A Guy, a Girl, and a Teen Book Blog: April 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, Book 1 by James Patterson

Stefanie's outpacing me with reviews, but summer break is almost here for me. In the spirit of that, I tried to find a good book/series that everyone could read over the summer. James Patterson's Daniel X series has been around for a while, but he keeps churning out new novels in the series and even some graphic novel versions. I was wrong. Not only was the plot not that good, but it seemed like a giant infomercial for 1000 different products/movies/TV shows/games, with on average one pop culture reference per page.

Title: The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, Book 1
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 238
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
ISBN: 9780316002929
Publication Date: July 21, 2008
AR Levels: Book Level--4.6; Interest Level--6th+; Points--5.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2235597.The_Dangerous_Days_of_Daniel_X

In a nutshell: Unlike most residents of Earth, Daniel X is a hunter of evil aliens, despite originally being from another planet himself. After the murder of his parents, he must step up and take on their role as alien hunters. He has a priority list of who he must take out, but he really wants to find Ergent Seth, the one who killed his family. Along the way, there are bumps in the road, UFO rides, trips to home planets, etc. Basically, this book has the concept of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the content and maturity level of Men in Black.

I'd recommend it to grades: From what I can tell, this book was written for middle grades and higher; however, I think this one could go even as low as 4th grade.

I'd recommend it to: I don't really know who I'd recommend this to, mainly because I don't want to recommend it.

What I liked most about this book: Not going to lie, I was glad when this one ended. There were occasional funny moments, but they were usually out of place.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Daniel's grandmother offered some comic relief.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 1 star

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead

Title: Being Henry David
Author: Cal Armistead
Pages: 320
Publisher: Albert Whitman Teen
ISBN: 9780807506158
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16042447-being-henry-david

In a nutshell: When a boy wakes up in Penn Station in New York City with the clothes on his back, $10 in his pocket, a copy of Henry David Thoreau's Walden and no memory of who he is, he names himself "Henry David" or "Hank" for short and sets out to find out where he came from, but there a darkness in him that's telling him he may not like what he finds out when his memories begin to return. This thriller takes you through the underbelly of life on the street in New York and then to the idyllic woods of Walden Pond in Massachusetts, where "Hank" hopes the words of Walden and its setting might give him clues as to who he is and why he is on the run.

I'd recommend it for grades: 10 and up

I'd recommend it to: adrenaline junkies, thriller lovers, and fans of mysteries

What I liked most about this book: It grabs you from the first sentence and never lets you go. I read it in two sittings only because I had things to do. I was a bit skeptical because I thought this book was in danger of being a complete bore since it was based around Thoreau's Walden (which I hated), but I was wrong! It's a fast-paced thriller that also has a deep psychological and self-introspective narrative too. Best of both worlds!

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This book features a motorcycle-riding, tattoo-sporting research librarian who acts as a Good Samaritan toward "Hank." There are all sorts of awesome in that character, and he's very believable.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars

Monday, April 15, 2013

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Pages: 416
Publisher: Poppy
ISBN: 9780316212823
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790873-this-is-what-happy-looks-like

In a nutshell: When movie heartthrob Graham Larkin accidentally emails small-town girl Ellie O'Neill, they strike up a friendship, but each of them has secrets to keep. Ellie doesn't know that she's chatting with a movie star, and she has no clue that Graham's arranged to film his next movie in her hometown in Maine in order to meet her. Graham has no idea that Ellie is hiding a huge secret about her identity too. It's a charming tale that's part You've Got Mail and part Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.

I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up

I'd recommend it to: fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies

What I liked most about this book: I love epistolary novels, and while this one isn't completely written in emails, the one it includes are adorable. The main characters are also instantly loveable, and the plot has a quick and steady pace to it. I enjoyed it, but I still like Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight better.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): All my favorite moments are too spoiler-y, but I will tell you one of my favorite characters is Ellie's beagle, Bagel. Bagel the beagle...how precious is that?

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars

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About Us

Chris Belser is a former middle school counselor and middle school English teacher who is currently working on his PhD in Counselor Education in Orlando, FL. When he's not saving the world, taking a well-deserved nap, or speaking at a conference (let's be honest--that's probably where he is), he enjoys sprawling out with a good book, playing a mean keyboard, or watching whatever LSU sporting event is in season. Like his compadre Stefanie, he enjoys all things quirky and nerdy. This is his first foray into the world of blogging.

Stefanie Kellum is a youth services librarian in central North Carolina, and her favorite part of her job is connecting teens and tweens with books they'll love. She's a self-confessed nerd (of the Jane Austen, Harry Potter, and Supernatural variety), rescue dog mom, LSU fanatic, and curly-haired Southern Belle. She longs to be a world traveler, but so far her passport has only been stamped in Mexico and Canada...and Narnia.

Chris and Stefanie met at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). They both have weaknesses for puns, sarcasm, and well-written teen books, and they're both nerdfighters. DFTBA.

20 Questions for Chris

1. What male book character did you idolize when you were younger?
That's easy: Tom Sawyer. Like Tom, I grew up playing out in the woods and making up stories about what went on out there. And on top of that, I was always good at tricking people into doing things for me just like how Tom got his fence painted.
2. If you could transport yourself into any book, which one would it be and why?
Harry Potter has a pretty cool world. I guess I'll just have to settle on a trip to Orlando. (Note: In 2014, Chris moved to Orlando.)
3. What was your favorite sports moment that you witnessed as an LSU college student?
Hmm. That's a toss-up between the 2007 Football National Championship in New Orleans and the 2009 Baseball National Championship in Omaha. (I was with my dad for both.)
4. What's your favorite Jane Austen book? (Heh, heh, heh...now the world will know!)
Okay, I'll admit that I've read them ALL, but Sense and Sensibility was my favorite. . . Maybe because Kate Winslet was in the movie.
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peanut butter
6. You're given the opportunity to meet one of the Green brothers. Do you choose Hank or John?
John. I'm sure when I meet him he'll be vlogging to his brother anyway.
7. What's the last book you read that was so good you read it in one sitting?
The Hunger Games
8. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Toooootsie Pop?
Too many; just give me a Tootsie Roll.
9. Would you rather be pranked by Dwight Schrute or Jim Halpert?
Dwight. Jim's pranks are too epic.
10. Multiple choice: If you ever met Justin Bieber would you a. jam with him, b. ask him if you can be his back-up dancer, c. poke him constantly in the arm, or d. ask him how he gets such perfect hair?
E. None of the above
11. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?
HP and the Half-Blood Prince; there's some serious Snape action in this one.
12. It's common knowledge that Severus Snape is by far your favorite character in Potter world. Tell us why, por favor.
He's a very complex and deep character. And the fact that people fear him doesn't hurt either.
13. Okay, just one more Potter question: if you went to Hogwarts, what house would you be in and why?
Well, I would want to be in Gryffindor, but the hat would probably put me in Slytherin.
14. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, whom would you choose and why?
Cyrano de Bergerac for two reasons: 1) his quick wit; 2)French food
15. You and I are both avid travelers. Where's your favorite place you've visited and why?
San Francisco. I mean, in one city you've got the ocean, a bay, a famous prison, a famous bridge, fun hills, cable cars, Chinatown, cool fog, and lots of culture.
16. What made you decide to be a school counselor?
That one can't be explained in a short answer, so I'll just say that I enjoy getting to talk to students one-on-one or in small groups to help them solve problems.
17. Cats or dogs?
Cats
18. Who's your favorite Glee character and why?
Joe (aka Hippie Jesus); I honestly think people with dreadlocks make better music.
19. Name one classic children's/YA book that you've never read.
Slaughterhouse Five; I've just never gotten around to it.
20. Team Edward or Team Buffy-Slays-Edward?
Team Buffy. To quote a superior vampire series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: "Vampires, after all, don't sparkle."

20 Questions for Stefanie

1. Who's your favorite character in The Hunger Games series?
Oh, definitely Peeta. He's loyal, he's caring, he can throw around large sacks of flour, and he's quite the awesome make-up artist. Plus, he's determined to not let the crappy circumstances in the world change who he is, and I think that's something we should all aspire to do.

2. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, what would you order to eat?
I'd meet Hermione Granger (my literary twin) for a Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks.

3. Which celebrity do you have a scrapbook of from your childhood?
You are such a punk for making me answer this because now I have to tell the whole world that I had a Jonathan Taylor Thomas scrapbook. And I also wrote a JTT fan fiction story in which we fell madly in love and got married and then he died from cancer. Yeah. I was a kind of weird kid. :)

4. If you could make a pitch to an author to be a character in his/her next book, which author would you choose?
I think I would probably fit best in a Maureen Johnson book because of my adorkableness.

5. Would you rather be divorced from Mr. Darcy or married to Mr. Willoughby?
Well, divorcing Mr. Darcy would be a cardinal sin no matter the circumstances, so I'll suppose I'll have to marry the dastardly yet dashing Mr. Willoughby and keep a very close watch on his wandering eye.

6. Which pizza topping best describes your personality?
I'd be a pineapple - bright and sweet and longing to be somewhere tropical. ;)

7. Coke or Pepsi?
Um, Coke! What kind of question is that?!

8. If you had to rename your dog, what name would you choose?
To fill in everyone, I have a beagle/basset hound mix named Darcy for Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, my favorite book of all time, but I did almost name him Jack or Sawyer after LOST. Love that show!

9. Which reality show would you like to be on?
Even though I have what I think is a snazzy wardrobe, I really want to go on What Not to Wear and get Stacy and Clinton to make me over!

10. Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? If so, who?
Again, you are such a punk! I've been told I look like Bette Midler...but also Shirley Temple, Debra Messing, and Keri Russell. I don't really see any of those except for the hair.

11. What is the strangest place you've ever visited?
In the teeny tiny town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, there is a strange and wonderful place known as Graceland Too where Paul McLeod has transformed his entire house into an Elvis museum. I can't really describe it for you other than to say it's full to the brim with memorabilia, it's open 24 hours a day every day of the year, and it's slightly terrifying. You should just go and judge for yourself. I'm a lifetime member now because I'm crazy enough to have been (and survived) four times.

12. Name a book that you've been meaning to read but haven't gotten around to it yet.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tells me at the library that I should read those.

13. What made you want to be a librarian?
This is hard to summarize too, but I basically wanted to help people, work with kids and teens and tweens, and promote literacy and reading...thus, librarian.

14. Multiple choice: If you were stranded on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific, which would you rather have? A. Michael Phelps' swimming ability B. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts C. Captain Jack Sparrow's joie de vivre D. Wilson the volleyball as a companion
E. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts and actual Captain Jack Sparrow for comic relief and eye candy

15. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
A part of me always wants to move back to Manhattan (I spent a summer in the Upper West Side, and I fell in love with it.), but I think I'd also be happy in Ireland somewhere too. I'm not gonna lie though, North Carolina is pretty amazing!

16. If you had to trade your sister, which literary character would you want as your sibling and why?
Haha! Sorry, Staci. I would probably trade her for Elizabeth Bennet because she's kind, lovingly honest, bookish, and loyal, but then again, my real sister is all that too.

17. Glass half empty or glass half full?
That depends on what's in the glass...ooh, philosophical.

18. Describe your worst haircut. (hehehe)
Three strikes, and you're out, Belser. Before I realized I could just let the curls do their thing, I tried to straighten my hair, and I had these really awful poofy bangs that sat right on top of my head. The kids at school called me "Marshmallow Head." No lie. I to this day have hidden all photos of me from about third to eighth grade.

19. Would you rather win on The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune because there's actually a bit of skill involved there so it would be more of an accomplishment and because Bob Barker is no longer on The Price Is Right.

20. In a movie about your life, who would play you?
I would hope they'd cast Emma Stone. I love her. Think Emma Stone in The Help, and that's pretty much me to a T. I also wouldn't say no to Zoey Deschanel. I heart her!

The Fine Print

A few short disclaimers...

The reviews written here reflect our personal professional opinions and not the opinions of any particular organization. While we value our own opinions and hope that you do, there's always a chance you'll disagree with us. Our motto: when in doubt, check it out for yourself (library pun!).

If you see anything with the label for boys or for girls, this doesn't mean that one gender shouldn't read it or that there are "girl books" and "boy books." This label simply reflects what we've heard from teens that they like to read.

We strive to keep this blog rated PG in an effort to make it a family-friendly resource. We reserve the right to delete any comments we deem inappropriate, offensive, or obscene. Keep it clean, people! :)

This is also a spoiler-free zone. Thou shalt not give away the ending or any surprises in books, or we shall delete thy comment. You have been warned.

Unless otherwise noted, all book cover images are borrowed from Goodreads. They own those images, not us, so please give them all the glory if you borrow the images too.

Speaking of Goodreads, we've decided to include a link to each title's Goodreads page because from there you can get links to all the major bookstores should you wish to purchase a particular title. In that way, we're not showing any partiality to any one bookstore. That said, we are HUGE supporters of not only libraries (duh!) but small, independent bookstores. Please support them any chance you get. Also, Goodreads is good stuff. You should get a free account here, and all your reading organizational needs will be met. :)

Finally, plagiarism is evil. If you quote our reviews elsewhere, please give us credit where credit is due. Gracias.

Thanks and enjoy our blog!

-Stefanie and Chris