The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

January 6, 2018 by Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

“Heart-fluttering, honest, and hilarious. I can’t stop hugging this book.” —Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss

“I have such a crush on this book! Not only is this one a must read, but it’s a must re-read.” —Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’

From the award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda comes a funny, authentic novel about sisterhood, love, and identity.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back.
There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker, Reid. He’s a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.

Right?

Book Overview:

Author: Becky Albertalli | Series: None | Format: Audiobook | Narrated by: Arielle DeLisle | Length: 7 hours, 58 minutes | Publish Date: April 11, 2017 | Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance, GLBT | Literary Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2017) | Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★| Recommend: HECK YES

Because I have to admit: there’s something really badass about truly, honestly not caring what people think about you.

This was one of my favorite books of all time. That’s so rare to me, to find a book that is contemporary that I actually enjoyed, but this one completely took my breath away. I think listening to it made it even more enjoyable for me because Arielle DeLisle completely convinced me that she was actually Molly – the main character and protagonist of this book – and not just a narrator. She really made me feel like I was in the mind of a seventeen-year-old girl. Becky Albertalli did such an amazing job of encompassing what goes on in the mind of a teenage girl, and all the little quirks and inner dialogue that she would have during certain situations would have come out of my mouth at her age. Actually, I probably would have thought some of the same thoughts even now, and I haven’t been seventeen in a little while.

Even if he likes me, I’m not sure he’d like me naked. I hate that I’m even thinking that. I hate hating my body. Actually, I don’t even hate my body. I just worry everyone else might. Because chubby girls don’t get boyfriends, and they definitely don’t have sex. Not in movies—not really—unless it’s supposed to be a joke. And I don’t want to be a joke.

Molly is amazing. She has never been in love before, even though her twin sister Cassie has had her fair share of hookups and whatnot. Molly thinks it’s because she’s fat, and no guy would want to date a fat girl. Trust me, Molly. That’s how I feel to this day, and I definitely had that fear when I was your age. But there are two guys that are now in her life, one that she thinks she likes, and the other that she thinks she doesn’t. One is considered a hipster cool guy, Will, and the other is a nerdy guy on the bulkier side, Reid. When Cassie ends up getting a girlfriend, this really hipster cool Korean-American hottie named Mina, things start to change between the twin girls, and drama ensues. And yes, I did say that right. Cassie has a girlfriend, not a boyfriend. I love the feminism and acceptance of love in this book. Did I mention that Cassie and Molly have two moms also? The acceptance of all kinds of love in this book is great, and so normal as opposed to being such a big deal. Two girls or two women falling in love is not something so insane that it shouldn’t be mentioned, and Albertalli does a great job of showing that people should be more accepted by the masses.

I can’t say more about the book, only because I feel like I will spoil it. I wouldn’t want to do that. But oh my gosh, I absolutely loved everyone in this book. Well almost everyone, but I’m not going to mention that. The girls in this book are so sure of themselves and do not take shit from anyone – boy or otherwise – about what they can do with their bodies. Cassie even stands up to their grandma when their grandma starts to bring up Molly’s weight yet again. I love that about this. They aren’t afraid to tell people when their thought process is wrong – from racism, sex, and lesbian relationships – and their relationship with one another can withstand even the worst of arguments. There isn’t any girl on girl hate in this book, which is so refreshing! Yes, there are some damning thoughts from Molly when she thinks that one of her best friends likes the guy that she’s crushing on, but that’s typical seventeen-year-old behavior. She never acts on it, and even realizes that she was being a terrible person. She learned from her mistake, and that’s what matters.

I have so many emotions about this book. I loved it so much. I was cheering for Cassie and Molly. I was screaming about Reid. I was just all over this book like white on rice. I wish it didn’t end. I wish there was a sequel, but I feel like it ended perfectly. I just loved this book so much. Go read it. Go listen to it. Go find out more about Molly’s world! You won’t regret it.

Author Spotlight

Courtesy of Goodreads

Born: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Website: https://www.beckyalbertalli.com/

Twitter: beckyalbertalli

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Goodreads Member Since: December 2013

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (film: Love, Simon), The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. She is also the co-author of What If It’s Us with Adam Silvera. A former clinical psychologist who specialized in working with children and teens, Becky lives with her family in Atlanta. You can visit her online at www.beckyalbertalli.com.

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

January 5, 2018 by Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

One house, two worlds…

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name-but it would mean giving up her one true love … someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting … at Somerton.

Book Overview:

Author: Leila Rasheed | Series: At Somerton | Format: Hardcover | Length: 400 pages | Publish Date: January 22, 2013 | Genre: YA Historial Fiction/Romance | Rating: ★ ★ ★ | Recommend: Maybe

Those who ride on high horses have a long way to fall.

This book definitely had a lot of scandal in it. I don’t really read “romance” novels or “contemporary” novels like this book was, so it was interesting to read. In essence, this book was about the two different worlds in the Somerton Court: the elite and the servants. Lady Ada, one of the main characters, is the daughter of Lord Westlake who leans on the more educated side of life. She would rather attend Oxford and learn more about politics than be one of those proper ladies that cares more about the clothes she wears and the potential husband she can have. One of the things I do appreciate about her is that she tries her best to educate herself about what’s going on in the world, even if she isn’t always correct in her thoughts. The other main character, Rose Cliffe, has become Lady Ada’s lady maid, which is technically a promotion from her previous station. The cool thing about Ada and Rose, is that they actually grew up together and were friends when they were younger. Of course, that was before they had to really grow into their proper stations. Will they end up being friends again? Or will they play the game of class, and only be professional towards one another?

Does it even really matter to me? Not really, honestly.

I think the one part that I did appreciate – although it really irritated me – was the discussion on British Occupation in India. Since Lord Westlake had been working and living with his family in India for the past ten years – only now coming back to England because of some scandal surrounding his resignation – and on their trip back to their home country, Ada meets an Indian boy by the name of Ravi. She falls for him after a brief conversation about Oxford, and they end up kissing. At a party, the topic of India comes up, and Ravi – being the only Indian person in attendance of this party – obviously has a differing opinion on the occupation from the rest of the guests. One of the main quotes from Ravi that I loved was this:

I, too have spent several years in India – my entire life, as it happens – and more than this, I am Indian. You must allow me a different perspective on its government by the English than you might have.

Of course he would have a different opinion! Why wouldn’t he? How would the British even understand what the native Indians are actually going through when they aren’t on the receiving end. Like so many people have said, history is told through the eyes of the victors, and therefore is very subjective to make it sound like this occupation was a good thing. It was the only way these Indian “savages” could have a sustainable government. Of course, right? And yet everyone dismisses his thoughts because he’s “young”. Of course.

This book was alright for me. It really just shows me that the people during this time were so… difficult to deal with. So much drama and deception for almost no reason. Did it add to the story? Not really. Did it make it enjoyable? Not so much. But other than that, it was an okay read. If you like contemporary, historical fiction romances, then I think you would like it.

Author Spotlight

Courtesy of Goodreads

Born: Libya
Website: http://leilarasheeddotcom.com
Twitter: LeilaR

Leila Rasheed has gained an MA in both Children’s Literature and Creative Writing. She started work at Reading Is Fundamental, a children’s literacy charity, before moving to Belgium. Leila now works as the children’s bookseller for Waterstone’s in Brussels.

The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

January 4, 2018 by Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Dear Reader,

If you have just picked up this book, then it is not too late to put it back down. Like the previous books in A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, there is nothing to be found in these pages but misery, despair, and discomfort, and you still have time to choose something else to read.

Within the chapters of this story, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire encounter a darkened staircase, a red herring, some friends in a dire situation, three mysterious initials, a liar with an evil scheme, a secret passageway, and parsley soda.

I have sworn to write down these tales of the Baudelaire orphans so the general public will know each terrible thing that has happened to them, but if you decide to read something else instead, you will save yourself from a heapful of horror and woe.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Book Overview:

“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”

I have to say that out of all the books in this series that I’ve read so far, I think this one is my favorite. Not only do we get to find out what happened to the Quagmire triplets (I’m not spoiling anything for you, sorry!), but we actually get to find out a little bit more about the Baudelaire parents. In this book, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny have the opportunity to have a guardian that lives only a few blocks away from their old mansion. Even better, one of their guardians – Jerome Squalor – actually used to be friends with their mother. This had to have been before the children were born, however, because, throughout the book, it didn’t seem like they recognized them at all. He knew about them, but they didn’t know anything about him.

Curious.

The adults are still pretty hopeless in these books, but at least the Baudelaires finally have one guardian that seems to genuinely care about them. Well, at least until the end, but I won’t get into that. It was nice to see them loved for once, and I’m glad that they got a break from such terrible conditions.

On the other hand, who really pays such close attention to what’s “in” and what’s “out”? It sounds exhausting. I can’t wait for the next one. I’m pretty sure I’m going to finally finish the series this year, and it’s been a long time coming.

Don’t forget to check out Lemony Snicket’s Author Spotlight here.