Kim's Book Challenges

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern
4 Stars

Described as The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor & Park, this story is about a bond between 2 people who feel rejected by society. Amy has cerebral palsy and can't walk without a walker or talk without an electronic voice box. Matthew is a shy boy who has OCD. The two come together when Amy decides she wants her aides to be fellow students her senior year of high school. The two quickly become close and form a bond that perhaps only they understand.

This was a really cute, heartwarming read. It was easy to feel the feelings that the characters were. I haven't read Eleanor & Park, so I can't compare it to that one, but I think in the aspect of the 2 teens with issues can relate to The Fault in Our Stars.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

It Had to Be You: Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily von Ziegesar

The prequel goes back before all of the gossip girl drama and introduces Nate, Serena, and Blair. Serena and Blair both claim to be in love with Nate, thus creating a love triangle. The story throws in Dan and Jenny Humphries as well as Vanessa. So we're introduced to most of the main characters in the rest of the books.

I've read the rest of the series and it was pretty decent, but I have to say this was one of the worst books I've read in a long time. I kept reading hoping it would get better and by the time I realized it wasn't going to, I was too far in to stop. The storyline with Dan, Jenny, and Vanessa had nothing to do with the rest of the characters and seemed like it was just in there for filler. It's a good thing that I read the other ones first because if I had read this first, I wouldn't have read any of the others in the series.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
4 Stars

Katie is unhappy with her Ohio bakery job. When she finds out her aunt and uncle are opening a bakery in Savannah, Georgia, she jumps at the chance to assist them. Her aunt Lucy quickly takes her under her wing and Katie notices aunt Lucy adding mysterious herbs to her baking. When a murder happens in front of the bakery, Katie's uncle Ben becomes the main suspect. Katie soon takes on the mission of clearing his name and finding out who the real killer is. Katie soon learns more about herself than she thought she ever would.

This was a really cute cozy mystery. It was light and an easy read. I'll definitely be reading the next one in the series. If you enjoy witchcraft and cozies, I would recommend this one.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

Riley is just a baby when her older sister commits suicide. Riley and her brother grow up in a family devastated by this loss. But now, years later, while sorting through her father's affairs after he passes away, Riley learns that Lisa is still alive. But why does everyone think she committed suicide? And what secrets are still out there? Riley will soon find her life upside down when long kept secrets are revealed.

I loved this book. It is told through Riley's viewpoint as well as Lisa's. It does flash back between present and past, but the story is woven together very well to where you don't get confused. I found myself wanting to keep reading and reading to find out what was going to happen next. I did figure out one of the twists, but still, over all it was an excellent read.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Cecilia accidentally finds a letter her husband wrote to her only to be opened in the event of his death. Cecilia now has the decision of opening it and possibly revealing a deep dark secret, or leaving the letter alone. What Cecilia doesn't know is that this secret affects more than just her and their family. What will the consequences be if she opens the letter?

This is the 2nd book I've read by Moriarty and I actually preferred Big Little Lies over this one. While the story line was good, I felt like it really didn't get going until about 3/4 of the way through the book. I was really expecting more of a shocker towards the end, so I was a bit disappointed.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Lakshmi is a 13 year old girl living with her mother and step father in Nepal. They are very poor, but Lakshmi enjoys life. When a hurricane washes away the rest of their crops, she must get a job to help the family. Under the impression that she is going to be a maid in the big city, Lakshmi finds herself the victim of a sex trade ring. She has been sold in to prostitution.

This was a sad story but all too often a reality. I was disappointed that there were some errors in the book as far as misused or missing punctuation and some misspelled words. I don't know if it just happened to be my library kindle copy or what. I also thought that the chapters could have been better organized. But over all, it was a decent story.