Two Reviews for the Price of One!

So, I picked up a book in the bookstore a few weeks ago and didn't get around to reading it. When I was in the tiny book store at my local mall a week or so ago, I saw the sequel. It was hardcover, and I didn't want to spend the outrageous twenty bucks. But because it had been scuffed a little on the corners, it was marked down to $4.00! I bought it and decided to read both books. So, here's a double review for you guys.
Expect another one coming as soon as I get my hands on the last book! Also, guys, sorry there's no pictures! It's not letting me post them at the moment. :( I'll post pictures of the cover in my next post if it lets me!

Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Author: Jenny Han

Summary: Belly (Isabel) measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.


Stars: 4

Rate: 7


Pros: This book had really cute scenes that made me want my own summer romance, and I loved Belly's flashbacks of the past summers. The characters were all different and unique in their own special ways. I loved Jeremiah. He sounded so sweet!

Cons: Belly was a hard narrator to relate to at points, because she was immature. She had a selfish vibe that stayed throughout the story. While it was somewhat annoying, I got used to it and managed to move past it.

Overall Recommendation: This book is a good summer read for when you're sitting on the beach or on the plane ride to Florida. The story does have emotional, deep parts that may require some tissues, if you're like me. It was good story, though, overall.

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Title: It's Not Summer Without You

Author: Jenny Han

Summary: Belly, 16, lives all year for her summers at Cousins Beach. But when a family friend dies and the beach house tradition is threatened, she faces the season without her second family and without the boy she loves. In this follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty , Belly is still reeling from all that's happened since last summer. But mourning is even harder since Conrad has shut down, refusing to talk to Belly or anyone else. When he suddenly leaves school without explanation, his brother, Jeremiah, recruits Belly to help find and mend him. The trio find themselves at Cousins Beach after all, and the memories and feelings of the past come flooding back. Complicated and fragile, Belly's relationships with the two young men are put to new tests as she and Conrad come to terms with their relationship, and Belly and Jeremiah begin to build a romantic bond of their own.

Stars: 4.5

Rate: 8.5

Pros: This story was a good sequel. It had the obvious scenes that made me sigh in content, and then it had the parts that made my jaw drop. I fell in love with both of the boys and quickly picked which I wanted Belly to wind up with. I think Belly's choices with the boys and other topics were realistic enough to teenagers. There were things such as death, alcohol, romance and breaking rules . . . things that all people go through sooner or later.

Cons: Belly did grow up a little, and that was evident. Honestly, the only problem I had with this story was that it ended just when everything was coming together. The epilogue was confusing (as it was meant to be) and it made me feel like I was being left out of a secret, if you know what I mean.

Overall Recommendation: If you liked the first book, read this one. It was a good sequel and we all know we want to know which boy Belly falls in love with this time around.

Delirium

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

"I love you. Remember. They cannot take it."

That quote is possibly the quote for the entire book. I've never been so enticed with a book, so determined to keep reading, keep learning. I have no idea whatsoever how I'll wait until the next book comes out. It'll take a SWAT team to hold me down when it goes into stores.

Characters: I loved Lena as the story-teller. She reminded me of myself, with how paranoid she can be or how nervous. Lena really matured during the story in different ways, and I think it added to the reality of it all for teenagers and younger adults. Alex was mysterious and such a great character. I would say more, but it could give away too much. I loved Lena's family and friends, because they were all so different and had such a great impact on Lena, as a person and the way she lived.

Plot/storyline: This story was really original, and I loved how much work went into the backstory and how the world came to be like it was. The Wilds sounded so amazing. It made me wonder . . . is love a curse, or a gift? Or could it be both?

Overall: I loved it. L-O-V-E. I loved the book about love being a curse. Aren't I a hypocrite? The ending was phenomenal, and I can't wait for the sequel! Keep your eyes peeled, bloggers. This book will not escape the public without a bow.

"Love: It will kill you and save you, both"

The Last Little Blue Envelope

"This car is like a bank vault. No one can get in."
"I once opened the door with a pen. Just a little flick of the Biro and . . . pop! Door open."

Those of you who have been following along with me know that I was waiting for my copy of 'The Last Little Blue Envelope' to be delivered. Well, it came in the mail and I read it in two days. That quote up there is one of my many humorous ones from the book, and if I could find the book (I passed out last night when I finished it; it was nearly two in the morning) I would quote more.
On with the review, though.

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.

Characters: Once again, Ginny is the perfect narrator. She has a quirky, nervous feel to her that makes you want to be her friend and support her, simply because you know she has such potential and confidence that's hidden underneath. In this book, Ginny returns to London and surprises Keith, the actor from her last trip. This time around, I found Keith to be a little more rude than I would've liked, but he was such a realistic character. Ginny meets Oliver, who I just couldn't help but picturing as some kind of Batman, with his "dashing" appearance.

Plot/storyline: There was the romance between Keith and Ginny, but not in the way you'd expect. Keith's girlfriend Ellis comes along with Ginny, Keith and Oliver on their trip to fill the last letter's orders. I loved how Ginny's view on people and things changed through this story, because in the end, that was really important. It was a great story, much like the first book.

Overall: I loved this book. It made me laugh so hard I just had to repeat the lines aloud. It made me cry and mutter under my breath. It made me smile and just sit there for a few minutes after it ended.

Go buy it, if you haven't yet! This book is definitely one of my favorites! By the way, do you guys like the music and the little guy who stalks you on the side? ;)

InkieNoWriSum :D

See that jumble of letters? That's for Inkie Novel Writing Summer which will be like National Novel Writing Month, but we're gonna take the whole summer to write a project or continue one. My goal is to start 'Behind That Broken Smile' (the sequel to 'Behind These Amber Eyes') and get it up to at least 60,000 words.

InkieNoWriSum will go from June 14 to August 18, so I'm hoping for a good novel at the end of it. I know some of my followers aren't inkpop users, but that shouldn't stop you from setting your own goals this summer.

Want to write a novel? Do it.
Want to write a book of poetry? Do it.
Want to jump off a cliff? Do not - I repeat do NOT - do it!

So, that's the jist of my summer plans. I hope to finish up 'Your Name Was Joey' before June 14, but I won't mind working on it this summer if I must. :]

In the world of the media, here's my personal items on the agenda these days.

Currently Reading: Generation Dead
Currently Listening to: Joey by Sugarland, She Will Be Loved and Never Gonna Leave This Bed by Maroon 5
Currently Watching: Desperate Housewives finale tonight, Secret Life and Make It or Break It tomorrow night

So, there you have it, bloggers. I think I'll go make an icon for InkieNoWriSum :)

The Carrier of the Mark

So, this book isn't actually released until October of 2011, but I was able to win an Advance Reader's Copy. I read this book last week while my school was doing testing, and I had a lot of free time. I decided I should review it, because I don't get many opportunities like this.

Characters: I really liked the characters, although in the beginning I did think that it was going to wind up be like Twilight. The characters were secretive and mysterious like the Cullens, but I think they were really different, and I enjoyed their individuality.

Plot/storyline: I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say much. I did love the story though. I wasn't expecting what happened, and I found myself dying to read more! It was suspenseful with romance and adventure. Great story!

Overall: While I did fear it would turn into a Twilight knock-off, I was pleasantly surprised. It had all the components of a great novel, and I don't know how I'm going to wait until it's publicly released to see what others think of it. I can't wait for the sequel either, but I think I may have to hold off until I start getting too excited for that.

This was definitely a great book. Borrow it from someone who won a copy or go and preoder your own copy right now! You'll want this book as soon as it comes out!

I am on a lucky streak :]

Happy Easter, guys! Or, happy Passover, I guess if you're Jewish. I dyed Easter eggs earlier. There's a picture of a few of the eggs with some quick use of Picnik :)

So, I won that 'Carrier of the Mark' ARC contest. By the way, I got the book in the mail and can't wait to start reading! I'm not sure if I'll do a review or not, becuase the book isn't publicly released until October, but I may drop a few hints for you guys once we get closer to the summer. :D

And then I entered the 'Die For Me' contest on inkpop.com and won again! I will be receiving . . .

Die For Me

The Last Little Blue Envelope (sequel to 'Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes')

Delirium

and Cloaked

I'm very excited. I'll make sure to do a book review on at least one of those books! I can't wait for them to come!! Because I don't have much for you today, here are some photos I took earlier today :)

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters: Book Review

Title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters

Author: Rick Riordan

Summary: In this second installment in the series, Percy, Poseidon's 13-year-old demigod son, is desperate to rescue his friend Grover, captive of the bloodthirsty Cyclops Polyphemus, and to retrieve the healing Golden Fleece. The sheepskin is needed to restore the protection around Camp Half-Blood, the only safe haven for the children of gods and humans, heroes-in-training in our modern world. However, the camp has already been compromised and the quest for the Golden Fleece has been awarded to the bully Clarisse. Encouraged by Hermes, Percy sets off for the Bermuda Triangle anyway with his friend Annabeth and classmate Tyson.

Overall: This book was really good. It was well written, and had that adventure, action and romance trio that Riordan crafts into his writing. I really enjoyed all of the twists and turns; it made the book suspenseful and intriguing. I couldn't put it down until I had turned the last page. Even then, I was begging for more.

Characters: This book is, as always, told from Percy's point of view. He's a very relatable character and all of his emotions are evident in the text. It was mainly Annabeth and Percy for most of the book- along with Percy's 'friend', Tyson -, because they were trying to find and save Grover. The gods didn't play quite as big of a role, but they were still there. As usual, their personalities were unique and differed greatly.

Plot/Storyline: The beginning was right into the action, which really kept the book interesting throughout the whole story. I loved the challenges and mishaps Percy encountered during his quest. There were a few parts where I felt it was a little slow, but they weren't long. It usually picked up again quickly after the little blip.

Really, I liked this book. It was interesting, and I'm already reading the third. I'm warning you; have the third ready for when you finish the second or else you'll go crazy xD

How Do I Decide if My Book Should Have a Sequel?

So, I have been struggling with this issue for awhile now. After some feedback from others, I know the answer to my own question. I think other writers deal with this problem, too.
Once my first novel is written and completed, how can I be sure if I want to write a sequel or not?

There are a few different questions you need to ask yourself before you write your sequel. First, is there enough to even have a sequel? Will there be a suitable problem that can still relate back to book one without making the two books too alike? You need to make sure that you don't just write a sequel full of ramblings. That's what blogs are for! xD

If you feel that you can write a second book, you need to think of where to start. If your first book had an epilogue, it may be harder to write the second one, but not entirely impossible. You should usually start the sequel a little after the first book, but not too far. You want the reader to still feel that connection to the characters and storyline.

So, step back and view your first novel. If you were the reader, would you want another book, or would you be ready to move on? Think about that and what was mentioned above before you put your time and effort into a sequel.