Cassie Bustamante

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June Book Review (Bittersweet) and July Book Club Selection

July 3, 2014 by Cassie 12 Comments

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As you might recall, I started a book club earlier this year with my fellow book loving friends, Kirby and Carmel.  June was our third month and it was my turn to select.  I chose based mainly on what books were already available on my Kindle App on the iPad (it’s a family account and my mother in law has a vast library as she reads a ton!) and also what she told me about each book.  When I approached her she had just started reading Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore and it seemed to be holding her interest.  I looked it up, and it sounded like something I would love.

I’ve always been fascinated by books whose characters are currently attending college or prep school.  I can’t explain why, but several favorites like Catcher in the Rye,  The Bell Jar, The Perks of being a Wallflower all rank up there as some of my favorites.  They all feature awkward teen characters and I think some part of me (OK, most of me) can relate to having once been being a little weird.

So when I read the synopsis of Bittersweet, naturally I was intrigued.

Mabel Dagmar is an ordinary college girl, uncomfortable in her own skin, and paired up with the rich and gorgeous Genevra Winslow as her roommate.  The two form an unlikely friendship and Genevra (Ev) invites Mabel to spend the summer with her wealthy family at Bittersweet, Ev’s cottage at the remote summer estate of the Winslow family.  Mabel is swept up in the magic of Bittersweet, and the glamour of the Winslow lifestyle; but as she falls deeper and starts to “become” one of the Winslows, she learns of many dark and horrible secrets she can never forget.  She is forced to make decisions that will affect the rest of her life, as well as come to terms with her own hidden secrets.

I truly enjoyed this book….. I loved the variety of interesting and well developed characters, the mystery, and the relationships along the way.  I also love reading books riddled with moral dilemma, and this definitely one of those.  The fact that it takes place on a lake during a New England summer only makes it all the better (I’m a New Englander once and always!).  This page turner will keep you guessing, and will make an excellent summer read!

For July we have moved on to The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls, which was Kirby’s pick.  I’ve already started it and am enjoying it so far.  And guess what- it’s about another awkward teenage girl, so score one for Kirby.

Have a great Thursday- go out and embrace your awkwardness.  Awkward is the new hot.

 

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Comments

  1. kirby carespodi says

    July 3, 2014 at 6:32 am

    Well, I was (still am) the Queen Mother of Awkward. So there you go. I’m going to finish writing my review today–I have some pics to go with it.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 3, 2014 at 7:14 am

      i hope they are pics of you as an awkward teen.
      seriously i am drawn like a fly to roadkill to awkward teen books. i guess once awkward always awkward? when i cut my bangs chris actually told me they were awkward (he doesn’t like bangs). i told him i was going to get a shirt that said “awkward is the new hot”. so that’s where that came from. 🙂
      i am liking the new one, but i need to write my review as soon as i am done. there was so much more i wanted to say but i couldn’t remember!!! i wanted to make comments about the horrible name choices that seemed to me to poke fun at the wealthy.

      Reply
  2. Cathy says

    July 3, 2014 at 9:17 am

    Have not read Bittersweet but is will go on my list. I just finished The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls, LOVED it! Cassie your new website is fantastic, seems the move went smoothly, so bravo, job well done!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 3, 2014 at 6:12 pm

      oh yay! i have enjoyed it so far! and thank you- i really love it!

      Reply
  3. Gwen says

    July 3, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    I haven’t ever even heard of that. I will definitely check it out!

    And if awkward is the new hot… then I’m totally smokin’!!! {in a good way}

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 3, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      ha ha!!! we are both the hottest ever.

      Reply
  4. Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says

    July 3, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Loved your book review Cassie 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 3, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      thank you! i waited too long to write it and forgot so much of what i wanted to say! ugh!

      Reply
  5. Amber @ Wills Casa says

    July 3, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Have you ever read The Book Thief? I read it and just listened to it with Nick on our road trip. I forgot how depressing it is. Womp womp. Happy Thursday! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 3, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      i have not read that one but need to look into it! i love depressing and awkward books.

      Reply
  6. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    July 14, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Adding this to my list to read! Thanks for sharing! And if I can get going on the July pick, I may jump on that one. 🙂
    xo Heidi

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 14, 2014 at 8:43 pm

      oooh yes! it’s pretty good so far!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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