tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11775053782916218532024-02-19T22:48:23.537-08:00Tangled in BooksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-31019691566609947132016-03-29T13:25:00.000-07:002016-03-29T13:25:21.478-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Latest 5 Star Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a> where we make booksih lists about bookish things.<br />
<br />
This week's topic is: Top Ten Latest 5 Star Reads<br />
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1. <i>When We Collided</i> by Emery Lord - This one hasn't been released yet, but I beg of all of you to buy it the day it comes out. Such a heart-wrenching read about mental illness, grief, and falling in love.<br />
<br />
2. <i><i>Exit, Pursued by a Bear </i>by E.K. Johnston <i>-</i> I want to
scream about this book from the rooftops! If only this were how things
happened in real life, but I'm glad it's in book form and hopefully one
day it will be real.</i><br />
<br />
3. <i>An Ember in the Ashes</i> by Sabaa Tahir - It's been awhile since I've wanted to dive into a dystopian and this one made it worth it.<br />
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4. <i>Stars Above </i>by Marissa Meyer - I'm still not ready to leave this universe and this book was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. Still want more though.<br />
<br />
5.<i> First & Then</i> by Emma Mills - Everything about this book is wonderful. Seriously, go read it.<br />
<br />
6. <i>A Night in with Marilyn Monroe</i> by Lucy Holliday - Libby Lennox is the new Becky Bloomwood and her stories about starlets appearing on her couch are hilarious and so much fun to read.<br />
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7. <i>Me Before You </i>by Jojo Moyes - The feels, guys, the feels. <br />
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8. <i>Moonlight Over Paris</i> by Jennifer Robson - Paris, 1920s, enough said.<br />
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<br />
9. <i>He Will Be My Ruin</i> by K.A. Tucker - Something very different from one of my favourite NA authors. This one was more along the lines of Gone Girl and I loved it!<br />
<br />
10. <i>Wicked Sexy Liar</i> by Christina Lauren - This is one of my favourite series and this was the perfect conclusion to it. Love these gals!<br />
<br />
<br />
What have you read recently that you absolutely loved?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-20753921498767944752016-03-29T08:52:00.001-07:002016-03-29T08:52:33.720-07:00Review: Wink, Poppy, Midnight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PFyDhlVhGghmRpeXQPpdqQM6tbuDW2Axf2gAXXk3C2jDmcILEBjZGLkNbBbGTObuhhIyem87Uls-EEt15vqemAbbmetq9k1rQyC926gh_ZkLVCXljf98tnBcih1EyZPsR_3Ukkd2OfQ6/s1600/23203106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PFyDhlVhGghmRpeXQPpdqQM6tbuDW2Axf2gAXXk3C2jDmcILEBjZGLkNbBbGTObuhhIyem87Uls-EEt15vqemAbbmetq9k1rQyC926gh_ZkLVCXljf98tnBcih1EyZPsR_3Ukkd2OfQ6/s320/23203106.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Wink, Poppy, Midnight<br />
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke<br />
Published: March 22, 2016<br />
Hardcover, 247 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><span id="freeText2679745254580943081">Every story needs a hero.<br />Every story needs a villain.<br />Every story needs a secret.<br /><br />Wink
is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy
is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen
bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink.
Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the
page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and
inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.<br /><br />What really happened?<br />Someone knows.<br />Someone is lying.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081">This is the kind of book that leaves you wondering what really happened the minute you close the book and long after. It makes you think ,second guess, and want to go back and re-read it after knowing the ending. What's real, what's not real? Is there really magic and it did cause any of the things to happen, or was it all inside someone's head? I love these kinds of books. They give me something to think about long after I've finished and make me question things I believed or didn't believe throughout the book.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081">Okay, so I know I'm being super mysterious, but there's no real way of reviewing this book fully without giving things away. The description of this book is vague for a reason. But I do still want people to read it, so I'll give it a try. Midnight has been in love with Poppy for as long as he's known. He was her first and her his, but it meant more to Midnight than it did to Poppy. Midnight is sweet and uncertain and has finally stood his ground and stopped letting Poppy control him. This is when he meets Wink, his new neighbor and the weird girl from school.<i> </i>Midnight and Wink immediately form a bound and Poppy hates it. </span><span id="freeText2679745254580943081">Poppy needs to have it all, Midnight included. Thus starts a web of lies, humiliating acts and dangerous things that no teenager should be involved with. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081">Setting plays as big a part as the character do in this story. We see the story through all three of their perspectives, therefore we see the same houses and areas from each of their eyes as well. Scariest of all is the Roman Luck house, an abandoned house not far from where they live that Wink believes is haunted, Poppy is scared beyond belief of and Midnight just finds creepy. It is a character and plays a huge part, a part that I still can't get out of my head. Another major setting is the hayloft at Wink's family farm. It means something different to each character and weaves together a story only they know the truth about. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081">The characters were all unreliable, all had secrets, and all did thing they shouldn't be proud of. Even though this may sound like I hated them, I loved each and every one of them in a different way. Midnight, as naive as he was, knew he'd done things he shouldn't have done and wanted to fix them. Wink, possibly my favourite character, should not be underestimated. And Poppy, oh Poppy, she is the kind of character we're all supposed to hate. She's the bully, the mean girl, the one who uses and abuses, but I loved her. She had so much depth and just wanted to be liked and I fell under her spell like the rest of them. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081">A tale of mystery, intrigue, magic and bad things, this book will stay with me for a long time and will probably feel completely different if I read it again. I had a chance to meet the author yesterday and I could see how she weaved this together, why she made these characters the way she did, and it made me love it even more. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2679745254580943081"><br /></span>
<i>"Revenge. Justice. Love. They are the three stories that all other stories are made up of. It's the trifecta.”
</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-28378144745134660812016-01-19T19:25:00.000-08:002016-01-19T19:25:16.797-08:00Review: First & ThenFirst & Then<br />
Author: Emma Mills<br />
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Published: October 13th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 272 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText3490932092726000276">Devon Tennyson wouldn't
change a thing. She's happy watching Friday night games from the
bleachers, silently crushing on best friend Cas, and blissfully ignoring
the future after high school. But the universe has other plans. It
delivers Devon's cousin Foster, an unrepentant social outlier with a
surprising talent for football, and the obnoxiously superior and
maddeningly attractive star running back, Ezra, right where she doesn't
want them first into her P.E. class and then into every other aspect of
her life.<br /><br /><em>Pride and Prejudice</em> meets <em>Friday Night Lights</em> in this contemporary novel about falling in love with the unexpected boy, with a new brother, and with yourself.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276">I'll be honest, I haven't read </span><i><span id="freeText3490932092726000276"></span></i><i><span id="freeText3490932092726000276"><em>Pride and Prejudice </em></span></i><span id="freeText3490932092726000276">yet (though it's on my list this year) but as a fan of the movie and Jane Austen in general, this book was the perfect mix of the classic novel and contemporary life. Devon is your normal high school girl. She's best friends with Cas, one of the football players, and watches all the games from the comfort of the bleachers while also harbouring a secret crush on him. But when Devon's cousin, Foster, moves in, suddenly everything changes. She knows he'll embarrass her but when the star running back, Ezra, takes him under his wing, things change. Ezra has a superiority complex and every girl in school wants to be with him, but the way he treats Foster makes Devon re-think her judgement on him and the more time they spend together, the more she thinks he's not so bad. </span><br />
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276">Devon is such a realistic character. She's in her final year of high school and still has no idea what she wants to do in life. Sounds a lot like me to tell you the truth. As she's trying to figure it all out, enter Foster, someone she wants nothing to do with but is suddenly forced into acting like his sister. For an only child, I can imagine this is a shock to the system and it takes Devon a while to finally understand Foster and why he's there. When he starts to fit in with the football jocks, she can't believe it and thinks they are trying to mess with him and will eventually will make a fool out of him. When she realizes that they actually do like him and the more she gets to know him, the closer they become. I love a story that focuses on more than just romance. The love between siblings is just as important and Emma does a spectacular job of showing acceptance and the bond that forms between siblings. </span><br />
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276">Ezra as Mr. Darcy made me swoon. He's standoffish at first and seems exactly how you'd think a star football would be. But the way he treats Foster is seriously the best thing ever. He's gentle in his teachings and confidently lets Foster know he'll make a good kicker. He's patient and supportive and anyone would be a fool not to fall for him. The dynamic between him and Devon is wonderful. I love a story where they start by not really getting along and growing to realize they are totally hot for each other. Ezra is the quiet, brooding type, someone who prefers to be on the sidelines of a party. He watches Devon deal with Cas being a jerk and is there for her when she needs it. </span><br />
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276">I love that this takes place in a football town. The <i>Friday Night Lights</i> comparison is perfect and you really see how football is its own character. It's where Ezra came to life and where he taught Foster he could do whatever he wanted to do. It brought Devon and Foster together. It's as wonderful as the Jane-isms that Devon throws in here and there. I know I'll appreciate this more once I read <i>P & P</i>, which will just give me a good excuse to reread this wonderful book. It's short, and boy do I wish it were longer just so that it wouldn't have ended. The romance is wonderful (want more kissing) and the sibling relationship was so well done that it made me go hug my brother. This book is just a perfect little thing that everyone needs to read, Austen fan or not. A contemporary I won't soon forget.</span><br />
<span id="freeText3490932092726000276"></span><br /><i><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer1419190335"><span id="freeText2619827695679589726">"I
should've been better. But sometimes all you can really stand to do is
think about yourself. Sometimes it's the only way to cope."<br /><br />"Just because you like hair and makeup doesn't mean you're stupid."</span></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-22803764894006745052016-01-06T20:15:00.000-08:002016-01-06T20:15:14.258-08:00Review: Tiny Pretty Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPEq7Qt6hQMaxOZZ8JswXgQjM49uHtoYzlfPRmtINxG77AUOiZYB80UihOf3Lu1hVLifCcqrvclaIY34iiVdJUWyHV8z32ZCv74bmGJmdNDvcujA2mkH9teT_voQAkjv9zwTuUzFKA-LH/s1600/23161323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPEq7Qt6hQMaxOZZ8JswXgQjM49uHtoYzlfPRmtINxG77AUOiZYB80UihOf3Lu1hVLifCcqrvclaIY34iiVdJUWyHV8z32ZCv74bmGJmdNDvcujA2mkH9teT_voQAkjv9zwTuUzFKA-LH/s320/23161323.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
Tiny Pretty Things<br />
Authors: Sonia Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton<br />
Published: May 26th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 448 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText2515185424415738611"><i>Black Swan</i>
meets Pretty Little Liars in this soapy, drama-packed novel featuring
diverse characters who will do anything to be the prima at their elite
ballet school.<br /><br />Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an
exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama.
Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might
kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette's desire to escape the shadow of
her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And
perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her
controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When
every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice,
manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611"> Ballet is a sport I've always been fond of. I love the discipline, the grace and the effortless look they achieve on stage. Growing up, <i>Center Stage</i> was my favourite movie because it gave me a behind the scenes look at what these girls and guys do to become the best.<i> Black Swan</i> took that even further and now <i>Tiny Pretty Things</i> gives me a cruel reality that is professional ballet. Following three elite ballerinas at the Manhattan Ballet School, this book dives into the scheming, backstabbing lives that potential ballerinas live in order to succeed in the business. Bette is following in her sister's footsteps and knows she's a shoe-in for the lead in <i>The Nutcracker</i>. June has always been in the wings, always the understudy, and her mom is finally trying to put an end to it. if she doesn't get a lead role, she's out. Gigi is the new girl, a great ballerina with a different style and look than the others are used to. Does skin colour really affect what kind of dancer you can be? When the cast list is announced, everyone is surprised by the results and not everyone is happy. Terrible things start happening to Gigi, June's eating disorder is getting worse, and Bette's pill supply is dwindling faster than usual. Who's responsible for everything happening to Gigi? June, Bette, or someone else. It's a cutthroat world and no one is safe.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611">This book pulled me in from the start. I love ballet so just reading about these girls practicing their jettes and pirouettes and getting roles in ballets made me smile. The gruesome way they act towards each other did not surprise me and it made for a great, thrilling read. The psychology of these dancers, the way their brains work and how far they will go to be on top is crazy but true. The writers did a fantastic job at capturing the ruthless intent that some people have to get what they want. Sex, lies, sabotage are just some the things this book plays on, but it's so much more than that. It's the power that a role can have. The power that a teacher holds over you and how far you'll go to prove them wrong. Bette's intentions were cruel and maybe June's were too, but they were explained so well that you can't help but understand why these girls would do what they did. This book left a lot hanging and I'm glad that there will be a sequel. I can't wait to find out what happens with Casey and how the next season will play out for these girls. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611">It's wonderful that books are becoming more diverse these days and this one is perfectly well-rounded. Gigi is black and gets the lead even though everyone thinks she doesn't look the part. She deals with unruly hair and the thought that she isn't as pretty as Bette, who is blonde and white, and it's such a realistic view of the world. June is Asian, anorexic and wears enough make-up to make her look whiter. This book tackles so much more than just diversity. Eating disorders, prescription drug abuse, racism, bullying, heart defects and coming out to name a few. It adds to the intensity of the book in the best way possible. I hope that this book can help those who are dealing with some of these things and find the strength that these characters show inspiring.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611">Beautifully written and crazy manipulative and suspenseful, this book kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was lying, who wanted more than they could handle and who would go way too far. Perfect for any ballet fans, especially those who have experienced this first hand, and anyone looking for a thrilling, poetic book about young girls who will do whatever it takes. Some of which know no bounds. </span><br />
<i><span id="freeText2515185424415738611"><br /></span></i>
<i>“The moment you think you're on top is the moment you've lost your passion.” </i><br />
<i><br /><span class="readable">“The Sugar Plum Fairy has the farthest to fall.”</span></i><br />
<span id="freeText2515185424415738611"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-9080625929893013852015-12-31T19:28:00.000-08:002015-12-31T19:29:38.647-08:00Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016: A Year in Surveys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN9vAZl491xrCcCFKS20nXtlubFePArVDJhUiMHX6z3qF1yznV5XJI2PBpazY2q1sAjkmlDf7UsreqmzW2k6kzz4zPa3qDyXBjtB2i-3_BAvJe5R8NF25YfbvEEuaRwJh7jPpBRSiZeyR/s1600/happy-new-year-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN9vAZl491xrCcCFKS20nXtlubFePArVDJhUiMHX6z3qF1yznV5XJI2PBpazY2q1sAjkmlDf7UsreqmzW2k6kzz4zPa3qDyXBjtB2i-3_BAvJe5R8NF25YfbvEEuaRwJh7jPpBRSiZeyR/s320/happy-new-year-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy New Year book lovers! It's always an exciting time, the last day of the year, where I decide if I can read one more book before midnight and to determine how many books I read this year. There were some amazing ones, some from my favourite authors and many new authors I've added to my must buy list. There are some great surveys going around this time of year, so I thought I'd answer some questions as well! This is a bit of a mix from <b><a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2015/12/6th-annual-end-of-year-survey-2015-edition.html" target="_blank">Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner</a><a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2015/12/6th-annual-end-of-year-survey-2015-edition.html" target="_blank">‘s End of the Year Survey</a></b> ; <b><a href="http://andiabcs.com/" target="_blank">Andi @ Andi’s ABCs</a> </b>& <b><a href="http://www.bookaddictsguide.com/" target="_blank">Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide’s</a> <a href="http://andiabcs.com/2015/11/27/2015-statistics-survey-a-bunch-of-randomness/" target="_blank">Statistics Survey</a>, and <a href="http://novelinkblog.com/2nd-annual-countdown-survey/" target="_blank">Erica & Christy @ Novel Reads’ Countdown Survey</a>. Here goes!</b><br />
<br />
<h3>
2015 Reading Stats</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
Number of Books You Read: 138<br />
Number of Re-Reads: <br />
Genre You Read the Most From: YA Contemporary<br />
<br />
<h3>
Best in Books</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
Best book you read in 2015: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen<br />
Book you were excited about and thought you'd love more but didn't: We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach<br />
Best series you started in 2015: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog89hh6P8itVsbWo-itiEY1UpU9OxSoMUeMbvFXKOKjz9yq2IvME_EnWGeow41qRbYZrHovGwwWMSUSkm-2uriioG2B0DVXKC-nkdnT1M4gZim2cFSaAXtXdC_Va8Xhw37ZbzO4WMvlaS/s1600/23009402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog89hh6P8itVsbWo-itiEY1UpU9OxSoMUeMbvFXKOKjz9yq2IvME_EnWGeow41qRbYZrHovGwwWMSUSkm-2uriioG2B0DVXKC-nkdnT1M4gZim2cFSaAXtXdC_Va8Xhw37ZbzO4WMvlaS/s200/23009402.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfg5cbtht_0IlR1FetY-cqHbVlDp-6NgH0Z5whgwoJarloeiQpAdWEdT54Tzv37kR1i3kjf78f7Kq-QYqOYaJP4VdOc9tIXoE6nJhs43t3ENg0RERxKpVXrYBLnnIoAOOtNpHuE1e2n3Q/s1600/18392459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfg5cbtht_0IlR1FetY-cqHbVlDp-6NgH0Z5whgwoJarloeiQpAdWEdT54Tzv37kR1i3kjf78f7Kq-QYqOYaJP4VdOc9tIXoE6nJhs43t3ENg0RERxKpVXrYBLnnIoAOOtNpHuE1e2n3Q/s200/18392459.jpg" width="128" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJiEh-JOSw70_iRbstIeIMlUVNUxamfwsCbY22wcMFslw6AIF38aJP_e3nTUftwFDlzue1Lsyxi6z0maWz7zSYXGXZ37xwWUv_8CTzGdcv8KqkbBhfHZBaumH9HYvSNlTBVx9tfF_UiW/s1600/16069030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJiEh-JOSw70_iRbstIeIMlUVNUxamfwsCbY22wcMFslw6AIF38aJP_e3nTUftwFDlzue1Lsyxi6z0maWz7zSYXGXZ37xwWUv_8CTzGdcv8KqkbBhfHZBaumH9HYvSNlTBVx9tfF_UiW/s200/16069030.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
Best sequel of 2015: Every Word by Ellie Marney<br />
Best series ender of 2015: Winter by Marissa Meyer<br />
Best book from a genre you don't typically read/out of your comfort zone: The Martian by Andy Weir<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd05T8_JZgfjvjME-Uo63uGhR8olwBd769VLpKanAA4KDkGYK-gbQw0sFRTKRqAZyt3gt6qDpmyL3RBvFY004VHmKQS7CrIxWtPb8U_t2ZV0vQkEzvqgQrnhA7HwO6d5JqeG5zXQkGhNmu/s1600/24822961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd05T8_JZgfjvjME-Uo63uGhR8olwBd769VLpKanAA4KDkGYK-gbQw0sFRTKRqAZyt3gt6qDpmyL3RBvFY004VHmKQS7CrIxWtPb8U_t2ZV0vQkEzvqgQrnhA7HwO6d5JqeG5zXQkGhNmu/s200/24822961.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwsb0V5qRU4Lxc3C3PmPBWlMvqOR6z_RBfPnhE31Gv14Dn-ic3cbAJTnq1ft6VLfRBy7KyyhOYozCbynWRGd7cYM3e8r_emExJwHyBg7yc_SKDD8Ekws23qQBxF6HBOnbWyq0NrZg96hJ/s1600/13206900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwsb0V5qRU4Lxc3C3PmPBWlMvqOR6z_RBfPnhE31Gv14Dn-ic3cbAJTnq1ft6VLfRBy7KyyhOYozCbynWRGd7cYM3e8r_emExJwHyBg7yc_SKDD8Ekws23qQBxF6HBOnbWyq0NrZg96hJ/s200/13206900.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAk57-5dcLFJDcXQDLuO3K9vvMKg9lWoAutWCtueBai2NlMM_9joAs_w9Gvr-3mSW56DYgkkFon7MIYXNDVYfa6A5AQDG9qYcnSjtuzVcxsfy9PjRLpec5QzsWf5f6egwUbydSvCRognZ/s1600/18007564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAk57-5dcLFJDcXQDLuO3K9vvMKg9lWoAutWCtueBai2NlMM_9joAs_w9Gvr-3mSW56DYgkkFon7MIYXNDVYfa6A5AQDG9qYcnSjtuzVcxsfy9PjRLpec5QzsWf5f6egwUbydSvCRognZ/s200/18007564.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<br />
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year: Liars Inc. by Paula Stokes<br />
Favourite cover of a book you read in 2015: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios<br />
Most beautifully written book read in 2015: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler<br />
<br />
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<br />
Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2015: All the Rage by Courtney Summers <br />
Book you can't believe you waited until 2015 to read: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey<br />
OTP of the year: Cress and Thorne (Winter by Marissa Meyer)<br />
<br />
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<br />
Book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy<br />
Book that made you cry in 2015: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson<br />
Hidden gem of the year: First & Then by Emma Mills<br />
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<br />
Book that crushed your soul: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven <br />
Read on a recommendation: Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple<br />
Book that became an instant go-to recommendation: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West<br />
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Book you wanted to hug after finishing: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon<br />
Book you wanted to throw across the room: Towering by Alex Flinn<br />
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<br />
Shortest and longest book read: Shortest: Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith (84 pages) Longest: Winter by Marissa Meyer (824 pages)<br />
One book you didn't get to in 2015 but will be your number one priority in 2016: This Shattered World by Meagan Spooner/Amie Kaufman<br />
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All in all, this was a great year of books for me. I read a lot of NA as well, but that alone could take up an entire survey so I'll leave that for another time. Here's hoping 2016 is even better, and let's see if I can beat my record! Happy New Year guys, and happy reading!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-68193046639176631782015-12-30T18:56:00.001-08:002015-12-30T18:56:37.886-08:00Review: Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNaCHE-HhTxdmsQNcxGS3LqX74RZeSKCp6ZzBnWz4xt2Lq-FkYT5AwQy7CF48k-vkpA_pxeyjvUpYh0T_PNJI0rVzSqe88JtnJnTSGj2-eZV8VixwI5oUJeXQbGl4iTwDLM-p_aNVklCj/s1600/13206900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNaCHE-HhTxdmsQNcxGS3LqX74RZeSKCp6ZzBnWz4xt2Lq-FkYT5AwQy7CF48k-vkpA_pxeyjvUpYh0T_PNJI0rVzSqe88JtnJnTSGj2-eZV8VixwI5oUJeXQbGl4iTwDLM-p_aNVklCj/s320/13206900.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Winter<br />
Author: Marissa Meyer<br />
Published: November 10th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 824 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText3738805134716546479">Princess Winter is
admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the
scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking
than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.<br /><br />Winter despises her
stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her
childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as
weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her
stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic,
Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a
revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.<br /><br />Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479">It was certainly bittersweet finishing this series. I've followed along since <i>Cinder</i> came out in paperback (so not quite as long as others) and fell in love. When <i>Scarlet</i> came out, I knew I'd found my new favourite heroine. And I waited hours to meet Marissa Meyer at Yorkdale mall when <i>Cress </i>was released. Dressed in my red hoodie, I knew I'd love Cress as much as Scarlet and damn was it good. And now, <i>Winter</i> is finished and I'm still not ready to say goodbye to this series. Winter is a great heroine, all four of these ladies are, and her story is just as fantastic and important as the rest. I loved watching everything come together in this fourth book, and seeing all our characters get their happy endings. </span><span id="freeText3738805134716546479">This is probably the longest teen book I've read but the 800 pages were still too few when I turned the last one. This has been one epic adventure spanning planets with hope, love, and redemption. </span><br />
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479">We finally got to meet Winter. She's been hinted at and we know about her background from <i>Fairest</i>, Queen Levana's prequel book, and she is bad ass. Scarred from a young age so that she is no longer the most beautiful on Luna, Winter has endured much from Levana, but not nearly as much as Selene did. Even though her face is scarred, she is still seen as the most beautiful girl on Luna, a praise that Levana despises. Levana will do anything to get rid of Winter once and for all, including using Jacin, Winter's personal guard and very good friend, to kill her. Jacin's feelings for Winter stop him from doing so and he hides Winter until the time is right. Cinder and her friends are on their way to Luna to stop the wedding of Prince Kai and Queen Levana and to get the rightful ruler back on the throne - Princess Selene (also known as Cinder). There are so many plot lines and many adventures that make this book riveting from start to finish. Seeing how it all came together was magical and wonderful and I couldn't be happier with how this all ended. </span><br />
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479">Even though this is Winter's story, everyone still gets equal page time. My favourite has to be Cress and Thorne as they discover their feelings for each other and have moments that were certainly swoon-worthy and wonderful. Scarlet and Wolf have some ups and downs as Wolf faces a part of his life he had hoped to leave behind, and Cinder is trying to run a revolution while also making sure her boyfriend doesn't end up married to another woman. I love that most of this book took place on Luna, it gave me a chance to really see how that planet is run and how different it is from Earth. It certainly gave the whole book a magical quality, something I've found this series has lots of.</span><br />
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3738805134716546479">I could say more, I could give away the whole book because I want to talk about it all night, but I also want you all to experience it yourselves. Please read The Lunar Chronicles, fall in love with these characters and their stories. Go into a futuristic fairytale world and relive the stories we know by heart from our childhood. If you're a <i>Sailor Moon</i> fan, I hope you catch the references and enjoy how it all weave together. I love fairy tales and re-tellings and this series is by far my favourite of both. Stars, there's no way else to say this - this book is fan-freaking-tastic! I can't wait for the last piece of the puzzle, <i>Stars Above</i>, coming out 2016!</span><br />
<br /><i>“She was prettier than a bouquet of roses and crazier than a headless chicken. Fitting in was not an option.”</i><br />
<i><br />“She’s our lost princess. And she’s coming home.”
</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-53024693403671936152015-12-22T17:48:00.001-08:002015-12-22T17:48:53.368-08:00Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wouldn't Mind Finding Under the Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV_miGA32VyHce7Uu3PVD_fGvdhQnR4vfPCGaw7r7Um4bHOX5QCVOIdh0zFGm3FJAKw8Es67pJUPOrcLKXe-6I4bvot7Tdm2wFRne7Epxm_u3gSqR75ZfbnajhckxmPbU37ix3LirYp79/s1600/TTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV_miGA32VyHce7Uu3PVD_fGvdhQnR4vfPCGaw7r7Um4bHOX5QCVOIdh0zFGm3FJAKw8Es67pJUPOrcLKXe-6I4bvot7Tdm2wFRne7Epxm_u3gSqR75ZfbnajhckxmPbU37ix3LirYp79/s1600/TTT.jpg" /></a></div>
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a> where we discuss bookish topics in the form of lists.<br />
<br />
This week's topic is:<br />
<h3>
Top Ten books I wouldn't mind having Santa leave me under the tree.</h3>
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<br />
1. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - Okay, like I need this sequel!<br />
<br />
2. The Distance From Me to You by Marina Gessner - I've had my eye on this one for awhile now.<br />
<br />
3. Sublime by Christina Lauren - I'm obsessing over her adult series, gotta get into her YA.<br />
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<br />
4. Hemingway in Love by A.E. Hotchner - I've only heard good things about this one!<br />
<br />
5. All the Words are Yours: Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson - I love him!<br />
<br />
6. Lullabies by Lang Leav - She is fantastic!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W3Haee5FxJexPni7jcV1vQfW8b6pJgz1h1Rq4Lem25-0843MwPQT0yCRYMrjOzJj1L-y7UsLD4XRE0Q-slpFnqkSYOhfwR4xyBbthaE9d7x78N-RQ5B-AaPogvyePt41h15dcrlNs7Cc/s1600/10463536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W3Haee5FxJexPni7jcV1vQfW8b6pJgz1h1Rq4Lem25-0843MwPQT0yCRYMrjOzJj1L-y7UsLD4XRE0Q-slpFnqkSYOhfwR4xyBbthaE9d7x78N-RQ5B-AaPogvyePt41h15dcrlNs7Cc/s200/10463536.jpg" width="124" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh_Pl6No43Cwc3R53qa_5epOwY3OahcbnrKojEIkj7ZCYc-tAkgTupYJdt5sX_-WzKrbkVrugYraXbP7VHaQRIpBf3T0pm0aC6AwPPGRoJgn09ZFbqF_EPh7oY_DTlIWzdG2VKfnYwwYO/s1600/16131484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh_Pl6No43Cwc3R53qa_5epOwY3OahcbnrKojEIkj7ZCYc-tAkgTupYJdt5sX_-WzKrbkVrugYraXbP7VHaQRIpBf3T0pm0aC6AwPPGRoJgn09ZFbqF_EPh7oY_DTlIWzdG2VKfnYwwYO/s200/16131484.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<br />
7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Because you gotta have a classic.<br />
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8. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey - The first one blew me away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDIOS7AtMqKM8PjHfUbhOWKUBd0z3lf49aGkPeE7i20uPxBKGb9eDVdMBeW06KHYZ5kO8hMOLT0Zwd3H3zsszIkRh7KrOyIXBbNbuTES_Zb49qQVyvqKB9HgsH3NOYUHiGG_WViei0r_i/s1600/24465518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDIOS7AtMqKM8PjHfUbhOWKUBd0z3lf49aGkPeE7i20uPxBKGb9eDVdMBeW06KHYZ5kO8hMOLT0Zwd3H3zsszIkRh7KrOyIXBbNbuTES_Zb49qQVyvqKB9HgsH3NOYUHiGG_WViei0r_i/s200/24465518.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULOl5Aox1OOmy5r3G5irhVdCmPMtWFRN-69o1SKEJFsoaCU_QATvYRtmmXgheRf31tqqS4pTuxM5gpJrUcQPVyoUZ7-qKREpkyLR_scfCSTBzC6JjF1Zvuhac1IeZgnyWmAXOGsyC6yox/s1600/23343303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULOl5Aox1OOmy5r3G5irhVdCmPMtWFRN-69o1SKEJFsoaCU_QATvYRtmmXgheRf31tqqS4pTuxM5gpJrUcQPVyoUZ7-qKREpkyLR_scfCSTBzC6JjF1Zvuhac1IeZgnyWmAXOGsyC6yox/s200/23343303.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<br />
9. Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young -Something I'm thinking I'll read next October?<br />
<br />
10. The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood - Just found this one today, looks like fun!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-87824740436342938712015-12-22T17:07:00.000-08:002015-12-22T17:07:17.201-08:00Review: Hold Me Like a Breath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGQn_5ZICTav739ppl9xv41ubBlscFqc5TnqOHzPH6YVUPdMElVM-0mU_WzlZRWifWmmENgyNPIq-xdgHrjG8efceD8KFMVJgLw9rYis2xS_Y4vmEAqze1rnOF5zAYTbLhwGI9Tx_bjO/s1600/18584521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQGQn_5ZICTav739ppl9xv41ubBlscFqc5TnqOHzPH6YVUPdMElVM-0mU_WzlZRWifWmmENgyNPIq-xdgHrjG8efceD8KFMVJgLw9rYis2xS_Y4vmEAqze1rnOF5zAYTbLhwGI9Tx_bjO/s320/18584521.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Hold Me Like a Breath<br />
Author: Tiffany Schmidt<br />
Published: May 19th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 400 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodread)<br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText3437694908799636013">Penelope Landlow has
grown up with the knowledge that almost anything can be bought or
sold—including body parts. She’s the daughter of one of the three crime
families that control the black market for organ transplants.<br /><br />Penelope’s
surrounded by all the suffocating privilege and protection her family
can provide, but they can't protect her from the autoimmune disorder
that causes her to bruise so easily.<br /><br />And in her family's line of work no one can be safe forever.<br /><br />All
Penelope has ever wanted is freedom and independence. But when she’s
caught in the crossfire as rival families scramble for prominence, she
learns that her wishes come with casualties, that betrayal hurts worse
than bruises, that love is a risk worth taking . . . and maybe she’s not
as fragile as everyone thinks.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013">Tiffany Schmidt has blown me away with each of her books before this one. The plot for this one is so different from her other books that I was a bit nervous going in and not sure what to expect, but I enjoyed every minute of this. Penelope Landlow is the daughter of one of the three crime families that buys and sells human organs. She has always been the weak one, born with a severe autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise easily. They treat her like she will break and she wants so badly to be a part of the family in a real way. But when everything suddenly changes and her family is no longer there to support her, she is thrust into a world she knows nothing about and is running from those who harmed her family. </span><i><span id="freeText3437694908799636013"> </span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><br /></span></i>
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013">I didn't know going into this that it was </span><span id="freeText3437694908799636013">a retelling of <i>The Princess and the Pea, </i>the princess being the one who bruises because of the pea hidden beneath a ton of mattresses. This gave me a whole other thing to enjoy about this book. Penelope's disease is unique to YA and it was very interesting to see how her family treated her differently because of her bruises. They thought her fragile, which perhaps she is physically, but I knew she would do great things even if her body would fail her. Once she had to start living on her own, she had no one to take care of her and I was hoping she would have taken better care of herself, especially because of her condition and it surprised me that nothing bad happened to her whilst out there.</span><br />
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013">There is some crazy intsa-love happening for anyone who isn't into that sort of thing. Penelope has loved her brother's friend, Garrett, for a very long time and they've finally begun to do something about it. The moments they share are sweet, he's careful with her but she eagerly just wants him to touch her. They have decided to run off together when suddenly everything changes and as she waits for him to come find her in the city, she ends up meeting someone else, Char, and quickly becomes infatuated with him. Before long the two of them have a relationship she's been dreaming of, one where she can be with a guy who doesn't treat her like a fragile butterfly. Once she meets Char, he becomes the most important thing in her life, which I don't really mind in a book but I know a lot of people want more than that. The two of them together was a sweet story and the twists and turns that came with it were well done and made for some good drama.</span><br />
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013">Even though this was unlike any of her other books, I still loved it. The concept was great and unique and the retelling stood on its own without needing to be <i>The Princess and the Pea</i>, but knowing it was made it that much better. I'm excited to see where Tiffany will take this story and what other twists she has up her sleeves. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for something different with a bit </span><span id="freeText3437694908799636013">macabre, drama and some great romance.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><i><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer1242512792"><span id="freeText2859066405333011766">“I
know I’m going to fall in love a million times in my life. Maybe
more than a million . . . but it will always be with you.”</span></span></i> </span><br />
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText3437694908799636013"><br /></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-26058539965932611202015-12-15T19:12:00.000-08:002015-12-15T19:12:03.812-08:00Review: Dumplin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxSb-PQlwuk6y4ghiP5EGNc9OYLu67ieJHKL1sFwH0XM7O2hyphenhyphenLSO2KKEDeRKHa2EvB04ulQKlOEb0ZPBjeKBCkj28G60KowPRo7tV1uOMH7DuB6yaoM0K1fIdj3aUV-l9e1rH71NCRz1-/s1600/18304322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxSb-PQlwuk6y4ghiP5EGNc9OYLu67ieJHKL1sFwH0XM7O2hyphenhyphenLSO2KKEDeRKHa2EvB04ulQKlOEb0ZPBjeKBCkj28G60KowPRo7tV1uOMH7DuB6yaoM0K1fIdj3aUV-l9e1rH71NCRz1-/s320/18304322.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Dumplin'<br />
Author: Julie Murphy<br />
Published: September 15th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 375 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><span id="freeText18215425901930971768">Self-proclaimed fat
girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen
mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the
ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American
beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until
Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets
Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find
herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her
back.<br /><br />Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her
relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to
take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can
imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several
other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up
there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the
hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.<br /><br />With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—<i>Dumplin’</i> is guaranteed to steal your heart.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText18215425901930971768">This is the kind of gem you want to find. I wasn't sure about it until my friends started raving about it, so I knew I had to pick it up. One of my friends dubs Bo as the best boyfriend and saying something like that tells me this is a must read. From the first page, I was sold. Willowdean Dickson isn't ashamed of her body. She knows she's fat and she owns it. She has some insecurities, but for the most part she's fine with how she looks. So when she takes a job at the fast-food restaurant, Harpy's, she expects some snickers behind her but she doesn't expect</span><i><span id="freeText18215425901930971768"> </span></i><span id="freeText18215425901930971768">to find Bo, the gorgeous private school attendee who works in the kitchen. She's even more shocked when he seems to like her back and she can't understand why. Being with him makes her feel more ashamed of her body than she ever has before and she can't figure out why. So she does the one thing she thinks will help her gain her confidence back - she enters the Miss Clover City beauty pageant, a life she's always grown up with thanks to her mom but never fit into. It's hard but hopefully it'll be worth it.</span><br />
<span id="freeText18215425901930971768"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText18215425901930971768">I'm not plus-size. I've always been the skinniest person in the group, but over the years I've gained some weight and some days I feel gross. I think every girl can relate to Willowdean's body insecurities, especially if they're with a guy they really like for the first time and are afraid he'll discover all the things we try to hide. I related to her so much that I wish she were real and my friend. She makes real mistakes and deals with real things and I fell in love with her right away. Her friendship with Ellen is tested throughout the book, and the fact that Ellen is skinny and beautiful, something that never bugged Willow before, becomes a divide in their friendship. And spending time with Bo has changed Willow as well, as it would any girl who is suddenly being treated nicely by a guy and kissing for the first time in their lives. It's a scary time for any girl, and Julie has captured the worries and emotions of any teen girl.</span><br />
<span id="freeText18215425901930971768"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText18215425901930971768">The beauty pageant is a great addition to the book. It has always lived with Willow as her mom is in charge of running it every year, but it was never really hers. Suddenly she has thrust herself into the world head first, along with some of her unconventional friends to fight the system that only beautiful girls can compete and that someone who may not fit the look that is expected could still walk away with the crown. This is a such a great message for any young girl reading the book, showing them that they can be themselves, shouldn't be ashamed of how they look, and to go after the things they want in life. Sometimes it's hard to look in a mirror and love everything we see. We all thing we'd like to change, but if we can find a way to be happy with ourselves, then we'll be set. The characters all stood out to me, even Willow's aunt who is dead before the book begins plays just as big a part as her mom or friends do. Bo is certainly worthy of being one of the best book boyfriends (not my number one though!) and Willow is the perfect main character. Her voice is so real and her reactions and emotions to events happening throughout the book. She isn't perfect, none of us are, but her journey through having her first boyfriend, having a fight with her best friend, losing her favourite aunt, and joining and succeeding in a beauty pageant, is one that I won't forget anytime soon and will continue to recommend this to my friends.</span><br />
<br /><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer1206459289"><span id="freeText6014586831585744937">“All
my life I’ve had a body worth commenting on and if living in my skin
has taught me anything, it’s that if it’s not your body, it’s not yours
to comment on. Fat. Skinny. Short. Tall. It doesn’t matter.”</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-61979978336212016652015-12-10T18:18:00.001-08:002015-12-10T18:18:44.673-08:00Review: Carry On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Carry On<br />
Author: Rainbow Rowell<br />
Published: October 6th, 2015<br />
522 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><span id="freeText9759321177957841060">Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.<br /><br />That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.<br /><br />Half
the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he
sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke
up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing
Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were
here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s
infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.<br /><br /><i>Carry On</i>
is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just
as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell
story—but far, far more monsters.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText9759321177957841060">Carry On</span></i><span id="freeText9759321177957841060"> started out as a fan fiction Cath is writing in Rainbow's book, <i>Fangirl</i>, We all figured it would be just that - fan fiction - until the glorious day Rainbow announced she was writing it and publishing it. We met Simon Snow and his vampire roommate Baz as they migrated the wizarding world and passing classes. It was pretty much <i>Harry Potter</i> but with some guy on guy action and the snippets we got were wonderfully written and intriguing so I was really excited to pick this one up when it hit shelves. I can't say I wasn't flabbergasted since this book is pretty much </span><i>Harry Potter</i>. But this one stands on its own to me and I enjoyed every minute of it, though I'd still love a <i>Fangirl</i> sequel too.<br />
<br />
Simon Snow has just started his final year at the Watford School of Magicks and it's already off to a rough start. His roommate, Baz, hasn't shown up yet and he's being visited by a couple of ghosts. Not to mention he still hasn't perfected his magic and is pretty sure he isn't the real chosen one. Most wizards have life figured out before they graduate. but Simon has no idea what will happen next, he mostly just really wants Baz back.<br />
<br />
This story intrigued me from start to finish. There was a lot of action, some spooky moments, and the love between Simon and Baz was magnificent. I love a good story where two people who supposedly hate each other realize just the opposite and fall in love. These two have such a fun relationship. They bicker all the time, Simon is scared to go near Baz's bed yet can't get enough of him. There were scenes that I remembered from <i>Fangirl</i> that made me smile. I love that Rainbow incorporated what we already knew about this series and this fan fiction and turned it into something real. The characters leaped off the pages and even though they bore similarities to real characters from the <i>Harry Potter </i>series, they still held up as their own people. <br />
<br />
I love a good magic slash ghost slash love story and Simon and Baz delivered on all fronts. I love that Simon was able to find out who he really could be and that him and Baz were able to realixe their love for each other. They certainly had some swoon worthy moments and Rainbow knows how to write a good kissing scene for sure. I had a lot of fun reading this and it made me want to reread <i>Fangirl</i> so badly but I haven't really found the time to do that yet. Hopefully soon because I miss Cath and Levi as much as I'm sure I'll miss Simon and Baz soon. I'm not going to lie, I've been fangirling over this since it was announced and even though I'm finished it and have many books since it, I'm still all fluttery about these two, just like I still am with Cath and Levi.<br />
<br />
<i>“You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can't carry on at all.”</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-3455129628860618812015-12-09T11:19:00.001-08:002015-12-09T11:19:18.510-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: You Know Me Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ylKz5g9lUSrIFhyphenhyphenTQ0ZcS49otgGYuo4bGM9UaFHlyAJoxjEP_HYn20wkZ6TeQ-gsNVVZ80QrDSX-j-wnxgWA9Vxy83PPZt8Eu3hZxxKzXNaohxmkhcbwZDYSk9OuSl8yv2-MY41iBAO/s1600/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ylKz5g9lUSrIFhyphenhyphenTQ0ZcS49otgGYuo4bGM9UaFHlyAJoxjEP_HYn20wkZ6TeQ-gsNVVZ80QrDSX-j-wnxgWA9Vxy83PPZt8Eu3hZxxKzXNaohxmkhcbwZDYSk9OuSl8yv2-MY41iBAO/s1600/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div>
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by<a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"> Breaking the Spine</a> where we spotlight an upcoming release we are eagerly anticipating.<br />
<br />
<b>My WoW this week is:</b><br />
<br />
You Know Me Well<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM71xz1x90aPq8Gz1DaJP3BDSppx7RGpKwM5S02LlNv6AtN3ZolU04VpxoK-468ItyNvF5mTI84-ghaunVkf6_hwPbiL9oN5deYfMWqDfcZ3Ndk-pHkwJ9JoIjz7q_m9N0U6t9fDsDkofi/s1600/27068617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM71xz1x90aPq8Gz1DaJP3BDSppx7RGpKwM5S02LlNv6AtN3ZolU04VpxoK-468ItyNvF5mTI84-ghaunVkf6_hwPbiL9oN5deYfMWqDfcZ3Ndk-pHkwJ9JoIjz7q_m9N0U6t9fDsDkofi/s320/27068617.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
By Nina LaCour and David Levithan<br />
Expected Publication: June 16th, 2016<br />
<br />
From Goodreads:<br />
<br />
<i><strong>Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A stranger you meet on a crazy night? No one, really?</strong> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but
have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class
have never crossed.</i><br />
<br />
<i>That is until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city
for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a
chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar.
Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may
not feel the same way.</i><br />
<br />
<i>When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they
will become to each other -- and how, in a very short time, they will
know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know
them more.</i><br />
<br />
<em>Told in alternating points of view by Nina LaCour, the award-winning author of Hold Still and The Disenchantments, and David Levithan, the best-selling author of Every Day and co-author of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green), You Know Me Well is a deeply honest story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, one truth at a time.</em><br />
<br />
This book sounds amazing! Nina LaCour is one of my favourite authors so I can't wait to read more from her, and I love when David Levithan co-writes with other authors. They are both amazing talents and this book sounds wonderful. Seriously, such a long wait for this one, I want it now!<br />
<em> </em><br />
What books are you not so patiently waiting for?<em><br /></em><br />
<span itemprop="review" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"></span><br />
<blockquote class="ubb-synopsis">
</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-79917331611864450212015-12-08T19:46:00.001-08:002015-12-08T19:48:34.080-08:00Review: Every Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO58RbfslCN9qqzmUdUksci8fOIr8PktnjwEPCSHmJ7-L1cbW-PucIRTA86XPeXnvIE6Bxx_vEiRJLdTw-YyEwEXDPSNCyGIhqVTF943_85jq7u5C6RrbxGsS-Ma1s0omI0rzyrpCufHZ/s1600/24822944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO58RbfslCN9qqzmUdUksci8fOIr8PktnjwEPCSHmJ7-L1cbW-PucIRTA86XPeXnvIE6Bxx_vEiRJLdTw-YyEwEXDPSNCyGIhqVTF943_85jq7u5C6RrbxGsS-Ma1s0omI0rzyrpCufHZ/s320/24822944.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Every Word<br />
Author: Ellie Marney<br />
Published: September 8th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 352 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><span id="freeText15135308347363762145">Sparks fly when Watts follows Mycroft to London in this second steamy thriller about the teen crime-fighting duo.<br /><br />James
Mycroft has just left for London to investigate a car accident similar
to the one that killed his parents without saying good-bye to his
partner in crime, Rachel Watts.<br /><br />Rachel is furious and worried
about his strange behavior—not that Mycroft’s ever exactly normal, but
London is the scene of so many of his nightmares. Unable to resist,
Rachel jumps on a plane to follow him and lands straight in a whole
storm of trouble.<br /><br />The theft of a copy of Shakespeare’s First
Folio, the possible murder of a rare books conservator and the deaths of
Mycroft's parents…Can Watts help Mycroft make sense of the three
events—or will she lose him forever?</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-16830587610890748962015-12-08T19:46:00.000-08:002015-12-09T11:22:35.344-08:00Series Review: Neon DreamsIt's been a while guys and I hate that I haven't been writing. This is a new review system I'm going to use for certain books to make writing more fun. Series reviews will be mini reviews for an entire series that I've finished, most will be New Adult since I've been reading a lot of those lately. Let's see how this goes!<br />
<br />
Neon Dreams by Caisey Quinn <br />
<span id="freeText3083288255661661107"><b>Nashville meets
New Adult in Neon Dreams, a dramatic, sexy series from bestselling
author Caisey Quinn, about a country band’s rocky road to fame—and the
ambition, dreams, and love of the people who make the music.</b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVjPemFzXa224J1LhuSkpKfZdAkCfn9Q6imATT8xi7zLx0OxQgOGs1Mfwn5iy1wa8M4GCbBviQQAFYYBn8pFJDmpV9YzTDVIS-h_RBE_sbMdaOb6cnDLahCa8HOIpCZGI5_j12nAYm7V0/s1600/22571023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVjPemFzXa224J1LhuSkpKfZdAkCfn9Q6imATT8xi7zLx0OxQgOGs1Mfwn5iy1wa8M4GCbBviQQAFYYBn8pFJDmpV9YzTDVIS-h_RBE_sbMdaOb6cnDLahCa8HOIpCZGI5_j12nAYm7V0/s200/22571023.jpg" width="132" /></a>Leaving Amarillo<br />
Published: March 17th 2015<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
Dixie Lark has had a hard life. She lost her parents when she was young and been raised by her grandparents and older brother, Dallas. Music has been her saving grace and her violin is her most treasured possession. Dixie and Dallas are living their dream and playing music together, along with Dallas's best friend Gavin. On the verge of hitting it big, Dixie should be happy, but her feelings for Gavin are clouding everything. Gavin has been told not to touch her and he listens, but Dixie needs him so she devises a plan - one night. One night to get him out of her system, one night to move on. Gavin agrees, though it's a struggle for him to break his promise to Dallas, and that one night changes everything. How do you get back to where you were after you've crossed a line that should never have been crossed?<br />
<br />
Dixie is a tough cookie. She's been through hell but instead of wallowing, she puts all her sadness into her music and focuses on her band. Her feelings for Gavin sometimes get in the way, but she's pretty good at not letting them rule her life. I can't blame the girl though, Gavin is one hot drummer. He's tortured, has had a rough past, and cares for her more than a brother's best friend should. The tension between the two of them is so hot it comes off the pages and I waited the whole book for their night together and it was worth it. It's clear these two belong together, but circumstances make that impossible. Emotions fly off the pages. The band is finally going on a real tour and that changes a lot of things. Dallas is loving the stardom and music companies want him to go solo. Women hang off of Gavin and all Dixie can do is watch. The drama is high in this one and it's so beautifully tortured that I craved the next page to see what would happen. Dixie and Gavin are the kind of couple I love to find in New Adult. Forbidden love, but a real love. They have the kind of love for each other we all hope to find. But there's a lot Gavin needs to face before he can be ready for Dixie and the ending of this one made me immediately pick up the next book. <br />
<br />
Loving Dallas<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wj7BUVSRmF1gEt4ZdStPOtNV-mpTtrn8NCQKZFWstDtC-HtlhOCZv08mnss_AZAJBzDHCqaKey2Of_iNojRNXklg8hyAEkTIFNDTtW0W2sI03N12VQM5z5ajoKMxc5KdNgfU-Aw-gMaM/s1600/23287190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wj7BUVSRmF1gEt4ZdStPOtNV-mpTtrn8NCQKZFWstDtC-HtlhOCZv08mnss_AZAJBzDHCqaKey2Of_iNojRNXklg8hyAEkTIFNDTtW0W2sI03N12VQM5z5ajoKMxc5KdNgfU-Aw-gMaM/s200/23287190.jpg" width="132" /></a>Published: June 16th 2015<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
Dallas is living a good life now. He's so close to achieving his dream of making it big in country music. Having just signed with Mandy Lantram, a successful manager who promises big things, Dallas's life is luckier than ever. But fame comes with a price and Dallas has left behind his band, sister, best friend, and high school sweetheart, Robyn, in the pursuit of fame.<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"> When he starts the tour, a pleasant surprise shows up. Robyn is now the rep for the beer company sponsoring the tour and as soon as they are forced to work together, Dallas and Robyn realize that the old spark they thought they'd extinguished might still be a burning flame. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">Dallas isn't a bad guy, I think a lot of people would leave behind those they love to pursue a dream, but you can tell he misses them. As soon as Robyn enters his life again, he makes it his mission to win her back, but Mandy gets in the way. I love the moments Dallas and Robyn share together, even though there is a lot of pain from the past. Robyn has closed herself off since Dallas broke up with her and it takes a lot just to be near him now, but she can't fight how he still makes her feel. The chemistry between them is still potent so they decide to have fun, try not to let feelings get involved and just be friends with benefits. Of course feelings are always involved and drama ensues, but this is what relationships are like and Dallas and Robyn have a lot to work out before they can get to a good place. </span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">There were a lot of twists and turns, some crazy events and a surprise I didn't see coming. I got a look into the good sides and the bad sides of the music industry and what we do for the people we love. Dallas and Robyn's story is beautiful and I really hope Dixie and Gavin get their happy ending as well. </span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx7-wuydksheqHbioTxgOv_FpOkQQXGOGxlcP17rpVxgVSK8VyXAnq12AWSWEXXoksBVuausoDxLufjEnyi2joaiezFon_4SpGAtRAulZjB3EG07Huzc3gxWkp26xleBnThcixk1rDf9i/s1600/24951836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx7-wuydksheqHbioTxgOv_FpOkQQXGOGxlcP17rpVxgVSK8VyXAnq12AWSWEXXoksBVuausoDxLufjEnyi2joaiezFon_4SpGAtRAulZjB3EG07Huzc3gxWkp26xleBnThcixk1rDf9i/s200/24951836.jpg" width="132" /></a><span id="freeText17686142261605145072">Missing Dixie</span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">Published: October 27th 2015</span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">5 Gold Stars</span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">In the final book of the Neon Dreams trilogy, Gavin is ready to tell Dixie all the reasons why he left after their night together. He's ready to fight for her and ask for forgiveness. Dixie is ready to move on and live her life without Gavin in it. But when Dallas says he wants to put the band back together and tour again Dixie finds it hard to say no and the night of her brother's wedding she finds Gavin hard to resist, especially when they are in the bathroom together. The band is getting a second chance and Gavin is asking for one. Dixie isn't so sure but Gavin is going to do everything he can to prove he's worthy of her.</span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">Dixie and Gavin own my heart. Gavin has done a lot of things he isn't proud of. His drug addict mother rules his life and every time she calls, he goes running. But if he's going to be good enough for Dixie, he needs to start putting his own needs above his mom's, a woman who doesn't really care about him. The more Gavin tells Dixie, the easier it will be for her to forgive him. Throughout the story, he pours his heart out to her and tells her the truth about where he was when she was on her road trip, why he didn't contact her when she got back and why he lied about being in Amarillo the entire time. There are so many gut wrenching moments and I swear I went through every emotion as I read this book and by the end of it I was a mess but I was the happiest mess there is. Dixie and Gavin are the perfect characters and the love they have for each other runs so deep there was no way they wouldn't end up together. This was the perfect ending to a fantastic series and oh man can I not wait for another series from Caisey Quinn. </span><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
<br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072">This series is full of raw emotions, great character growth, and the feel that only music can give you. </span><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer1362529791"><span id="freeText2037531989296649475">Dreams can
change, new beginning can emerge, love can grow and blossom and lives
can forever be intertwined. This series has quickly become one of my favourites and I hope it is or will be one of yours.</span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span class="readable">“Life doesn't always turn out how you expect and
sometimes parts of you get broken along the way, but there is always
hope and even broken pieces can be rebuilt into something beautiful.”</span></i><br />
<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>
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<span id="freeText17686142261605145072"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-54614709308817646162015-10-28T20:13:00.004-07:002015-10-28T20:14:15.875-07:00Waiting on Wednesday: Take the Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHatBhbM682_7k4Gcl3h7b8gQb1cg4NSdymBr0MNRq0IqI4kVUJ7Ke_b50j9ESUNPOZSTYzh0eoPzt2ajBMnAxXxu8knFMX03eoBpk-lYLu8a_iFdwSKm7gUuDtJ_v02s6l4msywH_csVo/s1600/New+WoW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHatBhbM682_7k4Gcl3h7b8gQb1cg4NSdymBr0MNRq0IqI4kVUJ7Ke_b50j9ESUNPOZSTYzh0eoPzt2ajBMnAxXxu8knFMX03eoBpk-lYLu8a_iFdwSKm7gUuDtJ_v02s6l4msywH_csVo/s1600/New+WoW.JPG" /></a></div>
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a>, where we spotlight a book we are eagerly anticipating.<br />
<br />
My WoW this week is:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Take the Fall</b><br />
By Emily Hainsworth<br />
Expected Publication: February 16th, 2016<br />
From Balzer & Bray<br />
<br />
From Goodreads:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PP7LkIrOlRM-k9qTo1qCMNp-fl1zP_kPxS3AHGu0rDx5hR4COJASe9PMLUVGlWEAEAs8SOwpmCTidjqZkRfXXuL9FvWHUCRvfgHCoxnlyQ5Pj7mdrJINW-WYpOuXqhkXE_1_fb82IQ1Y/s1600/15782557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PP7LkIrOlRM-k9qTo1qCMNp-fl1zP_kPxS3AHGu0rDx5hR4COJASe9PMLUVGlWEAEAs8SOwpmCTidjqZkRfXXuL9FvWHUCRvfgHCoxnlyQ5Pj7mdrJINW-WYpOuXqhkXE_1_fb82IQ1Y/s320/15782557.jpg" width="212" /></a><i><span id="freeText7696240121225455578">WHO KILLED GRETCHEN MEYER?<br /><br />Fear
grips the residents of Hidden Falls the night Sonia Feldman and her
best friend, Gretchen Meyer, are attacked in the woods. Sonia was lucky
to escape with her life, but Gretchen’s body is discovered at the bottom
of a waterfall. Beautiful, popular, and seemingly untouchable, Gretchen
can’t be gone. Even as Sonia struggles with guilt and confusion over
having survived, the whole town is looking to her for information…could
she have seen something that will lead the police to the killer?<br /><br />At
the top of the list of suspects is Gretchen’s ex-boyfriend—and Sonia’s
longtime enemy—Marcus Perez. So when Marcus comes to Sonia for help
clearing his name, she agrees, hoping to find evidence the police need
to prove he’s the killer. But as Gretchen’s many secrets emerge and the
suspects add up, Sonia feels less sure of Marcus’s involvement, and more
afraid for herself. Could Marcus, the artist, the screwup, the boy she
might be falling for have attacked her? Killed her best friend? And if
it wasn’t him in the woods that night…who could it have been?</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
I figured something creepy was due for Halloween and even though this one won't be out for a while, I know it'll scare me silly when I read it. Emily's first book, <i>Through to You</i>, was amazing and I can't wait to read this next one from her!<br />
<br />
What book are you waiting on?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-39057636359858396702015-10-27T19:07:00.001-07:002015-10-27T19:07:44.136-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCbLjMJFHzKufHGMq9SphrAguIYGb6HBZXyjlD2KhSLywT7yLO1IjGZMZUjXIEDP9bUeVDioKtWbPOxM0OH9ZtUTSzzLHHU0ErQiVKNyN6OtwbZJizj_L9eZ2XSOki1U-T6Xryhc3wznh/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCbLjMJFHzKufHGMq9SphrAguIYGb6HBZXyjlD2KhSLywT7yLO1IjGZMZUjXIEDP9bUeVDioKtWbPOxM0OH9ZtUTSzzLHHU0ErQiVKNyN6OtwbZJizj_L9eZ2XSOki1U-T6Xryhc3wznh/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish </a>where we make lists about bookish topics.<br />
<br />
This week is Halloween week. Halloween is seriously my favourite holiday, so I had to make sure I actually came onto my blog to make this list. This week is a freebie, so it's pretty much anything goes, so my list will be some fun, scary books that remind me of Halloween. Get ready to sleep with the lights on!<br />
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<br />
1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - Part ghost story, part love
story, this one kept me on the edge of my seat and scared me silly.<br />
<br />
2. This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - Zombies at their best. Summers
effortlessly weaves together a story that could be real. A girl who
doesn't want to fight to survive, but ends up surprising herself by how
hard she fights for her friends.<br />
<br />
3. Rooms by Lauren Oliver - Told from many perspectives, two of which are ghosts, this tells the story of a dysfunctional family and the house they live in. Super cool and creepy.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmXRoPZQ-30VvdAmBqGZlvXp1z1BWi1ou6uSgMYOCQe9MUE-UHemPvsYCE3o-z5OxzQve7p9EvO1YOvKS1Djp4wa1g5A8zBVRC21hnR745fEf185GxfSpDZUQr3VQkOby6zc_h4KBGBGK/s1600/13026356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmXRoPZQ-30VvdAmBqGZlvXp1z1BWi1ou6uSgMYOCQe9MUE-UHemPvsYCE3o-z5OxzQve7p9EvO1YOvKS1Djp4wa1g5A8zBVRC21hnR745fEf185GxfSpDZUQr3VQkOby6zc_h4KBGBGK/s200/13026356.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bg1SdZTp01Li0jRtOTsTYSpxQwBLrzi0Vy7ey-t_sw8VzVTBIsKyvy_WsmVYxMN1uYYn5syDaVyNMAKsZgzmmWFlouwU4d6yza1qKx8handLA5OV3C70a6opcO7rbWYBSv08R-_zwBG8/s1600/13597755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bg1SdZTp01Li0jRtOTsTYSpxQwBLrzi0Vy7ey-t_sw8VzVTBIsKyvy_WsmVYxMN1uYYn5syDaVyNMAKsZgzmmWFlouwU4d6yza1qKx8handLA5OV3C70a6opcO7rbWYBSv08R-_zwBG8/s200/13597755.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YQVFGrh2b50M0Cb3K1bUJC2JwjthvBqVu-lEeS2FN2t3g3Tj5KCDYGRe5bo9BTHEdQsvjuTmPM03YoUGKxaOuLoLv55RoG7hC_bxlEdJFbwxBsIwDoAZc9z_9xk8kiR8n4mfHqes8sc/s1600/8573632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YQVFGrh2b50M0Cb3K1bUJC2JwjthvBqVu-lEeS2FN2t3g3Tj5KCDYGRe5bo9BTHEdQsvjuTmPM03YoUGKxaOuLoLv55RoG7hC_bxlEdJFbwxBsIwDoAZc9z_9xk8kiR8n4mfHqes8sc/s200/8573632.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma - This book is just creepy. After
finishing it, I still wasn't sure what had happened and it stayed with
me for nights after. Perfect for Halloween.<br />
<br />
5. Hexed by Michelle Krys - Gotta have a witch tale on here. This one isn't
really scary, but witches equal Halloween to me. This one has some
Buffy elements and some cool witchcraft to make for an entertaining
read.<br />
<br />
6. The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe - A virus infects a small island and quickly spreads to the rest of Canada, then the world. Scary enough right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhFcJYoxYgT74YVG17EdFX7lWBg_rsntN9zu8ovzn12_53jDnbUg9WkOgw9Up3wKHQeL772z1Cn9tOS56VuoFakIWGzljMMdsFkhHkCHHSZ3dEpO4OuXsI0gJeVyxoSvIcObeLUrtsXrD/s1600/6518042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhFcJYoxYgT74YVG17EdFX7lWBg_rsntN9zu8ovzn12_53jDnbUg9WkOgw9Up3wKHQeL772z1Cn9tOS56VuoFakIWGzljMMdsFkhHkCHHSZ3dEpO4OuXsI0gJeVyxoSvIcObeLUrtsXrD/s200/6518042.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGpfoJdA2xGCq3nBVvbsttu8Lmyq9GE7_vEQ-jkneHrokYOxeNOQCxZn6R7DaWeyzKK2kRghrG8unBrD93d4tq2lXlW_YZ8Hy_aB7vyuZ0jj4iv0qtfKfCfHKOlA8D5TvT6rU5XTPQcNU/s1600/6315602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGpfoJdA2xGCq3nBVvbsttu8Lmyq9GE7_vEQ-jkneHrokYOxeNOQCxZn6R7DaWeyzKK2kRghrG8unBrD93d4tq2lXlW_YZ8Hy_aB7vyuZ0jj4iv0qtfKfCfHKOlA8D5TvT6rU5XTPQcNU/s200/6315602.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPa3DQMf7ZcH8IL8X-hxik3oqVTGWkhyphenhyphenWEoy4AZ0GYBKaZ9hO5XAYg82ZntcwOcSkiSy-EzehRxR_D_7-u-iCDjg76JMoarwroQoK407TsYVBoiMTTB3XWLC3uxTQOIlD0x7KZ0kuCAf_/s1600/17245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPa3DQMf7ZcH8IL8X-hxik3oqVTGWkhyphenhyphenWEoy4AZ0GYBKaZ9hO5XAYg82ZntcwOcSkiSy-EzehRxR_D_7-u-iCDjg76JMoarwroQoK407TsYVBoiMTTB3XWLC3uxTQOIlD0x7KZ0kuCAf_/s200/17245.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
<br />
7. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - A zombie book that takes place long after the apocalypse in a town that's starting over. Very old-fashioned and backwards and Mary will do anything to get out of it, even if that means crossing the fence into the unknown. Creepy at its best, and the sequels are amazing as well!<br />
<br />
8. My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent - Demons, pure evil, and a seventeen-year-old girl trying to stop them from destroying her high school. One of my favourite series still and perfect if you want a little creep factor in your life.<br />
<br />
9. Dracula by Bram Stoker - Because you gotta get a classic in there. If there's any vampire to be scared of, it's Dracula. Old school creepy.<br />
<br />
And lastly, one that's on my list to read this year...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIDnDvVSlWsyTuQ60tRZmG1AYTgE0ob1JKG1ceFbuPAahKkyukHamueW1b7gDwFXVDy0XEeUxVxJoAfK43N9Nb2HZwchvwlRsivItUYQuaweQgIbnk6SOakQT2l8ego7zJ5NWzujViG9f/s1600/18241263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIDnDvVSlWsyTuQ60tRZmG1AYTgE0ob1JKG1ceFbuPAahKkyukHamueW1b7gDwFXVDy0XEeUxVxJoAfK43N9Nb2HZwchvwlRsivItUYQuaweQgIbnk6SOakQT2l8ego7zJ5NWzujViG9f/s200/18241263.jpg" width="131" /></a>10. The Fall by Bethany Griffin - Her retelling of <i>The Mask of the Red Death</i> was dark and creepy, so I'm sure this one, a retelling of <i>The Fall of the House of Usher</i> will be just as good. Just gotta find time to read it now!<br />
<br />
I hope everyone will pick up a spooky book this week or at least watch something scary. Happy Halloween all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-49410094450718136212015-10-06T20:56:00.001-07:002015-10-06T20:56:29.935-07:00Review: Finding Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf83GwfcERHhGES6xslu7-dPrD0Kmkjs9t9OnybFJYnLUwxNk9A4nb5odY3BE7Ws3vtLIKYWxtdNfKHbEsjaOueFcUcq5KOEyUsGdaQmycGbZ5mGBqDgtC0NTJuBYU0CyHmnpFfWPrIbxw/s1600/18530518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf83GwfcERHhGES6xslu7-dPrD0Kmkjs9t9OnybFJYnLUwxNk9A4nb5odY3BE7Ws3vtLIKYWxtdNfKHbEsjaOueFcUcq5KOEyUsGdaQmycGbZ5mGBqDgtC0NTJuBYU0CyHmnpFfWPrIbxw/s320/18530518.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
Finding Paris<br />
Author: Joy Preble<br />
Published: April 21st, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 272 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads<br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384"><br /><i>Sisters Leo and Paris Hollings have only ever had
each other to rely on. They can’t trust their mother, who hops from city
to city and from guy to guy, or their gambler stepfather, who’s moved
them all to Las Vegas. It’s just the two of them: Paris, who’s always
been the dreamer, and Leo, who has a real future in mind—going to
Stanford, becoming a doctor, falling in love.<br /><br />But Leo isn’t going
anywhere yet… until Paris ditches her at the Heartbreak Hotel Diner,
where moments before they had been talking with physics student Max
Sullivan. Outside, Leo finds a cryptic note from Paris—a clue. Is it
some kind of game? Where is Paris, and why has she disappeared?<br /><br />When
Leo reluctantly accepts Max’s offer of help, the two find themselves
following a string of clues through Vegas and beyond. But the search for
the truth is a not a straight line. And neither is the path to secrets
Leo and Max hold tightly.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384">The book intrigued me from the start. I love a good mystery and Paris certainly knows how to send her sister on one. Leo wants nothing more than to get out of Las Vegas and go to school in California. She doesn't love that her mom moves from city to city and guy to guy and her newest stepfather is no exception. The only person she loves is her older sister Paris and will do anything to protect Leo from the world. So when Paris leaves Leo alone in a diner, Leo doesn't understand it all there. There must be a reason why Paris only left her a small note and is suddenly sending her on a wild goose chase. Thankfully Leo has just met Max, a physics student who is willing to help Leo find Paris as soon as possible, even willing to drive her across the country to do so. Together, Leo and Max make their way through the Vegas evening into casinos, attractions and track down clues that Paris has left them in hopes of finding her.</span><br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384"><i> </i></span><br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384">This was such a quick read. It was fast paced and less than three hundred pages and I loved every minute of it. I wanted to find Paris just as badly as Leo did and the twists and turns along the way kept me guessing as to how this story would end. I can honestly say I did not expect the ending until it was too late and I was shocked in a good way. It took the world book to a new level and turned this into such an important book. I won't say a lot about it because the mystery behind this book is what drew me in, but I will say that Preble did a fantastic job conveying tension, mystery, and fear. There was also just enough romance to keep this somewhat light and I loved Max. He was full of just as much mystery as Paris was, as Leo knew very little about him and he didn't share that much info with her throughout the night. He was fun, flirty, and didn't leave her behind, even when she was fearing for her life at the top of a ferris wheel. </span><br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384"><i><br /></i></span>
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384">This book had everything I was looking for and it was a thrill ride from beginning to end. The mystery aspect combined with how it all ended made for a great read. There are secrets everywhere in this book. Paris has them, Max has them and even Leo has them. I loved the sister relationship, I always love a good sibling relationship and this one was interesting. Paris would do anything to protect her sister and vice versa and that quality in a relationship can be great and dangerous. It's worth a read to me and if you can figure out the ending faster than I did, than kudos to you. </span><br />
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText13337989360725910384"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-28550274775920173982015-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:002015-10-05T11:30:31.236-07:00Review: Most Likely to Succeed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJkZZM8FUAVoeEXiUY5sXIC6czeJUJjijIhfFSfwb9s1Fpjf1BfLHqX_P5ThCUHJB1xWwgPyaX9dTP8sZQN9Z1UiGTt2HTjneTpSf6_K30MbvthlCPr4H3oSq1l34bFpn6KsgTcKCf0Rn/s1600/16140843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJkZZM8FUAVoeEXiUY5sXIC6czeJUJjijIhfFSfwb9s1Fpjf1BfLHqX_P5ThCUHJB1xWwgPyaX9dTP8sZQN9Z1UiGTt2HTjneTpSf6_K30MbvthlCPr4H3oSq1l34bFpn6KsgTcKCf0Rn/s320/16140843.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Most Likely to Succeed<br />
Author: Jennifer Echols<br />
Published: August 4th, 2015<br />
Paperback, 352 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i>As vice president of Student Council, Kaye knows the importance of keeping order. Not only in school, but in her personal life. Which is why she and her boyfriend, Aidan, already have their lives mapped out: attend Columbia University together, pursue banking careers. and eventually get married. Everything Kaye has accomplished in high school - student government, cheerleading, stellar grades - has been in preparation for that future.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To his entire class, Sawyer is an irreverent bad boy. His antics on the field as the school mascot and his love of partying have earned him total slacker status. But while he and Kaye appear to be opposites on every level, fate - and their friends - keep conspiring to throw them together. Perhaps the seniors see the simmering attraction Kaye and Sawyer are unwilling to acknowledge themselves.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>As the year unfolds, Kaye begins to realize her ideal life is not what she thought. And Sawyer decides it's finally time to let down the facade and show everyone who he really is. Is a relationship between them most likely to succeed - or will it be their favourite mistake?</i><br />
<br />
<i>The Superlatives</i> is a series I quickly fell in love with after reading the first book, <i>Biggest Flirts</i>. The characters are real, their struggles are real, and the love is swoon-worthy. I love the underlying superlatives titles being the name of the books, especially since they cause so much drama between the students<i> </i>when they are announced. Each of the characters from the first book get their own books later and this one follows Tia's friend Kaye as she struggles to figure out who she really wants to be after high school finishes. She's been dating Aidan for as long as she's known and they've made plans together for college, but lately he's been a different person and Kaye isn't sure she wants to be with him anymore. Her friend Sawyer, the school mascot and all around bad boy, makes her feel like a totally different person and notices her more than Aidan does. The more time she spends with him, the more she loves that he flirts with her and hates that he flirts with everyone else. Can Kaye recognize her feelings for Sawyer before it's too late, and does he feel the same way about her?<br />
<br />
Kaye has everything that high school students dream of, and though she wasn't happy with a lot of it, not once did I roll my eyes at her. I understood exactly how she felt with the pressure of trying to be someone she no longer was. Being with Sawyer made her feel alive, normal, and more loved that she ever felt with Aidan. Kaye, like Tia and Harper, is loveable and real. I especially loved that she was a woman of colour and even though she'd worn her hair for so long in a way to make it less of an afro but one day just goes all out and lets her glorious hair free. The reactions are what you might expect, some people hate it, but most people love it, especially Sawyer. Moments like this in the book stood out to me, small moments where Kaye finds herself more and more and Sawyer is there to help her along the way. Sawyer has a lot of his own problems. His dad was in jail, his family doesn't have much money and all his classmates expect him to fail. The amount that Kaye believes in him and him her is enough to make anyone believe in real love. Their mutual support is all anyone really needs in life and if you can find that, than you're golden. <br />
<br />
I'm glad we got to see Tia and Matt still in a happy relationship and Harper and Brody at a point in theirs where things may be going further for the first time. Series like this that follow different friends always make me smile when old friends show up throughout the pages. This series has gone through so many teenage experiences following people with different experience and not once making anyone feel ashamed for how sexual they are. It's realistic and will hopefully show real teens that there is nothing to be ashamed of when wanting to go further with someone you love and that real friends don't call each other sluts. Sawyer and Kaye's relationship is something I think we all dream of and they are just so darn cute together. I love a good story like this and this series has brought many smiles to my face. Perfect addition to my contemporary collection! <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-67436174560329955662015-09-30T13:04:00.000-07:002015-09-30T13:04:43.916-07:00Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpP6qHtbShBax_uOQEEpFqDlv-RiI7p9MVY7xi-XC4_ShlffDaJneWy375lnYzXcDkFbowV23x4nImDsBjDSc78UGVPra7khypaLKaP9TI4n5wDOOKJSfWsBgZdxyZbdNbHgPcz1ca3r/s1600/23309653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpP6qHtbShBax_uOQEEpFqDlv-RiI7p9MVY7xi-XC4_ShlffDaJneWy375lnYzXcDkFbowV23x4nImDsBjDSc78UGVPra7khypaLKaP9TI4n5wDOOKJSfWsBgZdxyZbdNbHgPcz1ca3r/s320/23309653.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids<br />
Author: Sarah Ockler<br />
Published: June 2nd, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 403 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d'Abreau was destined for stardom - until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can't sing. She can't even speak.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend's invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse's home in the Caribbean isn't: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people to polite to pry - except for one.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Christian Kane is a notorious playboy - insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He's also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn't treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove's high stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn't the only thing making waves, though - swept up in Christian's seductive tide and entranced by the Cove's charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn't what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who's best known for breaking them...</i><br />
<br />
This is the kind of retelling I can get behind. It is subtly a retelling of <i>The Little Mermaid</i>, but it never comes off in a fairy-tale sort of way and it stands on its own as a contemporary story. Elyse is one six sisters from Trinidad who was born from the sea as it took her mother from her. A freak accident years later took her talented voice from her and ruined her life. She fears the sea is trying to return to her and finish her off so she takes a long vacation to see her aunt and cousin in Atargatis Cove in Oregon. This small town is just what she needs, no one asks her questions and they just think of her as Kirby's odd cousin. Before long she catches the attention of the Cove's coveted playboy, Christian, and he isn't afraid to ask her questions and find out all about her. Soon Elyse is caught up in Christian and falling for his charms. She agrees to be his first mate for the Pirate Regatta, the first time she will be back on the water since her accident, and the fear that comes with this and new love is strong, but Christian shows her that in order to find her voice, she must do things she's afraid of. Along with her cousin Kirby, her aunt, and Christian's hopeful little brother Sebastian, Elyse will finally take the plunge she's been dreading all her life.<br />
<br />
I fell right into the story and didn't want to let go. I drowned in Elyse's sorrow from losing her voice and trying to move on with her life away from her twin sister and family. Having lost the only thing she thought she was good at, she hides away inside herself and just tries to survive in this new town. But Atargatis Cove is full of mermaid lore and there's too much to learn and see to keep herself away. Sebastian believes that she is the mystical mermaid come to life and Elyse plays along with him. They go on mermaid adventures as she falls for his older brother. Sebastian was my favourite character. He is so lively and unique and not afraid to be himself, even when he is told he cannot dress like a mermaid at the regatta, he will do whatever it takes to be able to look pretty that day. I love how hard everyone tried to make sure he could dress up how he wanted and would not let his spirit diminish. Christian, who started off the notorious playboy who would have anyone he wanted turned out to be very sweet and caring towards Elyse, wanting her to find herself again and willing to help in anyway needed. Their love was quick to happen, but I think everyone would fall in love with Christian that fast. The moments they shared alone on the boat were wonderfully written and I loved that he fell in love with her spirit and voice, despite not being able to talk.<br />
<br />
So much happens over this summer and it's all so magical yet real. The surreality of the town and the mermaid legend gave this story a twist and a bit of an edge as we never knew if the ocean would catch up to Elyse. Atargatis Cove sounds mystical and alluring with its mermaid legends and Wiccan lore. Everything about the town felt magical and I loved that it played just as big a part of Elyse or Christian did in this book. The drama in Christians family was just enough to make for a suspenseful ending where the town hung on whether Christian and Elyse won the Regatta. Ockler's writing is gorgeous and lyrical, and it's amazing how well she tied in the themes throughout the book with feminism and power. There is so much diversity in this that it will stand apart from other summer reads for a long time and I can't wait to pick up another one of her books. This is the kind of book you want to read in the summer, it has substance, hope, love and a bit of magic. Now that's the kind of book I can get behind. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Love didn't save me; it changed me. Changed me into someone who could save myself."</i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-10449766610231057532015-09-23T22:08:00.002-07:002015-09-23T22:08:47.287-07:00Review: Jesse's Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jesse's Girl<br />
Author: Miranda Kenneally<br />
Published: July 7th, 2015<br />
Paperback, 304 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she'd get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville's teen idol.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He's as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he's accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya's lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse's pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya's playing back up to other people's dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart - and go solo?</i><br />
<br />
The Hundred Oaks books always put a smile on my face. The characters
are fantastic and I love how each story weaves into the others without
any over lap. There is always a new main character, but old characters
always pop up to say hi and check in and I love series like that. Maya
Henry is Sam's younger sister from <i>Catching Jordan</i>. She dreams of
being a rock star and wants desperately to play her own music with her
band, but they are into music that's so far beyond her. When she has to
pick a job for career mentoring day, she picks rock star and is very
surprised when she gets to job shadow Jesse Scott, Nashville's
heartthrob. Maya is excited, but Jesse is not at all like she imagined
him to be. He's rude, cocky and seems like he doesn't want Maya
following him around. Maya isn't looking forward to spending the day
with him telling her she's not trying hard enough to play her own music.
But then Jessa starts to show her how he really lives, his secret
hiding spots, and they have moments where Maya starts to think that
maybe she is putting her music second and maybe it's time to step up and
take charge of what she wants, and Jesse Scott may just be one of those
things.<br />
<br />
Miranda knows how to write a swoon worthy boy,
and Jesse Scott is no exception.I could picture Hunter Hayes or any
other country boy as I read the book, or even a male Taylor Swift. He
has a sweet demeanor, but knows just how famous he is and how to use it.
His relationship with Maya, though it had a rocky start, is wonderful
and heart warming and I love how their relationship progresses through
the day. The moments they share together alone, where they can be
completely honest about their lives were great to read and made me fall
for him even more. He sets her up with his recording studio, helps her
with her vocals, and shows her that she is capable of so much more than
she's been accomplishing. Compared to her ex-boyfriend, he treats her
like a princess and I loved watching Maya gain confidence throughout the
novel thanks to Jesse.<br />
<br />
Maya and Jesse are adorable
together. Miranda knows how to give me all the romance and love I look
for in a YA novel and this one delivers. Hundred Oaks is one of my
favourite worlds to go into and I was so happy to see Sam and Jordan
have a part in this one. It's fun to see a couple that you saw get
together being all relationshipy and domestic. They are adorable
together and bicker like an old married couple and you can tell that
they just belong together. They were there to help Maya when she needed
advice and to appease us fans who desperately wanted more of them. I
can't wait for more from Miranda and more in this series. This is one of
those series that never has to end because it follows different
characters every time and there's no way not to make a story about teens
in this small town. I love that the other books are sports related and
this one focused on music. It branched out from what we've come to
expect from Hundred Oaks books and I can see great things in the future
of this series. Can't wait for more, Miranda!<br />
<br />
<i>"You have to take chances to get a chance at your dreams."</i><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-55223549534845649252015-08-31T10:02:00.001-07:002015-08-31T10:02:45.137-07:00Review: Everything, Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everything, Everything<br />
Author: Nicola Yoon<br />
Published: September 1st, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 320 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i>My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I'm allergic to the world. I don't leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window and I see him. He's tall, lean, and wearing all black - black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me, I stare right back. His name is Olly.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Maybe we can't predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's almost certainly going to be a disaster.</i><br />
<br />
I opened this book casually one afternoon to test it out, maybe read a chapter or two, but within two pages, I was hooked and didn't put it down until I'd read the last page. I fell in love with Madeline and her rare disease and her solitary life. She is a dreamer, as one would be if they haven't left their house in seventeen years. The first sentence of the book is "I've read many more books than you," and this immediately told me I'd love her. She's a dreamer, a lover, and doesn't really get down about her disease. She is literally allergic to the world. We find out about her life through journal entries, a reprieve she gives herself after long days of studying and reading. She is both incredibly mature, studying at a much higher education level and incredibly naive, as she hasn't left the house. This combination made her wholly relate able and I wanted so badly for her to get a happy ending. Her life changes when Olly moves in next door. She is immediately drawn to him, watching him as he goes day by day, sneaking up on the roof and ignoring his parents. I can see why he's fascinated by her as well, and the first time they make contact, it sent a rush through me. They communicate through the window and then through messenger in the computer. Madeline takes nothing for granted. Her moments with Olly are heartbreaking and wonderful and watching them fall in love from afar was romantic and beautiful. The way Olly speaks to her is something every girl dreams of and I loved that Madeline got the opportunity to feel like a normal girl around him.<br />
<br />
The moment Madeline and Olly meet is amazing and tragic. They cannot touch and the visit is short and over too fast. But Madeline lives for them. Heightened by the fact that she is in danger of her life, it makes for a tragic romance the more they see each other, both knowing she can never leave the house. The synopsis tells us just how heartbreaking falling in love with Olly will be and it's a roller coaster ride throughout the book. The book takes a drastic turn and the last third of the book took me on a terrifying journey that I wasn't sure how would end. I won't say more as I think it's the most important part of the book, but it certainly kept me reading.<br />
<br />
What I loved most was the format of this book. Journal entries, charts, diagrams and tidbits sprung from the pages and gave this book a life. Madeline's small quirks were well orchestrated and wonderful, making her charming and real. She writes spoiler book reviews which are hilarious and jokes about Bundt cake with Olly. Her dictionary will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Yoon's husband did the illustrations throughout the book and I think they really set this apart from other books of this genre. They made the book fun and kept me turning the pages. I loved the short chapters, the direct writing and the blank space that really put me into Madeline's shoes, living in a bubble but dreaming of everything. This book just blew me away and I loved everything, everything about it (ya, I just did that). I'm so glad I was given an ARC from Penguin Random House and discovered this book early. Sick lit has quickly become a new genre and I've read some great books focusing in sick characters and this one tops the list. Some people did not like the ending, but I'm a sucker for it. If you see this book on the shelf, pick it up, read it in one sitting, all in love with Madeline and Olly like I did, and tell me it doesn't make you want to go outside and start living your life.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Everything's a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It's up to you."</i><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-23110250231387190942015-08-31T09:24:00.000-07:002015-08-31T09:24:02.469-07:00Review: Things We Know By Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things We Know By Heart<br />
Author: Jessi Kirby<br />
Published: April 21st, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 304 pages<br />
5 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<i>When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend's donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent's heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent's, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas - a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it - especially since he has no idea how they're connected - but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she's falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all that she's lost... and all than remains at stake. </i><br />
<br />
I knew this book would be a tearjerker, it's written all over it. Young girl loses her boyfriend in an accident and must continue living without the boy she's fallen in love with. It's hard to lose anyone at any age, but when you're seventeen and you think you're invincible and you lose someone you love, it does something to you. So Quinn does the only thing she thinks will help her, she tracks down all the recipients of Trent's organs to give herself closure. But when the boy who got Trent's heart doesn't reply to her letter, she takes it into her own hands to find him. But the man she finds blows her away. He is sweet and kind and after a freak fender bender, he takes her to the hospital and doesn't leave her side. He keeps his past hidden, his time in the hospital with his heart problems where he felt weak and afraid, and she keeps her reasons for finding him locked up tight, even though she knows she eventually needs to tell him who she is and that she knew Trent. The closer she gets to Colton, the harder it is to tell him the truth.<br />
<br />
I was hooked into this book from the start. Kirby is a great writer and fills her pages with emotion, realism, heartbreak and love. Quinn is living half alive, her heart still belonging to Trent, but when she meets Colton, suddenly the world is colourful again and her heart starts beating for real. Colton lives life to the fullest. After years of hospitalization, he can finally surf and canoe like he used to. He shows Quinn a world she thought she'd lost and the more time she spends with him, the more she falls for him. I loved how the romance built in this book. They were both hesitant at first for different reasons. Colton's family protects him but he just wants to live. Quinn looks at Colton like he's Trent, knowing Trent's heart beats inside him, but the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes he is his own person and that's his heart now. Quinn's growth is amazing and watching her come back to life with Colton's help was a joy to read. The drama that came with all her lies was expected and predictable, but I loved it all the same. It was only a matter of time until the truth came out and I loved how Kirby played it all out. <br />
<br />
This is contemporary at its finest. Kirby is a great writer and this book proved she still has it. She weaves stories I would never think to write and creates characters that stand out from the page. Quinn's heartbreak is palpable and her recovery is amazing. This is a great book about moving on without forgetting, finding joy again, and falling in love without fear. This book made me smile, cry, and want to hold my loved ones close. And maybe go surfing, living life to its fullest and knowing that adventure awaits.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"For so long, I was the one with his heart. I just need to see where it is now."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"But it's terrifying to realize how much of your world is wrapped up in loving another person."</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-61592175687224301922015-08-20T14:35:00.000-07:002015-08-20T14:35:15.082-07:00Review: Miss Mayhem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Miss Mayhem<br />
Author: Rachel Hawkins<br />
Published: April 7th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 273 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and her best friend, Bee, has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can focus on the important things in life: school, canoodling with David (her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie), and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they'd rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can't stay David's Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her or make her more powerful than ever.</i><br />
<br />
I was so excited to jump back into Harper Price's crazy world. The first book in this series, <i>Rebel Belle</i>, blew me away with its mix of girly Cotillion and bad-ass demon hunting. It was a mix between <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> and <i>The O.C.</i> with drama, fighting and some super cute romance mixed in. This one had all the same elements as the first book, but something about it fell flat for me. It was short read but not very much happened to make it seem like it only needed to be 273 pages. The book starts off with Harper and her friends trying to find Bee after she's been missing since Cotillion. It bings them to this magical house where they find out she is being trained to be a replacement Paladin if Harper does not pass her tests, tests she knew nothing about. Turns out she's not a real Paladin until she passes and the Ephors want David for reasons other than just killing him. Add to that the fact that Harper and Ryan have been actively forcing down David's oracle powers to protect him, and this whole book just calls for drama.<br />
<br />
I went into this book thinking this was a duology but was incredibly surprised at the end with the cliffhanger-ish ending to find out that there will be a third book. Knowing this, made me enjoy what I had read a bit more because as an ending it would have been awful. So now that I know it's the middle book, I see total second-book syndrome all over it. There is very little plot progression and character development that left me disappointed. Harper and David are adorable at the beginning of the book, something I love once two characters get together. I know we need drama to make things interested, but I would rather that drama have been between Harper and the Ephors or Harper trying to save David's life. Instead, my OTP fought for most of the book and David was very upset when he found out what Harper's been doing to his powers. I did love Harper and Bee's relationship, something I find very important in books. Even though things are tough and Bee is potentially dating Harper's ex-boyfriend, that doesn't get between their friendship and Bee is always there to help Harper when she's in trouble. <br />
<br />
The humor in this is equal to the first book, a lighthearted way of looking disaster in the eye. Harper is a fun character that holds her own throughout the book and keeps her spirits high in the hardest of times. Like the first book, Harper joins into a group event to save the day. This time she's part of the Miss Pine Grove pageant, surrounded by young girls who are way more into than her. The last 50 pages of this book, including the pageant, were the highlight of this book. As much as I hated the ending, the event leading up to her made for some action-packed fun. Of course, I must get my hands on the third and final book because what Hawkins did at the end of this book still haunts me a month after reading it and I just need everything to wrap up perfectly. Is that too much to ask?<br />
<br />
<i>"Honestly, not enough people know how to use good manners as a weapon." </i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-19915792597598872452015-08-18T13:33:00.000-07:002015-08-18T13:33:05.780-07:00Review: Kissing in America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kissing in America<br />
Author: Margo Rabb<br />
Published: May 26th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 400 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
<br />
(summary from Goodreads)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In the two years since her father died, sixteen-year-old Eva has found comfort in reading romance novels - 118 of them, to be exact - to dull the pain of her loss that's still so present. Her romantic fantasies become a reality when she meets Will, who seems to truly understand Eva's grief. Unfortunately, after Eva falls head-over-heels for him, he picks up and moves to California without any warning. Not wanting to lose the only person who has been able to pull her out of sadness - and, perhaps, her shot at real love - Eva and her best friend, Annie, concoct a plan to travel to the west coast to see Will again. As they road trip across America, Eva and Anne confront the complex truth about love.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In this honest and emotional journey readers will experience the highs of infatuation and the lows of heartache as Eva contends with love in all of its forms. </i><br />
<br />
This book was so different from what I expected it to be, but it was still fantastic. Eva lives inside romance novels, escaping the world around her. She lost her father recently, and she lies about how he died to anyone who asks. She seeks the comfort of the books instead of people, but when Will starts showing up to her tutor sessions, suddenly she wants to live. He sees her and the moments they spend together on the roof of the school make her believe they are meant for each other, just like the characters in her books. So when he moves to California to go live with his father and he tells her to come see him whenever she's free, she takes him up on the offer and goes on a road trip across the country with her best friend, Annie, and her Aunt. They make a trip of it, stopping to see landmarks along the way. Eva puts all her hopes into being with Will, thinking that once she sees him again everything will be okay. Truths and discoveries along the way make for a memorable journey about love, friendship and family.<br />
<br />
This book started off so dreamy. Eva lives vicariously through her romance novels and Will makes her believe them to be true. She's a hopeless romantic, young and in love, in a place where we've all been. She believes him to be the one and she'll do anything to get him back. Her plan to go to California is fun and unique. She gets Annie to apply to be on a TV series called <i>Smartest Girl in America</i>, and Eva will be her lifeline for the categories she isn't great in, like literature and music. The two girls make a great team and they have the kind of friendship we all remember having or still have if we're lucky. It takes Annie a bit of convincing before she decides to go along with Eva's plan, but once they are on the road, they have a great time together. There are moments that test their friendship like when they are visiting Annie's cousin and they spend more time together without Eva around. There are lots of moments where people tell Eva she is wrong about Will, which just amkes Eva more determined to see him.<br />
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Will is the guy we'd all fall for in high school. He's a bit of a player, but he's super sweet to every girl and acts like they are the only one he wants. From the beginning I wasn't so sure about him, but the things he said and did with Eva showed me why she fell for him. A young woman will do anything for the guy who's captured her heart. With first love comes first heartbreak and I won't say I didn't see it coming, because I thought maybe Will would be different, but when they finally see each other again, it's not at all like Eva had hoped. The ending was unexpected but I completely understand why Rabb did it like this. This is an important book for young women on the power of love and the way that it can make or break you. Eva's relationship with her mom was equally as important as Eva's relationship with Will and I loved how their story arced throughout the book. The misery of losing a family member causes people to react differently and I loved the moment they were able to see each other again.<br />
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I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been infatuated with someone. There isn't as much kissing as I would have liked, but this was a great road trip story with an unpredictable ending. <br />
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<i>"I think sometimes the biggest influence isn't what's present in your life, but what's absent. Those missing pieces that shape you and change you, the silences that are louder than the noise."</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-82052132523750891762015-08-11T21:12:00.000-07:002015-08-11T21:12:26.331-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>, where we make bookish lists of bookish topics.<br />
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This week's topic is:<br />
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Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From</h3>
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1. Rachel Vincent (11 books) Still have to read her Shifters series, but she is by far my favourite author!<br />
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2. Sophie Kinsella (13 books) She's still one of my favourites, though I still haven't read <i>Shopaholic to the Stars</i><br />
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3. Sarah Dessen (10 books) Only two more of hers that I need to read. Love them!<br />
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4. Colleen Hoover (12 books) I've read them all and I've loved all of them!<br />
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5. Cora Carmack (7 books) Literally my favourite New Adult author. She's so sweet!<br />
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6. Miranda Kenneally (6 books) More please.<br />
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7. K.A. Tucker (8 books) Breaks my heart every time, but I always come back for more. A fantastic writer.<br />
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8. Nicholas Sparks (12 books) Yes, I was really into Nick for a while there, but I've kind of grown out of it so even though there are still about 5 to read and on my shelf, I'll probably never get around to them, unless they make them into movies, that seems to get the ball rolling.<br />
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9. Sophie Jordan (8 books) Both her Teen and New Adult books have blown me away.<br />
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10. Lauren Oliver (10 books) The queen of YA. Her writing is amazing and I've loved every one of her books. Can't wait for another one!<br />
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It's easy to read a lot of books from an author when they write well and continue making great series. Even better when they move between genres, like Ya and NA to keep me interested. Who are some of your go-tos?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177505378291621853.post-47661875864662274532015-08-07T20:50:00.000-07:002015-08-07T20:50:23.675-07:00Review: Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold<br />
Author: Katie Finn<br />
Published: May 5th, 2015<br />
Hardcover, 400 pages<br />
4 Gold Stars<br />
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(summary from Goodreads)<br />
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<i>The war rages on between Gemma and Hallie in the second installment of the Broken Hearts and Revenge series.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>After the humiliating events on the 4th of July, Gemma's trying to handle the fact that Hallie knew who she was all along, and she was the one who stole Teddy from her. Gemma vows revenge, but things get more complicated than she planned. Ford, Gemma's long time crush, has arrived in the Hamptons cuter than ever. Josh is refusing to speak to her after she lied to him, and Teddy is playing champion to his beloved Marsh Warbler (in Gemma's backyard, no less).</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Gemma and Hallie find themselves in an escalating revenge cycle. Just when Gemma thinks she has the upper hand, the biggest bombshell of all is dropped. And it's one that threatens to change her life forever. This exciting sequel to Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend will eave you begging for the third installment.</i><br />
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If I thought <i>Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend</i> was full of girl drama, revenge, and misunderstandings everything has just one upped itself in this sequel. The events at the end of the first book threw everything into a tailspin and even though I predicted how it would have ended, it was still a shock when everything fell into place. Hallie is one tough cookie to break and Gemma is determined to get her back for everything she put her through over the beginning of the summer. Gemma is ready to seek her own revenge but Hallie isn't done with her yet. Juicy things are bound to happen as these two girls go head-to-head. Throw in some boys - Teddy, Gemma's ex-boyfriend who is now dating Hallie, Josh, Hallie brother who Gemma lied to all summer and who finally knows who she really is, and Ford, Gemma's long time crush who's here for the summer and ready to help Gemma in any way she needs. Trust me, this one's a dousy.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Every character in this book has aspects of deceit. It's human nature, but Finn has taken in and turned into one huge revenge scheme and it fantastic. The book was filled with crazy tactics and times where I thought it couldn't get any worse and it did. The ending was fantastic and made me crave the last book in the series. It seems everything goes wrong and it was a lot of fun to read as these two girls got over their pain by trying to destroy the other. Okay, I guess "fun" might not be the right word, as they did some pretty deplorable things to each other, but I'm really hoping they find a way at the end of all this to become friends again. Things get bad, some things happen that I would find unforgivable, but I feel like that ending opens things up for them to potentially get through all this in one piece. I say this book is fun because I sped through it and I loved trying to guess what plot schemes they'd come up with next and trying to figure out how everything would play out. These girls are intense and it made for good reading.<br />
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Gemma has done some terrible things, but so has Hallie, and now that they both know what the other has done, it's time for them to set things right. There were some cute moments with Josh, even cuter moments with Ford, and even though I am not ever a fan of love triangles, this one was different and actually worked for me. I understand why Josh reacted the way he did, he feels like he doesn't know Gemma at all, and Ford is just too cute. Nerdy with surfer good looks? Sign me up!<br />
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I don't want to get specific as I feel like the revenge plots are what makes this story so great. I love that Gemma works at an ice cream shop and that Teddy handcuffs himself to a tree in her backyard for the endangered birds he's trying to save. There are such great moments in this book and I enjoyed every second of it. So, seriously, when can I have the last one?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.com0