Review: Nora & Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

"What if Peter Pan was a homeless kid just trying to survive, and Wendy flew away for a really good reason?"

Seventeen-year-old Kettle has had his share of adversity. As an orphaned Japanese American struggling to make a life in the aftermath of an event in history not often referred to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the removal of children from orphanages for having "one drop of Japanese blood in them" things are finally looking up. He has his hideout in an abandoned subway tunnel, a job, and his gang of Lost Boys.

Desperate to run away, the world outside her oppressive brownstone calls to naive, eighteen-year-old Nora the privileged daughter of a controlling and violent civil rights lawyer who is building a compensation case for the interned Japanese Americans. But she is trapped, enduring abuse to protect her younger sister Frankie and wishing on the stars every night for things to change.

For months, they've lived side by side, their paths crossing yet never meeting. But when Nora is nearly killed and her sister taken away, their worlds collide as Kettle, grief stricken at the loss of a friend, angrily pulls Nora from her window.

In her honeyed eyes, Kettle sees sadness and suffering. In his, Nora sees the chance to take to the window and fly away.

Set in 1953, Nora & Kettle explores the collision of two teenagers facing extraordinary hardship. Their meeting is inevitable, devastating, and ultimately healing. Their stories, "a collection of events, are each on their own harmless. But together, one after the other, they change the world."

RATING: 5 stars

**I apologize before hand for not being able to give it a proper review. I honestly couldn't find the right words to express how I really felt about this book. It is not only one of my favorite reads of the year, but of all time. And I've read some pretty damn good books. I sincerely hope you all give this book a read, only then will you really understand what I mean. As I let this book sync in some more, I'll write a much more descriptive review. So please keep checking in for that.**

I'm a huge fan of US History. It's one of my favorite subjects in school and favorite genres to read, historical fiction and non-fiction, and so when I came across this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it.

This book is most definitely not for the faint of heart. It was hard to read, not because it was horribly written or it was difficult to understand (at least not int he traditional sense-- more on that later) but because our main character, Nora, who I consider one of the bravest, strongest and smartest heroines I'v ever read about, endures some traumatic experiences under her father. Kettle easily became one of my favorite characters to read about. His courage and his loyalty to those around him shows just how caring human beings can be even during times of duress.

The era of WWII is my favorite in US History. I find it so fascinating even though it probably is one of the worst times in our country's history. And unfortunately, we don't too often hear about the Japanese internment camps nor the aftermath. Another reason to read this book, it gives another perspective for those who are curious.

My heart ached, it broke and it tore to pieces throughout the entire book. I can't go into detail or give it a proper review without giving away any spoilers. I definitely recommend this book, but be warned that this is NOT for the light-hearted.

Review: Start with the BackBeat: A Music Novel by Garine B. Isassi

It is the spring of 1989 in New York City when Jill Dodge, a post-punk rocker from Texas, finally gets her big promotion at Mega Big Records. She is thrust into a race to find a gritty, urban rapper before the Gangsta trend passes their label by. As Jill and her mostly middle-class coworkers search for the next big rap star, they fluctuate between alliances and rivalries, tripping over the stereotypes of race, class, and musical genre. They work to promote their current roster of acts as well as the new rap artist they sign to a contract. It turns out, he may not be what they expected. Full of original lyrics and wit, "Start With the Backbeat" is a compelling examination of the nuances of class, race, and culture in America which are sometimes ridiculously serious."

Rating: 3.75



For the most part, I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked the musical aspect of it. I appreciated the references to poop culture and I also loved that it took place in the 80s when rap was morphing into what I was familiar with in the 90s- gangsta rap. The moral of the story wasn't hard to figure out but the story was a little too zany for me. There were times where I didn't know where it was going or details I didn't think were necessary, hat could have been left out.

Overall, I fount this story relatable and I think this is a genre that I can see myself reading more from. This is my first "musical novel" and I think it's genius to incorporate music into a book (although I know Colleen Hoover was the first that I can't think where I read it). I recommend his book if you're in a mood to get inspired to write a song or even if you want to experience something new and if you want to be entertained.

Book Haul: February

I realize this is a couple weeks late but I'll go ahead and post this anyway because I wanted to share the books I hauled last month. Yes, I went a little crazy.

Books I purchased:

I also purchased quite a few eBooks on Amazon for my Kindle (there was an awesome sale):

P.S. I also bought the Friends Pop Funko collection. Aren't they cute?

As always, happy reading! :)

Review: Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally (ARC)

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

Publishing date: July 2016

RATING: 3.5 stars

I became a fan of Miranda Kenneally's right after reading Catching Jordan. That book is now one of my all-time favorites and Kenneally became an auto-buy author. I have pretty much all her books (except maybe one, not too sure), but the other one I've only read is Breathe, Annie, Breathe. While I've enjoyed these books of hers, nothing can come close to Catching Jordan. Maybe it's because o my obsession with football, but I finished that book in one sitting. ONE! Ok, ok, enough of Catching Jordan. This book was great, too. I especially love how she incorporates sports into her books (since sports and books are two of my favorite things in the whole world), and this one was no different.

Overall, it was a fun read. It was funny, I felt for the main character, Taylor, or "Tee", but I thought she complained a little too much. Not that I blame her, in a situation where your family is in the limelight, I'm sure it isn't always unicorns and rainbows so I felt for her, I just thought she needed to be a little stronger in her home life like she was at school when it came to confronting her arch nemesis, Nicole. I can understand where she came from, after dissecting and analyzing the book, I realized I could relate to her more than I originally thought.

I flew through this book, which is always a good sign, Kenneally's writing is so addicting and witty and her characters are always personable and likable, that's an automatic three stars. I gave it 3.5 because though I enjoyed it very much, and it's a book I definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a light, fun read, it's not one I see myself reading again. At least not anytime in the near future. Still, Kenneally is an author who's books I always look forward to.

Oh, and PS. These covers are ALWAYS awesome!

Review: Undecided by Julianna Keyes

Nora Kincaid has one goal for her second year of college: be invisible. Last year’s all-party-no-study strategy resulted in three failed classes and two criminal charges, and if she messes up again she’ll lose her scholarship. But there’s one problem with her plan for invisibility, and his name is Crosbie Lucas: infamous party king, general hellraiser…and her new roommate’s best friend.

Crosbie’s reckless reputation and well-known sexcapades aren’t part of Nora’s studious new strategy, but as she’s quickly learning, her new plan is also really boring. When Crosbie’s unexpected gestures of friendship pull her head out of her books long enough to see past his cocky veneer, she’s surprised to find a flawed and funny guy beneath it all. The muscles don’t hurt, either.

But as Nora starts to fall for Crosbie, the weight of one of last year’s bad decisions grows even heavier. Because three failing grades and two misdemeanors are nothing compared to the one big secret she’s hiding…

Publishing date: April 2016

Rating: 5 stars

Before I begin my review, I just want to go on record to say I don't think the title of the book fits the story at all. And on the same token, the cover isn't that great either. I love the cover if it related more to the story, but after finishing (and loving) the book, it definitely wasn't what I thought it was going to be about based on the cover/title alone.

I wasn't in the mood for anything in particular when I requested this book for review. I read the synopsis, and though it didn't sound too interesting, I was intrigued enough and I am very happy to say that this book blew me away!

I was expecting a typical New Adult story, and yes, while it was predictable, I think the story itself made up for that. Nora and Crosbie are very relatable characters, and I haven't felt a connection with characters in a book in such a long time, that it was refreshing to fall in love with these two. Even the co-characters. Marcela and Kellan were funny side characters! I felt like I was a part of their journey. Another thing I enjoyed was that it eliminated the unnecessary drama and there was no love triangle (like the cover led me to believe). It was just a fun read, a sexy read, and most definitely a favorite read of mine for 2016. Julianna Keyes has gained a new fan and follower, and I'll be picking up any and all of her books and I hope she continues writing New Adult. her writing is so detailed but so fast-paced and easy to follow, it took a lot of willpower to put this book down at all. This got a complete five out of five stars from me. I highly recommend this book if you're into funny, sweet, college romances.

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Review: F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher

Helena Conway has fallen in love.
Unwillingly. Unwittingly.
But not unprovoked.
Kit Isley is everything she’s not—unstructured, untethered,
and not even a little bit careful.
It could all be so beautiful … if he wasn’t dating her best friend.
Helena must defy her heart, do the right thing, and think of others.
Until she doesn’t.

RATING: 3.75 stars

By the time I was done with this book, I was both frustrated and enamored with it. Fisher's writing style is so addicting and intoxicating that I couldn't put this book down. I finished it pretty quickly even though the story line itself was very bland. Helena Conway was not a favorite character of mine. She was so stubborn but whiny and it irritated me that she didn't know what she wanted. I felt like she took the concept of love way too seriously most of the time and I couldn't handle it, but the way Tarryn Fisher writes, I was so captivated by it that I couldn't make myself stop reading. It became one of my favorites because of the writing, but I seriously hope this is a standalone. Even though I do think I would continue if it were a series, if only because of Tarryn Fisher. I enjoyed her and Colleen Hoover's Never Never series, and she easily became an instant-buy author. I hope her following book has more depth to it.

Wrap-Up #4 | February

WOW! What a crazy but fun month February was. Not only did I celebrate my 27th birthday, but my son turned two years old, me and the bf celebrated our six year anniversary and his football team won the Super Bowl! Okay, so that's more his thing, but I think what made the win even more special was that it was on our anniversary :) it was an amazing month, February was. And because of all the running around and celebrating, I didn't find too much time to read. In my defense, one of the books I read was such a drag to read that I didn't want to finish it (though I did anyway) and it put me in somewhat of a reading slump.

         

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han ****
F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher ***1/2
City Love by Susane Colasanti **1/2


I also started reading The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, but didn't quite finish it, I still added it to my wrap-up though because I was almost done with it, guess I'll have to add it to March's Wrap-Up, too.

In terms of reading, it was pretty bad, but in my personal life, February was very successful ;) I have tons of books lined up to read this month, I'll be happy getting to at least five of them. It's my boyfriend's birthday month so I plan on spoiling him the way he waited on me all last month. Anyway, happy reading, fellow readers! :)