Review: Twisted - Laurie Halse Anderson

Name: Twisted

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

General Release Date: 20th March 2008

Date I finished it: 1st August 2011

Type: Book

From: From Library

My Rating: 3/5 stars

I've only heard good things about Laurie Halse Anderson's books. I haven't read Speak, but I have seen the film, and I have also previously read Laurie's Wintergirls.

So when I saw Twisted in my local library I had to pick it up!

Sadly I was really let down by it, I only gave it 3 stars. It was still a good book, but after all the hype surrounding Laurie's books I think I set my expectations far to high for Twisted.

It is a short book, and can be read in a day. The print in the book is decent sized, which again makes it a quick read!

The book follows the story of high school senior Tyler and it told from his point of view.

This may be why I also didn't love it, I don't typically read or enjoy books told from a male perspective. Even in books that I love (The Wolves of Mercy Falls for example) when the narrator switches to a male point of view, I don't like it.

Anyway Tyler has recently been in some serious trouble for damaging school property, he has had his car took off him, has a probation officer and has has been doing community service over the summer break.

When it's time to go back to school, people are looking at him in a different way. He was a quite loner type boy in school before, but after the incident he is now seen as dangerous and a bit cool.

This new persona soon draws the attention of the coolest and hottest girl in school, Bethany. Who also happens to be the daughter of his dad's boss!

After a dramatic incident at a party, Tyler gets the blame for everything!

The police are after him again, no one believes he is innocent and he is being attacked in the street and in school.

The book follows Tyler as he tries to adapt to these new changes in his life, going from zero to hero and back to zero again, as well as balancing a new relationship, his weird almost estranged family and battling his own feelings.

Overall it is a really good coming of age story, the character of Tyler is well developed, but the rest of the characters are a bit lacking. The story itself is very believable, but just not quite my cup of tea I'm afraid.

Review: Huge - Sasha Paley

Name: Huge

Author: Sasha Paley

General Release Date: 2nd June 2008

Date I finished it: 20th July 2011

Type: Book

From: From Library

My Rating: 3/5 stars

Huge follows the stories of two girls, Will and April.

April has been saving all year to afford to come to Wellness Canyon Summer Camp (aka Fat Camp), whereas Will's parents are rich, skinny, beautiful and run their own chain of fitness gyms. They have tried almost everything else to help Will lose weight and this seems like their last resort.

Though Will is happy as she is, and is determined to be the first person to actually put on weight at fat camp!

April and Will end up as room mates, which they both hate.

Then they both end up falling for the same guy at the camp, things go from bad to worse when movie night comes along. After a lot of drama, Will and April vow to get their revenge together.

I have seen the TV show that is based on the book, which is the only reasons I picked this up really. The cover and the blurb doesn't seem like something I would grab when browsing through books.

The story line is simple, easy to follow and straight forward.

The characters are not that well developed in the book, though to me because I have watched the tv show. It was hard not to pictures the characters I've been used to seeing on the screen.

If you have seen the tv show, the book doesn't follow the story line exactly, but it is similar and has the same characters in it.

Overall, I only gave Huge 3 stars and I think this was being a bit generous.

It is a short book that you can read in a day, I think it is more aimed at the 11-14 year old market rather than older teens. If you have seen the tv show, maybe give the book a try. But unless you are really interested in the story, I'd say skip this one.

Review: Sticky Fingers - Niki Burnham

Name: Sticky Fingers

Author: Niki Burnham

General Release Date: 23rd August 2005

Date I finished it: 20th July 2011

Type: Book

From: Bought from Amazon

My Rating: 3/5 stars

Sticky Fingers follows 18 year old Jenna, a high school senior whose life seems to be going in the right direction.

All her hard work and extra studying seems to have paid off when she gets an early acceptance letter from Harvard, although Scott her boyfriend didn't get in, which completely ruins their plans to be together at Harvard next year!

After being accepted to her dream school, Scott tries to get Jenna to calm down and let her hair down a bit, go out now and then and not spend every waking moment with her head in a book. Which she does a little, but when Scott starts bring up the sex discussions again, Jenna isn't too sure she's that ready to let her hair down just yet.

I found the book fairly predictable, though it was a light and easy read, ideal for summer on the beach! I am a bit dossapointed with the book though, after hearing so much about it, I thought the story line would be a bit more surprising or shocking.

For a short book, the characters were very well developed and I really found myself forging a bond with the main character, Jenna.

Overall a cute, short read. Best to be read while relaxing on the beach in some warm country!

UK and EU Summer Giveaway Hop

I am taking part in the UK and EU Summer Giveaway Hop

Massive thank you to Jodie Books for Company from and Donna&Jessica from Book Passion for Life

I am giving away 3 copies of The Hunger Games!

Thats right THREE!

Which means there will be three lucky winners!

Giveaway is open to UK and EU residents only

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

The Giveaway is open from today (August 1st) till August 8th and the winners will be announced on this blog on August 9th! The books are being posted out by me, not from any companies such as Amazon or The Book Depository. So as long as your live in either the UK or Europe, you can enter the giveaway!

And remember to stop by the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop and sign up for their giveaways as well!

Along For The Ride Giveaway Winners

The three winners of Along for the Ride are:

Misty Nicholson-price

Lesley @ My keeper shelf

Tasnim Sheikh

Congrats! Email's are on their way to you now, please reply with your address so I can post your books out to you!