Mini-Review/Recommendation: The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1)
by Lois Lowry

Published January 24th 2006 by Ember (first published 1993)

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

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Genre: Classics, Dystopia

Publication Date: January 24th, 2006

Publisher: Ember

Format: Paperback, 179 pages 

Series: Technically yes, but can be read as a stand-alone

Source: My own copy

My Review:

As most of you know, I have contracted the Dystopian fever last year, and, as of yet, it still remains uncured. So when I heard so many good things about this 'new classic', I thought, 'why not?'. I was a bit apprehensive to choose a 'classic', because they always sound like very boring difficult readings, but not this one. Not at ALL. Well, this IS a children's book... but the issues dealt within are very adult. That's for sure.

The Giver is a short, sweet, creepy and enticing book. There are no more than 179 pages, but the story is so well-written, the characters are so well developed, and the plot is so easy to get lost into, that you can barely believe that so much has fit into such a small number of pages! And, of course, it leaves you wanting more. Much more. I loved it, but I would have been even more content if the book was just a tad bit longer, showing what happened to the village and what really came to happen at the end. I don't like 'open endings' like this one had, but I hear the other books will explain a couple of things, so I'll just have to look for them. :)

So, the big deal here was: I have read a LOT of dystopians, and I have always thought of how creative they were... well, as it turns out, (in my opinion, at least), most of them must have been somehow inspired by Lois Lowry's world, because the similarities with some titles are uncanny. I won't list them here, because, really, who am I to accuse others? What I mean to say is: once you've read this one... you'll know what I mean.

Review: Putting Boys on the Ledge by Stephanie Rowe

Putting Boys on the Ledge 
(A Girlfriend's Guide To Boys #1)
by Stephanie Rowe

Meet Blueberry Waller, whose name is the only interesting thing about her life. Until now.

Not only is Blue dealing with the worst name in the world, crazy parents and a clingy younger sister, she just got a part in the school play. And now she’s acting with Heath Cavendish, total crush-worthy senior. He would never give a second look to a girl like Blue. Except he has.

Her friends say Blue should play it cool, put Heath on the Ledge so she can keep the upper hand. Trouble is, she doesn’t know how to be clever around boys. Thankfully her pal Colin offers his help in teaching her how to get the guy. But he’s just being a good friend. Isn’t he?

Suddenly the wallflower is getting all the attention. But will being in the spotlight keep Blue from making the right decisions...for her?

A Girlfriend’s Guide to Boys: For these four friends, understanding the world of boys is only half the battle.

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Publication Date: October 31st 2011

Publisher: TKA Distribution

Format: eARC, ? pages 

Series: yes

Source: Netgalley

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My Review

Blueberry Waller is fourteen-years-old and has just learned from her friends about putting boys on The Ledge. The Ledge is an emotional place, it's about making boys suffer and putting girls in control. Instead of having him blowing you off and making you feel bad, you do it first. You should always keep him teetering close to The Ledge so he never treats you badly. Especially if you like him and he likes you.

But when she meets hottie senior Heath Cavindish on her first day of high school during musical tryouts, the last she wants is to put him on The Ledge. She just wants him to like her. A lot. She has a lot of internal dialogues and totally feaks out over the smallest things. But, surprisingly enough, she gets Heath's attention, and he invites her to a party. There, things start to get a bit more spicy than Blue is ready for, and when he tries to kiss her, Blue freaks out over not knowing how to kiss and walks out on him. Which, obviously, just makes him want her more.

Her friends convince her that the only way to learn how to kiss is to practice, and so they suggest she practice it with nice boy Colin Bradshaw, who is taking care of all the animals at her place while she's busy with theater. Colin seems happy enough to help... and Blue enjoys it much more than she expected... and ends up very excited to try it out with Heath, much to Colin's dismay.

But then Blue's friends start to mention a few stories about Heath's reputation, and when Blue finally sees him for who he really is... she sees Colin with another girl, and realizes maybe she's been missing what was right under her nose.

It was nice to see Blue growing up throughout the book. I also liked to see the previews of the other books in the series with Blue's friends, which were all very interesting and different for each other.

I thought this was a very cute, short book, perfect for young audiences. The story has a very strong sense of friendship and family in it, and the romance was quite innocent and lovely. It was a very light, pleasant read.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Early Review: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Wanderlove

by Kirsten Hubbard


Expected publication: March 13th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

It all begins with a stupid question: Are you a Global Vagabond? No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path. 

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward. 

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back. Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publication Date: March 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 352

Series: no

Acquisition: received a copy for review

Heroine: Slim, short dark hair and eyes

Hero: Tall, swimmer's build, longish dark hair and blue eyes

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My Review

Bria Sandoval loves to draw. Ever since she was kid she would draw in every surface with anything available, and have the time of her life doing it. On her senior year she met the guy who looked perfect for her. An artist. Toby went to fancy art classes, knew secret drawing techniques and dreamt of going to SCAA, a big, famous arts school. And he made her want to go, too. They studied together, improved their skills and applied. 

Bria got in. But Toby didn't... he was jealous and bitter, so he dumped her.

Bria was completely crushed. After moping around for weeks, she decides to travel to Europe with her friends, just like she and Toby planned to do once they went to college together... but her friends end up not being able to go, and she can't possibly go alone to a place like Europe, right? Well, she certainly can, but not to a place that would make her think of him all the time.

She's going to Guatemala. To see the Mayan Ruins. With the Global Vagabonds, adventurous youngsters looking for knowledge and fun... At least that's what the pamphlet said. But when she gets to the Guatemala airport, all she sees are middle-aged people. And all they do is stick to safe places, seeing only what the travel plan states they should see, and for how long they should see it. 

Bria starts to regret the trip until she sees a beautiful kind of creature wondering along the boring tourists. A backpacker. A tall, bronzed-skin, ponytailed backpacker. Who invites her over for dinner on an island that is not on her travel guide. When she gets there, she remembers she doesn't know his name, but ends up finding more beautiful, tanned creatures like him. And one of them is Starling, an outspoken humanitarian. She explains to Bria that the 'ponytail guy' is her half-brother, a reformed troublemaker called Rowan, who teaches scuba diving. 

When Starling invites her to join them on their trip, she's scared, but very excited. After all, this whole thing was supposed to make her more independent, but the Global Vagabonds obviously weren't helping her with that cause... so she takes the risk, gives up two thirds of her suitcase's content and becomes a brand new backpacker. Rowan isn't exactly thrilled with the tag-along, but he accepts her well enough... until Starling up and leaves for a job in a small town called Flores, without even saying goodbye to her brother. Because, like she told Bria before leaving, they don't do goodbyes, they're just too painful. Rowan is even more not thrilled when he finds his sister gone and himself as the 'babysitter', but Bria starts to show him how great a companion she can be. How great a friend.

Bria learns that backpackers do things cheap. And saving money means giving up on comfort. And life luxuries, such as showers, hot water and cold drinks. But they also see the most amazing things that ordinary travelers always miss out on. They see hidden natural beauty, they see the reality of life in Central America, they learn and they grow as they travel. They ake new friends and they fall in love.

I have to admit that at the beginning there were a few times the book was a bit boring, but I'm glad I endured it, LOL, because then it gets crazy good! I stayed up late just to finish it! I didn't want to wait to see what happened. Bria is a an excellent artist, and her drawings fill the book, making it so much more... personal (author Kirsten Hubbard was also the artist). You can literally picture what's happening, what she's seeing and feeling. And it's a beautiful addition to such a great story. She finds herself, her art, her heart. And helps Rowan finds himself and his purpose, too. It's truly touching.

If you enjoy realistic fiction young adult books with a lot of travel, growing up, romance and drama, grab Wanderlove right now. :)

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Weekly Manga Recommendation #5 - Skip Beat! 1 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Skip Beat! 1

by Yoshiki Nakamura

Paperback, 184 pages

Published July 5th 2006 by VIZ Media LLC

Kyoko always thought that Sho, whose family took her in when she was small, was her prince charming. However, when Sho heads for Tokyo to make it big as a musician, Kyoko goes with him and has to quit high school to support his dream. But soon, being in the big city makes Kyoko realize that she has show business ambitions of her own!

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This manga was really one of the best finds for me. The drawings are so amazing! The mangaka can make you explode with laughter with just the characters' expressions! :D

But unlike most manga, the art here is not the most important thing (though it is pretty good). The plot is. The storyline is very well thought of (you find yourself really WANTING to know what happens next, really caring about the characters), the characters are all greatly written, they're complex, full of feelings and they touch your heart. I've never felt this way about fictional people before. O.o  I just want them to be happy in life and together. LOL

Kyoko is my favorite heroine of all. She's dark, she's funny, she becomes unbelievably strong, and yet, you feel sorry for her and want to help her. Or kick her. Well, both. LOL.

Ren, the hero, has a special place in my heart. He's gorgeous, talented and kind-hearted. And had a very rough past we're only now starting to learn about. I love him.

Like I said, all the characters are very rich and interesting, but the main ones always stuck you more. :) You'll love them, I can bet my right arm on it. LOL

 Here are some unbelievably funny screens:

Don't you just love those crazy faces? And the little voices inside her head? And how she crushes them? LMAO! You can see how she grows a backbone and stands up to the bully.

And here you can see how cute and 'flexible' she can be when she wants something. :D

The anime version is very good, too. But I still prefer the manga.

This is, no doubt about it, one of the best mangas I ever had the pleasure to read (and I've read quite a lot...). I am proud to say I own the complete collection up to now (it's still ongoing, with already over 25 published volumes and more planned for next year).

If you have to read ONE manga your whole life, please let it be this one. ;)

*I'm not being paid in any way to gush over this title, I just really want you to read so you can see for yourself how outstanding it is. :P *