The Patron Saint of Butterflies

by Cecilia Galante

Agnes and Honey have been best friends their whole lives, yet they could not be more different. They live in a religious commune called Mount Blessing. Agnes diligently seeks the life of a saint, while Honey wants nothing to do with that life. Their friendship is put to the test when Honey questions the commune and it's leader, Emmanuel. When Agnes' grandmother Nana Pete comes for a visit, she discovers the commune's most horrible secret. Fearing for their safety, she takes the girls and leaves Mount Blessing. Agnes struggles to cling to the life she once had, and Honey tries to bring out the friend she used to have in Agnes. Only when the biggest lie is uncovered does Agnes finally realize that she has the courage to create her own future.

Wow, just..wow. I read The Patron Saint of Butterflies because it was on Miss Erin's  Top Favorites of 2008. I don't think I have ever been so involved in a story before. This book was so interactive, which I loved. The writing was incredible and basically lept off the page. The kind of writing that pulls me into the story for days. While reading this story I felt trapped and suffocated. I saw how these people were living and I knew how warped their thinking was. I just kept wanting to yell at them and tell them how insane they are for following Emmanuel. I felt so many different emotions that I just couldn't contain. It was brilliant. It felt more like an experience than something I was reading.

This book was completely wonderful. It's definitely one of my absolute favorites.

Paper Towns

by John Green

Quinten Jacobsen has been in love with Margo Roth Spiegelman since the day she moved next door to him. They were young friends that grew apart as they entered middle and high school. Quinten admires Margo from afar and distantly remains in love with this mysterious, and adventurous girl that he once knew. Quinten is surprised when one night, Margo climbs into his room through the window dressed like a ninja. She asks him to accompany her as she seeks revenge, and of course Quinten reluctantly follows her. The next morning, "Q" is surprised to find that Margo has mysteriously disappeared. He discovers clues that could lead to Margo, and those clues are meant for him.

I was surprised when I read Paper Towns, in many ways. The beginning was not as boring as I thought it was going to be. It was a very easy read, but it was also very gripping and interesting. I couldn't put it down. Especially the second half of the book, when you start learning more and more about the real Margo. There were some things that bothered me though. There was a lot of crude humor that I found annoying, and there was a decent amount of language throughout the book. But looking past all that, it was such a compelling story that I would definitely recommend to anyone!

3 Willows

by Ann Brashares

I have read all four of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. The writing never amazed me, but the stories were always intriguing. I loved the idea of four best friends united by a magical pair a pants. I was basically obsessed with these books. So when I saw that Ann Brashares had started a completely different "sisterhood", I knew I had to read it.

This book is about three girls; Polly, Ama, and Jo. The story line takes place during the summer before their freshman year of high school. Like many friends, these girls have started going their separate ways. Ama is focused on nothing else but getting good grades. Jo thinks of nothing except fitting in with the "right" people. And Polly isn't sure exactly where she fits in. Unlike the other books, the girls aren't united by a pair of pants, but by three willow trees. 

This book was cute and definitely kept me reading. But the writing didn't leap off the page. The writing was just mediocre. I kept looking for more within her writing, and I just couldn't find it. I also didn't like how often she changes perspectives. She goes along on one story line and then switches to another. I think this book is a better fit for girls who like a light story line without much depth. But if you have a hard time reading and find yourself getting bored, then this book is probably for you. The writing is very clear and easy to understand. 

North of Beautiful

by Justina Chen Headley

To summmarize this book in one word, I would say that it's just beautiful. First off, the cover is amazing. And second, I love the name of the main character. Terra. Isn't that the coolest name? It's so unique, I love it. But this book is so much more than a pretty cover and a girl with a cool name. 

North of Beautiful is about a girl whose whole life has been characterized by the shame of a birthmark on her face. She spends hours each day applying makeup to cover up her noticable "flaw". She lives within a broken family and has a father who she can always count on to make her feel less than important. She has gone through countless procedures to create a face that might appear "beautiful". Like many teens, Terra is in a relationship only because she doesn't think anyone else would want her. This book is about relationships, ones that tear us apart and ones that hold us together. It's about the meaning of the word "beautiful" and how it means so many different things to different people. This book is such an inspiration to me. It made me want to travel, especially to China. It made me curious about geocatching. But more than anything, it made me want to live. The writing throughout the entire book was spectacular. I kept re reading sentences over and over again because the writing was so brilliant. It's the kind of book I want to write one day.

I was having such a hard time describing this book because I don't think I could ever do it justice. It's just phenomenal. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read! You will not be disappointed.

By Your Side

This is a song that really stood out to me when I heard it. I've been listening to it a lot lately because it mentions a lot of stuff that I've been struggling with. It also helps to remind me that no matter what uncertainties I'm facing, I'm not alone.

By Your Side

by: Tenth Avenue North

Why are you striving these days

Why are you trying to earn grace

Why are you crying

Let me lift up your face

Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love

Why are you still searching

as if I'm not enough

To where will you go child

Tell me where will you run

To where will you run

And I'll be by your side

Wherever you fall

In the dead of night

Whenever you call

And please don't fight

These hands that are 

holding you

My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side

They swallowed the grave on that night

When I drank the world's sin

So I could carry you in

And give you life

I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side

Wherever you fall

In the dead of night

Whenever you call

And please don't fight

These hands that are 

holding you

My hands are holding you

Cause I, I love you

I want you to know

That I, I love you

I'll never let you go

And I'll be by your side

Wherever you fall

In the dead of night

Whenever you call

And please don't fight

These hands that are 

holding you

My hands are holding you

Upcoming Review: North of Beautiful

I spent a long time writing a review for North of Beautiful. This book is so spectacular and I wanted to make sure it received a proper review. I was getting ready to post it today, when it deleted. Really annoying. So hopefully I'll have another one coming soon!