The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Aimee Bender

2010

I was drawn to this book for two reasons. The first being the colour of the cover (which is one of my favourite colours I think) and the second is the piece of cake on the cover. I know. I judged a book by its cover (again), but this time I was wrong.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is about a nine year old girl, Rose Edelstein, who has a magical gift. She can taste emotions. The magical gift is discovered on her ninth birthday, and the cake that her cheerful mother makes her tastes of despair and desperation. The story is about how as she grows older, she learns more about this gift, and learns secrets about her family members and others.

I was not a fan of this book. I had such high hopes for it, and it was just kind of a disappointment. The writing was simple, which was alright, but I never felt like the plot was fully explained or developed. I'm still not entirely sure of how this novel ended. The characters were alright, but I wasn't drawn to them, nor did I really care about their plot lines. 

The premise of the story is interesting, but I felt like the author could have done something more with it. I have read several other reviews online that feel the same way I do. All of the reviews have given it a lukewarm reception. If you're looking for a book that's alright, doesn't take too long to read and doesn't really have much of plot, then give this book a chance. Otherwise, it's just a pretty cover.

I don't think I have a favourite part of this book. I really really do like the cover though. I think the cover was my favourite part.

I give this book 2 stars out of 5. I liked the characters and the cover, but that was about it.

Have you read this book? Did you like it? 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Brian Selznick

2007

I was on the waiting list at the library for about a month and a half for this book, but it was worth it. It didn't take very long to read, because a large part of the story is told through pictures, but it was fantastic. I had seen the movie in February, around Academy Awards time, because it was nominated for so many things. I would have liked to have read the book first, but I didn't have access to a copy and I really wanted to see the movie.

They are both excellent, and the movie is such a good recreation of the story. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is about a young boy named Hugo who lives in the walls of a Paris train station fixing the clocks and trying to fix something his father had shown him. He meets Georges and Isabelle and the adventure takes off from there.

There wasn't much actual text in this novel, despite it being 533 pages (including acknowledgements), but there didn't need to be much writing. The illustrations told such a good story, and they were entirely necessary. I don't think this story could be told as effectively in just words. Even just flipping through and looking at the pictures you get a good sense of the story. 

My absolute favourite part is page 378, when Hugo and Isabella are looking out from behind the clock at all of Paris. Not so coincidentally, it was probably one of my favourite parts of the movie as well.

Speaking of the movie, the adaptation was very true to the story, with just a few things changed (i.e., there were some more action sequences and stuff like that), but the actors they chose fit the illustrations in the book so well.  

I have this book from the library until the 5th of May, so I'll probably read it again before then. I did read most of it in the car ride from my house to my school yesterday (it's about an hour and a half drive), so it doesn't take very long to read. 

I would highly recommend this book to people who don't have a lot of time to read and who liked the movie, as long as they can get over the fact that it's so long.

I give this book 4.3 stars out of 5. I just really really liked it. 

Have you read Hugo? Did you see the movie? Did you like either of them? Leave your answer in the comments!

Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss

Stephanie Perkins

2010

I have read this book so many times, and every time I read it it just gets better and better. I think I first heard about this book from someone on youtube (probably John Green). I had only heard good things about it, so I figured I'd give it a chance. And it was so good

Anna and the French Kiss is about Anna, an American, who goes to the School of America in Paris. She meets a boy, sees Paris and grows as a person. I really don't want to give plot spoilers of any books. 

It's kind of a romance novel, but it's not a romance novel in the way that there is just constant kissing and other stuff. It's a romance novel in the way that people meet, fall in love, and then have adventures.
I really liked this book. The characters were witty, funny and realistic, the plot was well written (and unlike Lola and the Boy Next Door, it was a little bit unpredictable!) and the overall story was just a fun read. I think I've borrowed this from the library six or so times since I first read it.
The characters are what make this book as good as it is. I felt myself rooting for the different characters at different times. They are created so realistically that you feel as though they're just some friends you have (or people you know). Their lives aren't perfect and they aren't perfect, but they're wonderfully written.
I'm not too sure what my favourite part of the novel is. Usually there's one clear part that stands out as my favourite, but in this book I actually liked pretty much everything. St. Clair was probably one of my favourite parts. And then the part with all the stairs. If you've read the book you probably know this part. And Anna's dad. His occupation was fantastic.
The author is also fantastic, and wrote an additional scene. Her whole website is fantastic. There's also information about her third novel which comes out in 2013 I think. She has created playlists to go with this book. There's the version without spoilers (and here's a link right to the 8track page) and then she also has the same list, but she has explained why the most important songs are on the playlist.

I give this book 4.3 stars out of 5. I think this may have to be a book I purchase and not just continually borrow from the library every two months or so.

Have you read Anna and the French Kiss? What did you think about it?