devoured books (5): contemporary books

SO. since school started, I had a hard time finding time to read--I only read four books in September. Yet I decided to do something about it and started reading whenever, wherever in October. I started reading and didn't write reviews. And then I read other books and didn't want to review past books, so here's a quick and dirty list of books I've recently read and what I thought about them. 

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace was published February 8, 2012 by Flux.

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace is a quick, emotional reader—and very straightforward. There aren’t twists and turns. You aren’t shocked how things turn out because you KNOW how it’ll all end, you just do. But if you’re looking for a book that you can read in a day, In Too Deep is the book you should pick up. I did, however, really dislike that Sam let the rumors go instead of correcting them once she figured it all out—which, I mean, there wouldn’t be a story to tell, but STILL. You know this isn’t going to end well, and it doesn’t. It just doesn’t. But I liked how fast In Too Deep is—I read it quickly, and while I wasn’t emotionally invested in Sam’s story, I did end up liking it. I would pick this one up if you love contemporary YA.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour was published October 20, 2009 by Dutton Juvenile.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour was *amazing*. Simply put, it struck me hard, and it struck me good, and oh good god, I just loved this one so, so much. I really felt bad for Caitlin, despite not having a close friend commit suicide, I felt SO, SO bad for her—because how else would you feel if your close friend, your BEST friend committed suicide, and you didn’t even see any of the warning signs? You had no freaking idea she was going to do that? And how would you feel, if your favorite teacher didn’t even LOOK at you anymore, or talk, because she didn’t want you to take her class again, because Ingrid was her best student?

I simply devoured this one, but also read it slowly, like I was savoring it. And I really liked how Caitlin grew throughout the book—especially the ending. It was like Caitlin was looking at her broken heart in the beginning, found the thread and needle, and stitched it back together, and at the end, she managed to stuff it back inside her chest. Talk about a doozy, emotional read, and absolutely loved it. Nina LaCour is a talented writer who weaved a brilliant story. Hold Still is my favorite read so far of October.

 Sweethearts by Sara Zarr was published January 1, 2008 by Listening Library (audiobook).

Last year, I read How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr and fell in love, especially with the author—she wrote a BRILLIANT story, and when I saw Sweethearts on the audiobook shelf at the library, I grabbed it right away for my trip . . . and fell even more in love with it than I did with How To Save A Life. Guys, I don’t even. HOW can Sara Zarr be so brilliant? Like seriously. I fell in love with Cameron, and Jenna, and their complex story and ugh. All the feelings. I loved how it was such a sweet story, and I loved that they were sweethearts because I love the sweetheart stories. I especially love that they fell in love in elementary school and Cameron gave her a ring. Gah, my poor heart. <3

But what I really loved was how Cameron came back into Jenna’s life. Because sometimes, people come into your life and while they don’t necessarily always stay, they change it, for the brief moment they were there. And that is something everybody can related to, right? At least I think so.

And that brings me to the next book . . .  

Looking for Alaska by John Green was published December 28, 2006 by Dutton (but I listened it as an audiobook.)

So, for those who’ve read my The Fault in Our Stars reviews known I didn’t really enjoy it as much as other people did, but guys, I loved loved LOVED Looking For Alaska. And the sucky thing about listening to audiobooks while driving is you can’t cry and boy, did I want to cry.

I loved Alaska. I loved Miles. I loved ALL the characters. I especially loved how Miles describes Alaska as being a hurricane. That quote is my favorite. Of all time. Like seriously. Alaska is, without a doubt, one of my favorite characters ever. She honestly stormed into my life, as well as Miles’s, like a hurricane and I was just a drizzle before the rainstorm. Looking for Alaska is a brilliant book that captures your attention and doesn’t let go at all. 

But as an audiobook? ICK. I hated the narrator at first. His voice was all wrong for a young adult book, and I just did. Not. Like it. At all. But by disc 2, I forgot about it annoying me because I was so wrapped up in the story. 

 So, those are the contemporary books I've recently devoured. What have you read recently?