Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Summary:
When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars).

The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I thought that Going Vintage had a really cute premise and for the most part was a light and fun novel. I definitely enjoyed it, though there were definitely things I didn't like.

I thought the theme of "vintage" was adorable and especially appropriate because Mallory's father deals with antiques. Old things are cool, so I definitely understood Mallory's fascination with the early 60s. There were some good messages about the Internet and how things can go wrong when you're online. I think it's good that everyone take some time away from their cell phones and technology. There's no need to be connected 24/7 and I think Mallory learned that valuable lesson.

I really liked Oliver as a love interest; he was a great character and good for Mallory. I liked how the ending was not super traditional and that Mallory sees he value in being single, especially just after breaking up with a long-time boyfriend.

The one part I didn't like was the break-up between Mallory and her boyfriend Jeremy. He's obsessed with the online game Second Life, in which you pretty much live another life on the computer. Mallory accidently finds emails between Jeremy and his online "wife" who lives states away. Instead of having a discussion about this (which would have been super interesting - emotional vs. physical cheating is kind of a gray area for some people) she runs out of his house, refuses to talk with him and breaks up with him on a social networking site. I actually felt pretty bad for Jeremy because I don't think he knew what was going on at first. He obviously wasn't the greatest boyfriend but I think he at least deserved an explanation of how it's not okay to get emotionally and romantically attached to someone who isn't your girlfriend. That first scene kind of showed me Mallory's maturity level.

Other than my nitpicking I still enjoyed the book. There's a lot going on - Mallory has two parents, a sister, grandmother and friends who all get their own storylines - but it was a fun ride. There were some legitimately funny parts too.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Bloomsbury/320 pages.

Top Ten Tuesday - 111

Top Ten Tuesday was started by for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR List

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
This was just released by I have yet to read it! Especially now that Divergent will be a movie in a few months, I want to know how the trilogy ends!

2. Just One Year by Gayle Forman
Just One Day was such an amazing book and I've been dying to find out what happens next since I finished.

3. Double Down by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
I'm getting my dad this book for Christmas, so I will definitely get a chance to read it too! I'm sneaky I know. It's about the 2012 presidential election and obviously I've been waiting awhile to read it.

4. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Ugh I still can't believe I haven't read this yet!!! What is wrong with me?!

5. The Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton
Same with this book! This is one of my favorite trilogies and I really dropped the ball on finishing it.

6. Champion by Marie Lu
I thought Prodigy was even better than Legend which is why I'm super excited for Champion.

7. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
I absolutely adore Leila Sales and her writing is hilarious. Cannot wait to read this!

8. Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
I really loved Ruby Red and I can't wait to get this sequel from the library.

9. Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd
This won't be released until the end of January but I plan on reading it right when it comes out. I was really left hanging after The Madman's Daughter.

10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
It seems as though everyone but me has read this. Over Winter Break I need to get this and read it!

Book vs. Movie: Catching Fire

Ok so by now everyone should have seen Catching Fire and if you haven't you need to get there ASAP. I saw the movie right when it was released and it was amazing!!! What a great experience. I'm going to list the things that I liked and didn't like (are they any??) so beware of minor spoilers.

The pacing was fantastic. Pretty much every important scene in the book was hit in the movie and nothing was really changed. Even some of the lines were direct quotes! There is one scene in particular that was cut that some people might be annoyed about but overall they screenwriters did an excellent job.

The casting and acting were superb. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson and every other actor continue to do a great job. The new additions, which included Sam Clafin, Jena Malone and Philip Seymour Hoffman, really embodied their characters and I can't wait to see them in Mockingjay.

I just can't wait to see what they do with Mockingjay, especially because they're splitting it into two movies. I was kind of annoyed when I found out about that because we'll have to wait even longer to see the whole series finished and it's most likely a money-making ploy. I wasn't the biggest fan of Mockingjay so I'm nervous but I'm sure they'll do a great job.

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Summary:
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I haven't read a Sarah Dessen novel in such a long time (over 4 years) and I forgot how much I enjoy her books! For some reason I just sucked right into The Moon and More and couldn't put it down.

What I loved most about this book is that I wanted to live in it. The small beach town of Colby is very appealing. I love the beach in general and the tight-knit community just seems like a nice way to live. The way Dessen describes it, it's like a real place. Colby as been featured in a few other of her books (Keeping the Moon and Along for the Ride) and some of the characters in those books make small appearances! But I felt like Colby was actually a character in The Moon and More because there's the theme of small town vs. city life and the differences between them.

I also loved loved loved Emaline's family. She works for her grandmother's realty company so she spends a lot of time with them and I could see the love between them all (even though they could be super annoying). Seeing Emaline develop a relationship with her real father and half-brother was one of the best parts of the book. This novel really drives home the idea that there are all different types of family (Emaline has a "father" and a "dad" for goodness sake).

The romance was probably the weakest part of the novel and I think that was the point. In the beginning Emaline is dating her long-time boyfriend Luke but then moves on to the new Theo, who is from New York City and is supposed to be very sophisticated. Let me just say this: I did not like Theo at all, and I'm pretty sure the readers weren't supposed to. He's definitely not as sophisticated as described and quite frankly he's pretty annoying as a character. Even so, it was nice seeing a non-traditional love story featured in YA.

This book made me super nostalgic for summer and the beach, especially as it's snowing outside right now. I also loved that Emaline was going to East University for college. Pretty sure Dessen is referring to East Carolina University since the book takes place in North Carolina. Two of my uncles went there which is why I'm familiar with it. In addition, Emaline gets some flak for not going to Columbia. She got a full ride to a decent school (East) and a person would be crazy not to take that. Good job Emaline. Anyway, this is definitely one of my favorite Dessen books, which means you should go read it.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Viking Juvenile/435 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 164

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released.

The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

Endings and beginnings sit so close to each other that it’s sometimes impossible to tell which is which.

Nothing lasts forever, and no one gets that more than Tessa. After her mother died, it’s all she can do to keep her friends, her boyfriend, her happiness from slipping away. And then there’s her dad. He’s stuck in his own daze, and it’s so hard to feel like a family when their house no longer seems like a home.

Her father’s solution? An impromptu road trip that lands them in a small coastal town at Tessa’s grandmother’s. Despite all the warmth and beauty there, Tessa can’t help but feel even more lost.

Enter Henry Lark. He understands the relationships that matter. And more importantly, he understands her. A secret stands between them, but Tessa’s willing to do anything to bring them together—because Henry may just be her one chance at forever. (from GoodReads)

I love Deb Caletti because she's such a good writer and I always get sucked into her stories. Can't wait to see what happens in this book. The Last Forever will be released April 1, 2014.

Top Ten Tuesday - 110

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten 2014 Releases I'm Dying to Read

1. Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita
This is definitely the number one book I'm looking forward to reading. It's a companion novel to Sleepaway Girls and I can't wait to be back at Camp Whispering Pines!

2. Vengeance by Megan Miranda
I read Fracture awhile ago, but I'm still curious what happens in the sequel. I love the spookiness of this series!

3. Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd
I really loved The Madman's Daughter and I can't wait to see what happens next to Juliet!

4. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
For some reason I thought this was already released but it's not coming out until May! How will I survive?

5. Panic by Lauren Oliver
This reminds me of The Hunger Games, but I know Lauren Oliver will make the story great.

6. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
The last book in The Mortal Instruments Series! I can't believe it.

7. The Last Forever by Deb Caletti
I love Deb Caletti so I will happily read anything she writes.

8. A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier
This book is about the 1918 Spanish Influenza, a subject I don't know much about.

9. Year of Mistaken Discoveries by Eileen Cook
This seems sad but that there will be a lot of secrets and mystery.

10. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Hooked by Liz Fichera

Summary:
When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile... (from GoodReads)

Review:I really loved the concept of Hooked. It featured things you don't usually see in YA: golf and Native Americans. I loved having a WOC as our protagonist and learning more about the sport of golf. This combination (along with the romance) got me hooked on Hooked.

It's easy to dive right into this novel because the character's voices are so well-written. The narration switches between Fred and Ryan, so we get both of their perspectives which are pretty different, especially at the beginning. It's easy to root for Fred and hard to like Ryan, but that changes as the book progresses. I loved seeing Ryan's character development and how he became a better person. I just wish Ryan and Fred's lovely relationship had developed that much too. They fell in love pretty quickly and I would have liked to see them be friends longer before they the romance angle was added in.

The author appears to making this a series because the sequel is about Fred's friend Sam and Ryan's younger sister. I'm not sure if I'm going to check it out yet but I would like to see how Fred and Ryan are doing in the future.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: received from publisher

2013/Harlequin Teen/363 pages.