The Geeky Beach Babe
Young Adult Fiction & Adult Science Fiction / Fantasy Book Reviews
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Book Review: Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan
Title: Changing My Wardrobe
Author: Deb Hanrahan
Publisher: Philyra Publishing, May 16, 2011
Pages: Paperback, 258
Buy it on Amazon
From Goodreads: Incoming freshman, Lindsey Ames, wants to take Italian, and she wants to join the National Honor Society. She wants a new image, and she wants better clothes. She wants Avery to stop tormenting her, and she wants Marco to ask her out. She wants Jocelyn to go away, but she wants Grouper to be happy. She wants to save Teeny’s reputation, but she doesn’t want to lose everything. Will Lindsey find the courage to stand up to her enemies before it’s too late?
My Rating: (3/5)
I really enjoyed reading this book and it took me right back to high school. Whatever clique you fit into or group you mesh with, your friends are the biggest part of high school that you’ll ever remember. I can say this with confidence because I’ve graduated from high school and college, and I know the difference.
The main character and I may share a name (different spelling) but I can completely identify with her. Lindsey is shy and likes to stay out of the limelight while her best friend Teeny lives for it. And in true high school form, they both have a common enemy who is relentless.
Changing My Wardrobe is real on so many levels because it clearly shows how easy it is for teens to get out of hand. Just merely existing in a “good girl” high school bubble isn’t enough to survive high school, as Deb Hanrahan shows. While I was not expecting the ending to Changing My Wardrobe at all, I do know that the ultimate ending made me think and reflect on the entire scenario. Lindsey isn’t a perfect martyr or hero. She’s actually a great representation of what a real girl would look like in the midst of such high school crap. Overall, I love her character, but I wish I was more prepared for the surprise ending.
And oh yeah, I like the characters so much I want a spin-off!
Posted by Lindsay at 6:00 AM 1 comments
Monday, August 8, 2011
Liebster Blog Award
The Liebster Blog Award spotlights up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. A big thank you to Melissa from Reading by Moonlight for nominating moi! And now, I shall pass the torch:
The rules of the award are:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and past the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all- have bloggity-blog fun!
My nominations in random order are:
Posted by Lindsay at 2:20 AM 2 comments
Sunday, August 7, 2011
In My Mailbox (2)
In My Mailbox is a fun weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where bloggers get to share books they received during the week.
Posted by Lindsay at 12:13 PM 10 comments
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Book Review: Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon
Title: Cinder and Ella
Author: Melissa Lemon
Publisher: Cedar Fort, expected date: November 8, 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 280
Source: NetGalley
Buy it on Amazon
After their father’s disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn’t long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you’ll never forget.
Posted by Lindsay at 6:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books, May 1, 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 496
Series: Divergent #1
Buy it on Amazon
From Goodreads: Beatrice “Tris” Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth’s dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth’s young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.
Posted by Lindsay at 11:57 PM 2 comments
Sunday, July 31, 2011
In My Mailbox (1)
In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where bloggers get to share books they received and I’ve always wanted to do one since I started this blog so here we go. This is my first one!
I have a big list this week from all kinds of sources and I’m very excited about each and every one! A few days ago a lot of the books I requested from the library were in, so I gladly went and picked them up. I just read both The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (awesome) and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (double awesome). The rest are Ironside by Holly Black, EON by Alison Goodman and The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan.
I also went to Border’s to see what kind of deals I could get and while the shelves were surprisingly already picked clean, I managed to pick up some fun ones on sale: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (from the Kingkiller Chronicles, my sister-in-law recommended it and I’m very excited to read) and A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (I love the HBO series and can’t wait to get my hands on this one!).
Then, in my actual mailbox I received Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan (an indie that I’m reading now) and I also received What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty from Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (thanks Mary Stone!) which I (think) I won from Shelf Awareness. It’s an adult book but it looks like a superfun beach read and of course, we all know I love the beach.
Yes, that is a fluffy kitty tail/tush you see to the right. |
And finally, my mom was very generous and bought me a few books because she’s a very nice mom: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (I’m dying to finish this series and find out what happens between Sam and Grace!), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (loving the old photos) and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (yes, getting ahead of myself here since I haven’t read the first yet, but I couldn’t resist).
That’s what I got, and now I’m off to the beach for some R&R so tell me what you’re looking at this week!
Posted by Lindsay at 10:29 AM 8 comments
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Booking Through Thursday: Night Owl?
Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading. Today’s question is:
What’s the latest you’ve ever stayed up reading a book? Is staying up late reading a usual thing for you?
Posted by Lindsay at 12:47 PM 0 comments