review: Shrinking Violet

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
Published: MTV (May 5, 2009)
Pages: 320
Source: Borrowed from library

Short Summary: Teresa lives and breathes music. With the bass pumping in her ears and the lyrics running through her soul, it's easy forget the real world--the world where she is so painfully shy. The world where she snd her mother fight like cats and dogs.

In her world, Teresa is the DJ and all of Miami is listening to her.

Too bad it's only in her dreams. In real life Teresa has been assigned an group presentation with Gavin, the boy at school that Tere can't quite figure out. She can't decide what is worse--the oral report or that her mother is still trying to turn her into a younger version of herself. Complete with a Mary Kay makeover.

But things may turn around for Tere when a slot opens up at a local radio station (conveniently owned by her stepfather).  Behind the mic, Tere is Sweet T, Miami's new mysterious DJ. And even though talking to people usually breaks her out in cold sweats, on air, she's a natural. But when a new promo at the station will combine Tere's two worlds, she going to have to find a way to break through.

My thoughts: I really related to Shrinking Violet. I was also very shy as a child and young adult. My escape was books rather then music. I really like Teresa--she really tries to overcome her shyness and pursue her dreams. I think a lot of times in books the main character is handled some type of challenge and has to come up with the courage to complete, but Tere doesn't wait and I love that about her.

While I really liked Sweet T's life at the station, it seemed completely removed from her home life--almost as if I was reading two different stories. Both were good, but I felt like they crashed together at the end, instead of being woven together throughout the book.

There was a lot of information about the supposed music scene in Miami. The station where Tere works played a lot of local artists who have the potential to go big. As a small town Oklahoma girl I found this really interesting and different from the music scene in this here neck of the woods.

A fun read and one that had me remember my own shakes and nerves from public speaking in high school.

Rating: 3 Stars

review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cochn and David Levithan
Published: Knopf (October 26, 2010)
Pages: 272
Source: Borrowed from library

Short Summary: ...it's Christmas time in the city. And for Lily and Dash this holiday season means empty apartments and open schedules. For Lily, this is awful. Christmastime is for family and presents and decorations and CAROLING. For Dash, it's a nice break from his parents and their significant others. Worlds will collide, however, when Dash unearths a red Moleskin notebook on the shelves of the Strand, NYC's famous bookstore.

Inside the notebook Dash finds a series of clues. Clues written by Lily which will lead to a city-wide scavenger hunt as Lily and Dash shuffle the Moleskin back and forth. They hit up some of New York's most iconic Christmas spots and with exchange learn more about each other.

As more is revealed, Dash and Lily both began to wonder: what if this relationship is better left on paper?

My thoughts: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares immediately caught by eye. I'm a big fan of Cohn and Levithan's other two collaborations-- Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List. And I love the fast-paced movement of the New York setting. I <3 NY.

The characters in this novel are fun and quirky--and stereotypical. Lily is the sensitive, sheltered introvert and Dash is the analytic bookworm. Little quirks brighten their characters and made both of them likable. Having a great cast of supporting characters helps as well-- Lily's cousin might be my favorite character in the book.

This book is also where I got the title for my blog, in a place where Dash described himself..."I was horribly bookish, to the point of coming right out and saying it, which I knew was not socially acceptable. I particularly loved the adjective bookish, which I found other people used about as often as ramrod or chum or teetotaler."

This book is a fun quick read that really put me in the holiday spirit--and pining for a December trip to the Big Apple.

Rating: 3 Stars