Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Released: February 26, 2013

Publisher: St. Marin's Griffin

Pages: 320

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey

Synopsis: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Review: I'm going to be very frank here: I didn't like this novel. I'm pretty sure it's just the fact that it was written in third person, to be honest, because I loved the plot. I loved that Eleanor was a ginger. I loved that it was set in 1986. I loved that they liked comic books and listened to good music on their walkman. I like that Park was at first rude to Eleanor, just because everyone else was, and then he ended up falling in love with her. I could go on.

But, I could also go on about what I hated about it. Like I said, I hate that it's in third person. Third person just really bugs me for some reason. I can't write in it, either. Anyways, I hate that they're only fifteen. I hate that even though it's set in 1986, there's not really a mention of anything besides the walkman and the fact that comic books were coming out.  I wanted to know more about her stepfather; all we know is that he's an asshole, pretty much. I felt like Eleanor's character could have been a little bit better developed, just besides the fact that she dresses crazy and has a broken life. And last but not least (at least that I'll talk about) is I hated the ending. It was such a rushed ending, in my opinion. Tragic, yes. Good, no. It's like Rowell was just on a deadline or something. And it was semi-unrealistic, too. What sixteen year old is going to drive five states away to bring  their girlfriend to another house. I mean, with the circumstances, yes, but his father wasn't even mad. Like, um? What kind of parent is that? 

Sometimes I feel bad that I didn't like this novel. Everyone I knew, from my real friends from school, book bloggers, goodreads reviews, etc, everyone loved this book. They said it was one of the best books they've ever read. And it's not even close to the best book I've ever read. I honestly can't see how anyone would say that, no offense to Rowell, or anything.  It was just not my cup of tea.

Review: The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

Released: April 7, 2009

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 322

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey

Maybe it was wrong, or maybe impossible, but I wanted the truth to be one thing. One solid thing.

Quinn is surrounded by women who have had their hearts broken. Between her mother, her aunt, and her grandmother, Quinn hears nothing but cautionary tales.... Read the rest of the synopsis on Goodreads.

***

NOTE: This review will have spoilers. I apolgize if you haven't read the book. Also, the review will be quite long and goes in order of the book, as I wrote it while I was reading it.

It took me way too long to read the seven page first chapter, because it was honestly way too descriptive. It was honestly ridiculous with how descriptive it was. Especially for the first page. 

 BUT it did throw something interesting in the end of the first chapter: that Quinn, the main character, steals from her father's house, even though she knows it's not a good thing.

Speaking of good things, Quinn knows good things. She knows that she should like math, that she should invite the outcast to her birthday parties to be nice, that you should drive carefully and always like your family. It meant taking careful steps. She also knows that "good choices" are pretty much just other people's choices. Which makes it interesting that she steals things from her father. If she's so good and careful about everything, why do that?

Once again, it seems as though Caletti is way too descriptive and likes run on sentences. I don't need to know each and every toy Quinn's little sister, Sprout, stuffs in her hat for the train ride, and a description of what she does on said ride. It made me dislike her writing style only eight pages into the book. It was just so descriptive that I felt like I had to focus way more than I should have had to.

There was lots of not relative information. Like, way too much of it. Like the bold and italic paragraphs talking about past loves, from the point of view of Frances and Dorothy. I was so confused when these came up. I just found it so unnecessary.

It wasn't until around page 25 that I actually got a smile and semi-enjoyed this book for the first time. It was because of the quote, "...so I stayed downstairs because there was more privacy there. I wouldn't have wanted anyone to hear all the passion and desire and sexual longing in our conversation. How was you day? Fine, great. How was yours? Oh, pretty good.'" I'm just a sucker for any kind of sexual joke, even if it sucks (no pun intended), and extreme sarcasm.

My favorite character in this book was definitely Sprout/Charles/Charlotte. She was only ten or so, maybe older or younger by a year or whatever, I honestly don't remember, but she was so spunky and sarcastic and I loved her. She was mature for her age, yet not at all. She was the bratty little sister. She was just great.

Reading the bold/italics made me confused. Like what does this have to do with anything? Pretty much every female character (so majority of the characters) would eventually all have these sort of diary entry things. So many that I time to time forgot what went with who. Eventually  it finally dawned on me that the bold and italics is every woman that Barry, the father, stole from. Talking all about their love life before Barry came into play. But then why ate Quinn's aunt and grandmother and half-sister in there?

And all of the sudden, Nice Guy Daniel cheats in Good Girl Quinn, ruining her thoughts on how a guy could be different. Quinn, even though she said multiple times that she didn't like or love Daniel, is decently upset over their break up. I guess it's because she thought she was going to prove her family right, that there are good guys out there, blah, blah, blah.

 At one point, Calletti wrote: "That wasn't helping. 'This isn't helping.' I said." Like no. Stop. Don't be so repetitive like that.

So all of the sudden Quinn and sprout and Frances Lee (I hate how they would always call her by her full name. It just got really annoying really quick.) are going on this quest to bring back everything their father has stolen from the women he's been with to each woman. So they're going to like seven different places, right The first stop is Frances Lee's house, to give Joelle a painting back. (Frances is Barry's daughter from first marriage with Joelle.) And they have to give this guy, Jake Kennedy, a ride to Portland, since they have to go there anyways. And the first time Quinn meets Jake is in the middle of the night in the bathroom, where she is half naked, and he is, well, fully naked. Can you say awkward? And then the next morning they're all eating breakfast when Jake walks in and says, "This is what I look like with clothes on." And I literally cackled it was so funny. So finally, on page 179 out of 320, this book got good and I decided that I somewhat liked it.

So of course they're done with the quest, they're about to leave the last woman's house (which also happens to be the woman that Barry cheated on Quinn's mother with and left her for) when France's car breaks down and the engine is shot. So they have to give up and call their mother, who thought they were in Disney Land the entire time, and get a ride. And then BAM her mother, the one who has been against men for ten years, has fallen in love. Which kind of ruined the entire plot, in my opinion. Like why have every woman fall in love when they've been so against it for so long?

So it ends with her dad getting married (????) and not really responding to how Quinn yelled at him and stole his things (also ????) and she starts senior year and her and Jake are still together and she's all, "Jake was seashell right." I don't even know what the heck that means. Is that a phrase that I've never heard before? Whatever.

Yeah. The ending sucked. Then again, the beginning sucked, too. So did the middle. There were really only certain parts of it that I liked. Pretty much whenever Quinn and Jake would have a moment, or they would return something to one of the women and we'd learn about their relationship. Otherwise, the book was horrible in my opinion. So, I give it  2.5 stars. Sorry not sorry.

PS: this was my first Caletti book, so I'm really disappointed. I thought it would be fabulous. But maybe I started off with the wrong one.

PPS: I really don't understand the title. I guess Barry is Prince Charming? But if so, the cover doesn't really work with it. I don't know. I just don't understand.

PPPS: I do, however, think that this would make a kick ass chick flick, since it's pretty much all against guys until the endish of the book, and there is a little romance in there. Blockbuster, make it happen.

Carey's Top Three Tuesday!

This is something new I'm going to be posting, so that the only thing on this blog isn't book reviews. Every other Tuesday I will post three books that are on my to-read list and that I hope to read within the two week period. So, I hope this works out!

1. The Selection by Kiera Cass -- For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins -- Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

In the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

3. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan --  This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance. 

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.

Review: Take Me There by Susane Colasanti

Title: Take Me There by Susane Colasanti
Released: May 29, 2008 by Viking
Pages: 290
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey


Rhiannon is devastated after the breakup with her boyfriend and wants him back. Nicole's ex is still in the picture, but she can't help having a new crush. James and Rhiannon are just friends, though he may try to take it to the next level. Will their desire to take a mean girl down a notch bring these three friends what they want . . . and more?

Set during one life-altering week and told in three realistic perspectives, this engaging, witty novel by the author of When It Happens shows the ups and downs of love, friendship, and karma.

***

Like I said with the When It Happens review: I love me some Susane Colasanti. I love how all of her situations are so real and authentic and how all of the stuff she writes about actually happens. I love how the conversations are so true. I love how the characters are so developed, even though this novel literally only takes place within a week.

The thing that I didn't like about Take Me There: that it was written in three different points of view. Two is okay, but three is definitely pushing it. And I think that Colasanti got it, as she didn't write another book in dual POV until 2013. Awkward.

But the personalities were so spot on with this book. Not even just the three main characters, Ree, Nicole, and James, but even the minor characters. Danny was this really hip guy who loves politics and plans on not becoming corrupt. Sheila is going through some tough stuff, but she seems so real. And even the hot popular girl is a real human being... who knew? I honestly would not be surprised if Colasanti based her characters directly off of some students, since she was still teaching at this point (at least I think she was).

But this book goes places and makes you raise your eyebrow. Because Nicole is in love with someone she shouldn't be in love with, plus she has her own personal issues with her parents to deal with, while Sheila comes along and helps her realize that she's not on her own. This books gets deep so quick that you don't even realize it. And of course, there's some romance for all of the characters, including the minor ones. And who doesn't love teen romance? You're lying if you say you don't.

So definitely read Take Me There. You'll be hooked on the juicy boy drama instantly; I promise.

Carey on: Why I Hate Libraries

Oh, libraries. I loved them when I was a kid. I mean, my mom would take me to the library every other week and I would come out with one, if not two, bags full of Junie B. Jones or Amelia Bedlia books, and I was only five or six. The library I went to in Atlanta was fabulous. The kids section was amazing. I bet the library is even better now, since it's been a good twelve years since I've lived in Atlanta.

But then I moved and stopped going to libraries because they were far away from where I lived and my mother wasn't going to drive me that far to get a couple of books. It wasn't until I got my first job in 2011 when I started to get back into reading a lot. I started to build my own personal library. Since 2011, I've probably spent well over $400 dollars on just one bookshelf that I have (I have two...almost three, I need to get a new one soon). It's worth it though, because I honestly do hate libraries. And here is a detailed list why:

1. I like to have my own personal copies of books. Simple as that.

2. Libraries seem to never have the book you want to read. Whether it's checked out or they just don't have it, it's never there. 

3. You have to read them by a certain time.

4. There's no minimum in how many books you can get.

5. It's like they only have one copy of each book.

6. The YA section is always so scarce and only has the same authors. 

7. They never really update the YA section.

8. The librarians always seem so upset to be there. Like, if you're going to work in a setting with books, please enjoy your job. 

I could go on for a while longer, and even make it more detailed and elaborate on each reason. But I won't do that to you.

Anyways, I have a friend who loves the library. She'll sometimes ask me to take her since she doesn't have her license. Today was one of those days. So, of course, I say yes. I go to the computer to pull up the catalog, and pull up my Goodreads to-read list. And, of course, they don't have but four books that I wanted to read, out of sixty on my to-read list. At that point I just ended up scanning the shelves and found an author that I really wanted to start reading and grabbed, like, five of them.

So, I actually left with nine books today. To be honest, I probably won't read half of them, just because I hate reading books that people have already read. It doesn't have the new book smell. Corners are dog tagged. One of the books has water damage. Stains could be anywhere, people can write in them, etc. But this way, if I like the books enough, I can always buy them for my own library.

So within the next few days/weeks, be ready for reviews of these books: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (which I'm nervous about, only because I couldn't get into DUFF at all), Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala, The Story of Us, The Secret Life of Prince Charming, The Fortune of Indigo Skye, all by Deb Caletti, The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart, Struck by Lightening by Chris Colfer, Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg, and Lola and the Boy Next door by Stephanie Perkins. I'm also re-reading Take Me There by Susane Colasanti, so expect that one either tonight or tomorrow morning!

Reason 9 Why I Hate Libraries: They had the last two books in the Perfect Chemistry series, but not the first one. It wasn't even in the catalog. Like, what the heck?!