Reading The Riot Act: the summer i turned pretty

Showing posts with label the summer i turned pretty. Show all posts

Monday, 1 September 2014

August Wrap Up and September TBR!

Thanks to Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas, my book reading this month has been terrible, I've had the worst book hangover and spent all but a fortnight reading and re-reading the Throne of Glass series. I have no regrets. I did however read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and loved it (controversially) and It's not summer without you by Jenny Han.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas 5/5 Stars (FAVOURITED)
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 4/5 Stars
It's not summer without you by Jenny Han 3/5 Stars

I tried very hard to read Landline by Rainbow Rowell but I struggled to get through the beginning, but I will try and get through it in September as I'm sure I will love it. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is being put on hold for now. I haven't quite gotten over Percy yet so I am not ready to start this new series.

Now onto my TBR for September, I am leaving it up to a surprise, my TBR's have been failing recently and I think because I've been feeling too much pressure to finish them and not letting myself read the book I've been wanting to read after buying them. This month I bought Isla and The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins so I would love to get into that this month or even The Finisher by David Baldacci. But I'm letting myself be free this month. I will however still pick from my TBR Jar when I start University again on the 22nd.

So what is your TBR?
Are you having a free month?
Will it help or will I need direction to read more?
Let me know what you think.

Have you read any?
Share yor thought?
But no spoilers...cheeky! - See more at: http://halleloujah.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/july-wrap-up-and-august-tbr.html#sthash.gBuctcXf.dpuf

Sunday, 10 August 2014

the summer i turned pretty

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han.

Louise Wilkes 02:27:00 0

Warning: Spoilers! (duh.)

Belly thought her romance with Conrad was picture-perfect: She was all grown up and dating the boy of her dreams. But things with Conrad were never exactly as she had dreamed (obsessed) about. He keeps getting more distant and distracted, and Belly wishes she could walk away. But when Jeremiah calls her to tell her Conrad has seemingly gone missing, it takes her only seconds to start packing her things. Belly embarks on a journey to find him no matter how much what she discovers will hurt her.

Jenny Han really hates a nice solid plot line, instead she wants to mess around with a slight story and just belly-ache (excuse the pun) to fill page space.

First off we were never actually told Belly and Conrad we're together at the end of the first book and the books are set up so that we get an explanation as to why he suddenly treats Belly like crap out of nowhere. I mean what was the deal with prom? Are we never gonna find out why he suddenly acts like that? Is it Bipolar? Is he a douche? I need some payoff here you know. I need to understand a characters motivation and his mum has always been sick even when he was nice so you can't blame that, if so he would have been nice before and then cruddy after but in fact he is both intermittently.

So yeah I hate Conrad. I also hate Belly. Belly is named switched in my head to Bella (Swan) every time I read her. She tries to act all independent and I am a strong person but she is just ridiculous, how anyone can find her appealing is lost on me. It'd be like dating a nursery child, she needs reins so she doesn't run off into traffic or eat too much paste. She is naive to the point that it is unbelievable. And she is so melodramatic and I guess I'm supposed to get nostaligic and be all,

'I was that dramatic when I was 16'

but I wasn't. I mean I was dramatic but Belly sees him having his hair stroked by some girl at his mothers funeral and she flips out. You broke up ages ago, he's allowed to take comfort and be with other people. She's clearly a lovely caring person and he feels comfortable opening up to her which he never does with you. So god knows why this book is shipping you two together. They are awful for each other.

Then we have lovely Jeremiah. He's such a cutie and sweet and just everything Conrad should be. I mean he is just charming and having already sneaked a peek at the next book I know what happens. But I love that dude. He shouldn't be with Belly though because he is too good for her.

Taylor is delightful and hilarious as usual. I find people can be hard on Taylor, including and especially Belly, but she shows she cares by changing outfits and getting you to talk to other people. It may not be what you want but that is her trying to show she cares and Belly being arsey about that kind of annoys me. She always makes out like she's better than Taylor because Taylor likes boys and shoes and parties, And what does Belly do in every book, whine about boys, go to parties and act irresponsibly. I read chapter 1 of the next book and Belly literally tallys her friends against each other like well Blah Blah is better than Blah Blah because A, B and C! I don't see the fascination with this girl. She's a nasty piece of work.

So yeah I basically hate Belly. I HATE her, I can't remember the last time I took such a disliking to a character. I just can't stand her. What about you?

Did you like Belly? Can you shed some light on her behavior?
Do you have any characters you hate?
Let me know!

Saturday, 7 June 2014

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

Louise Wilkes 05:11:00 0

Warning: Spoilers (duh.)

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along

Image from Yako Books

The Summer I Turned Pretty was recommended by a friend. I didn't hold out much hope as it seemed initially like a "fluff" book. And it was, it totally was, but I loved it. It was cute and really solidifed those feelings as a teenage girl and that moment, just before someone is about to kiss you. It was well written but the characters could be very annoying. Belly (stupid name) is very spoilt and self centered and she was a bit bratty. She was also insightful, delightful and fun. Conrad was to be honest sexy but an asshole. He was such a dick to Belly at the party and super aggressive. He was the older brother and he acted like a selfish brat so him and Belly deserve each other. Jeremiah was adorable and just so fun to read.

I actually really enjoyed this book and I didn't expect to. The only thing was, I feel like I was mis-sold this book. It's sold as a love triangle between two brothers, and maybe as the series progresses it will be, but currently it isn't. Currently it's Belly dating a guy called Cameron, kissing Conrad once and having a somewhat awkward moment with Jeremiah. The romance really wasn't there at all. I mean Cameron was sweet enough but he made no impression. This book really should have been the first half of 1 book not the first in a series. I will continue with it and find out what happens but yeah, it's a tad annoying.

The cancer story line was really what hit me most. I adored Susannah, she was awesome and fun and I actually cried when we learned she was dying. I've read an excerpt of the second book so I know she survives until next summer but I really loved her and I feel like I know her and that is incredibly sad. I hate Taylor, she drives me insane and yet I think character-wise that's probably who I'd most be like. Loud and annoying! The girl needed a slap (does that mean I do?)

Overall it was a good, fun, summer read. It wasn't too taxing but it was emotional enough to hook me in and keep me reading. I gave it 4 stars!