Review: Keeping The Moon

Title: Keeping The Moon
Author: Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Pub Date: this ed. May 2004, Speak (Penguin)
Trade Paperback, 228 pages

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Colie has never fit in. First, it was because she was fat. Then, after she lost the weight, it was because of a reputation that she didn't deserve. So when she's sent to stay with her eccentric aunt Mira for the summer, Colie doesn't expect too much. After all, why would anyone in Colby, North Carolina, want to bother with her when no one back home does?

But Colby turns out to be a nice surprise for Colie. Almost without trying, she lands herself a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill. There she meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel--two best friends who teach her what friendship is all about, and help her learn to appreciate who she really is.

My Thoughts

I rather wish I had come across Sarah Dessen when she published her first book, That Summer--I really think that her books are great reads for teen and 'tween girls. However, that doesn't stop me from enjoying them years after the fact.

Keeping The Moon deals with an issue that I think most girls struggle with at some point--their weight and appearance. As always, Dessen handles the story tastefully and realistically. It's interesting to see how she has evolved from her first book in this, her third book. For me, her stories are a welcome departure from most of the books I gravitate toward--mystery, fantasy and paranormal. Every now and then I just enjoy a book about people that might have lived next door to you, or perhaps you knew them in school.

Another aspect of Dessen's works that I appreciate is her ability to weave strong, positive messages into the story. In Keeping The Moon, she notes that confidence comes from within and that you make yourself into who you want to be--no one else can decide that for you. So even though this may be a light read (perfect for summer, I might add), you come away with a positive message and feeling after reading it. Overall I really enjoyed the story, though at times I wish it were fleshed out a bit more. I often find that with Dessen's books--they tend to be shorter reads that are over before you know it. And really, that's probably not a bad thing given how many chunkier books are out there for the young adult market. So if you're looking for a light read with a positive message, this might be the book for you.

My rating:



Other reviews of Keeping The Moon:

An Adventure In Reading ~ YA Fabulous ~ 52 Books and 52 Weeks
Hope's Bookshelf ~ What Vanessa Reads ~ All Five Stars

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed here, please leave a comment with the link below!

Review: Holly's Inbox

Title: Holly's Inbox
Author: Holly Denham (Bill Surie)
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit
Pub Date: June 2009, Sourcebooks, Inc.
Trade Paperback, 665 pages

Synopsis

It's Holly Denham's first day as a receptionist at a busy corporate bank, and frankly, it's obvious she can't quite keep up.

Take a peek at her email and you'll see why: what with her crazy friends, dysfunctional family, and gossipy co-workers, Holly's inbox is a daily source of drama. Laughter, friendship, and romantic interludes keep her going, until one day, Holly's secret past begins to catch up with her...

Written entirely in emails, this compulsively readable UK smash hit will keep you laughing and turning the pages all the way to its surprising and deeply satisfying ending.
My Thoughts

OK, I'll be the first to admit that I don't read a lot of chick lit. And actually, this book came my way due to a case of mistaken identity when the author (Bill Surie, yes, a male has written this hilariously entertaining piece of Chick Lit) was actually trying to contact a different blogger named Melissa. I think we both got a good laugh over that and I decided I ought to give the book a try, even though it's not my usual read.

Oh my, am I glad I did. Holly's Inbox is hysterical. Seriously. My husband was laughing and shaking his head at me laughing out loud while I was reading. Don't be daunted by the book's chunkster appearance--the 665 pages fly by, as you are really just reading a series of generally short emails. If you've seen my Teaser Tuesday post, you got a nice little sample of what you can expect to read, but there's really so much more... Emails from Holly's meddling "mum," from her grandmother who signs her up for all kinds of email subscriptions, her crazy brother who wants her to front a not-so-nice establishment... I could go on and on, but really you ought to read it for yourself. If I tell you too much, it will spoil some of the funniest moments and I certainly wouldn't want to do that.

The email format of this book is a great concept. On occasion, however, I did have trouble keeping up with the conversation and found myself re-reading when it turns out it would be subsequently explained. For a book written in this style, it's amazing that you see as much character development as you do, as well. Do be forewarned that there's a fair amount of talk of sex and sexual references. For that reason I'd be a bit hesitant to lend it to my mother (and I'm sure she's reading this, too) though I do think she'd get a good laugh out of a lot of it. Honestly, if you're looking for a funny read that is light and will give you a good laugh, I highly encourage you to give this book a try. And the synopsis is spot on--you will definitely be happy with the ending.

My rating:



Other reviews of Holly's Inbox:

A Bookworm's World ~ Bookshipper ~ Book Reviews by Bobbie
Cheryl's Book Nook ~ Socrates' Book Reviews
Cindy's Love of Books ~ Bookfoolery and Babble
Diary of an Eccentric ~ Lori's Reading Corner ~ A Novel Menagerie
Trish's Reading Nook ~ Peeking Between The Pages
Readaholic ~ Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ Chick Loves Lit

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review.

Thursday Thunks (07.16.09)

Welcome to the July 16th version of Thursday Thunks!

(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)
Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by

Kimber, the number 15 and the color of windows.

1. Do you know anyone with heterochromia? Does it freak you out or do you think it's interesting?
First off, thanks for the link, as I've never heard it referred to by that word, and yes, I've known one person who had a blue eye and a brown eye. I didn't really think anything of it, other than it's interesting.

2. Should a 5th face be added to Mount Rushmore? If so, who?
I wonder how long that would take to do? Ronald Reagan wouldn't be a bad choice, other than that, not really sure...

3. If you could live on any planet other than earth, which one would you choose and why?
Saturn, so I could go skating on its rings :-)

4. We're going to spend the night at a reportedly haunted location, are you going with us?
If so, which reportedly haunted place are we going?
Not sure, and how am I supposed to know, I thought you picked it?

5. Did you play The Queen's Meme this week? If so, was it fair of The Queen to put Berleen in the dungeon by association with Kimber? (We all know Kimber deserved it, but Berleen?!)
Didn't play, my bad.

6. What color is the towel(s) hanging in your bathroom?
Which bathroom?? In the powder room they're sort of cranberry-colored, in the guest bath they're blue and beige, and in the master bath they're brown and beige.

7. Tell us something funny that happened to you recently.
Hmmm, funny things don't seem to happen to me that much. I rarely find myself saying "A funny thing happened to me on the way to..." So yeah, no idea.

8. We just bought you a cow. Do you kill it & grill it, feed it & milk it, or sell it?
I don't know the first thing about cows so I'd sell it. Eat Mor Chikin! ;-)

9. It's 115 degrees outside (46 degrees Celsius), are you able to go without Air Conditioning?
He** no!

10. When you visit the zoo do you wonder which animal tastes better with a bit of butter & spices?
Can't say that I do.

11. Dog ate your homework/work papers. Does it crap out Shakespeare, quantum physics, or just crap?
Lovely question. I no longer have homework, but when I did, I guess the vast majority that would have come out was higher math--calculus, stats, and the like.

12. We are taking you to a broadway show, what are we going to see?
The Phantom of the Opera!

13. Gunshots in your neighborhood. Pop, pop, pop. Do you go out to take a look, or hide?
Probably to take a look (but not outside, from the windows), in this area there's little crime so I'd be curious to know what those gunshots were about.

New Blog Button!

<a href="http://www.melissas-bookshelf.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Melissa's Bookshelf" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/mlbraves03/Blogger%20Stuff/SiteButtonFinal.png" /></a>
Well, due to the response that is overwhelmingly in favor of the button with the Reading Girl, and the fact that I've convinced myself this is the way to go, I have officially changed my blog button!! (I know, the poll was originally open until Friday, but I was ready to go ahead and make the switch!)

And don't worry, if you've got my button on your blog already, there's no need to change it--I uploaded the new button with the same name as the old button, so your sites should update automatically :-D

Of course, there was a bit of debate over WHICH reading girl button, and I chose the "cleaner" one, with my site name at the top. I just felt like the other one had too much going on for a grab button and my site name got lost in the mix.

Thank you to everyone who weighed in on this little debate, I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and enthusiasm!!

Oh, and if you haven't done this already, why not grab my button using the code in this post (or in my right sidebar) and add it to your web site? :-) Thanks in advance!!

Thankful & Passing Along The Love...

I have been really terrible about posting awards I've received lately. In fact, I discovered that I have some from the end of May that I never passed along... Yikes! So I thought I would remedy the situation today and share the love a little bit (ok, a lot). Please note, there are several awards, so I may not follow the rules of each exactly--I will nominate 4 blogs for each award to make my job a little easier :-) Here we go!


Thank you to Jo at Ink and Paper for nominating me for the #1 Blogger Award!

My four nominations:
(1) Everything Distils into Reading
(2) J. Kaye's Book Blog
(3) LiyanaLand!
(4) Serendipity

Thank you to Jo at Ink and Paper for nominating me for the Let's Be Friends Award!

Blogs that received the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers. (Just four today for me.)

My four nominations:
(1) Just Blinded Book Reviews
(2) Reverie Book Reviews
(3) Diary of an Eccentric
(4) The Burton Review

Thank you to Jo at Ink and Paper for nominating me for this award! I don't know its official name, but I'll call it the Teddy Bear Tag Award!

1. Mention the person who nominated you.
Already did :-)

2. List six unimportant things that make you happy.
~ Chocolate
~ Going to the movies
~ Going to sporting events
~ New shoes
~ Flowers (especially the ones I've planted outside)
~ A cozy blanket on the couch

3. Tag six blogs, state the rules & notify them with a teeny comment on their blog. (Just four today.) My four nominations:
(1) A Novel Menagerie
(2) My Cozy Book Nook
(3) A Striped Armchair
(4) Socrates' Book Reviews

Thank you to Jo at Ink and Paper and Mishel at Mis(h)takes for nominating me for the 2009 Friendly Blogger Award!

My four nominations:
(1) MYSTERIES in PARADISE
(2) Must Read Faster
(3) One Librarian's Book Reviews
(4) The Zen Leaf

Thank you to Molly at My Cozy Book Nook for nominating me for the Your Blog Is Enchanted Award!

The only requirement for this award is that you shared it with whomever you like, sharing the love is always a good thing. The blog has to show only one characteristic, caring. So, start sharing this enchanted award with five other bloggers. Let your bloggers know they have received this enchanted award. (Remember, fairies are fickle wee things, don't incur their displeasure by ignoring their gift).

My four nominations:
(1) The Story Siren
(2) Today's Adventure
(3) The Book Butterfly
(4) Never Not Reading

Thank you to Wendy and Rebecca for nominating me for the Literary Blogger Award!

The Literary Blogger Award acknowledges bloggers who energize & inspire reading by going the extra mile. These amazing bloggers make reading fun & enhance the delight of reading!

The Rules:
1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

My four nominations:
(1) Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin?
(2) My Friend Amy
(3) Things Mean A Lot
(4) The Literate Houswife

I'd like to thank Keri for giving me the Heartfelt Award, one of the cutest out there, in my opinion!

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family & friends? You know that feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea ~or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.

Rules:
1) Put the logo on your blog/post
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

My four nominations:
(1) Romance Addicted Reviews
(2) Pudgy Penguin Perusals
(3) Trish's Reading Nook
(4) Wrighty's Reads

Thank you to Genevieve for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award!

This Award is given to new blogs and blogging friends. The rules follow are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to at least 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. (Sorry, just four this time around!)
   
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

My four nominations:
(1) Chick Loves Lit
(2) Book ♥ Soulmates
(3) Bloody Bad Book Blog
(4) Belle of the Books

And lastly, I'd like to thank Julie J., Rebecca, Wendy, and Shanyn for the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Rules for accepting the Kreativ Blogger Award require me to list seven of my favorite things, and nominate seven other fabulous blogs! (And you know today's policy, just four this time!)

Seven of My Favorite Things

(1) Hubster
(2) Parents
(3) Friends
(4) Our townhome
(5) My collection of books
(6) Thunderstorms
(7) Chocolate

My four nominations:
(1) At Home With Books
(2) Alley Of Books
(3) Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog
(4) Books & other thoughts

I'll do my best to get around to notifying everyone as soon as possible, and in the meantime... Be sure to check out all of these fantastic blogs!!