Bad AppleAuthor: Laura Ruby
Series: ---
Publisher: HarperCollins
How Received: ARC
"If I really wanted to open up, I'd confess that I really am the liar everyone believes I am."
High-school junior Tola Riley has green hair, a nose ring, an attitude problem, and a fondness for fairy tales, which are a great escape from real life. Everyone thinks she's crazy; everyone says so. Everyone except Mr. Mymer, her art teacher. He gets her paintings and lets her hang out in the art room during lonely lunch periods.
But then rumors start flying and Tola is suddenly the center of a scandal. The whole town is judging her—even her family. When Mr. Mymer is suspended for what everyone thinks is an affair, she has no choice but to break her silence. Fairy tales won't help her this time... so how can she tell the truth? And, more importantly, will anyone believe her?
I will give Bad Apple this. It has some pretty awesome characters - I loved Tola, and Tola's cat, and Tola's friend Seven.
And I love Laura Ruby's writing style.
But that's where my love of this ends. It wasn't a bad book, per say - it just wasn't organized. It jumped from thing to thing, in seemingly unconnected bits. I managed to get through the first fifty pages purely on the hope that it would get it's act together. Then I began flipping to random pages in the back and would know EXACTLY what was happening within the first five sentences I read.
The book probably would have been much better had it been written in diary form. Sadly, though, I could not finish it.
Final Comments: Some people may like it, but it's not my thing.
Cover Comments: It's an alright cover - appealing enough, but not something that would stand out on a shelf.
Thanks for an honest review. I have seen the same issue in books I've read recently, where it jumps around. It gets to be hard to follow and is therefore not enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your review!
Marissa
Thanks for being honest, I hate when book reviewers are scared to say what they honestly feel about a book. Sure, it sucks for the authors, but criticism is what will help them do better next time! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
I'm glad you can be honest. The book looks intriguing, and to tell you the truth I may enjoy it. But judging by your review, I may not be too eager to read it right away.
ReplyDeleteJane
janestoryblog.blogspot.com
Good honest review :) It sounds intriguing, but I might not be all too interested in reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it could be a good story, that sucks that you didn't like it. Thanks so much for the honest review!
ReplyDeletethanks for the review! you really did a good job summing it up in a few short paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteangela z
http://www.freadomfans.blogspot.com
You're right, it's not something that will stand out on a shelf.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I will like this, for these types of girly realistic fiction novels are not my favorite. Maybe I'll try it out if I have the time. Good honest review!
ReplyDeleteI really had liked the sound of this one, but I am not sure if I'll like it if you didn't finish lol as we usually have fairly similar taste in books.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is so unique!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about this one, it sounds good, but I hate the idea of possibly not being able to finish it. Oh well, I'll have to give it a chance.
I hadn't really heard of it. I may have to check it out though, but thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that a lot of people did not really like it. It is good that it has such good characters though!
ReplyDeleteIf it jumps around a lot it's not for me! I'm a more concrete person, so that would drive me nuts!
ReplyDeleteAwh too bad you didn't like it. I haven't heard much about this book, but I may just try it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for not sugar-coating this book. I know for sure that I don't like books that are disorganized. I get confused easily enough as it is (early senility :) I may give it a chance.
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks for the review!!! I always have a hard time with the ones that jump around, so it's nice to have a heads up!
ReplyDeleteI actually liked this one, but I am weird.
ReplyDeleteThis fellow bookworm says:
ReplyDeleteOuch. Crash and burn. So I'm definitely not going to reserve this book at the library. Shame, too. That looks like a fabulous cover. Goes to show: Don't judge a book by its cover. A dangerous phrase!
Poor, Bad Apple. Ah well. Maybe next time.
-Amelia
(fellow bookworm)
Hmmm... not your thing. Hmmm... is it bad that, that makes me want to read it and see if I might like it? We have similar taste so maybe not but hmmm... Great review!!!
ReplyDelete