Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell | Rating: ★★☆☆☆

*To clarify, this is a rewrite of an old review, as my thoughts of the novel have changed through the years.  

Ages and ages and ages ago, I loved this book. It is still something I appreciate, on some level, even if my feelings have changed in the years. I certainly loved it all those years ago. Perhaps not as much as the hit HBO television series of the same name, but, it was still up there. Sex and the City was something of a stepping stone for a lot of women through the years and still, I think, holds true even in the years its been off the air. Certainly it's a pop culture phenomenon that still stays highly relevant in popular culture.

I'm always going to appreciate it, and the show, for what they are and how they shaped some aspects of who I became as an adult. I applaud it on many levels but somehow, somewhere along the way, the novel and show have lost their sparkle to me. I don't think I'll feel inclined to reread the book again, in the future, which is strange given I still love the characters from both the novel and show, and have some sense of attachment towards them, but there you have it. It's not that it's a bad novel, it just feels like the older I get the more boring and unappealing it is to me.

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Edelweiss by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

What surprised me most about The Last Boy and Girl in the World was how it didn’t water down the attitudes of the cast of teenagers we are introduced to. It gave me a feeling of where the plot might go, but it didn’t end up the way I’d expected. If anything, readers are going to be surprised by the novel itself–I had assumed it was going to be farther into the thriller genre, yet it didn’t go that route at all. Still, it was compelling and Siobhan Vivian has a certain grace about her writing when it comes down to portraying teenagers and their coming of age stories.

You see, a lot of what people won’t like about this release is that the characters can often be insufferable and are horrendously flawed in the way that only teenagers can be. You’re going to be annoyed at times, you’re not going to like everything that they do, you’re going to scoff and roll your eyes at their actions or statements. Not everyone is going to be able to overlook that, but I cannot stress enough that that’s what makes them real.

You aren’t reading about adults. You’re reading about kids. Kids, who’s lives are changing. Kids, who are still learning and making mistakes and growing up and falling out–there’s a breath of life in each of them. It’s as simple as that and you can’t hate them for it. That’s what I found most endearing about the kids and the way they acted–they were real and they needed to grow, and maybe they won’t by the end of the novel, maybe they will.

About a Girl by Sarah McCarry | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

If there is one thing you must know before picking up a novel written by Sarah McCarry: it’s that her writing is extraordinarily unique and real. She makes sure that her descriptions are on point and that nothing is left out. Everything is well thought out and planned and while it shows promise in her writing it sometimes come off as cold and dull and there were more than a few parts in the story I had to sit it down because I got bored. In all the good qualities of her writing, it’s often at the back of your mind that it’s very ramble filled. I have a bit of mixed emotions on this book because as good as it was in its highlights, I felt like I wanted more from it by the ending.

As for her characters? They are intelligent and intense in all the right ways; so very realistic in terms of their personality. I promise you that upon reading her works, you will feel a great deal of emotions towards her characters (good and bad) and the plots that follow, even if the outcome of it all disappoints you in one way or another. About A Girl feeds on your curiosity and brings you into the story instantly. One thing I found particularly good about the story is how often it reminded what it’s like to be a teenager; so curious, so hormonal, so sure of yourself and unsure at the same time.

Have you ever wondered where book reviewers purchase their books? How some receive some serious freebies? Or if it’s possible to receive free books to review? Both physical copies as well as eBooks? Are you new to all of this or just curious of your options?

One of the most frequently asked question among beginning book bloggers are often on how to receive Advanced Review Copies straight to your mailbox or eReader. Receiving these may be at times tricky unless your blog results in a nifty amount of traffic — so click here for a lovely how-to guide on this topic to see if you may qualify or if you just want to give it a shot anyway.

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So here’s a helpful list that will hopefully guide you as you try to make your book blog work. And if you have any suggestions/options for the beginners, please don’t hesitate to send me your input.