So these are the books I read in September. Mostly contemporaries, mostly books bought just last month. A total of 7 within 17 days, because I fell into a reading slump from 18th til today. And no, I completed neither of my Weekend Reads. Big fat sigh.
1. Far From You / Tess Sharpe ⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis: Four months ago, Sophie witnessed her best friend Mina's death, and she is sent to rehab for an addiction she's already beaten, nine months, two weeks, six days ago. Nobody believes her to be drug-free, nobody believes her side of the story to that fateful night. The moment she gets out of rehab, she goes on a fierce hunt for her best friend's killer... because Sophie knows it wasn't a 'drug deal gone wrong' like what everyone thinks; she knows it was a murder.Why I gave it 3 stars: I honestly wasn't that interested in finding out what happened to Mina. I wasn't fully invested in the characters, I could somehow predict what was gonna happen because it's quite cliche, but it was a fast read and wasn't too draggy so at least I got through it.
2. When You Reach Me / Rebecca Stead ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis: Miranda and her best friend Sal, by sixth grade, already know the safe places in their New York City neighbourhood, aka the local grocery store, and the people to avoid, aka the crazy guy with his head constantly beneath the mailbox. After Sal gets punched for no reason, Miranda keeps receiving letters that seem to know her really well, including things that hadn't happened yet. She gets closer to believing there is a death only she can prevent, at least if she isn't too late already.
Why I gave it 4 stars: I cared for the characters, and I loved how Miranda portrayed them in her head. It was easy to picture the setting and the characters acting out the scenes, because of the smooth writing. And also: mind-blown.
Why you should read it: This book was great for a middle-grade. Which reminds me, another reason why I gave it 4 stars: no random romance or sex scenes.
3. This Song Will Save Your Life / Leila Sales ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis: Elise has been a social outcast her whole life, from as far back as middle school. Whether or not she tries to fit in, she never gets accepted. She has this habit of taking walks around her neighbourhood at 1 in the morning, headphones plugged in... That's when she discovers a nightclub called Start, people who accept her, and a love for DJ-ing.
Why I gave it 5 stars/Why you should read it: YOU WILL COMPLETELY RELATE TO ELISE DEMBOWSKI. Trust me. I don't mean it in the way that she loves DJ-ing, but in her social failure, family problems, love for music and in her passion for something that takes her away from the side of the world she's grown to hate. READ THIS BOOK.
4. PS I Still Love You / Jenny Han ⋆⋆
Synopsis: This is the sequel to To All the Boys I've Loved Before, so to avoid spoilers, you just have to know that Book 1 is about Lara Jean Song and her tendency to write love letters to the crushes she's had. When she writes, she does so with her everything, and that is why she's too embarrassed to send them, so she keeps them in a box. One day her letters get anonymously sent out, and her love life becomes from non-existent to chaotic as heck.Why I gave it 2 stars: I hated the ending because I hated the guy she chose. I was so frustrated with the way he acted the whole book, UGH. *needs to stop ramblings here because at risk of giving spoilers*
Why you should read it: Well, it's cute. No dark twist or messed up characters. Also, diversity, because Lara Jean and her sisters are half Korean. Of course, read the first book first, To All The Boys I've Loved Before, alright?
5. The Duff / Kody Keplinger ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis: Every high school has their labels. The jock, the nerd, the sl*t, and Bianca has been leading a peaceful life with her two gorgeous best friends (despite being a potato herself) with no labels on her. Until the campus man-whore comes over and calls her a Duff: the Designated Ugly Fat Friend.
Why I gave it 4 stars: I freaking loved Casey, and I would have given this 5 stars if I wasn't so frustrated at how Bianca kept pushing her away. She was the best best friend character ever. Also, anything set in high school is enough reason for me to enjoy a book.
Why you should read it: Because if you watched the movie, the book was different. A little more messed up, but also a lot deeper.
6. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants / Ann Brashares ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis: When Carmen spots a pair of washed up pants in the thrift store, she keeps it at the back of her closet after buying it as a joke. She and her 3 sworn best friends are spending their first summer apart, and after realising the pants somehow fits into all 4 of them, even plump Carmen, they decide to share it in hopes of having a summer as magical as the pants.
Why I gave it 4 stars/Why you should read it: A book about friendship. Freaking classic. The characters are real, not very cookie-cutter and each having their own persona, goals and problems. Also, no random romance and no sex scenes :)
7. Please Ignore Vera Dietz ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Synopsis:Vera has spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie, and over the years she's kept all his secrets even after he betrayed her and ruined everything... But then Charlie dies under mysterious circumstances. Vera knows a lot more than anyone, be it the kids at school, his family, or the police, but there she is unable to make a decision on whether or not she wants to bother clearing his name.
Why I gave it 4 stars/Why you should read it: I loved Vera and her flaws. The way she handled everything so calmly, and she was a smart character too. Overall a dark book, but there were bits of humour, so it was a good balance of everything.
I'm sorry if this post seems rushed, I'm really tired from work. Gomenasai!
No comments:
Post a Comment