Book: Donut Days
Authoress: Lara Zielin
Length: 243 (Hardcover)
Genre: Young Adult Fiction | Coming of age
My summary: Emma's life is falling apart. The novel begins with her mom delivering a super controversial sermon to their very strictly conservative congregation. Now Emma has to deal with not only making sense of her church but also the recent falling out with her best friend.
The icing?
She hasn't spoken to her best guy friend since he professed his love to her months ago.
Emma struggles with religion, family, love, and jealousy in Donut Days.
My say: As a woman of faith I was on the fence about reading this one. But I am very glad I did. Donut Days is a sweet insightful look at what it is like for a strong willed, smart, teenage girl who struggles between her love of science and her faith. Along the way she meets some unconventional yet amazing people that teach her some incredibly valuable life lessons. In the end Emma makes peace with not only her parents and her self but with God too.
My verdict: Donut Days is like a donut in that it is sweet and lovely. I devoured it in a matter of hours.
My recommendation: Donut Days is darling and will appeal to anyone that likes a coming of age stories.
My star rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My kiddie-o-meter: This one is great for tweens. While it briefly mentions sexual harassment, alcoholism, and gambling overall the main themes are love, forgiveness, and the dangers of greed.
My favorite quote: "There was no valor or redemption in perfect people doing perfect things. But when flawed people tried to do good things and really practice what Jesus preached? Well, that's when things got really glorious."
My cover thoughts: This cover is delicious, appealing, and perfect.
My notes:
Click here to visit Lara Zielin excellent rant
My video find:
Lara gets HUGE bonus points for being both funny and creative. Please please please watch this video!
My contest: Want to win my gently used hardcover of Donut Days? Comment with your email address below. You must be a follower and resident of the US to enter. Contest ends March 14th.
My final say: Lara you are hysterical!
50 comments:
I think that this book sounds great. Thanks for offering it.
Erin
erin(.)dubrock(@)comcast(.)net
What a cute title, I haven't heard of this one before, thanks so much for the contest. I just stopped by to say hello and now I'm desperately seeking something sweet... cookies, cakes and donuts. Yum.
This sounds like a fun one. :-)
mrso_d at yahoo dot com
I know someone who would love this book. I'll send her your link.
The book sounds and looks adoreable. I just have to say that I do like coming of age stories, but not all the time. I'm not in the mood for it now, but I will one day and then this one sounds perfect.
Again the cover is cute.
That sounds very cute and sweet. I love the cover and the title, but I never would have guessed what it was about.
annieiskawaii @ gmail .com
Sounds really good. Love the cover :)
Great review! I've been wanting to read this one for a while now :)
Amber
justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com
I love the cover too. It's often why I buy the books I buy.
ann
Nina: I feel you and couldn't agree more.
Lisa: Cool! Thanks :)
Please enter me!
xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds interesting. I always wonder where Christian fiction will come down on controversial issues (especially wondering about the reactions to her mom delivering a sermon)!
Welcome TexasRed!
Donut Days sounds scrumptious x) I loved the cover too when I saw it for the first time...
I would love to read this!
Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Just watched the video-it's so unique! I love how she used Fergie's "Glamorous" xD!
Pirate: Isn't the video adorable! I love that she has the guts to dress up as a giant donut. SO cool.
This books really sounds great, now
I want to read it too =)
I totally loved the video! Its
so adorable!
Thank you for the contest, please
count me in =)
bere4estrella@hotmail.com
I won't enter the contest because I'm not from the US and I'm afraid the religious element of the book puts me off (I'm an atheist) so I don't think I'll be reading this, but I just wanted to say that I love the title (DONUTS FTW!!!) and especially the super cool video! Love it! I think I'll go watch it again, it was so much fun! Thanks for posting! :D
DON'T ENTER ME - I already own the book I just haven't read it yet, so I wanted to thank you for the review. I haven't seen many on this book, so it was great to get someone's thoughts on it!
I adore the cover - I can almost taste the sugar that's falling off the donuts! Yum.
Emidy
from Une Parole
I'm glad to know that you enjoyed it! I own a copy, but I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet. Great review :)
I am soo looking forward to this one!! Good review!
ReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com
Sounds good! (:
bratdownstairs@yahoo.com
Not entering, but I'd have to say that I'm excited to read this book. I love coming of age stories!
This book sounds so cute!! I'd love to enter the contest!!
inthehammockblog (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!!
The title and cover are making me hungry.
What a fun title for a book! It sounds sweet. Loved hearing your thoughts on this.
P.S. Not an entry, just my usual adoration of all things Whimsy!
Becky: Ahhh thanks doll :)
Lizzy: I can't wait to see what you think ;)
Bookalicious: Cool cool. I feel ya. Thanks for watching the video though. I LOVED it too. I was singing it to my self all day.
That video is so fun - I love it when writers do something like this. The book sounds cute - enter me in the contest please.
Interesting.... I'm feeling on the fence about this as well.
I'm in Canada, so don't enter me in the contest!
LOL ~ great video - Donut Day?? Never heard of it! :)
i love donuts..haha!!!
nicely reviewed and thanks for sharing...
my update: http://coffeecrackers.blogspot.com/2010/02/3rd-on-my-wishlist.html
Nice review! I'm glad you liked it, and Donut Days definitely sounds like a fun, light read. As for the video, I LOVED it! Lara's videos are all hilarious, and the effects? Fab. Thanks for sharing! :D
And I would love to be entered to win a copy. Thanks, Juju!
booksatmidnight(at)gmail(dot)com
Hiya, don't include me as am not in the US. But just having a nosey around your blog. This looks like a good read but not my genre though. Like Bookalicious Ramblings, I'm so not into religious reads. Just don't believe in it, I'm afraid. They have a name for us, atheist :)
I like the video! Is that Lara in the donut get-up? She's pretty!!
Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/02/win-donut-days-at-tales-of-whimsy.html
Cherry: Well thanks for stopping by and always being so supportive! You rock :)
I certainly have been looking for some good reading material. I'll look for this one when I am out next. :) Thx!!!
And If I were to win it it would be even BETTER! Fingers crossed for the gods of random drawings.
Wow...I am a little scared to play that video! :P
You have an award: http://lillybook.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-award.html
Hi. I'm going to add you to the Siren tour, if this is not ok, please contact me. (you said you wanted to be added in comments)
Cindy
Around World Tours
Hi again. What state are you in? Do you want to be added to Siren?? Did you do the signup sheet? Please let me know by posting in the chatbox please.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Please enter me in the giveaway.
I am a follower.
Your blog is very cute!
This book looks really good! Love your review.
McKenzie
mac.attack17(at)yahoo(dot)com
Lovely review!
Please enter me in the contest. I'm a follower.
kmichellec87@yahoo.com
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance. I am a follower.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
This sounds great, I would love to read it. :)
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I would be very intered in reading this book.
I am a follower.
seriousreader at live dot com
Sounds great and right up my alley. jaimierebeccaATgmailDOTcom
***Please note: This contest has ended. The winner was announced 3/16/2010.
(http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/03/contest-winners-donut-days-and-things.html)
Please stay tuned and continue to check my right-hand sidebar for more upcoming contests. Thank you to everyone that entered.****
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