Waiting on Wednesday : To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

I am in such a reading rut right now, where I am not quite sure exactly what I am in the mood to read for. Okay. That’s not true. I know exactly what I want to read, but it’s not out yet! That is why I am eagerly awaiting for this new Jenny Han book to come out:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Summary: 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.

I find the premise to be interesting, but the main reason why I am excited about this book? Jenny Han. If you haven’t picked up The Summer I Turned Pretty book and the other books in the trilogy, please do so now. Han has a beautiful way of capturing life with its ups and downs. Plus, I can’t wait to see how Lara Jean is going to deal with this mortifying turn of events. While I obviously haven’t read this novel yet, I am pretty sure it is going to be a good mix of drama and introspection.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before comes out April 15, 2014.

Add it to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.com | Pre-Order 

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Oh by the way!

YOU CAN WIN A FREE ARC! I am hosting a giveaway for Sarah Mylnowski’s new book (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Check out my entry HERE for details on how to enter!

Eavesdropping ; Book Love

The other day while I was going about my business at work I overheard a snippet of an awesome conversation.

A girl is with her friend looking through the Summer books by Jenny Han. She’s holding a copy of We’ll Always Have Summer and leafing through it as she is explaining the story line to her friend. Suddenly, she interrupts herself and starts to exclaim loudly:

“OH MY GOSH. THIS COPY HAS LETTERS BETWEEN BELLY AND CONRAD! MY COPY DOESN’T HAVE THIS.”

Girl ignores the friend she was originally talking to and frantically flipping pages. “THIS IS SOOOOO COOL.”

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I like it when people freak out about awesome things.

Review: Burn for Burn

Burn for Burn
by Jenny Han and Siobham Vivian
Published Sept. 2012
Simon & Schuster

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY…
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she’s ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she’s not the same girl anymore. And she’s ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won’t stop until they each had a taste.

 

Photo and summary from Goodreads.com

FOLKS. So you remember that one time that Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian, you know, wrote a book? TOGETHER? AND IT WAS REALLY GOOD? Well, I DO!

Once I started Burn for Burn by these awesome ladies, I pretty much kept plugging through until my eyes started to burn and I was being mega irresponsible. Responsible people don’t let books with an awesome and intriguing plot ensnare you. Responsible people slow their reading down and don’t read like their life is depending on it (even if it feels like it, because you HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS). Responsible people actually stop after “just one more chapter.” Responsible people GO TO SLEEP before 2am when they have to be a functioning and capable person the next day!

Well, call me irresponsible, because Burn for Burn easily stole my heart away in the first chapter.

But seriously.

This book? It just sticks in your brain and your heart and you get so obsessed with the characters and what is going to happen to them and what they are going to do that it makes you write unbelievably long sentences.

I have to say Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han did a SUPERB job of co-writing. While each character had their own voice, the overall tone of the book was awesomely uniform. AND, there is an extra element to this novel, which COMPLETELY took me by surprise and I cannot wait to see how it pans out.

My last thought:

Honestly? The whole revenge thing makes me uncomfortable. I love strong characters kicking butt, but I generally prefer them to kick butt for the good of mankind, not to kick someone down whether they “deserve” it or not.

THAT BEING SAID.

Holy smokes, I got into this (if you couldn’t tell). Yea, I wanted everything to end up being perfect and everyone to get along. But MAN. The misunderstandings? The hurt feelings? Getting that feeling where you know everything is going to end horribly, but you don’t know for sure and you have this painful look on your face as you’re reading waiting for something to blow up in a character’s face? The main girl characters? The side characters? Everything about this one makes it worth your time.

Overall Review: I think Burn for Burn is great for teenagers and up. A great plot and great characters mixed with drama and intrigue makes for an absolutely exciting and fascinating read.
Fun fact: Every time I have started to write this review, I end up getting the urge to reread Burn for Burn, which is why it has taken me so long to review this book. It should come with a disclaimer.

Found Around

Jenny Han (author of The Summer I Turned Pretty) on her upcoming projects:

privets asked: Any small previews for Burn For Burn and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before? 🙂 x

Burn for Burn is going to be darker than anything I’ve ever written. It’s about revenge, and there is a touch of supernatural to it— three very different girls who come together to get back at the people that have wronged them. The first one comes out next fall! Me and my bff Siobhan Vivian are writing the trilogy together and having sooo much fun!

As for To All the Boys, it’s still very much in the early stages so I hesitate to say much about it. But the idea for the book is based on a ritual of mine, from when I was in love with a boy and trying to get over him.
(source)

 

Review: It’s Not Summer Without You -book #2

It’s Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Published April 2010
Simon and Schuster
Young Adult

Last year, all of Belly’s dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change–just like that. Suddenly the time she’s always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

Summary and photo from Goodreads.com

Alright, so this is the second book in the Summer series by Jenny Han, so if you haven’t read The Summer I Turned Pretty I would suggest holding off on reading this review.  I still won’t be giving away anything major regardless (someone’s gotta protect you nosy people), but to be on the safe side… stop reading!

Jenny Han did not disappoint.  I think the only thing that she had me disappointed with was the lack of the third book on my doorstep!  What the heck, Jenny Han!  I thought we had the psychic Jenny connection.

So anyway… here’s what got me:

1.  You get to know everyone so much better and understand them.  While I felt like I knew the characters in the first book, I feel like I can say I understand them now.  Even Belly’s friend who doesn’t have a humongous role in the book.

2.  THE TENSIONS ARE UNBELIEVABLE.  You know when you’re talking to someone and you want to say something, but you can’t so you don’t?  Jenny Han captures this perfectly.  Even more so than the first book.  Yea, Belly acts immature and stupid at times, but it’s alright because you at least know where she’s coming from.

3.  Jeremiah narrates some chapters!!  Yayyyyy

4.  There are some really sad things that happen in this book, and I think Jenny handles the reactions of the characters in a heartbreakingly realistic way.  It’s terrible to see these characters in pain, but it’s necessary.

5.  As far as character growth goes, I’m not sure how much any of these guys have grown yet.  Based on what happens in this book I think we’ll see much of the growth take place in the next book.  Everything just kind of got messier between these pages!

Ultimate review: A superb second book!  I’d say read it when you get a chance!
Well hey!: Book three is coming out May 2011!!