Review: "Notes from the Midnight Driver"

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
Pub. Date: October 1, 2006
Pages: 265
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short and Sweet Synopsis: Alex is sentenced to community service at the senior center for killing a lawn gnome.  Alex is paired with a difficult man, Solomon, who insults Alex in Yiddish, which he doesn't understand.    

"Notes from the Midnight Driver" is a great book.  Jordan Sonnenblick does a wonderful job writing about difficult subjects using humor and heart.  The book  seems to be about your typical teen screw up, but the books quickly switches gears when Alex starts his court mandated community service.  Alex wants to quit because Solomon is too difficult, but we know that isn't what will happen.

This book isn't just about a teen who discovers there is more to himself than goofing off.  Music plays a large roll in this book.  At first I didn't think this would happen, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did.  Relationships, of all kinds play a major roll in "Notes form the Midnight Driver".  Alex's parents are divorced and he is struggling to have a healthy relationship with them.  He is angry with them and blames his father for their separation.  Alex is also struggling to understand his feelings for his best friend Laurie. This is all on top of having to deal with Sol.

While most of the plot was predictable, the book was such a delight to read I didn't mind that there were no "OH SNAP!" moments.  I simply enjoyed the story and laughing out loud at the situations Alex found himself.  I would recommend this book to John Green fans.

Review: The Children and the Wolves

The Children and the Wolves by Adam Rapp
Pub. Date: February 2012
Pages: 160
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Short and Sweet Synopsis: This book is about a trio of teens who abduct a young girl.  

I'm not a squeamish person and I don't shy away from books that deal with interesting topics, but "The Children and the Wolves"did nothing for me. I'm left just confused after reading this book. I wish the book had focused on one character because the four voices weren't always distinct and the four year old girl just was unrealistic.

The best thing I can say about this book was that it was short. It took me about 2 hours to read. If it had been any longer, I would have felt like I completely wasted my time reading it.

May Wrap Up

I have never done a monthly wrap up, but I thought it might be fun.  This way even if I'm not reviewing certain books, you will know what I'm reading.

The best book I read this month was "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo.  You can check out my review here.

Other books I have read this month include:

Cinder- Marissa Meyer

Arrows of the Queen- Mercedes Lackey

Pandemonium- Lauren Oliver

The Half-Life of Planets- Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

So Silver Bright- Lisa Mantchev

Dear Catastrophe Waitress- Brendan Halpin

Shutout- Brendan Halpin

I am a bit behind on my challenge to read 100 books this year.  I am only at 34 when I should be closer to 42, but hopefully I'll pull through.  :)  It wouldn't be a challenge if it wasn't difficult! 

Review "On Jellicoe Road"

“Jellicoe Road”

by Melina Marchetta

My Rating:

Pub. Date: August 28, 2008

Pages: 432

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Source: Library

Edition: Hardcover

Short and Sweet Synopsis (Sorta...): Taylor's guardian, Hannah, has disappeared leaving Taylor to mentor a dorm full of students.  To make matters worse, the territory wars between her school, the Townies, and the Cadets has begun; Taylor is now responsible for keeping the students in her school and their territory safe from the Townies and Cadets. Can she handle these responsibilities, the loss of Hannah, and revelations about her mysterious past?

"Jellicoe Road" is a wonderful book; great writing, memorable characters, and heart wrenching stories weave together to create this beautiful book.  The more I think about "Jellicoe Road" the more I adore it.  I love how the different stories of the characters meld together by the end of the book.  While Taylor is the main character, I felt the other major character were just as important in the story.  I fell in love with the characters in Hannah's story, even if I was confused with the shifting between Hannah's story to Taylor's story.

"Jellicoe Road" is hard to review because part of my love for this book was the unfolding of all the mysteries.  I had to know about the characters in Hannah's story AND what happened to Taylor's mother.  Usually these dual plots would drive me a bit bonkers, but Melina Marchetta pulled it off brilliantly.  I have to admit I was as confused as heck at the beginning of the book (it took me forever to distinguish between the character), but by the end I really loved the story.

In short, "Jellicoe Road"is a fantastic book that deserves more than 4 stars, but I had such a problem figuring out the characters at the beginning that I couldn't give it 5 stars.  I think many readers will fall in love with it because it is a truly beautiful story.  

Review of "Shadow and Bone"

"Shadow and Bone"

by Leigh Bardugo

My Rating:

Pub. Date: June 05, 2012

Pages: 368

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Source: Free from Publisher

Edition: ARC

Short and Sweet Synopsis: The only thing that Alina likes about her life is the time spent with her best friend, but all this changes when their regiment is attacked.  Alina discovers a hidden power that not only save them, but may also be the key to saving her country.


I just finished "Shadow and Bone" and I can't believe how wonderful it was!  If the rest of the books in this trilogy were out, I would be devouring them right now!  I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book.  The characters, plot, setting, pace, writing, and cover are all AWESOME!  There was a bit of romance, but it didn't overtake the story. 

I loved all the characters both good and bad.  I loved how the characters developed throughout "Shadow and Bone".  No one was 100% good, they were just handling situations the best they could as things came at them.  There were definitely evil characters in the book and they earned it.  There were also some "villains" that I definitely felt for by the end of the book.


Usually I don't talk about setting, but how can you not love a book where part of the land is filled in completely darkness?!  That is so terrifying!  Plus, there are evil monsters that will massacre anything that enter these dark lands.  There is also a beautiful palace filled with dark secrets.  There is an interesting play between good vs. evil and beauty vs. ugliness.  Just like nothing is 100% good or evil, nothing is 100% beautiful or ugly.  Some things that may be seen as ugly had redeeming qualities where some things beautiful also had terrible qualities.  Evil sometimes hides in beauty just like good can be found in ugliness.  I'm not going to explain anymore because I will totally give something away.


Whether you are looking for a great fantasy book or just want to read an amazing book,  "Shadow and Bone" will satisfy both cravings.  It is truly a wonderful book that is worth buying in Hardcover.  I am definitely going to be recommending this book to everyone who reads teen books.  It just blew my mind!  It has been hours since I finished the book and I am still acting like a fangirl.  I not only have a crush on a couple of the characters, but the book as well!