The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly- Stephanie Oakes

 

 

Ahhh.. So my co-worker (Teen librarian) asked me to read this. She has tons of books that she reads and sometimes asks me to help read some. This one sounded interesting enough but it has been sitting on my table for a couple months. I just got my glasses, so I picked it up today and jumped in!

Wow. I have honestly never read anything like this before. Never. I could not put this down. I literally sat at my couch and didn't move for almost 3 hours. This book is fantastic. While reading this book, I kept having flashes of Orange is the New Black. lol Maybe that's all I will think about now with books that take place in prison. Well sorta.

Anyways, Minnow has grown up a bit differently than most. She was forced to move into the wilderness to follow a "Prophet" when she was five years old. She grows up there never quite believing and always questioning. There are some really unfortunate things that happen in this "cult" group. She ends up losing her hands by her own father. It AMAZES me the lengths people will go to, to follow a leader. Who chops off their daughters hands just because the leader says that's what should be done? Don't you need to take a minute and rethink things? I don't think that God would ever condemn this kind of behavior. Not only that but murder is definitely a NO. Anyways, I'm not going to get all religious. Now, let me tell you the reasons I love this book.

I honestly, still don't completely understand why she did what she did to Philip. I have an idea but maybe I'm wrong. It's something that you can just ponder, I guess. The Minnow you see at the beginning of the book is a completely different by the end. The transformation this girl goes through, is outstanding. The way this girl has picked herself up from the horrible things she's had to face is impressive.  Then to rethink everything and even make the decision to take a hold of her own future. To learn how to think for herself.To be thrust into a new world and know nothing. To think that the boy she loves is dead then finds out he isn't. Jude.. oh Jude. How I'm still wondering if he will make it.

I don't know about you but this author had some amazing moments in this book that completely grab you. When Jude is telling Minnow about his mother, when he finds her after she's lost her hands, when they meet face to face when she's in prison and when she sees the doctor one more time before her parole hearing. The way that Stephanie Oakes writes, will completely take a hold of you. They are such powerful moments and they stay with you. It's really a talent.

All the characters in this book are fantastic. I loved them all and I really think that Angel was the perfect person for Minnow. She took her under her wing and watched out for her. Not only that, she taught her how to think for herself. Even Benny, the guard was a great character.

I can go on and on. Really, this is just a great book and you should definitely read it!

Everything Everything - Nicola Yoon

 

 

 

 

 

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

 

I was a bit disappointed. The reviews and my review do not add up at all. There are so many people that really liked this book but I just thought it was .. okay.

 

It really started out strong. I was really wrapped up into the story and got about 40% of the way through before I started to get a bit bored. The writing style was different and I'm not sure that I liked it so much. It was either that or I got a really bad ebook version. There were a lot of random letters/equations/ramblings in the middle of paragraphs. I'm not going to judge too harshly about that because I'm not sure if it was just the ebook I received.

 

Right away, you know this is going to be a typical YA love story. From first sight she's already smitten. Of course, she is. Although, with her living in a bubble all her life, I'm not that surprised. I really liked Olli's character at the beginning. I mean, we really don't learn much about SCID. Really, this girl just lives in white. I mean everything is white. That's pretty much all I get from it. There are some serious plot holes in this book! For example: She knows that she has this disease and then she runs off with her boyfriend?! I mean what about the nurse?! She should have known that she was living this way for a reason, then to throw all caution to the wind. Just so they could be alone and have sex. Not cool. What is it with these YA books lately?!

 

Then there is the ending. I saw it coming from the beginning. How else would this tie up really pretty with a bow on top? This was the only way that I could see it happening. So to me, it was predictable. I'm pretty good at figuring things out like this though. I missed my calling of being a PI. haha.

 

Anyways, this is a cute story and it was definitely worth the read. I just found a lot of issues with it and that's why it's getting the 3 stars. I was expecting a lot more from this book based on peer reviews. I just didn't see it.

 

 

The Anatomy of Curiosity- Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton & Brenna Yovanoff

What a great book! I wasn't quite sure what this was about. I saw the authors and new that I had to read it. This book is about three short stories from the authors and bonus! The bonus is that it has notes, like footnotes, about their writing methods. It's a fun thing to read/see. I don't know about you but I always wonder about those things, in regards to authors. 

They have tips and that would come in handy for writers. So this would be a great book if you are a writer or if you just love the authors. I really enjoyed the short stories and this book. I'm not a writer but I really do appreciate their work. It was fun to see a little bit of behind the scenes. 

Another Day - David Levithan

 

This is not a sequel but a companion book. The first book, I did enjoy but this book I was a bit let down. I don't know if it's because I liked "A's" point of view more or because I was expecting a sequel!  

I really did like her view and it made for an interesting book but I didn't feel that a lot more was added to this book. I really feel it was just the same book over without her adding much to make this a more compelling read. Don't get me wrong, it was okay but not great.

I was just really let down because my expectations were so high. I really liked the first book. It's a fast read and it is enjoyable, If you don't have anything else to read.

P.S I Still Love You- Jenny Han

 

 

 

 

 

Wow. I cannot say enough good things about this series. This book was just as great as the first one. We pick up pretty much where the first book left off. Laura Jean’s sister is coming home for holiday break and so we get more of her in this book. 

LJ is trying to define her relationship with Peter. They are in a place where they are unsure of what they want to call themselves. They end up making another contract for their relationship. Basically, they just want to have fun with each other and they are not allowed to break each other’s hearts. So of course, it’s foreshadowing. You know what is going to come, I mean really.

I absolutely love EVERY single character in this book! LJ is just the sweetest, nicest girl with a touch of innocence. She’s coming of age and learning about herself and her relationships. Her younger sister, Kitty, is fabulous. She adds a lot of spunk and attitude to this book. She says exactly what everyone else is thinking and doesn’t think twice about it. She has her own opinions that she voices, but she will stick up for the ones she loves, without a second thought. Their sister Margo, isn’t around much because she’s away at college but she has a huge presence. She is just always there in LJ’s mind and the way they add her into the book works. Their father is just so funny. You can tell he has his hand full with three girls but he’s a great father. 

Peter… Peter… Peter.. At first you are just so unsure of what he’s doing. You can’t believe he would act that way but then once it’s all clear, you just love him more.

This book is basically about Peter and LJ finding out what they mean to each other. They go through some struggles but you just can’t help but pull for them. The ending of this book is what MAKES this book. It’s amazing and I still can’t stop thinking about it. It’s just so pure and real.

I love, love this book! I highly recommend them!