We Both Liked "Belzhar" by Meg Wolitzer

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer tells the story of five young teens who take a class called "Special Topics in English."  They all seem very different but have two things in common:  they are all good in English composition and they have all had a recent trauma in their life.  They all have been sent to The Wooden Barn, a boarding school in Vermont for fragile teens.  The English class will be like none they ever had before.

Wow, oh wow!  this is so good!  I really liked all the kids and wanted only good for them.  To me, this was a real page turner.  LOVED IT!  I think it would make for a good movie!  I was shocked by the ending--really good!
(Gerard's review) 

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer is teen fiction about love, loss, trauma, friendship and a bit of fantasy.  When five teens are chosen for the “Special Topics in English” class at The Wooden Barn school in Vermont, they experience true friendship and bizarre journal writing that helps them move past their individual traumas and deal with real life.  This is a very interesting read that drew me in right away.  I liked all the main characters in the book and enjoyed seeing how the class “jelled” as the book progressed.  This is a fun read that I recommend to anyone who wants something a little different and unusual.  

(Karen'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. Happy Reading!

"Double Cross" by James Patterson is a Page Turner

Double Cross by James Patterson is a fast-moving, action-packed detective novel about two extremely clever but cruel, psychopaths on a killing spree who both want former FBI agent turned psychiatrist, Alex Cross dead.  The whole novel pretty much consists of DC Audience Killer (“DCAK”) trying to top his previous killing and outperform Kyle Craig, his serial killer role model.  He likes to perform the murders in front of crowds and doesn’t even get caught!  Kyle Craig, former FBI agent who Alex Cross turned in, is also a serial killer who seeks revenge on all who had a part in sending him to prison. 

The killers in this book make the detectives look foolish throughout—it seems as though the killers are always calling the shots and manipulating the detectives.  These guys have no conscience and are despicable, which makes the reader pull for the detectives all the more.  It is certainly a page-turner that kept my interest all through starting with the first page.  The ending had lots of excitement and suspense, but left me unsatisfied. 

(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. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays: 3 Today

Gerard's:
  
The good news is that I have no regrets.  My troubles with Candace were training for this moment.  I had to get into your place Beck, and I know what to do. 

From page 24 of YOU by Caroline Kepnes. (Just finished this Sunday, click link to see my review)

I wonder what she thinks is so interesting.  If I were her and I had to sit here looking at us, I would be bored out of my mind.

From page 27 of Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer.
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Karen's:

You won't believe what you're seeing right now.  Here, look for yourself!

From page 28 of Double Cross by James Patterson. 

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

Happy Reading!

"YOU" by Caroline Kepnes is a Fascinating Page Turner!

YOU by Caroline Kepnes is told by a bookstore owner named Joe.  One day a young woman named Beck comes into his store.  Joe is instantly attracted to her and will stop at nothing to have Beck for his own.  Want a page turner?  This is it!  You want to know what Joe will do to get and keep Beck’s attention?  Woe to anyone who dares share some of her time and thoughts.  Is she attracted to Joe at all?  This kept me turning pages for sure.  It was fascinating how Joe had his ups and downs in this relationship, and Beck was a great character too!  I did not care for some of the crude language though, but this is an amazing first novel for this author.  I’ll be looking to read more by this author. 

(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. Happy Reading!