Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thirteen Reasons Why By: Jay Asher


Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: October 18, 2007
Publisher: Razor Hill
Hardcover; 288 pages
Literary Awards:
-South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award(2010)
-Florida Teens Read(2008)
-Georgia Peach Honor Book Award(2009)
-Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice
-California Book Award Winner

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.


Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.




To start off, i would have to say that this book was difficult to review! I've had to contemplate and figure out a way to put my thoughts into words.  The book itself was okay, but recommending it? Hmm.. Let's review shall we? 


Hannah Baker took her life by overdosing on pills. She recorded 7 tapes with 13 sides. Each side had revealed a reason of why she commited suicide. Those thirteen reasons basically represented thirteen people, which is meant to be passed around within them. This was her way of leaving her message behind and make her message clear. One of the recipients was Clay Jensen. He is the protagonist, the narrator, it's his story, his experience listening through these tapes along with his thoughts. A package arrived at his front porch, a shoe box containing tapes and a map. Once he hit that play button, his life will never be the same. 


I was very excited when i got this book. Let me emphasize that.. I ordered a bunch of books, and out of all of them, i chose to read this one first! When i was done with the book, i was somewhat disappointed-Not my style. To be honest, i don't know why this book gotten so popular. 




The plot was a little unreal. I find that some stories of the people on the list to be unbelieveable. They we're kind of ridiculous and childish because the fact that it was overly-dramatic. In reality, it's what teenagers face in high school every day, so it was too dramatic. There we're malicious reasons in the mixture as well! I had difficulty to sympathize and put myself in the situation of Hannah Baker's character. 


As for the characters, i felt that the characters we're strong and a lot more realistic than Hannah Baker's character. What kept this book in reality was truely the characters.  I love love Clay. He's emotions, his thoughts, and everything about him. He was the most human of them all.  I got so furious when Hannah Baker commited suicide when he didn't get that real chance with her! In the back of my head i'm thinking, you should have gave him a chance! In a way, i wanted to keep reading because of the protagonist ;) 


When it comes to narration, i don't really give a lot of thought about it. But for Jay Asher, he knows the best. I love the narration in this book, it makes it feel real and live. It fits with the story real well. However, i kind of got confused to Hannah Baker's tape with Clay's thoughts together. I literally had to re-read to realize why i misunderstood. But, Jay Asher does know how to create suspense and keep the fire going! I think that the creativity of the narration and suspense was the ONLY reasons why this book kept me going. Very well written!


Although this book had more cons than pros, i still would recommend this book. Suicide is a very serious issue, that can be prevented! I don't think that suicide is ever the right answer, so this book helps keep you in mind to watch how you treat people. Overall, the message of the book saved it all, and what makes this a good read!


My Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

In Between The Lines #2



Currently Reading: Boy Toy By Jay Asher.


I'm bookmarked at "5" on Flashbacks, not flickers. I intended on writing before reading on the next section, but i couldn't! I just wanted to keep reading and reading, but i had to stop myself and give it a break. This book does not want me to put it down, i swear! I know this book was published years ago, but i need to catch up and read books that i've missed out on. This book would have been featured on Library Clean-up, due to the fact of it's published date, but i bought this book not too long ago. It's been featured IMM, which was my first IMM :) At first, i thought it was kind of boring. But this book is so grabbing and it's narration/format of this book makes it fun to read! I seriously cannot wait to write this review. I think i might get a head start on it! 

Monday, November 14, 2011






NEW BANNER!
I know, it's been just days since i changed the look of the blog.. But after a while, i got tired of my banner. I thought it was just too much, too fancy. I wanted a banner that was simple, yet cute! Hope you all like it. Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

In Between The Lines



Hey everyone, i just finished the 14th Chapter in,You Against Me By: Jenny Downham. So far, i would have to say... I LOVE IT. I instantly absorbed into it, and it was too hard for me to put the book down, and get myself onto my blog! Jenny Downham, so far is my favorite Author.<3 Now, i'm going to continue reading 8)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Update!

New Banner, Color Scheme to go with it: "Ice Cream Wedding", from ColourLovers. Click Here to view the palette!  


I've never talked about my theme or the reason for the look of my blog, and i guess now will be the best time!
Well i love the Asian art, culture, and history.. Mainly Japanese & Chinese. I especially love CHERRY BLOSSOMS, go figure. It reminds me of my Grandmother, and holds significant meaning of her.


My Blog focus' on YA books, that i love to read! And with that being said, i wanted to combine that love with the love for cherry blossoms. 





New Feature: Library Clean-Up. 
This is a new feature that I've created for OrganizedMessLibrary. I have books on my shelf that i HAVE NOT bother to read, because of all the new exciting books coming out. In time, i ended up pushing them aside for the new books. I haven't took the time to read them, so i figured, why not feature them on my blog? 


Each Friday, i will post one book on my Library Clean-Up. In time, i can look back on this feature and use it as a list to catch up on.  Since these books have been sitting in the same place for years, collecting dust, i thought "Library Clean-Up" would be the most applicable name for it. 

Update!



Whats new: More buttons, OrganizedMess Features, & Features by other bloggers now on this blog! Also, if you took notice of the button on the left, yes it's a feature! scroll down to view! You may also view these features & buttons on the "Features page" 

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New Buttons!


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OrganizedMess Features:




Organized Updates 
is a feature of this blog,
where i will share updates regarding
this blog. i.e: Features, new look, etc. etc.
In Between the Lines 
is a feature where i will share
updates on books that i'm currently reading,
anything exciting or commentary on the book.


Library Basket 
is a feature of this blog, 
where i will share books that i've gotten 
from my local library.  In 2012, 
there will be a Support Your Local
Library Challenge, which those books will be
featured on my Library Basket
*More features coming soon! Feel free for your own personal use, but don't forget to leave a comment! :) 

________________________________________
Features by other bloggers:

In My Mailbox: 
Photobucket
Button by: Jude Henderson

Button & Hosted By: Kristi
In My Mailbox is feature 
created by Krisiti of 
the Story Siren(See link above).
This a way where you can
 feature books that you've gotten, 
but not in a form of a review. It does
 not necessarily have to come from your "mailbox",
it can also be from your library & more. 






Monday, November 7, 2011

Update!

Here's the new Rating System! I wanted to be different, so why not something cute & that i adore with a passion? HELLO KITTY! <3 Also, i created a page in the navigation for more details on my criteria in reviewing books in my perspective. I'm not completely done with the page, meaning i didn't elaborate just yet, so keep checking my twitter for an update when it will be completed. Enjoy!


Love Sick By Jake Coburn


paperback, 240 pages. 
Published September 22nd 2005 By Dutton Juvenile



Ted's drunk-driving accident has ruined his life. it cost him his basketball scholarship, ended his plans for college, and forced him into AA. but just when ted has resigned himself to his new life, Michael appears. the wealthy father of a bulimic Manhattan rich girl has a tempting proposition. He has agreed to pay for ted's college tuition, but there's one catch. ted has to secretly keep tabs on his benefactor's daughter, erica. A seemingly simple task, with only one minor problem: ted never expected to fall in love.

I wasn't absorbed into the book as i expected. Within the first half, i was quite bored to be honest. I felt that it was over detailed about things that didn't need to be detailed, which made me very confused in the beginning. The book started off really slow, but it became worth it after a while.

I find that the novel was an interesting story on Bulimia and Alcoholism.  I've never paid much attention to eating disorders, because i had no relations or interest in it. But, i somewhat learned a lot, especially when a character in the book has Bulimia.

As for the Bulimia part, i like how to author described Binging.  It made me want to purge myself. Excellent!

Now as for characters, i love books that have strong characters who have backgrounds that interest me or relates to me.

Overall, i loved how the Author describes, i love the moral, and the story of this novel.
But it disappointed me about the Romance in this novel. I was expecting a little more than just only drama!

My Rating: 3/5 Okay. 



In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren.

This feature is used to share your books that you've received. They can be bought, from the library, or literally in your mailbox & more.  It's a way of sharing books but not in a form of a book review.

Each week or so, i will post books that I've received, which i cannot read them all in a period of time. So i found this really useful, which In My Mailbox can also be "sneak previews" of what book reviews will be coming up soon on my blog!

Books i've bought from Barnes & Noble
(Yes, Literally did come from In My Mailbox LOL): 

You Against Me By: Jenny Downham
Boy Toy By: Barry Lyga
Thirteen Reasons Why By: Jay Asher(Currently Reading!)

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge!



I have never done a challenge yet since i have started this blog. I started my blog in October, which wasn't the right time to do a challenge since i was longing to do the 2011 Challenge. Now that a new year is soon to begin, i figured that this challenge was the best candidate that i have came across so far!
I'm challenging MYSELF to Level 4 which is to read 37+ Library Books from January 1, 2012- December 31, 2012!  It's a Leap Year! An extra day to finish!






Rules:

  • Anyone can join.
  • You don't need a blog to participate.  If you are a Non-blogger please leave a comment with a link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the book(s) you read.
  • Audio, ebooks (some libraries allow ebooks to be checked out), bound books are ok.
  • No re-reads
  • Create a sign up post and post the link in the linky below.*
  • Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Levels:

Level 1 - Read 12 library books
Level 2 - Read 24 library books
Level 3 - Read 36 library books
Level 4 - Read 37+ library books




This Challenge is Hosted By: The Eclectic Bookshelf 

*Please click the Host to post your link!

UPDATE!

I know i haven't been posting or updating...Sorry for the inconvience. I just had a lot going on & things that needed to be taken care of..

I'm sure a lot of you understand, and know what i mean. But i'm back in action! Hopefully by the end of today, a new review will be up! I HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO.... Patience... PASS IT ON. Lol. 
:)