5 star read!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Summary (taken from goodreads.com)

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. 

My summary and thoughts!
Hannah Baker has decided to end her life. There are 13 reasons why. Before doing so, she records a set of audiotapes. On these tapes she talks about various experiences, and people involved in them. These experiences are the reasons she has decided to end her life.
She has recorded these tapes for the individuals involved in these experiences to listen to. To let them know that they were "one of the reasons why". The morning of her final day, she mails them out. Once someone receives the tapes, they are to listen to all of them, and once done, send them on to the next person on the tapes. The individuals named are also told that there is a second copy of these tapes out there, and if they do not do as asked the second set will be released publicly.
The reader "listens" to these tapes with Clay, a fellow classmate and crush. we see his reaction.  I would have liked to see some of the reactions by other people on the tapes as well.
As someone that has lost a loved one to suicide, it was an emotional read, but a great read nonetheless.
I felt many different emotions over the course of this book. I felt sympathy for Hannah, and also for Clay. I was angry with some of the other characters from the tapes. And I was also a little upset with Hannah. It seemed like she just expected people to know how she felt, without ever getting close enough to anyone to share her feelings.
Even though I felt some sympathy for some of those that are forced to listen to the tapes,(mainly Clay and Tony), I also felt a little jealous. I kind of wished Ash had left something to help with all of the unanswered questions we were left with.
This is a great novel. I believe the author to be very talented, as it was all so realistic, and I truly felt like I knew her. I look forward to reading more from Jay Asher.
If you have not read this book, you really should! It is a great read!  If you can, listen to the audiobook. I  listened to the audiobook after reading the novel. I LOVED it just as much, maybe even a little bit more!

I really liked this........

                     

Sally and the Buccaneers by Judy Lunsford

SYNOPSIS (from goodreads.com)
While in her grandmother’s attic, 10 year-old Sally finds a trunk that transports her to a hidden kingdom. There she discovers the kingdom is about to be attacked by pirates. With the help of a faerie, Sally must unravel the mystery of who she really is and the secrets contained in the Trunk of Alexia, while fending off pirates and saving the royal family. But the true question is, will Sally be able to get back home?
In Sally and the Buccaneers, book 1 of the Trunk of Alexia series, meet Sally, Abby, Layla, and the faerie Alexia. Join them on their first adventure!
What did I think of it??
As the mother of a young girl, I tend to check out books geared to this age range.  I generally don't read the whole book.  I tend to skim them pretty  quickly just to see if I feel that it it is appropriate to purchase for my daughter or as a gift for another young girl.  Sally and the Buccaneers
I did not skim this book! I read this book in a little less than an hour. I did not put it down until I finished it. I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be sharing it with my daughter, and more than likely purchase it as a gift for a couple other young girls I know.  
I would say that Sally and the Buccaneers is  a great choice for someone in the age range of  7-10 years old to read on their own.  It could also be enjoyed by children that are even younger if a parent/caregiver read it with them!   
This book is the first in The Trunk of Alexia series.  I look forward to reading the rest of the series.  Judy has finished writing " Book 2", and is almost done writing "Book 3".  The Trunk of Alexia series will be published as a single book trilogy.  There is no release date set yet, but she is hoping to release it at around Christmastime!!  
To learn more about Judy and her books check out her website at www.JudyLunsfordBooks.com.
Readers can  purchase Sally and the Buccaneers  from Judy.  On the right-hand side of her website there is a link to  TMD Books which is her online "used" bookstore through Amazon. If you order a copy of the book through that link it will be new, but cost a little less, AND she will sign it for you!