Sunday, September 23, 2012

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

If I Lie

A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

If I Lie was the first non-school book I read in nearly two months. In some ways, now that it’s been a few days since I’ve read it, If I Lie broke my reading rut. Overall, I really liked If I Lie. I read it at the perfect time and I loved it. Corrine Jackson takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. This novel will make you laugh and cry, in the best possible ways.

Quinn was awesome. I loved what she was doing for the army veterans, and even though her father initially made her do it, she was fully dedicated to every part of the project. While working with George on the Veterans History Project, the story felt so nice and full (that’s the only way I can think to describe it). George was amazing. His relationship with Quinn is my favorite relationship in the whole book. Never in my life have I felt so much for an adult character in a young adult novel. Carey’s story was heartbreaking- at times the way he acted got me upset, but nonetheless, I felt sympathy towards him and what he had to go through.

After reading If I Lie, I couldn't help but be in love with the writing. Corrine Jackson knows how to write an amazing story. The book tugs at your heartstrings and captures you until the very last page. After finishing it, my mind was numb from everything I had just read. The writing is beautiful, and the novel as a whole is amazing.

I highly recommend If I Lie. It’s one of the best debut contemporary novels I’ve read in a long time. Corrine Jackson is a superb writer, and I can’t wait to read her next novel (she has a paranormal novel, Touched, coming out November 27 of this year). You all need to read If I Lie.

 

FTC- Received a copy from the author

I haven’t written a review in awhile, so sorry if this was a little choppy.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

Waiting-on-Wednesday_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumb_thumbWaiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

League of StraysLeague of Strays by L.B. Schulman

October 1, 2012

When Charlotte Brody, a lonely 17-year-old student at a new school, receives an invitation to join The League of Strays, she's intrigued by the group's promise of "instant friendship." The League does provide companionship--and even a love interest--but Charlotte grows increasingly uncomfortable with its sinister mission to seek revenge against the bullies of Kennedy High. When escalating acts of vengeance threaten to hurl her down a path of remorse, Charlotte must choose between her new friends and the direction of a future she's never fully considered.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught

When Jason Milwaukee’s best friend, Sunshine, disappears from the face of the earth, the whole town, including Jason, starts searching for her. But the insistent voices in Jason’s head won’t let him get to the heart of the mystery—he’s schizophrenic, and the voices make it hard to know what is real and what is not. As the chase becomes more panicked, Jason’s meds start wearing off, and he is looking more and more guilty. But of what, exactly? Both brilliantly witty and intensely honest, this poignant novel draws upon the author’s many years as an adolescent psychologist, but it’s Vaught’s powerful voice and expertly crafted mystery that will keep the pages turning.

This book put me on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. Freaks Like Us was one of the books I read on the car ride home from ALA (an 8-hour drive). When I heard that the main character in Freaks Like Us was schizophrenic, it made me want to read the book even more. There aren’t many YA titles with main characters that have a mental illness, so I was interested in seeing how Susan Vaught pulled off the storyline. I couldn’t get my eyes of the page! It captured me completely, and each sentence left me wanting more.

Jason’s voice was breathtaking. I fell in love with his thought process, and the way Susan Vaught wrote it. Jason made me want to jump into the story and hug him. Throughout the story, Jason introduces readers to his two best friends- Drip and Sunshine. Shortly thereafter, Sunshine goes missing. Jason then tries to solve Sunshine’s missing persons case. His relentless effort to find one of his best friends is amazing, and so well written.

Freaks Like Us isn’t an easy book to read. It isn’t about cheerful topics, it doesn’t have a ‘traditional’ way of writing, and I don’t think it really fits into a category. Freaks Like Us is an amazing novel. The writing is perfect for the story, the characters are amazing, and the plot couldn’t be any better. I highly recommend Freaks Like Us.

FTC- Received from publisher