Book Review for 'Between the Lines'

 BOOK REVIEW FOR 'BETWEEN THE LINES' BY JODI PICOULT AND SAMANTHA VAN LEER

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Oliver who was born without courage. His love—Seraphima—had been stolen away and locked in a distant castle, and Oliver must go on a quest to save her. After an arduous journey across the kingdom, Oliver finds his true love and rescues her from the evil villain, and they live happily ever after.

If only life were that easy. Oliver lives in a twisted fairytale world, where he can talk to anyone and do anything—unless the book is opened. 

As soon as a reader cracks open Between the Lines, the characters have to act out the story. Day, after day, after day.

Nothing is as it seems. Oliver doesn't really love Seraphima, and Rapscillio—the evil villain—is actually a kind-hearted man who enjoys collecting butterflies.

Oliver is the only one who tires of acting out the story time after time. Everyone else is happy to do it, but all Oliver wants to do is live. He wants to explore the real world. He wants to live his own life, not act out a role that was created for him.

Then one day, the book is opened again, but something is different this time. This Reader notices more than anyone else ever has, and Oliver's enraptured by her. Her name is Delilah and somehow, some way, she and Oliver begin to talk and find solace in one another. 

But Oliver soon tires of just talking to her. He wants to escape the book, live real life, and be a normal teenager. He tries and tries and tries some more to escape out of his life, but nothing works. He’s stuck in his fairytale world, and there’s nothing he can do about it.

Or is there?

Between The Lines, a suspenseful tale of love, adventure, and hope, is sure to have you reading with your hands clenched around the pages. Told from three different points of view, this story is easily one of the best things I have read all year, and is (in my opinion) an essential for everyone’s bookshelf.

Read more here.

BOOK REVIEW FOR APPLE'S ANGST

Apple's Angst has what every teenage girl will love: boys (like a secret crush on her best friend's bf), a co-worker with a grudge (who suddenly turns suspiciously nice), and of course, drama.

When Apple finds herself in the spotlight, it changes her into a new more confident Apple. Even though she likes the new Apple, will she realize that her friends don’t agree with her? Will she be able to save herself from all the angst?
Apple is a character that we can relate to; she is intriguing yet still seems very real. She goes through the ups and downs of friendships and relationships, especially when Apple needs a dose of reality.
I found myself envying Apple throughout this book because she seemed to have everything that we all want: a perfect life, popularity, and money. But my envy quickly changed to sympathy when her world came crashing down. 
Rebecca Eckler very intricately weaves the story of Apple, the new fashion magazine intern, throughout her adventures and misadventures in the spotlight. Can’t wait for the next book!
By Alex W. 
Originally posted here.