Ruthless (Sara Shepard)



Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10)

Sara Shepard

HarperTeen

December 6, 2011

Purchased

Aimed at teens

Summary: (Amazon.com)

For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania—and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They’ve lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it’s not over yet.

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past—someone she never thought she’d see again—is back to haunt her.
But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It’s their darkest secret yet and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, just maybe, they deserve what’s coming to them.

My Thoughts:

The I believe this series should have ended 4+ books ago, I still find myself buying every book. I am one of the reasons this series has not ended, but if the books are going to come out I would like to read them. I can not stop a series once I start.

As this series has progressed I feel it has lost some of its excitement. I use to count the days until the next book. Now the book sits on my shelf for a few months before I even consider reading it. The plot feels so repetitive and too much time is spent recapping what has happened in the past.

All that said, I still recommend this series to reluctant and avid readers alike.

Grade: B

Rating: Teens

No One Ever Told Us That (John D. Spooner)

No One Ever Told Us That

John D. Spooner

Publisher: Business Plus

Release: April 3, 2012

Source: Publisher

Target Audience: College Students

Rating: A

Synopsis (from amazon):

This is the book that every grandparent (or parent) has always meant to write for their children.... but has never found the time to do so.

In short, John D. Spooner has been carefully crafted a series of essential life lessons that every young person just out of college or high school needs to read before they embark upon their own life's adventures.

Told in friendly and reassuring tones, Spooner relates wonderful stories to illustrate and gently guide the next generation of what they can expect when searching for a job, how to know if you've found the right spouse, insights on how to plan for one's financial future, how the internet has changed our lives, dealing with adversity in life, and much, more more.

My Thoughts:

I was unsure of this book when I first got it. It sounded like it would be a lecture from a professor on growing up. That was not the case. This book read like a letter from a grandparent. My grandparents and I have a super close relationship so for a book to hit that right on amazed me. With graduation coming up I suggest this as a gift for everyone.

So Near (Liza Gyllenhaal)

Summary:

In the aftermath of a devastating loss, Cal and Jenny Horigan's marriage is unraveling. Both are plagued by guilt, unable to seek comfort from one another. Burdened by remorse, they begin to lose sight of the love that once anchored them-together with their sense of right and wrong.

As the Horigans try different ways to deal with their pain, a new acquaintance seems to offer the support they desperately need-though at times they are unsure whether his guidance is leading them back to each other or further apart...

My Thoughts:
This was a book for mothers and daughters alike. After I read it I just HAD to pass it on to my mom. The story was thoughtful and engaging. The only negative was the beginning. I was not drawn in right away but I became attached as soon as I was. The characters were all so much like people you meet in your everyday life. They could have easily been your next door neighbor. Due to this I felt an intense connection to this book, way more so than any book has done to me lately.

The writing style was easy to read and not distracting. I would recommend this book to all women.

Scores:
I give this a A and an adult rating.

The Anti-Prom (Abby McDonald)

Summary:

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

Review:

This book was entertaining enough to be good, but too predictable to be great. Everyone has heard and experienced their fair share of high school drama, and this book really isn’t anything extraordinary. It was very well written, lots of excitement and “oh no” moments, and a heart-warming happy ending for the main characters. I would advise readers of 14/ 15+ to read this, but don’t get any bright ideas ;)

18 Minutes (Peter Bregman)

Summary:
Based upon his weekly Harvard Business Review columns (which is one of the most popular columns on HBR.com, receiving hundreds of thousands of unique page views a month), 18 MINUTES clearly shows how busy people can cut through all the daily clutter and distractions and find a way to focus on those key items which are truly the top priorities in our lives.

Bregman works from the premise that the best way to combat constant and distracting interruptions is to create productive distractions of one's own. Based upon a series of short bite-sized chapters, his approach allows us to safely navigate through the constant chatter of emails, text messages, phone calls, and endless meetings that prevent us from focusing our time on those things that are truly important to us.

Mixing first-person insights along with unique case studies, Bregman sprinkles his charming book with pathways which help guide us -- pathways that can get us on the right trail in 18 minutes or less.

My Thoughts:
I thought this was wonderful book and an asset to anyones nonfiction collection. We all have a hard time focusing and continue to procrastinate. I believe that this book can help you work through that. You will find yourself understanding why you have these issues and how to fix them upon completion of this book.

Scores:
I give this an A and an adult rating.

Wednesday Wishlist

What?

Lexi's feeling a little holidazed this winter....

Lexi's been going out with Cameron for way too long. Sure, he's a nice guy, but there's a spark missing between them. So she comes up with the perfect plan: get him to fall for another girl so she'll be free — and guilt-free, too.

But when Lexi sees Cameron looking awfully cozy with Jaylene, her heart melts, especially when her budding psychologist best friend tells her that once a new couple has gone out a dozen times, their relationship is pretty much set. Cameron's twelfth date with Jaylene — the Christmas Ball — is coming up. Can Lexi find a way to rekindle her relationship with Cameron in the (saint) nick of time?

Why?
It's getting to be that time! Let the holiday's begin!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin)

Summary:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Review:

YES! I enjoyed this book immensely! The way the author twisted this story and spun it up in just the right way to really make it unique, it was a stunning source of enjoyment. It’s absolutely topsy-turvy and demented and just incredible in every way. It gave me goose bumps and chills, and I have never read a book as excellently crafted as this one. I couldn’t put this book down, if I didn’t already own it I’d have it on pre-order! So followers, 14+ I hope you’ll enjoy this read as much as I did.

Must Monday

What?
It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM. Josh is her best friend.

They power up and log on and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out

Why?
Two amazing authors. I loved meeting Jay, so any book he has a part in I will read!

When?
November 2011