Exploring YA Mystery/Thriller Novels

Posted April 22, 2016 / Discussions, Features / 9 Comments

I’ve recently gotten into reading some more mystery/thrillers than usual. I’m not a person who likes to be creeped out while reading, so I used to avoid them. (Notable exceptions are obviously two of my all-time favorite book series… whoops?) There’s just something fun and appealing about them lately. My Goodreads shelf is over 150 books strong for this genre, but I’ve only read a handful. So… as much as I enjoy reading them lately, I find it VERY hard to give them a strong rating. Usually this comes from a few different factors that I’ll talk about below. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve really liked quite a few too! There are some elements that I consider read-bait for me, too. Let’s chat about young adult mysteries, mmmkay?I have three main issues when I read YA mysteries. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve generally enjoyed most of the books I’m going to talk about below… but some major elements of each story just don’t work for me. It’s been obvious across a few books and I’ve noticed it a lot lately. Examples: When • Gone Too Far Arguably my biggest issue lately is that I cannot connect to the characters. The main reason I can’t connect with them is because I’m naturally suspicious of everyone. Usually I can get comfortable with the main character because, chances are, they’re not a suspect. I suspect EVERY side character of being involved (because come on, how many times has it been the best friend who […]

ARC Review: Queen of Hearts

Posted April 21, 2016 / Book Reviews / 7 Comments

This was overall an interesting retelling set in Wonderland, from the perspective of the soon-to-be Queen of Hearts, Dinah. Something happens very early in the book that still feels like a spoiler (it’s not said in the synopsis), so I won’t mention it… although it’s central to the rest of the plot. Anyways, I have mostly mixed feelings about this one? It’s kind of hard to explain this story… mostly because not much happens. I was about 60% of the way through and was able to explain the entire plot to my boyfriend within three sentences. Part of this is because it’s very info-dump-y in the beginning. There were little conversations where side characters would be explaining something to Dinah even though she already knew these random facts about Wonderland. I know these existed to cleverly explain things to the reader, but it felt SO forced. It really just read like an info-dump about the world. A lot of the early chapters involved this so the book had not a lot of action for a loooong time. Along those same lines, the pacing felt weird. The story seems to happen over the course of a year. The first scene happens, then the next chapter is six months later. Then another scene happens, and it jumps ahead a month or two. I don’t know why this was necessary because I feel like everything could have just happened in a more natural timeline? I saw Khanh’s review where she says the book feels like […]

Library Love | April

Posted April 20, 2016 / Features, Library Love, Weekly Memes / 12 Comments

I’ve been wanting to share some library hauls on the blog, since I don’t usually include them in my monthly wrap-ups. I just show the books I acquired for keeps instead of the ones I’m renting 😉 However, the library has been really fantastic lately. I go through phases where I use it A LOT and phases where I forget it exists somehow. Whenever the mood strikes, I’ll share what I’m working on from the library during any given month. [Linking up with Library Loot; details at the bottom] On Location by Jen Calonita /// I keep starting old series and then never finishing them. *eye roll emoji* I’ve been aiming to reread this series and finally finish it off. Continuing with book two! Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge /// Book Buddies pick for April with Cristina! Must read ASAP. The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry /// I was instantly attracted to this one and don’t know why I didn’t pick it up at ALA. It sounds right up my alley and the library was a good place to grab it. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury /// This has been on my TBR for a long time and I finally got it out from the library. It took forever for me to read for some reason, but I did eventually finish! Fables 1 & 2 by Bill Willingham /// I always stare longingly at this series when I visit the graphic novel section of B&N with Chris. I finally decided the library would […]

Top Ten Tuesdays #86: LOL-Worthy

Posted April 19, 2016 / Top 10 Tuesdays, Weekly Memes / 11 Comments

Ten Books That Will Make You Laugh Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make lists of our top ten books (or something else!) based on that week’s prompt. The topics are provided ahead of time and can be found here. Book links bring you to Goodreads or my review. Today we’re sharing Ten Books That Will Make You Laugh. Have I said lately how much I LOVE my new(ish) Goodreads shelves? (Yes, Lauren, you have.) I have my laughed-out-loud shelf for this very reason. Some books are funny in and of themselves, while others just have a few lines that made me chuckle to myself. Here’s a list for when you’re in the mood to laugh! 🙂 My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows • I think this book will make it on countless TTTs until everyone I know has it on their TBR. The characters and the narrator were so funny throughout this story. It was amazing. The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott • I remember loving the banter between the characters in this story! I don’t remember a lot of the reasons I laughed out loud, but I know there were a few moments that got a chuckle out of me. It’s a Wonderful Death by Sarah J. Schmitt • The main character had some nice sarcasm in this story 😉 Clearly that’s a favorite of mine. The writing was kind of cheesy at times – like some of the […]

Top 10 Favorite Contemporary Romances

Posted April 18, 2016 / Book Challenges, Book Lists, Features / 7 Comments

As you (probably don’t) know, one goal I had when starting this blog was to feature recommendation lists for people seeking new books to read within different topics. Top Ten Tuesday kind of took over for this area for me, which is perfect, but sometimes I like to create my own. The Contemporary Romance Challenge hosts a monthly topic to partake in. Past topics this year: Anticipated Early ’16 Romances • Recs for Newbies • Favorite Tropes Here’s April’s topic: Favorite Romances EVER Ummm, come on guys this is like impossible for the girl who reads 50% contemporary romance each year out of my reading total. I’m going to keep this very basic with some that I always recommend, no matter what. Sigh, the swooooons… After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid • Yep, I shipped them immediately and wished throughout the entire book that they would get back together in the end. The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase • Huge fan of this book in general, but I really loved the second chance romance element. That always gets me! Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid • Not sorry that TJR is here twice. I loved the friendship in this book even more than the romance, but I actually loved the way this ended. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins • I know that a lot of people obviously love this book (myself included) but don’t agree with how the romance happened. It just never bothered me that much and I ship Anna x […]

ARC Review: Two Summers

Posted April 15, 2016 / Book Reviews / 7 Comments

I really enjoyed this one. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting in a lot of ways, but it was a super fun and summery read. I love parallel life books SO much. Just waiting to see what happens at the end is my favorite part. You always wonder – will the two lives/paths/choices leave them to a different result? Will their life end up the same in the end? Every book has this question and I’ll admit, I haven’t read many that led to two very different outcomes. No spoilers here though. I definitely didn’t LOVE this as much as I hoped. It sounded right up my alley and I’ve enjoyed Aimee Friedman’s books in the past, so it was nice to be with her writing again. The premise is that Summer is planning to go to Paris to see her dad for the summer. She’s having second thoughts and then her phone rings with an unknown number the moment before she steps on the plane. Her life splits into two different directions – what happens when she answers, and what happens when she doesn’t. Like most parallel life books, the story alternates between the two choices and how her summer turns out. Summer in Paris vs. Summer in New York Instead of switching between the two parallel storylines every other chapter – like most books do – this one has longer “parts” so you only switch between the two a handful of times. In some ways, I liked […]

Summer Releases to Add to Your TBR

Posted April 14, 2016 / Book Lists, Features / 21 Comments

I’ve spent a lot of time so far reading May, June, and July releases really freaking early. I’ve included a few of my favorites on a TTT lately, but wanted to highlight a couple more you should keep your eye on. I love when bloggers make “save the date” style posts like Jamie and Ginger, so this is sort of a quick version of that. Here are a few books coming out in the summer (starting in May, because I can’t resist recommending MOAR BOOKS) that I’ve already read and enjoyed. BONUS: This morning I finished The Lost and Found by Katrina Leno and EVERYONE needs this book on their TBR. Magical and engrossing and so, so wonderful. Comes out July 5th!

Review: Right of First Refusal

Posted April 13, 2016 / Book Reviews / 2 Comments

Dahlia Adler has literally never let me down. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of her books (and now I have officially read ALL of them) and I can’t see it changing any time soon. This is the second in her Radleigh University NA series and I liked it even more than the first book. Every book by Dahlia is so well-rounded, covering every important topic in a young person’s life, without feeling like it’s “too much.” This book had strong friendships, romance, family issues, and – of course – a few sexytimes. Every single thing you could want in a book, really. Our main girl Cait was fierce and I fucking loved it. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted and be super intense doing what she loved: playing lacrosse. I LOVED that she prioritized it above a lot of other things, because it shows how dedicated she was. She never let anyone tell her otherwise; she didn’t care if they didn’t get it. I really loved how strong she was. Friends & family Lizzie (from book one) and Frankie (book three coming next, eeeeek) were, as usual, fantastic, supportive friends. They had Cait’s back, even when she kept things from them to protect someone else. I love their relationship so, so much. I could probably go on about it all day. Their personalities are so distinct and fleshed out. I have to say though, the best part is the constant sexual innuendos 😉 Those are my people! Her sister, Cammie, […]

Top Ten Tuesdays #85: Feminist Books

Posted April 12, 2016 / Top 10 Tuesdays, Weekly Memes / 14 Comments

Ten Books Every Feminist Should Read Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make lists of our top ten books (or something else!) based on that week’s prompt. The topics are provided ahead of time and can be found here. Book links bring you to Goodreads or my review. Today we’re sharing Ten Books Every X Should Read (up to you! Examples: every history nerd, memoir lover, ballet lover, feminist, college student, etc etc.). This is a tough one to pin down because DAMN I am into so many of these suggested topics. However, of course, one of these hits me right in the heart. Today you shall seeeee… I decided to split this into two general sections – YA novels featuring feminist themes or badass feminist main characters, and nonfiction/memoirs. I’ve enjoyed all of the works below and think that they encompass some great feminist themes and topics; they’re informative and entertaining at the same time. (If you’d like to see some thoughts on feminism in YA and slut-shaming, feel free to check out my post on the topic!) Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate • slut-shaming, pansexuality I like when books feature more than just the more common types of sexuality. I realize that the inclusion of pansexuality in this book isn’t, in and of itself, doesn’t make it a feminist book… but I just want to point it out. It’s refreshing. Anyways, this book has a main character who is pretty empowered sexually. […]

Inside & Out #24: Stefani from Caught Read Handed

Posted April 11, 2016 / Features, Inside and Out / 6 Comments

Admiring book covers and bookmarks, shared by you! Welcome to INSIDE AND OUT. This feature includes two of my absolute favorite book-related things: bookmarks (inside) and book covers (out)! I’ve invited guest posters to share their favorite book covers and bookmarks here on the second Monday of each month. Sign-ups are always open (see bottom of post)! Check out past posts here. Stefani from Caught Read Handed Twitter: @StefaniSloma| Instagram: @stefanisloma Tell me a little about yourself: Hi! My name is Stefani, and I’ve been blogging for 2 years over at Caught Read Handed. I’m a Young Adult Librarian in Mississippi, a literary agency intern, a wanderer, and a nerd. When I’ve not got my nose buried in a book, I can usually be found on the road traveling to a concert, a book event, or a place I’ve never been. Talk about your blog (what you blog about/kinds of books, features, etc.): My blog was created to talk to other people about our mutual love of books and reading. I mostly read young adult books (but also MG and picture books sometimes; as a librarian, I have to and I love it!), so my blog and its reviews really reflects this. I also talk about book to movie adaptations, the music I’ve been listening to, the road trips I go on and the book festivals I attend. My blog is me, so it’s a little bit of everything. Favorite genre: Definitely fantasy, but I’ve also gotten super into contemporary – particularly, diverse contemporary – […]