Book Reports (57-58)...
For those of you who happened to Google your title and ended up here, please know that one star is not a bad thing in Robin's world -- just the fact that I picked up your book and started it means that somewhere it's getting good buzz (or that your blurb was really cool).
* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.
** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.
*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.
**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.
***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.
This year, I'm only going to list the stars and a brief recommendation for the type of readers I think will enjoy the book [(R) means it's a re-read; [] means it's an ARC].
****+
[Been Here All Along, by Sandy Hall -- highly recommended for those who enjoy sweet friendship-to-love teen romance (male/male), those who like multiple-POV stories, those who like insight into *strong family relationships, and those who like a bit of teen drama -- Swoon Reads, 8/16]
*****
[Learning to Swear in America, by Katie Kennedy -- highly recommended for those who like humor, male POVs, **unique and thoughtful characters, sweet teen romance, and end-of-world challenges -- Bloomsbury, 7/16]
* I really appreciated the families in this book. All three of the narrators have good family relationships. I liked that the parents were all supportive, and I liked the reality of them, as well. The diversity in this book is also great (and realistic) -- and the romance is so sweet. Ruby is the weakest character, to me, but I like how her sections offer some insight into why she acts the way she does.
** I loved every teen character in this! Yuri, Dovie, and Lennon are all wonderful, and I hated when the book ended and I could no longer spend time in their company. Yuri is my favorite (as befitting the 'hero' of the tale), and his personality infuses the book with warmth and sarcasm and poignancy. I already know this will be one of my top three books read this year.
* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.
** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.
*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.
**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.
***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.
This year, I'm only going to list the stars and a brief recommendation for the type of readers I think will enjoy the book [(R) means it's a re-read; [] means it's an ARC].
****+
[Been Here All Along, by Sandy Hall -- highly recommended for those who enjoy sweet friendship-to-love teen romance (male/male), those who like multiple-POV stories, those who like insight into *strong family relationships, and those who like a bit of teen drama -- Swoon Reads, 8/16]
*****
[Learning to Swear in America, by Katie Kennedy -- highly recommended for those who like humor, male POVs, **unique and thoughtful characters, sweet teen romance, and end-of-world challenges -- Bloomsbury, 7/16]
* I really appreciated the families in this book. All three of the narrators have good family relationships. I liked that the parents were all supportive, and I liked the reality of them, as well. The diversity in this book is also great (and realistic) -- and the romance is so sweet. Ruby is the weakest character, to me, but I like how her sections offer some insight into why she acts the way she does.
** I loved every teen character in this! Yuri, Dovie, and Lennon are all wonderful, and I hated when the book ended and I could no longer spend time in their company. Yuri is my favorite (as befitting the 'hero' of the tale), and his personality infuses the book with warmth and sarcasm and poignancy. I already know this will be one of my top three books read this year.