for her dad at some point.  It's not as big of a deal in this story, but I thought it was interesting that it just so happened in books I read back to back.
I definitely liked Jonah more than Vivi.  She was just a lot for me, and even when I was reading her dialogue, I found myself going a mile a minute.  I also found myself getting very frustrated with her, especially when Jonah was trying to ask for help.  But I think that was the point.  From an outsiders standpoint, it can be frustrated when you know something is wrong with someone, but you can't help them.  Vivi wasn't taking her medication, which made her act the way she did. 
Jonah was just trying to keep everything together, but he was slipping.  Vivi came into his life when he needed her to, but she was never meant to stay.  She wasn't someone who could stay in one place for too long.  I loved the part I the hospital when Vivi admits that Jonah would probably end up with Ellie or someone like her because from the moment she came into the book I thought her and Jonah would be a good match.  
This book reminded me of All the Bright Places because it talked about mental illness and made it apparent that there are more people around you struggling than you might think, but I was pleasantly surprised that this story didn't end in death.  That's not what this book was about because that's not what mental illness always leads to, especially if the person suffering can get the proper help.  However, if you did read ATBP, I think you'd like this story as well.  
It's important to read books with topics like the many covered in this book because even if you can't personally relate, it lets you inside someone's head and teaches you how to be empathetic towards the situation if one was ever to come up.

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Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch | Book Review

Reading Group: 16 years old+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure.

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept from Lina for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Cover: I think this cover is simple and very cute.  I like the colors, and how the pink gelato has a tiny bit of blue in it and vice versa, I thought that was really subtle but added to the idea of the title.

My Review: I don't know why the word "adorable" keeps coming to mind when I think of this book, but it does.  Typically an "adorable" book is one with two people who really like each other, but don't admit it and they're super flirty towards each other.  And to an extent, this book has that when it comes to Lina and Ren, but there is also so much more to this story.  Maybe it's because the last couple chapters had adorable moments between Lina and Howard and Lina and Ren, and that's why the word is stuck in my head.  If anyone has read this book, maybe you can comment if you understand how I feel better than I do. 
I love books like this where someone leaves a treasure map of sorts behind, and someone else has to figure out all of the clues.  They almost always include the 'scavenger' discovering something that is upsetting, but I like that.  Nobody is perfect, and even though it stinks to figure out something when the person isn't there to explain, I think it's important.  This story is no exception.  Lina finds out stuff that makes her question her mother but doesn't make her think less of her mom either.  She discovers that her mom was just like most young adults, trying to find herself and getting heartbroken.  However, she was spot on when she described Howard as someone who would go into battle for her.  He loved her so much, and I was so sad that they're story didn't work out.  But I loved that he was willing to take care of Lina even though she wasn't biologically his kid.  I was a little sad he never got married or anything because it kind of made it seem like he never got Hadley and I didn't see Howard as someone who regretted how his life turned out.  Obviously, he held Hadley in a very special place in his heart, but it made me sad to think he's been heartbroken for seventeen years.
This book takes place in Italy, and therefore some things are said in Italian, which is something I struggled with.  Part of me didn't want to translate it because the book was written in Lina's point of view and she didn't know what they were saying so it made sense that I shouldn't either.  However another part of me wanted to be in on the joke, so I translated some of it, but then I'd have to pause and google it, and sometimes it didn't translate correctly, and I was even more confused.  I was very back and forth on the matter.       

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Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven | Book Review

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.  

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone. 
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.

Cover: I think the cover of this novel is really pretty, but I have no idea what it has to do with the actual book.  I don't remember there even being a mention of marbles or watercolor or anything that relates to the cover.

My Review: I was excited to read this book because you guys all remember how much I absolutely loved All The Bright Places and although this was a great story, I didn't find it as good as ATBP.  There were parts where I found myself wishing it would move a little faster and get to something more exciting. 
This book was about coming to terms with who you are which is something that I think is crucial.  Libby is proud of herself for what she's overcome, and she's comfortable in her skin, but she often needs to remind other people how to be kind.  And, even though it sounds cliche, people do tend to pick on others because they're insecure about themselves.  Jack explains this to Dusty when the kids at school pick on him.  Jack himself spends the entire book trying to figure out who he is.  He keeps his disease a secret from everyone except Libby and therefore can't get the help he needs.  Jack is also stuck in an on again off again relationship because he can't admit that Caroline isn't who he wants.  He tells Libby about his disease as part of his apology for attacking her in the middle of the cafeteria, but maybe he somehow knew that Libby was the one who was going to be the most helpful person to him.  Even when he was younger and saw Libby lifted out of her house, he sent her a letter saying he was rooting for her.  Jack always believed in Libby and Libby believed in Jack.  The two were meant to have their lives interconnect somehow, and the fact that they fell in love was simply a bonus.  
This book holds an important message and is a great read so I would definitely recommend it, especially to anyone who enjoyed All The Bright Places, but as I said before, it comes in second (for me at least).

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Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover | Book Review

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: Colleen Hoover, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe Someday, brilliantly brings to life the story of the hilarious and charismatic Warren in this new novella.

When Warren has the opportunity to live with a female roommate, he instantly agrees. It could be an exciting change.

Or maybe not.

Especially when that roommate is the cold and seemingly calculating Bridgette. Tensions run high and tempers flare as the two can hardly stand to be in the same room together. But Warren has a theory about Bridgette: anyone who can hate with that much passion should also have the capability to love with that much passion. And he wants to be the one to test this theory.

Will Bridgette find it in herself to warm her heart to Warren and finally learn to love?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Cover: The cover of this novella is very similar to the cover of Maybe Someday with the main image and then the image in the title.  The main image is a bed because we know from Maybe Someday that Warren and Bridgette spend most of their time together in bed.      

My Review: I love novellas about supporting characters.  I think they let you get to know some of your favorite people in ways you can't see when they're just supporting characters.  For example, in Maybe Someday we are aware that Warren liked to watch a lot of porn, and think of that what you will, but it was just kind of his thing that no one questioned.  However, in Maybe Not we learn that he's actually watching it in the hopes to find which one Bridgette was an extra in.  Also, in this novella, we got to learn a lot more about Bridgette and what she was coming from that made her act the way she did.  This story was short, but I really enjoyed it, and I think that it actually showed Warren and Bridgette in a way that was expected from Maybe Someday, but also so much more.  If you read Maybe Someday, you should definitely pick this one up next.  Like I said, it's short, only 160 pages, so it doesn't take a long time to read, but it was funny and cute and just great.

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Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover | Book Review

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Synopses: At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her--and she's forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbor, Ridge. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

A passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance, Maybe Someday will immerse readers in Sydney's tumultuous world from the very first page.

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.  

Cover: I like the cover of this book because I didn't notice the image within the words at first and I thought it was really creative when I finally saw it.  The main image is them together writing music on whoever's bed, but within the words you see them kissing.  It's kind of like the main image os what everyone sees, but hidden in the words is what is really going on.  Also similar as to how lyrics to music can have a broader meaning than what's actually being said.

My Review: Communication is key in any relationship so what do you do when your ability to communicate is different than most of the people around you?  Sydney and Ridge have it all figured out, they communicate mostly through text messages, and even though they're in love with each other, they will not act on it because Ridge has a girlfriend and Sydney was just cheated on by her boyfriend.  Except they do act on, just once, but does it matter how many times you physically act on something when you've been thinking about it for weeks on end?  From there everything spiraled and looked bad, but then it looked good, and my heart could barely handle it.  Honestly, guys, I always read the last couple pages of a book (I know, I know, I'm awful), so I knew how it ended, but I didn't know how it got to that point and my heart was hammering in my chest from the time she moves out of the apartment to when she goes and watches the band perform with Warren.  It reminded me of Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire and how Cami says that if you fall in love with two people you choose the second because if you were really in love with the first person, you wouldn't be able to have those feelings for someone else.  
Some parts made me think Sydney and Ridge were the cutest people on earth.  One was every time Ridge told her something he never told anyone else, another was when he talked out loud for her, and the final moment was when she learned sign language for him.  The fact that they were willing to communicate the way the other one did made me want to cry because it just showed how much they cared about each other and how far they were willing to go.
I also liked how the fact that some characters were deaf wasn't that big of a deal.  I mean, obviously, the book would have been different if Ridge wasn't deaf, but I liked how the book didn't start, "Hello my name is Ridge, and I'm deaf..."  It came up when it was necessary to come up.  I didn't know his girlfriend was deaf for a while into the book.  I just loved this book.  Please go read it. 

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