The Hunger Games

by: Suzanne Collins

374 pages

Summary: In a place known as Panem, the people of all 12 districts, are subject to a cruel and unusual punishment. As punishment for rebellion against the Capitol, one boy and girl from each district must participate in the Hunger Games-where the tributs must fight to the death, until only one is left. 
                      In District 12 Primrose Everdeen's name is drawn, her older sister Katniss decides to volunteer herself as tribute, alongside Peeta Mellark, the male tribute, whom Katniss knows form her past. Now Katniss must say goodbye to her mother, sister, and close friend Gale. Together Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol where their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy-victor (winner) of the 50th Annual Hunger Games-instructs them to watch for the other tributes strengths and weaknesses. But that's just the beginning of their problems, as they face the loss of everything they know, and that eventually one or both of them will have to die...

My Reaction: I LOOOOVED THIS SERIES. It was heartfelt, and adventurous. I loved the unexpected surprises Collins weaves into her books. Specifically about the Hugner Games, I liked the unusual plot. The characters were loveable, and I could relate to some of the feelings Katniss had. Although some parts of the book were sad, overall it was a great book. I can't describe how amazing this book is, and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend you do. Catching Fire, coming soon.

My Rating: 10/10

                                                Happy Summer Reading,

                                                                                       ~Chantel!!!

The Wedding Planner's Daughter

by: Colleen Murtagh Paratore
208 pages
Summary: 12 year old Willa Havisham loves cherry cordials, classics, and is the world's worst wisher. But when she and her single, wedding planner, mother move to Cape Cod, things seem to be looking up. She finally has a best friend, Tina. She gets to know her candy-making Nana. And best of all her mother, Stella is falling for her English teacher, Sam, who is perfect dad material. But before she can dance with her crush, and get the perfect father, something disastrous happens. Can Willa fix the problems, and get her mother to say "I do"? 

My Reactions: This book was really cute, and sweet. The characters were well explained and relate able. I felt a connection with Willa and some of the challenges she faced. This is better for readers who are ages 11-13, and if I were to read the book now, I would think it a bit immature. But a cute book if you're the right age, and looking for a sweet story.

My Rating: 8/10

                                            Gotta Love Summer Reading,

                                                                                             ~Chantel:)

Pretty Little Liars

by: Sara Shepard
272 pages
Summary: Meet Alison, Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer. The queen bee, the oddball, the swimmer who has feeling for Alison, the Alison wanna be, and the girl who can stand up to Alison. Then in 8th grade at a sleepover, Alison disappears. 
          
            
          Now three years later, every thing's changed. Aria returns home after three years in Iceland, now more sophisticated. Then she meets and kisses this guy in a bar, who turns out to be her English teacher. Emily develops feelings for the new girl, Maya. Though popular, Hanna struggles with keeping her queen bee status and with bulimia. Spencer has a hard time with her older-rival sister, Melissa, and things get worse when she develops feelings for Melissa's new boyfriend, Wren. 


                     The Liars are now receiving texts from "A" threatening to expose their deepest darkest secrets-including The Jenna Thing. They automatically assume it's Alison, since she's the only one who knew their deepest darkest secrets. But then again, maybe it's not... 


My Reaction: I had mixed feelings about this series. This book wasn't my favorite, but it was one of the better ones. I liked how everyone had secrets. I also liked how the reader is able to make their own assumptions, even though, that's not always exactly what happens. I liked the mystery aspect of the book, but some of it was dragged out and a little creepy at some points. Another thing that wasn't my favorite, was that the girls don't seem very close in this book, and it seems like your reading 4 different stories, all put into one book. Altogether not my favorite book, but to some it might be. 
Side Note: The TV show doesn't do the books justice. 




My Rating: 6/10

                                                Read On,                                                                                                                     ~Chantel*

             

Moon Over Tokyo

By: Siri L. Mitchell

Far from home, Allie prays for a friend who speaks English.
She didn't expect to fall in love too...

291 pages

Summary: Allie O'Connor went to Japan to find herself. And, possibly, write a book along the way. 

     Now, two years later, her best friend is moving away. Allie still feels like a foreigner. Discouraged, she prays for a friend. Just someone who would understand what she's going through. She certainly didn't expect Erik Larsen! 

      Erik and Allie went to high school together. They were opposites then, Erik being popular and Allie being a more behind-the-scenes good girl. Of course, Allie is sure they are still opposites. After several chance meetings between them, however, a friendship forms, possibly something more. Can Allie open her heart to something unexpected?

Reaction: This was a good book. It had a combination of themes, but it was still fairly easy to read. I also liked the fact that she talked lots about the culture in Japan, including a reference in the back for some words. However, it was a little generic in the story line, not anything huge to make it stand out from other books like it. I still enjoyed it though. 

Rating: 8/10


                      Check back soon!
                            ~Marie 

Take A Bow

by: Elizabeth Eulberg
280 pages
Summary: A childhood actor, a shy songwriter, a planning to-be superstar, and a passionate songwriter all have one thing in common, they go to CPA (the New York City High School of the Creative and Performing Arts).Take A Bow follows Carter, Emme, Sophie, and Ethan during their senior year at CPA, and the changes and dreams they face.
                      Carter had his fame when he was only 10 years old. Now starring on a soap opera, Carter struggles with being the Carter Harrison everyone expects him to be, and the person he was born to be, and do what he wants to do...
                      Emme has always been behind the spotlight, instead of in it. Emme's has always had Sophie sing her songs, and that's how it should be. But with college auditions coming up, Emme's going to have to find her own voice, in more ways than one.
                      Sophie knows she has the voice to be a star, but she needs the famous boyfriend and unsure songwriting best friend, and she has no problem using them. Well maybe she has a problem with it, but as far as she can see, that's the only way she can be a star. 
                     Ethan is the best songwriter in his class, probably because he has the most inspiration-considering he has managed to ruin every relationship he's ever been in. Emme is the only girl he's really respected or really loved, but is he willing to risk their friendship,  or keep the feelings bottled up inside him?


My Reaction: This book was fantastic! The way Eulberg described the feelings the characters had was incredible. I especially loved how the chapters was told in the main characters viewpoints. I also loved how Eulberg made the characters so lovable and believable. The ending also was touching, and left the reader to draw their own conclusion to what happens to the characters. This book is definitely a favorite of mine. 


My Rating: 10/10


                                                Reading As Always,


                                                                                  ~Chantel*

Northanger Abbey

by: Jane Austen
251 pages

Summary: 17 year old, Catherine Morland, is from a country parsonage, she always sees the best in people and loves Gothic thrillers. She ends up spending a few weeks in Bath with family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. While there, she meets two sets of siblings-Henry and Eleanor Tilney and Isabella and John Thorpe. 


Henry Tilney invites Catherine to go to his family estate- Northanger Abbey. Catherine decides to go, but being a great reader of Gothic thrillers, Catherine finds her suspicions getting ahold of her.   What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry’s mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy?


My Reaction: Ok this book was interesting. First of all Jane Austen can be heard to interrupt sometimes and I found myself not understanding parts of this book and others. But what I could understand, i loooved. Catherine finds herself in many disastrous situations, and being caught between two sets of siblings. The characters in this book, were fantastic, as Catherine spends time with them, we really get to see who they are. Near the ending, the events that occur, were very...unexpected, but added to the suspense if things would turn out right. A great novel by Austen, in my opinion. 


My Rating: 7/10



                                     Live, Laugh, Read,
                                                      ~Chantel:)

Schooled

by: Gordon Korman
224 pages
Summary: Capricorn (Cap) Anderson, has been home schooled by his hippie grandmother at Garland Farms. He's never watched television, eaten a pizza, or heard of a wedgie. But when is grandmother, Rain, falls out of a tree, Cap is forced to move in with a guidance counselor, Mrs. Donelly and her daughter Sophie-who hates Cap. Cap now has to attend middle school where she works. 
      Now that he's attending "Claverage" Middle School, Cap finds out that he stands out-a lot. Maybe it's because he's never cut his hair, or that he's completely honest. Just as Cap is trying to adjust to going to a regular school, he finds himself elected for president, even though he didn't want to be, or even put himself up to run. But now Cap's got another problem, the kids at school now want Cap to do all these things he doesn't know how to do. And eventually Rain has to get out of rehab...


My Reaction: I liked this book, it's good for kids that have-or had-transferred schools. I liked how Cap always stayed true himself, even though he's tormented by the other kids at school. I also liked how Korman told the story in other characters perspectives, too. One thing I didn't like was how everyone seemed to be changing their minds a lot. But all in all, it was a good book. 


My Rating: 8/10


  
                                        Read On, 


                                                       ~Chantel*

Serenity's Desire

by: Kay D. Rizzo (Serenity Inn series book #1)
256 pages

Summary: Serenity Powell's life had always been perfect-well pretty much. A good home, loving parents, and money in the bank.  But that was before her mother died, and ever since then her life has changed drastically. 


Now some widow wants to marry her father, she hears strange things in her house at night, and she knows her father is keeping secrets from her. Serenity looks to her mother's journals to find out more about her mother, and finds God's promise that he will never leave or forsake her. But if her promises that, why is Serenity's life so out of control?        
   
   When things are as bad as they could get, the Powell house burns down. Now her father wants Caleb Cunard-a family friend-to take Serenity as far away as possible from her home, and the only life she's known. As her life goes from perfect to disaster, Serenity finds out more about her family, friends, and her mother's God, in the years before the Civil War. 


My Reaction: This book was pretty good. I liked that Serenity had problems in all aspects of her life, like many of us do. One thing that disappointed me, was that there wasn't enough romance. Another was Serenity, she seemed really spoiled and selfish, but she did seem a little different at the end. For the most part it was a good story about life, love, and God. Book 2: Serenity's Quest, coming soon. 


My Rating: 7.5/10




                                                  Keep Reading,


                                                                       ~Chantel!


P.S. Hey guys, just wanted to say sorry for not updating for a while, been away at camp, but back now!
       
Also, almost finished with Take A Bow-review coming soon!