Review: Out Of The Pocket by Bill KONIGSBERG

Title: Out of the Pocket
Author: Bill Konigsberg
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: September , 18th 2008
Source: bought
Rating: 3.5/5

Star quarterback Bobby Framingham, one of the most talented high school football players in California, knows he's different from his teammates. They're like brothers, but they don't know one essential thing: Bobby is gay. Can he still be one of the guys and be honest about who he is? When he's outed against his will by a student reporter, Bobby must find a way to earn back his teammates' trust and accept that his path to success might be more public, and more difficult, than he'd hoped. An affecting novel about identity that also delivers great sportswriting.

My thoughts

( I could not find real american foot ball audibles* ,so I created one)

B24 B 22 C 10 ,Hut Hut Hut .

( an audible* cry out )

American football is one of the four major sports in 'Merica . As I'm from South America , specifically Suriname , I have never experienced or seen a live match on TV . I've only come in contact with this sport through American media. Ok now a bit on the sport !

American football (known as football in the United States and gridiron in some other countries) is a sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field 120 yards long by 53.33 yards wide with goalposts at each end. The offense attempts to advance an oval ball (the football)down the field by running with or passing it. They must advance it at least ten yards in four downs to receive a new set of four downs and continue the drive; if not, they turn over the football to the opposing team. Most points are scored by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone for a touchdown or kicking the ball through the opponent's goalposts for a field goal. The team with the most points at the end of a game wins.*source ; Wikipedia *

Now that we know what american football is I can share my thoughts on this novel . I know little or nothing at all of the sport .Out of the pocket has been the first American Football centric novel I've read ,I do have others on my radar or on my shelf but this is the first. So I can not say if the author represented well enough but I could feel as if was a part of the team trough Bobby's eyes . I could feel the comradery between the team mates and the rush of adrenaline on the green during a match . Bobby Framingham has it all ,he is the school's star quarterback , popular and dating a cool weird chick. Ok kinda dating . But he's is hiding something , his attraction to men . His not coming out because it could damage his future foot ball college career . Involuntary coming out of the closet changes his carefully crafted cocoon. He's outed by a school reporter .

Ok that's a quick rundown on the Out of the Pocket . ( it's really paraphrased version of the synopsis , hahaha) ok now on the characters , pacing and all that jazz.

The characters

Bobby has a great voice trough out the book. A great friend and team mate who would have had my back in a match if I was one of the characters in this novel. It took me a quarter of the book to emotionally attach to him with this said it does not mean he was annoying or anything. He felt like nothing special but at end of Out of the Pocket I felt for him dearly . And I like how he handled the situation caused by the outing and how dealt with the kid that outed him . Bobby was of course furious but calmed down did nothing stupid and handled it well. Up to bro . ( tiny 5'4 roro tries to hive five him lol ) . I don't know or can't remember but I envisioned bobby to be 5'9 ^^.

The remaining cast of characters were okay. Nothing special but the ones that sticked with me are his parents. They were in his life. A lot of times YA novels don't have present parents and if they have some the parents often take a back seat in the scheme of things ( hope I'm using the expression correctly ). Bobby is very consumed about his parents and especially his father and after I thing that happens they grow closer. Coming out and an other thing started the growth. *I hope I have an great coming out experience when I come out. My dad thinks it a face and mum does not know yet* . Ok enough of my life drama ( you're here for the review gosh darn it lol , tnx for the eventual comments of what I just shared )

The plot and such
Out of pocket is written in first person past tense. The things that made it special in my opinion were the sports articles appearing at certain moments in this book. I loved one in particular. Just saying


2nd.The other thing that I loved to read about was the football terms , I've was never interested in American football. I must watch one now . Name your favorite team in the comments and do say so why ^^ .

One thing I did not like and which dropped the rating with 1 1/5 star was the notion being gay is okay as long as your not effeminate. I don't know if this is intentional but it appeared at least twice in Out of the Pocket. It's only okay when you're a jock/ athlete .AKA very masculine . I'm not effeminate but I would get crushed at a football match . I'm more like the artsy skinny kid but this rubbed me the wrong way. In the past I felt like effeminate gay guys gave the gay community a bad rep but I now I don't think that way anymore . That's who they are . Ok back to the review . Later on Bobby come to same conclusion but I did not take way what already was done . Maybe I'm bitter or hypocritical but effeminate statement should not have happened. Also the new upcoming romance has an open ending I which I don't like. I wish it did't ( the open ending )

My final thoughts

I've had this book on my wish list since 2011. By then it was already 3 yrs old . Every time I had the opportunity to buy it I did not. I was planning to buy it early 2012 when I would win cash again but my access to the internet was cut 2013 so I was not able to. Now 2014 it is out of print . I bought a kindle version with the sum of credits I had left and some I had recently won at the time . It is freaking $ 14 . Overpriced and I did not love it 100% but still happy I gave it a try. I hope you all give it a try . Library lend it or find it at second hand bookstores . $14 dollars is not worth it for the kindle . Time flies for sure . When this book was published not a lot of current day athletes came out but recently that has changed. Ranging from nfl players to a WWE superstars and even Olympic divers like Tom Daley and Matthew Mitcham ( he's 26 or soon to be and he's so adorable , search him up on YouTube his ukelele videos brighten up my day immensely ) . I can't wait for openly straight but hopefully I won't wait till it's out of print

*audibles: Audible, a tactic used by quarterbacks in American football to change a play at the line of scrimmage

Review: Unhinged by A.G. Howard

Title: Unhinged
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered, book #2
Publisher: Amulet
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Source: gifted
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble



Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

Hi all, your fateful netherling guide is back * he twirls around in a sickly green mist and reappears in a gothic attire resembling to a tattered rag clown * Did y'all miss me , heh?
A lot happened in Splintered . Yesiree bob , a lot, a lot. Stuff happened and we were acquainted with lovely mad creatures and quite few will be present on todays trip* toot toot*
So what has happened to Morpheus * cat scratch *, Jeb*swoon* and Allysa . Let's take a look.

The plot: we were rather soon head first in wonderland in the previous book but don't expect that in this book. Character growth, motive and secrets are more important in the sequel . Some people found some parts dragging and were bored , so it is better seeing the sequel as a whole other book. A different book but still the same .(my first attempt was difficult for this reason but after I figured this out I liked it more at my second try ) There are still enough maddening wonderland madness in unhinged for those that are wondering. I have re read Alice in wonderland and trough the looking glass months before I picked up unhinged and I I feel like that more of the looking class is incorporated in the sequel. More of wonderland was used for it's predecessor ( is that the right term , O well ). Maybe to avoid repetition. I don't know. Splintered had a nice rounded up ending and I asked me self how Miss. Howard would continue the story . I can quite surely say I'm not disappointed.

Ok ,that's enough reviewer. Let's talk about the characters ect ect . It is quite hard being a half half . Don't you all agree. Hihihihi hahahahahahaha ( the human and other half constantly butting against each other)

We have more chessie . I'm referring to the Cheshire Cat for all that don't know who that is He's far more prominent in unhinged. A happy Cheshire grin from me. I love how he interacted with Morpheus, Allysa and other characters

Ok now onto The Boys. I'm undecided on what team I'm on at the moment. Both had heartfelt moments with Allysa and also did some or had some dastardly moments. I will not go in to detail but boys. You . $&$@!? I know it is not completely there fault but still . I want them to be both happy. Now sedge way into the romance triangle part, it was fine but not my favorite part of the book. I liked it more in Splintered because the good and the bad boy were recognizable but in unhinged both qualities intermingled. That is good in away because people are not one thing.* the naughty streak comes out * will any of you write Morpheus /Jeb slash . The ship name could be Jebpheus . If any of you does it , gimme a tweet will ya * giggle*

Now onto Queen Allysa . I can imagine the stress of keeping parts hidden from society but she was selfish at moments. I still liked her but even more so when the secrets were revealed, how she acted when they were revealed and how she did not fall apart after the incidents in the end. Any toot else Where toot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we are coming to an end. This review is shorter for obvious reasons: Spoilers. I hope you all liked this review and comment away away away ( echoing ) I hope to see more character growth, more madness in Ensnared. And hopefully they will be alive, it is okay that they will be more than a little scarred but they need a pulse when I'm at the end. The title is ensnared and I'm anxious to see how it continues. I love youuuuuuuuuuuuu.Tooot, Toooot , Tooot ! ( you will know what I'm referring to when you're finished with unhinged )

Review: Pivot point by Kasie West

Pivot Point
By Kasie West
Published by Harperteen
Publication Date:  February 12th 2013
Source: Won
Rating: 4.5/5

AMAZON / BOOKDEPO / GOODREADS

Synopsis: Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .
Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

My thoughts

Expectations: Although there was great excitement for this title months before the release date I still wasn’t that intrigued to read it. The reviews that started to pop up hinted of 2 guys and one girl and I’m sick of most love triangles. That disgust is in fact the main reason why I did not want to read it. WHY did I act so freakin’ stupid?

Cover : It is an interesting cover were the same girl stares at her reflection as if it were a mirror. And if you can say it’s similar to a mirror the shimmering particles could represent glass of a just recently shaken up life, both possible lives. Maybe I’m over thinking but when I read the synopsis that’s what comes to mind when I see the cover.

Book: There have been titles in adult and young adult fiction, in which paranormal beings are presented, that are able to do amazing mental feats for example telekinesis and seeing the future. I liked how Miss West tweaked it to where it became a secluded society were people’s mind excelled the rest of humanity or in their term Norms. The powers are more scientifically explained than just let’s give them powers without a reason how they got them. Some books do that very same thing ‘the not explaining’. The not explaining is a pet peeve of mine. Addie Coleman can see in the future but not the way that is often perceived as cliché. She can see her own future and no one else’s and only when she wants the see the cause of actions she could take. The process of seeing it called the Search. So it is like being at a crossroad and seeing both paths of your life from that point on. Her parents announce they are getting a divorce and she must pick a parent to live with. In both possible future lives she will encounter love and loss, Addie must decide which one it will be.

Kasie West writes in a way you want to read everything she writes even her grocery store list. I meant that jokingly. Her writing is not super prosy or poetic but it lures you in. I don’t know how to explain it but it just fun to read. For me at least I loved how multiple moments in each possible life connected each other but from different vantage points. For example were Addie meets someone who is in fact very important in the novel and in each possible life, she learns his secret and further in the story she discovers the same secret in a different way altogether in another possible life. When the intense parts come around you begin to beg that nothing horrible happens to some of the characters you’ve come to love. In the end you feel some empathy to a person that manipulated her emotions to that particular person. And also saddened that the relationship with another person in, I have come to love, will be different than the one in the search. Secondly what I found unique is how Miss West at the start of every chapter gave it a title. Naming a chapter is often done but the title is a vocabulary explanation from a dictionary.

The characters are very enjoyable in this novel. I will only mention a few that cannot make me verge over the edge of Spoilerlandia.
Addie Coleman is the girl that’s always meticulous. For example she copies her study material from the school computer in case of a power outage which has not happened in 20 or more years in the compound. She is very kind but wants to remain in the background. A cool gal to gang around with.but she is very loud and exact opposite of Addie. How they became friends cute. I read somewhere that in the sequel there will be chapters from her point of view.



There are parents present in Pivot point. They appear often and I’m glad that they aren’t parents that are just characters for plot purposes. Addie’s parents are good people and parents who are noticeable in the novel. It is sad that they have problems but relationship problems happen in real life and gives it a more realistic touch.

There is a kind of a love triangle. But how is handled is to be admired. There is a romantic interest in each possible life and remember the opposite boys don’t know of each other because nothing in the search has happened yet. In each life the romance is at the beginning stage. It is attraction and liking each other but not actual love yet. Also in both cases Addie does not fall head over heal it is a slow going process that could have been real and only one of those romance will be real. At the end of the novel you find out what path she picks and the loss with it. The end has influences the romance that existed and the one that did not

I’m happy I entered the giveaway at Cuddlebuggery.com and that I won. Otherwise it could be a possibility that I would never want to read it. I wonder what will cause the Search in the sequel. Pivot point is a book where a teenage girl must pick a path at the middle of a crossroad. The choices we make in the past define us in the future.

Review: Suicide Watch by Kelley York

Suicide Watch
By Kelley York
Independently Published
Date of Publication: December 20th 2012
Source: Review copy
Rating: 3.8/5

AMAZON / GOODREADS

Synopis: 18-year-old Vincent Hazelwood has spent his entire life being shuffled from one foster home to the next. His grades sucked. Making friends? Out of the question thanks to his nervous breakdowns and unpredictable moods. Still, Vince thought when Maggie Atkins took him in, he might’ve finally found a place to get his life—and his issues—in order.
But then Maggie keels over from a heart attack. Vince is homeless, alone, and the inheritance money isn't going to last long. A year ago, Vince watched a girl leap to her death off a bridge, and now he's starting to think she had the right idea.
Vince stumbles across a website forum geared toward people considering suicide. There, he meets others with the same debate regarding the pros and cons of death: Casper, battling cancer, would rather off herself than slowly waste away. And there’s quiet, withdrawn Adam, who suspects if he died, his mom wouldn't even notice.
As they gravitate toward each other, Vince searches for a reason to live while coping without Maggie's guidance, coming to terms with Casper's imminent death, and falling in love with a boy who doesn't plan on sticking around

My thoughts

Expectations Her contemporary debut is one of my favorite books. Hushed was emotional, gritty and dark at times. From what I have read coming from her first book is that I can point out that there is a non-stereotypical lgbt main character present. And I’m expecting the same thing from Suicide Watch. A site tailored for possible suicide attempts is freaky.

Cover: The cover is very depressing but heck it’s a very depressing one at moments. The model is supposed to be Vincent. I like his curly hair (the goofiest grin). Hushed has a better cover than SW but for an indie published book it is still good

Book: Welcome to Suicide Watch. This site is not for the faint of heart. Only the serious need apply. Please think carefully prior to filling out the registration form and submitting.

The novel starts when a teen girl dressed in a plaid jacket and jeans jumps from Woodshire Bridge and he could do nothing to save her. That was last Christmas and its June at the moment. Vincent Hazelwood has just graduated from High school and tragedy strikes. He loses a ‘family relative’’ or the closest to family he has. His foster mother and Vincent needs to live on his own. All of this resulted in finding the site. On SW he meets Casper and Adam, all longing to end their live on earth for different reasons. They form a bond, a friendship centering on death. Grief, loyalty and love are encountered throughout SW.

The writing in Suicide Watch is bit different than in Hushed. The complete story takes place in 5 months time. It is from June to December. Only specific moments or days in Vinny’s life during those months are mentioned. Instant messages on SW and emails between the characters are added in the chapters. It is always nice to see current forms of communication in books. I wished that some parts and the relationships were fleshed out more. I could connect with Vincent but not that much with Casper and the romantic interest, Adam.

Now to write what my thoughts are about the characters and the romance. The main character is Vincent Hazelwood. He is mad at the world and thinks it is unfair what fate has done to him. Not that he will ever say it. He is very pessimistic or you could say a realist. You get to see how he feels and you get to know him little by little on this journey with him. The journey to being an adult even if the time span is on the short side. The reason why I was so connected with is that I’m also often mad at the world. Tragedies are everyday occurrences and are reported on the news, manmade or caused by nature. It hurts seeing or knowing that innocent people die. A part of that anger also stems from not being accepted by accepted because of your sexuality and being out ( I’m currently out but only to a few and sadly only a few of that bunch are accepting ) But the silver lining is that I have not been suicidal at all and other people have it far worse.

Casper is the best friend he meets on the deprave site. She has a sunny personality despite her dying slowly. She wants to commit the act in order of sparing her parents grief seeing her dying in front of their eyes. He and Casper form a strong bound that is believable.

Adam Rockswell is the romantic interest and the one I have connected the least with. It sometimes occurs that I have no strong connection to the love interest. They are just there to fall in love with the protagonist. I feel that is not the case with Adam. He is a kind, shy and not that outspoken young man. Character traits I also have but to a lesser extent. Except being kind, I am a very kind person. He was not just for falling in love with but needed for the novel. It is sad that I feel that I got to know him from afar.



There are adults presented but not in the forefront. Maybe because it could be categorized as New Adult (I’m still not a fan of the name).

The romance is where I had the most problems with. You get to feel that they like each other and are attracted to each other but they fell to fast. Maybe how it is written but it did not feel that believable whereas in Hushed although it was also a bit quick I loved the love between Calder and his dude. The romance needed some fleshing out it does not mean I didn’t like the lovey dovy scenes.

Vincent learns that life is hard but living with people you love and admire makes it so much better. And that relationships in life need to be cherished. If you want to read a story about the reason of suicide and what teenagers struggle with give Suicide watch a try. It does not glorify suicide and maybe it could save some one from committing the act It is not perfection but still a solid read.