Book Review: The Cardturner By Louis Sachar

Title: The Cardturner
Author: Louis Sachar
Date Published: May 11th, 2010
Pages: 336











Goodreads Synopsis:

From Louis Sachar, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Newbery Medal for HOLES, comes the young adult novel THE CARDTURNER, an exploration of the human condition.
 
How are we supposed to be partners? He can’t see the cards and I don’t know the rules!
 
The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner—whatever that means. Alton’s uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich.
 
But Alton’s parents aren’t the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp’s good graces. They’re in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.
 
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.
 
Through Alton’s wry observations, Louis Sachar explores the disparity between what you know and what you think you know. With his incomparable flair and inventiveness, he examines the elusive differences between perception and reality—and inspires readers to think and think again.

Initial Thoughts:
I went into the library not planning to pick up this book. I went to the library bookstore, like usual. Then, on a whim, i decided i wanted to check out some books. I wanted to do something different, so i decided to just take the first 3 books on the shelf. This was one of them. I had never heard anything about this book before, so i was excited to read it. 

After Thoughts:

I didn't have high expectations for this book because i didn't know anything about it. If you read the synopsis, than you know that the book is about bridge. Well, not the whole book, but it is centered around the game. Before this book, i didn't even know bridge was a card game, so i learned that right off the bat, lol! As for the story, i didn't really understand where it was going. It was kind of just going round and round with the same plot, just different locations. I also didn't understand the game of bridge, so whenever they talked about it in depth, i just skipped over it. Now on to the positives. I liked the main character, Alton, a lot. I felt the same emotions as him, and he did things that i would have done in certain situations. Now that i think about it, i actually liked most of the characters a lot. The author also makes you laugh a few times, which is always good. One thing i still don't understand after reading the book is what the cover means. Why is he laying on a bench with a book? Overall, it was a good book, and i suggest you read it. i gave it a 3/5 stars!

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Book Reviews: Just a little Crush, Just a Little Embrace (Book 1&2)

Title: Just a Little Crush (#1)
Author: Tracie Puckett
Date Published: Dec. 11th 2012
Pages: 53 (ebook)

Goodreads Summary:
When a class assignment requires seventeen-year-old Julie to shadow someone on the job, she’s overwhelmed by the decisions she’ll have to make. After all, she has no clue what she wants from life post-graduation. So when her Uncle Charlie, Oakland’s Chief of Police, suggests Julie fulfill her twenty hours of required job shadowing at the local police department, she’s thrilled at his solution. Thinking she’ll spend her days filing paperwork behind a desk, she finds herself quickly agreeing to his proposition. But Julie’s expectations are soon turned upside down when she meets Luke, the young and handsome (albeit somewhat stubborn) officer she’s assigned to shadow on patrol. 

With every hour she logs with Luke at the wheel, her feelings stir deeper, and Julie can’t help but wonder if what she’s feeling has developed into more than just a little crush.

Title: Just a Little Embrace (#2)
author Tracie Puckett
Date Published: 2012
Pages: unknown

Goodreads Summary:
Gone are the days of police patrol. With ten hours to go before completing her job shadowing project, seventeen-year-old Julie Little’s assignment has switched gears, and now she’s required to start living the lifestyle of every man (and woman) in uniform. Under Luke’s command, Julie is obligated to complete her remaining hours through early morning exercise training. And despite her distaste for physical exertion, Julie’s crush on her mentor continues to grow by leaps and bounds with each passing day. And just when she’s certain that she’s making progress in her relationship with Luke, Julie learns that the new guy in town has taken an interest in winning her heart… and as far as she’s concerned, there’s only room in her heart for one man… even if he still hasn’t figured out that they’re meant to be.


Initial Thoughts:

The main reason why i picked the first book up is because it was free in the ibook store, lol! Who can resist free!? It also had a really cute cover, and an interesting synopsis, so i though what the hay, what have i got to lose!

After Thoughts:
I didn't have high expectations for this book because, well, it was free! A lot of the time i agree with the saying, "you get what you pay for." In this case, throw that saying out the window! The short cute book was really good! I never wanted to put it down! I loved it so much that i just had to buy the second one ($1.99). The book was adorable, and it really kept you entertained. I will definitely be buying the third one! I give both of them 5/5 stars! :)

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Book Review: Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Title: Bruiser
Author: Neal Shusterman
Date Published: October 1st 2011
Pages: 328







Goodreads Synopsis:
"There’s a reason why Brewster can’t have friends – why he can’t care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can’t be explained. I know, because they're happening to me."

When Brontë starts dating Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins – the guy voted “Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty” her twin brother, Tennyson, isn’t surprised. But then strange things begin to occur. Tennyson and Brontë’s scrapes heal unnaturally fast, and cuts disappear before their eyes. What at first seems like their good fortune turns out to be more than they bargained for…much more.

Initial Thoughts:

I picked this book up knowing it was going to be great. I don't know how I knew that, I just did. I hadn't heard many things about this book, but what I had heard said the book was amazing. The little bit of a synopsis totally intrigued me, and I dove right into it!

After thoughts:

OMG, If you have not picked up this book yet, go get it! Right from the beginning I was drawn in. I loved all the characters, especially Tennyson. There were those character you love to love, and the ones you love to hate. This book makes you think about what love really means, and what you would do for the people you care about. I read this book in about 4 days, which for me is pretty fast. I can honestly not think of one thing bad to say about this book! :)

Conclusion:

I can't say enough good this about this books. I never wanted to put it down. I give it 5/5 STARS!

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Book Review: Sanctum by Sarah Fine

Title: Sanctum
Author: Sarah Fine
Date Published: October 16th 2012
Pages: 433






Goodreads Synopsis: 
“My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple.”

A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos’s best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance—hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn’t just anyone—she’s determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife. 

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she’s captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city’s endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn’t—the dark city isn’t the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.

Initial Thoughts:

I had no plans to ever pick up this book. I didn't even know this book existed! Alright, here's my little back story. I was at the library buying some books ( my library has a bookstore) When I decided to go in the teen section and see if there were any good books to checkout. I came across this book on the new release shelf and thought I should give it a try. I don't really like the cover because it has a person on it, and I like to be able to imagine my own characters.

After Thoughts: 
Right from the beginning of the book, I feel in love with everything! I love the characters, the setting, and I just loved everything! My favorite character was Malachi, he was everything a girl would want in a guy, and more. Another part I loved was that I kept on getting surprised throughout the book, which is great. Now on to some things I didn't like... I did not like the main character at times. she always needed someones help, and she always messed up. It got kind of annoying. I also didn't like the cover. Overall I loved the book so much and I will definitely read it again. I can't wait for the second book to come out next moth, ahh!

Conclusion: 
I can't say enough good things about this book! Right from the beginning it drew me in, and it stayed like that the whole book. I totally recommend it, you will love it!  I give it a 4/5 stars! ****

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Book Review: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Safe Haven
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Date Published: September 14th 2010
Pages: 340






Goodreads synopsis: 
Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again, you must learn to trust again. 

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Finally going to be doing my first book review, yay! Just to let you guys know, most of the time I won't write my own synopsis because I suck stink at them. I will just use Goodreads synopsis.If you guys want to know all about my review policy, click here and it will take to my review policy page.
Anyways, on with the review!

Initial Thoughts:

I mainly picked this book up because it was becoming a movie, and I always have to read the book before I watch the movie, What about you guys? This is my first Nicholas sparks book, so i didn't know much about his writing style. All I knew was that a lot of people love his books and they always have two people about to kiss on the cover, lol! I was super excited to read this book, and I had some pretty high expectations. 

After Thoughts:

WOW, WOW, WOW, I loved this book! It exceeded my expectations. The book did not really start to take off until about 1/3 of the way through, but the beginning was not boring at all.  It was introducing you to Kate, and getting you used to the setting. She meets her neighbor at the beginning, and I must say that her neighbor was my favorite character! She shared her opinion, even if it wasn't needed. She also meets Alex, who I  didn't really like at first because he was such a chicken, like just go talk to the girl! Later on he starts to man up, so he grew on me. One thing that I  was wondering about throughout the book was how old was alex, he seemed a lot older than Kate, do you guys know? 

One thing that I look for in a really great book ( that I don't usually find) is the unexpected. I usually can guess what will happen, which can ruin the book. Safe Haven was not like those books! It took me by surprise numerous times! I was like "No, No, that did not just happen!"

I also loved how there was more than just romance. I'm not going to lie, I though romance was all that was in Nicholas Sparks books, but boy was I wrong! There was Romance, mysteries, suspense, and more. 

Conclusion: 

Overall I loved this book, and I gave it 5/5 stars! I will definitely be picking up more Nicholas sparks books in the future. I NEED to go see the movie!What did you guys think of the book/Movie?

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I rate this book 5/5!

Introduction to my Book Blog!

 some of my books

Hello Everyone! Before i started posting book reviews on my blog, i thought it was appropriate to make an intro post. My name is Alyssa, and i am a 15 year old girl that loves to read! I mostly read YA, but i also enjoy some kids books, adult books, and classics. I got the inspiration to do this blog from by YouTube channel, ( click here to go to it.) I've had a YouTube channel for about 5 months now and have been so lucky to gain over 500 subscribers! The reason i started this blog was because i wanted one place to keep all of my book reviews. I have noticed over the past 6 months or so that book reviews VS. other book videos are not very popular. I decided to make this blog the location of my book reviews only.  I may also do giveaways, and guest posts, but mostly book reviews. If you want more than book reviews, check out my YouTube channel. I hope you follow this blog, i think it will be a lot of fun!