Tuesday 18 September 2012

Review of Thirteen Reasons Why

Details about the book:
Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Page count: 288
First sentence: "Sir?" she repeats.

My Review
Thirteen Reasons Why is a realistic suicide book. Every little thing a person does counts.
The reason I read this book is because everyone is reading it at the moment, and I've been meaning to for a while.
The main plot is for Clay, the main character, to find out why Hannah Baker killed herself, through some tapes she left.
I liked the main character because he didn't let the little things bothered him, but allowed the big things to hit hard, not to push them down. I didn't like him because he didn't do enough to keep Hannah, to be with her.
I liked this book because I've never read anything like it, and I liked it because of the way it was written. I didn't like it because it's a sensitive topic for me at the moment.
The book was published in 2007.
Overall, I recommend this book for those of you who enjoy light easy reads, but quite serious topics.
I give it a 4/5.

Friday 14 September 2012

Review of Change of Heart

Details about the book:
Title: Change of Heart
Author: Jodi Picoult
Page count: 447
First sentence: In the beginning, I believed in second chances.

My Review
Change of Heart is a realistic book.
The reason I read this book is because I'm going through a Jodi Picoult phase.
The main plot is for Shay to do what he believes in, and for his lawyer to make it happen.
I liked the main character, Shay, because he truly thought he was doing the right thing, and he didn't get angry at unecessary things. I didn't like him because he kept the truth to himself, and didn't tell anyone about what really happened.
I liked this book because it shows what can really happen, how people can really get what they want if they put their heart into it (figuratively, but in the book's case, literally) and also because it was from the perspective of a few different people. I didn't like it because it seemed to drag a little bit in the middle, and also being from the perspective of a lot of people meant I needed to read it seriously, it wasn't a light read.
The book was published in 2008.
Overall, this book is recommended for those wanting to become lawyers, and for those who like happy endings.
I give this book a 4/5.

Saturday 8 September 2012

Review of Go Ask Alice

Details about the book:
Title: Go Ask Alice
Author: Anonymous
Page count: 159
First sentence: Yesterday I remember thinking I was the happiest person in the whole earth, in the whole galaxy, in all of God's creation.

My Review
Go Ask Alice is a truly-based diary of a girl on drugs, that's why the author's anonymous.
The reason I read this book is because someone on my blog recommended it. I'm glad I did. I read it all today. :D
The main plot is for the main character (I don't know her name) to get her life back in order without the temptation of drugs.
I liked the main character because she was responsible for all she did, but I didn't like her because she always ran away from home and thought herself worthless.
I liked this book because it was set out like a diary, and it was a short quick read, only 159 pages. I didn't like it though because it was quite repetitive, and her family were too tolerant in my opinion.
The book was published in 1997.
Overall, it's recommended for those who like books based on real people.
I give it a 3/5.

Thursday 6 September 2012

Review of The Killing

Details about the book:
Title: The Killing
Series: Cherub
Number in series: 4
Author: Robert Muchamore
Page count: 306
First sentence: Two thirteen year-olds wore nylon shorts, sleeveless tops and flip-flops.

My Review
The Killing is a spy book.
The reason I read this book is because I was seeing who could read it fastest out of me and my friend. It's my 4th time I've read it.
The main plot is for the Cherub agents to catch the criminal.
I liked the main character, James, because he stands up for himself, making the natural mistakes occassionally and making up for them somehow. I didn't like James because he's such a cheat on his girlfriend, Kerry. When he goes away on missions, every single mission he gets it off with a girl, and he's only 13! Over 16 months he's been with 6 girls. It's so annoying!
I liked this book because it has one of the most complex plots out of the four books so far, and it has nice short chapters. I didn't like this book because the mission was rather boring, but it did get better as it went on.
The book was published in 2005.
Overall, this book is very recommended, more for boys than girls, but if you like spy/action books then this is for you!
I give this book a 4/5.

Monday 3 September 2012

Review of Tricks

Details about the book:
Title: Tricks
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Page count: 626
First sentence: Eyes tell stories but do they know how to craft fiction?

My Review
Tricks is a realistic fiction book about the use of drugs, alcohol, sexualities and prostitution.
The reason I read Tricks is because I like the longness of it but the lack of words, which means I read it really fast. I've also read all of her books, which means I'm just waiting on her latest, Tilt, to come out.
The main plot is for the 5 main characters to find their feet again, and forgive those they've hurt in the process of their journies.
There were 5 main characters in this book, and each told the story through their eyes. Each chapter would swap people. I liked Seth because he came out to his dad, rather than keeping it a secret, but I dislike him because he wants his own way all the time, and expected his dad to accept it. I liked Whitney because she believes in true love, but I dislike her because she goes into drugs and prostitution, and runs away for the boy she 'loves'. But then they break up. I liked Cody because he'd do anything to get money to help his family, but disliked him because he gambled all the money away and he doesn't help Cory, his 13 year old brother, get off the booze. I liked Ginger because she helped run her family, and protected her half-siblings from their abusive mother, but I disliked her because she ran away from the responsibility with her boyfriend. I liked Eden because she is Catholic and believes in God, and she'd do anything for true love, but I disliked her because she resorted to sex with her house-father as her last way to freedom after being sent to an isolated Catholic rehabilitation home in the middle of nowhere.
I liked this book because of the way it was written, in verse, because it's different to what I'd normally read.
I disliked it because all of Ellen Hopkins's books, in my opinion, are the same, all about drugs and teen trouble.
The book was published in 2009.
Overall, it's recommended but not a best read.
I give it a 4/5.

Saturday 1 September 2012

Review of Private

Details about the book:
Title: Private
Series: Private
Number in series: 1
Author: Kate Brian
Page count: 227
First sentence: Where I come from everything is gray.

My Review
Private is a reality book, about a 15 year old girl who goes to the boarding school she's dreamed of.
The reason I read this book was because it was recommended by a girl in my class. I'm so glad I read it! It's amazing because this is probably what it's like for new girls at boarding school, wanting to fit in and understand things.
The main plot is for Reed Brennan, the main character, to somehow make it into the popular group called the Billings Girls, and to work out her relationship with a senior she met on the first day of boarding school.
I like Reed because she's no different from the average teenager, and acts like it. She keeps to herself, but follows her dreams, whether she needs to do the right or wrong thing to achieve them. I don't like her though because she knows when she does the wrong thing, and then later on wonders why she's been rejected.
I liked this book because it was just awesome, and it's also the first in a series of 14 books, that are all apparently filled with mystery and intrigue. This series also has prequels and a series where one of the Billings Girls is the main character.
I didn't like this book because it was too short!
This book was published in 2006.
Overall, this book is recommended for those who aren't that into reading, or who are looking for a short and easy read.
I give it a 5/5.