Vintage Dessen

Ah, Sarah. How do I love thee? Let me count thy books! Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite Young Adult authors, and she doesn't disappoint with her new novel, Whatever Happened to Goodbye. McLean and her Dad have moved four times in the past two years, and in each town, McLean has tried out a new personality. From drama queen to cheerleader cool, she slips on new identities, leaving before anyone can get too close, or she can get too comfortable. But what happens when they land in Lakeview and McLean tries being herself? As always, Dessen peppers her book with a colorful cast of characters and friends that support the story along with the main characters. If you've never read Sarah Dessen, this isn't a bad place to start. If you're a Dessen fan, than you're in for a treat.

A Little Summer Fluff

You know how you need that perfect beach/pool read? The one where you can enjoy the book you're reading without having to think too hard or concentrate like crazy? That was Getting to Third Date for me. This fun, quick read by Kelly McClymer is the perfect choice for summer (even though it takes place in the fall). Main character Katelyn Spears is a freshman in college and also happens to be the top-secret writer of the advice column for the school newspaper. When her love & dating advice sparks a flurry of criticism, her editor (and crush!) Tyler encourages Katelyn to take a softer approach. When he learns about her three-date rule, he challenges her to go back and give some of her Romeos another chance. Will Katelyn find love with an old flame? You already know what I'm going to say...there's one way to find out! (Um...that would be by reading the book, in case anyone out there didn't get what I meant.)  

The Godfather Part II, Empire Strikes Back and Queen of the Dead...

...what do these three things have in common? They were all awesome sequels! A rarity for sure, granted more rare in movies than in books, but kudos to Stacey Kade. Queen of the Dead picks up where The Ghost and the Goth left off without skipping a beat pulling readers right back into the (mis)adventures of Will and Alona. While I really enjoyed this book, there were a few snags. I feel like too many new ideas/concepts were introduced. There is a lot happening for both Will and Alona, but their stories develop almost independently of each other. I think that the Will & The Order storyline should have been the main focus, and gotten more time. The scene in the old movie theater seemed especially rushed. I'll try not to give too much away, but the whole Alona/Lily thing could have been a separate book. I will admit that the two storylines come together in the end, but I was left very unsettled. I don't really like what happened to Alona (being deliberately vague here, trying not to give anything away), but you can bet I'm going to read the next book in the series! If you've read these books, e-mail me & tell me what you think about the Alona/Lily situation.