This is it, friends. We've reached the end. :( And it's now fall, so I REALLY need to get this blog post out.
I HATE that I am like THREE MONTHS late with this! Ugh! I want to move onto other books and reading challenges!
You'd be excited to know (I know I am) that I actually managed to complete my reading of TWO (2) books since my last update! I'm going to talk about them in this blog! lol
I did read a little bit of Tina Fey's Bossypants during this time as well, but it didn't fully grab me. I don't really connect much with her humor, although her stories are interesting. Also, I didn't attempt Nicholas Sparks's The Wedding. :P
Okay now, back to the book reviews at hand.
Now, since they are both fiction pieces that I have completed, this blog post is littered with spoilers that I want to discuss, so please read at your own risk here.
I actually haven't read any books yet since these two because I wanted to get this blog post out first before I resume my reading. I want to write about these books while they are still fresh in my mind instead of trying to remember them while reading others. And I'm tired of keeping myself from reading more books on my list!
(Edit: I actually have been reading more books now, which further inspired me to come back to write this blog, so that's good. :) )
But now that time has passed, it's not as fresh in my mind anymore of what I wanted to say and analyze, which I HATE, but I'll do my best.
Let's start with The Woman in the Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.
Began: July 25, 2017 12:15 AM
Finished: August 16, 2017 3:34 AM
I did it! I can't believe I finished reading this one! :D If you remember, in my last installment of this series I talked about how it starts off slow. It took me almost a month to get back to it. However, once I did, it totally took off! I was reading it nonstop everyday and every night. It's a murder mystery and we know that I like those. Lo Blacklock, the main character, while on cruise ship for a travel journalist assignment, witnesses someone being thrown overboard and from that point on starts to obsess over it and investigate but nobody believes her accounts because they think she is just still shaken up from a home invasion robbery she experienced before boarding and that maybe alcohol is blurring her perceptions. Her being a woman may also have something to do with it. Towards the end it gets horrifying because Lo is kept prisoner in a dark cell on the cruise ship due to her getting too close to the truth. Ware does well with capturing the claustrophobic setting.
As much as I liked this book, I guess I can agree with the criticisms against it as well. There are minor loopholes, especially regarding the ending, and many people find Lo to be insufferable, and lo and behold (ha! pun somewhat intended), she is. It is hard to root for her at times considering her bitchy attitude towards others but yet you do because she is kind of alone in this and doesn't know who she can trust so you are her only companion throughout the whole ordeal. You're in this together.
Here is my Goodreads review for it:
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth WareMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Such a good book! There were parts that dragged on and got repetitive, but for the most part I couldn't put it down! It was such a page turner with plenty of twists and turns. Ware definitely knows how to convey fear and panic. It felt like I was watching a movie in my head! I highly recommend!
I might be back to add more to this review, but I will probably be writing a more in-depth one on my blog soon to update my Summer 2017 reading series: onestefatatime.blogspot.com.
I am so excited about Ruth Ware's work. I can't wait to read her other books now. I like that I am getting to know her at the beginning of her career. The Woman in Cabin 10 is actually her sophomore novel, her debut being In a Dark, Dark Wood, which is getting a film adaptation produced by Reese Witherspoon, I believe. She also has a new book out now called The Lying Game, another book Witherspoon raves about. I like that with Ware, I so far only have two books to keep up with her as opposed to Lisa Scottoline, Nora Roberts, James Patterson, John Grisham, etc., who all have lists upon lists of books that they have written and will take an eternity to read them all. It is because of Ruth Ware that I am also looking into more books like hers, such as those written by Paula Hawkins.
I always get so excited to always purposely run into this book at Barnes & Noble and recommend it to others, knowing that I have read it in full. (Added 12/6/17 10:03 PM) I also love seeing it listed in newspapers as a bestseller knowing that I read it and enjoyed it. (End.)
One day I will purchase it. One day.
My final book of my Summer 2017 Reading Challenge is Beach Blondes by Katherine Applegate.
This book took me all summer so therefore it felt like such a relief to FINALLY finish it.
Began: June 8, 2017 1:22 PM
Finished: August 26, 2017 11:47 AM
I felt so invested in these kids, so I am looking forward to hopefully read about their future adventures in the other books in this series. I did some digging, and thankfully the following books in the series aren't as long. The parentheses are the page numbers.
Beach Blondes (721)
Spring Break (240)
Tan Lines (544)
Sun-Kissed Christmas (208)
Here is my Goodreads review:
Beach Blondes: June Dreams / July's Promise / August Magic by Katherine ApplegateMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oh man! What a wild ride this book is! Such a great book! I totally recommend! The best teen book I have read.
I felt like I went on a journey with these characters all summer! It felt like I was watching a movie. I'm so happy that I completely this book in a timely manner. I have so much I want to say about it and I can't wait to write about it for "Taking it One 'Stef' at a Time"! :D
I hope to write a more in-depth review here too!
I feel so accomplished to have finally finished reading this book! I think this is the longest book I have ever read. I'm excited that I completed it before August was up and read each month part in the corresponding month like I had planned.
Lol I'm probably going to feel withdrawals from these characters now. I don't know what to do with myself now. I'm going to miss reading about these characters and feeling my connection to them, so therefore I am also thrilled that this book has sequels. I would love to read about the next adventures of these characters. I feel so invested in them. Applegate does a great job with that. :D
Maybe in the future I will be able to provide a more in-depth analysis like I wanted to. My thoughts regarding this book aren't flowing as much or as fresh as they were when I first finished reading. However, there are some in-depth thoughts that are still on my mind so I will proceed with those and hopefully remember others in the future.
1) A good part of the reason why this book is so lengthy is its multiple subplots that aren't really necessary.
(I can't really blame Applegate, however. I tend to create numerous characters and plot points as well. I'm actually using this book as a novel writing lesson model for myself.)
For example, one character that gradually gets developed more and more is the Crab 'n' Conch chef J.T, who is Marquez's on-again, off-again boyfriend. I don't think I have talked about him yet. He discovers before the book begins that he was adopted, but there are no papers determining his true identity, so therefore he strangely has no comprehension of his background. This causes him to have an identity crisis, and because Marquez doesn't like to involve herself in other people's problems (even though she always does anyway), she breaks up with him. This leads to plenty of friction between the two throughout the book. Marquez then observes similarities between J.T. and Summer, relating to Summer's story about how her older brother disappeared before she was born and that her parents are never the same because of it, so then she theorizes that J.T. and Summer are siblings. As if that is the only thing that could possibly explain it...
Hey! They're kids! Give them a break!
(I can't really blame Applegate, however. I tend to create numerous characters and plot points as well. I'm actually using this book as a novel writing lesson model for myself.)
For example, one character that gradually gets developed more and more is the Crab 'n' Conch chef J.T, who is Marquez's on-again, off-again boyfriend. I don't think I have talked about him yet. He discovers before the book begins that he was adopted, but there are no papers determining his true identity, so therefore he strangely has no comprehension of his background. This causes him to have an identity crisis, and because Marquez doesn't like to involve herself in other people's problems (even though she always does anyway), she breaks up with him. This leads to plenty of friction between the two throughout the book. Marquez then observes similarities between J.T. and Summer, relating to Summer's story about how her older brother disappeared before she was born and that her parents are never the same because of it, so then she theorizes that J.T. and Summer are siblings. As if that is the only thing that could possibly explain it...
Hey! They're kids! Give them a break!
In a story with already plenty of plot points, this one isn't really needed and just adds onto an already lengthy and somewhat complicated book. I found myself not caring too much about it, although it interested me a bit towards the end because I then did want to know the truth as much as the kids do. Summer keeps having these dreams and visions about a little boy with a red ball, suggested to be her missing brother, and these dreams give this book a whole mystical feel.
What's interesting is that I predicted the ending of this around when I began reading, considering Diver's mysteriousness. It turns out that Diver is actually Summer's brother, which she randomly discovers at the end without them taking an DNA test to prove this...it just is taken for granted as truth because Summer and Diver have some epiphany and we are supposed to accept it as canon. But perhaps they do receive some hard evidence in the following book.
Another thing I'll acknowledge in this section is Marquez's artistry. Throughout the book she wants to become an attorney, so therefore she is bent on studying and deflecting distractions, hence why she tries to avoid Summer and J.T.'s individual dramas as much as possible (even though she clearly loves being involved). However, J.T. points out that she is an artist, and this makes yet another subplot in this book. At first this seems to come out of nowhere, but then the kids absorb this as well.
Plenty of Marquez's scenes focus on her bedroom, which she spray paints. One really cool moment with her is when she is alone and actually begins her painting and experiences a sweaty trancelike state while doing so. She splatters her clothing with paint.
J.T. claims that seeing her like this is what made him fall in love with her.
Another thing I'll acknowledge in this section is Marquez's artistry. Throughout the book she wants to become an attorney, so therefore she is bent on studying and deflecting distractions, hence why she tries to avoid Summer and J.T.'s individual dramas as much as possible (even though she clearly loves being involved). However, J.T. points out that she is an artist, and this makes yet another subplot in this book. At first this seems to come out of nowhere, but then the kids absorb this as well.
Plenty of Marquez's scenes focus on her bedroom, which she spray paints. One really cool moment with her is when she is alone and actually begins her painting and experiences a sweaty trancelike state while doing so. She splatters her clothing with paint.
J.T. claims that seeing her like this is what made him fall in love with her.
2) One thing I can't stand about young teenage love in books is how they obsess over it like the world is crumbling down and feel obligated to stay committed to each other when they are just kids. Summer finally realizes that she is "in love" with Seth because the two of them get trapped in a cavern during one of their diving excursions and a good number of chapters are dedicated to them wondering if they will survive. J.T. and Marquez eventually find and rescue them.
In a major twist, however, Sean Valetti, the crush Summer literally opens the story complaining about, shows up at Crab Claw Key. Summer runs into him while working at a boat party his uncle is hosting. All of a sudden he notices her now and tries to romance her, but turns out to be a real arrogant jerk, so therefore Summer realizes that her true love is indeed Seth.
In a major twist, however, Sean Valetti, the crush Summer literally opens the story complaining about, shows up at Crab Claw Key. Summer runs into him while working at a boat party his uncle is hosting. All of a sudden he notices her now and tries to romance her, but turns out to be a real arrogant jerk, so therefore Summer realizes that her true love is indeed Seth.
Summer hesitates with Sean and ignores his advances because she is "totally committed to Seth," a guy she has just met anyway. This annoys me because teenagers are too young to commit themselves to anyone, and if Summer is interested in dating another guy, it's okay for a young girl her age to play the field. I didn't like her feeling guilty over this. The kids in this book, like most young adult romances I guess, are way too overdramatic when it comes to relationships, and they are just kids.
The twist with Sean legitimately shocked me, and it is kind of a nuisance considering what Summer and Seth went through to get to where their relationship is at that point of the book, but of course this is the perfect place for Applegate to throw in that wedge and cause more conflict.
The twist with Sean legitimately shocked me, and it is kind of a nuisance considering what Summer and Seth went through to get to where their relationship is at that point of the book, but of course this is the perfect place for Applegate to throw in that wedge and cause more conflict.
3) I've made it clear in my past posts that Diana is my favorite character, and now I'm finally going to reveal what Diana's deal is the entire book. Of course this is going to be the most analytical portion. It turns out that her ex-boyfriend Adam Merrick's brother Ross tried to rape her. Applegate provides brief clues to the fact before Diana finally reveals it to the other kids so they can rescue Summer.
Because Ross is the son of a Senator and Adam chooses to side with his family, Diana feels totally abandoned and falls deeper and deeper into a depression, even considering suicide in multiple scenes as she continuously counts the pills in her mother's pill cabinet. Diana wallows back and forth between positive and negative emotions until she finally gathers strength, confidence, and courage, realizing that the Merrick family is afraid of what she could spring on them and that she is in a position of power. This lasts for a short time, however, only for her to have to build it back up again thanks to her horrible mother.
Diana's mother Mallory (whom Diana refers to simply as "Mallory" because of their unattached relationship) is a very unlikable character. After Diana meets with the Merrick family to discuss the issue and secretly record their responses to eventually show the police, Mallory destroys the evidence in order to maintain her relationship with the Merricks to keep her book deal. Evidently the Senator is sponsoring her in some way. Mallory does eventually redeem herself, however, by claiming that she is indeed on her daughter's side and advises her to finally speak to the press about the scandal.
But I still don't like Mallory. I still don't entirely feel like Diana is Mallory's first priority. Diana tells Mallory that she was almost raped and the mother's first instinct isn't to immediately defend her daughter...or so it seems. Diana had finally obtained some confidence after a year of depression and is a totally different, happier character, and then Mallory just ruins it for her and we feel her spiral back down again. She is so close to redemption only for it to be taken away again from her by her own self-serving, yet well meaning mother. It is heartbreaking to read.
Because Ross is the son of a Senator and Adam chooses to side with his family, Diana feels totally abandoned and falls deeper and deeper into a depression, even considering suicide in multiple scenes as she continuously counts the pills in her mother's pill cabinet. Diana wallows back and forth between positive and negative emotions until she finally gathers strength, confidence, and courage, realizing that the Merrick family is afraid of what she could spring on them and that she is in a position of power. This lasts for a short time, however, only for her to have to build it back up again thanks to her horrible mother.
Diana's mother Mallory (whom Diana refers to simply as "Mallory" because of their unattached relationship) is a very unlikable character. After Diana meets with the Merrick family to discuss the issue and secretly record their responses to eventually show the police, Mallory destroys the evidence in order to maintain her relationship with the Merricks to keep her book deal. Evidently the Senator is sponsoring her in some way. Mallory does eventually redeem herself, however, by claiming that she is indeed on her daughter's side and advises her to finally speak to the press about the scandal.
But I still don't like Mallory. I still don't entirely feel like Diana is Mallory's first priority. Diana tells Mallory that she was almost raped and the mother's first instinct isn't to immediately defend her daughter...or so it seems. Diana had finally obtained some confidence after a year of depression and is a totally different, happier character, and then Mallory just ruins it for her and we feel her spiral back down again. She is so close to redemption only for it to be taken away again from her by her own self-serving, yet well meaning mother. It is heartbreaking to read.
Katherine Applegate does a great job with the Diana character. She takes you into the mind of a sexual assault victim who feels that she cannot trust anyone but herself and helps you understand what such victims go through in their aftermath of their attacks. Diana is a normal teenage girl up against a politician and the patriarchy alike, a horrifying and helpless situation to be in.
Remember, these books came out in the nineties, and yet this is still relevant today.
Mallory's betrayal is like a nail to the coffin, even though the whole reason why Mallory destroys the evidence is that she claims to be protecting Diana from Senator Merrick's harm, which is what he promises Diana if she goes public with the assault.
Diana suffers alone in all of this, even though Summer tries to reach out. We see Diana travel a rough rollercoaster of highs and lows, so now I look forward to seeing how this character turns out in the other installments. Towards the end of the book, Applegate pairs Diana with Diver, which is actually my favorite coupling of the book. Diana finally feels comfortable and relieved to share physical contact with a guy again. They make it clear that Mallory was adopted, so therefore Diana and Diver are not blood relatives and would make a perfectly fine couple. Cool.
Unfortunately, it still may not last throughout the series, though.
Remember, these books came out in the nineties, and yet this is still relevant today.
Mallory's betrayal is like a nail to the coffin, even though the whole reason why Mallory destroys the evidence is that she claims to be protecting Diana from Senator Merrick's harm, which is what he promises Diana if she goes public with the assault.
Diana suffers alone in all of this, even though Summer tries to reach out. We see Diana travel a rough rollercoaster of highs and lows, so now I look forward to seeing how this character turns out in the other installments. Towards the end of the book, Applegate pairs Diana with Diver, which is actually my favorite coupling of the book. Diana finally feels comfortable and relieved to share physical contact with a guy again. They make it clear that Mallory was adopted, so therefore Diana and Diver are not blood relatives and would make a perfectly fine couple. Cool.
Unfortunately, it still may not last throughout the series, though.
One thing that I find missing from Diana's story is some closure with Adam. Adam finds himself torn between his loyalty to his family and his love for Diana and lets Diana leave their house knowing that she took recorded footage of his father blackmailing her from reporting Ross's assault attempt and makes her promise not to share it because he in turn wants to protect his father. At first Diana obliges, feeling sorry for him. This is the same footage that Mallory destroys, but Diana cleverly has a backup that she eventually does show to the police in the name of justice, which leads them to interrogate the Senator and the press to stalk Diana. Adam shows up at her doorstep angrily to confront her, but Diana stands her ground. It's easy to hate Adam for how he treats Diana even though she is the victim here, but it's almost just as easy to eventually feel a little sorry for him as well because he is stuck with such corrupt people as his family.
Diana is an amazing character who goes through amazing character development of weakness to strength. You root for her. Her sharp-tongued one-liners really dig into her wrongdoers, and I love these moments.
There are plenty of times when I notice that female characters need to speak up, but for some reason hold back, making me scream "TELL THEM!" Even though these girls are sometimes guilty of this, which is normal for people, I appreciate the fact that Diana, Summer, and Marquez do speak up quite often. Even when Adam tries to win Summer back with jewelry after Ross attempted to rape her, Summer tells him off and we never see them interact again. I kind of feel like these two need some closure as well, but you can't really get any better than Summer rejecting Adam and putting him in his place.
Well, okay. I think those were the main points I wanted to touch regarding Katherine Applegate's Beach Girls. :) Like I said, it was a journey of a magical read. Even though the dreams, visions, and philosophical moments sometimes seem out of place, they do fit by adding something different to the book as well, giving it a unique transcendental personality.
I'll conclude these two book reviews by sharing that both Ruth Ware and Katherine Applegate responded to my tweets praising their work! :D
I learned many lessons with this summer reading challenge. The main one is to read one book at a time, because then that is when I usually actually finish the book. This is actually what I have been incorporating lately. But with having so many books I want to read, this is somewhat difficult! lol
I have recently finished reading November 9 by Colleen Hoover, another book that I have mentioned on this blog! I began reading it on November 9 (10) and finished it within days. This particular post kept me from starting to read other books but I'm glad that I finally began that one when I had planned to. Concluding that book inspired me to finally finish this blog post and write creatively. :)
Also! "Basement Bookshelf" project is now at 456 books (and still counting) as of November 3, 2017.
I will be back with updates regarding my other reading as time goes on. Working on other challenges. :)
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