Noah Can't Even by Simon James Green

The Cover: Well, I can't say that I was particularly drawn to this cover. If I hadn't seen posts in Instagram, praising the book, I probably wouldn't have read it. But it does really, truly fit the book.

The Plot: Noah is not a traditionally cool guy. He is a bit (or a LOT) too awkward, says a few (MANY) weird things and has quite (basically) little (no) chill (what so ever). This will probably work it self out, the boy thinks, if he just gets with the detached, sweet, smart, cool girl in school, Sophia. Bugger it all that Harry, his bestest buddelibud in the entire universe, that's been with him through it all, decides to drunkenly kiss him at a party. Like, with tongue. And then other strange things happen and then it's all chaos. And his mum sucks as both a parent and Beyoncé.

What Happens: So, the plot description is kind of scratching the surface. If there was an award for shitty parents, Noah's would win it at least once in his lifetime. His grandma is in a home and plotting her escape. There are a lot of awkward conversations and thoughts on sex. And some people are really not as they first seem. There are some twists thats weren't expected, but not all that surprising when you think about it.

What I Think: I loved this book. It's not the most well-written specimen I've read, but it has heart and soul. Following Noah's hilarious and heartfelt thoughts is a pleasure and I laughed, cringed and rolled my eyes the entire way through. I would have liked to see more Noah/Harry-moments. There were a lot of focus on certain events, which were also funny, but it would have been better for the feeling of the relationship if they would have had more interaction.

Quote of the book: "'Everyone's different, Mum, it's fine to be different!' 'No, Noah, it's not', she said, pushing him into his bedroom. 'They just say that to make the weird kids feel better.'" (I do not agree)

/ Denise

Geeky Fab 5 by Lucy & Liz Lareau and Ryan Jampole

The Cover: The group of friends and the sweet, quirky illustrations presents the story in a true way. You will probably get what you're expecting.

The Plot: This graphic novel centers around Lucy, her sister and her 3 new friends. When the playground at school is rendered useless and the school can't afford to build a new one, the friends steps up to the task of raising the money. The problem is, some students don't want them to succeed.

What I Think: It's at story about the stereotypes surrounding girls and women, about bullying, about standing up for what you believe in. It's a good book, challenging and discussing the problems of being raised and living in the patriarchy we do. It does tend to become a bit "text book" and "we can do it", though. I don't know if it's because it needs to be spelled out for the younger kids reading this or if the author tries to hard, but it's for a good cause, I guess. It does include people of color and encourage young girls to think outside the box, so that's great.

The illustrations really fit the story and I loved the cat, Hubble. It's a great story for middle grade-kids!

Quote of the Book: "Failure is not bad, it makes you try harder. Success is built on mountains of pancakes... er... failure."

Geeky Fab 5 on Goodreads

/ Denise

From Twinkle With Love by Sandhya Menon

The Cover: I received this book through an Owlcrate box and therefore the cover is a bit different than the original. Though I like the original cover, I love the color scheme more on my book. The yellow and blue match perfectly. And even though I rarely like faces on cover, especially big faces, I must say that it fits this book.

The Plot: Twinkle is a groundling in a silky feathered hat world (her words, not mine). Her best friend in the whole world has given up her groundling-card and joined the silky feathered hat society (still, Twinkle’s word). Twinkle doesn’t know how to feel, but has a plan. To become Neil Roy’s, the popular of the popular, girlfriend. For then, sure, she won’t be invisible anymore? And if she’s not invisible, then she can show the world what she’s got to say through her film.

Too bad Neil’s twin brother Sahil is being so nice and charming and lovely and kind and geeky and quirky and that her damn belly does weird double-flips whenever he’s around. What’s that about?

What happens: So what happens is that Twinkle and Sahil makes a movie, Twinkle befriends a lot of people, Twinkle’s falling for Sahil even though she’s still planning on having Neil as a boyfriend. And oh, there’s a Dadi and a dog which may or may not be Twinkle’s dead grandfather.

What I think: I loved “When Dimple met Rishi” and this one has similar qualities, but reads younger. Although I can’t say I enjoyed this more, I did like it. Twinkle is at times childish and petulant, at times perfectly mature and reasonable - I guess that’s how teens are? Anyway, the drama seemed kind of logical, I loved the romance (Sahil, my love, you deserve it all), but what I very much would have wished, is that the film-making-bit would be more. It’s a book about a girl who spends her days thinking about a future which involves her becoming the best of the best (well, at least a renowned female director of color) and there’s just not that much in there.

The rest of the friendships developed naturally and I wonder why Twinkle ever thought herself friendless. I guess Maddie and her had to move farther apart for her to realise that other people are cool, too.

Quote of the book: “Geeks are smart and talented and passionate. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

From Twinkle with Love on Goodreads

/ Denise

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

The Cover: I adore the cover of this YA contemporary. It has everything that captures me - great font for the title, some simple, yet sweet illustrations. You don’t really think it before you read the book, but it’s fitting that you can see both the stars and the town, since Tanner talks about how you couldn’t see the stars in his old hometown.

The Plot: So, this little book is about Tanner Scott, who’s moved to Utah with his parents and sister. Going from vibrant, open-minded California, to conservative, Mormon-friendly Utah, is a bit of a backstep for bisexual teens, but Tanner is making the most of it. It’s kind of hard to hide a part of you from your best friend, but that’s how it has to be, according to his normally accepting, outgoing parents. All is fine. And then Sebastian Brother.

Sebastian is basically the Mormon Prince. His father is the bishop and he’s been raised in their beliefs, are soon on his way to his Mission. He is the mentor of the prestigious Seminar-class, where you’re supposed to write a book in four months. And Tanner just got in to a looooot of trouble, because he can’t seem to think, or write, about anything other than Sebastian.

What happens: What happens is basically what the plot indicates. Tanner is bisexual, so he’s been with his share of girls in school and sternly avoided looking at other guys. It hasn’t been a problem until he meets Sebastian, who’s smile “ruins” him. They start out as mentor and student, working on Tanner’s book, then turn to friends, but it seems like Sebastian is hiding something. It seems like Sebastian has an equal hard time looking away.

What I think: This is not a hard book to decipher. You kinda know what will happen before the ending (although you really don’t know with YA-books anymore...=), but that’s okay. It is really such a sweet, touching love story! And, also, I felt that it took to heart some of the heavier subjects in life - identity, family, friendship and love. I felt for both Tanner and Sebastian, even though I had to remind myself at times, that they're teenagers and those don't always make the best decisions.

This is also the first book I've read that involves any Christian faith (I think?) and I liked the way it was portrayed. Not with rose-colored glasses or an endless burning-at-the-stake. It showed the good and the bad and the terrible (because some parts are terrible, I have to say that).

I liked Tanner and Autumn's relationship - she's such a clever, rocking best friend, despite some obstacles. I also loved that none of the characters are perfect - neither love interest, friends or family. It made for a more interesting read. My only fault in this book is that it wasn't longer - I have issues with endings nowadays and I would have liked this one to have been not as rushed.

You're in for a sweet and funny ride if you read this, but this is also a story that makes you hope in every chapter and sometimes curse at the injustice of it all.

Quote of the book: “My brain is such a traitorous beast.”

Autoboyography on Goodreads

/ Denise

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

I've been binging romance books for a while now, but I seem to always be drawn to the contemporary ones. The other week, I was visiting my dad and his family in my old hometown and decided to visit the library since I haven't been the in quite a while. 

And I came back with my first ever Sarah MacLean book. I've heard about MacLean in the "Romance-world", but have never read any of her books. Like I said, I've been more drawn to contemporary romance. But now, I thought I'd give it a chance. I had about 2 days to finish it, since we would be going home that Sunday. So I set to it. And I actually really liked it. Here's why:

• Who doesn't like rogues? 
• And potential spinsters? 
• And potential spinster turned adventurous lady? 

The Marquess of Bourne lost his entire fortune, and his beloved family estate, in a game of cards. He vows to reclaim his fortune and get revenge on the man who cheated him (as he sees it). Ten years later, Bourne is one of four partners in The Fallen Angel, the most lucrative gaming hell in London, and has doubled his lost fortune. He hears that his childhood friend, possible sweetheart - Lady Penelope Marbury - is tied to the land through her dowry. Lady Penelope hasn't had it easy, either, being left by her fiancée for something so scandalous as a true love match and suffering the aftermath, her reputation in shatters. It doesn't help that she's soon to reach the age where spinsterhood is inevitable. Even though that sounds like quite the dream right about know. 

Bourne will have the land and all but kidnaps the lady and practically forces her to marry him. This all sounds terribly horrible, but Lady Penelope finds that she doesn't mind, as a business deal is better than nothing. And she misses her Michael, the friend she's never been able to forget. Too bad that he's nowhere to be seen. 

They do fall in love, of course, but it was more complicated than a simple night in bed. They grow on each other, make mistakes and Penelope makes him work for it, mind you. The ending is surprisingly satisfying and I more than want to read the other books, since they seem to be about the lady's sisters. I especially look forward to reading about Philippa.

A Rogue by Any Other Name on Goodreads

/ Denise

Open Earth and Mia & Co

Hi!

So, I've had the pleasure of reading two sweet little graphic novels from NetGalley. They are completely different from each other, but give me an overall pleasure from reading them. 

The first one is Open Earth by Sarah Mirk. Now this can be mistaken for something for kids. It's not for kids. A lot of sex and overall nakedness makes me think it's better for at least 15+ (because neither sex not naked bodies are anything to shy away from). It's body-positive, sex-positive and offers up a diverse set of characters. Nothing much happens in the book, though, which makes me wonder if there is some kind of prologue or just at sweet little story. Anyway, I enjoyed it!

The second one fits middle grade kids and is called Mia and Co by Vanyda and Nicolas Hitori De and I think it's translated from French. This graphic novel was sweet and charming. It's about Mia and her group of "nerdy" friends. Her parents are bothered by the fact that said friends are all boys, but Mia doesn't really care. But they're all growing up, getting more responsibility and priorities. I would very much like to read the continuation.

That said, it was a bit hard to follow the plot sometimes. You really had to read the pictures, rather than the words, because a lot was happening between the lines. I also would have loved to see Mia grow more, more conflicts and such, but I can't argue that I liked how the guys accepted her for who she is. Here, we can find a bit of diversity, as well.

Lovely illustrations and delightful characters in both novels.

Sincerely,

Denise