"Best Boy" by Eli Gottlieb was Disappointing

Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb is told by Todd Arror. He is an autistic man in his 50s who lives in a gated community with people who have special needs. He enjoys his life to a point, but would like to go live with his brother and his family. When new people come into his life, it is time to put that plan in place. This story was good enough, the characters were okay, and the book was just sort of bland. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never did. I was disappointed in this one because usually I like the books PEOPLE MAGAZINE recommends.
 (Gerard's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Beyond the Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Beyond the Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is the sequel to The Chocolate War and continues on with the Vigils and their shenanigans at the Trinity High School. Obie and Carter join forces to bring down Archie. Obie becomes distracted with a girl and Archie doesn’t like it. Jerry lived in Canada after recovering from the beating he took last fall, but returns and Goober feels guilty and very protective of him. This story becomes one of life and death as the year takes its toll on the boys. With one suicide and two attempted murders, this book shows a dark side of high school.

I didn’t care as much for this book as I did the first. It covered many different boys, which was a little hard to keep straight at first. If possible, it even got darker than the first one in my opinion. It too though is a quick read.

SPOILER ALERT – STOP IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS BOOK YET. I was shocked really to see how Obie got so caught up in revenge that he became as bad as Archie. Once again, Archie is in control and even after he graduates, keeps his control over the school. It’s pretty amazing how he manages it. (Karen's review, 4 stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

After lunch that day, I had an hour of Free Time and decided I would use it to take a long walk in the woods.  "Todd," Raykene had once told me, "if you feel bad or think the volts are coming on, then you should just walk in the woods and scream and let it out."


From page 23 of Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb.
  

Karen's:

New kids were always Vigil bait.  Archie loved nothing better than putting a new kid through the hoops.

 From page 16 of Beyond the Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.

Happy Reading!

"The Secret Sister" by Brenda Novak

In The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak, after a painful divorce Maisey has no other option but to return home to her mother that she did not want to do.  Also, she must deal with a brother who has his own problems.  She runs into an old boyfriend learning a secret that will change everything she thought she knew. 

I thought this book was pretty good.  The characters were well developed and the action kept moving along.  I thought the ending was a bit dragged out, but then it had a twist I did not see coming!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"In Between--Katie Parker Production" by Jenny B. Jones - book 1

In Between by Jenny B. Jones is a delightful Christian fiction YA book 1 in the Katie Parker Production series.  This is about Katie, who moves from the group home that she is in because her mother is in prison for dealing drugs, to a foster home with a Pastor and his wife in the little town of In Between, Texas.  She has a very low opinion of herself and doesn't trust anyone at the beginning of the story, but after making some poor choices and experiencing kindness, her attitude slowly changes and she adjusts to her new life. 

I really liked the writing style and the story.  I liked how the church youth group welcomed and accepted Katie and how Frances was such a good friend to her even when Katie resented her a bit.  The grandmother was hilarious and I enjoyed the humor and the close relationship that developed between her and Katie.  The characters were believable and the story moved along quickly.  I was drawn into it right from the start and was never bored.  It was heartwarming to see the growth in Katie throughout the book.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about teens and their personal growth.  This is the first in the series and I hope to continue in it.   
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Book 2 - On the Loose (Loved this one too!)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!