Mini Reviews: Life in Outer Space and Smart Girls Get What They Want

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Genre: YA Contemporary
ARC: 308 pages
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Release Date: February 1st, 2013

Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository 

Rating: 4 stars

‘Full of energy, wit and tenderness; this is one big-hearted and unique book.’ - Leanne Hall 

Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that. He has his horror movies, his nerdy friends, World of Warcraft – and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, he doesn’t have to worry about girls. 

Then Sam meets Camilla. She’s beautiful, friendly and completely irrelevant to his life. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a life of her own – and she’s decided that he’s going to be part of it. 

Sam believes that everything he needs to know he can learn from the movies ... but now it looks like he’s been watching the wrong ones. 

‘Hilarious and heartfelt.’ - Sally Rippin

Review

Ever since Cindy Bennett introduced me to adorable geeks in her novel Geek Girl, I've been eagerly in search for books that feature smart, geeky and endearing heroes to get a breather from mysterious and angst-y ones. From the moment I saw  the cover and read the blurb to Life in Outer Space, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy.

Being inside Sam's head proved to be not only enjoyable, but also refreshing. He's a witty narrator whose voice connected to me, despite the movie and other nerdy and pop-culture references I mostly didn't get.  Enter the set of pleasant and varied minor characters that made this book an even more fun read. For obvious reasons, I liked Camilla the most . Camilla is the cool new girl in town who seem to blend among the Vessels (popular kids) and Sam's group. She helped Sam and went out of her way to do things he hasn't done before, like learning how to play guitar and watching rom-coms, or as Camilla say, feel-good movies. 

I inhaled this in just a few hours, and while the book didn't blow my mind or change my life, the added subplots deliver further substance and heart to the story. Overall,  Life in Outer Space is a wonderful debut novel by Melissa Klein. It was a light and sweet read that will tug at your heartstrings and appeal to everyone's inner geek. I highly recommend this if you're looking for something to give you good vibes in one sitting.

I would like to thank Dianne of Oops! I Read a Book Again for lending me her ARC!

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Genre: YA Contemporary

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Balzer +  Bray

Release Date: June 26th, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Rating: 3.5 stars

Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it. 

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now. 

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

Review

Smart Girls Get What They Want is the kind of book that will leave you smiling and feeling fuzzy inside. It's funny, cute, and a little romantic, with its charming and overachieving characters I couldn't help but adore. And despite it being an easy and short read, the plot leaves plenty of room for character growth. We witness how Gia, Bea, and Neerja step out of their comfort zones and grow their potentials outside academics. Ultimately, it touches on how strong their friendship is, which I think is the highlight of the story.

However, I couldn't overlook the fact that it's predictable, cliché, and it uses tropes I usually encounter in YA Contemporary. It wouldn't stay with me for a long time, and it will probably be forgotten by the end of summer. That being said, I still consider this a highly entertaining story to read in-between heavier books. 

Quick Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

  

Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1) by Melina Marchetta

Paperback: 416 pages

Release date: August 9th, 2011

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Source: Won

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Goodreads Summary: Finnikin was only a child during the five days of the unspeakable, when the royal family of Lumatere were brutally murdered, and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere’s walls, and those who escaped roam the surrounding lands as exiles, persecuted and despairing, dying by the thousands in fever camps. In a narrative crackling with the tension of an imminent storm, Finnikin, now on the cusp of manhood, is compelled to join forces with an arrogant and enigmatic young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dark dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to pierce the cursed barrier and regain the land of Lumatere. But Evanjalin’s unpredictable behavior suggests that she is not what she seems — and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith not only in her, but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny. 

Are you a fan of Melina Marchetta and Kristin Cashore? Do you fancy YA Romances that knock you off your feet? Do you easily fall in love with amazing and outstanding and superb and fantastic characters? Are you ready to be blown away by the magical world Marchetta created? If your answers are all YES and you haven’t read this, then you ought to go out, buy a copy, and snuggle up with it all day and not care with the world. Yep, I’m speaking of my own personal experience with Finnikin of the Rock. My only complaint is it should have been a couple of pages longer… like 300 pages more. I even stopped when there were only 20 or 30 pages left because I didn’t want it to end. 

I will now end this to avoid excessive gushing and imminent spoilers. I just have to say that this easily became one of my favorite reads this year or maybe ever. And again like I always say, if you haven’t read any of Melina Marchetta’s books, man you’re missing out on so much of the literary world. Here are some quotes to convince you people furthermore. 

“Sir Topher finally looked up. “Because any hope beyond that, my boy, would be too much. I feared we would drown in it.” 
"Then I choose to drown,” Finnikin said. “In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”  

“Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?” 

“Finn, listen!" Trevanion said, his voice raw."I prayed to see you one more time. It's all I prayed for. Nothing more. And my prayers were answered. Go east, I'll lend them west." 
"We have a dilemma, then," Finnikin said fiercely. "Because I prayed that you would grow old and hold my children in your arms as you held me. My prayers have not been answered yet, Trevanion. So whose prayer is more worthy? Yours or mine?” 

“There are worse things than a lie and there are better things than the truth!” 

 

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Review: This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

 This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Paperback: 345 pages

Release date: March 8th, 2004

Publisher: Puffin

Source: ebook

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Goodreads Summary: When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

I have heard a lot of praises about this book that made me put this on my reading shelf for Semestral break and I hadn’t been disappointed because it’s really wonderful. The story was being told from Remy’s point of view on how she deals with boys and ‘marriages’ of her mother which unconsciously turns her heart into stone. And just like an aberration from what she believes comes Dexter, the type of boy who has a love for challenges, very clumsy and very optimistic. From this book we could become aware of everything that is happening to us is always out of our control, no matter how hard we try to change its course and make it to how we wanted it to be. Life and Love has no equations, no statistics, or even charts to ponder; it’s purely taking the risks coming and making each day of our lives special. This life is too short to live with regrets. We have to love unconditionally and unequivocally, forgive about the ones who don’t treat us right, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get the chance take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.  And at the end of the day the moment we have come to sacrifice and given up our pride or happiness for someone special, it would be the moment we understand love.


To sum everything up this is a good read! Never fail to add it on your to-read list because I’m certain that this won’t only be added to your long list of books have been read but it will also, somehow change the way we look on love (Although everyone of us is always new to this).  

Contemporary Book Reviews: Love at First Click by Elizabeth Chandler and Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Love at First Click by Elizabeth Chandler

Paperback: 185 pages

Release date: March 31st, 2009

Publisher: HarperTeen

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Goodreads Summary: I could no longer deny what the heat in my cheeks meant when I was around Flynn. I was falling for my sister's boyfriend. 

There's just something about Flynn. Yes, he's a tall, unbelievably gorgeous, dark-haired football player, but . . . he's also sweet and nice and super easy to talk to. It's lucky I'm the photographer for the school paper, because my camera likes Flynn almost as much as I do. Unfortunately for me, so does my sister, and there's no way I can nab Flynn with her in the picture... 

This book has an adorable story of the only photographer at school, Hayley. She’s the regular photographer of their school paper which includes her constant attention to all football games and social events. She was determined to keep her status as a secret admirer of Flynn, the football star of the team, until her sister Breeze dated him.

I love Hayley’s name for one. She’s this simple and honest teenager who doesn’t want the spotlight focused on her. Her sister Breeze has that spotlight and Hayley is just contented on being the one squinting up on her sister’s light. I really liked her character because I can somehow picture myself in her. We both think wearing clothes that cause attention and spending too much money on them are just ridiculous. She saves up for money for her dream camera just as I save up to buy books. In that way, I know we both don’t feel deprived of buying any other things. Breeze is a little selfish but at the same time, she loves her sister and cares for her. Flynn is pure of awesomeness. Well, he's kind as always. What a fine specimen.


I read this a few hours after finishing my previous read. I was looking for a light yet fun read and I’m glad that I chose LOVE AT FIRST CLICK. Reading about the photography bit sparked my interest. I’m a huge photo enthusiast and I’ve always dreamed of having an SLR of my own someday. This book is relaxing and the story is truly cute. There were some predictable parts of the plot but I still liked it regardless. Just exactly what I was looking for at the moment.

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Hardcover: 320 pages

Release date: December 1st, 2010

Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

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Goodreads Summary: Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

I’ve been meaning to read a Sarah Ockler book in a while and FIXING DELILAH caught my attention. The book is about Delilah, a sixteen-year old girl who finds herself tangled up with life’s disconcerting issues. Her grandmother’s death brings her and her mother back to Red Falls, where memories are left behind eight years ago following the loss of her grandfather. There, Delilah unfolds the mysteries of her life and watches it change right before her eyes, that mends her broken life.

I’m in awe of Ms. Ockler for a wonderfully written novel. The words used are all well put-together and the complexity of her writing is just brilliant. I felt the weight of Delilah’s need to know more about her father, her Aunt Stephanie, and the cause of her grandmother’s depression.  I kept guessing and came to the point when I was so sure of what might be the answer to all Delilah’s question. I was SHOCKED to find out that I got the other half wrong.

While finding for answers, Delilah did what she thought she will never do: She fell in love. Patrick was her childhood best friend up until they moved to live in Keys. I felt all giddy every time they were together. It’s also great to have a change for once. Instead of a love at first sight kind of thing, they knew each other for a long time and the feelings came back after eight years of absence.
I highly recommend this to those who seek for a good realistic fiction and a great dose of teenage romance.

Review : Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Hardcover: 384 pages

Release date: April 6th 2006

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Source: e-book

Goodreads Summary: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. 

Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

 

My Thoughts

This is the last book that I've read in my folder of Sarah Dessen books, and I. Love. It! Not just because of the cameo role of Dexter and Remy (This Lullaby)*oops, spoiler*, but because of the story. The story was really ingenious, remarkable and other praises that I might spell out. Just Listen talks about friendship, acceptance, dilemmas that may come to our lives and love.  Annabel’s life is not perfect as it seems because she is a model and has a huge-exquisite-glass house. Her true life lies behind her glass house, her older sister became anorexic, her mother changed when their grandmother died and of course her own secrets that keeps haunting her everyday--the truth on the night, where she and her ex-best friend Sophie stopped being friends. I love her trait which she doesn’t give up on the obstacles that came on to her life and still manages to survive fine everyday. Of course Owen--the bad/music-lover/gorgeous boy who is the love interest of Annabel--made a huge part on the story to make it more spine-tingling and arousing. I love how their affection grows in the story and the roll music played. Owen helps Annabel to face her own secret and to put her downhill life back into pieces. The end of the story was really impressive and innovative.

Altogether I love the story and highly recommend this to those who doesn't know this book and who doesn't know the inventive author Sarah Dessen! :)

 

Mini Review : Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt

Paperback: 368 pages

Release date:Feb. 21st, 2011

Publisher: Orbit

Goodreads Summary:
Polly is a real estate solicitor. She is also losing her mind. Someone keeps drinking her coffee. And talking to her clients. And doing her job. And when she goes to the dry cleaner's to pick up her dress for the party, it's not there. Not the dress - the dry cleaner's.

And then there are the chickens who think they are people. Something strange is definitely going on - and it's going to take more than a magical ring to sort it out.


From one of the funniest voices in comic fiction today comes a hilarious tale of pigs and parallel worlds.

Thoughts

A book that will surely beloved by science enthusiasts. And a story that is unusual and comical. At first I thought that I wouldn’t finish this book because I’m not into this kind of story. But when I started reading it I got curious on where the story will gets, that I realized it’s a page-turner book for me. Bizarre things started when Polly off to pick up her dress on the dry cleaners, that the dry cleaners was the one which is missing. Then to her brother and even on her work, things seem a bit odd. The story is very new to me; I mean I thought it is really that serious (I mean the unusual thing that going on in the life of Polly). It is serious, but…it’s just that, I keep smiling every time I remember how the story ends and the whole truth about the eerie things that’s happening to Polly. You just have to read it and I know that you will surely going to adore it. I now agree that Tom Holt is the most imaginative satirist in modern times. There’s just one question that every man I know, knew and that I will left for you to answer, “Which came first? The chicken…or the egg?”