Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Title: Before I Die

Author: Jenny Downham

Where I got it: Library

Why I read it: I read another bloggers review on it, and added it to my TBR List!


Rating: B/C


This book is about a 16 year old girl named Tessa who only has a few months to live. She has made a list of the things she wants to do before she dies, and she's determined to get them all done, no matter what it takes. She wants to have sex, do drugs, fall in love, and experience things only those who live long lives, get to experience.

Tessa falls in love with her neighbor, Adam, and they're both scared to love each other, because they know that she has very limited time. Adam sticks by her side the entire time, not leaving, never wavering, and shows exactly what true love is.

This was an okay book. I felt bad for giving it just a C, because I do want people to read it. But I don't think it deserves a solid B. So, I went with B/C! =-D

What I liked most about it was the actual story line. It was raw, intense, uplifting, yet depressing and sad all at the same time. You found yourself feeling for Tessa, and wondering what it would be like to know you're dying. I personally don't think I'd want to know. It'd be the scariest thing in the world. I wouldn't want to know how much time I had left. I'd rather just live my life not knowing!

It was kind of hard for me to read this book as it got closer to the end. The way that it was being written, and the things that were happening was awful for me. My Grandfather died with all of us surrounding his bed, and it just brought back all of those memories and how awful that was.

What I didn't like about the book was that it was very jumpy, leaving out much needed details. For example, it doesn't really go into great detail on HOW or WHY Tessa fell in love with Adam, or HOW or WHY they're relationship was so special, etc. You would finish one Chapter, start the next, and it would have nothing to do with how the last Chapter ended. I found myself getting confused every time a new Chapter started, and I'd have to go back and see what happened at the end of the previous one. But they never matched up.

Towards the very end of the book, it was like the author got bored of writing, and wanted to end it as quickly as possible. It didn't make sense most of the time, and you wondered what the characters were talking about.

However, it is a decent book. I found myself turning the pages quickly, not wanting to put it down, and wanting to know what happened at the end. I would recommend this book as a book to read if you just want something simple and easy real quick. I wouldn't recommend buying it, but definitely rent it out of your library!

My rating:

/ 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Where I Got The Book: Library

Why I Read It: Mostly because everyone else is/was going on and on about how good this book/series is. I wanted to find out for myself.

Rating: B


Well guys... I finally did it. I finally read The Hunger Games. My first impression, as I was first starting to book was that it was horribly written, boring, and lacking interest. I know, I'm sure all of you are screaming at your computers right now asking me if I'm crazy. But, as I kept reading, kept pushing my way through the book, I found myself getting more and more into the story, couldn't put the book down, and found myself wanting to reach the end quick to see what happens.

I'm sure 80% of you know what the Hunger Games is about, but just in case, I will tell you.

The Hunger Games takes place in a country with 12 districts. Each district is poor in their own way, but most of them don't ever have any food, and no money to get food. They have to go out each day, risk their lives, and hunt for game, find roots, berries, nuts, etc. just to live. Well, in this country, they have this thing called The Hunger Games. From each district, 1 through 12, two people are drawn from a big ball of names to fight to the death against each other to win the games and the winner of the district wins food for their entire area. Hence the name The Hunger Games. The two people from each district are put into an arena where they have limited supplies of food, water, clothing, etc. and they have to kill each other to find a winner. The two main characters, Peeta and Katniss are from District 12, and they're fighting to be the first two winners ever in the games. This book reminds me of a reality tv show, much like Suvivor. I feel like my decription of the book isn't doing it justice. But I don't want to give too much away at the same time. So, I'm going to post the description from Good reads below:

"Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? 

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

That does help a little bit in describing the story. As I said, I felt like this book was boring, lacking interest, and wasn't as good as everyone said when I first started reading it. But as the book went on, and it got closer to the actual Hunger Games, the book was amazing. It was hard to put down, it was compelling, and you found yourself routing for the characters. The only reason I'm giving it a B and not an A is because I felt like it took too long for the book to really get started and get interesting. While some books you read, you can kind of predict the ending, this book had you second guessing yourself mutliple times because you thought you had the ending figured out, but then the author would throw you off and you'd wonder if you're right or not. When I first started the book, I wasn't sure if I was going to read the rest of the series, but the ending leaves you wanting more, and wanting to find out what happens next between Peeta and Katniss. So, I will be reading and reviewing book 2 ASAP!

This is definitely a must read and a book that I think deserves all of the popularity, praise and attention that it has been receiving. While there's a debate going on if this series is the next Twilight, I'm not sure if I agree there. But do see some comparisons. Now, if you haven't already, go read this book!!

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

Title: Annie On My Mind

Author: Nancy Garden

Where I Got This Book: Public Library!

Why I Read It: I actually saw a review for it on someone else's blog (Sorry, I don't remember who -- I will start paying more attention!) and was interested in reading it.

Rating: B


Annie On My Mind is about two 17 year old girls who meet up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York purely by accident. Eliza (Liza for short) is touring the Museum and hears another young girl singing. Liza is enthralled by this beautiful voice she is hearing, so she follows the sound and comes across Annie. They start talking to each other, hanging out, exchange phone number and addresses, and become fast friends. However, as the time goes on, they become more than friends, they fall in love with each other. Liza has never felt so strongly for someone before Annie, and Liza is scared, confused, and doesn't really know what to think about it. Once Annie and Liza finally come to terms with the fact that they are definitely in love with each other, they still cannot be open about it. They don't want anyone else to find out for fear of being ridiculed, and because in the 80's (When the book was published) it was considered wrong, and immoral. Unfortunately, nowadays haven't changed that much.

It isn't until someone actually does find out that Annie and Liza are dating, and are a gay couple that Liza understands how much her relationship really affects, hurts, and threatens others, as well as their relationship. Liza begins to doubt her feelings for Annie  and only months later after they both gone to College, on the opposite sides of the country, that she realizes how much Annie really means to her, and when she finally fights for their love.

This book was actually a very good book. It was written well, and it gave you an insight into what people go through when they're in relationships like that, or other circumstances that may be similar. I could sort of relate to this book because I was in an interracial relationship for 7 years and my Mothers side of the family did not approve of us at all. When my mom first found out, she freaked out. She kept telling me how I had broken her heart, and how wrong it is, and how God thinks it's wrong, etc. Even back then (which was actually only 8 years ago this November) I couldn't realize how or why it broke HER heart when it wasn't her that was in the relationship, it was me. And even now still, I can't bring myself to understand or realize how or why she was hurt by me falling in love with someone outside of our race. I found myself yelling at the people in this book for not accepting Liza and Annie, I felt anger towards them, I felt sadness for Annie and Liza and kept routing for them to stay together, and kept hoping they'd be reminded that you just can't help who you fall in love with.

The only reason I am giving this book a B, and not an A, is because I feel like the actually story of how they fell in love, was missing a lot of needed details. I felt like it was a bit scattered and choppy, but it is definitely a book that should be added to your TBR pile.

I hope others read this book and come out feeling the way I did. I also hope some day that discrimination is a lot less than it was, and is now. One can dream right?

My Rating: