Wirligig by Paul Fleischman

Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
Age group- Teen/YA
Pages- 133
Published by Square Fish
learn about it Here
Buy it Here
rating- 2 stars

After Brent gets rejected by the girl of his dreams, and humiliated by a group of potential friends at a party, he angrily drives himself home. Intoxicated, and pissed off, Brent just wants it all to end. 


He takes his hands off the wheel, presses down the accelerator, and closes his eyes. 


And wakes up in a hospital. Brent's attempted suicide failed, but unfortunately, he took someone down with him. Lea Rosalia Santos Zamora, a 18 year old with an exceptionally bright future. Lea's mother only has one request. Go to the four corner states of America, Washington, California, Florida, and Maine. Make whirligigs in for Lea, so that even though Lea is dead, she can still affect people all over America

Set on this quest, Brent travels the country, building whirligigs in lea's honor. He discovers that all actions do have consequences, whether they are good actions or bad, someone is always affected by your work. For better or for worse.


I know what your thinking. This book sounds totally cool, so whats with the 2 stars? Well it does sound cool. That's why I wanted the book. It had complete potential. but whirligig, didn't live up to its expectations. The book moves way to fast. lea is not characterised at all. and how can someone who affected Brent so strongly be barley mentioned, before he goes on his quest. This book could have had such depth, but they only glimpse at topics that could make this book excellent.

It seemed rushed, and I didn't feel much of anything when I finished. the flash forwards to when people discovered the whirligigs, were seemingly random, but could have been knit into the story making it  much, much better.

the one thing I liked is how they did the whole 'actions have consequences' thing, because when you initially read that, you think how its bad that he drank and drove, and killed lea. then that changes when you realise that the humiliation at the party lead to Brent's drinking, which lead to Lea's death, which lead to Brent's whirligigs, which humbled Brent, and inspired so many other people, and impacted their lives.
and its kind of cool when you inspect the chain of events.

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Numbers by Rachel Ward
age group- YA
pages- 325
published by Chicken House
lean about it Here
buy it Here
Rating-4 stars

Every one has a number, but only Jem can see them. The date of death, your death, when ever Jem looks in your eyes she can see it. Naturally, Jem doesn't look in peoples eyes much. Because of this curse Jem avoids all contact, all relationships. She cant bare becoming friends with someone just to be reminded ever time shes with them how much time they have left. Jems all alone. Until she meets Spider that is, hes another outsider, with only a few weeks left. Jem thinks she can handle it. She knows Spiders date, and the dates have never changed. She and Spider become friends, good friends, and everything goes fine until the London Eye explodes killing dozens, and Jem and Spider are seen fleeing the dock just seconds before the attack. Now Jem ans Spider are on the run, wanted for suspicious activity before the terrorists attacked. Meanwhile, Spider only has a few days left, and Jem is trying desperately to do the impossible, and save him.


Numbers was great. A friend recommended it to me in the summer, but I haven't gotten around to reading it until this week.  And I'm glad I went back to all my old recommendations.

There was something completely familiar about numbers, yet extremely unique. The burden of having the numbers seemed so realistic, even thought it was something that would never happen in real life. There was some really deep things in numbers about living and dying. I liked how Jem would never even hint at when someones number. Its something i would never be able to keep secret, but if I knew when  was going to die, I wouldn't be able to live the way I do.

It was sad and beautiful, and reminded me not to take any time with someone I cared about for granted, and that at any moment I could pass on my self. So we should all live a life were happy with, and never put things back saying you'll do them next year. You may never get the chance if you push something back.

They are going to have a sequel to numbers, and you can find out more about that Here

Weekly geeks!

This weeks topic? recommendations.
Where do I get my recommendations? most of the time from friends, or the librarian at school. I'm in to YA fiction, although sometimes I read memoirs/autobiography's occasionally, usually only if its recommended or on a top ten list or something. And I occasionally read adult  
My favorite genres? hmmm. Sci fi, but not hard core, fantasy, realistic fiction, thrillers, paranormal (my favorite), light romance, and a few others. I'm pretty open minded when it comes to books.
Ten of my all time favorite books?
1. The girl who could fly by Victoria Forester 
2. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DeCallimo
3. The Gone series by Micheal Grant 
4. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare 
5. The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins 
6. Maximum Ride by James Patterson 
7. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott 
8.White Cat by Holly Black
9. Heist Society by Ally Carter
10.Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 


anything you guys recomend? whats your top ten, and faveroite genre? 


XO, Dana

Pete Hautman

Hey guys! I had the great opportunity this week to meet author Pete Hautman. He spoke at my school and even read a exert of his newest book Blank confessions which comes out this November! He also read parts of rash and how to steal a car which both sounded really good!
Hautman gave us the inside scoop of how he came up with the books Rash, How To Steal A Car, and Godless

 With Rash Hautman was thinking about all the safety precautions that have changed in the past 50 years. (seat belts, car seats, bike helmets, etc.) Rash takes place in the year 2070 and people got to jail for anything that could even remotely hurt another person. (example. drop an apple core on the road? well some one just slipped and hit their head. oops. welcome to prison, you ungrateful apple dropping litterer.) Hautman said that he was going to change the year and call it 2084 like Gorge Orwell's 1984, but then later thought that Rash would be a better title.





When Hautman was thinking of a new book to write, and one girl suggested something useful and interesting, like how to steal a car. Obviously Hautman cant write a manual on stealing cars. but he did start to think of how that type of book would work. In how to steal a car 15 year old Kelleigh acts out by stealing cars. I'm really interested about this one, even though it was really hard to find a good description, check it out and tell me what you think.

The third book Hautman talked about was Godless. This one is the most well known I think, because I seem to see it everywhere. I loved the story behind this book because this is based on a true story. Pete and his friends decided that they were fed up with their religion, and all the responsibilities that come with it. (church every week, memorizing scripture, etc.) So they decided to make their own religion where they worship the water tower. ( They were sitting under a water tower when they made this up.) They also have simple rules like bathe in the holly water each day (take a shower) and bow in the direction of the water tower. (this was taken from Muslims who bow in the directions of Mecca 5 times each day.)

They tried to recruit more people, but most thought they were crazy, and then summer came along with the new skate board, and Pete and his friends forgot all about it. Godless sounds really interesting. I haven't read it but from what I understand this religion doesn't die down, it grows, and really shows the true power religion can have over people.

Other books by Hautman-

I feel so bad I haven't read one of his books yet! I put Invisible, How to steal a car, and Rash on my to read list.  Leave a comment on what your favorite book by him is. I'll read and review it.

xo, Dana

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas

This Gorgeous Game- Donna Freitas
Age group- YA
Pages- 208
Published by Frances Foster Books
Learn about it here
Buy it here
Rating- 5 stars (highly recommended)

Olivia Peters has always dreamed of becoming a writer, so shes overjoyed when she wins a writing contest hosted by famous author and local priest Father Mark D. Brendan picks her novel out of hundreds of other applicants as the winner of the Emerging Writers High School Fiction Prize. Now she gets her novel Published, and gets to attend a super exclusive college fiction seminar at the university where Father mark acts as her mentor, giving her advice on how to succeed as a writer.

Soon however, Father Marks enthusiasm For Olivia's writing quickly turns into something more and Father mark becomes obsessed. Olivia's innocence quickly deteriorates as she realises what is going on, but she pushes her suspicions down.  Olivia cant help but try to ask herself what game is Father mark playing, and how on earth can she make him stop? 

This book was.... indescribable, I guess. I honestly had never read anything like this before, and I`ve read a lot of books. I mean If you count all the lines that are being crossed, its incredible the author was able to pull this off. I loved how innocent Olivia was at the beginning of the book, and I also liked how each chapter was titled. (example. `on faith`, `on romance`, `on gratitude` ect.) (Sorry the quote key isn't working on my key board so I have to use ` instead. I`ll fix it later.)

I also really liked the religious aspect of it. I am Lutheran, not Catholic, so I don't know much about religion. But Olivia's family is extremely religious, her sister wouldn't even kiss anyone until she was engaged. That's one of the main reasons why Olivia didn't step up right away and say what was happening. I mean, Father mark didn't ever touch her, he just wouldn't leave her alone. But accusing a Priest is a serous accusation. Hes not even just a priest, hes also a teacher, mentor, over 50 (Olivia's 17) and hes publishing her book so technically hes her boss.

Its one of those books that just brings you in. Freitas makes you love and fear for Olivia. Although their were moments when I was frustrated that Olivia wouldn't just tell someone already. I understand why she couldn't. This book teaches you that you can never be too careful and to always rely on your friends, for anything.

(again sorry for the ` thing. I need a new keyboard... :[ )

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shade- Jeri Smith-Ready
Age group- 14+/YA
Pages- 309
Published by Simon & Shuster
Learn about it  here
Buy It here
Rating- 4 stars


 

Like all teenagers and children born after the shift, Aura has a special talent, she can see and here ghosts. The fact that ghosts exist is a normal thing now, and everything relates to them. Places are "black boxed" and people wear red to repel them, Aura's Job even relys on them. Shes a translator for a law firm, translating what the ghost is saying in court, so that they can resolve matters after their death. Shes devoted her time to figuring out how the shift happened and how to reverse it. all until a certain ghost changes everything.

Aura's at her boyfriend, Logan's birthday party when something devastating happens. He dies. He's gone from auras world, well, almost, see Logan died suddenly, and hes not ready to move on. Auras not either. Dead Logan is almost as real as ever, and shes not ready to let go quite yet, and a hot foreign exchange student, Zachary, makes holding on to Logan a lot harder than she thought.

This book really surprised me. It was better than I thought it would be. I liked  how everyone  could see the ghosts, and all the technology they had for them. The plot and ending was very good also, although a bit predictable. The author is pretty good, but not the best. I haven't read any thing else though from her though, so I may be mistaken.

Overall this book is pretty good, I think If it had anything else as a subject then it would have been 2 stars, but the whole world Jeri made up was pretty cool, thats the main reason I liked it. You can tell she spent a lot of time on the details and how everything works. I love authers who let their immagination run wild, and pull it off. The setting had very fue holes, the plot moved quickly, even though i don think she characterised well enough, I was satisfyed with the book, and if she comes out with A sequel. (im pretty sure she will) I'll read that one also.


xo Dana

Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Bloom- Elizabeth Scott
Age group- young adult
Pages-231
Published by Simon & Shuster
learn about it here
Buy it here
Rating- 3 stars

Lauren has, well, everything. At least that's what other people think. She has a popular best friend, decent grades, and the boyfriend every girl would kill for. Dave is popular, nice, smart, and caring. plays sports, actually listens when Lauren speaks, doesn't push her, is religious, has the perfect family and is completely in love with her. Everything should be perfect right? 

It takes the arrival of an old time friend Evan Kirkland, to bring Lauren out of her fantasy world. She realises how unhappy she is with Dave. Hes perfect, he loves Lauren. The only thing is, Laurens not so sure she loves him back. But staying with him is the right thing to do. That's what everyone else would do. She cant leave Dave, then she would be as bad as her mother leaving her father. The last person Lauren wants to be like is be like her mother. 

She trys to suppress her feelings for Evan. She trys to do whats right, but Dave has all these plans for the future, plans that no matter how hard Lauren trys, she can't see herself in. Meanwhile, her time with Evan has become a sacred time where she can be herself, all of her, not the perfect version of Lauren that Dave sees. The more shes with Evan the harder she falls. Now she just has to make a choice, before someone else makes it for her.

Lets start off with saying I love Elizabeth Scott. Well I like her at least, considering that I have never met her before... But I read Stealing heaven, and You, Maybe a few years ago and loved them. There's just something about her writing. Its elegant, light, happy and all ways has a good ending, with the exception of A Living Dead Girl, that is.

Bloom was what I expected it to be, Wich Isn't either a good or a bad thing. There are some deep problems lauren is facing, but its not too depressing, which is good. And the romance is great, But it's just not the best book I've ever read.  One thing I did realy like though was the fact that Evan used to live with Lauren when she was a child. That part was kind of cool and I think the book would be too forced if Lauren and Evan haden't known even before.

Again, Im not saying you shouldn't read it, no way. There are definatly people out there who would absolutly love this book. Its just not my style. but I definatly sugest checking it out. :)

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

The Duff- Kody Keplinger
Age group- 16+/young adult.
Pages-277
published by Poppy
learn about it here
Buy it here
Rating- 5 stars

Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend.

Those words wont stop running through seventeen year old, Bianca Piper's head. Ever since her class mate, Wesley Rush told her that's what she was. I mean of course shes not the prettiest of her friends, but shes smart, loyal, and maybe a bit cynical.  And Wesley Rush is a man slut. So what does he know? Well apparently something, because ever since Wesley nick-named her "Duffy" she has not been able to let it go. Not with all the problems at home, not with the boy who broke her heart coming back to town. Bianca just needs a distraction... And she finds one. She ends up kissing Wesley, and she likes it. No not  in that way, more like why alcoholics drink. When Bianca's with Wesley there's nothing at stake, no feelings on the line, her need is purely physical. 

until she finds out that Wesley's not all he seems to be. His life's kind of screwed up too, and hes not that bad of a listener either. Bianca's finds herself starting to despise Wesley less and less, empathising with him, and maybe even starting to like him a little. Okay, a lot

I really liked this book. And I don't really (avec Italics) like that many.  Bianca was an amazing character. She was a hater and had some serous problems, but her personality stuck with her the whole way. Most of the time authors can't pull off being negative with out being depressive. Kody Keplinger did a phenomenal job. The friendship between Bianca, Casey and Jess was heart warming, I loved how Bianca's cynicism was balanced by Jess's Innocence. Casey was care free, loyal and non judgemental. Witch was great. If Bianca had any friend problems on top of everything else, the book would become to forced and seem fake.

Wesley was the degrading man-whore you can imagine he is, but Keplinger didn't skimp at all on his character. By the end I loved him as much as I loved Bianca, two characters that had a different author wrote this book I would hate.

The duff is one of those books you pick up and don't put down until the end. Its fast paced and funny and makes you feel happy in a 'Im not sure if I should feel happy way'. It was a great debut novel from an amazing 18 year old writer. Keplinger did an excellent job, she kept everything real, and didn't make me feel depressed or uncomfortable through the entire book. I just wanted to know what happened next.

It was beautiful and authentic, and completely deserves its five star rating. I can't wait to read what Keplinger does next.