Ben and Beatriz: A Novel by Katalina Gamarra

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Which of his bad qualities did she fall for first?

Harvard senior Beatriz Herrera does not have a post-graduation plan. What she does have is a shaved head, a sharp tongue, political views that skew so far left she’s this close to eating the rich, and deeply rooted trauma from the results of the 2016 election.

Still, she would do anything for her sweet, opposite-from-her-in-every-way prima, Hero. Even if it means watching Hero and her boyfriend, Claudio, make googly eyes at each other all spring break. And even if it means spending that week at the Cape Cod mansion of Claudio's best friend and Beatriz's worst nightmare: arrogantly attractive playboy Ben Montgomery. Ben is everything Beatriz can’t stand: he’s white, he’s rich, his taste in literature is the embodiment of toxic masculinity, he’s already got a post-grad job lined up in Boston’s Financial District (with a cushy loft that's paid for, of course), and he’s a walking reminder of the steamy night they spent together four years ago, during their very first week of college. A night that cemented her disdain toward him forever—not that she plans on telling him why.

When a night of drinking games takes a terrifying turn, Ben and Beatriz are forced to put aside their dislike for each other to save someone’s life. What follows--over the course of several months--is an unraveling, as both of them learn how wrong they've been about the other, and a rebuilding of something new and surprisingly tender. But does a country so bitterly divided have space for this kind of love story?

my thoughts:

What a clever and fun retelling of Shakespeare's, Much Ado About Nothing! I just LOVED Katalina Gamarra's new novel, Ben and Beatriz! Talk about a smart and modern story!

Ben and Beatriz are both students at Harvard. She's queer, strong, and independent; whilst Ben is a privileged playboy. They hooked up freshman year, but that was ages ago and let's just say they aren't fans of each other. Except, now they are forced to spend their spring break together. Turns out Hero, Beatriz's most favorite person in the world, is dating Claudio, Ben's BFF. Ugh. So, yep, the foursome will be wiling away their spring break days at Ben's Cape Cod mansion. Talk about a nightmare turned into reality. Or at least, that is how Beatriz views the trip. Ben isn't too thrilled either. However, the more time they spend verbally sparring with one another, the more the sparks between seem to fly. Yep, turns out that opposites most definitely attract and maybe spring break won't be as awful as Beatriz first thought it would be.

Gamarra has written a terrific rendition of one of Shakespeare's beloved plays. There is romance and strife throughout the story that will make you smile, cringe, cry, and laugh. The characters are relatable, unlikeable, and flawed. And, the story itself is unputdownable. Ben and Beatriz is an entertaining and engaging story that will give you all the feels on a rainy summer day. I truly enjoyed every minute I spend with this book! What a treat!

I'd happily recommend Ben and Beatriz to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

In this sweeping debut, Asha Bromfield takes readers to the heart of Jamaica, and into the soul of a girl coming to terms with her family, and herself, set against the backdrop of a hurricane.

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise―all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic―and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

my thoughts:

Wow. What an emotional and engaging story. Hurricane Season had me from the start and I just could not put it down for anything. I absolutely LOVED this book to bits. It was fantastic!

Bromfield sets the story in Jamaica and manages to bring the island to life with her rich and vivid descriptions of the country, its people and their culture. It's intoxicating to read about. As for the characters, they are unforgettable. Tilla and her sister, Mia, are sent to Jamaica to spend their summer with their father.  A man who has always managed to be absent from their lives.  Once on the island, Tilla finds herself learning about so much more than her father, she discovers her sexuality, what it means to grow up, and the influence of culture and society on the personal.  Hurricane Season is a filled with top notch writing, powerful storytelling, and interesting characters that make for quite the story. This is one book that you won't want to miss out on. I enjoyed it so much and found myself turning each page, faster and faster. I just had to find you what would happen with Tilla, her family, and her future. Such a great read.

I would happily recommend Hurricane Season to anyone looking for their next YA read - you will LOVE this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Girls On Fire: A Novel by Robin Wasserman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Three girls went into the woods; two came out.

It sounds like a joke, or a riddle. But it was only, would ever after be, the rest of our life.

Shortly after Halloween, 1991, the local high-school basketball star is found in the woods near Battle Creek, Pennsylvania, with a bullet in his head and a gun in his hand—a discovery that sends tremors through this conservative community, already unnerved by growing rumors of satanic worship in the region.

In the wake of this incident, bright but lonely Hannah Dexter is befriended by Lacey Champlain, a dark-eyed, Cobain-worshipping bad influence. Lacey forges a fast, intimate bond with the impressionable Dex, making her over in her own image—and unleashing a fierce defiance with unexpected and harrowing consequences. By turns a shocking story of love and violence and an addictive portrait of the intoxication of female friendship, Girls on Fire is an incendiary and unforgettable snapshot of girlhood: girls lost and found, girls weak and strong, girls who burn bright and brighter—and girls who flicker away.

my thoughts:

Okay, so this book was just not for me - at all.  I started reading it and then I put it down.  And then I started reading it again and had to put it down - again.  So, I decided to skip ahead to the end, which left me wondering why I agreed to read this book in the first place.  Girls On Fire is about friendship, high school, teen angst, sex, and so much more.  Except, it didn't feel that way.  From what I read, it was about three teenagers who seemed to either hate each other too much or love each other too much.  They were the epitome of mean girls, social outcasts, and loners - stereotypical to a tee.  They did awful things to one another and still they couldn't help but seek each other out.  Yes, they are lost (and I mean beyond lost) emotionally and mentally to the point where they commit murder and keep dark secrets.  However, it all felt so predictable to me.  From the beginning you know what really happened to that boy they found in the woods and who was responsible.  In fact, as soon as Hannah (aka Dex) meets Lacey, you just know how those two are going to affect each others' lives.  I felt like I was reading a Lifetime/MTV movie or something.  This book was just not what I had hoped it would be.  Of course, I seem to be in the minority, because everyone else is raving about it. So, definitely check out what other book bloggers have to say about Girls On Fire.  Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Girls On Fire

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Currently Reading...

I'm a fan of YA novels and this one is KILLING it so far. I love it!  I think the writing is smart and fresh, the characters are relatable, and the story is fun and sweet. I'm so happy that Brandie from Brandie Is A Book Junkie  raved about this book last month - her enthusiasm for it had me kindling it right away.  And now, I'm finally settled down with the book, and totally enjoying it. Thanks, Brandie!

As for my next read...

I love the TV show Girls and I loved Dunham's book of essays, Not That Kind Of Girl, so I immediately kindled her latest literary effort.  Its a book filled with entries from her 2005-2006 diary and all the profits made from the book will go to Girls Write Now - how cool is that? 

And now, I'm off to continue reading Tell Me Three Things.  Happy reading!!

Paper Towns by John Green

about book: (from Goodreads)

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

my thoughts:

I loved The Fault in Our Stars!  It was such a beautiful and insightful book, that I figured I should read more of John Green's works.  So, I kindled a copy of Paper Towns.  I was so excited to step back into a world created by Green, that I immediately started reading this book.  And, the more I read, well, the more disappointed I became.  Paper Towns was not the book I was expecting.  Instead of an engaging and amazing story, I got a book filled with ramblings about paper people and paper towns.  Oh, and a mystery thrown in for good measure - where in the world is Margo Roth Spiegelman?  Ack!  What a disappointment!  I was actually so unhappy with the book that I contemplated not finishing it, but I read on until the very end ( I had hoped that Green would have salvaged the story by the end - I was wrong). 

Paper Towns was a book that didn't really seem to go anywhere.  It was unrealistic and filled with stereotypical characters.  I found myself bored by it.  The idea that Q was chosen to find Margo via her clues was ridiculous considering that they had barely spoken in several years (except for their one night of revenge).  I honestly could care less what happened to Margo - she was a selfish young woman who didn't really seem to care who she hurt or left behind.  And Q's obsession with finding her was overly annoying.  I would definitely not recommend Paper Towns, but I would read more Green.  I'm convinced that this book was a one-off and that the next Green book I read will be terrific.  Fingers crossed!

Finally...the Divergent Series!

I've heard tons of wonderful things about Veronica Roth's bestselling series, Divergent.  So, I decided not to read it.  Why?  Well, its been my experience that I usually wind up disliking THE book that everyone LOVES (Room and Gone Girl are two such examples).  However, with the film version of Divergent being publicized constantly on TV, I was compelled to read the book.  After all, the movie trailer did make it look pretty exciting. Check out this trailer from YouTube:

Awesome, eh?  Well, I know I can't wait to watch the movie.  Of course, I want to finish the series first.  I'm already on the last book, Allegiant.  I've been dawdling a bit, because I don't want the story to end.  I also don't want to read about Tris dying.  Yeah, I heard she dies - how awful is that?  I'm assuming it has to do with the Abnegation part of her - sacrifice or something like that, right? Well, I'm sure I'll be sad at the end.  Anyhow, here are my quickie reviews of the Divergent series books:

In the first book, we meet Beatrice Prior (who eventually rechristens herself, Tris).  She's about to find out which faction she wants to belong to for the rest of her life.  What are factions?  Well, they are the five groups that make up Chicago - the dystopian world Veronica Roth has created.  There is Amity, Erudite, Abnegation, Candor, and Dauntless.  Tris belongs to Abnegation - there big thing is selfless-ness.  However, Tris doesn't feel like she truly belongs to her faction.  Nope, she admires the Dauntless and their fearless-ness.  When she takes her aptitude test, which is designed to help you decide which faction to join, Tris discovers a secret.  She is Divergent, which means that she doesn't fit into anyone faction.  Of course, being Divergent is dangerous - like, life and death dangerous.  So, armed with her secret, she chooses to go Dauntless and leave her family behind.  Talk about a life-changing decision!!  As Tris trains to become Dauntless, her mental and physical capacities are really put to the test.  Training is beyond tough and friendships are put to the test - like, I'm going to kill you type of test.  Plus, there is Four, the guy who has caught Tris' eye, and an impending war to deal with.  Life is getting more and more complicated with each choice Tris makes.  I have to admit that I loved reading all about the various factions, Chicago, and this idea of mind simulations - it was fascinating and scary at the same time.  I was surprised by some of the violence (like the brawling competitions between men and women during the initiates' training), but then again, I wasn't - people's lives are at stake (to become factionless is not an option - at least not in Tris' mind).  I'm not really giving all that much information, because I'm sure everyone's read the book already (or you haven't read the book and I don't want to ruin it for you).  Just know, that I loved this book and devoured in one sitting.  I downloaded the next two books as soon as I finished Divergent.  I was hooked!!!

The second book, Insurgent, picks up right where the first book left off.  Tris is dealing with the aftermath of what has just happened (her parents' are dead, she killed Will, and her relationship with Four is on the rocks).  Oh, and did I mention that war is looming again.  People are using people, betraying one another, and searching for the Divergent population.  Lots of drama ensues.  Now, I'm going to have to admit that this book was good, but it wasn't as great as the first book.  I guess Roth got a case of the sophomore slump.  Don't get me wrong, I still tore through the book like there was no tomorrow.  And the writing is still captivating and the story is still exciting, but it lacked the emotional impact the first book contained.  In this story, Tris is no longer a newbie, discovering some of the dark secrets/truths the world holds.  Instead, she is a bit stumped - focused on reliving her parents' and Will's deaths.  Plus, Four (Tobias) is not as likable - he's turned into somewhat of a selfish jerk who doesn't seem to trust Tris.  I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with Insurgent - of course, that didn't stop me from diving into Allegiant.

Okay, so I'm still reading this book. I can't help it - I don't want the story to end.  No more Tris and Tobias - ACK!!  I can't deal with that!  Seriously though, this book is definitely better than Insurgent.  Roth is back on track and once again keeping me captivated with her thrilling storytelling.  I love it!!  In this final book, Tris and Tobias are now on the same page - of course this happens after some devastating and tragic events - thanks to Tobias and his new friends.  I'm at the part right now, where Christina and Tris sit by Uriah's bedside swearing to always be there for one another.  The doctor will take Uriah off life support in four days time - he's not improving at all.  Its pretty heartbreaking.  I'm excited to find out what happens next.  Will Tris and her gang succeed in their mission?  What will happen to Tobias' parents?  What happens to cause Tris to sacrifice her life?  So many questions!!!  I'm off to get the answers - Happy Reading!!

Teacher's Pest: Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #3 by Charles Gilman

about book:

Don't be fooled by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple.  Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise - and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School!  Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him, but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

This third novel in the Lovecraft Middle School series begins right where The Slither Sisters ended - with more action, more adventure, and more outrageous monsters!

my thoughts:

Guess what I got my hands on?  A copy of the latest book in the Lovecraft Middle School series:  Teacher's Pest.  Woo hoo!  How awesome is that?  I was so excited when the book arrived that I actually whooped for joy.  Its true!  That is just how much I love these books.  They are short, fun, and filled with adventure.  Plus, they always make me smile.  Charles Gilman's books are the perfect cure for a rainy day, which is precisely how the weather was when I sat down to read.  The sky was dark and gloomy, thunder was rolling and the rain was pouring - definitely a day to stay in and read. 

I picked up Teacher's Pest and dove right into a story filled with roaches, fleas, lice and all sorts of icky bugginess.  I swear I felt like I had creepy crawlies all over me the whole time I read the book - not a nice feeling.  Anyhow, I was back at Lovecraft Middle School hanging out with Robert Arthur and his gang of misfits and I loved it!  Although this time round, things weren't as peachy keen between the motley crew.  Seems like people are getting on each others' nerves, keeping secrets, and just remaining very distant.  To top it all off, the newly elected class president, Howard Mergler isn't exactly himself anymore.  In fact, he has a pretty big secret - a bug-tastic one!  Okay, so that's a lame hint, but its got you interested, right?  Well, I'm not going to tell what happens in this book, except that Robert Arthur is going to have to save the day and school, again!  And, he's going to have deal with it all on his own - or is he?  Well, maybe half on his own.  Anyhow, all you need to know is that this book is AWESOME!! You are going to tear right through it just like I did and love every minute of it!

Of course now I have to wait for the fourth book to come out, which according to my sources will be in September and it will be titled, Substitute Creature.  Exciting!!  I can't wait!!  Until then, I may just re-read the series - after all, who doesn't love a good re-read, right?  As for you all, you should definitely check out Charles Gilman's Lovecraft Middle School series: Professor Gargoyle, The Slither Sisters, and Teacher's Pest.  I promise that you will love them!  Just beware that they are so good, you might get addicted to them - like I did!

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #2: The Slither Sisters

about book:

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING!  Sarah and Sylvia Price may resemble ordinary middle school students, but they're actually hideous monsters in disguise.  Even worse, they're campaigning for student council, with a secret plan for abducting the entire seventh grade!  The only ones brave enough to stop them are twelve-year-old Robert Arthur and his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and a very hungry two-headed rat.

This second novel of the Lovecraft Middle School series begins right where Professor Gargoyle ended - with more action, more adventure, and more outrageous monsters!

my thoughts:

Gilman has done it again!  He's written another excellent story in his YA series, Tales From Lovecraft Middle School.  You know the series I'm referring to - the one that I am hooked on!! If you didn't know that, then please check out my post on Book #1 from the series titled Professor Gargoyle  and find out why.  As for The Slither Sisters, well, let's just say that Gilman upped the ante and wrote an even more unputdownable book than the first one.

The second book reunites us with Robert, Glenn, Karina and Pip and Squeak.  This time round they'll be making new friends and fighting old enemies.  Plus, we get to learn the history that enshrouds Lovecraft Middle School and its inhabitants.  Oh, and did I mention there's a school election to win and a school dance to attend - yep, middle school is getting a lot more complicated.

Now, I don't want to tell you exactly what happens, so I'm just going to provide you with a few tidbits.  There's an underwater gate; an evil brother; a lighthouse keeper who captures Cthulhu (tiny sea monsters); a librarian being held hostage; and dark and twisty plan to take over the students at Lovecraft Middle School.  Sounds, pretty exciting, eh? Well, it is!  This book was as captivating as the first one, and had me reading non-stop during my lunch break at work - in fact, I was ten minutes late, because I just had find out what happened at the end.

Suffice it to say, the writing is top notch and the characters are even more interesting.  I enjoyed all the new story lines, but especially loved reading about Robert and his middle school insecurities - they just made him even more relatable and likeable.  Because, who hasn't ever worried about looking silly in front of their classmates; or worried that they weren't growing up as fast as their friends (height, muscles, physical strength); and wondered what to do when they realize they have a huge crush on someone?  Seriously, these middle school experiences are what ground the Lovecraft stories and make the supernatural elements in the books even more fantastical and fun to read about. 

I would most definitely recommend this series to all fans of YA fiction - you will not be disappointed!  Oh, and just so you know, Book #3, Teacher's Pest comes out this summer - I can't wait!

Thanks so much to Eric Smith from Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this fantastic read!

Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #1:Professor Goyle by Charles Gilman

about book:

STRANGE THINGS ARE HAPPENING at Lovecraft Middle School.  Rats are leaping from lockers.  Students are disappearing.  The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors.  And the science teacher is acting very strange, very peculiar.  Robert Arthur knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!

With the help of some unlikely new friends, Robert discovers there's more to Lovecraft Middle School than meets the eye.  Can he uncover the secrets of the school before it's too late?

my thoughts:

OMG!  I have a new addiction and it is called Tales From Lovecraft Middle School!!  Seriously, I'm not joking.  My new vice is reading a YA series about monsters and alternate dimensions, all set at a brand new middle school.  This book came out last September and I can't believe I waited so long to read it - I was really missing out!  And to think that the only reason I hesitated to read this book was due to the morphing lenticular cover - you know its creepy!  Seriously, its like Professor Goyle is watching you, and when he changes from Goyle to Gargoyle - yikes!  Anyhow, that's the reason I didn't pick up the book straightaway.  So, when I got another chance to review the book - I finally said yes.  I'm not even sure why I changed my mind (the cover still creeps me out), but I'm glad I did.  I absolutely loved reading Professor Gargoyle - Book #1 from the Tales From Lovecraft Middle School - it was so much fun!

The story is about a kid named Robert Arthur.  He's starting seventh grade at the newly built, Lovecraft Middle School.  He's pretty nervous since none of his old friends will be attending Lovecraft with him - Robert was redistricted and luck wasn't on his side.  Anyhow, he's starting a new school which means he's going to have make new friends and deal with new teachers - all of which are making him pretty anxious for his first day.  Of course nothing prepares him for what he will encounter or experience at Lovecraft - Glenn, the kid who bullied  him and made him pay a 'dweeb tax' is turning out to be his new best friend; rats are jumping out of lockers and no one knows how they even got into the lockers; Professor Goyle is eating hamsters; a new girl named Karina hides out in a secret attic in the library; a classmate goes missing; and Robert's new pet is a two-headed rat named Pip and Squeak.  I won't even mention all of the other exciting, but terrifying things happening to and around Robert.  They are just too unbelievable and make for such a fun and engaging read - you will not be disappointed!

Any kid would love to dive into Robert's world and learn all about Lovecraft Middle School and its thrilling and creepy secrets.  Tales From Lovecraft Middle School is a must read for all fans of YA fiction - especially ones who enjoy captivating reads about monsters, different dimensions, and middle school dramas! I really do believe that kids will love this new series and so will their parents.  Check it out!!

Thanks to Eric Smith from Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!