The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"You lie! You're an impostor!"
"Nice way to welcome a newborn child," he complained in a weak voice. "Tell him he's wrong, why don't you?"
"You're wrong, Mr. Button," said the nurse severely. "This is your child, and you'll have to make the best of it."

This is very likely the shortest adult book I have ever read. Seeing as it was made into a movie, I had expected it to at least reach the hundred page mark, but it ends at a mere fifty-two. It's so short that the note on the cover informs you that it was the "inspiration" for the movie, rather than what the movie was adapted from.

Seeing as it was such a short read, I had expected that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button would be quite an easy read. In the literal sense, I was correct, but I disliked it so much that it made it a bit difficult.

Despite the fact that I truly enjoyed The Great Gatsby, I was surprised at how incredibly dull and hard to believe this story was. By its end, I was extremely glad that Fitzgerald had chosen to keep the tale short. Dragging it out even further would have been much harder to trudge through.

I wouldn't recommend this book. It has no redeeming value at all within its pages. I won't bother reading this ever again and you can bet that all chances of my seeing the motion picture have gone out the window.

Rating: ♥

The process was continuing. There was no doubt of it -- he now looked like a man of thirty. Instead of being delighted, he was uneasy -- he was growing younger. 

Vintage Tattoos by Carol Clerk

The tattooed lady and the illustrated man, long immortalized in songs and films, were staple 'freak' attractions at the circus and fairground sideshows that began touring their native lands in the 1800s.


Vintage Tattoos by Carol Clerk is a comprehensive history of tattooing in America. Filled to the brim with pictures and an abundance of information on the subject, it was quite an interesting read and much more informative than Tattoo (which I read last month).


Tattooing first started being showcased in the seventeenth century in the form of full-bodied tattoos on persons who were displayed in circuses. Both men and women participated in the practice by covering themselves in tattooed illustrations of all varieties. In other words, it was "Go big or go home."

As time passed, tattoos moved from beyond the realm of circus "freaks" to military men, sailors, and other hardcore types. These were often on a much lesser scale and were not done for the mere sake of illustration. These tattoos often held a meaning for the bearer or a reminder of something they ought to cherish.

In this way, the art of tattooing slowly became more and more accepted, morphing and changing into everything that it is today. This book explains exactly how these changes came to pass and the artists who became catalysts in that process.

Being somewhat of a tattoo enthusiast, I was eager to read this book and I was not disappointed. The pages of the text are filled to the brim with information and pictorial examples of the evolution of tattooing. I learned so much more than I expected, not having expected that much information to be crammed within its pages. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the art of tattooing and its history.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


". . . and I'd see a tattoo and it was hot stuff, and so tattoos meant adventure and travel and excitement, and that was my attraction to tattooing."

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

"Just because something isn't practical doesn't mean it's not worth creating. Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough."


A somewhat sequel to Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door delivers another witty and well-done romantic tale of a girl who's just trying to find her way in life.

Lola loves her life. She gets along with her dads, has an awesome best friend, and a boyfriend she's head over heels for. The only hitch in the gears is that the boyfriend doesn't get along well with either of the first three. It's not that big of a deal, though, in her mind, and she's content . . . until the Bell twins move back in next door.

The Bell twins were once Lola's best friends. Being next-door neighbors when they were children, it was only natural. But Calliope and Cricket Bell hurt her when they got older and she has never really forgiven them for it.

Cricket has especially earned her distrust, but he seems intent on winning it back now. The feelings she used to have for him start to resurface and Lola has to ask herself whether Max, her current boyfriend, really is the one or whether it's the boy next door.

Written and crafted with witty dialogue and masterful description, Lola and the Boy Next Door lives up to all the expectations I had for it after reading (and loving) its predecessor. Perkins' writing has not only remained up to par, but has improved immensely. There is more than one paragraph that I reread more than once simply because the beauty of the words she used and the emotion it evoked.

I read this entire book in basically one sitting. I started yesterday afternoon and couldn't put it down or sleep until I finished it. This, of course, resulted in my finishing the book at four in the morning, but it was worth it. Perkins has outdone herself and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


"You have a gift, and you're doubting it." I shake my head to clear my thoughts. "You can't let that kind of shame dictate who you are. You aren't your name. Your decisions are your own."

Freak by Marcella Pixley

"She's a freak," Jenny said.
I held myself still.
"She's such a freak the guy would rather puke than kiss her."


Freak is the story of a girl named Miriam Fisher, also known by the nickname "Shakespeare" due to her love of poetry and proficiency in writing it. Miriam is a seventh grade girl who just wants to have the freedom to be herself without being ridiculed for it, but that's not the way life turns out for her. Instead, she's labelled a freak, ignored in her own home, and singled out at school.

When she's had enough, Miriam picks a fight with the most popular girl in school -- the one who has been tormenting her from day one. As things steadily grow worse, she wonders why life has to be so terrible for her. But it's not long before she learns that she is not the only girl with problems. And hurt people hurt people.

Freak is both an easy read and and a difficult one; easy in that it's not very long and it only takes a few hours to finish, difficult in that it deals with the isolation of a girl that just wants to be herself and can't understand why that means everyone must abandon her and treat her like she is something disgusting and offensive.

Pixley shows herself to be both a masterful poet and a thought-provoking writer. Her description of emotion is compelling and beautiful, both in the poems written by the main character and in her inner narrative. Peering into the mind of a truly creative person is always a gift and should be fully appreciated in the pages of Pixley's debut novel.

This book will make you think. It will cause you to consider everything that's going on here. Because sometimes we have to stand up to our bullies; and sometimes the bullies are being bullied as well.


Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥


Laughter
rises out of the stomach
like fire
spits from the pores
burns, sears, scours
singes off hair 
rips razors across wrists
leaves notes without any answers

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

"Sometimes inspiration strikes; other times you have to hunt it down."


In her debut novel, Hold Still, Nina LaCour proves herself an immensely artistic and heartfelt author. I was blown away by the depth of emotion in this book and never lost interest for a second. This author is definitely one I'm going to keep an eye out for in the future. I definitely want to make sure I read whatever else she chooses to write.

Writing from the perspective of teenage Caitlin, LaCour tells the story of a girl dealing with heartbreak of the worst kind -- the death of a loved one. The book begins when Caitlin receives the news that her best friend has committed suicide. Blindsided and shattered, Caitlin must learn how to heel and how to move on after losing the person who knew her best, the one she thought she knew so well.

It's an extremely emotional story as LaCour brings you along for the ride, baring Caitlin's meltdowns and heartbreak. We come alongside the teen as she struggles with making new friends though the prospect of maintaining and possibly losing those friendships terrify her.

I chose this book off the library shelves at random because the binding stood out to me and, once again, I'm extremely glad I did. LaCour has an immense talent for writing and imagery. Her description of the way Caitlin struggles and comes to terms with life are spot on and incredibly believable. Prepare yourself for a few intense moments. You may need to keep a tissue box handy during some of these scenes.

Altogether, it's a wonderful book and one I would heartily suggest to anyone who wants a good read, is dealing with a loss of their own, or is even thinking of ending their own life the way Caitlin's friend did. Suicide hurts everyone involved and leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of the people around them. Your life is too precious a gift to give away.

Heartbreak and new love, despair and hope, breaking and restoration: this book is one hell of a journey and one that will surely touch your heart. You don't want to miss it. I'm glad I didn't.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


Here she is, once again, never saying things just to say them.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit

The sweet earth opened out its wide four corners to her like the petals of a flower ready to be picked and it shimmered with light and possibility till she was dizzy with it.

The movie version of Tuck Everlasting was one of those stories I should have known originated in a book somewhere, but never really considered until a friend of mine was telling me I ought to read it. Naturally, when I saw it on the shelf at my local Half Price Books, I had to purchase it. And it was a worth purchase.

Tuck Everlasting is a children's fiction book following the story of a ten-year-old girl named Winnifred Foster. Winnie feels trapped in her home and yearns to venture into the forest at it's edge. It's when she finally does that she stumbles upon the Tuck family -- a family that guards a dangerous secret.

This secret is the secret to everlasting life, but as Angus Tuck explains to her, everlasting life isn't really life at all. The Tucks kidnap her to explain this and convince her that the secret is worth keeping. But things grow even more complicated when a man who has been searching for the Tucks and the water that bears this everlasting life since he first heard the stories of their existence as a child and he's not going to let anything get in his way.

A wonderful, easy read for all ages. This is one I'll definitely be suggesting for my sister to read to her girls (ages 4 and 2) and anyone else who would enjoy it. The plot is well-written and the descriptions within prove to be breathtaking on more than one instance. This story was quite worth the $3 I dished out for it.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

"But dying's part of the wheel right there next to being born. You can't pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing. But it's passing us by, us Tucks. Living's heavy work, but off to one side, the way we are, it's useless too. It don't make sense. If I knowed how to climb back on the wheel, I'd do it in a minute. You can't have living without dying. So you can't call it living, what we got."

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

"I liked you because you were mad. And you're pretty. And pretty sane for a mad person."


Maureen Johnson was another author I decided to check out because of John Green. (The other was Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss.) Funnily enough, it isn't the first book I've picked up by her, but it is the first I've finished. That's not to say that she isn't a great author, but the other book, The Name of the Star, was a little too spooky for my taste. I will probably get around to finishing it eventually for the sake of having a review of it up here.

Anyway, because of John Green's recommendation and because she will be at LeakyCon this year, I wanted to give another of her books a go and I'm incredibly glad I did.

13 Little Blue Envelopes is about a girl named Ginny. After her beloved aunt dies, Ginny gets a package from her deceased aunt containing thirteen letters with directions to complete the task on one before proceeding to the next. These directions spur Ginny into the adventure of a lifetime. Her travels take her all over Europe, introduce her to some wonderfully crazy characters, and teach her to experience life to it's fullest.

This book was quite good. The plot had me hooked from the start and nothing about this story is predictable. This fact in and of itself has you feeling like all of this is really happening, like you're really on this adventure with Ginny. It's a wonderful testament to her writing ability and how relatable she makes her characters. It was definitely one worth reading.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥


[Click here to see my review of the sequel: The Last Little Blue Envelope]


Sometimes, Gin, life leaves you without directions, without guideposts or signs. When this happens, you just have to pick a direction and run like hell.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Remember what Professeur Cole said when he was talking about the lack of translated novels in America? She said it's important to expose ourselves to other cultures, other situations.


What can I say? I adored this book!

I was first introduced to this title when I was still living in Paris. I heard about it via John Green (one half of the Vlogbrothers and the author of The Fault in Our Stars). He talked about it being very well-written and incredibly witty, so I decided it was necessary that I read it.

Yet every time I spotted it on the bookshelf, I couldn't bring myself to buy it. I just couldn't get past the cheesy title and the almost-as-cheesy cover. Yes, I know I shouldn't judge books by their covers, but I can't help it! It just looked so overwhelmingly girly and stereotypical and even the summary made me think that I had the entire story already figured out. So when I made it back to Texas, I decided I'd just get it from the library so I wouldn't have to spend money on it.

Let me tell you, when I finally cracked this book open, I tore through it. No seriously. I started reading it yesterday around nine and finished it at approximately noon today. Yeah, it was that good!

Anna and the French Kiss is about a girl who gets flung into Paris by her well-meaning, but very-much-a-tool father who thinks it will be good for her to go to a boarding school where she will become cultured and sophisticated. She enrolls in the American school there (a school my own dad considered putting my brother and I in while we were both in high school) and quickly joins a small group of friends that includes the most handsome, charming British-American boy she has ever set eyes upon.

But there's more to all of this than meets the eye. The moment she meet St. Clair, she knows he's off-limits. He's been dating Ellie, who graduated last year and now seems to be too good to associate with anyone in their circle of friends besides her significant other. As the school year continues, Anna starts having mixed feelings for St. Clair. Not only is he swiftly becoming her best friend, coming to her defense on all occasions and helping her adapt to the French culture around her, but the undercurrent of mutual attraction between them is steadily on the rise.

As they say: What's a girl to do?

I was honestly surprised with how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was all-around wonderful and every bit as clever and witty as John Green said it would be. Stephanie Perkins captures the "City of Love" quite well. (Though I'll admit that there ought to be a tad more of the strangers that accost you on the street and rude people if she wanted to make it entirely realistic.) I loved every second of the book and it made me miss Paris even more.

Anna and the French Kiss was an incredibly lovely book despite it's cringe-worthy title. I encourage anyone who wants a good read to snatch it up immediately. I'll be buying myself a copy of this book as soon as possible so I can have it on my bookshelves. It shall be money well-spent.

And when I go back to Paris this Christmas to see my family, I will most definitely find Point Zero (which I didn't know about until I opened this book) and make a wish.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


"You say that I'm afraid of being alone, and it's true. I am. And I'm not proud of it. But you need to take a good look at yourself, Anna, because I am not the only one in this room who suffers this problem."

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool."

If you pay even the slightest attention to the media, you very likely are aware that the movie adaptation of The Hobbit will be in theaters this December. Because of that, I decided it was about time I stuck my nose into a J.R.R. Tolkien book and, let me tell you, I'm quite happy I did.

Going into this, I had rather expected Mr. Tolkien's writing to be a bit, well, stuffy. This was generally because I had heard that his writing was hard to get into and was all too descriptive to follow well. Perhaps they were speaking of a different book, because this certainly was not the case when it came to The Hobbit.

An adventure tale for the ages, this book was incredibly well-written and I was invested in the story from the outset. Being a big fan of C.S. Lewis, a personal friend of Tolkien, I was still surprised to see the similarities in their narratives. They have a similar writing style that really draws you in -- as if you're sitting by the fire listening to that wise old uncle of yours tell you a grand adventure you only dare to believe because he is the one telling you of it.

The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a comfortable little hobbit with more adventure in his blood than most other hobbits. Even still, it takes a good deal of convincing and coercion before Mr. Baggins finds himself on a quest for treasure, the "burglar" in a company of thirteen dwarves. He was specially chosen for the mission by Gandalf the Grey. At first, neither he nor his companions can understand why Gandalf thought he was worth bringing along, but there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye and, soon enough, he may become their only hope of accomplishing their task at all.

Overall, The Hobbit was a fantastic book. I enjoyed every moment of the journey, both "there and back again" and it has made me even more excited for the movie's release. I would definitely suggest this lovely story to anyone who enjoys Tolkien's other works or enjoys any books with a bit of magic threaded through the pages.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwards were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.