Rei'sa al Ghul; life, books, tea and other things!

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Series: Yes. I think it's either a dualogy or a trilogy. 

Format: Kindle book.

Page Count: 288 Pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Age Range: 15+

Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age. Young Adult, Romance

Description on Goodreads:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Review:

When going into this book, I had no idea what to expect. It was slightly different from what I had normally been reading. It was exactly what I needed too.

Lara Jean is the middle child, caught between an older sister who is leaving soon for college and having to pick up her slack, and a bratty younger sister, she is now the one person who holds the house together while her father does his job. 

Lara has her own unique way of dealing with heartbreak. She writes her lost love a letter, and places it in a box under her bed... then forgets about it. That is, until one day it ends up empty and the boys she wrote too, end up getting the letters. Including her older sisters ex boyfriend... their next door neighbour.

This story was something I would really recommend to anyone who has dealt with heartbreak, sisterly love, drama and emotions caught between the blades of trust and loyality.

My Rating: 5/5

Would I/Who would I recommend it (too): 

Anyone with a need for a cute book with, a serious undertone, confusing relationships and family love.

Goodreads Link:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15749186-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before

Title: Landline 

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Series: No.

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 310

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Age Range:  17+

Genre: Marketed as: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Description on Goodreads:

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now.

Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Review:

Coming into this book, the only things that I knew (and wanted to know) was that it was an adult book by one of my favorite authors, it had a magic phone and some drama. That's all I knew. Boy was I right and wrong! Not more than 15 pages in, I was sucked into this world I could not be released. It had it's grasp on me so tight I had to cry out of hunger or sleep to stop... - and sometimes it still won. Georgie McCool (with the most epic name ever) is simply, a workaholic. She is a full time writer for a show she and her best friend have been working on for close to 14 year. She lives pretty much day to day for her job, her best friend, her daughters and her husband... in that order.

 That's the problem. She knows she has her priorties kind of messed up, but she is about to hit the deal of a life time. Leaving the show she started with, and writing for her, her best friend's, and a fellow friend writers new show! Just as she strikes the deal, its close to Christmas, meaning they are leaving for Neal's (husbands) parents house for the holiday like they do every year.

 That doesn't happen this year. With an arguement left in the wind of Neal and the girls departure, she is left with Seth (Seth) to close the deal and have their example ready. One reason or another she ends up staying at her mothers, and pulls out her old phone from when her Neil started dating when she lived there, and that is where the story takes flight.

I really loved all the voices in this book. It actually made me once more comfortable with adult fiction. Adult Fic and I have been on a stand off for a couple years, but with Ms. Rowell's unique voice and pacing, it makes me think that maybe I should try again.

I loved how she, even though she was a hard working momma, still tried to be active in her childrens life, yet we saw the struggles of not being able to commit completely. From what I have seen from friends of mine that work and have kids, it's like having two full time jobs, but not being able to figure out which is more important at the present moment.

The interactions between her and 'Past' Neil are amazing. So much love and depth that even trancends the years from past to present. Every time I read something from their past, or just her talking to him on the phone reminded me of my fiance and I. The only difference is that I connected with them moreso in the 'past' and on the phone then their present tense.

The only thing I could find that I did not like was her relationship with Seth, but for personal reasons. He is a very well made character, but it didn't make me dislike him less. To me personally, he was too demanding, pushy and just a plain old snot bucket. I did not like a thing about him. If it was me, I either would have pushed him away a long time ago, or cold clocked him by then. Let me note that I am not a violent person either.

Over all, an amazing read that I see myself re-reading around Christmas. Ms. Rowell knows how to really transend genres and just spread the love, hatred, and pure raw emotions everywhere she goes with writing.

My Rating: 5/5

Would I/Who would I recommend it (too):

Anyone looking for a glimpse into something they may or may not be familiar with. Someone who may be dealing with similar problems. Or just over all anyone. Not quite for anyone under the age of 17, and 17 is pushing it a bit unless they are children with parents in a similar boat.

Goodreads Link:

Click here for the link.