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Merissa (11726 KP) created a post
May 21, 2024
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Uglies (Uglies, #1) in Books
Jun 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this novel and am still a bit surprised that it still hasn't been made into a movie. I thought the concept was pretty creative, and this first novel in particular was well told.
On the other hand, I do feel that the series drops off a bit in the subsequent books. They all connect seamlessly, and the stories are all satisfying, just not as engaging as some of its contemporary YA novels.
On the other hand, I do feel that the series drops off a bit in the subsequent books. They all connect seamlessly, and the stories are all satisfying, just not as engaging as some of its contemporary YA novels.
Kristie (106 KP) rated Darius the Great is Not Okay in Books
Sep 18, 2018
YA contemporary
For the most part I really enjoyed Darius the Great is Not Ok by Adib Khorram. This young adult contemporary novel was heart wrenching and at times heart breaking to read. At times I felt like the main character Darius was a little over the top with how sensitive he was but for the most part I was rooting for him to rise up. This was a great story showing the struggles of living with depression while trying to find yourself and dealing with the teenage awkwardness of growing up. I completely felt for Darius and could relate to a lot of his struggles throughout the book, especially with trying to see where he fit in with his culture and being the only one standing awkwardly to the side not understanding the language of his heritage. I really loved all of the characters and learning about this culture and I would definitely recommend.
Kristie (106 KP) rated The Art of Escaping in Books
Sep 18, 2018
Fast read
I really enjoyed The Art of Escaping by Erin Callahan a lot more than I thought I would. This novel was a super cute contemporary and a fast, fun read. I loved seeing the characters grow and develop as the story went on. The friendship that starts between Mattie and Will, and later with Frankie and Stella, is an inspiring relationship that most people can connect with and would love to have in their own lives. Together, they overcome their fears and come into their own, as well as helping the people around them grow and learn. The character of Miyu was probably my favorite, I loved her attitude and learning about her and her mom Akiko. I would love to read a whole book based off of these two characters, and to learn more about their relationship. Overall, I really enjoyed this ya contemporary story, and would definitely recommend for all ages.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated 555 by Ainjo in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Ainjo is a singer-songwriter based in San Diego, California. Not too long ago, she released a chill contemporary R&B tune, entitled, “Toxic”, which is featured on her 5-track EP, entitled, “555”.
“What you wanna fuss and fight for? You can make ya way out the door. I don’t really understand why we keep on arguing. This is toxic you’re so hectic. I do not recommend this sh*t.” – lyrics
‘Toxic’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a very toxic relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she’s unhappy because she’s tired of riding on the same emotional rollercoaster attached to their failing relationship.
‘Toxic’ contains a relatable storyline and ultra-sultry vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses laidback instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B and neo-soul elements.
“My goal is to create songs people can relate to and turn on whenever they want to get into their feelings.” – Ainjo
Ainjo began her music career in 2017 when she released her debut single, entitled, “Cash Flaws”.
Her music inspirations influences include great artists such as Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, and Eartha Kitt.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/ainjo-toxic/
“What you wanna fuss and fight for? You can make ya way out the door. I don’t really understand why we keep on arguing. This is toxic you’re so hectic. I do not recommend this sh*t.” – lyrics
‘Toxic’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a very toxic relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she’s unhappy because she’s tired of riding on the same emotional rollercoaster attached to their failing relationship.
‘Toxic’ contains a relatable storyline and ultra-sultry vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses laidback instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B and neo-soul elements.
“My goal is to create songs people can relate to and turn on whenever they want to get into their feelings.” – Ainjo
Ainjo began her music career in 2017 when she released her debut single, entitled, “Cash Flaws”.
Her music inspirations influences include great artists such as Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, and Eartha Kitt.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/ainjo-toxic/
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Play With Me (Grover Beach Team, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
I really liked this YA Contemporary Romance. It was sort of run-of-the-mill but I really liked it.
Ryan Hunter obviously had feelings for Lisa and used the opportunity presented to him to get to know her better by training her for the--what I know as football, but what American's know as soccer--team.
Of course it didn't all go to plan, as is the case with most romances. There is always something that goes wrong or a misunderstanding.
The style was really easy for me to get into and I read the full 200-odd pages within a few hours. It was right up my street and I can't wait to read Ryan Hunter, book 2 in the series and all from Ryan's POV.
Ryan Hunter obviously had feelings for Lisa and used the opportunity presented to him to get to know her better by training her for the--what I know as football, but what American's know as soccer--team.
Of course it didn't all go to plan, as is the case with most romances. There is always something that goes wrong or a misunderstanding.
The style was really easy for me to get into and I read the full 200-odd pages within a few hours. It was right up my street and I can't wait to read Ryan Hunter, book 2 in the series and all from Ryan's POV.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated My Life Next Door in Books
Sep 5, 2019
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I'd been looking at this book for a while. I've recently noticed a love for YA Contemporary Romances. And this is that.
I liked it but I thought that their relationship progressed a bit too quickly in the beginning. One minute they were meeting for the first time and several pages later they were kissing and touching each other. I get that they'd been watching each other for years and felt like they knew each other but I kinda missed that awkwardness of it all--though admittedly that bit came later with the "family planning" aisle.
I'm still feeling torn over my rating of this. I wasn't blown away by it at all but the romance and connection between them, once it really got going was really sweet.
I'd been looking at this book for a while. I've recently noticed a love for YA Contemporary Romances. And this is that.
I liked it but I thought that their relationship progressed a bit too quickly in the beginning. One minute they were meeting for the first time and several pages later they were kissing and touching each other. I get that they'd been watching each other for years and felt like they knew each other but I kinda missed that awkwardness of it all--though admittedly that bit came later with the "family planning" aisle.
I'm still feeling torn over my rating of this. I wasn't blown away by it at all but the romance and connection between them, once it really got going was really sweet.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books
Jan 31, 2018
I had read a few chapters earlier in the day before I jumped in bed to read – fast forward a few hours and it was way past my normal bedtime... and the book was done. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was a cute contemporary book that once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.
Simon and his friends are typical, relatable high school students that deal with relationships, family dynamics and the difficulty of navigating adolescence. The students at the school have a tumblr in which they can gossip or post secrets. It was there that Simon stumbles across a post that he relates to and decides to contact the author. Throughout the novel, Simon is corresponding the other boy in his school although neither know the other’s identity. It was nice to experience them getting to know one another before they’ve ever even met.
I read the Upside of Unrequited prior to reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so I had a reverse experience with the character cameos. We hear a little from Abby through her conversations with Molly, so it was nice to see her as an important character in Simon’s tale. One funny scene in Upside was when Molly and Abby were skyping while Simon was over. He asked her a very important question, which House did Abby belong to. It wasn’t important to the plot, but after reading this book and getting to know Simon I loved it even more.
Despite life’s ups and downs, the conclusion to this novel was the happy end that you can expect from a YA contemporary. I would highly recommend it to young adult/teen fans of contemporary books that are set in high school and have diverse characters.
Simon and his friends are typical, relatable high school students that deal with relationships, family dynamics and the difficulty of navigating adolescence. The students at the school have a tumblr in which they can gossip or post secrets. It was there that Simon stumbles across a post that he relates to and decides to contact the author. Throughout the novel, Simon is corresponding the other boy in his school although neither know the other’s identity. It was nice to experience them getting to know one another before they’ve ever even met.
I read the Upside of Unrequited prior to reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so I had a reverse experience with the character cameos. We hear a little from Abby through her conversations with Molly, so it was nice to see her as an important character in Simon’s tale. One funny scene in Upside was when Molly and Abby were skyping while Simon was over. He asked her a very important question, which House did Abby belong to. It wasn’t important to the plot, but after reading this book and getting to know Simon I loved it even more.
Despite life’s ups and downs, the conclusion to this novel was the happy end that you can expect from a YA contemporary. I would highly recommend it to young adult/teen fans of contemporary books that are set in high school and have diverse characters.
Louise (64 KP) rated The Manifesto on How to be Interesting in Books
Jul 2, 2018
This was my first Holly Bourne novel and I had had it on my TBR for ages and kicked myself for not picking it up sooner. I love YA contemporary books, I love all the feels you get and how invested you get into the story. I was surprised how much I loved this book. I liked Bree and it was interesting to see how much she developed as a character. This book showed you that you didn’t need to be popular to be interesting but it also showed how uncomfortable it was trying to fit in with a crowd that is not the norm for you. It showed valuable life lessons and had really powerful messages. I would have rated this 5 stars but the ending didn’t turn out as I wanted it to but I still loved it. This book does have a teacher/student relationship, so if that’s not your thing I would steer clear.
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated 806 in Books
May 23, 2018
Reads Like a Pop Song
Fast, funny, and frequently surprising (even in spite of its contrivances), Cynthia Weil's rollicking YA road trip novella 806 centers on a trio of very different high school students who discover that they share the same unknown sperm donor father.
A contemporary teen fairy tale penned in a light, dialogue heavy style with clever hooks and twists to circumvent the narrative's overall predictability, 806 reads like a summer pop-song, which is only fitting considering Weil's background as a Grammy award winning, Oscar nominated songwriter.
Although it relies a little too heavily on cliches – never delving beneath the surface of its relatively one-dimensional characters long enough to give us a greater sense of who they are beyond some Breakfast Club-like introductions – 806 is inventive everywhere else.
Entertaining if ultimately forgettable, Weil's sophomore work is a wildly infectious read you can flip through at mix-tape speed in order to join the band and road trip along.
Note: I rounded up but (if able) would give this one 3.5 stars.
A contemporary teen fairy tale penned in a light, dialogue heavy style with clever hooks and twists to circumvent the narrative's overall predictability, 806 reads like a summer pop-song, which is only fitting considering Weil's background as a Grammy award winning, Oscar nominated songwriter.
Although it relies a little too heavily on cliches – never delving beneath the surface of its relatively one-dimensional characters long enough to give us a greater sense of who they are beyond some Breakfast Club-like introductions – 806 is inventive everywhere else.
Entertaining if ultimately forgettable, Weil's sophomore work is a wildly infectious read you can flip through at mix-tape speed in order to join the band and road trip along.
Note: I rounded up but (if able) would give this one 3.5 stars.