Throwback Thursday: My Life as a Rhombus

Throwback Thursday will be a day when we review a book we read in the past or a book that was published awhile ago.Today's Throwback Thursday is a novel I truly enjoyed: My Life as Rhombus

Boys + Love = Trouble
Right?
Staying on track at school means a boy-free equation for Rhonda Lee, who spends most evenings doing homework and eating Chinese takeout with her dad. While Rhonda needs a scholarship for college, some kids at her private high school, like beautiful Sarah Gamble, seem to coast along on popularity and their parents' money.
When forced to tutor Sarah in trigonometry, Rhonda recognizes all too well the symptoms—queasiness, puking, exhaustion—that Sarah is trying to mask. On a sudden impulse, Rhonda shares her past with Sarah. Exchanging their secrets adds up to more truths than either girl would have dreamed.

My Life as a Rhombus is a rare sort of YA novel. It combines all the romantic pursuit and insecurity of a fluff novel with the depth and maturity of a serious read. This book thwarts the idea that fun novels are lacking in lessons and truth. With all the skill of a great teacher, it slips in its messages between laughs, letting the reader learn subconsciously.

This novel contains lessons about love, loss, friendship, and teen pregnancy, without feeling forced. Reading this, I felt that I was getting a peek inside the mind of an ordinary teenage girl, rather than an adult male author, writing what he thinks teenage girls are like. This is often the painful case when males try to write from the female perspective, especially the teenage female perspective. Varian Johnson doesn't give an inkling of his own gender when writing from the perspective of Rhonda. In fact, I was quite surprised to realize, halfway through the novel, that the author was male.

I found Rhonda a relatable, believable character. Though she is a math whiz, she is in no way intimidating. Unlike the fairies, vampires, immortals, and bad girls that are all the rage these days, she is just a normal girl, who's made her share of mistakes. She is very likeable and logical, never throwing herself headfirst into things like the Bella Swans of the book world. At the same time, her emotions are more than evident and are appropriate to each situation she experiences.

I found David adorable and likeable as well. He was caring and charming, but he also had flaws, making him more real. You could also clearly see that he had an emotional side and a temper.

I don't remember much about Sarah, except that her character evolved quite a bit in the novel from coarse to likeable. The transition was smooth and forced me to change my mind about her.

I don't remember Rhonda's friends, Gail and Xavier, at all, so I don't think they were very well-developed. I remember nothing about Sarah and David's mother, except that I didn't care for her.

Christopher is a huge jerk. He was totally depthless. In the character sense, he had the right amount of depth for his role in the book, but as a person, he was a depthless jerk. This was obviously Johnson's intent, and he really hit the nail on the head, making me dislike this character a great deal. And "a great deal" is an understatement.

Overall, this was a great novel, and I can't remember having any complaints. I have recommended this to multiple friends, and they all liked it as well.

If you are a Caucasian reader who would like to read books by people of color or with main characters that are of color, this is a great novel to start with. There are no heavy themes about race, and it could be a great warm-up for more serious novels.

Plot: 8/10
Readability: 9/10
Character Development: 9/10 The minor characters didn't seem too real.
Ending: 7/10 The book kind of slows to a smooth stop.
Writing: 8.5/10 The writing wasn't exactly lyrical, but it made for believable characters. An extra .5 because this is a male author writing from a teenage, female perspective.

If you would like to read another review of this novel, check out Reading in Color.

Tashi <3

Throwback Thursday!

Reasons why this is late: I NEED TO FINISH MY SUMMER HOMEWORK AND CHOOSE COLLEGES AND APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND READ AND STILL HAVE TIME TO EAT AND SLEEP AND BLOG AND GAHHHHHHH!!!

However, I will set aside my freak-out and do this post if it kills me. Someone needs to learn to do reviews in advance.

Today's Throwback Thursday is a wonderful novel full of adorable little quirks by the name of Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father--the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.

Honestly, I love male narrators, but I don't think I've ever loved a male narrator more than I love Christopher Paul Curtis' male narrators.

But, Not Buddy, while being a great book for reluctant readers, is really a heartfelt story. It's sometimes humorous, sometimes saddening, and always satisfying. I especially loved Bud's "Rules and Things" There are funny ones like "Rules and Things Number 83: If an adult tells you not to worry, and you weren't worried before, you better hurry up and start, 'cause you're already running late." There are also really true ones like "Rules and Things Number 63: Never, ever say something bad about someone you don't know--especially when you're around a bunch of strangers. You can never tell who might be kin to that person or who might be a lip-flapping, big-mouth spy."

Honestly, the only character I really remember is Bud. He was very street-smart for such a young kid, and unafraid of the world. Still, he was childish, naive, and hopeful, making him all the more lovable. Also, like Kenny of The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963, he was just really funny at times.

The reason I only remember Bud is because this novel was quite the adventure. Bud is an orphan who jumps from place to place, so he was the only character we stayed with throughout the novel.

But don't think my lack of memory points to dull characters. There were some lively ones. There was his temporary foster family, all of whom were positively horrible, not to mention Herman E. Calloway and his band, whom I vaguely remember being enamored with.

Bud, Not Buddy is just a really great kids book that will make you laugh and almost cry. And the folks that run both the Newbery and the Coretta Scott King Awards obviously agree.

Tashi <3

P.S. Check out that super-schnazzy cover! And look at the one over at Barnes and Noble, too! While you're at it, this book would be a great gift for any elementary-age kid.

Where Have I Been?!

So around Thursday, I kind of gave up on vacationing and blogging at the same time. Sorry, but it's been all fun and sleep.


I'm usually an all or nothing sort of person, so once I didn't post one day, I didn't really want to post the next. I felt like I'd have to do all the posts.



But I have decided....to throw them to the wind. Throwback Thursday, gone. Freestyle Friday, next week. Saturday Review, kaput. Sunday Sum-Up, what's to sum up?



I'm starting fresh with Monday Musings.



Hereeeeee we go. (Once upon a time not long ago, when people wore pajamas and lived life slow. lol)

1. The new Liar cover makes me happy. I feel like I had a small part in a little change.
2. I'm going to miss my sister. :(
3. A blog makeover is coming soon. :)
4. Books will be waiting for me when I get home. :D
5. Ellen Hopkins inspires me.
6. All this time in Cali, I've been wondering where the cute boys were. Now I see. New York.
7. If it's not NY pizza, it's not pizza.
8. Subways: not as exciting as tourists think.
9. Tourists....so....annoying.....o.O...so....slow....and.....gawky
10. Chinese food delivers out here, like in the movies. :D
11. My sister is a scientist. Seriously.
12. Slurpies are best at 2 a.m.
13. Central Park is pretty.
14. Washington Square is alive.
15. The Met is amazing.
16. Sauerkraut isn't so bad.
17. I went to see Wicked.
18. Wicked was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
19. More amazing, Oprah was there. I was literally six feet from her walking out.
20. Snuck into the Times Square Marriott. Rode to the top floor.
21. Saw Jojo (Rev Run's son) in Dave and Buster's today. My sister and I were the only ones to recognize him. We didn't bother him.
22. I <3>
23. Must pack now. Angry sister. lol I'll miss her.

~Tashi

Throwback Thursday! + A Reminder

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

Ghetto-born, Winter is the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy, and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold Winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn't want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top.

Disclaimer: The Coldest Winter Ever is a novel with some very adult scenes and topics. This is definitely for older, more mature teens and adults.

This novel's harsh realities were almost painful to read. Winter's perspective is so twisted she can't see straight, and everyone around her is either as blind as she is, or trying to protect her. This novel is a roller coaster that drags you through the ups and downs of Winter's life. If you want a novel that will have you up at 3 a.m., dying to know what happens next, and a novel that you have to chew on for a day or so to fully grasp, this is definitely it.

Winter Santiaga is an incredibly complicated character. While her personality and perspective are shallow and materialistic, what she represents is something much deeper. Winter represents everything wrong with the current generation of youth, specifically black youth. She can't see past her own world of drugs, crime, and material possessions. She doesn't understand the value of working, learning, or caring for other people. For her, school is a fashion show, and her whole life is focused on looking better than her peers. This is all encouraged by her mother.

The fact that I can't remember Winter's mother's name is a testament to how shallow her character was and how little family meant in this novel. While it is apparent that Winter's mother loves her husband and daughters, she steers them all completely wrong. She instills in her daughters ideas that money and physical beauty are the only things important in life, that richer means better, and that a woman's job is to be beautiful. While she occasionally cares emotionally for Winter, we never see her care for Winter's younger sisters this way. It seems that the family is, for the most part, separated.

Ricky Santiaga, Winter's father, is slightly better. While he is more level-headed, he allows his silly wife to steer him wrong. Although it seems he wants to be there for his family emotionally, he has no time, because he's busy running a huge illegal drug business. He encourages materialism in his daughters, because this is the only way he can show his love for them. Unlike Winter's mother, he does want a better life for her, moving his family out of Brooklyn, and telling her to marry a doctor or a lawyer. However, he never suggests that Winter should go to school and try to become a doctor or a lawyer.

Bullet, Winter's love interest for a time, is just plain ignorant. He tries to fill some ever-present need to feel masculine with Winter's devotion and affection. Mostly, though, he sees her as a possession, one that he's finally earned with money. In the end, he's just a scared little boy who covets others' possessions, and tries to get them by dealing drugs.

Midnight seems like the only character in the book with some sort or perspective, other than Sister Souljah herself, who plays a minor role. Born in Sudan, he sees the world much differently than the locals. While still quite sexist himself, he at least tries to get Winter to respect herself and dress appropriately. He even introduces her to Sister Souljah, who can help Winter find her way. (Winter is too screwed up to take advantage of this.) He keeps his hands clean of any connections to actual drugs, and makes money as a sort of assistant to Santiaga.

This novel really represents a terrible mentality that some people live in. Winter is constantly disrespecting herself, and cares about no one but herself. When her family is all but destroyed, she moves on without a shedding tear, only thinking of herself. Winter's story is wildly interesting and infinitely sad, on a base level, and a universal one.

I highly recommend this book. If you're old enough and mature enough to read some very adult scenes, and understand the messages embedded in it, I definitely suggest you grab a copy. You will not be disappointed.

Plot: 9.5/10
Readability: 10/10
Character Development: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 9/10

I will be reviewing Midnight by Sister Souljah next Thursday. It's listed as a sequel but plot-wise it has absolutely nothing in common with The Coldest Winter Ever, except Midnight.

Tashi <3

P.S. Our contest for your choice of either Played or Jason and Kyra, both by Dana Davidson, ends tomorrow so hurry! hurry! hurry!

Sunday Sum-Up

Well it's been an exciting first week of blogging, to say the least. For the 10 followers we have, I hope you're enjoying this blog. I also hope that one day I can reward my special first-weekers. Anyhow, here's a summary of what we've been up to.

This Week's Tastes:

Monday we brought you our very first Mailbox Monday.

Tuesday we let you Taste Evermore.

We WoWed Will Grayson, Will Grayson on Wednesday and Wondered if you use bookmarks and how you read. Later, we introduced ourselves and gave an opinion of a Miley Cyrus style Wings movie.

We reviewed My Life as a Rhombus for the very first Throwback Thursday, and got excited about a Twilight graphic novel.

We threw you a comic and a contest on Friday and called you out for the Diversity Roll Call.

We saved you a Saturday review of Evermore and gave you a chance to snag it.

And now, we're summing it all up.

Be sure to check back Monday when Kiki brings you the very first Music Monday. I can't wait to see what rockin' new music she has in store.

See you soon,

Tashi <3

Sunday Sum-Up

Hello Lovelies! Here's this week's sum-up.

Music Monday we introduced you to There For Tomorrow.
Tuesday we let you Taste If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson and introduced you to this ridiculously HUGE contest!!
Wednesday we Wondered about bookish deja vu and reviewed Cabin in the Sky.
Throwback Thursday was The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah.
Freestyle Friday was all Never Shout Never goodness.
Silly Saturday was Panic! At The Disco.
And now we're summing it all up.

See ya tomorrow. Don't forget to follow us on twitter. Tweet tweet.

Tashi <3

Throwback Thursday!

*Yawn* Another late post.

The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

A wonderful middle-grade novel narrated by Kenny, 9, about his middle-class black family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny's 13-year-old brother, Byron, gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up.

What the....? That's not the book I remember. *Goes to bookshelf. Looks at back cover.*

Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amazing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on a trip like no other. They're heading South. They're going to Birmingham, Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America's history.

Now that's the story I remember! Barnes and Noble=Synopsis Fail. On with the review...

This book is hilarious. I first read it in 5th grade and the first chapter STILL cracks me up. It's just plain funny. At the same time, it deals with the subject of racism in the South during the Civil Rights Movement and specifically with the church bombing in Birmingham, when four little girls were killed. This book is the definition of heart-warming, in more than one way.

I don't remember much about specific characters, except that Kenny's perspective is funny, Kenny's Dad's reactions are hilarious, and Byron is just fun to laugh at because of his serious, brooding, I'm-a-tough-man-act. Mostly, I remember the family relations being pitch-perfect. You could just feel the love between the pages.

I also remember very little about the plot, since I reread this about 4 years ago. All I know is that the handling of the church bombing issue made me want to cry and most of the scenes were either hilarious, in that "Kids Say the Darndest Things" way, or they made you feel all warm and gooey inside. I seriously connect a lot of this book with memories from my childhood, so it's hard not to love it. That being said, as a fifth grade reader, this really made me want to read everything I could get my hands on.

This was just an excellent book. I'm planning on re-reading it, just because it's so special. It's definitely for yougner kids, though. I'd say 3rd-6th grade. If you have a reluctant reader, this is a great one to give them. Plus, it is a GREAT book to read aloud.

Don't just take my word for it. I'll list a few of it's many awards.

A 1996 Newbery Honor Book

A 1996 Coretta Scott King Honor Book

An ALA Top Ten Best Book

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

An ALA Notable Children's Book

An IRA Young Adults' Choice

A New York Times Book Review Best Book

A Publisher's Weekly Best Book

And that's just to name a few.

Plot: 8/10

Readability: 9/10

Character Development: 7/10

Ending: 7/10

Writing: 9/10

Tashi <3

Sunday Sum-Up

Here's a summary of what our second week in the blogosphere was like:

Monday we brought you our first Music Monday.

Tuesday we gave you a Taste of 24 girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley.

We WoWed Rachel Vincent's My Soul to Take, showed you our interview, and linked you to Justine Larbelestier on Wednesday.

Our Throwback Thursday was 24 Girls in 7 Days. I gave you our opinion of the Liar cover controversy, and asked White readers to speak up.

Friday we showed you a Favorite Quote and shook our heads at a Twilight Google.

Saturday I took a writing challenge and dove head first into the Color Me Brown Book Challenge, reviewing Played by Dana Davidson. We reminded you that we needed 9 more followers (now it's 5!) to add another book to our contest.

And now we're summing it all up.

Thanks for another great week, guys! You'll see us tomorrow.

Tashi <3

Throwback Thursday!!!!

24 girls in 7 days by Alex Bradley.

There are a few things sadder than Jack Grammer's love life.

So when his friends take it upon themselves to get him a date to the prom by placing an intensely humiliating ad in the school paper, they think they are doing him a favor. Jack doesn't agree. But then the most amazing thing happens: Responses to the ad are overwhelming. So overwhelming, in fact, that Jack must narrow the list down. A lot. Not an easy task. Turns out, the girls at City High are quite the competitive bunch. From drive-by flashings to breaking and entering to cellphone stalkers, these potential prom dates will stop at nothing to snag the suddenly popular Jack. How will he ever chose just one?

I absolutely adored this novel! It's a completely realistic view into the opposite sex's mind of an average High School Senior guy. The way Brad

Sum-ups, Apologies, and NY

Here's what we've been up to this week:

Monday we Mused and asked you what kind of Music you listen to.

We added a book to our contest on Take it Tuesday.

Wednesday we Wondered about prologues, epilogues, and series.

Our Throwback Thursday was The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis.

We began a new contest for Free Friday!!

And now we're Summing it all up.

Moving on to apologies.....no Saturday Review :( but you'll get one out of me next week for sure! Even if I am in New York.

New. York. Is. Fun. I have yet to take pictures. I went to a mall so big that I went on overload and had to leave. It was SO HUGE! I also got a massage and ordered Chinese food. (It actually came to the door like a pizza!) Oh, and Dunkin Donuts is UHMAZING.

Tashi <3

Keeping My Word: Our Contest Includes Another Book!

I've always had this little problem. I'm impatient. One instance? If I buy a gift for someone, I want to give it to them. That Moment. It takes a lot of restraint for me to wait. And it seems to be that way with contests for our followers!

So, rather than forcing you to wait until Free Friday to find out what book I'm adding to our contest, I'm telling you now. Although, you can probably guess from the picture.

24 Girls in 7 Days! by Alex Bradley

Jack Grammar, average American senior, has no date to the prom. Or so he thinks. Percy and Natalie, Jack's so-called best friends, posted an ad in the classified section of the online version of the school newspaper. They figured it couldn't hurt-after all, there's not much in this world sadder than Jack's love life. Soon Percy and Natalie have assembled a list of girls eager to go to the prom with Jack, including one mysterious girl known only as FancyPants. He has just seven days to meet and date them before he will ask one special girl to the prom.

I've only read the first 10 pages or so, but Kiki tells me its hilarious and awesome. Laugh out loud funny. Hopefully, she will grace us all with a Tuesday Taste and review it for our Thursday Throwback.

Haven't entered our contest yet? Want an extra entry for this fun, funny read? Just comment here!

I only have one problem....should both books go to one winner, or should there be two winners, one for each book? Let me know in the poll on this page! It'll close the same day as the contest.

Oh, by the way, which cover do you like best? The winner will get the cover on the left, but I prefer the cover on the right.

I'll see you all Wednesday!

Tashi <3

P.S. If we get 50 followers befor July 31st, I'll add another book. You guys are seriously cleaning me out.