Fall for Anything - Courtney Summers

From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father.

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world?

When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Cullen seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

When I heard that Courtney Summers was going to be releasing another book in 2010, I knew I had to read it. I have so much cover love for Fall for Anything, especially because it's relevant to the book. It's a cover that would make me pick it up off the shelf and is one of my favorites.

Eddie's life is pretty broken and her mom has just checked out, leaving Eddie to deal with her grief alone. I felt terrible for Eddie throughout the book because it is so hard losing a parent and there were parts that brought back my personal loss. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a parent to suicide but Summers did a fantastic job of showing Eddie's grief. The quest she takes you on to find out why her dad did what he did is heartbreaking and realistic. If you don't feel anything when you read this book then your name might be Chandler Bing.

Courtney Summers is consistent. Consistently good. Her characters just leap off the page and make you care about them whether they're the mean girl or a girl drowning in sorrow. Fall for Anything is a definite win and Courtney Summers has knocked it out of the park once again.

Have you read any of Courtney's books? Will you read this one?

Waiting on Wednesday - Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you're eagerly anticipating.

 Released December 21, 2010

The cover for Courtney Summers' next book Fall for Anything was revealed earlier this week and I just LOVE it. What makes it even more appealing? Courtney tweeted that the pictures hanging in the background are actually in the book! I liked Cracked Up To Be and loved Some Girls Are so I'm really excited to read this book and see where she takes this. This is the second book where Summers tackles the issue of suicide and I'm very interested to compare and contrast the different scenarios.

From Goodreads:

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? 

When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close.

Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on… but some questions should be left unanswered. 

Have you read Courtney Summers' books? What did you think of them? Will you read Fall for Anything?

Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers

Parker Fadley has a secret and her life is no longer perfect. After being put on suicide watch by her parents and school, the former perfect cheerleading captain, distinguished honor roll member, and girlfriend of the most popular boy in school has purposefully distanced herself from all of these things. All Parker wants is to be left alone and not feel anything, but when the new kid, Jake, takes an interest in her and starts asking questions, she finds herself feeling again. Does Parker really want to be left alone or is it just her bit?

After reading Some Girls Are a few weeks ago by Courtney Summers, I just had to read Cracked Up To Be. I liked this book but not to the degree that I liked Some Girls Are. I'm glad I read it though and I liked how Courtney shared Parker's secret. She didn't come outright and say what happened and you find out bits of the story all the way through the book. The more of the story I got I decided it had to be one of two things and one of my theory's ended up being right.

I found Jake somewhat annoying at parts because he just kept pushing Parker to answer questions and a lot of the time her character just seemed forced. Part of me can't help but think that maybe that was how she was supposed to be though because of the accidental suicide and just wanting someone to take the extra effort to get behind what changed her.

Overall, I didn't love this book as much as I hoped I would but I really did like it and am glad I read it. If you haven't read it, you should at least do so once because it's definitely worth that.

Some Girls Are - Courtney Summers

After hearing many good things about Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers, I made this my first "I just got a new library card and am going to use it" book.

Regina is part of the Fearsome Fivesome and the social standing in Hallowell High cannot get any better. After nasty rumors start circulating, Regina finds herself frozen out of her group and everyone hates her and wants revenge. She then finds herself in a complicated relationship with Michael Hayden, one of the many people she tormented on behalf of her ex-best friend, Anna. Will Regina have the strength and courage to stand up to the people now making her life a living hell or will she roll over and take what she thinks she deserves for being one of the mean girls?

This book was INCREDIBLE and I must add this to my collection. I loved the characters because they seemed to really pop off the page and it showed just how cruel high school kids can really be. Even though Regina was originally as bad as the rest, there were parts that unexpectedly made my eyes sting and I felt a lump rising in my throat because I just felt SO bad for her and I just wanted to hug her.

The only down side to this book was I think it could have been a little bit longer. There was all this stuff going on toward the end and then all of a sudden it's done and over and the ending just seemed easy.

I'm really looking forward to reading more books by Courtney Summers so please excuse me while I go add Cracked Up To Be to my library holds list..