Just Listen-Sarah Dessen

Last year, Annabel was the girl that had everything-at least that was the girl she played on television commercial for the Kopf's Department Store. This year, she's the girl that has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy committed to telling the truth. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Wow. You. Seriously. Must. Read. This. Book. It was so amazing, there is really no way that I can rave about it enough. Probably my favorite by Sarah Dessen. It was similar to Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and I even think that I might like this one a little better. It talks a lot about how music affects our lives, and how Owen teaches her to listen, and the dangers of holding in her inner emotions. This review is really short because there is really no way I can describe how much I loved. You'll just have to see for yourself. Go read this book, you will not regret it.

Lock and Key-Sarah Dessen

When a social worker shows up at Ruby's small yellow house demanding to know where her mother is, Ruby knows the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie. A luxurious house, a fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future-it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby so reluctant to let go of her past and learn to trust again?

Wow, this was such an amazing book! The main character Ruby was wonderfully realistic, and I could really relate to her and her struggles throughout the story. This is great book about letting go of the past and learning to accept the changes in life. I loved her hesitant relationship with her sister Cora at the beginning of the novel, and how it grows throughout the story as we learn more and more about why they haven't spoken in so long. The characters were funny, especially her brother-in-law Jamie, and all the new people she meets, that teach her a lot of stuff about herself she didn't realize before. I've loved all of Sarah Dessen's novels, and this one did not disappoint! If you haven't bought this book already, do so, because it is an amazing, inspiring read!

New Layout, Changes, etc.

So, I really just changed the layout on a whim. I was getting a little tired of the old one and I wanted something different. Also I think that for the future, this blog is mainly going to be book reviews and thoughts on important book related things. Mainly because, my life isn't very interesting. And I don't have much to say about it. So from now on, it's just about books and other important topics. Also that explains the title change because it really isn't about my life anymore.
Anyway, here are some book reviews coming soon!

Lock and Key- Sarah Deseen
Princess Ben- Catherine Murdock
Bewitching Season- Marissa Doyle
Just Listen- Sarah Dessen

Have wonderful rest of the week!

Leanna

The Writing on the Wall- Wendy Lichtman

It's spring semester, and Tess's eighth grade existence hasn't gotten any simpler. Suave bully Richard has been scaring her with threats, a strange graffiti pattern keeps showing up on the wall outside school, and there's a new girl whom Tess just can't seem to figure out. Not to mention the fact that her crush Damien has been acting stranger than ever. What's a math loving girl to do? Turn to algebra for guidance of course! What if Tess finds out the solutions are DNE- Do not Exist? Or are the solutions right in front of her?

While I was reading this book, it kept reminding me of something that I couldn't figure quite figure out. Then I remembered that it reminded me of something that might have been on an old episode of Lizzie McGuire! Well, I'll just say it was a book for younger readers. And it does talk about math a lot! So if you're not a math lover, you probably won't enjoy this book as much, but it's still an okay read. I thought it was pretty good. I never read the first one in the series, but it didn't matter that much, because they filled you in well on the stuff you missed. So if you love math, you'll love this book because it relates math to real life a lot! So be sure to go and buy it when it comes out sometime in July!

Waiting for Normal- Leslie Connor

Addie is waiting for normal. But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing lifestyle, which never adds up to normal. She must live with her mother in a bright yellow trailer, near the corner of a small town mini-mart, where she meets some close friends to help her through her struggles. Even though she is often left alone by her mother, sometimes for days at a time, Addie must remain optimisic. Though everyday she longs to be with her stepdad and half sisters. Despite life's twists and turns, someday, she'll find normal.

I loved this book so much. The characters were very realistic, and I loved the voice of the main character Addie, as we went with her through her day to day challenges and struggles. There were happy parts, there were sad parts, and I loved every page. I never got bored, and read it almost in one sitting. The main character shows real hope with her bleak reality, and the ending was very satisfying. I recommend that if you haven't read this book, do so! It is a very hopeful, encouraging read!

Perfect You- Elizabeth Scott

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend Anna, has become popular, and now she acts like Kate is invisible. And then there's Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him.
Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen...but only if she lets them.

So I really loved this novel, and read it in about two days. I really liked the main character Kate. I really felt like I could relate to her and the struggles she was going through, especially since I have gone through some of the same ones. She feels like her whole life is horrible, and that she shouldn't even try to be happy. I could understand that feeling of hopelessness, but it was a little overdone in a few scenes. I was sad about how her friendship with Anna turned out in the end, but I could see it coming. I didn't really like her romance with Will, but I've read worse. So this book is definitely worth reading. I think it's on sale now, but I'm not sure.
Also when I was reading a sneak peek of Elizabeth Scott's next novel, one of the guy's names in it is Finn! Very weird to see it in another book. Anyways, have a great weekend and I'll try to get some other posts done!

Leanna

Hello Everyone

I've had a lot going on lately, and haven't really been giving this blog as much thought and attention that I should be giving it. I've just been busy, and dare I say it, actually having fun, * is shocked*. The good news is, I have a lot of really fun stuff planned for the next couple of weeks. I'm reading some amazing books, and am expecting a few more to come in the mail in the next couple of days, so stay tuned for some new book reviews! Also some poetry, a Twilight rant, some fun games, and my thoughts on other random things. Again, I'm always looking for ideas on new stuff to do, so if you have any, feel free to email me! Have a great week!

Leanna

Getting Ready for May 16: Prince Caspian Movie

*SPOILERS*

I'm a big fan of this book series, and the first movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Now usually when one of someone's favorite books are being made into a movie, they want the adaption to be as close to the book as possible. Now for this movie I am very open to changes, mainly because I loved the changes they made to the first one. However, there have been many controversies to some of these changes, so I decided to share my thoughts on some of them.
The Night Raid: First, the completely added, action packed night raid on Miraz's castle. When we very first found out about this change, we didn't know the reason behind the night raid. Now from recent reviews, we know the main motive is to overthrow Telmarine king, and free Narnia once more. We also know that it does not go well, and ends in a slaughter of the Narnian troops according to a new review by Aint it Cool News ( for your warning, the article has very strong language). I was very excited about this scene and was glad that they added it in the movie. I think the reason they did was to just add another action scene, but at least something might come out of it, since we know now it'll give a lesson to the characters and make them realize what they're up against.
Peter and Caspian fighting: Another one of the big controversies. This is something that they didn't do in the book. Actually they got along quite well. But in the movie there is going to be a lot of tension and rivalry between them. And I think that this makes perfect sense. Of course when you put two kings in the same room, there's going to be friction. Plus with Peter's cockiness that is going to be added ( something I completely dislike), I can see how they would have that power struggle. It doesn't help that they got off to a bad start ( we know there is mistaken identity, and that they sword fight each other). I think this change will add to their maturity at the end of the book, when Peter passes the throne along to Caspian.
Susan and Caspian romance: I am completely, one hundred percent against this change. I think it is completely ridicuous. In the book, they barely even speak. They just want to add another Holleywood cliche. Some rumors from the first screenings even say that they kiss. This would ruin the movie for me completely. I hate this change, and hope nothing serious comes from it.
Susan fighting: In the movie, Susan has a big part in the battles. The reasons I don't like this is because it is completely against her character. Susan doesn't fight ( hence her nickname "Susan the Gentle"). It is completely out of her character and is something she never did in the book. The reasons I like this is because, I think it's okay for girls to fight and it would add that she's not going to hang around and let the boys fight for her. Plus it's a modern day movie now. Women do fight in wars now, when they didn't when the books were written. So I mainly like that because of the " Girl Power".
So those are my thoughts on some of the really big changes. I feel pretty comfortable with them making changes, as long as they're needed. Feel free to comment as much as you wish with your opinions. But in the end, we'll have to wait to see the movie to form our real ones.