Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Jenny Downham debut novel Before i Die brings a new meaning to living life and not taking it for granted. Sixteen year old Tessa is suffering from leukemia and is enduring the painful procedures of checkups and multiple prescriptions of medication.
With only months to lives she feels that she hasn't done enough so she creates a list of things she wants to do before she dies and having sex is only one of them. With time ticking can Tessa finish her goals in life before she dies.

When i read this book , it gave a lot of insight on the world and how there is so muck to live rather than sitting on a couch watching TV. Tessa's hold onto life was inspiring, it would make anyone appreciate how much life is worth. Downham really captured the experiences of teens and what they go through everyday. Such a novel would be a great read and you won't want to put the book down.

Splendor by Anna Godbersen Book Cover!

This is the book cover for the last book of the Luxe series which is titled Splendor. It's unfortunate that Splendor will be the last book, but there must be an ending somewhere. I'd take my chances that the girl on this cover is Lina "Carolina" Broud (is that her last name?). Her dress is breathtakingly beautiful. I absolutely adore the color of the dress, and the voluminous layers of silky, lavender fabric. If I could, I would wear the dress myself. :) What do you think of the book cover? Splendor by Anna Godbersen is released in October 2009. Be on the look out.

Books Soon to Review

I apologize for not doing a book review in a few days. I've been trying to cram in at least five books so I could review them one after the other. Be ready for these book reviews :)

• Touch by Francine Prose
• Undone by Brooke Taylor
• The Hollow People by Brian Keany (I don't think I spelled his last name right)
• Red is for Remembrance by Laurie Faria Stolarz
• Fade by Lisa McMann

Be on the look out for these reviews. I've litterally got a stack of ten books I've have left to read. So don't worry, I'm not going anywhere soon. :)

The Hollow People Book Review

The Hollow People by Brian Keany. Servant boy, Dante Cazabon, an uneducated teenager who has been treated like trash discovers he has amazing powers of the Odylic Force. Dante soon discovers his mother was killed of insanity. He soon mets Bea, the daughter of two doctors. Tarnagar, a dystopia, where people take a drug to give up their dreams. Literally. The man behind this, Dr. Sigmundus, promised tranquility and peace where there is absolute order, where people are free of making choices of their own. The Hollow People has a dark, mysterious tone. The Hollow People ends in a big cliffhanger which indicates a second book.

I enjoyed reading The Hollow People even though its a short read. Dante's determination and spirit is inspiring.

I soon discovered that The Hollow People is a trilogy. I currently have the second book in my stack of books to read. So be on the look out for it. The second book is titled, "The Cracked Mirror."

Twenty Boy Summer Book Review

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler.

Summary

“Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?”
“Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?”

For Anna Reiley and Frankie Perino, the ingredients for the Absolute Best Summer Ever are simple: Two girls. Two bikinis. And twenty days in Zanzibar Bay, California. The best part? According to Frankie, if they meet one boy every day, there’s a good chance Anna will find her first summer romance.

Anna lightheartedly agrees to the fun, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie… she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death last year.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

Book Review

Twenty Boy Summer revolves around elements such as heartache and loss, first love, summer flings, summer vacations by the beach, and best friends. The part that I was captivated by was the story about the sparkling sea glass, tears of a love sick mermaid, symbolizes a broken heart and grief. I loved how the author used symbolism such as sea glass. How Anna came to terms with her broken heart and came to discover beauty in fractured and broken. This book contains sex, drinking, and smoking. I found a bit weird to find young girls yearning to cast off their virginity as if virginity were a disease. All in all, Twenty Boy Summer is a compelling book that was wonderfully written. I would definetly recommend Twenty Boy Summer as a summer YA read.

Book Cover of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This is the book cover of the much anticipated sequel of The Hunger Games which is titled Catching Fire. I cannot wait till the book comes out! 85d6qn9wyc

The Hunger Games Book Review

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Do you crave adventure? Do you watch reality tv shows like "Fear Factor" or "Survival"? If you checked yes to those questions, then obviously the Hunger Games is truly a book you'll devour and love. Let's introduce 16 year old hunter Katniss Everdeen (she has the same birthday as me, May 8th). Ever since her father has passed away from a mine explosion, Katniss had to do everything in her power to support her family since her mother was incapable of doing so. The Everdeen's reside in Panem, District 12; the poorest district that relys on coal mining. Every year since the war, each 12 districts must choose one boy & one girl between the ages of 12-18 to particiate in the Hunger Games.

On the day of the Reaping, Katniss finds herself voleentering to take her little sister's place, Prim, in the Hunger Games. Along with another fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark aka the boy with the bread, they travel together to the Capitol. Before Katniss leaves for the Hunger Games, she promises Prim to do whatever it takes to stay alive. Staying alive is easier said than down once she meets the other tributes. Will Katniss Everdeen survive and return back to District 12 with fame & fortune? Or will she die?

The Hunger Games is an excellent read. I totally reccommend you read this book. I picked up the book, and finished it the next early morning. Once I go through the first couple of pages, I couldn't put the book down. Haha. There's not one book review that I haven't read that gives props to The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins did a brillant job & I'm looking forward to the squeal: Catching Fire.