Sketchbook Project Update

Over the summer we added two sketchbooks to our catalogue for anyone to check out.  I thought I would update you on one of the sketchbooks that has been hanging out in the teen section for the last few weeks. If you love to draw, stop in and get creative! Pastels, markers, and pencil crayons are available in the teen section everyday!

 

 

 

 

 

Teen Review: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

How to Love

by: Katie Cotugno

 

 

Summary

Before:

Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he's never seemed to notice that Reena even exists . . . until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated-and pregnant-Reena behind.

After:

Almost three years have passed, and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena's gotten used to life without Sawyer, and she's finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn't want anything to do with him, though she'd be lying if she said Sawyer's being back wasn't stirring something in her. After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love-twice.

 

Quick Review

Have you ever enjoyed a vanilla cupcake? It wasn’t chocolate, it wasn’t frosted, and it wasn’t covered in sprinkles, but it was still so delicious because of its simplicity. How to Love by Katie Cotugno is that vanilla cupcake. It was a simple sweet and realistic novel about the happy moments and struggles of a teenage couple. It describes the journey of the female protagonist, Serena, when she first meets the love of her life Sawyer LeGrande, and then when she encounters him again after he disappeared mysteriously 2 years ago. Sawyer had unknowingly left Serena when she was pregnant with their daughter Hannah, and now he returns a changed man. Will Serena be able to forgive him? Will Serena drop everything she has built over the last 2 years to be with Sawyer again? I would personally give this story a 7 out of 10.

Long Review

The most unique feature of this book has to be how it is structured. The book is divided into two stories, the story of the first time Serena met Sawyer and the story of the second time Serena met Sawyer. The two stories are told in alternating chapters, which makes it easier for the reader to compare the difference the two years had on Sawyer and Serena’s personality. However, because the stories share so many similar attributes, the two stories sometimes start blending in your head. For instance, in one of the chapters she is at Sawyer’s house and he is buying oxycotin from a friend (1^st time she fell in love with Sawyer), then suddenly Sawyer and Serena start talking about Aaron, Serena’s new boyfriend after Sawyer left her. Without rereading and realizing that you already entered a new chapter, the stories get quite confusing. If the author made chapters longer than 3 pages this story of storytelling would have been more effective.

The story takes place in warm Florida which is not highlighted in the book. The book overlooks the need to describe the setting and other inanimate objects. The focus is placed primarily on character behavior and character dynamics. The author, Katie Cotugno, wants all the readers’ attention on how each character felt and why that led to the decisions they made. As a result it is difficult to picture the story happening, but it is really easy to feel the story happening.

My favourite part of the entire story is how realistic it is, the female protagonist isn’t perfect and she is frequently on an emotional rollercoaster. But, most importantly, the male protagonist, is prince anti-charming and he is real. He isn’t terribly smooth, he does drugs, he has problems, and he isn’t obnoxiously wealthy. Sawyer isn’t just about having fun and partying. He knows when he is required to step up and take responsibility.

I really enjoyed this book, but it wouldn’t be one I would read again. The book felt very still to me.*Spoiler Alert* If you are a sucker for cute endings. You would love how this book ends.

Review by: Betty

Teen Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

The Burning Sky

by: Sherry Thomas

 

Summary:

 

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation-or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of the Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission-and her life.

The Burning Sky-the first book in the Elemental Trilogy-is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.

 

 

Review:

The Burning Sky is a book filled with mystery an magic.  It all began with a lighting bolt and a failed light elixir that will lead Iolanthe on a journey of a life time, with Prince Titus, destined for death at a young age, at her side.  Against all odds Iolanthe must master her elemental power and over throw the Bane, an evil ruler an master of all, even Titus.  I guess it helps to have a little lightening at your finger tips.

Ms. Sherry Thomas writes a magnificent story of love, adventure, and magic.  Ms. Thomas does an amazing job of making me feel like I’m there and I can often tell when the story is either from Titus’ perspective or Iolanthe’s.  I didn’t like however that the end battle scene is very short, and the fact that their targets deaths weren’t very significant.  Also the fact that the Bane’s resurrection was not a major component of the end of the story.  I do like however that he’s their target for the next book, but will he die every time? 

Not the best book that I’ve read, but certainly close.  The book deserves 3 and half stars out of 5.