365

9/21/2007 - Friendship.

9/24/2007 - Love.

10/24/2007 - Sisterhood.

3/16/2008 - Bliss.

11/5/2008 - Revelation.

2/27/2009 - Regrets.

6/20/2009 - Disappointment.

9/13/2009 - Hope.

10/24/2009 - Betrayal.

3/31/2010 - Confession.

4/18/2010 - Judgement.

5/16/2010 - Jealousy.

8/3/2010 - Goodbye.

9/15/2010 - Peace.

9/21/2010 - Saved.

5/21/2011 - Misled.

You're just another day I'll never forget. <3

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Caitlyn is the average, socially awkward teenager from Oregon. Except, he mom died when she was younger and left her a tarot card depicting the Wheel of Fortune under her pillow. No one quite Understands Caitlyn, including herself. She’s feels as if she’s in the wrong time period and sees unexplainable “visions” and “Screechers” when she sleeps. While many feel that her mother was simply crazy, Caitlyn is torn between believing them and wondering if she was trying to tell her something. After receiving an invitation to apply to the Fortune School in France and getting accepted on a full scholarship, her journey begins.

The night before she departs, Caitlyn’s vivid dreams lead her to a visit with her mother who performs a tarot reading.

- Nine of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- Knight of Cups
- Three of Swords
- Wheel of Fortune

As the book progresses, she’ll finally see how they pertain to her future. Through meeting foreign princess friends, a peculiar headmistress, and her “Knights of Cups”, Caitlyn finally is able to understand herself and her family history.

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When my mom told me she won a copy of Wake Unto Me from 365 Days of Reading, I couldn't help but think it was an overly cheesy, adult romance novel. I decided to read the excerpt online and honestly fell in love with the book just by the cover. By the time I finished reading the description, I couldn't wait to receive it in the mail and was extremely disappointed that my stupid mid-marking period deadlines for school kept me from reading it for a couple weeks.

While I was initially turned-off by the title, Lisa Cach is now one of my favorite authors. She perfectly combined a mix of paranormal, romantic, mysterious, and historical elements that made a truly remarkable novel. Since I'm studying French, I loved how she incorporated components of the foreign language but also included a translation through Caitlyn's thoughts. Raphael was the cliché dream guy but still held an indescribable personality that made him unique.

If the Fortune School really existed, I'd be the first to enroll. While Lisa Cach's other books look pretty good, none of them seem to hold the same interest to me as Wake Unto Me does. She did write a collection with a few authors called My Zombie Valentine which I’ll definitely have to check out now. One of the other authors happens to be Katie MacAlister who I absolutely adore, so it isn't too much of a surprise anymore that Cach's writing has also captured my heart. <3 I really hope that she continues to write more YA books and would love to see the same basis or characters transpire into a series.

The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf

“My creative life is my deepest prayer…”, the initial quote starting The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf clearly depicts the main character, Khadra’s, voyage to finding herself. It wouldn’t hurt anyone to give the book a chance. I probably would not have chosen it voluntarily, but feel it’s taught me a lot. Endless aspects of diversity are explored while giving you a strong look into the Muslim lifestyle.

Told in a Muslim perspective, you are able to see how American prejudice affects them. You also get to see what they think of Americans. Whether it’s an attack from the KKK, controversy over Americans owning a dog, or even Charlie’s Angels, culture conflict and drama is always present. Breaking into a modern world isn’t easy for Muslim children and the struggle sticks out with the rebellion against the strict religion.

It’s a pretty thorough introduction to the Muslim religion and growing up as a minority. Unique points of view and strong, well written characters keep the book interesting and informative. Anyone interested in exploring diversity should pick this one up.

The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees

Frankie Towers is always looking up to his brother Steve. They’re complete opposites. Steve is a popular senior who always gets exactly what he wants. Girls, soccer scholarships, etc… While Frankie spends his time making things explode with his best friend, Zach, working at his parents restaurant, and being crazy and obsessed about his crush, Rebecca Sanchez, that he thinks he’ll never have a chance with. After Frankie gets into a fight with Steve’s longtime nemesis, John Dalton, Steve takes Frankie and begins to help him get a higher social status. Things with Dalton continues to simmer and after another incident, Steve is bent on retaliating. Frankie must choose to respect his brother… or respect himself.

‘The Brothers Torres’ was okay. This wasn’t one of my favorite books but it wasn’t horrible either. I found it confusing because it uses a lot of Spanish words randomly in the dialogue, and not knowing a word of Spanish, I had no clue what they were saying. I’d recommend this coming of age novel to anyone who speaks Spanish or is going to read it with a translator near by.

Notes on a Near Life Experience by Olivia Birdsall

Divorce is all over. In movies, TV shows, with her friends, etc. Mia never expected to have it happen to her though. Suddenly, after having an almost perfect family with tons of routine and tradition, she’s 15 and her father decides to move out with no notice. As her family life crumbles, her love life picks up. Her longtime crush, Julian, has finally noticed her. However, Julian happens to be her older brother, Allen’s best friend. Allen… isn’t exactly thrilled to have Julian want to spend more one on one time with Mia. As this is happening, Mia’s mother is disappearing more and more into her work, Allen is starting to skip school and is becoming very mysterious, and her father just brought home a woman from Peru.

“Notes On A Near-Life Experience” was an interesting book. The family drama added to the new dramatic love life was totally addicting. I really enjoyed all the topics that Birdsall included. Although, it might have been a little too much. It easily could have been broken up a little more and been made into a series. Despite that fact, it was an awesome book

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Remy doesn’t believe in love, at all. Every relationship she has, she knows to end right after that initial romantic rush, before things get too serious. Plus, she has a very useful resource… her own mother. She’s been married 4 times and is in the process of wedding number five. However, when she meets Dexter, things change.

Suddenly Remy finds it hard to follow her own relationship rules. He’s everything she hates; messy, disorganized, impulsive, and worst of all, a musician like her father. Remy never knew her dad. The only connection they have is his one and only famous song, “This Lullaby”, that he wrote the day she was born. Dealing with her relationship with Dexter, she finally starts to realize what all those love songs are about.

“This Lullaby” was incredible. I totally loved it and didn’t want to stop reading. The connection between Remy and her friends alone is over powering. Let alone her and Dexter. Truth Squad was an interesting group as well. I definitely would like to see I sequel to see what happens after Remy goes to college and Dexter goes to pursue his music.

The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli

Elisebetta is supposed to have a party for her thirteenth birthday to hopefully find a suitable husband. A few months before, the death of Lorenzo de’ Medici puts all plans on hold. Her mother decides a while later that people will be in a better mood and will be ready to celebrate. Shortly after though, a horse crash takes her mothers life. In 11 months her father remarries to Caterina, who thinks it is time Elisebetta gets her turn to shine. Through out these events, Elisebetta catches the eye of the great Leonardo Di Vinci. He introduces her to Giuliano de’ Medici who swears his love to her. However, things are changing in Florence and the relationship quickly is distressed.

I absolutely adored this book. To get a point of view of who might have been “Monna Lisa” was very interesting. I didn’t enjoy the end part with Giuliano but it proved her story wasn’t another fairy tale. I highly recommend The Smile and any other of Napoli’s novels.