This was a BIG waste of time...don't bother

The Grownup

By: Gillian Flynn

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Pages: 64

Audiobook: 73 minutes

Published: 2015

Read:  July

1 out of 5

This book was ridiculous! Listening to it, I didn't realize it was only 64 pages (73 minutes). It definitely drew you in and then just ended. In fact, it didn't even have an ending. I couldn't believe it was over - there was no ending.

If you have this on you TBR list - Seriously take it off. It a waste of your time.

A slightly disappointing Teens' Top Ten nominee

The Great American Whatever

By: Tim Federle

Genre: YA LGBTQ

Pages: 278

Published: 2016

Read:  July

3 out of 5

I expected more from this book, mostly because it is on the nomination list for the Teens’ Top Ten this year. I don’t feel it is a horrible book or poorly written, just slow paced. The most interesting and entertaining story line was the relationship between Quinn and his sister, Annabeth. There was a big twist I didn’t see coming with their relationship. I felt the fact that Quinn is gay was more of a side story, which isn’t a bad thing – personally I am tired of reading so many books that involve gay characters. However, this book’s summary and market was portrayed as LBGQT, so it may disappoint some readers in that aspect.

"It's not THAT bad"

Pushing the Limits

By: Katie McGarry

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Pages: 392

Published: 2012

Read:  June

5 out of 5

I continually pushed this book to the back of my reading list. I was intrigued by it, but as a Young Adult Librarian I was nervous about the graphic romance I would find in a book meant for teens.  This was not a book I envisioned myself discussing with teens because of my own recommendation and/or just by being on the teen library shelf. However, there came a point when I couldn’t ignore it and eventually the book was handed to me by a teen who, with a sly smile told me, “It wasn’t THAT bad”.  Well, I must say – McGarry wrote a romantic teen story that was intense, but showed that it isn’t all about sex. In fact, sex doesn’t happen in the book!! It wasn’t the most impressively written novel, but the characters and their stories will definitely draw the reader in. (I almost cried at one point). I would recommend this book to any high schooler that enjoys romantic reads. As a parent and a Young Adult Librarian, I wish the cover wasn’t quite so erotic – It would be a lot easier to hand to teens! As an adult reader, I would probably rate it 4 stars because of the writing quality, but if I read it when I was a teen myself I would have LOVED it!