Reality Check by Jen Calonita

I can't say I loved this book but it still was amazing. Though the overall story seemed quick, there was a lot of intro and rising action before the climax. There was also a lot of typos in the text which kind of bothered me, but it wasn't too bad.
Also, if you plan on reading this book, don't read the summary provided on the front flap. It's slightly incorrect and mentions something that isn't even mentioned until three-quarters into the book
Reality Check is about Charlie and how she and her three best friends are invited to be the stars of a reality TV show, The Cliffs, obviously they couldn't turn down such a promising offer. The show was supposed to be a pure reality one about their friendship, but things stray sadly afar from that idea. Their friendships start to break up; the show is turning up nothing as they imagined. Soon, The Cliffs, is something Charlie wants to completely step away from. The four friends gave up a lot to get on the show, and they'd have to give up a lot to get off it.
I hated all the back stabbing, misunderstandings and betrayals that took place in this book but it was acurate, well-written and down right amazing. There was a nice and happy ending, even if there was one part that kind of wanted to make me cry. It was upsetting, but in a way that showed that the author was amazing and got me feeling just how I was supposed to.
Oh yeah, I also absolutely LOVED the cover of the one I read. It's like doll-versions of the main characters. It was cute and looked like how it was supposed to.
I'd suggest this book to anyone who loves a good teen fic or watches all those cheesy reality shows. And even if you don't, this was an amazing book that's worth a try.
I'd rate the book a 8.9/10
~Mushu



I read this book in like 1 day so that kind of says a lot about it. It was an interesting concept and I really liked it. The characters had a certain fiction to them that made them more interesting. I agree with Mushu that the cover was pretty cute and it made sense - people become plastic when they're put on TV. Once I started this book I just really had to finish it. I would totally suggest this to people who like shows like The Bachelorette [which is waaaay better than The Bachelore, personal opinion] or Love in the Wild or Keeping Up With The Kardashians or any reality show because the book is from the perspective of someone on a reality show so you get to see what how things get taken out of context as well as things getting omitted and stuff like that.

I would rate this book a 8.7/10 because it was a pretty good story and everything, it just had a lot of typos and wasn't completely perfect.

-Flounder

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

This was one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I'm asuming this book was originally written in German because that's where the book takes place and it was translated. Unfortunately, I don't know who the translator was but give them credit too; they did an amazing job in translating! I'd most definately suggest this book to anyone.
The book is about Anna, a good girl, and Abel, a rough-looking kind of guy who is actually very nice and simply trying to take care of his younger sister, Micah. After slowly getting to know Abel more and more, Anna gets to hear the beautiful fairy-tale which Abel tells his sister. Abel has many problems living the way he does, and Anna is more than willing to help, if Abel would just let her. But then when people messing with Abel wind up dead, all fingers point to Abel himself. Anna can't help but wonder- is she in love with a murderer?
I wasn't drawn in right away, but I soon enough was! The writing of this book is very formal and I'd just recently read a teen fiction so I guess I just wasn't prepared. At times I was a little confused, but everything quickly made sense after I read on. The plot was very thick and there were so many twists in the story, it was hard to ever put the book down.
Someone once told me, "American stories often have basically happy endings. Well, you should read a European story. It's much more meaningful and realistic." Very true. In the end, everything somewhat turned out alright, but not everything was perfect. It was so, so sad I was about to cry. And I don't usually cry over books. It was also kind of mature... So if you can stomach an extremely sad and mature story, DEFINATELY, without a doubt, read The Storyteller. The only thing you will regret is not reading it sooner. And sorry this is so long...
I'll rate this book a 10/10
~Mushu

April Fool's

Happy April Fools! :P Well, if you could consider it happy. While some fool's jokes are silly and fun, some could be awful. So make sure you won't actually hurt somebody before you pull a prank.
Partially thankfully, this year April Fools is on a weekend so there is no reason to stay on my guard!
To all of you who are left exposed to jokes, good luck and have fun!
~Mushu

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I'm sure you've all read this. People have always asked me: "Gale or Peeta?" and I've never understood, now I finally do and I have to answer that with "Peeta, beyond doubt!" I've been meaning to read this book for a while but my dad lost the book for a while so I couldn't start it. Plus the movie's coming out and I really want to see it but I don't want to see it before I read the book. Anyways, my mom found it in our library Thursday and so I started it then and on Friday I was done. I'm already over half way into the second book. :D

This is a book about a girl named Katniss who is living in District 12 of the country Panem. Every year on reaping day a name is drawn from two bowls - one with girls's names and one with the boy's all ages 12-18. This happens in all 12 districts. The person who's name is drawn is forced to participate in The Hunger Games. The 24 contestants are placed in an arena where they fight until only one remains. Prim, Katniss's little sister, gets drawn from the girls bowl and Katniss instantly takes her place, knowing that Prim would never be able to survive. This is the story of The Hunger Games.

I have to say, this is a wonderful book. I ended up crying every chapter, if not more. This book sent many different emotions soaring through me. At the end, I was upset with some characters and I cried for nearly an hour wanting to have the second book next to me to I can read it now. Any of you going to go see the movie? I certainly am!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure and romance. It's a gory topic but if you don't pay too much attention, it's really easy to not notice. You should totally read this book if you haven't already.

I would give this book a rating of 10/10 because although it made me cry and made me very angry, it was a fabulous book.

-Flounder

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope you all enjoy your St. Patrick's Day. Unfortunately, it doesn't lie on a school day this year so I don't get to  see all the creative outfits people have with all their green. I guess that's also a good thing because now I don't have to bother wearing green. ;)

Enjoy!!!

-Flounder