Book Review: Looking for Alaska By John Green

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Date Published: December 28th, 2006
Pages: 221












Goodreads synopsis: 
Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Initial Thoughts:

I've had this book on my shelf since Christmas, and never really thought to pick it up. I didn't know what book to read next, so i did "end mennie minee moe" with all of by books (lol) and this was the last one left! I didn't know anything about this book, and it was my first john green book, so i was excited. I did have high expectations since it was John Green.

After Thoughts:

After reading the first 50 pages, i didn't know what to think. I didn't really like or dislike the book, so i just kept on reading. I was waiting for the book to amaze me since it was john Green! The book did get a little better as i kept reading, but nothing spectacular. One thing i did like was the mystery about the Before and After, like before what!?
 Characters: I had a love hate relationship with almost all of the characters. "Pudge" frustrated me! He was such a good led before he went to Culver creek, and then turned into a "bad boy." I hate when that happens. Can't he be a good guy and still make the story good? Alaska also annoyed me so much! She was so moody and i didn't understand why she had so many friends when she was so moody and mean at times. 
The ending: It was an OK ending, but nothing special. I was expecting more. Overall, i liked the book, but didn't love it. I guess i was expecting more. I rate it 3/5 stars! 

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Book Review: The best and Hardest Thing by Pat Brisson

Title: The Best and Hardest Thing
Author: Pat Brisson
Date Published: May 13th, 2010
Pages: 240









Goodreads Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Molly Biden has always been studious, dependable, some might even say saintly. And she's sick of herself. So when she spots mysterious bad boy Grady Dillon, she devises a plan to make herself over into someone new, someone who will attract Grady's attention. She succeeds but a little too well. When Molly discovers she?s pregnant, she's forced to make the hardest choice of her life. This addictive readable portrayal of Molly's struggle to accept her pregnancy and the fact that her life will never be the same is told entirely in poetry, from sonnets to haiku.

Initial thoughts:
I was shopping on amazon (Bargain books) When I came across this book. I was instantly drawn to it because of the cover. I t made we want to read it so bad! I also love the purple and turquoise colors!

After Thoughts:
When I first received the book, I found out that it was written in poem form. At first I thought it would take away from the book, but after reading it, I realized it actually made the book a lot better. Even though this was a very quick/short read, I felt very connected to the main character, Molly. I always felt her emotions, and really liked her. I would have liked to get to know Gary a little more, but i don't think it really took away from the story.  Some of the poems were amazing, and made me think about things in a different light. I loved this book, and i rated it 5/5 stars!

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Book Review: A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

Title: A Child Called "It"
Author: Dave Pelzer
Date Published: September 1st, 1995
Pages: 184











Goodreads Synopsis: 
This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

Initial Thoughts:

I started reading this book a long time a go, and for some reason i never finished. I bought the book a few days ago, and wanted to jump right in. I have always wanted to read it, and everybody said that it was really good.

After Thoughts:

This book was so good! Right from the beginning, it had me captured! I never wanted to put the book down, and i finished it in 2 days! (Which is fast for me). There were times that i found it difficult to read because of the things his mother made him do... It was terrible! As for the characters, i have mixed feeling about all of them. There were times in the book where you really liked them, and then there were times were you wanted to punch them in the face! This book put a lot of things in perspective for me. One is that I need to be  more grateful for my stuff and my family. I also learned not to judge people by there looks. You have to give them a chance because you never know there full story. I loved this book , and i gave it a 5/5 stars! I can't wait to read the next one!

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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!