My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff

     About the book: There's life and death. And then there's theater. 
     Adam Ziegler thinks the best way to live is behind the scenes. Since his father died two years ago, Adam has retreated into the world of high-school theater, finding his place high on the catwalk, running the spotlight. 
     But then he spies an actress, Summer, rehearsing for the spring production, and he falls for her--hard. Just as Adam's about to make his move, one of the leads breaks her ankle, and Summer is propelled to stardom. There she comes under the spell of Derek Dunkirk, the rich-kid student designer with the British accent. 
     With a rival like that, what chance does an average crew guy have? To get the girl and maybe even save the show, Adam will have to overcome his fears, defy his best friend, and break his theater's golden rule: Techies and actors don't mix. 
     Using his signature combination of insight and humor, author Allen Zadoff explores the complexities of finding your way through life, love and high school as Adam struggles to find the courage to step out of the shadows and into the lights. 

     Quote of the Book: I decided to make a new segment (part?) for my reviews and it'll just be a quote I liked from that book. Since I, usually, am obsessed about cool, inspiring, quirky, making-you-think-about-it quotes, I thought I could do that for my book reviews! 
     "He tips the invisible hat to me and goes out. The theater doors click shut behind him. The ghost light flickers. I imagine the bulb burning, leaving me alone here in a dark theater. I start to feel afraid. I should go home now. I should call someone, like Mr. Apple said. But I don't. I climb." -Adam "Z" Ziegler

     My thoughts and opinion: I can't believe it took so long to find this book and it took so long for me to finish reading it. Kind of funny if you think about it. I got so caught up watching Pretty Little Liars and Chopped. Not anymore. My main focus now is reading and reviewing as many books as I can before school starts.
     Let's get started on this book. I loved all but two characters. Derek and Summer. Even though Summer is the love interest of Adam "Z" Ziegler, I hated her for leading him on and then just cutting him off when it got close to the production day! Why would you lead a guy on in the first place?? And Derek, the Brit, is just as stupid. He takes credit for good work that he didn't even do; he points fingers at the techies when something goes wrong. I'm sticking to my Australians; hopefully they won't be as arrogant as Derek is in the book. But then again, I can't lump ALL British people in with Derek. 
     I really loved Grace though. Even if she made a poor choice with Derek, she recovered brilliantly. You guys don't even know how much I wished for Grace and Adam to become a couple. Oh well. Reach, Adam's best friend, needs to be with SOMEONE so I think Grace and Reach would be a much more hilarious couple. Besides, to me, Reach is a little more miserable than Adam in the love department. 
     I have no idea what drove me to check this book from the library. Maybe the cover? Although it looks really cheesy; like High School Musical cheesy. But it was a nice read and eat. 
     I recommend this to those who like the theater, but not too obsessively. It doesn't have THAT much drama and theater stuff in it. So, overall, I thought My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies was a light bite. 

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

     About the book: When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

     My thoughts and opinion: This is my second time reading This Lullaby and I've got to say...Dexter and Remy were really meant to be together! And reading about their relationship and how it seems to be a horrible one yet it wasn't, that I loved. I definitely cannot be a Remy since I can't bargain and I can't fold my feelings and emotions up. And I think I am more like a mix between Dexter and Remy's mother. 
     Like Lola and the other Joie workers, I do admire Remy's "cold, hard bitch / hard-ass" attitude. I really liked that part where she strictly told a customer that only one time was open and Remy told her to take it or leave it. Definitely not a people-pleaser, Remy. 
     Also, I'd like whatever she's eating to have such an arm! Like Remy's mother, I have, not terrible, but not a good aim. Maybe it's from drinking all those Zip drinks! However, I don't like Diet Coke that much so oh well.
     Dexter and Remy's relationship is such a wonderful one because it's totally unexpected for the two to pair up. Dexter with his wild, clumsy self and Remy with her clean, precise nature. But it clicks together; that's why I love them together. They balance each other out and it just works. It's easy yet beautiful. 
     Also, like any other book, I hated two characters. Yep. Don and Patty. Even their names are lame. They deserve each other. I just wished that Remy's mom didn't get hurt; even though I couldn't feel exactly what Remy felt, it was painful to read about Barbara seeming so sad and shocked. I desired to pelt every single one of those Ensure bottles at Don; maybe I could have gotten some help from Remy. 
     And then there was Dexter's band. What a fun-loving bunch. While reading this book, I thought to myself "It would be so cool if Remy's group of friends started dated all of Dexter's band." Of course, in this dream world, Scary Mary wasn't there. If she wasn't, it could have somehow worked. 
     Overall, I loved This Lullaby. Sarah Dessen never fails to delight me with her books which is why she's one of my favorite authors! Dessen always delivers and I really received the message in This Lullaby. You'll be humming song lyrics after having a taste of this book!

Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

          About the book: KJ Carson didn't plan on writing about the wolves living in Yellowstone National Park. She'd been really good at minding her own business for the past sixteen years. But when shaggy-haired Virgil shows up in her journalism class -- increasing the population of West End, Montana, to 948 -- KJ finds herself doing things she'd never imagined. She's getting up before dawn to go wolf watching, writing newspaper articles about the highly controversial wolf reintroduction program, and kissing the boy who helps her do it all. She may be in over her head, but she's finally following her heart. 
     And then a shotgun blast reminds her where she is: a place where the only good wolf is a dead wolf . . .  and anyone who defends them is threatened with a similar fate. In the past, KJ would've turned tail and run, but now there's more than just her own life at stake. Is she interested in the wolves because she's falling for Virgil? Or is she falling for the wolves themselves? 
     Debut author Kristen Chandler introduces a refreshing heroine and a love that's as precarious as it is out of the ordinary. 

     My thoughts and opinion: KJ is an interesting nickname. But I'd rather people call me that than Katherine Jean. Such a mouthful for other people to address me by. Virgil is also an interesting name for a guy. But I wouldn't mind being friends with Virgil. He seems like a cool guy who is a photographer with blond hair. Yup, I'd like a friend like that! ;-) 
     I kind of like the setting in this book because it's a small town near Yellowstone. Now, I have been to Yellowstone this summer and I have to say, it was breath-taking. There's nothing like the trees, the air, the nature, and you. Like what Sam, KJ's father, says, "It's just good to be out." However, the people in KJ's town just bugs and annoys me. I guess living in a small town means you can't make mistakes and lose your reputation because one mistake and you're practically exiled and looked down upon; I could never handle that. 
     Also, I really wish I knew how to row. If only I could get rowing lessons from KJ...Although, I don't think I would be a very good student. Rowing is tiring and I'm pretty lazy with my arms. 
     The wolves caught my attention, too. Actually I picked up this book because of the strange, black wolf on the cover. Normally, I don't read books with animals; it's not often I would be able to find one at the library. So, I felt like reading a book with wolves. Like, why not? 

     Reading Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me made me feel ashamed because I hate people who shoot animals. So obviously I hated ranchers like Kenner and his family. But my mind has been opened to understand how the ranchers feel; they must feel hopeless when their cattle get ripped to pieces by wolves. This book literally put me in the ranchers' shoes and I realized why they think of wolves as vicious creatures. 
     Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me was a fantastic read and had a woodsy, outdoorsy taste to it. I would love to actually bring this book with me to Yellowstone, find a gigantic tree, and just sit there, reading until sunset. 

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

     About the book: 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. 

     My thoughts and opinion: Let me just say...I WAS SO THRILLED TO FIND OUT THAT ANNA AND ST. CLAIR SHOW UP IN THIS BOOK! Anna and St. Clair are in the book, Anna and the French Kiss, also written by Stephanie Perkins. (What's so wonderful about this blog is that I have a reason to reread some of my favorites so I could review them!) It took me a LONG time to realize that it wasn't a coincidence that Lola's friends at the movie theater have the same names as the couple in Anna and the French Kiss. I think up to the part where Lola notices Anna writing in a left-handed notebook was when it hit me. I remember every character I read that is left-handed because it allows me to relate somewhat to them. 

     I admired Lola's style. She has spunk and I was interested how Cricket, the nervous nerdy inventor, would look next to her. I would never have the guts to wear something that is wild. If it's wilder than a skirt, then count me out! I would like to learn how to make my own clothes though. Shopping is such a pain especially for my wallet. 
     Now. Cricket is the type of person that I hate because of his indecisiveness and his fear of committing to a relationship. However, I also love Cricket because of his sincerity and how he is like an open book. Plus tinkering with objects and being tall helps him stand out. I liked that about him. 
     Who knew Max would turn out that way? I sort of LIKED him at first, but not anymore. Near the end of the book, Max, despite his sweet protective/jealousy side and his moody/emo/rocker side, would never be a good match for Lola. Then again. Lola is to blame as well. She should have ended things with him sooner. 
     What's with the characters in this book, leading people on? 
     Oh well. I liked them, but maybe not in the same way for everyone. 
     Lola and the Boy Next Door was also interesting because Lola has two fathers. I am absolutely for the gays and getting to read a book with a character having gay parents was a first for me. Unusual but enjoyable. But I gotta say, TWO PROTECTIVE FATHERS? I don't think Lola ever gets away with anything. Hahahaha. 
     This is a fun book and Stephanie Perkins amazed me yet again. I'd love to get seconds on this book!