I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

Genre:  YA, realistic fiction
Published:  May 2011, 285 pp. (Sourcebooks Fire)
Source:  Review copy from publisher
Review:  4/5 stars

Brief Summary:  (From goodreads.com) Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?


My Thoughts:  I liked this book.  If you remember, I thought Janet Gurtler's other book, If I Tell, was only so-so.  I enjoyed this one much more.  I've read other blogs comparing Gurtler to Sarah Dessen and I agree.

What I liked about this book was the transformation of the relationships in this family as they deal with the fear and devastation of cancer.  I didn't like some of the plot.  There were just so many issues and so much going on.  It felt a little contrived at times but I still enjoyed the book.

Recommendations:  I would recommend this to anyone who likes realistic fiction a la Sarah Dessen.

Ratings: 2.1.2  Includes teenagers having sex but not described, moderate profanity including vain references to Deity.


Thanks for reading!

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Genre: YA fiction, realistic

Published: 2003, 224 pp.

Source: Audiobook, Netlibrary

Review: 4/5 stars

Bryce and Julie become neighbors when Bryce's family moves in across the street at the age of seven. The story is told through the alternating voices of Bryce and Julie from the time they are both in 2nd grade until 8th. Bryce tells us his story of his annoying, clingy neighbor while Julie describes how Bryce's blue eyes and glossy hair make her heart melt. We learn about their family relationships and their perspectives on the world. I came to really like them both but I especially liked Julie.

I listened to Flipped as an audiobook and I really liked it. I was slightly bored in the beginning but once I got into the story I was hooked. I loved how hearing the same story from two points of view helped me understand what was really happening. Sometimes I wanted the story to just keep going and I didn't care about the two points of view because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. This book reminded me of that old Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins movie, He Said, She Said. I loved that movie and I really liked this book. My daughter (11) read it but only thought it was okay. She was expecting more romance and was disappointed, but I thought it was great. There were a lot of really good insights that she just couldn't quite appreciate at her tender age. :) I haven't seen the movie made from this book yet but I definitely want to.

Rating: 1.1.2 There were a few words that I found a bit crude and vulgar but probably aren't considered real profanity.

While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Published: Feb. 2009, Audiobook (5 cd's)

Source: Library

Review: 3/5 stars

This is another of the many audiobooks I pick up at the library. I like to listen to audiobooks while I'm cleaning and doing other mundane jobs around the house but, unfortunately, there isn't always a lot to choose from at the library. As I started listening to While My Sister Sleeps, I thought to myself that maybe I should be reading more of these mass market books because I was really enjoying this one. The story is mainly about family relationships, especially between mother and daughter, and what happens in this particular family when tragedy strikes. One of the sisters is a world-class marathon runner so I especially liked that aspect since I really like to run and have run a couple of marathons myself.

The book started out pretty good and I was really enjoying it but by the end there was just too much. Too many issues, too many side stories, too much crammed into one book that just seemed unnecessary. Even with it's problems, though, I did enjoy this as an audiobook. Easy listening with an engaging story. I would definitely try another Barbara Delinsky audiobook.

Rating: 2.1.2 I don't really remember anything objectionable, just some mature themes. I'm sure there was some profanity but I don't remember noticing it much.

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

Genre: Realistic fiction

Published: Published 1948, 320 pgs.

Book club

Review: 5/5 stars

I read this book in a very short time period because I procrastinated but I really wanted to finish it before book club. I wish I had had more time to savor it because it is a beautiful book. Cry, The Beloved Country tells the story of Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo as he travels to Johannesburg in search of his sister and son who have not been heard from in many months. The setting is South Africa in the 1940's, a time of change and great racial tensions. It is a beautiful tale of compassion and forgiveness as well as a heart-breaking story of hate and prejudice. The dialogue is so simple and straight-forward but I found it to be profound and conveyed such feeling and meaning. I think this book is wonderful for learning more about the struggles of South Africa but is also very pertinent to our lives today.

Rating: 1.2.1 There are some references to prostitution, mild descriptions of violence, and some mild profanity (Biblical in nature).