Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

Imagine growing up in an elite Baltimore family where money is no concern.  Then imagine that security being taken away because someone in the family offended the matriarch.  This is the premise behind Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford.  Norrie, Jane and Sassy have somehow offended their grandmother, Almighty Lou, to such an extent that she has threatened to leave her vast fortune to her favorite charity unless Almighty can be appeased with a full confession.  Thus all three girls write their own confessions and apologies to Almighty under the hope that she will restore the family's wealth. 

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters is broken up into three main parts: Norrie, Jane and Sassy's stories respectively.  It was enjoyable how the three confessions overlapped eachother; however, by the third story, it was a bit repetitive.  I also think that Standiford might have lost steam while writing the book.  It felt as if the third confession was lacking.  By far my favorite confession was Norrie's (the first).  I enjoyed it so much that I flipped to the end of the story.  After Norrie's confession, I was dissatisfied with Jane and Sassy's.

Overall, a good read, but I was more interested in what happened to Norrie and Robbie rather than Jane and Sassy's stories.

Georgetown Academy, book one

I just finished reading the first in a new series of books called GeorgetownAcademy by Jessica Koosed Etting, Alyssa Embree Schwartz.  The story line as all of intrigue and charm of Gossip Girl, but with a fresh new spin – politics! Georgetown Academy is and adeptly named private high school where the elites in government send their kids.  The plot follows four girls – Ellie, Brinley, Evan, and Taryn – as they struggle with love and friendship under the penumbra of their parent’s political career.  Furthermore, the book is made for Ereaders , allowing the reader to decide which character they want to follow through a party scene.  I couldn’t help but read all four perspectives…so cool! The story provides insight into Washington politics in a very palatable and innovative way.  I have to say, I am very much looking forward to the next book…I can’t wait to find out what happens next. 

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper was an extremely fast read, yet thought provoking.  How often do we count time, watch time, and wish for more time?  The answer: constantly.  The Time Keeper traces the story of Father Time and his quest to save himself by saving two random people.  The story was philosophical, yet also engaging.  It also had an impressive depth especially with the presentation of the three main characters and their respective lives.  Overall, I would recommend this read for any teen who is looking to slow down and appreciate life around him/her.

Revenge of the Girl with a Great Personality

Overlooked, under-appreciated and underestimated…this is what Lexi Anderson felt.  But in her engaging story, Revenge of the Girl with a Great Personality, Lexi learns coming to terms with herself and her family.  Coming of age in a family where your mother is obsessed with your little sister and her weekly beauty pageant circuit, your father lives four hours away and your crush doesn’t see you as anything other than that girl with a great personality has it challenges.  But Lexi will learn that things aren’t always as they seem and having a great personality doesn’t have to be only thing to define her.  

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test Series)

The first two books of Aimee Carter's Goddess Test series were excellent.  However, I was disappointed with The Goddess Inheritance, the final book in the series.  Kate's martyr personality was trying and overdone several times throughout the book.  Henry as well did things that were not believable, nor would have been able to be forgiven.  Overall, it was a gut-wrenching book that tested the relationship between Kate and Henry, which was unbelievable in the extreme.

"Also Known As"

I've recently finished reading Also Known As, a young adult fiction by Robin Benway.  The story is bright and refreshing read.  Full of suspense, intrigue and humor all wrapped up with drama of being a teenage.  I highly recommend this book to anybody looking for a good mystery or a light, fun read.  My only question is what will be the future adventures of Maggie Silver?