Okay, so I bought this book on a total whim, and I barely had enough money to buy it. Actually, I didn’t. I owe my mom two bucks. Aka, story of my life. But I really didn’t regret it. Even though, just like always, I finished the book in like, a day and a half, and my mom was kind of irritated with me because I “never take my time to enjoy the book,” and now I don’t have any reading material (okay, that’s a lie*), I don’t regret it. Taking my time and enjoying the book are two things that do not go together. Kind of like having fun and following the rules. Wait, no. But you get what I mean.
*The truth is, I have a few books I haven’t read, but one is kind of weird and one isn’t my type of book even though I thought it was, and the other one… I just don’t want to read right now.
This was a really short one. Fun, light, and easy. I loved it! The main character, Rachel, is visiting her dad for two weeks and she’s really look forward to it. Except then his new girlfriend, Ellie, gets in the way. And she lies about who she is to some cool girls. And everything that seems like it couldn’t possibly go wrong… goes wrong.
I was on my toes the whole time. One thing after another, everything turned out to be a disaster. I spent half the book angry at all of the characters. First I was mad at Rachel’s dad for being so clueless. Then I was mad at Rachel’s dad’s girlfriend, Ellie, for taking over so much. Then I was mad at Rachel for being so bratty. Really, my blood was boiling!
I thought Rachel was absolutely hilarious, but honestly, she was so whiny and annoying, even though I understood where she was coming from. The characters were complex in the fact that they never communicated with each other and so everybody had bottled up feelings which caused a whole lot of trouble, but other than that, they were just… bothersome.
I still loved Rachel, though. Even when her dad was absolutely awful to her, spending all of his time with Ellie, it made her more determined to get Ellie out of the way… “My dad needs me. I can’t leave now,” she’d say, and it sounds sweet! But also selfish at the same time. She called her best friend, Marisol, for advice several times in the book, but all Marisol seemed to do was egg Rachel on. I wish there had been more balance in the book… a friend to tell Rachel she was being bratty, and one to tell her she was right.
Then there were the cool friends Rachel lied to. I really expected more on that. Even the synopsis of the book made it seem like the plot line of the book was more focused on that than it was. And it wasn’t even Rachel’s fault the girls thought she was someone else. And the way it ended… everything still seemed incomplete. I was still a bit annoyed.
On the other hand, when I realized this book was a third book in a series, I wondered if maybe things would make more sense had I read the first two books…! I definitely need to put those on my list… 😉
3 stars!
Have you read any books by Anna Staniszewski, or this book? Have you read the other books in the series?
I have never heard of this book or the author. Even if I had I don’t think I would pick it up because of the title. Titles like that usually put me off. Your mom sounds exactly like my mom. That’s always what she says. Money is one problem I don’t have. I babysat a LOT over the summer and I still babysit often. Actually I have a babysitting job tomorrow.
I plan on going to hastings today so I will be on a book high for a bit( that is if I find any good books). Also if I don’t find the books I want at hastings I will be gong to amazon and ordering them. Any good books you think I should read? I have a few books that I need to read too( kisses to katie, and I dared to call him Father).
I got a book at the library yesterday about writing. Its by Gail Carson Levine( the author by Ella Enchanted). I haven’t read it yet but I think you would like it( its about writing after all). Also I good book I read this week was Tuesdays at the Castle( I owned it for a long time and I finally read it). It was really good. Its a series and I got the sequel at the library yesterday. Also a good series id the Peter and the Starchaters series( I think that’s the title of the first book but I’m not sure). Those books are REALLY good. I love them. Have you ever read Inkheart? If not it is also REALLY good. Its a triology. I love them also. Okay I think that’s enogh book recommendations for one post :).
You know, you would think titles like that would put me off, too, but I’ve learned that a) judging books by its cover and/or title isn’t always a bad thing, and b) especially with titles/covers like that, the book is actually better than the title or cover. Even if this one was only 3 stars.
They both sound a lot alike! It’s pretty snowy right now, and today my mom took my sister and I to B&N so my sister could buy this stuffed animal she wants, and I wanted to go to the library, but because my mom wanted to get home before the roads got icy, she got me two new books! So I got “Counting by 7’s” and “Ungifted,” and I’ve been wanting to read both of those for a really long time.
You lucky duck! I only really babysit for 2 families, so most of my money comes from chores and walking my neighbor’s dogs. Although since it’s been so cold, I haven’t walked them lately. I’ll probably start again in the Spring.
Is it called Writing Magic?? I’ve wanted to read that for the LONGEST time. You know those books you put on your list of books to read but never seem to get to them? 😛 I read Tuesdays at the Castle, a few years ago, but I never read the other books in the series. I remember it a little bit. Are the other books in the series good?
I haven’t heard of Peter and the Starchaters series, but I THINK I’ve heard of Inkheart… I’ll have to look it up. 🙂
Its called Writer to Writer.
I am on the second one and it is pretty good. Inkheart and peter and the starcatcher is great. Its like Peter Pan. It liek explains why he can’t age and then his later adventures. I babysit for a good number of familes. And almost all of them live on my street.
Oh, yeah! I saw that when I was on Gail Carson’s website the other day.
OMG, I’ve heard of that!! I remember one of my friends was really into that series a few years ago. It sounds sooo good. 😉
Wow, you lucky duck!
Do you know of any good books I should read?
I am pretty lucky.
I’m really liking Counting by 7’s right now, I think you would really like it, too! A Tangle of Knots is a big favorite of mine, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it on my blog before. It’s by Lisa Graff. I read it last year, I bet you would love it!!! The Main Street series by Ann M. Martin is the BEST series ever, next to the MDBC. If you like the MDBC, you’ll love the Main Street books. I’ve read the whole series (there’s 10 books, and I own every one except 9! Agghhh!) You would love any one of those books, I think. 🙂
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I know what you mean when you say characters are to whiney or selfish. When I read a book like that, it makes me want to slap the characters with their own book!
This doesn’t sound like something I would read, mainly because of the title.
Haha, I guess all parents complain about not taking your time!!
I have an upcoming trip to see my best friend, and I bought 3 books for the road and my parents won’t give them to me!! I don’t even know where they hid them. 😛
YES. I love that – slapping them with their own book! 😀
Lol, that sounds exactly like something my mom would do. Every time we go on a vacation, I buy a few books to read on the road, but my mom makes me wait to read them. Don’t you hate that?! 😛
No you have never talked about a Tangle of Knots before. It sounds good! It sounds kind of like Savvy and I really really liked that book( that’s a good book you should read it). I saw Counting by 7s at hastings yesterday but I thought I would see if you liked it before I bought it( you had told me you were reading it). I looked for Ann M. Martin books yesterday but they only had two of her babysitters Club Books. You should do a post dedicated to your favorite books. I am babysitting tonight. It should be fun.
Oh and by the way I am adding A Tangle of.Knots to my TBR list.
I read Savvy a couple of years ago! My best friend and I loved it! 😉
Counting by 7’s is kind of depressing right now! It’s one of those books that starts off sad… 🙁 I’m hoping it will get better!
I’ve actually been thinking of doing one of those, or a bookshelf tour. I did a bookshelf tour a few months ago, but I reorganized my books and got a new shelf so I’m thinking I might do another one. What do you think?
You should! I would love to see your bookshelf!
I haven’t read any books by this author…do you recommend it? 🙂
And for the part at the beginning of your post…story of my life, too! 😉
Yeah, it was an okay book. It was really quick and easy. 🙂
Haha! Glad to know I’m not alone!!
I love the Main Street series! Counting by 7’s is a really good book. You should probably read The Running Dream. I think you might like it Emily. Hmmmm………………………….. do you have some good books to read? I’m pretty much out of books, and that has NEVER EVER happened before.
I LOVE THE RUNNING DREAM!!! 😉
But seriously, it’s amazing.
Hey!! I saw that you are loking for some good books to read! I think you’ll like them becase I agree with you all on The Running Dream and Counting by 7’s. I’ve got a ton. Here’s my list:
**A Mango Shaped Space (Wendy Mass)
Out of My Mind (Sharon Draper)
*******See You at Harry’s (Jo Knowles)*****
So. b. It (Sarah Weeks)
Flutter (Erin Moulton)
As Simple As It Seems (Sarah Weeks)
Keeping Safe the Stars (Sheila O’Connor)
Smile (Raina Telgemeier)
*Guitar Notes (Mary Amato)
Because of Mr. Terupt (Rob Buyea)
*Serendipity and Me (Judith Roth)
Wonder (R.J Palacio)
Counting By Sevens (Holly Sloan)
Imperfect Spiral (Debbie Levy)
One for the Murphy’s (Lynda Hunt)
Glory Be (Augusta Scattergood)
8 Keys
*Love Aubrey
A Corner of the Universe
Brown Girl Dreaming
Sisters
I Emma Freke
The Weight of Water (Sarah Crossan)
Letters From Rifka
Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
Love That Dog
If only
The Wanderer
Home of the Brave
The thing about luck
Sure signs of crazy
Red Thread Sisters
In A Heartbeat
***My Sister’s Keeper (Jodi Picoult)
Rain Reign (Ann M. Martin)
***Absolutely Truly (Heather Vogel Frederick)
Read them all, they’re all so great/ I put starts next to my favorites.**
Contact me for more (Yes, there’s more!! 🙂
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