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Anna M. (annerszz101) - Reviews

1 to 20 of 32 - Page:
A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1)
A Bad Day for Sorry (Stella Hardesty, Bk 1)
Author: Sophie Littlefield
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 43
Review Date: 11/21/2010


amazing, hands down.
one of the most interesting books i have read lately.

I honestly loved this book because it showed me how powerful women are becoming regardless of how their husband or boyfriends treat them or make them feel. It made me proud to read it and feel how confident these two women, Chrissy and Stella, really are. I think that this books purpose is to speak out to women of any age who have been abused verbally or physically by a man and to give them reassurance that they do not have to live like that. I think it also helps women realize how badly they are being treated and no man is worth that pain. I personally have never been THAT physically abused by a boyfriend, but by reading this book and sitting there thinking about what the author is trying to tell me, it makes me want to reach out to any female who is currently going through something like this. After reading this book, I became more aware of how strong us women are, regardless of how men sometimes portray us.


Before I Die
Before I Die
Author: Jenny Downham
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 32
Review Date: 11/21/2010


Once I got to about chapter 36, I started crying.

Tessa is a strong girl, she really is. She has leukemia, but she doesn't let that get to her. Most teenagers with cancer, or anyone with cancer, tend to be strong or tend to be really emotional. Tessa... she makes a list of things she wants to do before she dies. She writes things on her wall.

The book begins with her writing on her wall that before she dies she wants to have sex with a boy.

She has a best friend named Zoey, who is a party girl pretty much.
Later on, Tessa meets Adam from next door, & they fall in love.

I LOVED this book. It made me cry & it made me laugh, and in the end it made me realize that people with cancer really do have to be strong.. not only for themselves but for the people that care about them the most


Before We Were Free
Before We Were Free
Author: Julia Alvarez
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 17
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


I loved this book. I have honestly never read anything about the Dominican Republic, and sad as this sounds, never even really knew anything about it, ha. But this book really opened my eyes and honestly, how different did they have to fight for their rights like Jews did when it came to Hitler? Dictators are NOT good for a country and this book shows that really well. If you're fond of Holocaust stories then you will be fond of this book as well. I could not put it down!


Cathy's Book: If Found Call 650-266-8233
Cathy's Book: If Found Call 650-266-8233
Author: Sean Stewart, Jordan Weisman
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 33
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


At first, the only reason I really picked up this book is because of two things:
1. The pictures. :D
2. The fact that it was a journal.


The main character Cathy, had a thing with this guy Victor. When it ends, horribly, she wants revenge, or basically just wants to find out more about HIM. She ends up finding out more than she wanted to.

My favorite quote from this book, the most foreshadowing thing was:

"They all have to die" - Tsao, Victor's uncle

Read it, it's good.
& the pictures are AMAZING.

****JUST FINISHED THIS BOOK:
& I still say it's good, but not that great. I mean, it's really good but you get easily distracted and it's confusing at parts.
Toward the last few pages, you get a BIG shocker, that shouldn't have waited to be told at the end, but still good.


A Corner of the Universe
A Corner of the Universe
Author: Ann Martin
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 43
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


I saw that one of my friends read this book, so I decided to check it out. I love Ann M. Martin, she is one of my favorite authors, so before I even started reading this, I knew I would like it. It's heartwarming and an amazing story.

This eleven year old girl (soon to be twelve) named Hattie lives in a boardinghouse with her family. She wakes up early, does her chores, and then reads or does whatever else she feels like doing. Up until the day she realizes she has an uncle Adam, that she never knew about. He randomly comes into her life, but she becomes best friends with him.

Adam has a mental problem, but it's not as obvious as some people would think it was. He was always smiling and happy and a loud, fun, outgoing human being. He was twenty one years old, but had a children's heart. Hattie helps him a lot and is a better friend to him than anyone. Adam constantly quotes I Love Lucy and most people don't catch on to that. Hattie then goes to the carnival and meets a new friend, Leila. She then takes Adam to meet Leila, who's family is the circus people.

One day Hattie convinces Adam to sneak out of his house and come to the carnival with her and Leila. He never rode the rides before this event because he was scared, but this night they convinced him to, and it's a night Hattie will never forget.

This book was amazing and made me realize that so many people really do judge someone, even if they have a mental disorder. It's upsetting but it shows a true heart and a truly good person.


Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 41
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 2


I freaking loved this book.
When I first heard about it, I kinda shyed away from it, because it dealt with football. Don't get me wrong, I love the Steelers, but football isn't my favorite subject, especially to read about.

But I loved this book.
I love the way D.J. is just a random girl, a farm girl for that matter, that decides to try out for the boys football team, and is amazing at it. I love how I learned a lot about football & farming from this book.

It's a great read.
It should be awarded.


Gimme a Call
Gimme a Call
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 11/21/2010


I loved this novel. It was unlike any other YA novel I have read, and trust me, that's a big deal. Most are "yadda yadda love, i hate my life, high school sucks" but no, this one takes a whole different approach. How would you feel if you were a senior, and you dropped your phone into a fountain and the only person you could call was your FRESHMAN self? That'd be AMAZING. & That's exactly what Devi is going through. She wished and it came true, all because of the fountain.

It's unlike anything I've read and I did not want to put it down. It's adorably written, interesting & a really unique novel!


Girl, Stolen
Girl, Stolen
Author: April Henry
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 12
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


Imagine yourself being blind. Horrible enough, right? But then imagine yourself being BLIND and then being KIDNAPPED one day. How horrible is that? Well, in this book, Cheyenne Wilder has that problem and boy, is she strong. I fell in love with her instantly and I could literally not put this book down. I love, love, love it!

Her kidnapper didn't even mean to kidnap her. Weird, right? Well, all he wanted to do was take her step-moms car, but she was laying in the backseat and he wasn't even paying attention. Well, he was planning on letting her go after awhile but his dad had other things in mind once he found out who her dad was. Imagine how horrible it was for her, but she is strong and that's what drew me to her character so much.

I love this book & you will too, if you have some sense. ;]


Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Author: John Hersey
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 131
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


I feel like this book did an excellent job of opening my eyes to the destruction that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima really caused. I admit, the characters can be really confusing, especially in the first and fifth chapters, but in the end it all makes you feel sick to your stomach. The horror that these Japanese citizens had to face.

I am still undecided on whether or not that I believe the bomb should've been dropped. I feel like yes, by it being dropped it was pretty clear that nothing like this should happen again. But at the same time, after taking a Japanese class for two years, I really feel for them and feel like they didn't deserve that.

I think it's amazing that in this book, they are thanking the Americans and they are dying for their Emperor. I love how passionate and loving they are of their country.

This is a must-read book


Identical
Identical
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 28
Review Date: 11/21/2010


** spoiler alert ** Honestly, I was a little surprised by this book. I'm used to her books being about drugs or sexual things, but this book was different. At the beginning you're introduced to these two twin sisters, Kaeleigh and Raeanne. You learn that their father sexually abuses Kaeleigh and Raeanne secretly wants it.

Then you LATER learn, Kaeleigh's mother never forgave their father for the car accident he caused in which Raeanna died & the mother was injured. The mother, Kay, then ran for Congress woman and was never home, which made the fater, Ray, in charge of everything. The daughters both had their major problems: drugs, sex, alcohol, etc. and they both had a hard time loving someone else after what their father did to them.

The sad part is, at the end of the book, or near the end of the book I should say, you learn that Raeanna actually died in the car accident caused by Ray and Kaeleigh had multiple identities, living through herself and her twin sister.

It was a really confusing book and makes me wonder where Ellen Hopkins gets her ideas, you know? I was a little disappointed, but it was an okay book, it kept me reading. Ellen could have done a lot better though


Kill Grandma for Me
Kill Grandma for Me
Author: James Defelice
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 18
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 1


If you're like me and the first thing you think about this book, is "Wow, what the heck?!" Then you're in for exactly what you would probably expect. A murder mystery. But, if you read the back of the novel & noticed the "orgy of sex and junk food" you will be surprised. Because I most definitely was. There is more sex in this book than you would imagine.

The girl, Wendy, is 13 and her boyfriend, James, is 15. And they are extremely sexually active. This is the first thing that makes this book weird. But really, I have heard my friends claim they hate their parents or their aunt or uncle or something, but Wendy REALLY hates her grandma. I don't even understand why, and I guess this is what bothers me most about this book. She wants her dead because she doesn't approve of James as her boyfriend. Heck, me and my parents have argued before about who I chose to date sometimes, but never to the point I wanted to KILL them.

Some readers might think the sex and the "offensive language" ruin the book, but I think it ties in perfectly. These are two "emotionally disturbed" kids and they murdered an elderly woman. When it gets to the court case, I began to get a little irritated because...well.. read for yourself and find out. But, I don't think justice was served like it should have been.

It really was a good book. Just... different.


Love, Charleston
Love, Charleston
Author: Beth Webb Hart
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 11
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 2


I absolutely, positively LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. It is now one of my absolute favorites & I'm going to recommend it to everyone I know! This book is amazing. I was going to sit here & type out a long review. But first, I want to introduce you separately to the characters, because I fell in love with all but one!

Della- I would have to say that she is my favorite. She is placed in the position where she basically has to choose money over love, and I am so proud of her for her decision because it was heart-warming and tear-jerking, all at the same time. She cares so much for her daughter Cozy and she also cares deeply for her cousin, Lish. I loved her the most and I guarantee you will fall in love with her as well.

Roy- I was disappointed that I didn't get to see much from his point of view, there were some, but not as many as I would have liked. But, you also fall in love with his character. He's a widower and his daughter Rose desperately wants a mother. His word from God convinces him to come pastor at the church in Charleston and he's iffy at first, but God convinces him to go. Rose is adorable and you can tell she loves her father very much. The two of them are the perfect daughter and father & you'll cling to them and their pain through the whole book.

Lish- I thought at first she wasn't going to become one of my favorites and although she didn't, she's still the one I feel sorry for. She's going through a lot. At first she is so happy and content with her "perfect life", I mean for Heaven's sake, she and her husband are doctors, two beautiful children and another baby girl on the way. What more could she ask for? But you'll learn, she's not as perfect as you think. You cry for her, you laugh for her, but most of all you pray for her character because she needs it more than any of them do.

Drew- Not much to say about him, honestly. Because what I want to say will automatically give it away, but let me tell you, if you're like me, you will know what he's going to do the second you are introduced to him. He's not what I call a good husband.

Last but not least, Anne. You don't get to know much about her either besides that she rings the bells for the church, but she does fall in love and you fall in love right with her. It's magical and you will cry, trust me.

I loved this book not only for the love and the tears that it brought, but for the story that it told. It was NOT a preachy book, and to be honest I was scared of that when I first read about it. But no, it's a love story if anything. Not just a love story about a man and a women, but the love of family. & That's why I love this book so much!


Men and Dogs
Men and Dogs
Author: Katie Crouch
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 39
Review Date: 11/21/2010


I did not want this book to end where it did, and some things I wish didn't happen that did. Or I wished other things WOULD have happened. This is not your typical novel & that is why I love it oh so very much.

Hannah, the main character, has some issues... to say the least. She's different, that's obvious. Her mom re-married quickly after her father's "disappearance", her brother is gay, & she owns a business with her husband Jon selling "luxury" sex toys. This already made the book off to a great start and why would it not? She's having trouble not cheating on every man that she's with though, and this is what brings her husband to want to leave her. But, she does something stupid trying to check up on him and ends up hurting herself. This "incident" makes her mother want her to come back home for awhile to "freshen up" and "sober up" basically.

There's no way you can't like this book. It's brilliantly written, hilarious, romantic, everything! Great read, love this author!


Night (Night, Bk 1)
Night (Night, Bk 1)
Author: Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel (Translator)
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 1110
Review Date: 11/21/2010


I loved this book. I loved the honesty, the horror, & the truth that was revealed, by this amazing person.

I had to read this book for my English class, & boy, my English class somehow found HUMOR behind this book. I was thoroughly agitated by their finding this funny. NOTHING was funny in this book. NOTHING is funny about what Hitler did. & NOTHING is funny about the burning of human bodies or especially BABIES, while they're STILL ALIVE.

I wanted to punch every person in my class for finding that funny.
IT'S DISGUSTING, INHUMANE, & DISTURBING.

Seriously.

They went through so much, and Elie actually SURVIVED. Think about that. He's probably haunted each night with dreams of what he saw when he was at Auschwitz or Buna. Elie's memory of this is told through this book... seriously, think about how horrible it would be to LIVE through that. It breaks my heart to see someone such as Hitler, treating the Jews like that. I've read, more than once, the diary of Anne Frank, and I knew the Jews were treated horribly, but after reading this book? God. This makes me question my religion, going to be completely honest. The Jews trusted their God, trusted God to protect them and guide them to where they should be going. Most of those Jews, actually, about 98% of them, did NOTHING wrong. I don't understand it, & never will. I agree with what Eric said in class today.
"The Germans would have had a hell of a better chance of winning the war if they didn't have all the concentration camps & crematories."

SERIOUSLY.


Perfect (Pretty Little Liars, Bk 3)
Perfect (Pretty Little Liars, Bk 3)
Author: Sara Shepard
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 23
Review Date: 11/21/2010


When I picked up this book at my library, I expected it to be about these stuck-up girls, kinda like Gossip Girl and the A-List or whatever. Then I started reading it and I read it within an hour, it was that good. It's set up so well and you'll never be able to even GUESS what's going to happen next. It's not predictable, which is one thing I really like about it. It's weird that someone is stalking them. I've read all four and I myself have had my suspicions on who A could be, but I always end up wrong. I'm excited for the fifth book.


Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider
Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider
Author: Ellen C Maze
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 11/21/2010


This book is absolutely, positively, utterly, amazing. I'm not even exaggerating and if you do not add this to your to-read list after reading my review, then I will just assume that you are ignorant or crazy, one of the two.

I have been hesitant to read any vampire related book since Twilight, to be completely honest. So when Ellen C. Maze was willing to send me an ARC, I was kind of excited. I had read about this book and it sounded like it would keep my interest, and boy was I right. AMAZING.

This is not your typical vampire book, let me tell you that right now. It takes a completely different approach, from what I have seen anyway, and this novel ties in religion. I feel like this makes it a heck of a lot more intriguing and it captures the essence of God in a way many would probably not imagine. I love this book and I especially love Beth & Michael, my two favorite characters.

You will love this book. If you don't, then I feel sorry for you.

(Thank you so much Ellen for sending me an advanced copy!!!!)


Safe
Safe
Author: Susan Shaw
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 11/21/2010


Back of the book:
"He held me and told me he loved me and that everything would be fine, and that they'd get the person who did this to me. Having him hold me like that was the only good thing out of it all, having him hold me and being right there with me. I just wished he could have held me harder and tighter and made the bad feelings, the dirty feelings, go away. But I don't think you can hold a person that tight, so tight that she's in your heart, way inside your skin, being cleaned and warmed by your blood.

Mine:
Great story of recovering from a sexual assault incident. A 13-year-old protagonist at first doesn't feel safe outside of her house - even walking down the street to visit her best friend. It takes almost a year before she is able to feel more or less herself again. This book kind of droned on for me, but all in all I think it was still a great story. It's sad that someone so young had to live through something like this. But it really does happen, more than it should.


Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
Review Date: 11/21/2010


I was a little iffy about this book at first, because I'm not as religious as I would like to be right now, but this book was absolutely incredible. It made you smile, made you laugh, but most of all it made you cry.

The story is about a black man named Denver Moore, a white husband and wife named Ron & Debbie Hall. You're at first introduced to Denver's story, about how he grew up on a plantation listening to the Man's orders & picking cotton. then the story goes back & forth between the lives of him & Ron & you are slowly introduced to their lives.

Ron grew up poor basically and he didn't have much going for him until suddenly he began selling art & he thought he had his life going good. His wife was all about God & he was more about money. As time went on, he ended up having a relationship on the side with someone he met through his art business & he told his wife, which made her want them both to work on their marriage in order for him to get closer to God. As they did that, Denver was working on getting away from the plantation & attempting to get out into the real world and make a name for himself. He hopped on a train & headed someplace, which he ended up in Fort Worth. He was homeless, literally. He had nothing really except the clothes on his back. But he made it through, he was strong & he did it.

Debbie had a vision that she needed to go help out at the mission. She belived that God had sent her a message to help out there, and she also had a vision that she needed and was supposed to help Denver. It took her & Ron awhile to convince him to come there & be welcome into their lives, but it finally worked. You learn to love Debbie throughout this book because she is a true worker of the Lord and she is the reason Denver & Ron & her become so close, not only a close friendship, but a closer relationship between the three of them and their God.

This story is amazing, hands down. You are kept on edge as you are taken through their lives and their emotions, seeing two completely different people be united through God. It was an extremely powerful story that I will never, ever forget & will always cherish for the rest of my life. You must read this book, whether you are a firm believer in God are not, you have to read this.


Saving Sky
Saving Sky
Author: Diane Stanley
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 11/21/2010


A very short read, but such an amazing one that it really makes you think. I relate this to me and one of my best friends who is Persian, she got a lot of crap for being Persian after 9/11 and I always stood up for her. Still to this day, people judge her for it and this is probably why I love this book so much.

You can't judge a race/ethnic group based on what a few of them did. Honestly? If we did that, we'd be racist against ourselves considering all of the Caucasian people who go around murdering others. You just can't do it. Who cares if someone is a different race or has a different religion, get over it. Life is life, stuff happens, you move on. Someone may have a different skin color than you do, who cares?!

Have your niece read this, your daughter, your nephew, your son. Anyone and everyone you know, have them read this book. It's short, it won't take them very long. It may appeal more to the "younger" audiences, but trust me, the lesson is there no matter how old you are.


The Secret of Everything
The Secret of Everything
Author: Barbara O'Neal
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 50
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Helpful Score: 3


Read from July 06 to 18, 2010
review This book is just WOW. I did not want to put it down & trust me, it was hard to put this book down even when I had to go to the bathroom.

Tessa is 37 and she is a wanderer. Her dad lives in California with 3 dogs. (Which by the way is funny, because one of the dogs name is Peaches & that's my dogs name) But anyway. She got injured during a hiking trip & she has been living with her dad in order for her broken arm to heal. She then decides to go to New Mexico to investigate for future touring/hiking trips & she runs into a web of secrets she never expected to find while she was here.

She meets Vince, and boy is he a hunk. She falls for him instantly & she can't seem to stop running into him & his adorable three little girls. She finally decides she can't keep herself away from him & their relationship conists of a whole hell of a lot of love making. From there, secrets about the town start sparking little "memory flashbacks" for Tessa & she finds out a lot of things about her family & her past.

One of my favorite things about this book is a quote that Tessa says a lot throughout it. "Here I Am", she says this usually when she looks up into the sun of a morning. This seemed to stick with me while I was reading it. I'm not sure why, but it just makes you feel good to look up into the sky & say it. Try it, I dare you. (:

The other cool part about this book is how it features some recipes from the 100 Breakfasts Cafe menu. If you like to cook, that's also a plus from this book.

You need to read this book. It's a mystery, romantic, sweet novel all in one & you'll not want to put it down for one second. I love this book & I love the style of writing the author has. It keeps you on your toes.


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