SelenaTidswell

I just began reading Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally.  The last book I read was also by Kenneally which inspired me to read another one of her books!  I loved the last story because it was so real and incorporated normal high school behaviors as well as some romance to keep readers intrigued!  So far Catching Jordan seems to follow this style and I can't wait to compare and contrast the two stories.  Jordan Woods, daughter of the "great Donovan Woods" NFL star has found herself following in her fathers footsteps.  Jordan's lifelong dream is to play college football and is well on her way as starting quarter back at her high school, that is until Ty Green shows up.  Ty is also an amazing quarterback and is also "amazingly hot."  Jordan has never been the type of girl who spends her free time pursuing boys, instead she spends her time working out and watching football film.  Is that all about to change?  I can't wait to see!

I am currently still reading Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally.  Although I am only half way through this story, I find myself wanting to read whenever I can.  So far Parker is growing as a character with each and every chapter and watching this transition is very interesting.  Although Parker is not making the best decisions in the eyes of her church or peers, she is growing more and more comfortable in her own skin.  Regardless of her mothers recent scandal, Parker continues to live her life and make the adjustments she finds necessary.  It will be very interesting to see what other transitions Parker will make.  I'm also very interested in seeing where her "lust" for the new baseball coach will take her.  I can't wait to keep reading!

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally proves to be a great story!  My intuition about this book has been correct so far, although I am still not very far into the story, I have made some discoveries that continue to keep my intrigued.  As previously mentioned, Parker had the ideal life before a big scandal let loose... that scandal being her mother's relationship with another woman!  Parker's life came crashing down as soon as the news got out.  In a town filled with strong religious beliefs and very judgmental peers, Parker begins getting taunted and teased due to the drama with her mother.  Due to these new circumstances, Parker ends up quitting her softball team and involving herself more and more with the boys in school.  Parker is currently manager of the boy's baseball team and has just began a mental connection with the "hunky" new coach years older than her.  Between the scandal and Parker's new found interest in the coach, this story must hold some chaos and plot twists that I can't wait to see!  

Today I began a story called Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally.  Although I am only a few pages in I find myself intrigued by the story line.  This book is based on a character named Parker Shelton who is basically the "perfect" girl.  She is soon to be valedictorian of Hundred Oaks High, she made the all star softball team, and appears to be very popular.  However, a recent scandal suddenly changes everything.  Parker has discovered that her mother has been hiding something from her and once the rest of the town finds out, Parker's life changes drastically.  Due to the shocking discovery that Parker has made she begins to cope the best she can.  Her way of doing so is by quitting the softball team, losing twenty pounds, and becoming increasingly friendly with the boys in her school.  This story seems to have a very interesting plot and I can't wait to see what happens!

Yesterday I began reading a book called She loves you, She loves you not by Julie Anne Peters.  This book is a story about a seventeen year old girl named Alyssa with a secret she has been keeping for a long time.  Alyssa lives with her father, step-mother, and little brother and has not had any contact with her biological mother since she was a baby.  That all changes once her secret is revealed.  Alyssa had been dating a girl named Sarah for a period of time, however, unlike most relationships she had to keep hers a secret.  A secret from her school and from her homophobic father.  The story takes place as Alyssa has moved in with her biological mother after being "disowned" by her father.  In a new town, a new home, and a completely new environment Alyssa feels foreign, however, she also seems to be finding that it is okay to be who she is.  As the story continues readers get flashbacks from when Alyssa was still living at "home" revealing more and more of her past, what happened to her girlfriend and the cause of her having to leave home.  I actually really enjoy this story so far and I can't wait to see what else happens and what is exposed.  

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler is a great story based around family, love, and secrets. The main character Delilah has not been back in her hometown for years after a sudden change in the family atmosphere between her mother, aunt, and grandma.  However, is later reunited with her and aunt, friends, and memories after she and her mother are lured back due to her grandmother's death.  Since Delilah has left the town a lot in her life has changed, however, being back in town reminds her of the way things used to be when she was little, causing her to rethink her careless decisions she made back home.  So far Delilah has picked up with a childhood friend named Patrick, found an old diary of a family member, and taken it upon herself to uncover the mysteries hidden within her family.  I'm excited to see what Delilah finds out about her family and whether or not she can discover the cause of the family's separation.  In addition to the discoveries Delilah wants to find about her family I believe she also wants to find herself.  It will be interesting to see where she ends up by the end of the book and who accompanies her on her journey to finding the answers she wants to know.  

I was recently given a book by my oldest sister titled Girl Bomb by Janice Erlbaum.  When I first began reading this story I found myself puzzled as to why my sister would give her little sister a book filled with such vulgar language, acts, and characters.  As I continued reading I started to realize that the book was highly relatable despite the chaos and instability. It illustrates the hardships and challenges that teenage girls face.  The book is based off of a true story in which the main character, Janice, leaves home at fifteen due to her unstable home life.  Janice leaves home hoping to leave behind her unreliable mother, her numerous boyfriends, and all of her problems, but soon finds that life on her own at fifteen is harder than she thought.  As I got deeper into the story changes in Janice became more and more evident as she began to solely care about drinking, drugs, and promiscuity.  Practically raising herself and losing all hope in family, friends, and the system Janice thinks very little of herself and continues to indulge in things that make her feel better in the moment.  By the end of the story Janice finds herself in a new environment with a new outlook and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the progress she makes throughout the story.

I began reading Looking For Alaska a few days ago.  I first decided to read the book because I had been told that it was amazing and that I would instantly be hooked.  When I finally began reading I realized what I had been told was right.  Looking For Alaska is a story about teenage kids who search for "The Great Perhaps" and together are able to find it.  The main character, Pudge, starts out as a boy lacking a sense of self and confidence and ends up evolving into someone much stronger and secure.  As Pudge progressed throughout the story I felt myself doing the same and comparing my life to his.  This story illustrates loyalty, the importance of friendship, and the inner strength that we possess.  As I stated before I started reading this book a few days ago and found myself compelled to read at every chance I got.  I finished the story in three days due to the captivating story-line and relatable experiences.  I absolutely loved it!  I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!