Another Day

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Another Day by David Levithan is a good book, don't get me wrong. Justin is an average boyfriend to Rhiannon, if that. One day, he seems more than average. He skips school and takes her to the beach and she falls in love with him all over again. The next day, this amazing Justin disappears. The day after that, a stranger confronts her and tells her that they were the person she spent the day with, not Justin. It happens again. And again. She's falling in love with someone who's only constant is their mind; there isn't even a body to rely on.

Do not be fooled- this is not a sequel to Every Day, as I was expecting until I read the "Dear Reader". It is a companion. It's essentially the same story, told through Rhiannon's point of view, which is a very interesting insight. Whether you read Every Day yesterday, three years ago, or never read it at all, you can read Another Day. It's a very interesting contrast to A's perspective, and it gives more detail into the parts of the relationship that Rhiannon has the hardest time with: the fact that A's gender changes daily. Because it was the same story, I was still left very unsatisfied upon finishing the book. It didn't really fill me with emotion the same way that Every Day had. Once finishing it, I wasn't left thinking about it for hours. That being said, it is still a lovely book. I would recommend reading Every Day before hand, because I think the beginning of Another Day moved very quickly and could have been confusing without prior knowledge.

"It is hard for unhealthy people to masquerade as healthy ones, especially once they've stopped caring if other people notice."

Previously reviewed: Every Day , Will Grayson, Will Grayson (Co- Written with John Green)

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. On-Sale date is August 2015. 

Cut Both Ways

 

The Bookworm says... Yes! Cut Both Ways by Carrie Mesrobian is a story of the struggles of growing up and struggling with sexuality. Will has his first kiss, but he was extremely drunk and high, so he doesn't remember it very well. But he does remember that it was with his best friend, Angus. Will isn't gay, but that doesn't mean he didn't like it. Will starts avoiding Angus and seeing a younger girl named Brandy. He's relieved that he can be attracted to her, but he doesn't stop hooking up with Angus. He needs to confide in someone, but there's no one for him to talk to. His mom has her new husband Jay and their perfect twin daughters Taylor and Kinney. His dad is up to his eyes in debris, remodeling his house. Will is alone. 

Will struggles with the same identity issues as so many teenagers today. In the novel, he is never once labeled as bisexual. It's because he doesn't know. If Will doesn't know, why should the reader? So he experiments, and experiments, and he sees where he ends up. This book is such a real depiction of many teenagers; I ate it up. It is amazing. 

"And all this will go on... Between me and myself, whoever I turn out to be, years from now."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release date is September 1, 2015

Me Being Me is Exactly As Insane As You Being You

The Bookworm says... No. Me Being Me is Exactly As Insane As You Being You by Todd Hasak-Lowy is not a very enjoyable book to read. Darren is forced to confront the fact that his dad is, in fact, gay, and may or may not have had past relationships with men. A divorce between his parents quickly follows. After that, life is confusion and chaos, shuffling between the parents. Somewhere in there, Darren finds time to sneak out to Ann Arbor to visit his brother, Nate. A certain girl named Zoey accompanies him, for better or for worse. Probably worse. 

This book... Is not good. It's approximately 700 pages of boredom in list format. Initially, I thought it would be great. The list format is very unique; the general plot (finding out your dad is gay, and has had past relationships with men) is reminiscent of Alison Bechdel's Fun Home. After about 200 pages I was bored, and it didn't become more entertained throughout the rest of the novel. I would not waste your time on this novel. 

"I know I barely talk and pretty much act like I'm not even here, but I'm totally here and have a million things to say, and me being me is exactly as insane as you being you."

Fangirl- Reviews by Twos **NEW PROJECT**

Introducing the newest project on The Bookworm's Favorite Books- Reviews in Twos. There's a post on the new Reviews in Twos page explaining it, which can be found here. Basically, every month there will be a book (that I choose) and you will read it (or if you've already read it) and post a two sentence review on the announcement post! After the month is over, there will be a compilation review with all of your comments, and one contributor will win a special prize!

This month's book is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. My first review of it can be found here. You have until June 30th to post a two sentence review in the comments of this post! If you have any questions, comment or fill out the "Contact Me" form on the side. The Reviews in Twos page will have information on the whole project, and eventually links to all the posts for the month. Ready... Set... Read!

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls

The Bookworm says... Yes! Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten is a terrific book. Delia burned to death in her stepfather's shed, and it was a deemed a suicide because of the note she left behind.  Her ex best friend June knows this isn't the case. Delia was always living in the moment and making the most out of everything. She never wasted a second, so why would she waste the rest of her life? June is certain that Delia was murdered and she sets out to find whoever did it, and why. What she finds out may be more painful than not knowing. 

This book was... Incredible. Passionate. Dark. Crazy. Suspenseful. I'm still processing what I just read. Every single character, every action, every plot turn, was so well thought out. The whole book moved in one driven, seamless wave. I could NOT put it down. There is no way to guess what's happening, but I'll tell you this: if you think you know what's happening, you're wrong. Everything is turned upside down, and I LOVE it. This was incredible. Watch out, this is going to fly off of the shelves. 

"Even the harmless can cause harm."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release is July 2015. 

In My Father's House

The Bookworm says... Maybe. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi is not a bad book, by any means. The first battle of the civil war was fought on the Mason-McLean family's front lawn in Manassas, Virginia. The surrender was signed in their parlor in their home at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The five year period in between the two events follows the stories of sisters Maria and Oscie as their country splits in two. 

In My Father's House was not bad. I, in general, dislike historical fiction. Which is why I didn't enjoy this book. The symbolism in the novel was amazing; it's perfectly clear to me that the war is used as a symbol of the relationship between two characters, but some that have read this may seem clueless as to what I mean. Everyone interprets it differently. 

"I'm no longer a military man, Captain. Only a father. And believe me, with two pretty daughters on my hands and an army camped on my doorstep, it's easier being a major in the militia."

Everything That Makes You

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay is a good book! A run in with the scalding oil from a popcorn cart at the zoo left Fiona with scars covering the right side of her face. She has a major crush on Trent McKinnon, but she's too insecure to sit on his left side. What if the accident never happened? That's where Fi comes in. Fi is beautiful, scarless, and the best player on the lacrosse team. One wrong step ruins her future, and leaves her lost in her plans. What if the accident never happened? What if? What if? What if? Fiona and Fi can show you that even a life without tragedy can still be very tragic. 

My problem with this book is that it is very slow. The climax took a long time to reach, and it wasn't a very dramatic one at that. Once it climaxed, there was still a lot of dead time until the resolution. For that reason, the book ended up taking quite a while to read, making it a little less enjoyable. 

"Feat and face and guilt and place / What-ifs and coincidence"

Alive

The Bookworm says... Yes! Alive by Chandler Baker is a pretty enjoyable book. Stella had been struggling with a heart condition when, miraculously, she was taken off the donor wish list and given a heart transplant. Fast forward to post-op recovery, when she is struck by the same blinding pain at the same time each day. The pains only cease when she is on the presence of the mysterious new boy Levi Zin. They begin to grow closer, and though she knows practically nothing about him, Stella finds her heart physically aching when he isn't around. What is her heart trying to tell her?

I really enjoyed Alive! The concept is fresh and intriguing, though semi- disturbing. At instances the gore would become almost too much to handle, but it never crossed the line. Here is a new, captivating YAD novel that is sure to leave your heart beating fast. 

"What I know is that the universe is not a Rubik's Cube, and I am glad I'll never be able to figure it all out."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release date is June 9, 2015.