REVIEWS :)
CUTTING CLASS
Aug 11, 2011 Kwoomac rated it [image error]
Shelves: first-reads, reviewed, young-adult Goodreads freebie. This story was filled with tragic figures. First, we have Johnny Boy. Johnny's mother is the school librarian, who is known to all to be a whore. She was raped as a young girl by her own father. Johnny's father, unbeknownst to him, is his grandfather. His mother has protected him from this info by telling him his father was a soldier who died in Afghanistan. The father/grandfather, in addition to being a pedophile, was also an arsonist. While in prison for arson, he killed himself by setting himself on fire. This is more info Johnny Boy's mother has not shared with him. It is somewhat hard to believe that in a small town Johnny doesn't here about his grandfather from others. The story is partly told through the journal Johnny Boy's mother kept while she was in high school. I particularly liked these journal entries. They were so full of the extremes and drama typical of a teenage girl. I smiled while reading them, it was so easy to see this girl full of romantic dreams. Johnny Boy has spent 17 years in prison for arson and murder. It is not 'til the end of the book, that the reader learns the truth about the fire.
The main characters in the present time are Pony Boy (child of Johnny Boy) and a girl he goes to high school with, Pixie. Pony Boy is an angry boy, who grew up without knowing his father at all. While he did know about his father, his mother never brough in to prison to visit his father, until the week before his father was released form prison. His mother finally introduced father and son because she is dying of breast cancer. Pony Boy is seventeen. Pixie is the daughter of Meghan, another tragic figure. Meghan was a beautiful girl in high school, popular, a cheer leader. Meghan survived the fire that killed her boyfriend Ducky. She was pregnant with Pixie (birth name Calliope) at the time. She suffered major burns. Her response to this was to become a drinker. She has been married and divorced six times and spends her nights with an endless series of lovers. She pays little attention to her daughter. Pixie and Pony Boy are in the early stages of a relationship, when PB's father gets out of jail. The two stories are told alternately, with both building toward a crescendo. This is where we learn the true story of the fire Johnny Boy went to jail for. We also learn how Pony Boy will deal with everything going on in his life; his budding relationship with Pixie, his mother's dying, and his father's new role in his life.
This was a book full of lost souls. I was rooting for them to find their way. unlike 1 like · see review
Aug 02, 2011 Stephanie rated it [image error]
Shelves: first-reads I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I believe that this book was an advance copy, explaining the grammatical errors (incorrect words in place of the right ones, i.e. too instead of to), which was a little distracting for someone like me (I'm a teacher and those kind of things drive me crazy), but that's not relevant.
The basic premise and story line is good, but the way things tended to bounce around was distracting from the story. There was continual change in the point of view and topics, sometimes making it difficult to remember who was speaking and about what. The bold face entries made it clear when P.B.'s mom is writing about her high school experience and romance with P.B's father Johnny, but the parts of the book written in the present day were constantly changing point of views, which took away from the story.
I enjoyed the premise and story, but the way it was told kind of turned me off to it. I think if the storytelling was improved, it would make a world of difference.
Thank you for the chance to read it though! unlike 1 like · see review
May 15, 2011 Magenta Periwinkle rated it [image error] · (Review from the author) · review of another edition
Shelves: coming-of-age, realistic-fiction, high-school, romance, wishlist, ya, teen-angst, ya-fiction, young-adult, young-adult-teen, young-adult-romance, young-adult-coming-of-age-92-user So, once again I will break the moral code and write my own review just like I did for Sentimental Bulls#*t.
Half the novel is about Johnny who doesn't talk to many people, so when he taps the shoulder of a girl in math class and asks her "Do you like monkeys?" it is a big deal. Johnny's home life sucks and all he wants is to stay out of trouble, and yet, he keeps finding himself with fighting the captain of the school football team, who used to be his best friend. The girl Johnny likes, carries around a worn copy of the Outsiders, and Johnny can't help but hide his new relationship with her.
The second part of the book is about P.B. (named after PonyBoy from the Outsiders), I wonder who his parents are?
· see review
Aug 01, 2011 Kayla Baldwin rated it [image error]
Shelves: first-reads, owned I won this book as part of a Goodreads First-Reads contest.
To be honest, it did take me a while to get into this book. The viewpoint kept jumping around, and it took me a few chapters to understand the different relationships. It also started off sounding like another one of those angry teenager stories, but towards the middle there were some twists that I did not expect, and in the end, I ended up really liking the book and it was something unique. unlike 1 like · see review
Oct 06, 2011 Ryan Lucero rated it [image error] I love books about teens on the edge and a little messed up. The story about the parents, fascinating.
The character development is admirable and it makes you wonder what is going on in the mind of the author that would inspire this story. unlike 1 like · see review
Sep 14, 2011 Vicky rated it [image error] · review of another edition Well this book is definitely an interesting read. Before i comment on the story though i just want to say that there was a lot of typos. The story is completely different to anything i expected, in a good way. What happens surprises you and its believable and intensely emotional. You feel connected to the characters and the story reads well although it is a little confusing sometimes. Overall i enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it as its not the usual sappy love story written for the YA group. SENTIMENTAL BULLS#*T
Apr 20, 2011 Magenta Periwinkle rated it [image error] · (Review from the author)
Shelves: young-adult, coming-of-age, romance, young-adult-romance, high-school, books-about-death, young-adult-teen, realistic-fiction, ya, ya-fiction, wishlist So, I'm sure it is very wrong to review your own book and if this were amazon it would delete my review... but let us see if I can get away with it here.
I think that Sentimental Bulls#*t is different than most of the books out there. I'm sure everyone says that about their book, but I'm sure mine is, and that is why Sentimental Bulls#*t is not for everyone.
The book starts out with Rose who is about to leave home to go to art school in New York City, where she thought she dreamed of going, but things have changed since she applied.
Rose's best friend Shade came home for Christmas Vacation and Rose couldn't have been more excited but then somehow they end up spending less time together than Rose anticipated and Rose begins spending more time with Patrick, Shade's recent ex.
Sure the same old group of friends still goes places together, but things have changed and Rose finds herself exiled from the group.
Which finds her in New York where she meets the cutest boy she has ever dared talk to Dysan.
The story alternates between her present with Dysan and her past with Shade and Patrick, until she must choose whether to stay in the past with her memories or move forward in her relationship with Dysan and New York City. Magenta Periwinkle(less) · see review
Apr 26, 2011 Linda Thao marked it as to-read I can't wait to read this book!! unlike 1 like · see review
Aug 19, 2011 Ronald Hopkins rated it [image error] After days of reading, I realized this book has great potential to be something special, unique, or in it's own way a classic. I believe the author has her own voice and opinions, Which she gladly displayed in the story. Though, I did find it at times average, I still believe that this book has the potential to be more then it is. I love the title(it's eye-catching) the cover is amazing and original, and the characters don't feel like your average, dull, ordinary, generic cast. Thank you so much good reads for allowing me to win this book and I hope to read more from the author and see her grow and change in her writing. If I could give this book a grade I'd say it was worthy of a 3.5/5 ^___^. (less) unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Melissa rated it [image error] I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Lisa Mathis rated it [image error]
Shelves: first-reads I Loved this book!! The author, Magenta Periwinkle, did an amazing job conveying the often conflicted thoughts and feelings of youth. Within the pages of this book are opportunities to completely submerse yourself in the memories of your own relationships with people that have since become a fixture of your past. Thank you for the chance to re-examine:
- The bond of a childhood friendship, that you will never find again.
- A betrayal so great, you will forever feel unresolved.
- The feelings of complete emptiness you feel when losing someone you love so dearly.
- And Mostly, for the strength to realize that life will go on!
I highly recommend this book to everyone who has struggled with the choices of life. (less) unlike 2 likes · see review
Sep 30, 2011 •••Makenna••• marked it as to-read
Shelves: must-read One question:
Why isn't the Converse on the cover purple?!?!?! unlike 2 likes · see review
May 01, 2011 ❤♏αια (My Book Diaries) marked it as to-read
Shelves: first-reads I won this from this from Goodreads. Can't wait to read this! unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Julie Harrison rated it [image error]
Shelves: first-read This book definitely keeps you guessing. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Quite a few grammar mistakes. Very good read. unlike 1 like · see review
About Magenta Periwinkle
Magenta Periwinkle is the pseudonym for Keli Chaffin lives in Texas with her three cats and hopes to someday own a monkey. Keli has two useless bachelor's degrees, one in Photography and one in Psychology. She works in a psychologist office and thinks she has some idea about the workings of the human psyche. More about Magenta Periwinkle...
Aug 11, 2011 Kwoomac rated it [image error] Shelves: first-reads, reviewed, young-adult Goodreads freebie. This story was filled with tragic figures. First, we have Johnny Boy. Johnny's mother is the school librarian, who is known to all to be a whore. She was raped as a young girl by her own father. Johnny's father, unbeknownst to him, is his grandfather. His mother has protected him from this info by telling him his father was a soldier who died in Afghanistan. The father/grandfather, in addition to being a pedophile, was also an arsonist. While in prison for arson, he killed himself by setting himself on fire. This is more info Johnny Boy's mother has not shared with him. It is somewhat hard to believe that in a small town Johnny doesn't here about his grandfather from others. The story is partly told through the journal Johnny Boy's mother kept while she was in high school. I particularly liked these journal entries. They were so full of the extremes and drama typical of a teenage girl. I smiled while reading them, it was so easy to see this girl full of romantic dreams. Johnny Boy has spent 17 years in prison for arson and murder. It is not 'til the end of the book, that the reader learns the truth about the fire.
The main characters in the present time are Pony Boy (child of Johnny Boy) and a girl he goes to high school with, Pixie. Pony Boy is an angry boy, who grew up without knowing his father at all. While he did know about his father, his mother never brough in to prison to visit his father, until the week before his father was released form prison. His mother finally introduced father and son because she is dying of breast cancer. Pony Boy is seventeen. Pixie is the daughter of Meghan, another tragic figure. Meghan was a beautiful girl in high school, popular, a cheer leader. Meghan survived the fire that killed her boyfriend Ducky. She was pregnant with Pixie (birth name Calliope) at the time. She suffered major burns. Her response to this was to become a drinker. She has been married and divorced six times and spends her nights with an endless series of lovers. She pays little attention to her daughter. Pixie and Pony Boy are in the early stages of a relationship, when PB's father gets out of jail. The two stories are told alternately, with both building toward a crescendo. This is where we learn the true story of the fire Johnny Boy went to jail for. We also learn how Pony Boy will deal with everything going on in his life; his budding relationship with Pixie, his mother's dying, and his father's new role in his life.
This was a book full of lost souls. I was rooting for them to find their way. unlike 1 like · see review
Aug 02, 2011 Stephanie rated it [image error] Shelves: first-reads I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I believe that this book was an advance copy, explaining the grammatical errors (incorrect words in place of the right ones, i.e. too instead of to), which was a little distracting for someone like me (I'm a teacher and those kind of things drive me crazy), but that's not relevant.
The basic premise and story line is good, but the way things tended to bounce around was distracting from the story. There was continual change in the point of view and topics, sometimes making it difficult to remember who was speaking and about what. The bold face entries made it clear when P.B.'s mom is writing about her high school experience and romance with P.B's father Johnny, but the parts of the book written in the present day were constantly changing point of views, which took away from the story.
I enjoyed the premise and story, but the way it was told kind of turned me off to it. I think if the storytelling was improved, it would make a world of difference.
Thank you for the chance to read it though! unlike 1 like · see review
May 15, 2011 Magenta Periwinkle rated it [image error] · (Review from the author) · review of another edition Shelves: coming-of-age, realistic-fiction, high-school, romance, wishlist, ya, teen-angst, ya-fiction, young-adult, young-adult-teen, young-adult-romance, young-adult-coming-of-age-92-user So, once again I will break the moral code and write my own review just like I did for Sentimental Bulls#*t.
Half the novel is about Johnny who doesn't talk to many people, so when he taps the shoulder of a girl in math class and asks her "Do you like monkeys?" it is a big deal. Johnny's home life sucks and all he wants is to stay out of trouble, and yet, he keeps finding himself with fighting the captain of the school football team, who used to be his best friend. The girl Johnny likes, carries around a worn copy of the Outsiders, and Johnny can't help but hide his new relationship with her.
The second part of the book is about P.B. (named after PonyBoy from the Outsiders), I wonder who his parents are?
· see review
Aug 01, 2011 Kayla Baldwin rated it [image error] Shelves: first-reads, owned I won this book as part of a Goodreads First-Reads contest.
To be honest, it did take me a while to get into this book. The viewpoint kept jumping around, and it took me a few chapters to understand the different relationships. It also started off sounding like another one of those angry teenager stories, but towards the middle there were some twists that I did not expect, and in the end, I ended up really liking the book and it was something unique. unlike 1 like · see review
Oct 06, 2011 Ryan Lucero rated it [image error] I love books about teens on the edge and a little messed up. The story about the parents, fascinating. The character development is admirable and it makes you wonder what is going on in the mind of the author that would inspire this story. unlike 1 like · see review
Sep 14, 2011 Vicky rated it [image error] · review of another edition Well this book is definitely an interesting read. Before i comment on the story though i just want to say that there was a lot of typos. The story is completely different to anything i expected, in a good way. What happens surprises you and its believable and intensely emotional. You feel connected to the characters and the story reads well although it is a little confusing sometimes. Overall i enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it as its not the usual sappy love story written for the YA group. SENTIMENTAL BULLS#*T
Apr 20, 2011 Magenta Periwinkle rated it [image error] · (Review from the author) Shelves: young-adult, coming-of-age, romance, young-adult-romance, high-school, books-about-death, young-adult-teen, realistic-fiction, ya, ya-fiction, wishlist So, I'm sure it is very wrong to review your own book and if this were amazon it would delete my review... but let us see if I can get away with it here.
I think that Sentimental Bulls#*t is different than most of the books out there. I'm sure everyone says that about their book, but I'm sure mine is, and that is why Sentimental Bulls#*t is not for everyone.
The book starts out with Rose who is about to leave home to go to art school in New York City, where she thought she dreamed of going, but things have changed since she applied.
Rose's best friend Shade came home for Christmas Vacation and Rose couldn't have been more excited but then somehow they end up spending less time together than Rose anticipated and Rose begins spending more time with Patrick, Shade's recent ex.
Sure the same old group of friends still goes places together, but things have changed and Rose finds herself exiled from the group.
Which finds her in New York where she meets the cutest boy she has ever dared talk to Dysan.
The story alternates between her present with Dysan and her past with Shade and Patrick, until she must choose whether to stay in the past with her memories or move forward in her relationship with Dysan and New York City. Magenta Periwinkle(less) · see review
Apr 26, 2011 Linda Thao marked it as to-read I can't wait to read this book!! unlike 1 like · see review
Aug 19, 2011 Ronald Hopkins rated it [image error] After days of reading, I realized this book has great potential to be something special, unique, or in it's own way a classic. I believe the author has her own voice and opinions, Which she gladly displayed in the story. Though, I did find it at times average, I still believe that this book has the potential to be more then it is. I love the title(it's eye-catching) the cover is amazing and original, and the characters don't feel like your average, dull, ordinary, generic cast. Thank you so much good reads for allowing me to win this book and I hope to read more from the author and see her grow and change in her writing. If I could give this book a grade I'd say it was worthy of a 3.5/5 ^___^. (less) unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Melissa rated it [image error] I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Lisa Mathis rated it [image error] Shelves: first-reads I Loved this book!! The author, Magenta Periwinkle, did an amazing job conveying the often conflicted thoughts and feelings of youth. Within the pages of this book are opportunities to completely submerse yourself in the memories of your own relationships with people that have since become a fixture of your past. Thank you for the chance to re-examine:
- The bond of a childhood friendship, that you will never find again.
- A betrayal so great, you will forever feel unresolved.
- The feelings of complete emptiness you feel when losing someone you love so dearly.
- And Mostly, for the strength to realize that life will go on!
I highly recommend this book to everyone who has struggled with the choices of life. (less) unlike 2 likes · see review
Sep 30, 2011 •••Makenna••• marked it as to-read Shelves: must-read One question:
Why isn't the Converse on the cover purple?!?!?! unlike 2 likes · see review
May 01, 2011 ❤♏αια (My Book Diaries) marked it as to-read Shelves: first-reads I won this from this from Goodreads. Can't wait to read this! unlike 1 like · see review
May 01, 2011 Julie Harrison rated it [image error] Shelves: first-read This book definitely keeps you guessing. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Quite a few grammar mistakes. Very good read. unlike 1 like · see review
About Magenta Periwinkle
Magenta Periwinkle is the pseudonym for Keli Chaffin lives in Texas with her three cats and hopes to someday own a monkey. Keli has two useless bachelor's degrees, one in Photography and one in Psychology. She works in a psychologist office and thinks she has some idea about the workings of the human psyche. More about Magenta Periwinkle...
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