"Eleanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell

This book is very popular with book reviewers and booktubers and I had heard a lot of good things about it. So I got this book as a birthday present for myself this year. I actually finished reading it a couple of weeks ago but could not bring myself to write about it. It is one of those books that you savor and just enjoy the feeling it gives you.

About the plot: it is a young adult novel set in the 1980s. It is a story of two misfits who completely by chance  end up sitting next to each other on a school bus. They gradually become friends and fall in love. The book is filled with 1980s music and TV references. It very realistically describes the feelings of teenage insecurity, bullying and first love. However, it is not a fluffy romance story. Eleanor has a difficult life at home and at school; and Park has his own struggles with identity. The story is very engaging and will keep you interested until the very end.

Now to the writing: Rainbow Rowell is an extraordinary writer. Check out her website/blog if you get a chance to get a taste of her writing. It is witty, original and authentic. I ended up getting two more books by her: Fangirl, which is another YA novel and next on my list to read, and Attachments, an adult novel that I also cannot wait to read. She also has a new adult book out that just came out earlier this month called Landline. If you have nothing to read for the Labor Day weekend, I would highly recommend that you choose a Rainbow Rowell book. She is amazing.

"The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

I absolutely loved this book! I am not a runner, in fact, I never even liked jogging, but I loved every sentence in this book. It is so well written, you can visualize and sense what the writer is describing. The Running Dream is about a teenage runner who loses a leg in a freak accident. It is a story of her determination, grit, and ability to dream big no matter the odds. Jessica is an extraordinary character, and the story is truly inspirational for so many reason. Please do not pass by this title. Read it and have your friends read it. If you are depressed, unhappy with your life, or feel you've been dealt an unfair hand, read this story. You will see your circumstances in a different light. Difficulties CAN be seen as opportunities for growth in strength, love and compassion. A truly amazing read!

"Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins

If you like such movies as Princess Diaries, Ella the Enchanted, or Ten Things I hate about You - you will love this book. It is sweet, well-written, and goes down like chocolate ice cream on a hot summer day. If you have a teenage girl in the family, this is a perfect book to give to her as a summer read. It is a bit of a Cinderella story set in modern day. The characters are sweet and likable, and the setting is in Paris - what's not to like? Some of the criticisms I read about this book are that it is about a bunch of rich kids with no real problems. True. This book does not tackle any large social issues and does not reveal any profound truths. Nor did Perkins ever set out to do that. It is a sweet romantic story about a girl who is sent to a boarding school in Paris and falls in love for the first time. It reveals all the insecurities of that age, doubts and confused emotions - a very realistic portrayal of what it feels like to be seventeen and in love. If you like this book, Perkins has two companion novels - they are stand alone books with new characters but they do give you an opportunity to catch up on what is going on with Anna and her friends. Great summer reads!