Thursday, August 27, 2015

Brooke's Books

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Hello Everyone!

It's been quite a while since anyone has posted on here. Alisha and I tried to keep it going, but life happened and things got busy. Lately, I started thinking about this blog and how fun it was for everyone! We had all kinds of reviews and contests with people interacting with one another. It was a good community for those who loved to read. This is why I would like to announce that I have started up my own blog, Brooke's Books. It's not nearly as big as Alisha's website and it's just starting up, but I'm putting up a lot of the same kinds of reviews on my blog. So if any of you were missing the content on Alisha's blog, you should look up my blog here. I'll be announcing weekly releases (as I used to), book reviews, and other fun features I'm working on. I'm not sure if it will be the same as Black Nailed Reviews, but I think it will be a fun experience! I have missed writing and have missed all of you readers as well. I hope you will come check me out when you have the chance.

Sweet Daydreams,
Brooke

Monday, May 26, 2014

#3 Hear by: Jacqueline Abelson

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Title: Hear
Author: Jacqueline Abelson
Series: N/A
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 19, 2012
Genre(s): YA

Rating:


Summary

Lots of people can hear, but how many really listen?

At the age of 17, Charlotte Goode has issues. Serious issues. Despite countless surgeries, her parent's panic attacks, and a well-meaning oncologist, a rare genetic disorder means Charlotte must live with recurring tumors. Life isn’t supposed to be this way.

And just as Charlotte is learning to cope, she gets some devastating news: Tumors are growing on her auditory nerves. But, the necessary surgery will leave her completely deaf.

With the operation scheduled in a month, Charlotte prepares herself for a world without sound. A world without the violin she loves, without her best friend’s laugh, and even without her boss’s irksome tone. Charlotte's on a mission to take it all in, while trying to hire a band to play a benefit concert. Will it be The Bond Boys or Lennox?

Counting down the days until everything goes silent, The Bond Boys’ lead singer, Ron Cam, sweeps Charlotte off her feet. He’s pure charisma. Then there’s Matthew Lovelace of Lennox , who captures Charlotte’s attention with his music and “that” voice. What will she do?

Time is running out. Charlotte must find a way to leave the hearing world on a high note without missing a beat.



Review

Plot: This story made me cry right from the beginning. Charlotte is a girl who's always waiting for the next tumor to appear somewhere. She's constantly at the doctor's office and under a knife. But one thing that basically defines her is her love for music. She plays the violin, works as a music critique, and hopes to go to Julliard. But then she finds out one day that the newest tumors have grown in her brain and the only two options are between her hearing and her life. This story was amazing in the way that it was realistic and touching without being overly dramatic or unrealistic. Also it has a little bit of romance but not that much which makes it unique. The ending isn't how her and the one she likes end up. It is solely based on her and her struggles.
Character(s): Charlotte - I think she is a very realistic character. She's whiny without being overly annoying. In the end her family tells her she is being selfish and I was actually surprised. I think she acted more mature with this news than I could have. But even through all that she apologized and  had the best attitude about things. I also love her relationship with her best friend, Lexi. They get mad at each other but it's not enough to split them apart. They don't stay mad for more than a day and I love it. No unnecessary drama.
Cover: I love the cover of the book! But that's also because I love music. I'm a piano player so anything to do with music draws me in. I thought the title and cover were simple in a very pretty way.
Closing Thoughts: I loved this book! I read it in one whole day almost nonstop. It was the perfect way to kick-start my summer reading. I have a special connection with books that have to do with music and that could be a reason why this touched me. I loved the trials she went through and how she responded. I liked the small bit of relationship she grew with boys but it didn't really amount to much which was a nice change. I would most definitely read this book if I was any of you. It's a nice, quick read.
Where to find Jacqueline Abelson:
 Goodreads

Sweet Daydreams,
Brooke

Monday, May 12, 2014

#2 Firegirl by Tony Abbott

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Title: Firegirl
Author: Tony Abbott
Series: N/A
Format: Paperback
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Genre(s): YA, Realistic Fiction

Rating:





Summary
"...there is..." Mrs. Tracy was saying quietly, "there is something we need to know about Jessica..."

From this moment on, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. They learn that Jessica has been in a fire and was badly burned, and will be attending St. Catherine's while getting medical treatments. Despite her horrifying appearance and the fear she evokes in him and most of the class, Tom slowly develops a tentative friendship with Jessica that changes his life.

Review

Plot: Basically it's about this young boy who's perfectly normal for his age. Goes to school, has a crush on the prettiest girl, has a best friend, etc. Then one day this new girl comes into school and shakes everything up because of one detail: she was in a fire. It was to the point where she just barely made it so the burns are pretty bad. No one wants to look at her, much less talk to her. It's really sad actually! After a while he starts to have this small, awkward, almost-friendship with her and that's really all it progresses to. She ends up having to leave and that's that.

Character(s): Tom- He's a pretty simple boy who acts just like any other. The only thing I can say that stands out about him is that he is very defensive of the girl. His best friend starts bad-mouthing her (which I couldn't stand) and he tells him to shut up. In fact they pretty much stop being friends because this guy's such a jerk to the poor girl. 

Cover: I liked the cover so much more after I realized what it was. A little ways into the book they have this prayer circle in the beginning of class and everyone has to hold hands. See, her hands are burned so the boy on the other side of her refuses to hold her hand. But the main character does, even though it's a little scary to him. That's what the cover is and when I realized that I went "oh my gosh, this cover is so great!"

Closing Thoughts: I feel like a bad person giving this book a two. The thing is I LOVED the plot. It was so cute and I really liked the idea. It's just that I felt things weren't very developed. I wasn't very attached to the characters and right before anything really happens she leaves and the book ends. I was a little bored by it (hence it taking so long) and it just... I don't know didn't really do it for me. But I think it's a cute story to read and the book isn't very big at all! So it's worth reading if you just want a quick story. 
Where to find Tony Abbott:

Sweet Daydreams,
Brooke
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