Review: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

 

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.(Goodreads)

My Thought

I was little bit surprise when I read the first page. I thought it was just the prologue. But when I move to few next pages, I realized that the format of this book is different. It is written in verse.  I got no problem with this kind of book. But the verse made me almost miss the important part. That was way, In the beginning, I got confused a little bit. I have no idea what Amber was trying to said. But when I read the first letter, I started getting the red line. Especially when Cade appeared. I think I could get the track. So I decided to reread it.

 

The Day Before brought me to Amber, a girl who ran away from her family and one thing that troubled her for almost three years. After letting me get the picture of Amber's life, It took me to Cade. It did not take hours for them to get connected. For some books I would say it was just too fast. But this time, I did not feel the same. It might because the relationship between them was bonded naturally. Although I was not into both of them, but I did enjoy their conversation. Especially with those Heads and Tails or when they talked about the movie. I also liked when they finally shared anything. I loved how Lisa determined the ending for them.

One thing that I was also looking forward in this book was the letters. It helped me a lot in getting the story line. I was happy when the ending was attached with it, not the verse.

Even if I did not fancy the verse format, but I admit it was written well. I still enjoy the book however the emotions were not floating on the surface. 

This is the first book of Lisa Schroeder that I read. I hope there will be a chance to read the other book of hers. I am curious about I Heart You, You Haunt Me and Chasing Brooklyn. From her Goodreads page, I know that she also wrote Middle Grade book. I am looking forward to read it. For those of you who love a contemporary book, I am pretty sure you don’t wanna miss this one. If you are looking a face-paced and light book, I recommend The Day Before to you.

Cover

I like the color choice. But I wish it was not grass but the sand on the beach.

4/5

Author: Lisa Schroeder | Website | Twitter

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse (June 28, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442417439

ISBN-13: 978-1442417434

Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches

Buy The Day Before at Amazon

Review: Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?

Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.

Boyfriends with Girlfriends is Alex Sanchez at his best, writing with a sensitive hand to portray four very real teens striving to find their places in the world--and with each other.

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it

~Atticus Finch, To Kill Mockingbird~

My Thought

While reading this book, I kept spelling the quote above. I am not a phobia nevertheless the ideas in this book are new for me. Surprisingly, various emotions were up to the surface when I read it

It was nice that every characters, Allie, Lance, Kimiko and Sergio, got their own chapters. So I could read all their point of view and interpret them. I liked when Allie and Kimiko talked about manga. The conversations that involved Allie and Lance were also my favorite. In other side, Kimiko and Sergio gave me much trouble. I was never in their sides for every problem that they faced. Many things that they did really upset me. But nothing saddened me when I found out what Allie did in the end.

Please bear with me. I have never read any GLBT book before. Do not get me wrong when my eyes kept frowning since the beginning. I just did not get with some thoughts and issue that Alex brought. I kept asking about this bisexual. A way that Allie and Sergio chose to be. Just like Lance, I just not get why they can have deep feeling for both of man and woman.

Another thing that trouble me was Sergio's thought about a date. No need to wonder why I thought he just took Lance for granted. He was not that serious. I really dislike the way Sergio treated Lance. I understood why Lance questioned their relationship.Not only once, when I found myself kept whispered to Lance to leave him behind. Lance deserved someone better.

I was crying when Alex took me to all segments of Kimiko and her mother. Both of them were stubborn enough. They got their own reasons. I was glad when finally there was a way out. One thing that also broke my heart was something that happened between Allie and her boyfriend. The antipathy was knitted for her. Then few days after, I was giggling because of these feelings. There are not many books which make me feel these way.

I could enjoy this book more if I left what I think about straight, gay and bisexual behind.

If you want to find something different that you will not find in many YA genre, you can choose this book. I think I am going to give another chance for Alex Sanchez's works but not in the near future.

Cover

They chose the right models. All the characters were represented well. Allie and Lance were Gorgeous as I thought.

3.5/5

Author: Alex Sanchez | Website

Format: ebook, 224 pages

Published April 19th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab

Buy Boyfriends with Girlfriends at Amazon

Review: Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu by Charise Mericle Harper

In this sixth installment in the Just Grace series, Grace and Mimi have a secret... Mimi is going to be a big sister. Then when Lily, a visiting four year old, turns into the Terrible Tutu, Grace can't escape her, and Mimi can't wait to be with her. Using all her empathy powers Grace shows Lily and Mimi the creative path towards a new friendship

My Thought

I was so glad when I found out that Net Galley offered this entertaining book for review. Although I just read the first two book of Just Grace Series, I still can keep up with all the rest of the story. Although there was one character whose story that I completely forgot, I did not get lost. I still enjoyed what Grace told in every chapter.

This is the sixth book. I thought I would see a grown up Grace. Unfortunately, I found there was nothing new from Grace. She still could not take "Just Grace" as her nick name at school. Great empathy power was something that she proud of. Her superhero breakfast, french toast, did not change at all. But it was not tedious to read all those stuff above. Grace and her words have hooked me since I read the first book. Besides Grace has many new things to tell.

Something interesting in this book is the appearance of Lily, a four years old - little girl with colorful tutu. For me, she was so cute. But for Grace, Lily was trouble. She even called her terrible tutu. Grace almost gave up. Moreover, when she found out that Lily could not make a friend with Mimi. Undeniable, dealing with a girl like Lily was exhausting. I could not stop giggling when I read about all time that they spent together. Lily was absolutely one of my favorite girls in this installment.

Another great character from this quick read book was Mimi, Grace's best friend. That sibling adoption things made her over-excited. Most of her idea, plan even fear about "big sister" were totally hilarious.

The illustration on this book was another thing that also does not change. It is still nice to see it.

I hope Atria, local publisher, will publish the next series. Since they have brought out the first and the second book.

Cover

Although I am not a big fan of pink, I think the chapters were representative in the cover. Read this book so you will get what I mean.

4/5 stars

~~~

Author: Charise Mericle Harper; Website, Twitter, Facebook

Buy This Book at Amazon; Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu

Hardcover, 176 pages

Published January 17th 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Source: Net Galley

Review: Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

My Thought

I have seen this book in some blogs and they gave a high rating to this book. 4 until 5 stars. I was so glad when I found out that it was in Grab Galley March. Thanks to Simon&Schuster who provided me this e-ARC.

Kat was a fun character. It did not take many pages to fall for this girl. She was so unique. From all things that she had in her mind or her attitudes. A lot of times, I found myself smiling even giggling because of her stubbornness or everything that she said in conversation. I did not find any difficulties to understand her. Being accused as trouble in family was not nice. Especially when she had some problem with Angeline and Ellisa, her sisters. They are also my favorite. I enjoyed the family's relation. Reading all their moments that were written in this book remind me to my own sisters. I think her stepmother also played a great role. Without her the story might be plain.

I have never expected that I would find magical stuff in this book. Surprisingly, it became one of interesting thing. I enjoyed all the idea about Guardian, mirror, book, a witch who could cast a spell without wand or even saying any word. However few times I found myself searching for the charms.

It was hard for me to imagine a girl like Kat wearing a 19th century dress. But I am pretty sure It would be nice to see her in motion pictures.

Overall Kat, Incorrigible is delightful reading. I think it is not only for middle grade because all ages could enjoy this book. Can't hardly wait for the next book

Cover
I loved it, although I could not find any scene where all tea pots flying that can be seen in the cover.

4/5

Author: Stephanie Burgis

Source: Grab Galley Simon&Schuster.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Atheneum (first published August 1st 2010)