Review: Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler
Simon Pulse - January 3, 2012
Reading level: Ages 14 and up

"Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. "

"It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last….."

I loved Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Delilah so I was looking forward to reading Bittersweet. Sarah Ockler has done contemporary young adult right again.

Bittersweet had cute romance, great friendships and hockey! The story follows Hudson, a former skater, while working at a diner baking cupcakes (delicious sounding ones at that) and caring for her brother, she makes time to help her school’s hockey team with their skating. While helping the hockey team, she grows close to both Josh and Will.

The secondary characters were just as great as the main characters. I loved reading about quirky Dani and the adorable Bug, whose personalities were both so big they could have easily been the main characters of novels of their own.

I didn’t like how Hudson left Bug alone on New Years Eve to go to a party or how she seemed around Will, going after him for a second time against Kara's wishes and even though it was obvious that Josh liked her.

Bittersweet was a sweet read. I would recommend it to Contemporary YA lovers looking for a good romance.

PAGE'S RATING: 4/5

Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Dutton Juvenile - January 10, 2012
Reading level: Ages 14 and up

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love."

 One statement I kept repeating on Twitter was 'the story is so much different when you're a sick kid reading about a sick kid.' Technically I'm not a sick kid anymore, I'm an adult. And I don't have cancer I have lupus.

I've been a fan of John Green for years now, his writing is easy to get lost in and his stories are always deep and leave a lasting impression. Usually I will find myself in deep thought and questioning every aspect of my life when finishing a book by him.

However when I heard that John was writing a book where the main character had cancer, I foolishly questioned his ability to write something like that. After all as far as we know John has never himself been on the fence between life and death like that. I get really defensive of the subject, everyone wants to cash in on a tearjerker.

I'm glad to report John did not let his fans down.

Hazel and Augustus are brought to life by John's words so much in fact that I joked on Twitter about how I was planning on taking him to court because a lot of the things in the novel I've said myself, one way or another.

Following John's true nature heartache, adventure and love. And like always questions are all provided from the first page for instance: Augustus the devilishly handsome new guy cannot stop staring at Hazel, is it because she's lugging around an oxygen tank?

While this was an amazing book I cannot say it won out as my favorite John Green novel. I felt that it lacked certain elements of emotion for me, I just read the novel as I would any other book. Maybe because I've already been exposed to the harsh reality that is the medical world--who knows. But in the end I did feel as if it were missing a key ingredient.

With all of that being said, I would totally suggest this book to anyone. I do hope that the book can find a home with other sick kids, it's something that needs to be read. It's something that made me feel less alone in this gigantic mess of a web that we call Earth.

PLOT'S RATING: 4/5
SPOILER: I used my Make-A-Wish on a shopping spree. ;)