The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (Picked up ARC at BEA13)
Month: May 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Should Have (But Didn’t Read) As A Kid
(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. The above photo was taken and altered by me for the purpose of these posts. Please do not take or “borrow” without asking. Thanks!)
Hello Readers!
True fact: I wasn’t always a reader. Sure I liked to read. But I didn’t read as much as a child/teen as I read now as an adult. Maybe it’s because as a child I had a bad library experience that kept me out of my public library for years and years. Maybe it’s because I read my cousin’s leftovers (The Babysitters Club, Fear Street, etc.). But for whatever reason, I haven’t read these books, and I probably should have.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Happy Memorial Day (Weekend)!
Hello Readers!
I hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! This weekend has been about kicking back, relaxing, and getting some quality reading time it. Because of that I figured it would be a good time to post another reading challenge update.
When I started this challenge, I set out to read a total of six books. As it is May 26th, I’m happy to say that I’ve read five of those six titles. However, with Book Expo this week I doubt I’ll be squeezing in any more books.
Last Monday I finished reading Emery Lord’s debut contemporary novel – Open Road Summer. Guys, let me tell you: I. COULD. NOT. PUT. THIS. BOOK. DOWN! Such a great read, I’m still excited about it, and it’s been a week since I finished it.
I also read Lauren Myracle’s last novel, The Infinite Moment of Us. I do not want to divulge any feelings about this book since my review will be posted later this week, but I will say this: it was extremely read-able. So much so that last Friday night, I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning and finished it.
I also started Susane Colasanti’s latest Now & Forever. If you read my Stacking the Shelves post last Saturday that you already know that this book is one of my most anticipated books of 2014.
At this point I doubt that I’ll get to The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer. As much as I want to read this book, I’m not too terribly upset that I didn’t get the chance to squeeze it in. Why? Because I got to read some of the book I was super excited to read.
Stacking the Shelves (#4)
(Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. The above photo was taken and altered by me. Please do not use it without permission.)
Hello Readers!
It’s been a slow few weeks for me — book wise. But I do have a few new books I’ve received I’d like to share with you. Some of these books I bought, and others were given to me. As of now, I’ve only read one, but I’m super excited to read all of them.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
I was lucky enough to get an e-galley of E. Lockhart’s latest novel from Netgalley a few weeks back. Anyone who knows me know that I’m a big E. Lockhart fan in general. I read this book, and not surprisingly loved it. So much so, that I think there is a re-read in my future. But that’s besides the point. I read this back in January, but I knew I had to have it. An arc of it wouldn’t suffice. So I preordered it via Amazon, and it was delivered on the day it was published.
This past week I was lucky enough to meet E. Lockhart and have her sign my copy at a Books of Wonder event that Miss Print and I attended. It was a great event. If you want to hear all about it, head over to Miss Print’s blog for a fabulous recap.
Now & Forever by Susane Colasanti
In all honesty, Now & Forever is one of my highly anticipated books of 2014! I’ve read several of Susane Colasanti’s books, and I love each one more and more. Even though I am trying my best not to buy any books (especially with BEA14 literally next week) I splurged. I just needed to have this book! Why? Because it has me written all over it!
And best of all: it’s signed by Susane herself!
Tease (ARC) by Amanda Maciel & Exquistie Captive (ARC) by Heather Demetrios
Both of these books were gifted to me from my fellow blogger and real life bff Miss Print! She has been spoiling me rotten with all sorts of bookish-goodies. These two are books that she knew I’m both curious and excited to read. So I can’t wait to dig into them, and share my thoughts/feelings with everyone.
Shorty Review: The Darkest Minds
Title: The Darkest Minds
Author(s): Alexandra Bracken
Why Did I Read This Book: There are many reasons why I read this book. Not only did I pick up an arc of it at Book Expo America (in 2012) but I was lucky enough to get that arc signed by author Alexandra Bracken. The Darkest Minds was one of my most anticipated books that year, mainly because – from the premise – I knew haven’t read anything like it! Besides that, fellow blogger and real life bff Miss Print (who read it before me) told me that I just HAD to read it.
Thoughts, Likes, Dislikes: Like I said above, The Darkest Minds is unlike any book I’ve ever read. There was action and adventure, mystery and mayhem, love and sadly even loss. I really liked how the author balances the mindset of the abilities that her characters have – some see it as a gift, others see is as a punishment. This really balances out the overall storyline. Beyond that I liked how, at its core, The Darkest Minds is a survival story. Author Alexandra Bracken has written a book that is all-absorbing. The writing that fills the pages is top-notch. Bracken has spun a story so tangled readers can’t help but get caught up in it all. Bracken creates a palpable tension, so thick you could slice through it with a knife. As a reader, I found a twist and a turn at every page. I couldn’t help by grip the edge of my seat. Beyond the writing, Bracken’s characters are crafted with a specific attention to detail. Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Zu all bring something different to the table. Ruby is a fighter through and through. She’s full of passion and fight. Liam, who is wise beyond his years, is level-headed but protects those he loves with an almost unnatural fierceness. Chubs – quite possibly my most favorite character (of all times) is prickly around the edges, but once readers get to know him find out that he’s a big old teddy bear. And Zu, lovable Zu who is so full of innocence and life, is simply refreshing. Combined these four truly make this character driven story what it is.
Recommend It: Most definitely YES!!
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books About Friends
(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. The above photo was taken and altered by me for the purpose of these posts. Please do not take or “borrow” without asking. Thanks!)
Hello Readers!
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday post is a fun one you guys! Today I’m talking about all the books I love that are all about friends (or if you’re me and you’ve modified this topic: all the books that feature friendship in some way or shape). Almost any book out there, I think, can be about friendship. No matter if it’s a romance novel or or a gritty contemporary novel, there’s always a best friend, a sidekick, a partner in crime.
The following books in this list are all books that I’ve read. They are all books that deal with friendship in some way or shape.
The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando & Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Shine by Lauren Myracle & Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison
Violet & Claire by Francesca Lia Block &Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins & Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares & Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
I Finally Started Reading …
Hello Readers!
A week or so ago I announced that for the month of May I would taking on a reading challenge. The challenge is to read a total of six books (that’s including one audiobook) before the month comes to a close. Today is May 18th and (obviously) I’m eighteen days into the challenge.
I’m sad to say that I’m a tad behind. By this point I hoped to be finished with Never Fade and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and at least halfway done with Emery Lord’s debut Open Road Summer.
I finished Never Fade yesterday morning. And even though it took me longer to finish than I originally expected, it was completely worth it.
I still haven’t finished The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. This is the one I’m listening to on audio. I’m really enjoying it, but because I’m listening via an unabridged audiobook I’m really only listening when I’m in the car driving. At this point I’m on the very last disc and I fully expect to finish it by mid-week.
I just started reading Open Road Summer. This is a book I’m super excited about because I have heard such great things about it. I stayed up way too late and read just over 100 pages. That’s a record for me! Even though I just started reading this, I’m hoping to really dig into this book because on Tuesday (May 20th) Miss Print and I will be going to the Books of Wonder event where Emery Lord will be signing! I’d like to have Open Road Summer done by then so I can gush about it!
I’m a wee bit behind, but even so I feel I can still make my goal!