Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

by Julie Halpern

Fluffy but sweet. The charactes were fun to follow as the lead, Jessie, sheds herself of her old, shallow friends, and explores other high school cliques. It wasn't the most thought provoking plot, but worrying about social labels and what other people think is a relatable theme. It ended too soon. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: The Summerhouse

The Summerhouse (Summerhouse, Bk 1)
by Jude Deveraux

A fluff read about 3 women who want to rewrite their pasts. An enjoyably read, but not solid enough to be a keeper. Though I love this quote...

"Still smiling she carried the TV through the doorway; then she gave it the strongest heave she could manage... When it hit Alan's oversized brick barbecue and the glass front of the TV smashed, Leslie didn't think she'd ever heard a more satisfying sound." (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: Skipping Christmas

Skipping Christmas

by John Grisham

I wanted to like this story, but eh. I didn't. Loved the first half of the book until the plot-pivoting phone call. The main characters plan on skipping Christmas for one year to give themselves a break from all the stress and the debt. Except, they don't skip it, and they still get stressed out and spend money. I guess the moral of this light-hearted story is... if you're going to be stressed and broke, better to do it together with your neighbors than alone during the holidays. Plenty of people will like this story's finale, but an introvert like me has a hard time warming up to it. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

It's been a long time since I read this book, and the older I get, the more I appreciate it. In this story, it's the adults that make the real trouble and cover up their prejudices with hypocrisy ranging from white-lies to night-time terrorism. Even I found myself asking, ‘Why do grown-ups complicate things so much?' Between the simple pace, the Southern small-town setting, and the Scout's one-person narrative, I really slowed down to enjoy it this time around. And it's not the book that's changed; it's me. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

One of many excellent quotes from the book: 

"Dill was off again. Beautiful things floated around in his dreamy head. He could read two books to my one, but he preferred the magic of his own inventions."

Review: Dexter in the Dark

Dexter in the Dark (Dexter, Bk 3) 

by Jeff Lindsay

I devoured this book in two days! I found myself thinking about the tension during work and couldn't wait to get back to it. Felt that the ending of this story was a bit of a let-down, but I forgive that considering how thoroughly I enjoyed the build-up. My favorite so far in the Dexter series. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)