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 Year of 100 Books!

I just wanted to send a quick post out.  I did it!  I read 100 books this year.  There have been some really great ones along the way and I've reviewed all of them.  Well I think I didn't review a couple of books on writing that I read.  Other than that, they're all here.  I wonder what next year will bring.  More great books to be sure.

I also want to thank all of you who have read my reviews.  Thanks for leaving comments and continuing to visit my blog.  I love sharing the great books I read with everyone.  I hope you'll keep stopping by and sending your comments.

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

Here's a blurb from Mr. John's website: 
The Challenge:

Piper has one month to get a paying gig for Dumb—the hottest new rock band in school.

The Deal:
If she does it, she'll become manager of the band and get her share of the profits, which she desperately needs since her parents raided her college fund.

The Catch:
Managing one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl who is ready to beat her up. And doing it all when she's deaf. With growing self-confidence, an unexpected romance, and a new understanding of her family's decision to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, Piper just may discover her own inner rock star


My Take

Prior to reading this I heard tons of good buzz surrounding this book.  It lived up to every bit of it.  Pipers a great character.  I couldn't imagine what it's like going through life being moderately deaf.  We all struggle with our relationships at one time or another.  I would think it's even more difficult when people realize that you're deaf.

I did wrestle a bit with the fact that Piper feels she doesn't have a disability.  Technically, by definition, she does.  But I understood that she didn't want to be viewed as 'lesser than' or 'damaged goods'.  That I can totally understand and agree with.

There were parts of this book that were laugh-out-loud funny and others that were profoundly moving.  Piper tries to find a way to create harmony among the band members and discover who she is along the way.
I believe most kids 13 and up would appreciate this book.  Oh, and I think the cover is pretty sweet!  I'm giving it 4 1/2 rocking kisses!

2011 Debut Challenge

This year I'm going to participate in The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge.  I participated last year and managed to read 13 of those I had selected. 

This year I plan to read:

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

 Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Possession by Elana Johnson

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Like Mandarin by Kristen Hubbard

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Entwined by Heather Dixon
The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray
Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
The Iron With by Karen Mahoney

I have a quite a few more on my list to read, but hopefully I get to these 16 read for sure.  If you'd like to join in, stop by The Story Siren's blog (click link above) and check it out.

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Here's a blurb from Ms. Hubbard's website: Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her.

And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

My Take

Let me say that I read this book right around the time of my birthday.  Quite coincidental. :o)  I thought Kayla was funny and charming.  I like Ann, Kayla's Raggedy Ann come-to-life.  My favorite doll growing up was Drowsy.  I bet she'd rock those pink and white polka dot jammies.

This book was fun and got the overall message across without pounding you over the head with it. I liked the story and kept waiting to see what was going to be next for Kayla. My favorite line from the book was, "I wonder what it woujld be like to have that kind of shimmering possibility, that kind of endless expanse of dreams. To just choose something and be good at it." I have to wonder too. ;o)

There were no drugs, drinking or sex in this book.  I would say 13 and up would appreciate this.  I'm giving it 4 1/2 sweet kisses!

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Here's a quick bite from the book's amazon page: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My Take


I know that this has been out awhile and I'm a little behind in just now reading it.  I'm definitely sorry that I didn't pick it up sooner.  This book really pulled me in.  I read it in two days, almost without stopping. 

Ms. Hawkins is a master and ending her chapters in a thrilling spot where you absolutely must keep reading to find out what happens.  Sophie is a great little character.  There are the typical mean witches (but they really are witches in this book).  Actually all her characters are well thought out and very intriguing.  Who wouldn't find a school full of witches, shapeshifters, faeries and even one vampire compelling?

I'm so looking forward to reading Demonglass.  I can't wait to see what happens to Sophie next.  This one is getting 4 big demonic kisses!

Love Drugged by James Klise

Here's a blurb from Mr. Klise's website: Love Drugged is about a Chicago teenager named Jamie Bates. Jamie's gay, but he's in no hurry to come out to anyone. In Jamie's view, what's the rush? He's only fifteen.


But when a classmate learns this secret, Jamie freaks out. He responds by doing what generations of gay boys have done before him: He begins dating a girl in his class, Celia Gamez.

Celia is fantastic. She's beautiful, funny, smart. Plus, she's super into Jamie.

Courtesy of Celia's dad, a wealthy doctor, Jamie gets his hands on a new drug - a little blue pill that promises to “cure” gay men. Love Drugged chronicles the weeks and months of Jamie's experiment with these pills, at the same time that his relationship with Celia heats up.

One teeny-tiny problem? The only way Jamie can get more of the drug is to steal it.

And that's not easy to do when the two things standing in the way of Jamie and the drug are Celia and her dad, neither of whom must ever find out that Jamie is gay! Or wait - WAS gay.

Oh, and there's one other thing: Without meaning to, Jamie develops a major crush on an older classmate named Ivan. NOT exactly part of the new plan...

Part comedy, part thriller, part star-crossed romance, Love Drugged examines the dangers of a life constructed almost entirely of lies ... especially the lies we tell ourselves.

My Take

This book was interesting.  Jamie's dire quest to be like everyone else kinda' broke my heart.  I will say that I'm not gay, but I think fitting in is a universal struggle.  Everyone, at one time or another has the desire to want to fit in.  And let's face it, love is love regardless of who it's between.

At what price does that blending come at?  Is it really worth it if it completely changes who you've become?  How sad to let the person you are slip into oblivion so that you may become someone like everyone else.

Jamie is a great character.  I feel his pain and his uncertainty.  I was always surprised at what he was going to do next.  I'd recommend this book and I like the cover.  It's pretty cool.  3 1/2 fabulous kisses for this one!