Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

A companion novel to The Giver

First I want to say that if you're expecting a SEQUEL to The Giver, like with the same characters, you're NOT going to get it. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about what you will get. This book has the same kind of dystopian what's-going-on-with-this-world feel to it that The Giver had. You have SO MANY QUESTIONS about this world and you fall right into it.

The book, similar to The Giver, doesn't give you all the answers and doesn't end with a satisfying conclusion. I'm nervous that the third book will take me to yet another dystopian society with different characters and no resolution, but I guess there's only one way to find out.

Overall, this is a book that sticks with you and makes you think. I like that.
Four smiles.

Unrivaled by Alyson Noel

Beautiful Idols #1

Teens in LA compete in the high intensity world of the rich and famous for a highly coveted spot promoting clubs and get more than they bargained for in the process.

This book has a great mystery element to it without losing any of it's YA contemporary feel. I liked that. It doesn't have a satisfying ending, so you'll see the second one pop up on my blog here pretty quickly. I found myself liking these characters and their personalities a lot, more than I was even expecting to.

When it comes to the rating, I have to influence the smiles UP because I devoured this book. It's long but I kept picking it back up and reading more. You have to appreciate a book you can't put down. I then have to drop the smiles DOWN because I had to suspend my disbelief in the character's ages. Look, I get that kids get into things they shouldn't (hello, I went to college) BUT I found it really difficult to believe clubs and club owners would serve them alcohol and let them work serving alcohol. The business could get in so much trouble and it's hard to believe a club owner would take that risk. I digress, the point is that I landed on four smiles.

Give it a shot and tell me what you think!

The Store by James Patterson

This book is about a store that sells everything. They know everything. They are creepy and involved in everything. It's realistic with the path we're walking with major companies (ahem: Amazon) and just slightly outside of what we're already seeing.

That being said, I wasn't a huge fan of this one. I found it a little predictable and similar to a lot of things I've read or seen before. I did rate it three smiles, but honestly I think that's rounding up. I love James Patterson and if you want to find something of his to read I'll give you recommendations (JESTER) but I don't think this one will be on the list. Sorry James.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean writes love letters to boys. Except they're not really for the boys, they're for Lara Jean. She writes them and then keeps them in a hat box from her mother. It's a great plan until the letters inadvertently get sent out to the boys. Now what?

This book went in a different direction that I expected but I loved it. Yes, it had some cliche characters, I suppose. Yes, it had some tropes that have been done before. But, honestly, I just loved it. I think this was the first book all summer that I devoured in one day, and that deserves some love and respect.

Give it a go, feel like a kid again. It's a good one.

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

The book begins when a group of four siblings visits the traveling psychic and learns the dates of their deaths.  What an interesting premise!  Can you imagine what you would do if you knew the date you were supposed to die?  In this book we get to follow the four siblings as each of them grow up and deal with this day from their past in a different way.

This book is WONDERFUL. The premise is fantastic and the book itself moves quickly. I enjoyed every minute of it and recommend it highly to everyone out there looking for a good book. 

One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline

“Chris Brennan was applying for a teaching job at Central Valley High School, but he was a fraud.” 

This book was fast-paced and intriguing. Lisa Scottoline is a personal favorite writer of mine. She is adept at getting her characters into (and sometimes out of) situations that are dangerous in a way that has you turning pages to keep up. This story was no exception.

The story went in a very different direction that I was expecting. This is a good thing for me, typically I am impressed whenever a book is something other than predictable. I enjoyed the ending and I enjoyed being surprised.

My one complaint is the romance angle. Typically I don't mind them in books, they can add excitement and that edge of realism. In this book it seemed unnecessarily "happily ever after".  Overall, a great book and highly recommended if you like to be surprised.

Haunted by James Patterson

Michael Bennett #10

If you are a fan of James Patterson's fast-paced detective thrillers, this one is a win. It's no secret that I have not always been a fan of this particular main character and series from Mr. Patterson, but this one was good. I enjoyed the hunt and conclusion for this one. I'd recommend it.

As a side note, if you have never read a single Michael Bennett book, this one is still acceptable. I think you'll be able to enjoy the story even without knowing all the background and quirks to the detective.

Four smiles.