Highlights / Lowlights: THE PROGRAM by Suzanne Young

Title: The Program
Author: Suzanne Young (@suzanne_young)
Published: April 30th, 2013
Series: Chantress #1
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Simon Pulse
POV: 1st person
Pages: 408
Format: Ebook
Source: PulseIt
Rating: Tea Party

"In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them." 

Highlights: A story where a suicide epidemic forces adults to take drastic measures to "fix" their children with The Program? This claustrophobic, futuristic world is kind of horrifying, but it's hard to look away once you start The Program. The relationship between Sloane and James is utterly endearing and genuine. I believe it when these two are together -- their connection, their feelings, all of it is very well written. Sloane's memories of her brother were sweet and sad. For a story set in a world that stifles emotions, Sloane's life is a whirlwind of emotion, and I felt every bit of it. 

Lowlights: Realm, and the weak romance he had with Sloane. I felt a bit disconnected to Sloane's character, so nothing bad that happened to or around her ever made a lasting, meaningful impact on me. I had trouble connecting because Sloane seems to have no personality, and all I really know about her is that she loves James. I'm also curious to know more about how the suicide epidemic came about. It seems to me that teens that are committing suicide because all of the adults are forcing them to it, so I'm not sure if I buy into that aspect of the story.

Rating: Tea Party: Liked, 3+ out of 5. Despite the issues I had with this novel, I still really liked The Program. From what I've been able to gather, I seem to be in the minority with this book, since many people seemed to genuinely love it. So, if you're in any way curious, I say go for it! 

Review: THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

Title: THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE
Author: Leila Sales
Published: September 17th, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: YA contemporary
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR
POV: 1st person, past tense
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher / Publicist
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

"Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, Leila Sales' THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together."

Elise Dembowski is that girl – the girl that doesn't fit in no matter how hard she tries, who exists along the outskirts of her high school hierarchy, the girl others notice only when they're harassing her, and the girl who is completely and utterly lost in her own life. I don't know about you, but when I younger, I was sometimes that girl. So, it was easy for me to sink into this story and let Elise's words and newly discovered musical life wash over me. From high school annoyances to DJing in the hottest underground club in the world¹, you'll likely find yourself up late at night, still reading THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE, and loving every second of it. This was my first Leila Sales novel, and it definitely will not be my last.

Highlights: Sales brings Elise Dembowski to life and makes her a genuine protagonist that readers will love to root for. This story is about more than suicide² – it's about family, friendship, music, dancing like a total fool, finding yourself, and figuring out your place in life. Characters were a definite highlight, especially Vicky and Mel. The DJ aspect was very cool, and Elise's song preferences gave me more music to check out. I enjoyed how the romance aspect didn't pretend to be more than it actually was - there's attraction, but not love. 

Lowlights: It's hard to say what kept me from falling head-over-heels for this book. Maybe her parents lack of attention? I mean, really. She's sneaking out every Thursday night and NOBODY notices?

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf. THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is fantastic, worth owning, and has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed this story very much, and would recommend this book to other readers.

1 Unless you're Pippa, in which case, Start is not the hottest underground nightclub in the world. Also, why can't my city have the hottest underground nightclub?! I want to dance! *sighs*

2 The suicide aspect of this story is very small, actually.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Release: October, 2007

Source: Borrowed

Summary:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker -- his classmate and crush -- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. 

Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. 

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself -- a truth he never wanted to face. 

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why is the most heartbreaking novel I've read in awhile.

Admittedly, I avoided this story ever since it came out. But then a friend brought it one day for me to read, and I trust her judgement in books, so I gave it shot. And Thirteen Reasons Why blew my mind, tore my heart out, and patched it all together again.

The main character role, I would have to say, is split between the obvious choice Clay, and then Hannah. I feel like we got to know Hannah more, because she really is the main speaker throughout the story. Yet, I also feel like Clay is a solid character, but Hannah seems more prominent.

If you want to read a story that will take you through a whirlwind of emotions, then read Thirteen Reasons Why. 

Highlights: This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's emotional, and it left me with a heavy feeling once I was done (I can't even describe it past that, but it's a book that made an impression on me). This story is powerful, and I know I'll be looking forward to whatever Asher comes up with next. 

I also love how if  you take off the book jacket and look inside, it's a map (and it fits with the story). Definitely an interesting touch. 

Lowlights: I don't even know. Maybe some more depth to Clay?

Rating: