Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson reivew

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Edition: Paperback, 10th Anniversary Edition, 2009
Publisher: Speak
MSRP (Paperback): $11.99
Rating: * * * * */5


I have no words for "Speak". It was unlike anything I've ever read before, and I only wish I could read more like it.

The brilliance of "Speak" is how absolutely NOTHING happens until the end- but it manages to be so fascinating. Melinda has a voice unlike any other- so strong, so real, so startlingly familiar, like your own, a voice every one, of any gender, race- anyone will understand. It's a voice that sticks with you, a voice you'll always be haunted by- a voice you need to listen to in the book, and soon.

No words describe emotions I felt from this book- which, despite its shortness, is why I'm ending this review here!

(That and I'm so tired sheep are counting me.)

Liar by Justine Laralestier review

Title: Liar
Author: Justine Larbalestier
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, September 29, 2009
MSRP (Hardback only): $16.99
Pages: 384
Rating: * * * */ 5

I was so excited when I found Liar in my mailbox 2 months ago- I had been waiting for it forever, and didn't even know I would recieve an ARC! But then I realized something, like many others may have- I don't know how to read Liar. I mean, I get the words being put into coherent (most of the time) sentences part down, obviously- but I was scared that I would get to the end of the novel, having been totally wrapped up in a story, only to have it all ripped away- Micah just saying, "Oops, it was all a lie! You people buy everything, don't you?" Could I trust this book at all? Even for fiction that was trying. But, because I had a job to do, I read it (it took a while, as you who check up regularly might know!).

I can't say much, but yes, to a certain extent, my expectations were met. Lies were sometimes admitted, another world was spun together as Micah went from "compulsive to pathological", in such detail- then taken away sharply. Even these "tiny white lies" of hers, these things she said were for fun or to protect people were taken away. But was I disappointed by it? Definitely NOT!

"Liar" was, above all, an unbeatable character study. Micah was so real- yet everything about her was not. Even though it was what I feared most, it was so exciting to go looking for clues that might prove she's lying- didn't she go somewhere else before? I thought she didn't know him or her? Liar is a book that will have you reading constantly and nervously.

But that's not to say it didn't have it's definite faults. There was a point in the book where some people might just give up, put down the book and sigh, "Really? You expect me to believe this?Please!". And Micah- as interesting a character to read about as she was- was an awful person sometimes. Frankly, she got on my nerves a little more than a few times.

If you're up to a challenge, give this new book a try. I definitely don't regret it!

Many thanks to the publishers at Bloomsbury USA for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book!

In My Maikbox

Hey all! I haven't posted anything of substance in MONTHS, I know, and I'm afraid no reviews til tommorrow (BUT I have 7 to review as make up... *goes green in face*). I could shovel out some excuses- All-district and festival in band, algebra, my recent audiophileness (right word for person obsessed with music??? I truly am- I've spent hundreds of dollars on iTunes and CD's the past few months, and about as many hours eduating myself on the movements, decades, history, discographies... yup I'm making myself stop sorry!), vacation, sickness... but I shan't. (Word??? Oh well). So here is all the books aquired since my last post (no pics, too difficult)!

RECIEVED FOR REVIEW:

Split by Stefan Petrucha
In A Heartbeat by loretta ellsworth

BOUGHT:

Yeah, about that... I'm proud and shocked, but I bought nothing- no books at least. I spent it all on vinyl and a record player xD

Well, with my own money. My parents got me Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, as well as I Don't Want to Be Crazy by Samantha Schultz.

LIBRARY:

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
Burn by Suzanne Phillips
An Off Year by Clair Zulkey
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
September Sisters by JIllian Cantor
Anna Karenina- Leo Tolstoy
Up All Night: An collection of short stories
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
(Some others I already returned and don't remember :P)

K, so good few weeks! I got some good classics and other great books. What'd everyone else get? I'm off to see... I have a smothering amount of new posts in my dashboard!