mrs_a_is_a_book_nerd's reviews
456 reviews

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

3.0

Three and a half. I struggled with the epistolary format, and I suspect many teen readers may abandon Wallflower because little "happens," but those who stick with it will do so for the narrator/protagonist, "Charlie." Writing to an unidentified "friend," whom he says he chose to write to because the person didn't do what he could have done at a party, Charlie writes about himself, his family, and his growing friendships with a group of upperclassmen, all of whom he says he refers to by made-up names to keep everyone anonymous. Through the novel, Charlie takes a sort of hero's journey of adolescence, dealing with difficult sibling relationships, navigating new friendships, dating, unrequited love, alcohol and drugs, and painful events in his past. Often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and generally poignant, Wallflower is arguably the less-jaded and more modern Catcher in the Rye.

Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

4.0

I am fascinated by reading about life experiences different from my own, especially the experiences of those of color, race, culture, or orientation that differs from mine. This book was an interesting look at the life of a teen balancing between the expectations of her traditional Muslim parents and a yearning for the "normal" American life. At the same time, and maybe moreso, it was a poignant portrayal of a girl who knows that because of her look, because of her skin, despite her fully American citizenship, some people will always believe she doesn't belong, some people will always see her as a foreigner, and some people will always hate her for it. In this reality, she-- as well as others in her position-- has a choice for how to live and move forward in a reality where some people will always blame, suspect, and despise you for what they assume you are. Do you live in caution and fear, trying to stay under the radar and insulate yourself by keeping to your community and making "safe" choices, as Maya's parents would have her do? Do you set out on your own, pursuing your passions and dreams at the price of potentially ostracizing yourself from your family and cultural community, as Maya's Aunt Hina did? Is there a middle ground, where having what you've dreamed doesn't cost you everything that got you there? And how do you live your life with arms wide open, when you've seen what the hate and darkness in others can cost you, without fearing unforeseen threats around every corner?
Maya wrestles and faces these questions and more honestly, realistically, and without melodrama in Love, Hate, and Other Filters. Samira Ahmed has written a novel that is equal parts insightful coming-of-age, inspirational hero's journey, and hope-filled love letter to the maligned and misunderstood "others" in American society.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

4.0

I really enjoyed this YA mystery. The first chapter hooks you straight away, and the plot keeps you unravelling threads, trying to unwind several questions: What secrets is Monica's step-dad hiding? What's Ginny's story? What's the deal with this Cordero chic? And, of course, what ACTUALLY happened to the 5 dead cheerleaders?
I heard quite a bit of talk before I read the book, so I was expecting a bit of a shocker, but even then, I didn't anticipate what I found. Still, there were a couple of plot points where I had to suspend disbelief a bit. Just not fully believable. All the same, this was a great read!

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

4.0

Really, 4.5 stars...
Holy smokes!
This book was one I could not put down. I seriously neglected many responsibilities because I HAD to figure out what happened to Bailey when she went missing. So many layers of screwed up. So many ways I was sure I had it... and then was wrong. This book ranks in the top 5 for most haunting last lines.

Kara Thomas has crafted a masterful suspense plot with subtle yet effective red herrings galore! HIGHLY recommend this YA mystery.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

4.0

I enjoyed this book, though admittedly not quite as much as I have previous Picoult books. She has a real gift for tackling difficult social issues and moral complexities. Spark of Light delves into the complicated moral intricacies of abortion with a sprinkling of mass shootings.

Picoult delivers on her reputation for a whiplash-level twist, but the real strength of the book was its examination of the spectrum of colors in an issue that is commonly regarded as black and white.

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

3.0

Three and a half stars, really. Another twisty thriller by Kara Thomas. This story was complex... There were multiple plot lines that came together at the very end, but for a while, I wasn't really sure what story I was supposed to be following. Still very, very good, but I liked Little Monsters and The Cheerleaders more.

Leave Me by Gayle Forman

2.0

Meh. I loved If I Stay, but everything I've read by Gayle Forman since has left me disappointed. The premise was seductive: A 44-year-old wife and mother of twins who works full-time as an editor for a trendy magazine suffers a heart attack and undergoes a bypass surgery. She is subsequently terrified that her busy life was going to end up killing her and yearning to be cared for in a way her husband and visiting mother seem unable to do, she does something desperate: she packs a bag with her meds and a few changes of clothes, withdraws $25,000 from her savings, and leaves, to take care of herself. She ends up in Pittsburgh, searching for the identity of her birth mother, and clues about the health history she may have inherited and passed on to her children.
As the plot unfolds and Maribeth settles in to her new, anonymous life as M.B., she has to decide who she wants to be and if she wants to go back to her old life.
It was fine, but not as complicated as I think the situation would be in real life. I also felt that the end was flat.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

4.0

The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskens

4.0

So, so good! The sequel to Joe Talbert's story did not disappoint! I stayed up until midnight to finish it because I had to know how it would all end.

The only real "criticism" I might have is the slight implausibility of Joe solving multiple crimes when law enforcement could not; however, fiction requires suspension of disbelief, and the pieces all fit together... some of which only Joe had, so...

I am definitely a fan of Allen Eskens.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

3.0

I wanted this to be like A Man Called Over, but it wasn't--at least not enough to make me love it like Ove. I had to take a break from it for awhile because it wasn't really going anywhere. Alex Woods over-narrates the story--which is admittedly consistent with his character--but it's a bit of a slog in places.
The ending was sweet enough, but it wouldn't rank in my "recommended reads".