Party Girl by Lynne Ewing

Kata and Ana are two girls have lived practically their whole life as gang members, and really see no way out. The two best friends dance together, fight together, they can't even say one name without the other. But when Ana is shot in a drive-by, Kata must learn to live without her best friend.

I had expected this book to be larger, but when I saw it at the library, I was amazed at how small it was. I really enjoyed the gentle elements of the story as well as the action. From Kata's decision to escape from "the life" to her painful attempt at recovering from Ana's death, it was all very in touch.

I really loved how in the end, everything to remind Kata of her past (the tattoo, the boyfriend, the drunk mother, etc.) is slowly but surely disappearing. It shows that though things aren't fairytale, we can still make the best of what we have.

Party Girl also painted a very realistic portrait of gang life and to what extreme measures people go to get out.  Also, how these "tough" members all have dormant weaknesses.

However, I really felt as if the title didn't fit into any of the story. Kata and Ana did not really "party", and the story was about Ana's death and Kata's journey out of the gang.

Also, the touch to the story, what made it so gripping, sometimes disappeared in the thick of things. Even though there was a lot of beautiful wording and memorable quotes, sometimes the gist of the story got lost in all the gang-talk. Some parts were irrelevant and unnecessary. I was distracted a little bit because it was one installment, not a book with chapters.

Overall, it was a nice, enjoyable read with enough action and agony to keep me turning the page when I should have been doing my homework.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

When I first picked up this book, I had somehow gotten it stuck in my mind that it was about the apocalypse. Don't ask how, but it might have had something to do with the play I was in at the time of it's appearance to me - Dracula Spectacula (in which the famous vampire wants to start his own show on Broadway). That's a Hellraiser for ya if there ever was one!

So anyway, I went into the library, saw this book, and snatched the last copy up and giggled with excitement as I rushed to check it out.

"Read the last chapter when you're alone," I was told. Well, guys, I obeyed, and today I am sitting at the computer sniffling over Tessa and her non-apocalyptic (in the loosest sense) 

world.

Even my mom read the last hundred pages in one sitting, and I had forgotten she knew how to read. 

Though the concept is well-worn, Jenny Downham puts a new spin on things. You see at pretty much every turn how the world is moving on without Tessa, and how anytime is too soon for a 16-year-old girl to die.

I love how Tessa's list played out. Especially in the end, when she started adding simple things like, "Eat an ice cream" and "Kiss my boyfriend".

The lifelike rendering of leukemia really gives you something to think about. But Before I Die is not just depressing. This novel also has some high notes as well. Like Tessa's witty facts about pregnancy, or whenever Tessa's with Adam, or Cal's last words to Tessa. Tessa's view of life was written beautifully, and is pretty darn near the carbon copy of how I'd live my life if I discovered I didn't have long to live.

BEWARE OF SPOILER!

My deepest regret about this book is that there was no rescue, no escape from her fate. I also hated that she never got to complete #10 - seeing Zoey's baby.

While searching for the cover to Before I Die, I came upon an alternate cover with a review from Heat on it. It said: "A book that will make you happy to be alive." And I know that no matter how many tissues I've used up, that line hit it dead-on.

"A little birdy told me. . ."

The thought of this blog first occurred to me when I heard that Steph Bowe over at Hey, Teenager of the Year! gets advance copies of books (which totally rocks! keep in mind I really do want these books for reviewing purposes!). Then I thought, "Hey, why don't I try to knock her out of her spot as 70th Top Blogger in Australia." But then I remembered I don't live in Australia, so that was pretty much out.

In any case, enjoy my book reviews, occasionally witty, always the precursor to a night spent in bed, eagerly flipping pages.

- Lindsey

P.S. DON'T DOGEAR YOUR BOOKS. How would it feel if someone kept tugging on your ear? Or something of more use to you . . . ?