Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

I haven't written in a while (I'm lazy)... but now I am! So yay for that.

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

Review: 4 stars

Genre: teen

Matt is a jokester. He always makes his friends laugh and he talks a lot. So why is he being arrested for saying he was going to blow up the school?

Ursula an her alter ego Ugly Girl are tough. She doesn't care what anyone says about her and she likes being different. And she knows that Matt is being falsely accused.

When everyone else turns their back on Matt when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit, Ursula comes forward to help although she is not friends with him. With many twists and turns an unlikely friendship evolves between Matt and Ursula.

Its really hard to describe this book... just when you think its over, the plot thickens. Matt is falsely accused but then alienated by his peers and nothing goes back to how it was beforehand, like he thought it would. Its a hard book to descrbie because so much happens in a short time span. Joyce Carol Oates is a great writer. I immensly enjoy her style of writing. Ursula's alter ego is a very interesting aspect of the book. You can see what Ursula really thinks and what she wants herself to think. The books quirky but fun.

I also recommend Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates-- its also really great!

Zig Zag by Ellen Wittlinger

Rating: 4.5

Genre: General teen fiction, road trips

Robin has her summer all planned out. Its her last summer with her boyfriend, Chris, before he goes off to college so they are going to hang around together. But then Chris's parents buy him a trip to Rome for the summer and Robin is angry. Really angry, since it is her last summer with him. Then Robin's Aunt Dory calls and asks her to come on a roadtrip across the Western United States with her and her two kids, Marshall and Iris. Reluctantly as Robin thinks that her cousins are snobs, Robin agrees. Robin's aunt and cousins just lost their father/husband and are going through a tough time. As the trip progresses Robin learns to deal with her family and she learns a few things about herself too.

Well, Zig Zag was a hard book to summarize. So much happens, yet in so little time, as the book only takes the time span of a few weeks. It was a hard book to put down once I started it. I think I might be a little biast, because I love books that are about roadtrips and this one was most definitely about a roadtrip. I think books about road trips are kind of refreshing and inspiring, because the characters always learn so much about themselves and they always leave you a satisfying ending.

This book was no exception. Although at the beginning, I found Robin to be a real winer and annoying because she kept moping about her boyfriend, within a few pages my mind was changed. Robin really changes throughout the story. Ellen Wittlinger's writing really etches the characters into your heart and you really start to care about them. Plus I absolutely adore the title of this book Zig Zag. I mean really, how cool!!

This book was a really great, and easy read. I really enjoyed Ellen Wittlinger's style of writing and if I have the chance I will pick up another one of her books. I recommend you put it on your summer reading list! Roadtrip stories are great. Anyone else agree?

Just In Case By: Meg Rosoff

Rating: 5 stars (OMG!)

Genre: teen, young adult fiction

David Case lives a pretty normal life. But one day his baby brother tries to jump out the window and David Case catches him just in time. That is when he starts believing that Fate has it in for him. So what is the solution for a guy who wants to save himself from fate? He changes. Starting with a change in name, to a change in dress 'Justin' Case does his best to run from Fate. He creates an imaginary greyhound. He falls in love with Agnes Bee, a young woman who loves taking photos of him. As he tries to run from his own fate, Justin winds up in all sorts of places, but he must realize that he can't avoid himself and fate forever.

Wow. This book was fantastic. Meg Rosoff is an unbelievably great writer. Just in Case is spooky yet real, and absolutely amazing. Meg Rosoff switches narrarators in the book between Justin, Fate and Justin's younger brother. Justin's emotions are so real, and his conviction that fate has it in for him so strong that the story was easily believable. Whenever I had to put the book down, I found it hard to tear my eyes away from the page. When I say this was a great book, I mean it. Kudos to Meg Rosoff!

I'll be on the lookout for more of her books.

Book Review: New Moon By Stephanie Meyer

At the beginning of New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, we find ourselves on the day of Bella Swan's dreaded 18th birthday, for although Edward is excited for her, she does not want to become older than him...because Edward will always be 17. But, after an accident at Bella's birthday party Edward and the rest of the Cullens decide they need to leave Forks for Bella's protection. And so they go, leaving behind Bella who is heartbroken. As Bella struggles to overcome her heartbreak, Edward, she becomes better friends with Jacob. Bella becomes "adventerous" in order to try and 'hear' Edward in her mind.

But, Jacob also has a big secret. And when Bella finds out she must decide whos side she is on...all while keeping her loved ones safe. New Moon is a sequel in which, you can never guess what will come in the future. It's full of unexpected twists. Stephanie Meyer's New Moon will not leave you disappointed if you liked Twilight. A real page turner.

Any thoughts? Feel free to post a comment!!

Twilight By Stephanie Meyer

Isabella, "Bella" Swan has just moved from Phoenix to her father in Forks, Washington. Everything there seems to be dreary compared to her old life if Phoenix. Especially her high school. Until she meets Edward Cullen. Not only is he completely gorgeous but he is also a vampire. Dangerous though it is, Bella finds herself almost instantly in love with him. And Edward in love with her. Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer is the story of Bella and how her life changes after she meets Edward.

This book is spectacular. Stephanie Meyer is an amazing writer who portrays all the complications Bella encounters while being in love with a vampire in the modern world beautifully. Her descriptions are fantastic. Although I'm not particularly a vampire novel fan, I loved this book. If you are looking for a superb read Twilight is the book for you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have so much to say about this book! Twilight is my favorite book EVER

There is no specific genre to this book but some are: teen, romance, vampires

This book majorly reminds me of the 1st season of the old TV show ROSWELL.

Where Max and Liz are in love with eachother except Max is an alien...and he potentially puts Liz in danger? Well I found the book Twilight and the Tv show ROSWELL really similar. And they are both amazing. After all... "whats so great about normal?"

Laguna Cove- Alyson Noel book review.

For all those Laguna Beach lovers out there, people who love books like the A-List series by Zoey Dean, this is a book for you.

Following her parents divorce, Anne moves into her fathers home across the country in the private neighborhood of Laguna Cove, California. Its quite the opposite of her life in Connecticut. They are all about the surfing...the guys, the girls, the parents. Although it takes time Anne makes friends with everyone...well almost everyone...except beautiful and popular Ellie. Why is it that Ellie hates Anne so much?

I'm not saying anymore about the plot.Its a cute, easy read. Like I said before, if you are into Laguna Beach and books like the A-List novels you won't be dissapointed with Alyson Noel's Laguna Cove. If you don't like that sort of thing...its a waste to read.