And Both Were Young, by Madeleine L'Engle

And Both Were Young, Madeleine L'Engle

The title of this book was the first thing that got it onto my 'to-read' list. For about a year and a half I had it on my list, and I didn't get around to buying it. Boy I wish I got it sooner. From the very first page I could NOT put this baby down. This was an emotional and beautiful book, about friendship and family of all forms. The history aspect was amazing, as we get a glimpse of a time period which we will never actually get to see in person. L'Engle does an amazing job at showing character development, as we witness each character grow and blossom into their or beautiful person. 

It is also, what the readers will find out, a mystery. This book contains an element from a wide variety of different categories. Mystery, romance, friendship, school life, historical fiction, and war time. 

I can't stress enough, how truly beautiful this book is. 

At first, I didn't realize that this was written in another time period, and I had never read any of L'Engle's work. But I noticed the language was different, and then I looked at the year published and I was stunned. I usually don't read books that were written such a long time ago, but I think my mind has changed completely. If anything, after this book, I have a different take on older literature. I definitely have a broader horizon in my library, and I'm happy to say that Madeleine L'Engle is now one of my favorite authors.

It is a beautiful novel until the very end, and it is a novel that I will continue to read over and over. I would recommend this to every level of readers, and every age!!! From pre-teen, to mature women.

Go out,  buy this, and I promise you I won't regret it

Peace.Love.Reading

The Book Genie

xoxo

I'M HERE, YOU'RE HERE, LET'S TALK BOOKS!!

Hello fellow readers!!!!
I was looking through my catalog of books that I've read when I came across a title I read last summer. It became my favorite book at the time, and since then I haven’t heard anyone talking about it. So, here it is: The Girlfriend Project by Robin Friedman. If you haven't read the book here is a description from Barnes and Noble.com:

“On the outside, Reed is the high school hottie, but on the inside, he’s still the clueless dork with braces and thick glasses who has never been kissed. Reed simply doesn’t know how to talk with girls, and it’s up to the Internet to get him up to speed and out on the market. Reed’s friend sets up a website to help him figure out how to meet girls and get in to dating circulation, but he’s confused about what he wants in a relationship. Soon, the website develops into more than just a way to get Reed a girlfriend.

The Girlfriend Project reveals the struggle of teen dating with all it’s extraordinary highs and heart breaking lows, with rare insight into the vulnerability and insecurity guys often hide. This book is for any teen who has ever felt like the odd one out when it comes to dating—or in other words, every teen."

(CAUTION: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!)

SO! I couldn't get this book out of my head for weeks on end. All I kept thinking about was how absolutely CUTE it was! Something about how innocent and adorable Reed was pulled me in from the very beginning. I couldn't get over how much I wanted him to be with the leading lady, his best friend, as more than just friends if you catch my drift....but the sudden end in their brief relationship stunned me and I was so upset. I was thinking to myself how could Robin do this to me?? Build up all my excitement and anticipation and bring me down just as fast?? Then, the whole ending came together it was for the better and it all made sense. The girl from the website answering his questions, the one who he had the most in common with was also the mysterious girl he watches at the basketball court. After reading the last few lines of the book I couldn't help but smile and giggle nonstop (ultimately looking like a fool giggling in my room by myself). This book made me realize so many different things all at once. One-Things are not always what they seem. Although Reed used to be considered un-popular and “geeky,” he turned out to be a really great guy who any girl would be lucky to be with (which is easy to see for girls like me who don't judge people based on their looks but rather on their personalities and the lens through which they view the world). The second lesson-Even though sometimes you want to settle for what's right there, because it's the easiest thing- or you just feel like that's what's supposed to be- sometimes fate has another thing coming for you. You have to be patient and wait for your turn at love, or whatever it is that you want.

This book was amazing I highly recommend it for all who haven't read it, or if you have read it spread the word!!!

Be patient grasshopper, your time is coming too!

*sealed with a kiss*

<3 JJ

GET TO KNOW YOUR AUTHORS!!!

Cassandra Clare

Like Westerfeld, Clare is well known for her fantasy books. She has written a bestseller series called The Mortal Instruments. As my personal favorite, it grabs the hearts of young teens, every time the book is cracked open. In this fantasy action novel, we follow the story of two teenagers faced with the challenge of forbidden love, and fighting demons.

Excerpt for the first in the series called City of Bones, from BarnesandNoble.com:

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

At this time Cassandra Clare is working on a 4th addition to the Mortal Instruments series called City of Fallen Angels, due to be released in March of 2011. In addition to City of Fallen Angels, Clare is going to be releasing a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments.

Her website is located here: http://cassandraclare.com/cms/home

*sealed with a kiss*

<3 JJ