Book Review: Neverwhere

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

When Londoner Richard Mayhew finds a girl named Door, whom no one else can see, injured and bleeding on the sidewalk, he does what he believes is right, and helps her. Now his reality has become skewed, as if he doesn’t even exist, and he has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Door is from London Below, a parallel world, even as he tries to help her find who killed her whole family, while trying to escape two ruthless assassins.

Loved loved loved this book! It’s Alice in Wonderland-like, but darker, and a bit creepy. Even though it’s considered fantasy, it’s very realistic, and I really hope Neil Gaiman decides to write a sequel, because I’d LOVE more from this world.

I give it an A-.

If you liked this book, also try Stardust, or the somewhat creepy children’s book (that adults love) Coraline, also by Neil Gaiman.

Book Review: Fangirl

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Worrywart Cath has always been a huge fan of the Simon Snow series (which is very Harry Potter-like). She and her twin sister, Wren, used to read it obessively to cope with their mom leaving their family. Now, as a freshman in college, Cath is the ultimate fangirl, writing fan-fiction and running a Simon Snow website. But Wren has outgrown the series, so when Wren informs Cath that she does not want to room with her, Cath is stuck with moody roommate Reagan, whose super flirtatious boyfriend is always hanging around their dorm room. And between her obsession with Simon Snow and her worrisome tendencies, her college career could be ruined before it’s even really started.

This is my favorite book by Rainbow Rowell. It’s sweet, charming, and relatable, since I myself tend to have “fangirl” tendencies. It’s a great summer read!

I give it a B+.

Also check out Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.

Book Review: I've Got Your Number

I’ve Got your Number by Sophie Kinsella

During a fire drill at a hotel, Poppy Wyatt loses her engagement ring which has been in her (seemingly perfect) fiancé’s family for generations.  And, on top of that, her phone gets stolen. So when she finds a perfectly good phone discarded in a nearby trashcan, she figures no one will mind if she takes it to use to help track down her engagement ring. Until she meet’s the phone’s owner, handsome, and somewhat uptight, businessman Sam Roxton.

This book is cute, fun, and lighthearted. In other words, a perfect beach read! Nothing I had to think too much about, but it kept me thoroughly entertained.

This book gets a B-

If you liked this one, check out Can You Keep a Secret, also by Sophie Kinsella.

Book Review: The Diviners

The Diviners by Libba Bray 

It’s 1926 and, after a wild night at a party, Evie O’Neill has been shipped off to New York City to live with her uncle, who owns a creepy museum and has an obsession with the occult. Evie is hoping to hide her strange power of being able to “read” objects (part of got her sent NYC in the first place), but when a girl is found murdered, Evie is able to help in the investigation - an investigation that will uncover something even more evil that has been awakened. 

 First of all, I LOVED this book! Second, it seriously creeped me the heck out! It may be considered YA, but don’t let that fool you. It’s well written, and scary, and takes place in one of my favorite eras- The Roaring 20’s. 

I give it an A-. 

Also by Libba Bray is A Great and Terrible Beauty. 

Book Review: Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler 

Yes Please is comedian, former Saturday Night Live star, and Golden Globe winning actress Amy Poehler’s memoir on growing up, touring the improve circuit, making it in Hollywood, motherhood, and other aspects of her life. 

This book is light, funny, and entertaining. It’s really not life-changing in any way, but I really enjoyed reading about Amy Poehler, who happens to be one of my favorite ladies of SNL. She writes honestly, and yet never bashes anyone (even giving nothing but high praise to her ex-husband), which I really appreciated. 

I give it a B-. 

If you liked this one, check out Bossypants by Tina Fey (who happens to be Amy Poehler’s BFF!). 

Book Review: Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail

Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

After her mother’s death, Cheryl Strayed goes into a downward spiral, which destroys her marriage, and sets her on a dangerous path. Feeling the need to find herself again, she embarks on a 3 month journey, with zero experience, to hike over a thousand miles from the Mojave Desert in California to Washington State on the Pacific Crest Trail.

After hearing rave reviews about this one, I was surprised at how hard it was for me to get into. I LOVED hearing about her experiences on the PCT, but the flashbacks to her multiple incidents of cheating on her husband and her flippant drug use almost made me put the book down. They were just hard to get through, at least for me. I am glad I stuck it out though, as there was a happy ending.

I give it a C+.

If you enjoy this style of book, check out Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. 

Also, check out the movie, starring Reese Witherspoon (who is nominated for an academy award for her portrayal of Cheryl Strayed), in theaters now. 

Book Review: Landline

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

When T.V. writer Georgie tells her husband Neal she won’t be able to make it to Christmas at his parents’ house in Oklahoma because she has to work, she didn’t expect him to pack up their daughters and fly off without her. Thinking she has ruined her marriage for good, she can’t face going home. While staying with her own parents, she finds a way to communicate with Neal. But it’s Neal from over a decade ago she’s talking to…

I really liked this book, for the most part. It’s a cute, quick read, great for when you want a little escape. And even if some of the ideas are a little farfetched, even for this time travel loving girl, there are parts of the story that are so relatable that I couldn't put it down.

I give it a B-.

Also try Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.