Drive Me Crazy by Erin Downing

Back Cover: Kate and her two best friends, Sierra and Alexis, are geared up for a week of fun and excitement on the road to their family lake houses in Love, Wisconsin. Best of all, when Kate reaches Love, she'll be reunited with Lucas with whom she shared a steamy end-of-summer kiss last year. She can't wait to see Lucas again and pick things up exactly where they left off. Then Kate gets some seriously bad news: Alexis's sarcastic, condescending, hot-but-he-knows-it cousin is crashing the girls' road trip. Adam bugs Kate in every possible way. Now Kate just wants to get the road trip over with so she can spend the summer in Lucas's arms. But the road to Love is full of surprises... I thought it was pretty good. Like I always say just cute little romance stories that I like to read for some reason haha. They're fun and also take your mind off of other things going on in life. But I did think it wasn't good of Kate to be imagining all those things about Lucas when she hardly knew him, and then he was being an ass! I knew she'd end up with Adam, you can just always tell with these things. The guy that makes you mad and heated is the one you end up with. Why? Because they make you feel something! Haha not always though, cuz I met my boo in school and we were friends first and everything but anyways, the book was good. I like the cover. It's cute, and that color car probably isn't very popular haha. But yeah.

Violence by Slavoj Zizek

Front Flap: Using history, philosophy, books, movies, Lacanian psychiatry, and jokes, Slavoj Zizek examines the ways we perceive and misperceive violence. Drawing from his unique cultural vision, Zizek brings new light to the Paris riots of 2005; he questions the permissiveness of violence in philanthrophy; and, in daring terms, he reflects on the powerful image and determination of contemporary terrorists. Violence, Zizek states, takes three forms- subjective (crime, terror), objective (racism, hate-speech, discrimination), and systemic (the catastrophic effects of economic and political systems)- and often one form of violence blunts our ability to see the others, raising complicated questions. Does the advent of capitalism and, indeed, civilization cause more violence than it prevents? Is there violence in the simple idea of "the neighbor"? And could the appropriate form of action against violence today simply be to contemplate, to think? Beginning with these and other equally contemplative questions, Zizek discusses the inherent violence of globalization, capitalism, fundamentalism, and language in a work that will confirm his standing as one of our most erudite and incendiary modern thinkers. Obviously I didn't read this for my own enjoyment, it was for my social and political philosophy class. This book was like one thing and its complete opposite. It made sense, but then it didn't. It was confusing, but then some parts were easy to understand. One thing alot different from the other book I read for this class was that he has a lot of examples that I know like events and movies and books that I guess are more popular or well known. Like the Hitler, 9/11, the movie The Village, Bill Gates, and others I can't remember. But now I'm done with two books and only need to do one more!

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Back Cover: They carried malaria tablets, love letters, 28-pound mine detectors, dope, illustrated Bibles, each other. and if they made it home alive, they carried unrelenting images of a nightmarish war that history is only beginning to absorb. Since its first publication, The Things They Carried has become an unparalleled Vietnam testament, a classic work of American literature, and a profound study of men at war that illuminates the capacity, and the limits, of the human heart and soul. I had to read this for english, but it was really good. Of course I was looking for things having to do with masculinity and violence, but it still catches your attention. There's short stories within the book, some have the same things and repeat themselves, the same event coming up 6 times in the book, but it's amazing. A really great book about war and the things that men, or you can even say, boys go through. Because all these things happened when they were my age, only 19 20 21 around there. And how these things they carried transformed their lives. Some couldn't take it, while others are still here today. Either way, they won't be the same ever again, no matter what they do. Going to war is an experience only those who did it can relate to each other. And the story at the end is the saddest, about a girl he knew when he was nine, Linda and she died of a brain tumor. Very sad. But the people he has in the book and the stories they go through is just amazing.

Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot

Back Cover: Nicola Sparks, sixteen and an orphan, is ready to dive headlong into her first glittering London society season. She's also ready to dive headlong into the arms of handsome and debonair Lord Sebastian Bartholomew. Nicola's dream is a proposal from the viscount- a dream she's about to realize at last! So naturally, Nathaniel Sheridan's insinuations about her fiance's flawed characters annoy her mightily. But when Nicola's natural curiosity gets the best of her, she begins to piece together a few things for herself. To her great surprise, Nicola realizes she's had the wrong viscount all along... but is it too late to make things right? I loved it! Because it's in a different time period, there's such different things how what's right and what's wrong and how someone is supposed to act! It's so great really. And I knew she'd end up with Nathaniel. It's always that other people can tell, but not the two people themselves. Nicola is so rash, that's crazy. That's norma nowadays. I always wonder what the turning point for that was, when women started acting that way and how it was ok for us to act like men I guess. But Nicola is great! And so is her attitude and she decided not to marry Lord Sebastian for a great reason, when he ended up being really bad news anyways, so go her! And the cover is cute, it's like me! haha. Love pink, and has black curlyish hair but I'm not white lol anyways it was a great book, of course it's Meg Cabot so I knew it would be right!

French Kissmas by Cathy Hapka

Back Cover: For Nicole Larson, the Christmas season in Paris is more than just a romantic interlude- it's also a homecoming. Nic studied abroad in Paris a year ago, and is back in town with her friend Annike to film a promotional video about the S.A.S.S. program- and to spend Christmas and New Year's in the City of Light. Of course, now that Nic is there, the chemistry she once had with Parisian hottie Luc instantly reignites. But why fuel a romance that has only three weeks to survive? Nic would rather spend with with her buddy Mike... until it becomes clear that Mike is also interested in being more than friends. With a backdrop of twinkling lights on the Champs-Elysees, charming Christmas markets, and Parisian Christmas carols, it's going to be difficult for Nic to deny the holiday magic and romance around her... A very good book! I love these S.A.S.S. ones, they're so great and I learn a little about other places too while enjoying a great book! But I must say, Nicole is so oblivious that she needs to pick one guy and stop going out with both of them, poor guys, and that she obviously needs to be with Luc from the moment she gets to Paris she's thinking about him, even before! It doesn't help that he's so flirtatious either haha. But this def makes me in a good mood. It would be really weird though, like super duper weird not to be at home during Christmas! Like wth? Weirdness indeed! But it was cute and fun to read, but it sucked cuz theres been a few books where they talk a little in spanish and i knew what they were saying so I was like yay! But them speaking French I was huh? lol oh well.

Picture Perfect by Catherine Clark

Back Cover: Name: Emily Matthias Phone: call me anytime! Date: I'd love one! Print Quality Um, a billion? I need pictures of everyone and everything. It's the Outer Banks- everything is photogenic here. Especially Blake. And Spencer. Size: They're tall. And handsome. Oh, you mean the photos? Film: Actually, yes, this summer would make an excellent movie. Single/double: Starting the vacation single. But maybe I'll find Prints Charming! This was a cute book. I totally guessed from the start that Spencer and Emily would get together, and that Spencer actually did go through freshman year already and it's his second time. I'm good right? :] But it was good, and it was very easy going and relaxing type read. That sounds like a fun family with friends and everything, even if it may seem embarrassing to the people in it, it sounds fun and cool to me! But what do I know right? haha. Cute cover too, I mean all these romance books are like the same, what's there to say about them besides them being cute and sweet and guy and girl always end up together, ya know. they're great though, a lot of them in the summer though haha but oh well. Trying not to read a whole bunch of summer ones in a row!

Environmentalism A Global History by Ramachandra Guha

Back Cover: Environmentalism: A Gloabl History is an addition to the popular Longman World History Series, edited by Michael Adas. Written by one of the foremost thinkers on ecological issues relating to South Asia, this new text offers a cross-cultural and global survey of environmental thinking and the movements it has spawned. In this brief text, Ramachandra Guha identifies commonalities and differences in environmental thinking and activism through case studies. The experience of areas as diverse as the United Stated, the former Soviet Union, China, India, Africa, and Brazil provide an excellent overview of each country's strengths and contributions. Students will find Environmentalism: A Global History to be a lively and engaging study of ideas and debates on a topic that is central to our lives in the twenty-first century. I had to read this book for anthro. It was pretty interesting, but it did have a lot of data, like people and groups and countries and times and years! But it was cool it had included like actual documents from the groups or from a person or a poem, and good quotes from people. I guess this was more about the people and the history, then like learning about actual environmentalism itself, but yeah it was ok, boring at points, but not too bad. At least I understand it!

Perfect Mistake by Kate Brian

Back Cover: Ariana Osgood has everything she's ever wanted. A place at elite Atherton-Pryce boarding school. Fabulous friends. A new crush. And most importantly, a new identity. Now that she's officially become Briana Leigh Covington, Ariana's troubled past is dead and buried. Or is it? When the one person who knows her secrets arrives on campus, Ariana decides it's time to say good-bye to her ex-best friend- forever. Warning, don't read if you don't want to know any juicy details! WOW. Kate Brian is so amazing and def knows how to work the suspenseful and wanting more endings. I cannot believe it, that Kaitlyn is back and is Ariana's room mate, I mean that'd be so horrible! And Ariana can never relax again. Yeah she has all those great things, but that's just appearance. She really likes her supposed best friend's ex. She has to get Kaitlyn into the exclusive party by Brigit. She has to keep her grades up. Then there's getting into Stone and Grave, the secret society, she has to do a certain task. How can she cope with all of this? It was intense the whole way through. Especially the ending, I can't believe Brigit is dead now! She was the sweetest. I mean how cruel can Kaitlyn get, all this murdering just to get into this little society thing and yeah she wants to clear her name up, but by murdering more people! That's scary. Can't wait for the next one to come out. Great book, loved it. Especially the ending and suspense from it. Like how the heck did Kaitlyn kill Brigit? And will Palmer ever get to gether with Ariana? What will this death do to everyone? Wow, I dunno how long until the next one comes out but I know it'll be just as amazing.

Model Behaviour by Geraldine Ryan

Back Cover: I'm a model. Hard to believe (especially for me) but true. I'm about to breeze my way out of A Levels and on to a magazine cover. Modelling- looks so easy, doesn't it? Pout sexily a camera, anyone can do that- if they're lucky enough to look like a giraffe with good cheekbones, of course. And I do. It's just that no one tells you what goes on behind the camera... UGH! Only good pictures were this one, I guess the book isn't that popular or maybe old I dunno, but who cares, it was a great book! The main chracter, Chloe, is a funny person. She doesn't think she can model, but then everyone loves her. Then she falls in love with a guy in an up and coming band, but he's not what she thinks he is. And of course eventually the paparazzi come in eventually and ruin things, but hey it was a fun model book and I enjoyed reading about her and her sister and just her life in general I guess! And it's from England so A Levels might be like the SAT for us? I dunno. And digestive biscuits, that just sounds weird. lol

Maine Squeeze by Catherine Clark

Back Cover: 2 Lbster rlls, 1 w/ extra mayo- yuck! 1 Lm'ade 1 Wtr Ignore Evan- Swap Tues to avoid? Call Ben! RITE AFTR WRK Get tmrw off- qlty time w/ Ben Stop lookg @ EVAN!!! What a great summary huh? Well I'll just tell you! lol. Colleen and her friends move into her house for the summer while her parents are off in Europe. And things get crazy. She has a boyfriend, Ben. But then the unthinkable happens, and her boyfriend from last summer, Evan, is back in town and working in the same place she is. She can't stop thinking about him, and although she tries to avoid him, she ends up doing the opposite, and Ben sees it, everyone sees it but her. So she breaks up with Ben and kinda just goes along with Evan. I kinda didn't really like the ending, cuz nothing happened, like she was kinda with Evan, but not really, I dunno it kinda just annoyed me a little for some reason. But it was a typical summer book like I said before I wanted a few books in between these since they're like all the same summer type thing! But I love the cover, it's adorable. And that umbrella and those chairs are totally me right? hehe. But yeah I can't believe how long it took me to read this, I need some catching up to do, man this is brutal.

Heart of Glass by Zoey Dean

Back Cover: High school is officially over, but the graduation celebration is cut short when unlikely pair Anna and Cammie find themselves in an even more unlikley situation- caught trespassing on a celeb's beach estate- and are forced to don steel handcuffs along with their Tiffany tennis bracelets. Luckily, the girls are spared a summer stuck in tacky orange jumpsuits when their hotshot lawyer lands them a cushy community service gig: helping plan a charity fashion show. But while it may seem like a plush job, Anna and Cammie are in for a challenge. can the girls handle the pressures of the vicious fashion world? Or will they fall to pieces faster than a Louis Vuitton knockoff? Great book! Def some crazy things going on that's fer shure. Especially at the end where Anna says she wants to date both guys in front of both of them? weird. And Poppy is gone, just what Sam wanted, while Champagne gets just what she wanted, a modeling job, because of Cammie. Wow, all these relationships and things going on because sof what one person did for the other! It's crazy haha. I wonder what's gonna happen with Adam, I have a feeling he's not gonna come back, he just keeps saying he loves it down there, sad for Cammie, especially since then she's gonna go after Ben, uh oh. Ben is such a troublesome character for the girls haha. But yeah, I liked the ideas in it and what happened with the charity fashion show thing sounded great, so randomly I read the next book in the series like months and months ago? So, I'll wait to read that again until after my little book goal cuz I can't put it on twice ya know?

American Beauty by Zoey Dean

Back Cover: It's graduation for the A-List crew. That means lavish yacht parties, designer caps and gowns, and saying bye-bye to high school for good. Despite the festivities, Anna isn't in a partying mood. Ben's been acting distant and she is worried. Maybe her father's hot tattooed intern, Caine Manning, will help cheer Anna up! Ever since her illicit kiss with Parker, Sam has been Eduardo-less and heart-broken. But hopefully Sam will us her brains and considerable means to get creative about winning Eduardo back. And infamous Cammie? She couldn't care less about gradaution, not when she's so close to unraveling the mystery of her mother's death. She'll stop at nothing to find out the truth. Def a good book, nice to get back with the A-List crew, so many great series and crews ya know? Anyways, Anna is def not acting irrational because of the way Ben is acting, but I think there's def some chemistry between her and Caine, but I guess we'll see right? Ben def should have told her the truth about that Blythe girl! uh ohhh. Cammie is one determined girl, but will she even find anything out? When Sam finds her mom and she tells a different story than what her dad said? Oh jeez. And Sam is so cute getting Eduardo back! That's amazing, and I mean Eduardo could have at least listened to her ya know? But I'm glad they got back to together cuz he makes her so happy! I love talking about the book like it all happened and they're my friends haha. Then Dee, uh oh she shouldn't have said all that stuff, guys are scared of commitment most of the time, sooo we'll see whats going down next!