Pointe by Brandy Colbert

Title:Pointe
Author: Brandy Colbert
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date:April 10th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 352 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Theo is better now.

She's eating again, dating guys who are almost appropriate, and well on her way to becoming an elite ballet dancer. But when her oldest friend, Donovan, returns home after spending four long years with his kidnapper, Theo starts reliving memories about his abduction—and his abductor.

Donovan isn't talking about what happened, and even though Theo knows she didn't do anything wrong, telling the truth would put everything she's been living for at risk. But keeping quiet might be worse.

Review

Pointe was not what I was expecting at all, do not let the ballerina on the cover fool you.  It was not a book about ballet with some side plots, Pointe took a serious and dark story line and supplemented it with some ballet as its bright light in the darkness. 

Theo faces some personal struggles which include anorexia, low self esteem, and a bumpy sexual past.  When her child hood best friend returns from four years of being held hostage by a kidnapper, Theo's life is turned upside down.  Not only does she need to face her best friend, she has to face the kidnapper that stole her best friend from her. 

If I were to describe Pointe in just three words it would be dark issues book.  Theo is trying to overcome and conquer a lot all while dealing with this giant curve ball.  I really felt for her, I wanted her to defeat all her inner demons and truly succeed.  Pointe draws you in and really makes you feel for every character, whether it be a loathing hate, a sense of worry or a desire for happiness. The romance was a tornado of events all wrapped up in the overall 'issues' Theo was facing through the story. 

My only reservation about the book was that it was quite heavy and had a lot going on in it. At times I felt weighed down by the darkness and sadness in the story.  The ending left you feeling hopeful for Theo's future but not smiling with happiness.

Overall, I would recommend this if you are looking for a darker, intense read about one girl's battle against her many demons.  There is a lot happening but it really makes for a powerful and real story. 

Conversion by Katherine Howe

Title: Conversion
Author: Katherine Howe
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 432
Source: BEA 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s senior year at St. Joan’s Academy, and school is a pressure cooker. College applications, the battle for valedictorian, deciphering boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends are expected to keep it together. Until they can’t.

First it’s the school’s queen bee, Clara Rutherford, who suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. Her mystery illness quickly spreads to her closest clique of friends, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with rumor; rumor blossoms into full-blown panic.

Soon the media descends on Danvers, Massachusetts, as everyone scrambles to find something, or someone, to blame. Pollution? Stress? Or are the girls faking? Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit—comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago . . .

Inspired by true events—from seventeenth-century colonial life to the halls of a modern-day high school—Conversion casts a spell. With her signature wit and passion, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe delivers an exciting and suspenseful novel, a chilling mystery that raises the question, what’s really happening to the girls at St. Joan’s?

Review

This book is undeniably well-researched and well-written. Even better, this story was inspired by real events, and I don’t just mean the Salem Witch Trials, but the modern day Mystery Illness too. I loved the in depth glimpse at both and the parallels that Howe made between them. It was really, really interesting.

I think I watched, rather than read, The Crucible back in middle school or high school. I am familiar with the Salem Witch Trials but not well versed on the subject. I’ve forgotten most of what I knew and didn’t have all of the history in the first place. That being said, I loved Howe’s rendering of this time in history. As a bit of a history buff, I loved learning about the events that unfolded and how everything escalated and spun out of control. It’s kind of crazy and sad really…

But the story takes time to build, which made for an ending that was much stronger and more exciting than the beginning. I couldn’t read fast enough when I got to the final 3rd of the book but the first 2/3rds didn’t completely pull me in. I admit that I wanted the book to move faster.

I’d recommend this book to fans of Historical Fiction, individuals interested in the Salem Witch Trials, or those who don’t mine a slower paced book. It really is a compelling story in that regard.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Pages: 345
Source: YA Book Exchange

Summary from Goodreads:
Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

This book is all kinds of awesome.

Harper Price is this super preppy, super happy, super well behaved girl. And being the perfect Southern Belle means everything to her. So imagine when she is suddenly gifted with superpowers and tasked with protecting her arch nemesis. First, she thinks she must be crazy. Then, when she realizes she is not, she is totally psyched over the fact that she is a superhero with some noble purpose. Until she finds out that her noble purpose is to protect David Stark, the very boy she's been competing with her whole life.

I adore Harper and I got such a kick out of her. She's extremely good-natured, well-intentioned and just all around likable. But she had no clue what was going on, so watching her figure it out along the way, all the while trying to keep up appearances, was the most entertaining thing ever. Some of the situations she found herself in and the way she charmed her way out of them - so great. I was laughing or smiling through most of this book. She was hilarious in a totally unassuming and unintentional way.

And the dynamic between Harper and David only added to the fun - the bickering, the witty banter, the growing feels between the two of them. They were so different in some ways, and yet so similar in others. And they had such history. It just worked and I loved it. It was the perfect progression of a relationship, with just enough insecurity and promise.

All in all, I am completely smitten with this book. I loved the Southern charm. I loved the excitement. The humor. The characters. Everything, really. It is a total feel-good book. AND HOLY COW THAT ENDING. Guys, my mouth was hanging open for like the last 30 pages. If I know anything, it is that the next book is going to be crazy (in a very fabulous, whycan'tihavebooktwoalready kind of way.) I can. not. wait.

Rebel Belle is not my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it is by far my favorite. I HIGHLY recommend this one. In fact, I push it on all of you. Now go read it (please) :)

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (with San Fran Photos!)

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #2
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton Books
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Pages: 338
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Review

I am completely smitten with this book. Lola and the Boy Next Door is FULL of personality. From Lola's costumes and her profound questions, to Cricket's eccentricities and his endearing awkwardness, to Calliope's ice-skating career and Max's rock band, to Lola's two amazing dads and the San Francisco backdrop, to costars Anna and Etienne! I loved every minute of it and found this book to be incredibly memorable and completely satisfying. 

Lola and Cricket were adorable together and I loved going on this romantic journey with them, even if, admittedly, at times I just wanted them to be together already (!!!!!). But this book was about so much more than just the two of them. Lola and Cricket each had their fair share of family drama going on that we watch unfold - Lola's train wreck of a mom showing back up, Calliope's ice skating prospects taking a huge toll on Cricket's family, and more. And Lola had some boyfriend Max drama as well. But no matter what tough situation Lola and Cricket found themselves in I thought they handled themselves remarkably well and some important lessons can be learned. 

I don't know why I waited so long to read this book and I only finally read it because I was going to San Francisco and wanted to read it before my trip. But don't make the same mistake I did and wait! Lola and the Boy Next Door is one of the most original contemporary books I have ever read and believe it or not, I loved this one more than Anna and the French Kiss. 

And in the spirit of this book, I wanted to share some of my San Francisco pictures, some pictures are of places that Lola visits in the book and others that are just iconic San Francisco pictures. PS, this is my new favorite city in the US.