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cosmicbooknook's reviews
921 reviews
When by Victoria Laurie
3.0
Definitely an exciting story. And a very interesting concept. it was very suspenseful and creepy at times. But after a while it started to feel little forced and cheesy, not quite believable. Also, I was personally disappointed by the lack of romance. The synopsis of promised at least some of it but she literally only interacted with the romantic interest twice throughout the entire book. They didn't even kiss. Which was disappointing because you have the potential to be very interesting relationship. The end of the book pretty much guaranteed there'd be a romantic future between them but I wish we could've seen some of that growing romance throughout the story, rather than just the vague promise of it. I did enjoy this book though. I would like to read a story similar to this, but written by a different author maybe. Not that Laurie's writing was bas per-say, or even her story telling, it was just the execution I didn't like.
OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu
4.0
4.5 Stars
When I first read the title of this book, I was a little skeptical. I didn't know what to expect-I wondered, is this truly a story about someone who suffers from OCD, or is that term just thrown in there to make it seem "quirky"? Will this story give an educated representation of what this mental illness really is, or will the term just be thrown around to describe some behaviors that most people think come from OCD but really don't?
I was glad to discover that this was a very real portrayal of what life is like for someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Bea's behavior was believable for someone who has both obsessions and compulsions-she didn't realize that her habits were unusual, to her, they were necessary. She felt as though she had to follow certain rituals. If she didn't, she'd have panic attacks from worrying that something would go horribly wrong. It was frustrating to watch her struggle to hold onto relationships even as her obsessions began getting in the way, and parts of her story even made me cry because I could feel how hard it was for her, how embarrased she sometimes was because of it.
I HATED her friend Lisha. She was kind of a fake-supportive friend; she'd help Bea carry out her harmful tasks instead of telling someone or trying to get her to stop, and at the same time she'd make fun of her, make her feel bad for her obsessions and compulsions instead of trying to understand what she was going through. She really pissed me off and I wanted so badly for Bea to stand up to her, to realize how bad of a friend she really was, but she didn't, which was understandable for her, but still irritating.
Beck, on the other hand, I loved. He was a little messed up, like Bea. He had his own compulsions and obessions and sometimes, because of this, they'd clash. It was hard for them to help each other when they were both struggling to get better in their own way-or remain in denial. I loved how Bea didn't care that Beck wasn't perfect or normal; she liked that he was different, and she accepted his flaws, even as they got in the way. Their story was frustrating but believable for two teens trying to fit in and learn to better handle their illness. It was awkward, touching and complicated in all the right ways. If you're looking for a good representation of OCD, read this book. I have a diagnosis of mild OCD myself, and although I didn't relate completely-my obsessions and compulsions are much different-I was satisfied with the way this topic was written for this particular story.
When I first read the title of this book, I was a little skeptical. I didn't know what to expect-I wondered, is this truly a story about someone who suffers from OCD, or is that term just thrown in there to make it seem "quirky"? Will this story give an educated representation of what this mental illness really is, or will the term just be thrown around to describe some behaviors that most people think come from OCD but really don't?
I was glad to discover that this was a very real portrayal of what life is like for someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Bea's behavior was believable for someone who has both obsessions and compulsions-she didn't realize that her habits were unusual, to her, they were necessary. She felt as though she had to follow certain rituals. If she didn't, she'd have panic attacks from worrying that something would go horribly wrong. It was frustrating to watch her struggle to hold onto relationships even as her obsessions began getting in the way, and parts of her story even made me cry because I could feel how hard it was for her, how embarrased she sometimes was because of it.
I HATED her friend Lisha. She was kind of a fake-supportive friend; she'd help Bea carry out her harmful tasks instead of telling someone or trying to get her to stop, and at the same time she'd make fun of her, make her feel bad for her obsessions and compulsions instead of trying to understand what she was going through. She really pissed me off and I wanted so badly for Bea to stand up to her, to realize how bad of a friend she really was, but she didn't, which was understandable for her, but still irritating.
Beck, on the other hand, I loved. He was a little messed up, like Bea. He had his own compulsions and obessions and sometimes, because of this, they'd clash. It was hard for them to help each other when they were both struggling to get better in their own way-or remain in denial. I loved how Bea didn't care that Beck wasn't perfect or normal; she liked that he was different, and she accepted his flaws, even as they got in the way. Their story was frustrating but believable for two teens trying to fit in and learn to better handle their illness. It was awkward, touching and complicated in all the right ways. If you're looking for a good representation of OCD, read this book. I have a diagnosis of mild OCD myself, and although I didn't relate completely-my obsessions and compulsions are much different-I was satisfied with the way this topic was written for this particular story.
Up to This Pointe by Jennifer Longo
4.0
4.5 Stars
Antartica? Ballet? When I first read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the unusal mix and knew I had to read this book, and I'm so glad I did. I loved Harper and the heart and soul she put into ballet, how she gave it her all even as she slowly began to doubt herself, and my heart broke for her when it all came crashing down. Through it all, her family was there for her, as was Owen, her brothers friend, who was so very humble and sincere and I loved him immediatly. Her brother Luke was equaly likeable.
Props to Longo for the interracial romance, and for making Charlotte, the Antarctican scientist, black. You can never have too much representation. I loved Charlotte so much, she was insightful, inspiring and fiercely independent and such a good role model for Harper to look up to as she tried to come to terms with the changes in her life.
I loved that the chapters went back and forth between her time in the arctic and the months leading up to it, it really helped capture exactly what Harper was going through and how strongly it had affected her, and why she felt that the only way she could move on was to temporarily run away, distract herself with studying the penguins and experiencing the northern lights of Antarctica. It was a beautiful, moving story that I recommend to anyone looking for a unique contemporary read.
Antartica? Ballet? When I first read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the unusal mix and knew I had to read this book, and I'm so glad I did. I loved Harper and the heart and soul she put into ballet, how she gave it her all even as she slowly began to doubt herself, and my heart broke for her when it all came crashing down. Through it all, her family was there for her, as was Owen, her brothers friend, who was so very humble and sincere and I loved him immediatly. Her brother Luke was equaly likeable.
Props to Longo for the interracial romance, and for making Charlotte, the Antarctican scientist, black. You can never have too much representation. I loved Charlotte so much, she was insightful, inspiring and fiercely independent and such a good role model for Harper to look up to as she tried to come to terms with the changes in her life.
I loved that the chapters went back and forth between her time in the arctic and the months leading up to it, it really helped capture exactly what Harper was going through and how strongly it had affected her, and why she felt that the only way she could move on was to temporarily run away, distract herself with studying the penguins and experiencing the northern lights of Antarctica. It was a beautiful, moving story that I recommend to anyone looking for a unique contemporary read.