"Being Sam, No Matter What" by Marta Tandori

"I didn't think I looked any different than my friends."
-Marta Tandori, Being Sam, No Matter What

I don't usually read young adult novels, but I always promise read and review a book by any author that follows me on Twitter. Marta Tandori followed me on Twitter a while ago, and I finally was able to read one of her books. The book I chose was Being Sam, No Matter What. She was a knew author to me, so I really just chose the book at random.

Sam Pacepa started her seventh grade year just a few weeks ago, but Sam isn't the average seventh grader. Sam and her family are immigrants that moved to Canada when Sam was very young. Her parents have very strict rules for her and her siblings. While most of her friends get to have sleepovers and wear jeans, Sam doesn't.

Her homeroom teacher announces that the class would be taking an overnight trip to Niagara Falls. Sam knows that she won't be able to go, not with her parents' rules. Her friends really want her to go, but how will she convince her parents?

To be honest, the book didn't grab my attention in the beginning. It was a little slow, but I had to remember that it was a young adult novel. Towards the end, however, there were several plot twists that spiced things up a bit. I just wish they didn't happen all at once.

There was one thing that stood out to me, that I just couldn't get over. I understand that at the age of 12, a girl starting her period is a big deal. That can be revealed in a novel, sure, but not with onomatopoeia. The word, "plop" has probably scarred me for life. I really don't think it was supposed to be a big deal, but I couldn't get passed it.

It really wasn't a terrible book, but it's not something that sparks my interest. If you are a very young reader, I would suggest it. It's an easy read with struggles that a lot of young girls go through. I just don't think it's a book that someone 15 or older would enjoy.

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"Losing Hope" by Colleen Hoover

" Moments like these with people like her are what make all the suffering worth it."
-Colleen Hoover, Losing Hope

Okay, Okay. I know. I'm completely OBSESSED and ADDICTED to everything written by Colleen Hoover. She's the best. Period. Done. Over. If you are reading this review and still haven't read any of her books, HELLO??? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? Get off your tookus, purchase a copy of any of her books and get going!!!

As I've mentioned in a previous review, Losing Hope is the companion to Hopeless. Instead, the book is written from Holder's point of view. Hopeless was written from Sky's point of view. No, I won't give you the spill of the main plot again because I did that in my first review. To see the review on Hopeless, CLICK HERE!

The plot is the same of course, but everything is still different! I found out so many new details that changed the story completely! Leave it to Colleen to take a story that she's already written and add a twist that blow's the reader's mind. It sure blew mine away! Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still couldn't read fast enough to get to each new page of the story. Either I was super in love with the book, or I just couldn't get enough time with my book boyfriend, Holder. Either way, I just couldn't get enough of it!

Congratulations to Colleen on selling the rights for her books to be made into MOVIES!!! I understand it will be several years from now before it hits the big screen, but I. AM. SO. THERE!!!

This review was a little more freak out-ish than normal, so I apologize for my outrageous excitement! That just shows how much I loved and adored this book!

This is not a young adult novel. I would reserve this book for readers 18 years old and up. Because it is from a male point of view, there is much more language than the first book. Also, there is sexual content that is not suitable for young readers.

BIG shout out to Griffin Peterson for posing as Holder on the cover! He definitely gave me a visual of what my book boyfriend looks like! While we're talking about Griffin, he also has a new single on iTunes! To download his new single CLICK HERE!

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"The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

"Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side."
- Cassandra Clare

One of my best friends wouldn't stop bugging me about this book all semester last spring. She wasn't going to let me get away with not reading it because the movie is coming out in August, so she said she didn't care when I read it, just as long as I did it before the premiere. Boy, am I glad that she pushed me to read this! I am head-over-heels in love with this series, and I cannot wait to continue reading! I read it on the beach, and I would literally scream and gasp and laugh out loud. I was THAT into it!

Clary, fifteen, and her friend Simon go to Pandemonium, a club in New York City one night. She's not really into the "club scene," but she loves to watch the people around her. As she and Simon are dancing, she notices an attractive boy. Her eyes follow him as he walks to the other side of the club and enters a closet with an exquisitely beautiful girl (of course). Little does the boy know, two other guys are following close behind. Clary notices that they have weapons, and she can tell they are after him. She hurries to the closet to try to stop them, if she can. When she gets there, she witness the boys with weapons murder the handsome boy. Only, this was no ordinary murder. His blood was thick and black, and his body vanished into thin air. Clary stands frozen in her place as these murderous people approach her.

They are confused as to why Clary can see them, but Clary doesn't understand why she WOULDN'T be able to see someone! One of the boys, Jace, explains that they are Shadowhunters, and that they did not just kill a human, that boy was a demon. In the middle of their discussion, Simon shows up at the door, and asks Clary where the guys with weapons went. So, Simon cannot see them even as they stand by Clary's side. Soon enough a demon enters Clary's home and tries to attack her! Jace shows up again, and she is instantly part of an entire new world! Why can Clary see them when no one else can? What does this mean for Clary? How will her life change? Find out in The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Not only was the storyline over-the-top outrageous, her writing style was gorgeous! I know that's such a journalist thing to say, but I am what I am! She had incredible imagery and some of the best similes! The words she used to describe this story were simply beautiful. It's hard to beat that kind of writing!

I wish I could just tell you everything that happens! I went to the beach with a friend, and she was reading the same book at the same time, I was just roughly 100 pages ahead of her. I would freak out about something exciting, or some new twist that Clare threw in the story, but I couldn't talk about it! It was torture! This feels the same way! I want to tell you just how amazing this story is, but there is no possible way to do it without telling you everything! I CAN tell you that there is so much passion in this book, and I can't even tell you how much I laughed! The book is truly hilarious! The humor is flawless!

The movie premiers on August 21st, so make sure you read the book before then! Just from watching several different trailers for this film, I can tell it will be slightly different from the book. That's always expected; however, the movie looks incredible, as it should be! With a plot this extravagant, it would be hard to make a bad movie.

I believe that any age group would enjoy this book. I wouldn't go younger than a teen though. Some content may not be suitable. There is slight profanity and sexual humor. Not enough to say that I would limit it to adults, because it was written for a younger audience, but I believe that adults will love it, too!

SPOILER ALERT: THE TRAILER REVEALS THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE READING THE BOOK!

So whether you choose to read the book, watch the movie, or both (I STRONGLY encourage both), I know that you will fall in love with it, just as I did! This is a six-book series. Five books have been released so far, with the six not too far behind. Don't worry, I will still be reading books for the blog, I will just be reading these on the side. I'm seriously addicted!

Clare also wrote a series called The Infernal Devices. It's a three-book series that serves as a prequel to The Mortal Instruments. I would suggest reading The Mortal Instruments first, THEN The Infernal Devices. Check out Cassandra Clare's site for more information! CLICK HERE

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"Posed for Murder" by Meredith Cole

"The only thing that could possibly be worse than having her friend murdered was the knowledge that another friend could be twisted and evil enough to have done it."
- Meredith Cole, Posed for Murder

I'm not one to read mysteries, simply because I get so sucked in to that mushy, girly, lovey-dovey type storyline. I'm a 21-year-old girl. I can't help it! Anyway, I realized I really wasn't appealing to a male audience, so I asked a few guys what they would prefer to read. Every single one of them said a mystery novel. So, with that, I went to the library, went to the mystery section, and literally picked up a random book to check out. I'd never heard of Meredith Cole before, but the inside flap seemed interesting, and I was excited to discover a new author!

Lydia McKenzie is a photographer trying to get discovered. Her current project is re-creating actual death scenes of girls that were never identified. She had read about them in a book and wanted the girls to have some sort of recognition. The night Lydia had been waiting for had finally come: opening night of her very own show at a gallery. She is beyond nervous before the show even begins, but when two detectives come inside to question her, her nerves go through the roof.

Apparantly, someone was so fond of her photographs that he/she decided to re-create them again. For real. Someone murdered a girl and posed her just like in Lydia's photograph. She was dressed almost the same and it was even in the same location. How can this be? The detectives are shocked to hear that Lydia took her photo over a year and a half ago. The body was found tonight. To add to Lydia's horror, the girl that was murdered was the actual girl that modeled for Lydia's photograph. Not only was she the model, but she was Lydia's friend. Who would do this and why would they try to frame Lydia?

I really enjoyed reading this mystery! It makes me want to read more mystery books! I loved how Cole would leave me hanging at the end of every chapter so I HAD to keep reading! It was fun being on edge with every page turn. There is a great twist at the end! The book is a quick read and very enjoyable! Typically, I like books to go deeper and last a little longer, but I still really liked this novel!

Is the killer after Lydia, or just her friend? Will he/she kill more of her models/friends? What does he/she want? What will happen to Lydia? Find out in Meredith Cole's Posed for Murder. Also, check out her follow-up novel about Lydia, Dead in the Water.

Other than the mention of some characters drinking a beer here and there, I don't think there is any material that is not suitable for young readers!

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"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

“The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, if you consider it uneventful to ride fifteen miles on horseback through rough country at night, frequently without benefit of roads, in company with kilted men armed to the teeth, and sharing a horse with a wounded man. At least we were not set upon by highwaymen, we encountered no wild beasts, and it didn't rain. By the standards I was becoming used to, it was quite dull.”
-Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

One of my readers suggested this book to me, and I was happy for the suggestion! Before she told me about it, I had never once heard of Outlander. When I was searching the books at the library, I finally found it. Whoa. It's huge. The cover looked old and, quite honestly, boring! My first thought: "Great. This book looks dreadful." Reluctantly, I checked it out and took it home.

Boy, was I wrong! Outlander completely took me by surprise! I know the common saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but everyone does. Everyone. I'm glad my reader suggested it though, because this was a refreshing new book (to me, anyway) that I loved! The plot was incredibly unique, and I've never come across anything quite like this book before.

Claire Beauchamp Randall and her husband, Frank, are on holiday in Scotland in 1945. She was a British combat nurse, so they had been separated for a long time due to the war. After exploring the lands, quite a bit, they come across an ancient stone circle. Upon touching the circle, Claire is thrown back in time two hundred years! The world has changed immensely in two hundred years, so Claire takes notice to things such as (or the lack of) electricity and simple medications. Not knowing how to return to her time and her husband, Claire has to make the best of the life being put in front of her in a land that existed before her time.

Because of her peculiar knowledge of the lands, the locals keep their eye on her, accuse her of being a spy, a witch, and other things. She tries her best to make a good name for herself by healing the wounded and the sick with her skills in nursing.

Proving that she is not a spy or witch is no task in comparison to controlling her growing attraction to Jamie Fraser. She just can't help it! The fact that she and he are forced to marry for her own protection does not make the matter any easier! Can she lose herself in her growing love for Jamie, or does she hold out for her husband Frank that she may never see again?

You will never believe all that lies within this book! Well, if you've seen the actual book, you can imagine it has quite a bit since it has over 600 pages, but I was completely entranced by it! It's just so different from anything else I've ever read! I've never read of such pure love and adoration between two people!

Outlander is full of adventure, and great humor, as well! The quote I chose at the beginning demonstrates that briefly. I often found myself laughing aloud or gasping in shock while reading this book! Also, since the book takes places in the 1700s and in Scotland, the humor is quite different than it is today. Diana Gabaldon stayed true to the Scottish accents as well as the culture throughout the entire book, which made everything fall perfectly into place. It's also historically accurate, as well! This book is greatly detailed, but it's necessary to understand the time period, the culture, and the events that are taking place.

Reading this book made me feel like I had traveled back in time myself. Things were simpler, but still more complicated, if that even makes sense. Yes, it's quite a hefty read, but it's worth the time and patience! Outlander is actually the first book in a series of eight books. The final book was released early this year. Reading the first book really makes me want to finish the series, especially after what I found out on the last page!

Some parts of the book are not fit for young readers. There are very mature scenes, as well as very graphic scenes dealing with torture and punishment (remember the time period). Some of the details even made ME cringe! (But that's great writing)! Also, due to the complexity of the novel, it may even be confusing to young readers.

Please let me know if you have read or are planning to read this book! Definitely consider reading Outlander! It really will surprise you! I'm interested to hear what you think about this one! I would really love to hear from someone who has finished the entire series!

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"This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen

"Love is needing someone. Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you.
- Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

Remy was like most high school graduates: ready to get OUT! After going through about five or so step dads, she was tired of dealing with her mother's life. She was just ready to move out and worry about herself for a change. She could move across the country, go to school, focus on her future, and not have to babysit her mother any longer.

Because of what she had seen in her mother, Remy's thoughts on love were a bit skewed. She didn't believe that love could last. In Remy's mind, love only led hurt and pain. No commitment ever lasted. As soon as Remy ever got close to a guy, she bolted. It was usually around two months. After two months, she would find some excuse to end it. That is, if it even lasted that long.

While planning her mother's NEXT wedding, Remy's steady summer full of work and plans got interrupted by a clumsy, lanky boy. He literally bumped into her at the car dealership where her mother's fiance worked.

From that first day, Dexter annoyed Remy like no other boy she had ever met. Why was it that he was showing up EVERYWHERE. Seriously: everywhere. Dexter, on the other hand, was determined that he and Remy had chemistry and that they were meant to be together.

He was persistent. He was definitely not going to give up, but Remy had her rules. Dexter was in a band, and Remy didn't date musicians. Dexter didn't care about Remy's rules. He knew they were supposed to be together.

Does Remy hold true to her rules, or does she give Dexter a try? Find out in Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby.

This book can be read by younger readers. It seemed as though that was the target audience. I really enjoyed reading this book. My friend DEMANDED that I read a book by Dessen, and that is the book she loaned me. It was a little slow in some places, but overall the book was a great story. It really shows the importance of taking chances with love and relationships.

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"Thin White Line" by J.A. Templeton

"Don't ever let anyone determine who you should be. You're the only one who can do that."
-J.A. Templeton, Thin White Line

The last time I wrote about a book by J.A. Templeton, it was a young adult novel. Although it was written for a younger audience, I still loved The MacKinnon Series! (See my review HERE). Thin White Line, however, is an adult novel, so I do not suggest this book for younger audiences because there is very mature content.

I was completely stoked when I heard that she released a new novel. After reading her other books, It was impressive to see how she brought a completely different feel to this new book. Granted, she was writing for a different audience, but she did an excellent job of making that transition.

Kenzie was halfway through her junior year of high school when she had to move states because her parents were getting divorced. Her father was having an affair. With a girl about 20 years younger than him. What a creep. Anyway, Kenzie's mother wanted to move to the same town and work with Kenzie's aunt, so her whole life was about to change.

Brooke, Kenzie's cousin, was basically forced to befriend Kenzie and show her around the high school. Even though it seemed forced at the beginning, Kenzie and Brooke became best friends, just like they were when they were younger. Brooke is in a band, and BOY were her band mates ATTRACTIVE! Muscles, tattoos, great hair, and the smiles to melt any girl's heart. Oh, yeah, Kenzie was going to like hanging out with Brooke.

The only problem with hanging out with quite possibly the two hottest guys she's ever met, they both seem to be fighting for her attention. Ryder, her age, has first period with her, and gets to her first. She immediately is attracted to him, but Brooke warns her that he is basically a hit and run type of guy. Then, there's Deklan, older, Ryder's best friend (and basically his brother) is also in the band and just as attractive (if not more so) than Ryder. Oh, goodness! If only all of us girls had this problem, right?

The first time Kenzie goes to a band practice, she follows her cousin and her friends into a separate room. Brooke pulls out a small block and begins to chop it up. WHAT?? Is this seriously happening? Kenzie knows what drugs do to a person's body, and she wants no part in that. Then, Ryder walks in, waiting for his turn. They hand a line of coke to Kenzie, and wait for her response. Does she snort it, or walk away? Is this what she has to do for Ryder to accept her and for Brooke to include her with her friends? Her entire life here may be determined by that thin white line.

Read Thin White Line to see what Kenzie decides, and to see which guy she chooses! I couldn't put this one down! I read the entire book in a day! Again, I don't suggest this book to readers under 16. It's a very mature book.

In no way does Templeton encourage the use of drugs. This book shows the dangers and terror that drugs can bring, and I believe that she wrote it so that her readers will stay away from drugs. The things that happen within the pages of this book can easily happen to anyone, and I think that is the point that Templeton is trying to get across. Temptation for drugs and alcohol is way more intense than teachers at school make it sound when they tell you to "just say no." It's not always that simple, but it's always the right choice to turn it away.

Thin White Line can be an eye opener to all high school and college students about the realities of drug and alcohol use. No, that is not the entire plot of the story, there is a love triangle, friendships built and broken, grief over the divorce, and there is a great deal of humor, as well! Templeton wrote an extraordinary story with an incredible message behind it all! Don't stop at reading Thin White Line, make sure you read her other books, as well! THIN WHITE LINE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR KINDLE FOR .99 CENTS ON AMAZON.COM!!

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