The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Author: E. Lockhart

Reading Level: 13 and up

Summary: Frankie Landau-Banks rich and intelligent finally blossoms in her sophomore year. Which means she attracts the attention of her crush Matthew and is subsequently let in to his clique of friends. Finding herself growing deeply attached to them, Frankie is upset when she finds they are keeping secrets from her and won't let her join their all male society. Setting out to prove her worth to them Frankie begins planning and putting together the greatest pranks in the history of her school.

My Review: Truthfully I picked up this book in the library because the tag on the back cover calling Frankie a near criminal mastermind intrigued me and I was in the mood for a clever story that was girl empowering. Alas this was not to be. I'm not sure why Frankie is described as a criminal mastermind. She is clever that's for sure but mastermind? Not so much. She was just overly obsessed with her boyfriend and his friends, and getting into their club. Why? Because she is overly needy and has to be with them 24/7 even though she complains she never has any alone time with her boyfriend. Not because she's asserting her independence as a smart female. A smart female wouldn't care about being excluded and being with her boyfriend 24/7. She'd go on and live her life. The only other character that made an impression on me other than Frankie was Alpha, her rival, but he was pushed into the background to make room for her boring and uninteresting boyfriend Matthew. The the other characters were so one dimensional and unemotional it's not even worth to mention their names.
The narrating of the story tried to hard to be smart. In the beginning the use of big words was cute, and I felt would encourage teens to look up these words and heck maybe even start using them in real life. The explanation of "neglected positive" was interesting, but Frankie's use of them got annoying after a while. The conversations between the "basset hounds" were not as fascinating as Frankie or the author would lead you to believe. It's just a bunch of guys spouting nonsense, which is fine in real life but not so much in books. The pacing of the novel was slow, the interesting pranks that Frankie masterminded didn't show up until near the end, and then they were skimmed over so quickly you really didn't have time to enjoy them.
I did however enjoy finding out what a panopticon was, Frankie's suicide club essay, and the mentions of P.G. Wodehouse and his books.
Content: Actually I forget if there was any language or not in this book. Some sexual innuendo.
Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Recommend: No

The Lonely Hearts Club: A Book Review

Title: The Lonely Hearts Club

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Reading Level: 13 and up

Summary: After finding out the boy of her dreams is nothing but a liar and a cheat, Penny Lane Bloom has decided she wants nothing more to do with boys. So she starts The Lonely Hearts Club dedicated to swearing off dating, and spending the rest of her high school existence being true to herself and her friends. Soon the idea catches on and all the girls in school are following after Penny's example, just as she starts to realize there may be one boy in school who's worth her time.

My Review: I did enjoy Elizabeth Eulberg's debut. It was a sweet, humorous, novel about the trials and tribulations involved in teen dating, and how girls find a way to stay strong and confident in themselves. It was nice to read a book with such a positive message, for girls to not center their lives, and happiness around boys, and to be particularly careful in choosing a guy. After all every girl out there is a truly special one of a kind human being, and deserves an equally special guy.(because truthfully there are a lot of nice guys out there in the world, despite what you might think. ~_^) I feel many a girl will be able to find solace in the company of Penny Lane and her many friends.
Content: Some sexual references in the beginning
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Recommend: For girls in high school

My Fair Godmother: A Book Review

Title: My Fair Godmother

Author: Janette Rallison

Reading Level: 12 and up

Summary: After her handsome kind boyfriend Hunter breaks up with her for her older sister Savannah Delano is feeling down in the dumps. Until she meets her fairy...umm excuse me fair Godmother. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar (Chrissy as she likes to be called) who uses her less than perfect magic to get Savannah is terribly sticky situations only to end up sending her classmate Tristan back to the middle ages. With a few modern conveniences in hand Savannah goes back in time determined to rescue him, as they go up against, ogre's, dragons, and the mysterious black knight in this whimsical romantic tale of magic gone wrong.

My Review: This book was pure adorableness. It was (super)funny and sweet, one of the best light magical tales I've read in a long time. Janette is a wonderful comedic writer, I love all the crazy situations she's able to get Savannah in, from having a spell on you so that you can't lie or else lizards and other slimy creatures will grow on your tongue to being chased by a cursed goat. The way Janette incorporated Cinderella and Snow White in the story was a very nice and a clever touch, it all pulls together fantastically in the end. I loved all of the characters, Tristan was really nice, I liked him as a love interest. Probably because he wasn't wishy washy and sentimental. Chrissy was a bit annoying at times, and I wouldn't want her for a fair godmother. So basically this story teaches you that, you better be careful what you wish for, or you might just get Chrissy. ;)
Content: A little violence
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommend: Oh yes!

Magic In Manhattan: A Book Series (so far) Review

This past month I had been looking for a cute book to read about witches that doesn't involve them running around trying to save the world from impending doom. I finally found a promising series when I noticed this eye catching cover on a Target Bookshelf. I have so far read the first two in the series (there are four all together) and decided it was high time to do a review on them. (:

Title: Bra's & Broomsticks and the sequel Frog's and French Kisses (Magic in Manhattan series bk. 1 and 2)

Author: Sarah Mlynowski (I'm not sure how to pronounce that.)

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Reading Level: 13 ad up

Summary(for Bra's and Broomsticks): What if all your wishes could come true? Blink your eyes, drink a fizzing pink potion, and poof! Life is perfect. That’s Rachel’s situation. Except she’s not the one who suddenly has magical powers. Her younger sister is. And as Rachel would tell you, spell books are wasted on the young!

Yes, yes, of course world peace and cures for horrible diseases are important. But so is dancing without looking like she’s being electrocuted, winning back her best friend, stopping her dad’s wedding, and finding a date for Spring Fling.

Rachel’s not bewitched. Yet. . . .

My Review: Well what can I say about this book but that is really funny. I love the new and original concept that Rachel wasn't a witch her sister was. I love all the crazy ways she get's her sister to do spells for her, and the results are hilarious. Sarah Mylnowski has a great first person style, Rachel is a great character, easy to relate to and I love the way her imagination runs away with her in certain situations. This was a pleasant escapist read, for anyone who likes stories about witches but could do without the whole end of the world plot line. It has all the usual adolescent lessons: Don't sacrifice your values for the in crowd, it's better to be yourself, and people aren't always what they seem.

Summary(Frogs and French Kisses):Rachel has finally come to terms with the outrageously unfair fact that her younger sister, Miri, has inherited magical powers from their mom. But now the whole witchcraft thing is spiraling out of control. Mom is a magicaholic, Miri’s on a Save the World kick, and the one teeny tiny love spell that Rachel begged for has gone embarrassingly, horribly wrong.

Suddenly, the fate of everything is in Rachel’s hands.

Her family.

The world.

Senior prom.

My Review: This sequel was even funnier then B&B. I really liked it a lot better, I laughed the whole time. Rachel and her relationship with her sister get's better, they are a cute sibling pair to read about. If you like the first book this one is well worth reading. There's also a pleasant surprise at the end.

Content: 1st. Bk: some innuendo and I think language 2nd Bk: a lot of kissing, and some language.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Recommend: yes for fans of chick lit fantasy.

Prophecy of the Sisters: A Book Review

Title: Prophecy of the Sisters (bk. 1 in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy)

Author: Michelle Zink

Genre: Supernatural Fantasy

Reading Level: 13 and up

Summary: An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

My Review: Well I picked this book up at the library on a whim so I guess I can't say I was disappointed in it as I hadn't any expectations for it. So I'll keep this short. I didn't think it was all that great, there were moments were I enjoyed it but these moments didn't show up until near the end, and they were far too short. The overall plot is good, the writing was descriptive and lyrical, but the pace dragged terribly. The story was also predictable with the things it was trying to keep a "mystery". I didn't really care for the characters, they seemed to lack personality in my opinion. I started to kind of like Lia but again, not until the book was almost finished. This is a series, but unfortunately the 1st book didn't catch my attention enough to warrant my reading the further installments. Oh and this book made me realize I don't like Gothic books, I like black comedy.
Content: Some scary moments
Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Recommend: not really.

Upcoming Review: Gideon the Cut-purse by Linda Buckley-Archer

Title: If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's my Prince?

Author: Melissa Kantor

Genre: Romance

Reading Level: 13 and up

Summary: When high school sophomore Lucy Norton's father remarries, her life is turned upside down. She and her father move from their West Coast home to a suburb on Long Island. With a small bedroom in the unfinished basement, a wicked stepmother and bratty stepsisters, countless chores, a blank social calendar, and a huge crush on the dashing prince of the varsity basketball team, Lucy’s life has all the makings of a Cinderella story. So with all the characters in place, will Lucy get the prince and live happily ever after?

In this royally funny and romantic novel, Melissa Kantor explores the struggle of finding your true prince and more important — yourself.

My Review(SPOILERS): This I think was a pretty good finding yourself book. It was different them most as the girl has the not right for her boyfriend for most of the plot. I also liked that it had a realistic ending as in it's not perfect but Lucy finds ways to make her family life a little better and her relationship with her father becomes stronger. I also liked that Jessica and Madison, two girls that started being friends with Lucy when she started dating the popular boy Connor , actually turned out to be true friends instead of backstabbing social climbers. Lucy's relationship with Sam was also really nice and realistic and the confession scene at the end was super cute. All in all it wasn't one of my favorite books this year, but I think a lot of girls could relate to Lucy and find solace and inspiration reading how she deals with her problems.

Content: Language, drug and alcohol use by teens

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Recommend: yes for teen girls who have step families and go to public school

Upcoming Review: Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott

So Not Happening: A Book Review

Title: So Not Happening (Book one in A Charmed Life Series)

Author: Jenny B. Jones

Genre: Comedy of Errors/Mystery

Reading Level: 14 and up

Summary: New York's social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her.

Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.

When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less!

Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers.

At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.

How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

My Review: Let me tell you something. I didn't expect much coming into this book. I knew it was a fish out of water type tale, and when I saw how large it was (326 pages) I said to my self "how long can someone talk about not fitting in?". I expected to be bored. Boy was I wrong. I fell into the story soon in. Bella is hilarious, and the way she thinks had me bursting out laughing at moments. Then there was the mystery! Wow that part of the book really helped me because I've been going through mystery withdrawal and I found this one totally enthralling, near the end I could barely put the book down! Also I've finally found a couple I could root for, Bella and Luke are great together, they have the perfect love/hate chemistry I squeal over in books and movies. One were there's friendship and respect that turns into something more, even though the more part hasn't really happened yet. There's also a sweet storyline of how Bella learns to appreciate and even love her new step-brothers. Bella's faith (she's a christian) was also an interesting aspect to the novel. Some people said it didn't fit in but I disagree and thought it was a cute touch to the novel. With a clever plot, and witty dialogue Jenny B. Jones has written a book that was well worth my time, and when I have a chance, I cannot wait to dip into the sequel and see what other crazy situations Bella get's into.

Content: innuendo's and a little violence

Rating: 4 big stars out of 5

Recommend: yes for book lovers who like a little adventure with their chick lit. (:

Upcoming Review: If I Have a Wicked Step Mother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor

Prada and Prejudice: A Book Review

Title: Prada and Prejudice

Author: Mandy Hubbard

Genre: Romance

Reading Level: 13 and up

Summary:

Fifteen-year-old Callie buys a pair of real Prada pumps to impress the cool crowd on a school trip to London. Goodbye, Callie the clumsy geek-girl, hello popularity! But before she knows what’s hit her, Callie wobbles, trips, conks her head… and wakes up in the year 1815!

She stumbles about until she meets the kind-hearted Emily, who takes Callie in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. Sparks soon fly between Callie and Emily’s cousin, Alex, the maddeningly handsome—though totally arrogant—Duke of Harksbury. Too bad he seems to have something sinister up his ruffled sleeve…

From face-planting off velvet piano benches and hiding behind claw-foot couches to streaking through the estate halls wearing nothing but an itchy blanket, Callie’s curiosity about Alex creates all kinds of trouble.

But the grandfather clock is ticking on her 19th Century shenanigans. Can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, win a kiss from Alex, and prove to herself that she’s more than just a loud-mouth klutz before her time there is up?

My Review: Like so many books I pick up this one had potential to be good. Unfortunately the main character doesn't stop whining and going on about the "amazingly hot" Alex long enough for you to enjoy it. Maybe I'm just not suited for mainstream romances. I got all the references to Pride and Prejudice the author threw in but Callie and Alex, are no Lizzie and Darcy, they don't have the spark that Lizzie and Darcy did and they have no chemistry. I really didn't care if they got together or not. In fact I was more rooting for not. Emily Callie's friend was cute, but I also didn't care too much about her storyline either. Callie also goes through the "becoming a stronger women" transformation, but it's just not as interesting and gripping as other ones I've read. What I did enjoy about the book was this, all the references to life in the 1815's and that Callie actually enjoyed being there. The part where she teaches two little boys the robot dance was also pretty funny. The writing was okay, it just didn't have enough substance or originality in Callie's voice for me to like it.

Content: References to ruining a girls reputation.

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Recommend: No.

Upcoming Review: Hannah (Daughters of the Sea Book 1) by Kathryn Lasky

Coffeehouse Angel: A Book Review

Title: Coffeehouse Angel

Author: Suzanne Selfors

Genre: Coming of age/Fantasy/Romance

Reading Level: 15 and up

Summary: From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .


My Review: I'm writing this while drinking coffee and there's a blanket of snow outside. That has nothing to do with the book but it sure is picturesque. (; Anyway the only reason I read this book was because it had the word coffee in it. Fortunately it was really cute. This story I think is more about Katrina's journey to a strong women instead of the romance as I didn't think her and Malcolm really don't have that much couple chemistry. The romance felt rushed and was more telling in my opinion than showing their growing friendship/romance. Other than that I can't think of anything to complain about. I liked Katrina's friend Elizabeth, she was a great support for her and I loved whenever she said, "I'm gonna be brutally honest" like only a good friend can. I loved the idea's Katrina ended up coming up with in the end, and the quirky messed up wishes Malcolm grants her are really funny, I laughed out loud a couple times. Malcolm's also a pretty cute character in the way that animals who are turned into humans are, because they're discovering everything about the human world and aren't afraid to eat butter plain. (: Also discussed are the changing relationship between Katrina and her guy friend Vincent which I think had a new and honest ending to it. My favorite Quote in the book was when Elizabeth said about not being able to find Malcolm's employer online, "We can't find his employer because, if he's an angel, then his employer is...God. We can't send an e-mail to God."
Content: Some language, thematic elements, and innuendo's.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Recommend: For young chick-lit fans who love fairytale stories.

Upcoming Review: Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard