"My Heart Remembers" - By Kim Vogel Sawyer

     This is easily my favorite book! Okay, I'm jumping ahead of myself . . . for those of you who are wondering, I'll tell you that no, this isn't a lovey-dovey chick romance novel. The story is about three irish siblings, Maelle (pronounced: My-elle), Mattie, and Molly. Maelle, the oldest, held on to the last words her Da told her, "take care of the wee ones". And she was determined to obey him. But, because of her parents' sudden death, the children are sent to an orphanage and later, are split up. As each child, living a completely different life, grows, memories of the other two siblings fade. Will the memories suddenly turn to black? Will Maelle ever be able to find her brother and sister? Will Mattie finally stay in a place long enough for Maelle to find him? And will Molly understand who she really is? 

      What I loved about this book is how easy it is to fall into the pages and soak up every inch of the story. Every book has some critic saying, "from the front to the back, this book had me hooked". And no one really believes them. But, I'm telling you, this book was like a drug.  My simple little post on this book doesn't give it it's justice. I absolutely looove it! Read it, you guys. I know you'll love it, too.

"The Black Sheep" - By Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout

    A book about Kendra Bishop, a girl who got sick of all her parents' rules (they have a binder stuffed with them). In a cloud of fury, frustration, and hurt, Kendra writes a massive letter in which she goes on and on about how horrible her life is and sends it to a reality TV show called "The Black Sheep". She never thought that they'd actually pick her. Suddenly, she's packing her bags and getting ready to trade places with Maya, a girl from California claiming her family is worse. Thrown on a plane and forced to cope with a ever-present camera in her face, Kendra wonders what she has gotten herself into when her ride is that piece-of-junk of a van with a million tree-hugger stickers plastered all over it. Will she lose her mind with the Mulligan family? Will she ever get a chance with the attractive Mitch? And will she be stuck on this stupid show forever?

"Girl At Sea" - By Maureen Johnson

      I finished this book in about three days. I stayed up until midnight reading it because I couldn't put it down. Needless to say, it's a compelling novel.

      The main character, Clio, who is in love with the wonderful, artistic, funny, charming, and all around perfect art store clerk, Ollie, has a million plans for her summer. But all her "Ollie plans" melt as she is forced to spend a summer on a yacht with her dad in Italy. Admitting that to any normal person, Italy doesn't sound so bad, especially on a yacht, Clio's reply is "you don't know my dad". But then, there's something not so bad about being marooned on the stupid boat. Her dad's annoying girlfriend, Julia's, research assistant, Aidan. That is, if he stops being a snob enough to actually be nice to Clio.

       The story keeps you going like a mystery novel. Not only does it makes you wonder if Clio is going to fall for Aidan or stay true to plan A, Ollie. But it impels you to ask yourself questions like: What's the research about? Who is Mary Marguerite? And, most of all, what's with all the secrecy and why are they hiding it from Clio?

"Fresh Off The Boat" - By Melissa de la Cruz

My thoughts:

       I couldn't go through the torture of finishing this book. Pure anguish was it to read! I'm not a girly girl and evidently the author is -- or was trying to be. Sprinkled throughout the narration (it wasn't even the dialogue!) were the words "like", "totally" and so on. In short, I couldn't stand it!! And, generally, I don't give up on books or, if I do, I don't write reviews on it. But sheesh . . . I just had to warn you: don't waste your time on this book! I think I made it to the second chapter when I finally gave up and flipped to the back to see how the ending was. It wasn't worth it.

"The Giver" - By Lois Lowrly

My thoughts:

       Compelling book. At first, I was very confused! Now, I'll admit, I could just be slow, but sheesh! I think the 5th chapter is when I finally caught the drift. But because of my curiousity towards where Lois Lowrly was going with her story, I was intrigued.
       The book is about a boy, Jonas, who is chosen to be the Reciever of Memory in The Community, though he, like us readers, has no idea what that means. All Jonas knows is that it will be a "painful and great honor", he is given knew instructions beyond his comprehension, sent to The Giver, and begins his training. During his training, Jonas discovers new things and feelings, but at the same time, learns of pain and grief. While reading the story, a reader has several questions buzzing in their head: can Jonas endure his intensive training? Is he going to quit and ask for a Release? What is he going to do about the way The Community works?
       The ending was a little . . . how can I describe it? Random? Yes, random, I suppose. But I have to admit, I can't even think of a way to end it. The way Lois, the author, did, was rather creative.

"Little Women" - By Louisa May Alcott

My thoughts:

       If you've seen the movie, it's a super slow book. I'm talking: "slow as molasses" slow. But it does tell you what happens "between the scenes", thus, helping the movie make a little more sense.
       The story is a great example of how a family sticks together all the way to the end, regardless of their ups and downs. Louisa May Alcott did an amazing job of telling us the life stories of Meg, Jo, Beth, AND Amy all in just one novel. Surprisingly, I have nothing more to say. . . I love the story! But I probably won't read the book again unless boredom takes over or I forget why something happened in the movie and have to reread the book to find out.

The First Post EVER on "If anyone cares . . ."

     So, I have a strong doubt this blog will be read by anyone who isn't me. (Yes, I know, I'm very optimistic) But, as I like to say in some accent I can't define, "iz all gude!" This blog is a place for me to record the books I've read and (who knows?) maybe even provide some form of entertainment for those who happen to lose their way on a journey to their sister's, "It's a baby boy!" blog as they take a rest stop here.

P.S.

    It has just occured to me that upon first reading the name of this blog, you might think that the writer is some depressed kid who has found sanctuary in sending their thoughts into the massive void of Internet. I am no such kid. I simply used the name with honesty. Because, honestly, who's going to waste precious time reading this?