New Favorite Book Series

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Move over Twilight there is a much better series in town.  I had wanted to read this first book in the series for over a year when I first saw it at Barnes and Nobel in the young adult section.  I read the back of the book and was immediately wishing I had money to buy the book right then.  However, I waited until Christmas, bought the book for a friend of mine, and then waited for her to read it first.  She loved it, and said I would love it too.  I borrowed the book over the weekend and finished it within two days.

The story is about two high school teens who are completely different.  The girl, Brittany, is a popular rich girl, who's life is perfect, or so people think.  Alex, the boy, is Mexican, poor, HOT LOOKING, gang banger, who also doesn't have it all together.  The two are teamed up together in their chemistry class to be partners the whole year.  Brittany and Alex, two completely different people who happen to fall in love with each other over the course of the year as they work on their chemistry.  

I loved this story line, but it doesn't take much for me to love a mushy young adult romance.  I am also in love with Alex the "gang banger," so move over Edward - there is a new guy in town!!!  I will give a warning to any of those who are pure in heart - there is some language, a great deal of the "F" word, and there is some teen sex.

If you are looking for a book to escape reality this is your book.  I had to limit myself all weekend as I read it.  I would say to myself, when I get my dishes done then I can read two chapters, when I prepare my lesson for church then I can read two more chapters, and so on.  I just love when I find a book like this and it's hard to put it down.  I'm way excited to read the next two, and I just might have to break down and buy them.

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Christmas Jars

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a fast read - a little over 100 pages. The story is a tearjerker, keep a box of tissues close by. Not even 15 pages into the book and I was crying, thinking to myself, what kind of story is this? However, as the story quickly unfolds it is a story about the true meaning of Christmas - giving to those who are less fortunate, or giving to those who need a lesson in humility and giving.

The story begins about a single woman who is left a baby girl. She takes on the responsibility and love to raise this girl. As the girl grows up she becomes a writer for the local newspaper. Her adopted mom then gets cancer and dies, leaving her all alone. When you think the story can't get any worse the young girl who is all alone gets robbed one night of all she has. During that same traumatic evening she soon finds a large jar of money on her doorstep. Because she is a writer/reporter for the newspaper she decides to investigate where this jar of money labeled, "Christmas Jar," came from. What she finds is an amazing family who created this sweet tradition....

This book really made me want to start this tradition, Christmas Jar. I may not be able to do this tradition now because of my living situation and finances. But, hopefully someday I can keep a large jar in my kitchen all year long, place all my spare change into it, and give it to someone who truly needs it! I know that I can't afford to do that now, but this Christmas season is not only about giving to others in need, but it's about how you treat others. It can be some of the simplest things, like holding a door open for a Mother with her arms full, and children by her side. It's wishing people a Merry Christmas, just saying thank you for doing a small thing, or just being kind to others.

Christmas Jars is great read, and a quick read, that should be added to your holiday list of books/stories. It now has become a favorite of mine.

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Book Review

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Ugh. This book kind of drove me nuts. Now let me say this, the story did have a good message, in the way that it really makes you think of how you treat others and the choices you make that will effect others. I understand that people who commit suicide are usually set in their mind on doing it, but in this book the girl that the story is about was rather annoying. She just wanted so badly for someone to help her, and there were people who wanted to help her but she shut them out. So, I guess I don't feel so sorry for her. Does that make me a mean person??? I don't think anyone really knows the mindset of a person who is going to commit suicide, but this girl just doesn't want her "poor me" to rest. She was so miserable that everyone that hurt her needs to live miserably the rest of their lives. Will she be happy when one of the people on her list commits suicide because they felt bad about driving her to suicide??? I think people should read this book, especially high school kids because it might help them to not be so mean. However, I know high school can be hard for some, I'm not saying I didn't have some hard times in school, but there is life after high school. And, life does get better.

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Goodreads Website

I have been a member of Goodreads now for a year, my cousin Sally introduced me last year. Well, a year later, I finally went online and really delved into it. I think I'm going to LOVE this website, and will probably spend a lot of time on there. Those of you out there in cyber land, who like to read, this is the website for you. I have already spent an hour on the website looking up books I have read, and books that I want to read. I don't have that many, as of now, but I see the numbers going up. Check it out if you like to read, and add me as a friend so I can see what you are reading. Let the fun begin: www.goodreads.com