Review #10 - Saturday Night series by Caroline B. Cooney

Dancing in the Dark,

A series that focuses on four dances that five very different girls attend.

The plot is basically this for each of the girls in each book:

Anne 

The schools golden girl who suddenly finds herself pregnant in book one. 

She recovers from this by the second book and nothing exciting really happens to her until the fourth book when she gets a job travelling round the world with an author

Unfortunately, in every single book of the series, Anne's main story is repetitive - she breaks up then gets back together with boyfriend and father of her child, Con, which shows weakness in character development as well as plot.

Kip 

Bossy and commanding Kip is the organiser of the dances and often the saviour of them as well - she put out a forest fire in book two and resolved petty crime in book one. 

Kip meets Mike (utter annoyance) at the end of book one and finds herself torn between him and a waiter named Lee in book two, who she ends up with.

However, book 4, Kip is boyfriendless in the end but has a promising future in New York at college.

Beth Rose 

Previously a wallflower, Beth is transformed by Gary's love in book one when he pity's the fact that she's dateless. 

In book three, she has a brief romance with one of Kip's younger brothers but in book four she meets photographer Jere who she ends up with.

Molly

Not part of the same group as the other girls, Molly actually does everything to destroy them.

In book one, she invites a drunk college guy to the dance. Next , in book two, she starts the
aforementioned forest fire and tries to drive Con and Anne apart.Book three, she attempts to get the girls arrested for false drug possession. 

Finally, in book four, her attitude is changed dramatically when she falls for Blaze who she ends up with.

Emily 

I saved the best for last, Emily definitely has the best plot by far.

Making a dramatic entrance in book one, Emily barely makes it to the dance when her and her date the sweet, dashing Matt get caught in a storm with dangerous electrical wires surrounding them as they try to save a dying man after crashing their car.

In book two, Emily is kicked out of her house and almost attacked by Molly's date from book one.

The most romantic yet, in book three Matt proposes to Emily and book four follows her denial about the proposal when Matt gets an overseas job. She and Matt fortunately get a happy ending.

Overall Opinion

On the whole, this series probably should've stopped at book one with a passage at the end about the futures of the girls as the characters plots don't really develop.

Verdict : 3 Stars !

Dear Bruce Springsteen review tomorrow maybe,
 Mimi
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Review #9 - Sweet Valley High #13 - Kidnapped ! by Francine Pascal

I always feel like, Somebody's watching me,

Although it failed to triumph the greatness of the previous book in the series (see my review) it was still one of the best Sweet Valley High books because of it's stellar ingredients : drama, far-fetched plot, a crazed stalker on the loose and Jessica's seductive flirting - which just about puts her on the same wave length in craziness and danger as the stalker.

The plot continues directly from the previous book : 

Elizabeth has been kidnapped by a mental orderly, Creepy Carl, at the hospital where she's working as a candy striper. 

Unaware of these events, Jessica leaves for the rich,new and attractive Morrow's party where she meets Regina. She's the only Sweet Valley High character I know with a disability (she's deaf) and the star of a similar Sweet Valley High book #26 - Hostage which is just as good.

There's also Nicholas, her brother whose in college who Jessica has her sights set on - don't get your hopes up a Jessica, have you read the plot of the next book ? 

After days in darkness and days of Jessica crying, Elizabeth is saved due to a slip up at the hospital where Carl mistook Jessica for Elizabeth - yet more proof why being a twin is better.

The novel ends with Elizabeth meeting Nicholas who gazes at her adoringly upon sight and Liz knows she's in for trouble.

Basically, it was like a slightly inferior version of my favourite Sweet Valley book - Sweet Valley High #7 - Dear Sister.

Another thing that made me love this book even more was that it's got me obsessed with the Sweet Valley High tv show because the three part episodes of this were absolutely amazing. 

They add in the additional story of Carl (or as he is known in TV show, Peter) escaping from prison after being arrested for kidnapping Liz and kidnaps Jess. Still not as good as the books though but equally satisfying.

Can't wait for #14 - Deceptions !

Verdict : 5 Stars !

Look forward to a series review soon of the Saturday Night series,

Mimi

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Review #8 - The Babysitters Club #40 - Claudia and the Middle School Mystery by Ann M. Martin

The only thing Claudia is guilty of is bad spelling,

No picture for this  because it's the collection cover.  I understand it's pretty unacceptable that this post is almost a week late. 

But at least it's here now :

I've decided that, even though I've only read two books from her perspective, Claudia is my second favourite babysitter and Mary Anne is my least favourite - hence me not reading any books from her and reading books from all the other  babysitters.

I absolutely adored the storyline of this one - Claudia is accused of cheating in Maths test off one of the best students in the class and must somehow prove her innocence therefore solving the mystery of    why the other girl cheated.

Here's the reason for hating Mary Anne in this one : she actually thinks Claud cheated and says so but when the other babysitters get angry at her she bursts into tears so they forgive - Slap not hug Claud !

The main reasons for my love for this were : there were lots of anecdotes about babysitting, mystery's always tend to be my favourites and Janine was in it a lot (she's my favourite non-babysitter).

Although it wasn't as good as possibly my favourite ever Babysitters club book and the only other Claudia book I've ever read (I plan to change that soon) The Babysitters Club #2 - Claudia and the phantom phone calls it was still excellent.

Verdict : 5 stars !

Sweet Valley review coming soon,

Mimi

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Review #7 - Fear Street #3 - The Overnight by R.L Stine

Keep with me forward, All through the night

Sorry, I didn't post this earlier - I've been pretty busy this week.

No picture for this  because yet a again it's the collection cover. The same shall go for the feature of my next review - The Babysitters Club #40 - Claudia and the Middle School Mystery by Ann M. Martin which will posted tomorrow.

Back to the Present :
One of the worst Fear Street books, particularly because I hate it when a supposedly dead character suddenly comes back to life.

This far-fetched weakling has you actually rooting for the main characters to die, instead of stay alive, because they're utterly annoying.

Maia was over-sensitive (which just reminded me of Mary Anne who's my least favourite member of the Babysitters Club), Suki was clearly flirting with Ricky so she was leading Gary on, Ricky's jokes were terrible,Della was an idiot and I could just about tolerate Pete and Gary.

The plot was just as bad :

The Outdoors Club's ( I seriously doubt there'd be so many members, all the people above) overnight gets postponed so they decide to go on their own overnight without a super visor.

Surprisingly their motives aren't what you'd initially think.They actually start of the trip by playing an innocent game of paintball.

Della comes across a 'handsome' gentleman, wearing a skull necklace , in the woods who proceeds to attack her. In act of self-defence she pushes him off a cliff and he 'dies'.

The group decide not to contact the police but cover the body with leaves when it's windy. Seriously R.L ?

When they return home, Della and Gary receive skulls, from the dead mans necklace, with
threatening messages attached. Also, Pete and Della almost die in a car chase.

 What the group have forgotten though is that nows the  time to go on the supervised overnight.

Dead guy comes back to life and attempts to kill Della but is quickly arrested.

What I've discovered is that I prefer Fear Street's were a character actually dies as they usually tend to be better.

Verdict : 3 stars !

Post again soon,

Mimi

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Review #6 - Sweet Valley High #12 - When love dies by Francine Pascal

It must have been love, but it's over now,

Posted a day early because plans fell through. No picture unfortunately because I only own the 3 in 1 that it's in so you'd be getting a picture of Deceptions.

My opinion :

It seems like ages since I've read a Sweet Valley High, since December I've only read Sweet Valley Twins books, and what a good decision it was to pick up this one, that I received for Christmas, to remind myself how far-fetched and loveable they are.

This has to be one of my favourite Sweet Valley High book and maybe from every Sweet Valley series one of the best. In my opinion books 5 to 30 are the best from the SVH series are the best for plot in my opinion as the book proves.

Both twins work as Candy Striper's at the hospital, Elizabeth to actually help out and Jessica to swoon a hospitalised SV resident celebrity. 

Karma's a bitch (and so's Jessica) so Elizabeth ends up working on the ward that the aforementioned  celebrity is on and ,downside, a creepy stalker who keeps asking her strange  questions and watching her when he thinks she's not looking. Meanwhile Jessica's plan has majorly back-fired, again..., so she's working on the maternity ward run by a witch of a woman.

This doesn't stop Jessica from going to see the celebrity and stirring up trouble by accidentally injuring him every time she tries to make him swoon.

Elizabeth discovers the real motive for Jessica's volunteering and seeks revenge by getting the celebrity to fake propose to Jessica. Hilariously, Jessica actually considers marrying him but changes her mind - how convenient for the sake of the series.

The book also focuses on their brother's, Steven, girlfriend's ,Tricia Martin, dilemma - Should she tell everyone she's got leukaemia ,including Steven ? 

The answer is yes and Tricia realises this after a lot of  unnecessary crying and a break-up. They make-up after Steven's short- lived relationship with Cara Walker , one of Jessica's best friends (can you guess who set them up in the first place ?), crashes and burns.

The ending is probably the best part of the book - Elizabeth is kidnapped by the mental orderly who has been stalking her all week ! This is the focus of the next book which I literally want to read right now - it might be even better !

Verdict : 5 out of 5 stars !

Coming soon : Fear Street #3 - The Overnight by R.L Stine Review,

Mimi

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Review #5 - Babysitters Little Sister #4 - Karen's Kittycat Club by Ann M. Martin

Manic Monday,

(Photo belongs to me)

So I actually read this book on Friday but have only just managed to post this. The day after tomorrow I'll be posting a Sweet Valley High review so look forward to that.

Anyway here's my thoughts on this book :

So as per usual these books are incomparable to the greatness that is it's predecessor The Babysitters Club, but they're rather cute.

In case you didn't know, these books focus on Kristy's 7 year old stepsister Karen's antics.

This book focuses on Karen wanting to be like Kristy (why Kristy when there's Stacey, Claudia practically anyone else in Stoneybrook ?) so she creates her own club about cat-sitting - so naive !

Predictably the club fails but Karen does learn some important lessons - such as karma will get you if you even admire Kristy. What I learnt was that Karen's a better speller than Claudia  even though Claud's 9 years older than her.

The cover has to be one of my favourites of the series even though the even worse equivalent of Mary Anne yet a stylish version,Nancy isn't on the cover.

Verdict : 2 Stars !

Until Wednesday,

Mimi

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Book Haul #1

So many books, So little time,

Today I was pretty successful on my shopping expedition although I unfortunately didn't get any Sweet Valley or Babysitters Club books. I did however get some things I didn't even know I wanted.

I shall list what they are from the top down and why I bought them/what they're about.

Anyway here are the books (and cassette) :

(Photo belongs to me)

The Police - Every Breath you take - The Singles Cassette  50p in Cancer Research UK

The Police are my favourite band (as well as loving 80's books I love the music and movies - I don't  listen to anything that was released after the 90's) so I couldn't resist when I saw this for such a low price. 

I love that it lists the lyrics and particularly the order form for a VHS showcasing their music videos for £16. Oh the world before YouTube ! 

The complete guide to the music of Bruce Springsteen by Patrick Humphries  £1.99 in Oxfam

Bruce is my favourite lyricist and my second favourite singer after Sting so I was overjoyed when I discovered this.

Essentially it ranks and explains the history of every Springsteen song up to his album 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' including pictures of The Boss through the years.

I want the complete guide to the music of Sting and The Police now which is listed on the back.

Samantha Slade #2 - Confessions of a Teenage Frog by Susan Smith  40p in Martin House Hospice 

I first heard of this series on Cliquey Pizza's (awesome Blog you should totally check it out by the way) A-Z of 80's YA series' and immediately added it to my TBR - who wouldn't love a horror
version of The Babysitters Club ?

Therefore when I saw the sequel I snapped it up immediately. It sounds extremely far-fetched but
that's what you expect from 80's YA.

Different Directions by Theresa Breslin 40p in Martin House Hospice

The plot line of this is so unrealistic - a teens Mother decides to go back to school and goes to the same school as her daughter. The teen is embarrassed but all her friends love her mother and she may even be dating her Maths teacher.

This sounds utterly hilarious so I can't wait to read it.

Point Romance - Russian Nights by Robyn Turner  50p in Scope

The cover is very cringe worthy for public viewing and so is the story - ballet student falls for a sexy Russian Dancer but they could be torn apart before their relationship even starts.

This doesn't stop me wanting to pick it up soon though.

Point Horror - The Snowman by R.L Stine 50p in Scope

I have already read this but I only owned it in a point horror collection and I wanted to own that spine chilling cover so I bought it.

One of R.L Stine's best and creepiest.

Magenta #2 - Magenta in the Pink by Echo Freer 89p in Oxfam

I have read and own the rest of this series which I love dearly.

It's similar to the Georgia Nicholas series for humour value so I'd recommend it to fans of that.

This final book I didn't purchase today but weeks ago but it arrived today.

The Lying Game #6 - Seven minutes in heaven by Sara Shepard 

The conclusion I've been anticipating - I can't wait to see how this ends.

I shall be back tomorrow with a review,
Mimi
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Review #4 - Sweet Dreams #99 - One boy too many by Marian Caudell or Seriously Marian, just let her date them both !

Friday Fabulousness,

My first review in months but what actually feels like years and boy am I happy to be reviewing again. Been busy the last couple of days that's why this wasn't up on the day after I read this (Tuesday).

Heads up for tomorrow - a book haul may be posted. Unfortunately last week when I went shopping I only got 1 book - Sweet Valley at least for 5p ! But another from a mini series -second in a series I don't own the rest of.I hate it when that happens. The town I'm going to tomorrow I haven't been to since October so the shops should be well stocked - including one that practically specialises in 80's/90's books.

Anyway onto Today's review (couldn't find a picture of this one sorry) :

I seriously regret that I don't own any more of these - I shall hope to buy some more tomorrow or if not in my monthly Amazon order - and also regret not picking them up sooner.

Splendid story again : an avid reader (who I felt very poignant to) has to choose between two identical twins with very two very different personalities - which I can't fathom how she managed to do because they were both equally attractive.

My personal favourite parts were the 80's mall scenes as they went into excruciating detail about the dresses and books at the time. Also the poolside scenes were pretty cool.

Not as good as Sweet Dreams #83 - Love by the book by Anne Park - the only other a Sweet Dreams book I've read - but still amazing !

Verdict : 5 out of 5 Stars

Don't forget to comment below about what you thought of this post or you not allowed to date the other twin,

Mimi
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New Schedule

A Change of Heart,

So I know I said that this Blog would only be for read-a-thon's but I've changed my mind due to the amount of attention the Blog's gotten this week.

From now on I shall be posting every two to three days and the posts shall be either a review, book haul or anything else I feel like posting.

I won't be doing a read-a-thon wrap-up because I ended up reading less than I'd read in a normal week during the read-a-thon week funnily enough.

I hope you continue to love this Blog and I promise to try not to abandon it again,

Mimi

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Bout of Books 9.0 Read-a-thon Update #5 and Book Spines Poetry Challenge

Keep Reading, Keep Breathing,

Update #5 

Yesterday I again managed not to surrender to sleep and woke up earlier so I could finish Sweet Valley Twins #10 - One of the Gang by Francine Pascal. 

It ended up actually being one of the worst Sweet Valley (maybe even THE worst Sweet Valley Twins books) books I've ever read. It did have some good points - such as how Jessica broke her ankle (hilarious) and the last 30 pages or so - however this doesn't redeem the fact that the rest of the book was utterly unexciting. Can't wait for the next book though - it could potentially be the best SVT book ! My verdict of this was 4 stars - all other Sweet Valley books I've rated 5 stars, except for SVH #2 - Secrets which was equally atrocious.

Last night I did a lot more procrastinating than reading, as I only reached page 56 in The Lying Game #4 - Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard.

SERIOSLY THOUGH, IF YOU LOVE THE BABYSITTERS CLUB YOU NEEED TO CHECK OUT THE URL BELOW :
http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/the-definitive-ranking-of-baby-sitters-club-cover-outfits

Anyway today I want to get to page 150, at least, of The Lying Game #4 - Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard.

Book Spines Poetry Challenge

This challenge is pretty simple - you take the titles of the books you have and put them together to make a Poem.

You can compare this year's to last year's if you want by clicking on this URL :
http://abonkersbookaholic.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/summer-lovin-read-thon-update-4-my.html

My Attempt (this year) :

(Photo belongs to me)

Charlotte, Olivia,

Best Friends,

Two Weeks in Paradise,

Behind Closed Doors,

Unbelievable Secrets,

Wanted Killer,

Paradise Lost...

Personally I love it because it sounds like the synopsis of an 80's YA novel.

Book Haul Coming soon ?,

Mimi

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Bout of Books 9.0 Read-a-thon Update #4 and Double Date Book Challenge

It's Friday, I'm in Love,

After denying you of the previous two days challenges you finally get one. Enjoy !

Update #4

On Thursday morning, I forced myself to wake up early to finish Fear Street #2 - The Surprise Party by R.L Stine due to the massive cliff-hanger I ended myself on the previous evening. Needless to say I finished it ,reading from page 154 to the end page 167,but it ended up not being the best but not being the worst. 

I thought I'd figured out the murderer but then came the end that quickly abolished that prediction. My favourite thing about it was the fact that there were some re-occurring characters from book one which I've never come across in an R.L Stine book before. My favourite part was when she opened her lunch bag and thought there was blood inside but it was of course paint - typical cheesiness of a 80's YA horror book !

Unfortunately I only got to page 62 of 104 of Sweet Valley Twins #10 - One of the Gang by Francine Pascal.

Today I've finished it and hope to get to at least page 100 of The Lying Game #4 - Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard.

Double Date Book Challenge

The concept of this challenge is that you have to pick two books that have connection (same

era,genre etc) and say why they should go on a date together.

My choices :

The Babysitter's Club #1 - Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin

+ 

Sweet Valley High #1 - Double Love by Francine Pascal

I paired them together because they both basically share the crown for Best Original (by this I mean not one of their spin-offs like Sweet Valley Twins) and most successful 80's YA series. I can guarantee that when you pick up either of these you'll be hooked for life.

Possibly a Book Haul tomorrow,
Mimi
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Bout of Books 9.0 Read-a-thon Update #3

Halfway there, Living on a Prayer,

Challenge wasn't my forte yet again so here's a simple but effective post.

Update #3

Yesterday I failed my goal by only reading up to page 154 of 167 of Fear Street #2 - The Surprise Party by R.L Stine.

Today I've finished it and plan to start and finish Sweet a Valley Twins #10 -  One of the Gang by Francine Pascal.I also plan to read at least 25 pages into The Lying Game #4 - Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard.

I shall be doing a challenge tomorrow hopefully despite being busy,
Mimi
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Bout of Books Read-a-thon Update #2

Good to see you've survived so far,

So I didn't want to participate in the challenge yesterday because is there really anyone who would be perfect enough to voice any of the Sweet Valley characters, never mind the Wakefield twins, in a radio show ? I think not. Therefore this post shall be short but sweet unlike Lila Fowler.

Update #2

Yesterday I managed to start and finish The Babysitter's Club #39 - Poor Mallory by Ann M. Martin. I thought the plot was phenomenal and my favourite part was definitely Mallory's speech to the mean girls. I'd rate it 5 out of 5 stars. 

I read the whole 137 pages of the book yesterday and nothing else - slightly better than Monday however I still want to read at least 200 pages today. Already I've read 28 pages today out of 167  of Fear Street #2 - The Surprise Party by R.L Stine so I hope to finish it by the end of the day as well as trying to get to page 50 of Sweet Valley Twins #10 - One of the Gang by Francine Pascal.

Until tomorrow,

Mimi

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Bout of Books 9.0 Update #1 and Book Buying Spree Challenge

Hope you're doing well,my fellow participants ,

Please note that all read-a-thon posts are likely to be posted a day late.
Update #1

Yesterday I managed to complete Nancy Drew Files #45 - Out of Bounds.It exceeded my expectations as it turned out to be the third best (Perfect Plot and High Risk are better) Nancy Drew Files book that I've read so far. Overall I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars because it was unpredictable and action-packed.

I had already read 55 pages of the book before the read-a-thon therefore my total for day one was a disappointing 97 pages. I hope to do better today by completing Babysitter's Club #39 - Poor Malllory ! by Ann M. Martin - before and during school I managed to get to page 21 out of  137.

Book Buying Spree Challenge

This concept was created by Bookish Comforts and I myself couldn't wait to give it a go. Unfortunately I'm not old enough to enter the giveaway but I'll do it for fun.

Basically what you have to imagine you've been given $100 to spend on The Book Depository and pick books from your wish list till you reach this total.

My picks :

Sweet Valley Senior Year #21 - The It Guy by Francine Pascal $3.94 

Sweet Valley Senior Year #36 - Tearing me apart by Francine Pascal $3.94

The Babysitter's Club #0.5 - The Summer Before by Ann M. Martin $5.33 

Fear Street #5 - Wrong Number by R.L Stine $5.60 

Fear Street #39 - The Boy Next Door by R.L Stine $5.41

Sweet Valley High #4 - Power Play by Francine Pascal $5.62

Sweet Valley High #3 - Playing with Fire by Francine Pascal $5.65 

Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children the graphic novel by Ransom Riggs $15.86  

Forever by Judy Blume $7.61 

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume $6.30

Signs of Love #2 - Stupid Cupid by Melody James $7.07

Signs of Love #3 - Paris crush by Melody James $7.97

Signs of Love #4 - Destiny Date by Melody James $7.33

Nancy Drew Files #125 - Teen Model by Carolyn Keene $5.64

Fear Street Superchiller - New Year's Party by R.L Stine $6.99

My Total came to $100.26 

See you tomorrow,

Mimi

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Bout of Books 9.0 Read-a-thon Announcement

Long time no post readers,

So I'm posting today to announce that this Blog, for the meantime, shall only be used for read-a-thon posts and possibly book hauls. I'm sorry but my life is simply too busy as of now to write detailed reviews and I myself would prefer a quality review over a basic review.

Moving on,today I shall be posting my sign up post for Bout of Books 9.0. I've participated in one of their read-a-thons before and hope to outdo my previous totals.

Go to main website for a description of the read-a-thon if you're interested in joining.

My TBR consists of :
Nancy Drew Files #45 - Out of Bounds by Carolyn Keene (I'm on page 67 at the minute and read 55 pages before the read-a-thon began)
Babysitter's Club #39 - Poor Mallory ! by Ann M. Martin
Fear Street #2 - The Surprise Party by R.L Stine
Sweet Valley Twins #10 - One of the Gang by Francine Pascal
Witch by Christopher Pike
Babysitter's little sister #4 - Karen's Kittycat club by Ann M. Martin

(And if they arrive from Amazon)

The Lying Game #4 - Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard
Teach me by R.A Nelson
Point Romance - Saturday Night #4 - Summer Nights by Caroline B. Cooney

Wish me luck,
Mimi
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