Monday, September 20, 2010

Book Review: Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford


 Confessions Of The Sullivan Sisters
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publish Date: September 1, 2010
Hardcover, 320 pages
Young Adult


My Review:
Why I read this:  I like this type of book - three sisters who have to own up to a secret that one of them has done to hurt their grandmother just so they can continue to live the type of life they are use to.  I seem to like books that include scandal amongst the life of the rich.


How is the novel driven:  Character - this is all about the three sisters and what each of them considers to be the reason they have made their grandmother want to dis-inherit them.




My thoughts: This book fully lived up to my expectations - it wasn't as catty as I expected it to be, in fact it was rather light-hearted and fun.  But still my expectations were met.  It was a quick easy read and I loved reading about each of the girls and what they felt they had done wrong.  No, not one of them was perfect, but I think each girl learned a lot about herself through having to do this exercise and that is what made the book enjoyable.  There were some truly laughable moments and the book as a whole was just completely enjoyable. 

It was divided up into three main sections, one for each of the sisters, Norrie, Sassy and Jane, written as a confession to the Almighty, their grandmother.  The fact they referred to their grandmother as the Almighty is one of the things that made this book - the humor is subtle at times and a lot of fun.

One thing I really enjoyed was the closeness of the family.  The parents were slightly out there, but the brothers and sisters do know how to band together even though two of the brothers are away at school.  I liked their camaraderie.  Sure they fought as well, but they clung to each other and it was an endearing aspect to the book.


A great quick young adult read that will leave you smiling at the end.



My Rating: 4.25/5.0

About the Book:
The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless.


Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.


And so the confessions begin....

About the Author:
Natalie Standiford is originally from Maryland, the setting of her two Scholastic Press novels. She now lives in New York City.

Her Website
Facebook
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Goodreads Profile

FTC Information: I received this book through 1 ARC Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Fall Catch-Up Read-a-Thon: Starting Line

I'm participating in the Fall Catch-Up-Read-a-Thon hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict.  It goes from today through Sunday and has no particular rules - it's just to help us get caught up on our reading.  Like that will ever happen with me, but I'm a true sucker for read-a-thons and any excuse to read more :)

Stop by The True Book Addict and see who else is participating and sign up yourself!

What I hope to read:

Finish:
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Read:
Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow
The Ivy by Lauren Kunze
Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci
The Starlet by Mary McNamara
Poison by Sara Poole
The Veil of Night by Linda Howard

Okay - that is really ambitious, so if I get 5 books read I will be happy - if I make it through all of those I will be ecstatic!  At least it's an easy week - no teachers meetings or other activities that I know of, so it's just getting supper fixed and homework done after my 8-hour workday.  I see nice evenings spent reading on my porch swing and a relaxing Saturday reading away the day.

What are you Reading Monday - September 20

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week 
Reading Now:
  • Definitely Dead (audible on my Kindle)
  • Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich (audio in my car)


Next:
  • She's Gone Country by Jane Porter
  • Re-read of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins to prepare for:
  • Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Reviews completed this week (books read before this week):
Other books still need to review:
  • Wings by Aprilynne Pike (library) 
  • The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (mine)  
  • The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz
  • Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook)
  • Matched by Ally Condie (review)
  • Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook) 
  • Evermore by Alyson Noel (library)  
  • Spells by Aprylynne Pike (library) 
  • Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford (review)
  • Nightshade by Andrea Cremer  (review)
  • Manifest by Artist Arthur (review) 
  • Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler (review)
  • Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (review)
  • The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff (review)
  • God is in the Pancakes by Robin Epstein (review)
  • Candor by Pam Bachorz
  • Crusade by  Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie  
  • The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan 
  •  
Summary -

Busy week, but great reading, the temps are cooling off and things are settling down with school, so I hope to get more back in the swing this week with blogging.

Best of the week:  Terminal Care by Christopher Stookey