Belles By Jen Calonita

I am going to switch things up. The same old, boring, questions are getting on my nerves. So today I am going to, attempt, to write this with some new questions, listen to my mother ask what kind of ice cream everyone wants from across the house, not going to accidentally add part of Darius Rucker's Alright lyrics to this, and not fall asleep at the key board and hit publish on a post that is all gibberish from my dogs paws... what? You don't sleep with your dog? Don't judge me. All in all I'm going to master life as my mother within the next fifteen minutes... yeah, right. So, you ready? My neither... but I'm going to try.

Title: Belles
Author: Jen Calonita
Publisher: Poppy (an imprint of Little Brown & Company)
Publication Date: April 2012 (It says January 2007, but that is very wrong. I stalk her.)
You can find more about this book on Goodreads. The link to Bells' Page is HERE.

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

My Thoughts: I found this book lacked something. Unlike most of Jen Calonita's books I had to push through the first ten chapters... there were only twenty six. It focused to much on Izzie's life before and she dwelled on loosing her home town, more than she did loosing her mom and grandmother.

There were some parts that I was confused about. I would have liked to have seen her interact with her grandmother but for editing purposes (?) they took those out. I think it would have giving Izzie more character and made her more likable.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Izzie. This book is told from two perspectives. Her cousin, Mira's, and Izzie's. If I had to choose a favorite though, it would be neither. I would have preferred to see more of Braydon.

Which brings me to ask... how can I count (on my fingers) the number of times she actually interacted with Braydon. For a love interest he sure wasn't around a lot. I mean, she was going through a lot, but I really wish Izzie would have interacted more with him. Even though there was some drama throughout the middle of the book, dictating their relationship.

Onto the fun stuff... I loved how the book showed what a real family is like. She portrayed that very well. There were times when they got so frustrated with each other, but in the end they made it through because that is what families do. They fight and protect their own.

The funnest part about this novel was getting a glimpse of the next book Winter White. It was neat to her Izzie's reaction to her Aunt Maureen's bomb drop about dress shopping for a cotillion. Izzie never had any of that and over all it was a great read for finding yourself and trying to stay true to who you are... now I'm just waiting to figure out what more drama can happen in the next book?

Sleepaway Girls

 

I have my glasses on, hair fixed and smell faintly of bleach from just finishing up the kitchen – I’m ready for another Book Review! Whooo, snaps for Jordan! :) I was just sitting around listening to Ke$ha (for the umpteenth time) when I thought why not?! I was considering doing one every Friday, but honestly I am not a fast reader. I would have to do past books and would probably be talking about Romeo and Juliet’s last and final act instead of the current topic at hand let’s say, Andrew Clemet’s award winning book – and one of my favorites – Frindle. So to save myself the misery of deleting post after post to get it correct we are going to hold off on that for now. :)

The one I have refrained myself from doing the past month and a half is Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita. I will admit I was hesitant. If you’ve heard of her you know she is best known for her extraordinary work in magazines and such but even more so – by teenage girls at least – for her Secrets Of My Hollywood Life Series. I’m going to give you fair warning there is some bragging to come. The last addition to the series was released last year and yes I cried and had to have my sister read it to me. Puffy eyes are not easy to read with. I probably gave the Kleenex brand their Christmas Bonus due to this one book. I will admit that I was not pleased at all with this last book. Why would you end your series with her in Acoma? Once again I reeled myself in and decided not to send a stream of angry emails. You don’t do that to another person especially a fellow author. After I got over that HUGE hole in the road, I took over the book and read the last six chapters of The End. The Books are listed below:

1. Secrets of My Hollywood Life
2. Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location
3. Family Affairs
4. Paparazzi Princess
5. Broadway Lights
6. There’s No Place Like Home

Her other novels are listed below:

1. Sleepaway Girls
2. Reality Check

And her newest series premiered on March 23, 2012
1. Bells

I’m not going to go down any more Rabbit Holes :) This review is for Sleepaway Girls so let’s get started.

I boycotted the two novels mentioned above because I strongly believe(d) that she shouldn’t have taken tow hears off to write two other novels when I could have had two more books added to the series. But I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I see her reasoning. She wanted to let Kaitlin Burke live just a little bit longer, so that is why I am just now doing a review on this fantastic book. Sleepaway girls was amazing the main character was fun and flirty with just a tiny dose of shy.

QUESTIONNAIRE
Summarize the book without giving away the ending. A girl goes to summer camp with the idea of getting away from her best friend and her new boyfriend. Little does she know more drama waits at this little remote area than she ever dreamed.

What did you think of the main character? I fell in love with Sam Montgomery from the very first paragraph. I absolutely get where she is coming from. I would never spend an entire summer listening to two love birds. I think she took the high road. She left instead of causing a big fuss. :)

Which character could you relate to best?  Courtney AKA Court

Why? Because she doesn’t care what people think.

Were there any other especially interesting characters? Grace! If there was one character I wish I could relate to it would be her. I so wish I could play sports. Hello! Uncoordinated Ville Population: 1.

From whose point of view is the story told? Sam Montgomery

Were the characters and their problems believable? Yes. Although the way they handled it – in the end, were not. I just don’t see how all those campers cold care about two girl’s food fight. It should’ve been old news by the time they made the video for the talent show.

How did the main character change during the novel? She ultimately changed when she realized that her supposedly best friend didn’t care as much about has as she did for her. (does that make sense?)

What was the book's central question, and how was it answered?  It was a romance novel but I think it was basically about her pushing against her fears and leaving her sofa for the summer to grow. I think it was answered when she finally came out of her shell and left with friends and a possible relationship.

Did you learn something new from the book? Yes. True friends are there through thick and thin, wannabee friends are just there until something better comes along.

Was the book different from what you expected? Yes and No. I expected a boy to be involved – but not two. I also thought she would get a nemeses – I didn’t assume she would have to one day (maybe) live with her.

Was location important to the story? Yes. If she didn’t go to summer camp how would she have met Cole and Em.?” 

Was the time period important to the story? Not really. Well I guess in some ways yes. People now days don’t spank in summer camp like they used to. (Although they certainly should’ve done just that to some of those characters!)

What alternative title would you choose for this book? I always think that the author made the right choice, so I wouldn’t,

Share a favorite scene from the book.  At the very beginning when she gets hit in the head with a ball.

What did you like most about the book? The fact that it had a happy ending, I like how she stood u for herself and made what she wanted to happen. :)

What did you like least? It ended. I really could’ve read this book for eternity. Although you would need a lot more plot twists.

Did you like the way the book ended? Didn’t we just go over this? (But if it had to end, then Yes!)

What do you think will be your lasting impression of this book? That friends are always there. Jen Calontia is really good at portraying friendships.

What did you think of the cover? I liked it. I thought the camp t-shirt was a nice touch.

Would you recommend this book? Yes.

How would you rate it? **** Four Stars. (What? It isn’t SOMHL.)

Thanks for readin' - Jordan