How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Here's a review from the author's website: *"Surprising everyone at their private school, a sardonic loner befriends the new girl in this unusual story of an intense platonic relationship between two misfits. Dubbed a robot by her emotionally unstable mother after she fails to manifest sufficient heartbreak over the death of their gerbil, Bea meets pale, withdrawn Jonah, maliciously called “Ghost Boy” by their peers. Almost immediately, she realizes that she has more in common with Jonah than with the catty, insular girls that surround her and begins to rely increasingly heavily on him even as she discovers more about his tragically strange past. Standiford has crafted a darkly whimsical tale filled with details that will be recognizable to teens truly existing on the fringe, complete with references to John Waters films and outsider musician Daniel Johnston. Bea’s original first-person voice will draw readers in, and the unexpected plot will keep them engaged. A decidedly purposeful not-love story, this has all the makings of a cult hit with a flavor similar to Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999)."

--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

My Take

Bea is a cool, quirky little character and Jonah is heavier on the quirk.  Both great characters.  I loved the fact that Jonah never saw his brother Matthew as broken, only different from himself.  I really liked this book.  It speaks of love and how deep it runs.  It challenges your thoughts on family and just who ones family can be comprised of. 

I had heard great things about this book before reading it.  It lived up to the words of praise bestowed on it.  I liked all the Nite Lights and their funny little personalities interplaying with one another.  I could see a sequel to this one eventually, but have no idea if one is planned or not.  The overall message I took away from this was that no matter how disabled or tenuous their grip on reality may be, you don't give up on them.  I'm giving this one 4 1/2 robotic smaks!

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Here's a blurb from Ms. Zago Rosenthal's website: Ari Mitchell feels invisible at her Brooklyn high school. Her hair is too flat, her style too preppy, and her personality too quiet. And outside school, Ari feels outshined by her beautiful, confident best friend, Summer. Their friendship is as complex and confusing as Ari’s relationship with her troubled older sister, Evelyn, a former teenage mom whose handsome firefighter husband fills Ari’s head with guilty fantasies.


When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York—and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari’s family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future. Meanwhile, Summer warns her that what she feels for Blake is just an infatuation. Not real love. But Ari’s world is awash with new colors, filled with a freshness and an excitement she hasn’t felt in years.

When misfortune befalls Blake’s family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?
 
My Take
 
It's 1985; the year I graduated.  Ari is struggling to find her niche.  She transfers to an elite prep school and that niche seems even further away.  Then she meets Leigh.  She begins gaining more independence and more confidence.
 
Then Ari meets Leigh's cousins.  She and Blake tumble head-long into a relationship.  Ari is beginning to think she has found where she belongs.  But things begin to change as the outside world affects them.  Along the way Ari learns what true love is and what it isn't.  She grows so much and is so strong.  This book was a little jewel.  I'm giving it 5 kisses!
 

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Here's a bit about the book: From Booklist
Gr. 9-12. Full of anger at her father, an alcoholic who abuses her mother, Pattyn begins to question her Mormon religion and her preordained, subservient role within it. She is confused by her mother's acceptance of the brutal abuse, and although she is furious at and terrified of her father, she still longs for his love and approval. As the consequences of her anger become more dramatic, her parents send her to spend the summer with her aunt on a Nevada ranch. There she finds the love and acceptance she craves, both from her aunt and from a college-age neighbor, Ethan. Told in elegant free verse, Burned envelopes the reader in Pattyn's highs and lows, her gradual opening to love, and her bouts of rage, confusion, and doubt. It exposes the mind of the abused, but regrettably offers no viable plan to deal with the abuser, a reality perhaps, but a plot element that may raise eyebrows in the adult community. Still, this will easily find rapid-fire circulation among its YA audience. A troubling but beautifully written novel. -Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
 
My Take
 
Once I got this book from the library, I was a tad intimidated when I saw that it had be at least 500 pages.  Then I looked at the pages and realized this book was written in verse.  I'd never read a novel written in verse before this.  I've heard wonderful things about Ms. Hopkins books.  It's way overdue for me to read them.  I don't think there's much chance of me making my 100 book goal for the year, but I've come close.
 
Immediately I felt for Pattyn.  Her home life was horrible and she was reaching out for love.  She's trying to find some kind of self-worth while being raised in a society where females are considered nothing more than property.  If you're told you're worthless, how can you value yourself or feel as though you have a future worth hoping for? 
 
This book was lovely.  I read it quickly and found myself absorbed in Pattyns story.  It was tough to put down because I wanted to see where the story went.  Wow, did it go somewhere too.  It kept me turning the pages right up to the astounding conclusion.  I'm giving this one 4 1/2 kisses and plan to read more of Ellen Hopkins. 
 

I think this is scheduled to be my last post for the year.  What a fantastic year it's been too.  Thanks to all of my readers.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is knowing that you appreciate and read the reviews I post here.  I'm still reading to finish out the year and to get as close to that 100 books as I possibly can.  Stayed tuned and have a Happy New Year!

The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells

Here's a quick bit from the book's Amazon page: Grounded, logical Mia is trying to cope with a summer that hasn't been what she expected. Her vacation in New York's tony Hamptons with her extended family was supposed to be about spending time with her firecracker cousin Corinne and her sympathetic aunt as relief from her mother's criticism and her parents' fights about money and status. But quickly the bubble bursts: her aunt is tense and preoccupied while jaded Corinne is more interested in drinking and her cool friends. Adrift, Mia can't help wanting to be part of Corinne's circle, even though she doesn't like these girls. Struggling to remain true to herself, she strikes up a friendship with Simon, the boy next door. Through late-night walks on the beach, the teens become more than friends. A skinny dip after a storm brutally ends Mia's summer—but not the growth she's achieved.

The images painted in the pages of this book leave you breathless.  I will say that I was cruisin' along through this book, hoping that Mia would find her own path.  That she would not be so susceptable to the acceptance of her cousins and their crew.  I was glad to see that happening and was loving her development as a character.  She was falling in love with Simon, things looked so grand.  Then BLAM!  I'm not going to tell you the ending, but it really wracked me.  It's tough to have something fraught with tragedy, yet have it remain beautiful and tender.  I think Ms. Howells succeeds in this. 

My favorite lines (because I can't pick just one) are: "I tried not to stare nor feel envious of their sun-kissed bodies, but when you see people like my cousins, no matter what your body type, you end up feeling squashy as a marshmallow and covered with hair, even if you've just gotten a bikini and leg wax."  This one for the image alone. "Corinne and Beth lay like tiny dolls way off on the dunes, but I averted my eyes and picked up my pace."  And this one for it's sheer honesty. "There's no complete truth.  There's only the way you see it, the way you remember it."

I definitely recommend this book.  There is some drinking and drug use in it.  I would say 14 and up is prime age for this book.  Maybe even a touch younger.  Have you read this?  How did you feel about it?  I give it 4 smooches!