{Review} Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn’t Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)

by Sarah Mlynowski

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 368

Source:  Self Purchased

Available as of June 7, 2011

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

Rating:

Review:

I don't even know where to begin for this review. I guess I will start with one word that would describe this book best:  Epic! Understand that the likelihood of some of the events in this book are probably slim, but do they ever take the reader on a wild ride. I was hooked from page one.

Lets start with April. She is a sixteen year old girl who somehow gets away with a number of activities by use of evasive tactics over a period of just over three months. Then we have her best friends Vi and Marissa. Vi is controlling, brilliant, a bad influence, and a great actor. Marissa is the girl who spends her summers at camp and tries to keep April grounded. 

I found April's internal dialogue to be extremely enjoyable. She argues with herself and takes small flashbacks to inform the reader of little inside jokes or to give background detail that is pertinent to the scene at hand. Granted, her and Vi get into some pretty interesting circumstances, but it's April's freaking out that makes this book great.

I absolutely loved this book! If I could rate it more than five stars, I would. It was just that good and is now one of my favorite books of all time. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction, romance, laughing, and a lot of drama.

This book satisfies one of my twenty books for the 2012 Completely Contemp Challenge.

Friday Five Day: Books I Always Recommend

This weeks topic of Friday Five Day is books I always recommend to friends.  All the books I am listing today are recommend because they have had an impact on me in some way, be it mentally, emotionally or socially. 








Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Jay Asher couldn't have set this novel up any better.  He chose a tricky topic and wrote it from the viewpoint of two characters who couldn't find each other when they needed to the most.  He was too late and she broke his heart.  She was beyond repair and he wanted to save her.  He blames himself and she blames other people.  I cried my heart out for both of them and was left with a sense of relief and closure for Clay.  He did what he could but in the end Hannah was determined to follow through with her plan.

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt
At first, I didn't think I would like this book based on its concept: boy cheats on girlfriend with her best friend.  I am not a fan of cheating, you might as well just break up with the person if you are going to go that far.  However, sometimes it happens.  Before this book, I never would have thought about how horrible the best friend might feel or how hard she fought against the attraction.  This book has allowed me to step into the other persons shoes and I believe that is something that most girls don't think about when it happens to them.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Out of all the books on this list, this book has affected me the most.  I know many readers do not enjoy flashbacks, however, Jodi Picoult did a wonderful job balancing between the past and the present.  The impact this books has had on my life is immense.  I never thought about how a single person can cause such turmoil between two families or turn an entire community against a seventeen year old boy who only loved her.  This book made me realize that you can't make other people happy, they have to want to be happy.  And most importantly, don't make promises you may not want to keep.

October Breezes by Maria Rachel Hooley
When beginning this book, I could have never imagined what story would unfold.  Skye is a 16 year old girl with major trust issues.  Her dad walked out when she was young and her moms new boyfriend is trying to convince her that he isn't like the other men who have been in and out of her moms life.  The star quarterback is looking in her direction, and so is his best friend.  And then it happens.  She gets raped and now she has to deal with the repercussions of one boys actions.  This book taught me a lot about trust, it can not be given freely, it must be earned.  Assuming that everyone is trustworthy will, at times, result in an uncomfortable situation that may be difficult to get out of easily.

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be charming.  Corrinne is forced to move to Texas and live with her grandparents when her father loses his job.  She would do anything to get back to her life of shopping sprees and boarding school until she lives life a little in a small hick town.  Corrinne grows from a spoiled rich girl with shallow tendencies to a girl who is down-to-earth with just enough spunk.  This book taught me that sometimes you just have to make the best of a situation, learn and grow from the hand you are given and maybe one day you will find happiness where it's least expected.





I hope I have inspired you to pick up one of these books and maybe learn something new.