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:   

Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook Review

Book: Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood

Author: Eileen Cook

Age: Young Adult

Pages: 261

Copy Provided by: Won from Delightful Reviews/Eileen Cook

Summary:

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eight grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls -- and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren -- starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

Review: We know those girls. The one's that seem perfect, the one's that go through life with ease. The one's you trust, only to have them betray you any given second, for their own gain. We see them, love them, hate them, remember them, and all the things they messed up in our lives.

Helen definitely acts upon this remembrance, and gives us a show of revenge that had me addicted to each page. In some ways, it was fun to watch Lauren suffer, and see Helen/Claire get the revenge she justly deserved (watching your enemy suffer? priceless). Yet, how far is too far? In her attempt to ruin Lauren's life, Helen could ruin her own.

Highlights: The scandal, pranks, and everything in between was awesome. Helen/Claire's revenge was fun to read about, because it kind of allows the reader to have fun with the revenge, and then just let it go. The overall message to the novel is fantastic, and something I live by myself. Even though revenge is tempting, it's just not worth it in the end.

Lowlights: Me being me, I couldn't help but to feel bad for Lauren at times (even though she was so easy to dislike).

Rating:    

Lea