Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Number of Pages: 328
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Two Misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor...Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Parks...He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

She thinks: When I first read about Eleanor and Park, I was wholeheartedly against it. Now, before you bring out the pitchforks, hear me out. I imagined these two sitting at the back of a public bus, sharing a walkman, and listening to different mix tapes. I liked that part. It was sweet and romantic. Thinking that it revolved around music, it reminded me of High Fidelity, which I did not care for when I read it. Hence, my resignation in reading this book.

Why did I then decide I wanted to read the book? Well, I was invited to participate in a GoodReads Q&A with Rainbow Rowell. I was perusing the questions she was being asked when I stumbled on one about the ending of Eleanor and Park. Of course, I won't say what the ending is or what the question was, but I will say that it was enough to get me to put the book on hold and read it.

This is me now after having finished reading it...and every time I think about the book at all!

{via knowyourmeme.com}

The thing about this book - it has to be experienced. It needs to be felt and processed and shared with the world. It is a John Hughes movie in a book. More Pretty in Pink and Breakfast Club than Sixteen Candles and Some Kind of Wonderful. It is a book that I will tell everyone to read; it is just that good.

The thing about Rainbow Rowell's books - she knows how to write an ending! I've read all three of her books, and her newest one, Landline, should be arriving at the library for me any day now. Her endings are absolutely perfect whether it's the ending you want or not. You can't begrudge her the ending because it's real and true and you don't feel cheated in the slightest.

If you haven't read any of her books, DO.IT.NOW!! You will not be sorry. I promise. So.many.feelings.

See what others are saying about Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell:

• Stacey @ The Pretty Books
• Jane @ Dear Author
• Excellent Reads
• Lisa @ Read Breathe Relax
• Gillian @ Writer of Wrongs

Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney

Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney {yes, that Alison Sweeney!}
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: June 3, 2014
Number of Pages: 320
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: eARC {via NetGalley}

Summary {via GoodReads}:
Maddy Carson is a mass of contradictions. She loves her job as Script Supervisor on a hit TV show, but hates "Hollywood." Super-organized and down-to-earth, Maddy is clearly one of the best at her job, and her strict dating rule - "No Actors!" - helps her keep focused on her career.

However, a budding relationship with Craig, one of the executives at her company, may even propel her into the big leagues. Could Wolf County, her beloved hometown in the mountains, be saved from a financial crisis by creating a reality show featuring the eccentrics in the small ski village? Maddy is determined to try, even when she learns that Craig's agenda doesn't exactly line up with her altruistic goal.

Meanwhile, Maddy still has a full-time job to manage, her family to deal with, and a gorgeous new actor, Adam Devin, determined to wear down her resistance. Eventually, Maddy must learn to break all her self-imposed rules and simply follow her heart.

She thinks: First, let's talk about the fact that that Alison Sweeney - Days of Our Lives star and Biggest Loser host - has written books. Yes, plural. Not one, but two. Scared Scriptless is her second novel, and I have to admit, I kind of liked it. Okay, maybe more than kind of. Honestly, I had a hard time putting down.

I loved the characters and their motivations. Maddy is hard working and driven and has a lot rules and lists. I have so many self-imposed rules and sometimes I have a hard breaking them. There are rules for a reason, right?? Anyway...Craig is completely transparent, and I wanted to smack him for hurting dear, sweet, trusting Maddy. And, can I just say that I would to have hot male actor friends like Billy and Adam. Be still my heart!

This is a book about a woman reaching her potential with the help of those around her. Maddy works through her stumbles and falls to become confident in her own skin...finally!!! Tango, anyone?

See what others are saying about Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney:

• Tara @ Nestled in a Book

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before {book one} by Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

She thinks: If I was still in high school, I think I would have loved this book. Being out of high school for ten years or so now, I couldn't relate to it as much as I would have liked. Lara Jean seemed very immature in my eyes. I'm not sure I know many sixteen year olds who still call their Dad, Daddy, all the time. I can understand doing that occasionally but not constantly. When I first started the book, I thought Lara Jean was twelve. However, I can say that I could see her growth as a person through the book, but it was very minuscule. I'm hoping it is more noticeable in book two!

I did like the very real fears Lara Jean had at times. I can remember being scared out of my mind when I drove by myself for the time and doing things even though I knew it was going to come back and bite me in the butt. I just wish she hadn't been as immature and dependent. It turned me off to her almost immediately, but that could just be because I subconsciously identify with those traits. Who knew this book would make me think so much about how much I've matured since high school?! Such an embarrassing time in my life. You too??

Okay...back to the book...

The ending most certainly did not make me happy. It just stopped, and I wanted to know more!!!! But, I guess that means I'll have to read book two so I know what happens because oh the swoons! Every time I think about the last note she reads at the end of the book, my heart melts just a little more. Oh, if only my mister would leave me notes like that once in awhile.

See what others are saying about To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han:

• Heather @ Heroes and Heartbreakers
• April @ Good Books and Good Wine
• Sara @ What a Nerd Girl Says
• Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner
• Sara @ Step Into Fiction

The Best Man for the Job by Lucy King

The Best Man for the Job by Lucy King
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: June 1, 2014
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: British Chick Lit, Romance
Source: eARC {via NetGalley}

Summary {via GoodReads}:
The wedding guest from her past...

For Celia Forrester, Marcus Black - her brother's best friend - was always totally off-limits. Especially after The Night That Nearly Happened. It was years ago, but Celia remembers it for all the worst reasons! But now, Marcus is back in the picture - he's the best man at her brother's wedding and more gorgeous than ever.

It's all kinds of inappropriate, but giving in to temptation looks like the best way for Celia to get Marcus out of her system. But their one night comes with consequences. And this time, it won't be fifteen years until they have to face them...but nine months!

She thinks: If you need a predictable and light read, then this is the book for you. The story is a little choppy - you come in randomly, play catch up a little bit, and then are left with a quick ending. I will say that the ending is satisfactory though, as if we could expect anything less from a Harlequin book. Plus, if you like your books on the steamy side, then you will like this one.

I was confused by the motivation of the characters in the book though. I couldn't figure out what was driving them as much as King tried to explain it. I didn't not get as invested in the characters as I usually do with books so I definitely do not have a book hangover. In fact, it took me a couple days to get into the book, but once I did, I breezed through it. Honestly, I was hoping for more from the book.

If you're at the library and in need of something to read, pick this one up. It'll placate you while you search GoodReads or Google or whatever search engine you use to find books for your next exciting read.