Tick Tock Tick Tock

Chime by Franny Billingsley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Song for this book: Saved (Acoustic) -The Spill Canvas

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

From when i first saw the cover of Chime i was intrigued. The picture is just so haunting and beautiful. It pulls you in. I read the description many times over and despite that all I could remember about the book was the amazing cover.
Although, that might not be the only reason. From the description I found the exact plot line hard to grasp. I couldn't seem to pin-point a time era for this piece and that made me hesitant to pick this book up. But I assumed all my questions would be cleared up as a read.
I found the beginning a little difficult to jump in to. I was slightly disoriented, and I don't know all that much about witch craft besides what one would learn from Sabrina the Teenage Witch so I'm not going to say it was the easiest read for me, but I kept reading ready to learn more.
The truth is I only really understood half the story. The things happening in down, got it down check. The swamp, the old ones, "mucky face", the "brownie"... not so much. I was really confused. Luckily I love Eldric so my attention was not lost. I really liked the story, despite it being a more difficult read, and my not understanding bits, I loved the plot and the ending was amazing. So if you are up for a challenge and a great story, go for it!!

Official Overview:


Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.



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Here's to Old Friends, Old Cars, and New Loves

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



There is something about Stephanie Perkins' writing that is so darn addicting. She writes these characters in a way where you can't help but care about them and soon she has them wrapped around your little finger.

Lola is a budding costume designer. She has a different wig for every occasion. She lives in San Francisco with her 2 gay fathers. She has a bad-ass rock'n'roll boyfriend, Max. A best friends who aspires to be Nancy Drew, Lindsey. And a dog named Heavens to Betsy. Despite her parents disapproval of her boyfriend, life it going alright for Lola.
Until the Terrible Bell Twins move back next door. Calliope, the self entitled figure skating goddess. And Cricket, her handsome(in a geek chic kinda way), shy, mechanical genius brother. The Nice Guy. Lola decided 2 years ago when they moved away that she hates both their guts and has spent most of those 2 years trying to forget about them. With their return come the arousing of all those old feeling Lola has tried to suppress. But she has a boy friend now.
With the help of her new friends and co-workers Anna and St.Clair (!!!) along with her parents, Lindsey and her embarrassment of a birth mother, Norah, Lola tries to make sense of her emotions and seek what is real.

Lets start with the obvious plus here: Anna and St.Clair are back!! that's right everyone's favorite Parisian couple is back for more. This time Anna and St.Clair are both working at the movie theater that Lola works at. Etienne also lives in the same dorm as Cricket at Berkeley.
Another thing that i feel i most mention is Max's car. Max drives a '67 Chevy Impala. To some this may sound extremely unimportant and stupid that this effected me so much, but im a geek like that. Because any self respecting, Dean Loving, Castiel Crazy, yellow eyed demon hating, Moosekateer who watch Supernatural know that the Winchester's (mainly Dean) are famous for their '67 Chevy Impala. I mean you can google it. so the mention of this amazing vehicle really sealed the deal that i was gonna love this book.
And while i think that Anna's book was more up my alley with the school in paris and her story, Cricket definitely gave St.Clair a run for his money. They are complete opposites, and so I love them both in different ways. Overall it was a great companion novel. I loved the reoccurring themes in both books. Perkins has a way with dialog. ANd her characters are so real you want to hug them.
So if your an Anna fan or just a fan of great realistic YA check this book out!!
I also just wanted to mention, has anyone noticed how incredible detailed this cover is? You can tell it was made just for this story. From crickets pinstriped pants, to his rainbow rubber bans, to the star on his hand. The fact that they are sitting on a windowsill with a lavender house behind them, and Crickets hair is standing up. I mean every little detail is right on the money with this. I don't think I have ever seen a book cover so greatly accurate with its book. Bravo, person in charge of cover art, brava.

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