Musical Moments: Guest Post: Kiss, Date, Love, Hate Playlist by Luisa Plaja

It is my great honor to welcome Luisa Plaja to Book Angel Booktopia today. Speaking to Luisa via twitter I was aware that she creates play-lists for just about everything lol. I was absolutely over the moon when offered the chance to host the play-list for Luis's new book Love, Date, Kiss, Hate. Over to Luisa......ENJOY.

I often write while playing music, and I have several long play-lists for every book. I add tracks for various reasons. Sometimes the lyrics are perfect for the themes I'm writing about, or they represent a certain character for me. Other times, the music creates the right atmosphere or calls to mind certain locations. I can't explain why other tracks are there, but they somehow feel right.

It was very hard to narrow it down, but here are just a few highlights from the music I played while writing my latest novel, Kiss Date Love Hate.

This is the one I carried over into every new Kiss Date Love Hate playlist I made. A lot of the book's scenes are set in the (relatively tame) wilds of a man-made forest, where tall trees vie with more recent structures built and left by young offenders on an out-of-bounds course. This was the track that inspired some of my thoughts on what it is to look 'wild' on the outside (Drew), or feel 'wild' on the inside (Lex, Jess... George...)

By the way, it was tough to choose just one Flo song and I nearly selected CosmicLove instead, for the sake of Lex's cosmic Geography teacher Ms Cosgrove.

Another scene-setting track, though this one is mostly for Drew.

This one's for Lex's slightly lost friend Jess. Plus it's a brilliant track. Sing it loud!

This is a perfect soundtrack tune. For me it captures that night-time, street-lit atmosphere where anything seems possible. I chose this for the driving scene after the party...

A timeless love song. Hey, it's even *called* Love Song! This one is for all the couples in the book, including the ones that didn't make it to the final cut. I like to think they're out there somewhere!

Just to round things off, for a game-based story, I had to include something about playing (and losing?) a game…

Thank you very much for having me here, Emma!

Thank you Luisa for sharing your awesome music taste.

Review: Kiss, Date, Love, Hate by Luisa Plaja

Title: Kiss, Date, Love, Hate

Author: Luisa Plaja

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Source: Review Copy

Challenge: BBC

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

What if you could change your friends' lives and loves through the settings of a computer game...?

Lex Murphy's group of friends have all dated, hated, ignored and lusted after each other for the last few years. If only there was a way of matching people perfectly to avoid all the unrequited love, dumping and drama! Then Lex's friend George is given a mysterious Sims-like game by his software-testing dad which involves building character profiles in the categories of Life, Looks and Love. Lex and George populate the game with avatars for all their mates, making a few 'wishful thinking' adjustments to the settings - and find that the next day these tinkerings have come true! But how long can this new calm, loved-up atmosphere continue?

REVIEW

The first thing I would like to say about this book is how well Luisa Plaja creates realistic teen narrative voices. This does however, mean that they are not necessarily like-able to begin with. 

Told in first person narrative from the viewpoint of Lex. I adored the Jurassic Park link to the name. Lex is very much a daydreamer, she lives inside her head and is easily distracted. I can completely relate to this - ohhh look there is a squirrel [ ; D ] Lex continually over-thinks things, she isn't good with praise and finds numerous ways in which to alter what has been said, twisting it until it suits the way she views herself.

Friends and families are portrayed as extremes. When viewed from the outside this exaggeration of personalities enables greater insight into the relationship, making it easy to see who really does belong together. I especially adored George in all his geekiness and Drew in his bad boy pierced hotness. If only kissing had been that good when I was a teen. Believe me the kissing scenes have smoke coming from the pages. 

The way life shapes personalities provided a powerful undercurrent to the plot. Insightful narrative shows the way modern society has changed the view we have of family units, the stereotypical Mum, Dad and 2.5 children no longer exists. It is more likely to be single parents or second marriages. The revelations regarding past history of the characters and their interactions kept the pace flowing. Humorous moments and a fabulous helping of sarcasm all add to the individual characterizations. 

The first half of the book concentrates on the game building and its affect on the characters. The concept of a computer game altering aspects of real life is intriguing. If you had the ability to alter your appearance or enchant people to like you with the simple click of a mouse - Would You? It would be like the modern equivalent of waving a magic wand. I am pretty sure I would make myself slimmer, look younger and be more optimistic just as a start [ ; D ]

The second half of the book is where the revelations occur tying everything together beautifully. Showing how and when events occurred to cause the current interactions. Impeccable writing draws all the characters history together while blending it with the current plot.

One of the things that stood out for me within the story-line was the way in which people make assumptions about other people based on their looks/where they have seen them. Drew is the best example of not judging a book by its cover. 

Lex's journey through this book is fabulously portrayed. Not only does she understand herself better; she also appreciates her friends and family in a whole new way. There is hope for everyone in the end that everything has worked out for the best and is where it is supposed to be.

Luisa has a knack of creating utterly realistic and believable characters; her teens are flawed, insular and pessimistic. Ask anyone who works with teens and they will tell you, Luisa has them pegged. The insight into the inner workings of a teens mind is both encouraging and frightening in equal measure, this is speaking as a Mother of a pre-teen. 

Another brilliant book from a brilliant author. 

Saturday Spotlight: NYC Books Challenge

New York Book Challenge

In honour of Keris Staintons wonderful book Jessie Hearts NYC (review here) and the ladies obsession with NYC – Chicklish are running a New York themed reading challenge.

How fab is that.

For full details check out the Chicklish page here

Also for further book ideas and NYC themed book trailers check my Trailer Tuesday post here.

What are you waiting for go join in the fun.

Books I have read with an NYC setting:

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton – Review here

Where She Went by Gayle Forman – Review here

Beastly by Alex Flynn – Review here

Books I would like to read with an NYC setting:

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

 

I am really looking forward to seeing the books other people have chosen.

 

Go sign up now !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Review: Extreme Kissing by Luisa Plaja

Synopsis: From Amazon
Carlota and Bethany are best friends. Bethany is the sensible one with a long-term boyfriend, Carlota is the crazy one with a wild past and rebellious nature. All is fine in their world - apart from Carlota hating her step-dad and longing for a old flame. And apart from Bethany thinking her boyfriend is about to dump her and that her period is late...Carlota comes up with a plan to put all their troubles behind them and go on a girls-only wild day out, with only their favourite magazine to guide them through the day. If they open it on a fashion page they have to get hold of a fabulous new outfit and pretend to be models. If they open it to a page on snogging, they have to find a boy to snog. The magazine will take them everywhere they need to go - but will it help them to reveal the secrets they are keeping from each other?

Review:
Too be honest I didn't enjoy this one as much as Split by a Kiss and I just couldn't work out why. It took me ages to figure out it was because I actually really hated (yes, hated) one of the female protagonists. Then I thought OMG Luisa's writing is so powerful that she made me hate one of the protagonists.

Written in first person narrative with alternating views of the 2 female protagonists, Bethany & Carlota. Bethany, 16, steady boyfriend, good student and all round nice girl except for her friendship with Carlota. Carlota, slightly younger (surprisingly) than Bethany yet appears more worldly; would just about do anything for fun. Have you guessed which one I hated yet?

The story follows the girls on an adventure manufactured by a teen magazine called Extreme Travel, whereby they pick a random bus/train and go where-ever it takes them. Add in random challenges taken from the pages of the magazine and you have an awesome day out. However, is it all random or are both the challenges and destination being controlled? I adored this aspect, the challenges were fun and not at all risky. The destinations were easy to picture and relate to. It really made me want to jump on the next bus/train with a magazine and see where it took me ;) Anyone want to join me?

Bethany and Carlota's personalities are revealed in depth through their adventure. Carlota's actions were sometimes amazingly naive, inconsiderate and frustrating that I wanted to throttle her. For me she was the epitome of  the 'toxic' friend (Now you know which one I hated). Admittedly some of the challenges helped Bethany achieve part of her dreams, give her confidence and discover her inner strength. Bethany was wonderfully down to earth, easy to relate to, somebody you would be glad to call friend. Throughout the adventure there is an undercurrent on both sides giving an extra dimension to the story, the insights into both of their thoughts really reinforce the narrative.

The contrasts between Bethany & Carlota's parents brought to mind the nature versus nurture debate. A very interesting and subtle comparison.

Sensitive subjects such as sexuality and teen pregnancy are dealt with frankly but with sensitivity and a bit of humour.

The pages themselves are visually appealing with pretty girlie squiggles giving the impression of a personal diary/journal.

So now you know that I did in fact really enjoy this book although it brought out some really powerful emotions in me (poor Carlota).  A wonderful humorous book perfect for Summer : D I really need to read Swapped NOW : D

Update: You can meet the lovely Luisa tonight at Dulwich Library at 5:45 along with otehr wonderful authors such as Keris Stainton, Sarra Manning & Sommone Howell. 

To all of you that go, I am jealous, please give them all a hug from me especially the lovely Luisa and the awesome Keris who put up with my ramblings on twitter : D

Review: Split by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Synopsis: From Amazon
Jo has just moved to America with her mum. She's always been a fairly average girl - not a nerd but certainly never one of the popular kids. But on her first day in her new school, she seems to be adopted by the It girls - and is invited to one of their parties. There, she meets Jake Matthews, officially the hottest boy in school, and when they begin to play the kissing-in-the-closet game, Seven Minutes in Heaven, amazingly Jake picks Jo join him in the closet! She can't believe her luck. But the reality of being kissed and groped by Jake is not quite as great as the fantasy...Jo has a choice to make: should she carry on, kiss Jake and secure her position in the It crowd - or should she tell him where to get off and risk relegation back to the land of the ordinary ...? At this moment - Jo splits. She's Josie the Cool - girlfriend of Jake, member of the It crowd. She's also Jo the Nerd - rejected by the It crowd, single ...Will her two halves ever come back together again? Is Jake the guy she's meant to be with or could some of the other people she meets along her journey - Rachel the scary goth, David the misfit or Albie the rocker - be the answer? A fabulously inventive, heartwarming and funny take on the Sliding Doors idea, for teen readers.

Review:

Wow, I loved this book. A light hearted read that was so easy to relate to. Along the lines of Sliding Doors whereby a significant decision/occurrence can alter the course of your life. The main difference I felt with Split by a Kiss and Sliding Doors was that Jo seemed to be aware of both directions her life took.

Written in 1st person narrative from Jo's perspective, a bit geeky, Buffy obsessed 16 year old (reminded me of a certain 23 year old Buffy obsessed blogger ;) although I wouldn't class her as geeky). I instantly liked Jo from the very 1st page, her Buffy quotes to her charity shop wardrobe, she was somebody I could complete relate to.

When Jo's computer genius mother is offered a job in America for 12 months Jo thinks this is her chance to be the person she thinks she wants to be (if you understand me) someone completely different to the person she is in the UK. The phrase 'the grass always looks greener on the other side' certainly applies to this story. However, with the fateful kiss Jo is able to experience both sides of the grass *giggles*

Having lived in America myself for a year I found the reference to the differences in culture and terminology highly amusing. I giggled aloud and thought 'been there, done that', the narrative was so realistic in both cultures it was amazing. I really felt as if I was there with Jo. I could clearly picture all the places she went & the people she met.

All the characters in the story are superbly well developed, their personalities were like caricatures of the stereotypical roles/cliques within society (the goth, the jock, the biatch) no matter what age you are these stereotypes exist everywhere and are therefore, very easy to conjure up in your imagination. The interactions of all the characters within both sides of the split were totally believable. I did find Jo a bit naive where people were concerned and actually found myself cringing at Jo's mistakes with David.

I really liked the fact that although the story split into two very different paths, the threads of similarity throughout both sides converge at the end bringing about a single conclusion. To bring the story together from all angles was truly genius.

I think we all feel at some time or another that if we could just start over where no-one knows us then life would be different. This story shows that no matter where we are we are still the same person and that is the one thing we cannot escape, ourselves. Throughout the story Jo finds herself, realises who are her real friends and finds the perfect guy for her. Oh, I do love happy endings.

I think this book should be a summer must-read :) A book of self-discovery, friendship, loyalty, love and growing up told in a humorous, light-hearted manner. Truly awesome :0)