Tuesday, November 26, 2013

What You Could Be Reading This Thanksgiving


Happy soon-to-be Thanksgiving to all!
We all know that Thanksgiving is a time for thankfulness and eating. But it's also a time for relaxation. I don't know about all of you, but after a couple of months of school, I am more than ready for this break. For those of you lucky turkeys who may have more than just 4 or 5 days off of school/work, you should be enjoying it! Take the opportunity this Thanksgiving break to grab some loved ones and curl up with a book or two, or three, or if you're like me, 700. This is how I will be for the next week or so:

                                       Here's my list of suggested Thanksgiving break reads:

Title: An Abundance of Katherines
Author: John Green
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this:
As many of you know, John Green 
is nothing short of a literary genius.
An Abundance of Katherines is also
nothing short of a mastermind creation.
For those of you who spend Thanksgiving
with surrounded by laughter and general
family goofiness, you'll love this book.
Goodreads Summary:
Katherine V thought boys were gross
Katherine X just wanted to be friends
Katherine XVIII dumped him in an e-mail
K-19 broke his heart 
When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun--but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself.

Title: Almost Home
Author: Joan Bauer
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this:
This book was so, so sweet. Even
just the title tells you this book will 
leave a sad little smile on your face.
Although the main character, a sweet
little girl, goes through some bad times,
she'll remind you that no matter what,
things will get better. This is a very
clean and very genuine read. It reminds me of family and loved
ones, who will always be there for you.
Goodreads Summary:
Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart.

When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.

Title: If You Find Me
Author: Emily Murdoch
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this: 
Although I didn't particularly love
If You Find Me, I know many other
people did. This is a very outdoorsy 
type of book, and it contains many
elements of nature. For some reason,
I always think of the outdoors when
I think Thanksgiving. Maybe this can be
your Thanksgiving thriller.

Goodreads Summary:
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.


Title: Confessions of a Shopaholic
Author: Sophie Kinsella
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this book:
If you're like me, and you will be rushing the 
crowds on Black Friday, then you'll totally
be able to relate to this hilarious and adorable
character, Becky Bloomwood, lover of
shoes, clothes, and SHOPPING. *Be
aware that this is a series and a highly 
addictive series at that.

Goodreads Summary:
Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better....

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it—not any of it. 

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank—letters with large red sums she can't bear to read—and they're getting ever harder to ignore. 

She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever. 

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times—and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.


Title: Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous
Author: Kathryn Williams
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this book:
Well this was just an adorable, cheesy (but awesome)
book for all you food lovers out there. PLAOSTMMF
stars a teenage girl who loves to cook, and finds 
adventure and love in the culinary world. The mention
of the foods in this book will just make your mouth
water. For all you Thanksgiving foodies, this is the 
book for you to "chew on" after stuffing yourself
full of turkey.

Goodreads Summary:
Can a spot on a teen reality show really lead to a scholarship at an elite cooking school AND a summer romance?

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to convince her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant. But the prize includes a full scholarship to one of America's finest culinary schools and a summer in Napa, California, not to mention fame. 

Once on-set, Sophie immediately finds herself in the thick of the drama—including a secret burn book, cutthroat celebrity judges, and a very cute French chef. Sophie must figure out a way to survive all the heat and still stay true to herself. A terrific YA offering--fresh, fun, and sprinkled with romance.


Title: Starstruck
Author: Rachel Shukert
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this book:
Starstruck is a very entertaining read. Set
in the late 1930s, it broadcasts the hopes,
desires, and scandals of young Hollywood.
It is a nice and light read that I really enjoyed,
and one which I believe many others would
love to read during a pleasant Thanksgiving 
break.

Goodreads Summary:
A new series set in the golden age of glam . . . 

“Wit, pluck, darkness, pitch perfect period details, juicy twists, and big heart. This book is one to savor.”--Anna Godbersen, New York Times bestselling author of the Luxe and Bright Young Things series

Every week they arrive in Los Angeles--beautiful and talented young hopefuls who dream of becoming stars. It's all Margaret Frobisher has ever wanted—and when she's discovered by a powerful agent, she can barely believe her luck. She's more than ready to escape her snobby private school and conservative Pasadena family for a chance to light up the silver screen.

The competition is fierce at Olympus Studios and Margaret—now Margo—is chasing her Hollywood dreams alongside girls like Gabby Preston, who at 16 is already a grizzled show-biz veteran caught between the studio and the ravenous ambition of her ruthless mother, and sultry Amanda Farraday, who seems to have it all--ambition, glamour . . . and dirty secrets. Missing from the pack is Diana Chesterfield, the beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared, and there are whispers that Diana's boyfriend—Margo's new co-star—may have had something to do with it. Margo quickly learns that fame comes with a price, and that nothing is what it seems.   

Set in Old Hollywood, Starstruck follows the lives of three teen girls as they live, love, and claw their way to the top in a world where being a star is all that matters.

“Valley of the Dolls for a new generation.”—a TeenVogue.com  ‘Read During Spring Break’ selection

“If you're into T.V. dramas like Smash, or love the over-the-top fashion ofThe Great GatsbyStarstruck will have you hooked!”—a Seventeen.com  ‘What to Read This Summer’ selection


Series Recommendations
For those of you who are looking to start and finish a really good series this break, here's some you might want to consider reading:


Title: Unraveling/Unbreakable
Author: Elizabeth Norris
My Rating: FULL 5 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this series:
I really fell for the these books by Elizabeth Norris the summer of 2012. I was on a road trip and despite bringing 7 books for a 6 day trip, I had run out of books on the 5th day. I stopped by the nearest Barnes and Noble, and I didn't have a single book in mind that I wanted to read. Scanning the YA shelves, I saw Unraveling. The cover seemed really cool, and after reading the summary, I bought it. That night, when I was back in the hotel, I started reading it and by the next morning, I was already halfway done! It is SUCH AN AMAZING DUOLOGY. I would even say that it is the best time/interspace travel series I have ever read. Elizabeth Norris is an amazing writer, and if you have not read Unraveling yet, then this is your chance to pick it up! Unbreakable, the sequel is out today! 

     
 

Title: The Daughters Series
Author: Joanna Philbin
My Rating: Based on the first book only, 5 out of 5 stars
Why you should be reading this series;
Looking for a great YA contemporary? Here's your saga (which sounds a little dramatic lol) I have only read the first book, and am planning to finish the rest soon! I really loved The Daughters. It was sweet, it was romantic, it was silly, it was perfect:)

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