Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Book Summery (via Goodreads): Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

Book Review:
I will do my very best to say more than this book is awesome, you should read it. But you should know, this book is awesome and you should read it! This character drive novel had me hooked at hello! London is an amazing main character and her voice drew me in right from the first page. She struggles so much, but what I love about her is that she never gives up. London is the kind of character that perseveres in the face of adversity. Even when she remembers that things are going to get rough, she keeps going...looking forward to a bright spot in the midst of a storm. Her friend Jamie, however, left more to be desired. Luke! How I adored Luke! I wish I could find a fella like him in real life. A perfect compliment to London! Another aspect I loved about this novel is that sometimes the reader is privy to people and events that London forgets. Other times, we are learning and discovering right along side London. This made for some captivated reading. I would try to solve some of the mysteries before London could....though most times I couldn't. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Overall, this book was packed with mystery, romance, and drama...a great combination! My only disappointment was when the novel ended. I crave to learn more about London and her world. I hope that Patrick continues to write more in this setting!

Favorite Quote:

"Tears upon tears splat on to the lined pages in my hands as I read about a nightmare come true. Quickly, I wipe away the saltwater so it won't fade the ink. Because even as my chest caves in and makes me hate the chipper birds and everything else, I know that I needed to read this today, and I need to read it again tomorrow.

For me, reading is remembering." (p. 222)

Cover Art Commentary:
I love the simplicity of this cover. The colors are clean and modest. I love the boldness of the title. It makes you want to peak behind and see what's going on.

Rating:

Flawless by Sarah Shepard

Book Summery (via Goodreads): Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever. And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

Book Review:
Flawless picks up right where Pretty Little Liars left off. The reader delves deeper into each of the girls' lives as A reveals their secrets one by one. The changes between the book and the show were definitely more noticeable this time around. I was rather stunned at some of the changes, and a few events really took me by surprise. The same characters are all there, and I am still partial to Spencer and Aria. I know I said this in my review of Pretty Little Liars, but the book series definitely seems to have some rather severe behavior in it. The TV show is waaaay toned down in comparison. I am still eager to continue the series, and find out who A really is! I will continue my plan of staggering the series between other books I want to read, to mix things up a bit. I would love to hear any comments about the show and/or the book series! Have you noticed a difference? Do you think it's easy to guess A's true identity?

Favorite Quote:

"Don't get too comfortable. It's not over until I say it is. -A" (p.330)

Cover Art Commentary:
This is probably my favorite cover of the series. I really like the orange background. The girl on the cover seems to be the most low-key out of the series. Perhaps the character is supposed to be Emily? Which character do you think it is?

Rating:

Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

 

Book Summery (via Goodreads): Sarah Weaver wasn't looking forward to starting at an all-girls school. But that was before she met Maddy. Maddy and her best friend, Agnes, are fun and rich and interesting—and for some reason, they seem to really like Sarah. Before long, Maddy and Agnes have moved Sarah into a big house off campus, where they cook together, buy each other presents, and share each other's secrets. So why does Sarah feel like something's bizarrely wrong? As more and more cracks start to show in Maddy's and Agnes's perfect veneers, Sarah notices some strange and disturbing things: Maddy's compulsive lying, Agnes's obsession with Maddy, and the deterioration of their friendship. And just when Sarah begins to question her own sanity, things turns deadly.

Book Review:
Wow! I gave myself a few days to process this one, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to process it completely. I can honestly say I had no idea what would happen next as I read this entire book. The element of surprise is alive and well, my darlings. There are three main characters in this story, Sarah, Maddy and Agnes. Each girl has a distinct personality and has a specific role in the overall plot. Sarah is the most down to earth. She is a victim of circumstance, as well as poor choices, and is trying to find herself. Maddy is seemingly sweet and playful, almost childlike. Agnes is more uptight, but has a good heart. These three girls become fast friends and lean on each other through their first semester at an all-girls college. It's not too long before things become amiss and Sarah comes to realized things definitely are not what they seem. I don't want to tell you too much, because it really is best to go into this book without any preconceived notions. However, let me tell you this was one suspenseful ride. Towards the end, I was jumping at every little noise in my apartment! If you are looking for a creepy, thrilling tale, then look no further!

Favorite Quote:

"I look up at Haven House. It's impressive, all brick and ivy, ivy and brick. It sort of looks like Harvard-or at least like what I know of Harvard from the movies-both welcoming and intimidating at the same time." p. 4

Cover Art Commentary:

Well, of course I am rather partial to purple! So, that is what first drew my little eyes to this book. I'm not really sure what the pink hair is supposed to symbolize, but the full moon definitely has meaning.

Rating:

 

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Book Summery (via Goodreads): Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back?

Book Review:
Ok, so I'll admit it...I recently got hooked on the show. If you haven't seen it yet, you should really give it a chance. It's totally addicting! However, I broke my rule of reading the book before watching the show. Unfortunately, this means I didn't enjoy the book as much as I probably would have had I not known what was going to happen. Plus, they combined other books into the first season of the show, so I was waaaay ahead of the curve. Despite that fact, this was a fun, fast read. The characters are addictive and flawed. My only issue with them is that they were engaging in multiple behaviors that were seriously overkill. I mean drinking, smoking, sleeping around, cheating on your older sister's boyfriend all at the age of 14? Combined, it just seemed a little over the top. These behaviors are definitely toned down in the TV show. My favorite characters in both the book and TV series are Aria and Spencer. What I love about all the characters is that despite their poor choices, lies, and bad behavior, you like them. You want to get to know them better. I am hoping that they evolve over time, like they do in the show. I will still continue to read the rest of the series, but will most likely alternate them between other books that I plan on reading.

Favorite Quote:

"You thought only girls who entered beauty pageants ended up on the sides of milk cartons. Well, think again." p. 1

Cover Art Commentary:
It might seem a little corny to have plastic dolls on the cover, but I think it really works, especially with the types of characters and behaviors sprinkled throughout the book. The series looks colorful and whimsical together on my shelf.

Rating:

New Look!

I got a new blog look, curtsey of Rachel from Parajunkee's View! Didn't she do a fabulous job?! I can't recommend her enough! She does fantastic work and is a pleasure to work with!

Check out her design blog:

Reading Reflections: June 2011

Books Read:

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 6

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 35

Most Anticipated:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Biggest Let Down:
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Favorite Read:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Highest Rank:
5 Butterflies

Lowest Rank:
3 Butterflies 

Overall Reflection:
Good month in reading. Most reviews were 4 star ratings. Where She Went by Gayle Forman and The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter were my favorite reads this month. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade and Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby were fun reads. Timeless by Alexandra Monir was a fab historical fiction story. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney left me wanting a little more. Overall, not a bad month in reading. Hope I'm as successful this month. I would like a few more 5 star books though. :P