Mini Reviews: Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed and The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt

From Goodreads: Naila’s conservative immigrant parents have always said the same thing: She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows up - but they will choose her husband. Following their cultural tradition, they will plan an arranged marriage for her. And until then, dating - even friendship with a boy - is forbidden. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid. Convinced she has forgotten who she truly is, they travel to Pakistan to visit relatives and explore their roots. But Naila’s vacation turns into a nightmare when she learns that plans have changed - her parents have found her a husband and they want her to marry him, now! Despite her greatest efforts, Naila is aghast to find herself cut off from everything and everyone she once knew. Her only hope of escape is Saif . . . if he can find her before it’s too late. 

My Rating: 3.5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: Since most YA books don’t have PoC main characters, I was curious to give Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed a try. While I liked the book overall, I didn’t feel very connected to the story because each chapter was so short that I ended up reading Written in the Stars quickly, without feeling much emotion. I also would have liked Naila to demonstrate better judgement – how could you not expect your parents to find out you have a boyfriend when you go with him to prom?! – and to not be so passive.

Written in the Stars was released by Nancy Paulsen Books in March 2015.

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From Goodreads: Max Starling's theatrical father likes to say that at twelve a boy is independent. He also likes to boast (about his acting skills, his wife's acting skills, a fortune only his family knows is metaphorical), but more than anything he likes to have adventures. Max Starling's equally theatrical mother is not a boaster but she enjoys a good adventure as much as her husband. When these two disappear, what can sort-of-theatrical Max and his not-at-all theatrical grandmother do? They have to wait to find out something, anything, and to worry, and, in Max's case, to figure out how to earn a living at the same time as he maintains his independence. This is the first of three books, all featuring the mysterious Mister Max. 

My Rating: 1.5 hearts (the additional half heart is only because I liked the pictures) 

Thoughts on the Novel: The Book of Lost Things was a book that I requested two years ago because its author was Cynthia Voigt. Although I had never read any of Voigt’s novels, The Book of Lost Things was her latest release at the time, and so I thought it would be appropriate to start with it. For some reason though, I never got around to reading The Book of Lost Things … and honestly, I wish that still remained the case. I know I’m not the target audience for The Book of Lost Things, but I was just so bored reading this! The mysteries were way too simple for me, and I have no idea how Max – a twelve-year-old boy – managed to fool so many people into thinking that he was an adult.

The Book of Lost Things was released in September 2013 by Knopf Books for Young Readers.  

In exchange for an honest review, this book was received from the publisher (Random House) via NetGalley.