Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Recent Reads: 13 Reasons and Concert Choir

Book: 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Count: 18
Genre: YA Contemporary

Hannah Baker killed herself and now Clay Jensen has a mysterious box of tapes sitting on his front porch, waiting for him when he gets home from school. When he starts to listen to them, he finds himself taking a tour of the town he once thought he knew, but seeing it through a different set of eyes, seeing it from Hannah's perspective and figuring out his part in her suicide, what number he is in her 13 reasons why she did it. Thought provoking and definitely a story that shows what the domino effect a single rumor can cause. Makes you remember that with just a few words, you can change a life.



 
Book: Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick
Count: 19
Genre: YA Contemporary

Beautiful, popular Eden is looking for an easy A when she signs up for Concert Choir her last semester of high school. Instead, she ends up trying to work out her feelings for the young, handsome new teacher, Mr. Christian, and the feelings he seems to have in return. Intriguing premise: teacher/student relationship and just how far will it go? I just wish Eden had more depth to her. She felt very flat to me, and as the main character, that really made the story hard for me to get through. There were some great, scenes woven throughout the book, exchanges between Eden and Mr. Christian's mother and Eden with her dad, but there wasn't enough to tie things together to make the story whole. I wanted more depth, more clarity, just more.

12 comments:

Aubrie said...

These look like two very good books!

lotusgirl said...

I keep looking at Thirteen Reasons Why and putting it back. I think I would really like it, but it seems like it would be really sad. I'm just not in the mood for that right now. I'll put it on the list though for when I'm up for that.

Christine Fonseca said...

I have 13 reasons in my to-read pile...and I can't wait to read it!

Unknown said...

Wow these sound like two amazing books...the first one really has my attention!!

Tess said...

I've read 13 Reasons Why, but not the other. 13 Reasons was amazing and provoking and ...well, amazing. it really made me think about my interactions w/ others. I think it is an important novel.

Windy said...

13 Reasons was a really thought provoking book. Sad, though, so I had to wait a while to really stop and read it.

Jessica Nelson said...

I saw 13 Reasons Why at Walmart and it looked interesting. But if it's sad then I probably won't read it. Thanks for the review!

Creepy Query Girl said...

Those books both sound like something I'd like. I have yet to delve into the world of contemporary YA (having a preference for paranormal/historical/fantasy- Plus I've had some bad experiences with contemporary YA that was way too 'woah is me, my life sucks' that turned out more depressing than entertaining) But these sound really good!

Elana Johnson said...

LOVE 13 Reasons Why! One of my faves. I need to pick up the second one, A Season of Eden. Thanks Windy!

Anonymous said...

That first one looks like a heady mix of deep and thoughtful. The second one, I'm less interested in because of the flatness. I'm one of those who needs MORE.

Yamile said...

Thanks for the reviews. I really want to read 13 reasons why, and the other one I hadn't heard about, but now is in my TBR pile.

Morgan said...

I've had Thirteen Reasons Why for some time now, but haven't gotten around to reading it. And Season of Eden looks pretty good-I'm adding it to my wishlist.