Review: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Released: March 4th, 2004 (movie edition released July 27th, 2010)
Published by: Picador USA
Series: Stand Alone
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Bought
Edition: Movie Cover, paperback
Page Amount: 277
Age Group: Adult

Summary

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss.

Into his carefully ordered life comes Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe. Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back to harbor, to a charged encounter with Charlie, and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself. Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time and a desperate choice between death and life, between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go.

Luminous, soulful, and filled with unforgettable characters, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of those rare, wise books that reveal the mysteries of the unseen world around us, gently transforming the worst pain of loss into hope, healing, and even laughter. Suspenseful and deeply moving, its startling climax reminds us that sometimes tragedies can bring about miracles if we simply open our hearts.

Review

I’m not going to lie, I only wanted to read this book because the movie came out a few years ago and I wanted to see it so bad. So I bought THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CHARLIE ST. CLOUD, thinking that I would be reading it right away. It proceeded to sit on my shelf… collecting dust. Until this summer, at least. I decided that it was time to get a move onto reading this novel if I ever wanted to see the movie.

I think the main reason why I held off for so long before reading this book was because I expected it to be a big tear-jerker book, which honestly doesn’t make sense to me now because I love tear-jerkers (I’m such a weird reader, I know). I just expected it to be like the saddest book I’ve ever read, and I didn’t want to read it during school just in case I burst out into tears in the middle of class. Well, looking back on that now… I totally overreacted. Sure, this book did have it’s low, tear-jerker moments but it was not where even close to being the saddest book I’ve ever read.

The author wrote the entire book in third person, but kept switching characters he was talking about through the book. At most of the points during the book I loved it, but at some points it got confusing and they switched characters at inappropriate times, in my opinion.

Before I say this, let me just get a point through: I love Charlie and Tess. I thought that their relationship was unique and it’s an interesting situation they’re put into. But, I think they moved a bit too fast. For my liking, anyway. I felt like a real relationship in the real world that moved as fast as theirs did would not have the same emotional connection that was described in the book. I just thought that it would have been better if they’re relationship was slowed down a bit, and it wasn’t just like they randomly had all this chemistry and development, because that is definitely not what happens in the real world.

I think my favourite thing about this book was the relationship and the connection between Charlie and Sam. I mean, I have never read or heard of siblings that are that close to each other. Even my mother and her TWIN SISTER aren’t that close, and trust me they are close. It’s as though they are each others brothers, support systems and best friends all wrapped into one.

I really enjoyed this novel. I can’t wait to get my hands on the movie!

Cover Comments

I’m going to be commenting on the movie cover, because that is the one I have. This is one of the few movie adaptation covers that I prefer over the original cover. I’m a huge fan of Zac Efron (swoon) and I love how it has the photograph of Sam and Charlie looking out over the water.

September 2012 TBR

I know this post is a little late, but I decided I should post it anyway. This is my September 2012 to be read pile. You can either watch the video above or continue reading... or both! I'm a little sick in the video so I apologize for that. Anyways, let's get on with the books!

Settling by Shelley Workinger

At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. 

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

 Untraceable by S.R. Johannes

16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. 

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father. 

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Standing on the fringes of life... offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

  City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

That is my September to be read list, what's yours? xoxo, Sierra

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Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Released: June 7th, 2011
Published by: HarperTeen
Series: Stand Alone
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Source: Bought
Edition: Kindle
Page Amount: 368
Age Group: Young Adult

Summary

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

Review

I bought this on my Kindle for 99 cents awhile back. To be honest, I kind of forgot about it until I was going through my Kindle recently and found it again. I decided it would be the perfect summer read. I had read really good reviews going into this book, so I thought it would be a good one to pick up.

First of all, the title. I mean, who can’t love that title? I think it’s adorable and perfect for the novel.

Even though this book is totally unrealistic, and something like this would be very unlikely to happen in real life, I could totally imagine myself in April’s shoes. All of the characters in this novel are very realistic. I fell in love with Hudson very fast, and detested Noah almost immediately. Vi and Marissa are people that I would want to be best friends with. April is very much the person I wish I was - independent, wild, strong, carefree, and outgoing.

I love the different settings involved in this book - Westport, Paris, and Cleveland. But really… April, why in the world wouldn’t you move to Paris? I mean… it’s Paris!

I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was the ending. I felt as though it was extremely rushed, as though Sarah Mlynowski wanted to hurry up and finish the novel. I didn’t have enough closure with this book as I would have liked.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was the perfect summer read and exactly what I was in the mood to read. I definitely suggest you pick up Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn’t Have)

Cover Comments

I love this cover! I think it’s absolutely adorable, and perfect for this novel (which is absolutely adorable as well). I think it fit’s the story and title perfectly. I think it’s the perfect cover for a fun chick lit book like this one.

Teaser Tuesday: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read
• Let the book fall open to a random page
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Be careful to not give any spoilers... you don't want to ruin the book for everyone!

Title: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud
Author: Ben Sherwood
Page Teasers are From: p.g 35

"Fewer people have circumnavigated the world alone than had climbed Mt. Everest, and Tess's goal was to become one of the first ten women ever to make the journey. So far only eight had succeeded."

That is my Teaser Tuesday... post a link to yours in the comments below :)

Review: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

Released: July 17th, 2012
Published by: Little, Brown Young Readers
Series: The Land of Stores, Book One
Star Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Bought
Page Amount: 438
Age Group: Middle Grade

Summary

Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

Review

First of all: I absolutely love Chris Colfer. He’s seriously the most flawless human being on his earth. I love Kurt (his character in Glee) and he’s my hero. Second of all: no, that is not the only reason I gave this book five stars.

Alex and Conner are perfect protagonists for this novel. I loved how they are two very different mindsets, and loved how that played a role in things that happened to them. Alex is very much like myself in ways, she loves to read and grew up reading the things she’s seeing in the Land of Stories. If that ever happened to me, trust me I would be very much like her, looking around and crying at things I recognized. Conner is very much the opposite of Alex, he wants to get things done and get them done fast.

I was on the edge of my seat almost this entire book. I felt so attached to these characters, and whenever they ran into something I was rooting for them and wondering how in the world they were going to get out of this mess.

I was absolutely in love with the world that was the Land of Stories. I also loved the little fold out map in the book (I’m not sure if that’s going to be in the paperback, but I’m sure they’ll include it somehow) and how whenever they would mention something, I could fold out the map and see where they were and what they were talking about. I think that made me like the book a little more, I love when there are little touches like that in novels.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun read and I can’t wait for the rest of the books in the series to come out.

Cover Comment

At first, I wasn’t a fan of the cover at all. I thought they should have chose something better. But now that I have read the story, I think it’s the most perfect cover they could have chose for the book. At first I wasn’t a fan of the artwork (well, all in all I’m not a fan of artwork covers. I prefer real photographs) of Alex and Conner with the other pieces of artwork (like the frog, wolf and queens) surrounding them. Now, I don’t think they could have represented the book any other way. There’s jut so much going on that I think what they did was perfect.

Updates

Yes, I know I haven't blogging in MONTHS. There's really no excuse for it, but I thought I would make a little bit of an updates post.

I do have A LOT of book reviews that I need to catch up on, and those will be coming your way soon. I haven't been in the reading mood lately but I think my desire to read might be coming back. Let's hope that's the case.

I just turned 13! I am finally a teenager, which means that I will no longer be a pre-teen blogger. Now I'm a teen blogger! I'm so excited for this year coming up and hope I get to share it with you.

My two year blogging anniversary is coming up on June 27th, and I wanted to ask you guys if you had any fun ideas to help me celebrate. If you do please leave them in the comments or email me.

That's pretty much all, I just wanted to say that I love you guys and hope that your reading some very good books!

Love,
Sierra