Tag: contemporary

Book Reviews, Fiction

Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

by Ida2 Comments on Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

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“For the longest time, I thought the power of positive thinking would get me by. And it helps, that’s for dang sure. But it takes more than thinking and hoping and wishing and praying. You need a whole lot of doing.”

After being completely charmed by the movie version of Dumplin‘ I couldn’t help but pick up Puddin‘, the companion novel that follows two supporting characters from the first novel. In Puddin‘ we follow Millie Michalchuk and Callie Reyes. Mille has decided that this is the year she pursues her secret dream and what she wants to do rather than following her mom’s expectations. Also, to kiss her crush. Callie is a popular girl in school, and is aiming for the dance team captain spot next year. While the two girls live separate lives at school, an incident brings them together, and over time they find common ground and an unexpected friendship develops. Continue reading “Puddin’ by Julie Murphy” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

by IdaLeave a Comment on The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

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Nemesis (n.)
1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome;
2) A person’s undoing;
3) Joshua Templeman.

Lucy and Joshua are executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company, and they hate each other. Lucy’s quirky nature contrasts with Joshua’s uptight manner, and their strong dislike of each other has manifested into daily passive aggressive maneuvers in their shared office. When an opportunity for a promotion arises and puts the two in direct competition with each other, tensions reach an all-time high. But slowly they start to discover that they may not hate each other, after all. Continue reading “The Hating Game by Sally Thorne” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Book/Movie Adaptation)

by IdaLeave a Comment on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Book/Movie Adaptation)

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“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s the part of the risk. I don’t want to be scared anymore.”

When sixteen-year-old Lara Jean has a crush so in intense and consuming, she writes a letter to let out her emotions and put it to rest. In her life she has loved five boys and written five letters that she keeps in a hatbox given to her by her late mother. Her letters are her most prized possessions. They are personal and honest and not meant to be seen by anyone, least of all her former crushes. But one day the letters get out and Lara Jean’s love life is no longer just imaginary.  Continue reading “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Book/Movie Adaptation)” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

by Ida2 Comments on Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

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“Sometimes I think people take reality for granted.”

Alex is trying to get through her last year of high school and move on to college. Her senior year also means a new school, which brings along many challenges. However the biggest challenge for Alex is her battle with schizophrenia, and the daily struggle of figuring out what is real and what is a delusion. This includes Miles, a boy at school she may have met years earlier but over time began to believe that he was imagined. As Alex tackles the school year and everything that comes along with it, she can’t help but question what is real and what isn’t. Continue reading “Made You Up by Francesca Zappia” →

Book Reviews, Fiction

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

by Ida3 Comments on Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

IMG_4769“There are monsters in the sea.”

Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk feels most at home in the online world, specifically in the fandom of the popular webcomic she created, Monstrous Sea. The story is massively popular and has gained a following of millions; people that eagerly await the weekly publishing of new pages and chapters in the saga. When a new student at school turns out to be a Monstrous Sea fan, it leads to friendship that slowly takes Eliza more into the outside world and challenges her in new ways. But when her identity as the webcomic creator is revealed, her reality is turned upside down and affects her in a deep way.

“There is a small monster in my brain that controls my doubt.
The doubt itself is a stupid thing, without sense or feeling, blind and straining at the end of a long chain. The monster, though, is smart. It’s always watching, and when I am completely sure of myself, it unchains the doubt and lets it run wild. Even when I know it’s coming, I can’t stop it.”

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Eliza and Her Monsters is a wonderfully compelling novel that charms while dealing with some important issues. Many moments made me smile and Eliza is an endearing protagonist who is very relatable, from her relationships with those around her to her escape into the online world. Her struggle with anxiety is portrayed in a realistic and easy to understand way, particularly when it comes to the pressures of creating and the expectations that come with online success. Eliza and Her Monsters had me eagerly turning the pages, which included screenshots and graphics from Eliza’s Monstrous Sea. A thoughtful and highly enjoyable novel.