Book Review: "Take Me There" - Susane Colasanti

Title: Take Me There
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date: 29th May 2008

Summary:
Rhiannon is completely devastated after the breakup with her boyfriend. She wants him back.
Nicole's ex still wants to be with her, but she's obsessed with someone else.
James is hopelessly in love with Rhiannon, who doesn't see that their friendship can be so much more.
Will their desire to take a mean girl down a notch bring these three friends what they want . . . and more? [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:
I couldn't wait for my copy of "Take Me There" to arrive, after reading "When It Happens" and loving it. When I first picked up this book and started I thought it was a slow going book. I have to admit that I did put it down for a while as I felt that I wasn't "connecting" with it. However, when I did pick it back up I did enjoy it, I probably just wasn't in the mood for it.

Occasionally there were moments that were very slow going. Reason being that the three characters we follow are talking through each day but in their views which was sometimes repetitive.

Character-wise, all three of them took on different roles which did make the book interesting. Rhiannon as the desperate girl wanting the boy, James as the no one sees me that way boy and Nicole the cares for others and more private friend. 

Although I enjoyed this book there was one factor which I felt was not needed in the story. For me I thought Nicole was like a spare wheel and her story seemed the smallest of problems as it didn't really relate to Rhiannon or James, whereas their problems did. "Three is a crowd" is normally what is said. But saying this, this book is based largely  on the friendship and as Rhiannon, Nicole and James are best friends I think that it is logical to have all of their points of views seen, as the main characters.

As well as covering friendship, it highlights the high school crushes and relationships. Rhiannon just having broken up and can't get over it and Nicole having a crush on someone who is not tolerable, which is something relatable to every girl.


The ending of the book was something bitter-sweet. Ending in close friendship, but so many things in the ending make you question everything. You will either like or dislike the ending. For me it's slightly dislike because I JUST WANT MORE!!  A sequel maybe? ;)

Recommend or Not? I would say yes, but sadly I would say that it's not one of the best books I've read of Susane Colasanti. If you know you can't read slow moving books, I think that this book won't be for you.


What did you think of the book?

Read more about this book on the author's website here

UPDATE: It's Christmas!

Long time, no post.

It's been a long time since I have posted ANYTHING decent. I have been thinking about where I want to take this blog as I feel that I want to focus on one main topic rather than several random what-i-feel-like-posting posts.

So.....

I have decided to focus on book reviews for the time, mainly as I read a tonne of books which never seem to gain the fans which they should have. Although there wiil be some, maybe, negative reviews I do try to keep an open mind however most of the time I choose books through the idea that I will like it.

Who knows...I might go onto movie reviews :)

Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a happy new year! :D

Book Review: "The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants" - Ann Brashares


Title: The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants
Author:Ann Brashares
Release Date: 01/06/2002

Summary:
Following four best friends: Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen as they spend the first summer apart. They come across a pair of jeans which fits all four of them despite their size differences and make a deal to share the "special" pants. Tibby stays home for the summer, Lena goes to Greece, Carmen goes to her dad's place and Bridget goes to a football camp.


My Thoughts
I am not a keen reader of third person books however I felt that this one was well balanced to keep me hooked; changing from character to character every few pages and connecting them, occasionally, with letters to one another.



For me, I would say that my favourite character out of the four of them was Lena. I found that Bridget was slightly annoying in that she was so determinded to get something that she would never get, Tibby was a nice character to follow as her new friend Bailey helps her make a documentary and although Carmen was great standing up for herself some of the times I felt that she should just be happy although she would make her point in the book well. I liked Lena the most probably because she showed how that you should tell someone if something was misread and the best things come from confronting and telling the truth. Also I think that she is the character that I see her in me.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the other four in the series!


Recommend or not? Yes, I think so! it's an easy read and quick to get through. I have been meaning to read this book for a long while now but haven't ever got round to it, but now I have, I'm glad I didn't shove it to the pile of "never gunna read books" :)


Happy reading :D


What did you think of the book?

Check out more about this book and the other three here

Book Review: I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Release Date: 03/02/2011

Summary:
John is not an average teenager going to school. He's from a planet called Lorien which has been destroyed. John is one of the remaining six. But one, two and three have been killed by the Mogadorians, who are hunting them down, and now number four is on the top of the list, John is next.

My Thoughts:
This book is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was an unexpected rollercoaster ride in that the story covers quite a few emotions.

At the beginning of the book it starts of with Number Four's background, like an intro before getting into the story fully. I think that the book managed to maintain a speed in which keeps the readers hooked. It's an easy read in that you don't have to think much about the story to follow so it was easy and quick to read through.


I think that the idea of the story being told in first person as John is something that is used very well in the story. The amount of information that you uncover at the same time as John makes the book more of a page turner. I guess you could say it feels more involved...? The idea of when he learns something you learn it too, it kinda makes it feel like you are there with him all the way.

The film "I am Number Four" starring Alex Pettyfer as John, does not do the book any justice. The film rushes everything in the book which is why you have to read the book. After reading the book, I can say I was honestly excited about watching the film, knowing it had Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron in it as well as the great contents in the book. But I was let down on how everything was shown in the wrong way and it seemed rushed so that it could get to the end of the book quicker. I ended up not even bothering in watching the rest of the film after half way!

Recommend or not? Take a guess? Yes! It is honestly the best book I have read out of my normaly genre type. Packed with a load of different emotions but not making it unbearable to read!!!


What did you think of the book?

I Am Number Four website here

Book Review: When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

Title:When It Happens
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date:1st May 2008


Summary:
Senior year. Sara wants two things: to get into her first-choice college and to find true love.
Tobey also wants two things: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him.
Dave, the boy Sara was hoping would realize she exists, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey is impossible for Sara to ignore. He gets the little things that matter to her and, most importantly, he feels like something real. Can a slacker rock star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?


My Thoughts: When I first read the blurb on this book I could immediately think of someone who I would relate to this book. However I think that the blurb made me think that the contents would just go in a certain way. I would say it is misleading in some way.


I thought that this book would be much like a Sarah Dessen books due to the story, also because she recommended it and on the book it says that it is like her books, however it was very different in many ways. For starters I have to state that if you want to read this book there is alot of strong language is used in this book. I think that it is a nice change to read this book from two views instead of one which gave the characters more depth. 


 I really enjoyed this book. It's a simple story of a boy wanting a girl but she is taken so he has to get her to notice him. This book covers what you would call a "perfect" guy and a little bit of soul mates.


However as much as I enjoyed this book some of the situations which the characters were in were hard to think would actually happen, or maybe it's just that I live in the UK, like telling you teacher your love life...? I just find that odd, no matter how cool you think your teacher is I just think it's weird to tell them you dilemma's.


Recommend or not? A good girly-girly read and a sweet romance....Recommended :)

What did you think of the book?


Check out more about the authors I mentioned:
Susane Colasanti
Sarah Dessen