Book Review: The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland

At First Sight: Em (also known as Elizabeth Margaret) is on the fast track to an Ivy League School and the life her parents have planned for her: become a lawyer, get a spot in her father's firm and marry someone who is at least as rich as her parents are. 

However, Em wants something different, as her true passion is - and has always been - cooking, and she would love to go to cooking school, only that she knows she doesn't have it in her to defy her Parents and Grandmother. In fact, she never defies them about anything, no matter how disenchanted she is with her current life and future ahead. 

So, when Em gets and invitation to spent the summer with Aunt Tilly - a mysterious aunt she had never heard of - she sizes the opportunity to step away from her parents's plans, defying them for the first time ever but winning, in the end. 

In the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Em gets to know this whole other side of her family she never knew about and, much as she misses her sister Gwyneth, Em also begins to love her Aunt Tilly and cousin Frederick. 

Second Glance: I have many mixed feelings about this book. To start, I found the writing to be fun and airy and fast, I mean, I would read large chunks of the story in just a few minutes without even noticing - and that's always good in my book.

I also loved the relationship Em has with her younger sister Gwyneth (even if she does sound too perfect to be true), since it's loving and fun and it's nice to see two sisters who are close in age and aren't at each other's throats all the time. Gwyneth and Em always are each other's suppor and I liked that. 

But, for the most part, I didn't like the people in this book. I didn't find them compelling or likable. The story, over all, was a bit melodramatic and, at the same time, it feels like everything is fixed or dealt with in a ridiculously easy way.

Cade, the romantic interest of the story, was all right and played his part well, but he also reminded me of other characters I've read before, with out having anything about him that really stuck to my memory. 

Also, I can't pin-point why, but when I was reading the beginning of the story I thought two things: First, Grandmother is a mix of evil Grandemere from the Princess Diaries Books and Emily Gilmore, just not as charming. And second, this feels like fan fiction. Really good fan fiction, but no more than that (I think it might be the 'quirky characters' that (again) reminded me of Gilmore Girls). 

Bottom Line: I don't want to make it sound like The Summer My Life Began is a bad book, because it isn't. I just had a few issues with it that made it an OK book for me but no more than that. I did enjoy the setting and I liked Em, even if the big family secret could be spotted miles away. 

1/2

My Meg Cabot Experience

Hello everyone!! This is my second stop for Meg-A-Readers Blog Hop. And this time around I wanted to talk about my Meg Cabot Experience. 

I was as far as I've ever been from home the first time I picked up a book by Meg Cabot. I was in Spain during book week - basically, every bookstore offers big discounts on their books for a whole week - and looking for something to read as I knew I had to face an eleven-hour flight back home in a couple of days. 

I wanted something funny, something that would keep me distracted while on the plane, and then I saw it: the blue background and spot-lighted tiara of Princesa en Escena - Princess in the Spotlight - by Meg Cabot. I had seen and liked the Princess Diaries movie, so even though I hadn't read the first book, I figured it would be all right. 

I read that book twice during the plane ride, and it was all it took, I was hooked. I became a bit of a fan girl, half my bookshelf was all Meg's books, I constantly read her blog and eventually I got to be part of the Meg Cabot Book Club when it launched (now it's called Meg Cabot Fiction Club, btw).

The MCBC was such a pivotal part of my life at that moment, it was interaction like I had never seen before: in a message board format we got to hang out and interact with Meg and other authors - there used to be a monthly book club and chat that actually introduced me to some really awesome authors - and it was a just lovely to talk about books and whatever with other people. It really made me feel part of something. 

A bunch of us got so obsessed with Jesse de Silva that we created a version of a Christmas song for Jesse fans (to the tune of Jingle Bells, Slater smells, Jesse all the way!). And we even got a word into the Urban Dictionary (Jesseness) to describe how we felt about this character And, yes, we did get into epic fights with the Paul Slater... suporters. 

In direct and indirect ways being there, in this comunnity fostered by Meg, boosed my confidence, it helped me with my english and introduced me to some of the best friends I have ever had  - and I still keep in touch with a lot of them. 

And, though it all, I kept loving Meg's books. I love my Forever Princess -which was the first signed book I ever got and it still sits in a place of honor in my shelves; Airhead was the first ARC I ever had in my hands. My note from Meg - which came with a ARC of Insatiable - is one of my most valued possessions. 

And I still want to read more! That's another thing that amazed me. Meg became one of my first Auto-buy authors and ten years after I read my first book by her I'm still interested, and I still look forward to her books every year because I know that, while I might not fall in love with all of her books, I always have a good time reading them and I never feel sorry for it because I know I can trust her with my heart and my time. 

It also sparkles!

Lotsa Luv,

Alex/Clavie (thats my JFCer/MCBC name)

Book Review: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

At First Sight: After three years in forced exile, Daniel Smythe-Smith, Earl of Winstead is quite happy to be back in England, and it just happens that his returns falls on the day of the infamous Smythe-Smith musicale, which is currently being held at his house.

Not wanting to draw all the attention to himself, he decides to wait and just watch the proceedings without being seen. And so, he ends up noticing the woman playing the piano at the musical, and he's very surprised to realize she is not one of his endless parade of female cousins. More over, it only takes him a heartbeat to be smitten with her. 

Anne Wynter is quite happy with her position as governess to the younger Pleinsworth girls -Harriet, Elizabeth and Frances - even if she's being forced to play the piano at a notoriously bad musicale. She isn't happy to discover she's being watched by an unknown man, and she's even less happy when she discovers the man is actually Lord Winstead, the Pleinsworth's cousin.

With quite a few secrets that she wants to keep to herself, Anne knows it's not a good idea to tangle with Daniel, much as she finds him rather handsome and his smile does funny things to her. But the more he endeavors to be around her, the harder is for her to resist.

Second Glance: I'm leaving a few thins out of this summary because I don't want to spoil the fun, though I kind of figure out who the bad guy was early on. But still, far be it for me to spoil.

Anyway, I loved A Night Like This. I found Daniel and Anne to be very likable, and lovable people. I so wanted them to be happy from the very beginning. They have both made mistakes in the past, so they don't hold the other's mistakes against them. 

And they are so smitten with each other. I really can't think of another word for it. Daniel gets all tongue-tied when he first sees Anne and I love how he gets to know her by actually spending time with her - and with his cousins. They talk and laugh together -and really some of their scenes together were just so funny, they were both such good sports. 

That being said, I have to admit I liked this book a little less than Just Like Heaven. And I had a few problems with it too. First, I found it odd how little time Daniel spent with his mother, sister and best friend - he has just come back from 3 years in exile and he barely spends time any of them - much as I loved seeing him spend time with Frances, Harriet and Elizabeth (even if she did get lost in the middle of her sisters personalities). 

Second, I didn't like the Sarah and Lady Pleinsworth. Sarah wasn't very nice and Lady Pleinsworth was annoying and flighty. And this bums me out because I'm pretty sure I'll see more of them both in future books - it's entirely likely Sarah will be a heroine in another book in the series. 

On the other hand, I loved seeing what little there was of Marcus in this book -I just love me a dependable guy who also happens to be a good friend. And I so loved Hugh Prentice, he's a bit nuts but I loved him. Oh, and Frances rocks! 

Bottom Line: When I think about A Night Like This the first word that comes to mind is "Lovely" because this truly was a lovely book. It was so much fun to read, and I genuinely cared for the characters. This book just made me so happy, and it had all the things I really love about Julia Quinn's writing. 

Favorite Quote: First one....

Miss Wynter regarded Harriet. Then she regarded Daniel. And then, as he began to feel rather like a lamb to slaughter, she turned back to Harriet and asked, “Did you bring your plays with you?”

“Of course. I never go anywhere without them.”

“You never know when you might have the opportunity to have one staged?” Elizabeth said, somewhat meanly.

“Well, there is that,” Harriet replied, ignoring her sister’s dig or (and Daniel thought this was more likely) simply not noticing it. “But the big fear,” she continued, “is fire.”

He knew he shouldn’t inquire, but he just could not stop himself. “Fire?”

“At home,” she confirmed. “What if Pleinsworth House burned to the ground while we are here in Berkshire? My life’s work, lost.”

Elizabeth snorted. “If Pleinsworth House burns to the ground, I assure you that we will have far bigger worries than the loss of your scribblings.”

“I fear hail myself,” Frances announced. “And locusts.” 

Second one:

“You are a bloody madman,” Daniel said.

“Or,” Hugh said plainly, “I’ve never been in love. It does leave one more clearheaded.” He motioned to his gun. “Better aim, too.” * 

*slightly edited 'cause of spoilers!

Book Review: The Gorgon in the Gully by Melina Marchetta

At First Sight: Danny Griggs has always been afraid of pretty much everything in his life - from the possible monster under his bed or the shadows under the door; to calling a classmate and them not remembering who he is - so he's more surprised than anyone when he volunteers to retrieve a special soccer ball that went down the mythical Gully at the edge of St. Raphael's playground. 

In the Gully, everyone knows, there is a Gorgon - a gruesome monster that hoards and keeps everything that goes into it's territory. 

Danny would really like to take back his words but he knows he can't or he'll be forever more known as a coward! Instead -and after consulting with his older brother Jonah - Danny starts to device a plan to go down the Gully and retrieve the soccer ball (which his team needs to win the big finals!), a plan that starts simple enough, involving his friends Jackson and Bella, and soon expands to include Simmo  - the playground's bully - and pretty much everyone else in Year 4.

Second Glance: I have no shame in confessing that I first wanted to read this book because Danny is Jonah Griggs' younger brother and that I knew that there was some Jonah in the story. But in the end, Danny and The Gorgon in the Gully won me over on their own. 

Danny is just such a sweet kid: he loves everyone in his family, even his Mom's boyfriend; he is loyal to his friends and all he wants is to get some play time in the soccer finals; and he's resourceful and tries to do the right thing, and even when he doesn't he tries to make it right. 

I also loved the secondary characters. In a very simple way, all type of elementary school cliques were displayed but in such a way that I was like "Yup, that's what elementary school is like!" and I never felt like they were cartoonish, even though the book is pretty short. 

Bottom Line: The Gorgon in the Gully was such a lovely read, even if you're not a kid, it will totally bring you back to those days where everything was both complex and pretty simple at the same time. It's sweet story, and I was a nice message - though it's not heavy handed - about what courage and friendship mean. 

PS - this book is only available in Australia, so the link provided is to www.Fishpondworld.com  which  delivers worldwide for free . So far I have had pretty good experiences with them but I still recommend caution when dealing with them. 

Sunday Shout Out (2)

Hello everyone!!

I haven't gotten many things lately but I get some stuff for review, and here it is.

For Review:

Edelweiss 
Arranged by Catherine McKenzie  --- Review here
Once Upon a List by Robin Gold ---- Review here
A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare
The Lady is a Vamp by Lyndsay Sands
Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

Net Galley
Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis
At Last by Jill Shalvis
Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner



Bought:

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn (ebook, though I'm still planning on buy the paperback, just couldn't wait). 

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan - I keep hearing this author is awesome but I didn't feel like reading a full length books so I got this novella for 0.99. 

Gifts and Wins
Well... I won some things but I don't have pictures to put up yet, so I'll wait to post them until I do.

And, since I don't know where else to put this:

Making Waves by Lorna Seilstead - book 1 of the Lake Manawa Summers series, I saw a review for the third book of the series - The Ride of Her Life - at In the Hammock, and when I went to check it out, I found Making Waves was up for free (It still is!)

Gotta Have It! (makes grabby hands)

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - Because I loved Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, though I'll probably get the UK version again - since is PB and cheaper!

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham - Because it just sounds so good!!

Well, that's me!