Musing Mondays #2

Posted August 4, 2014 / Musing Mondays, Weekly Memes / 0 Comments

I’m doing two prompts for this week’s Musing Mondays because I feel like my “currently reading” response will lead into a rambling about something else! I barely started this book; it just sparked some thoughts. “Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it” combined with “Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!” I just started reading Aspen by Rebekah Crane (click on the cover for the Goodreads page; thanks In This Together Media for the e-arc!). I’m actually only a few pages in at this point so I can’t answer much for the first question. I like it so far; the main character seems really interesting/different. The concept of the plot really intrigued me, so it was a nice bonus that I was able to immediately get the e-book for this one. Quick summary: Aspen is involved in an accident that kills a popular girl at her school. The ghost of Katelyn follows her around through her senior year. Lately, I’ve been really interested in paranormal (or semi-paranormal) books that deal with death and the afterlife. Some recent books that dealt with this issue were Can’t Look Away and Before I Fall (click the links to see my reviews – both books were great reads). I’m not sure where this morbid interest came from, but I’ve been finding that a […]

ARC Review: Can’t Look Away

Posted August 4, 2014 / Book Reviews / 5 Comments

Review: This book definitely hit me harder than expected. Based on the synopsis, I could tell I was going to possibly get misty while reading this one. My sister is about the same age as Torrey’s sister in this book, so I had a feeling I would be projecting some of the traits of their relationship onto my own with my sister. Nonetheless, I was intrigued by the topic of this book. Beauty vloggers are a newer trend and something that I watch pretty frequently on YouTube. Comments and criticism run rampant online, because it’s so much easier to talk negatively about someone through a screen instead of face to face. When Torrey’s sister dies, some followers offer words of sympathy while others blame her for the circumstances of Miranda’s death. Torrey is forced to move with her family from Colorado to Texas because they all need a fresh start, but her online fame follows her to her new school. Throughout the book, Torrey reflects on memories of Miranda and wonders “if only” about every event from that fateful day. If only she hadn’t rushed her during breakfast; if only she hadn’t forced her to come with her at all; if only, if only. The guilt she was feeling throughout the majority of the book made me so sad for her and her family. When you read a story like this, you start to reflect on your own life. I would think of my little sister and start to regret the times I […]

Random Bookish Thoughts #1

Posted August 3, 2014 / Discussions, Other Memes / 0 Comments

Week of 7/28/14 As I blog more and more, I’m constantly thinking of little things throughout the week that I wish I could tie in somewhere into my blog. I don’t want to go crazy with too many posts, especially if it’s just one little thought that popped into my head. I’ve decided to start up a little weekly feature of my own… It’ll just be a way to put down my thoughts throughout the week and then post it every Sunday. I can’t believe I got my first advanced copy approved through NetGalley! Yes, I already posted about this but seriously I’m so happy – it’s worth mentioning again. I’ve been noticing Before I Fall on a lot of blogs lately, being recognized by both bloggers and famous authors. This book is so great; I’m really glad it’s been getting praise! If you haven’t read it yet, DO IT. (Book is by Lauren Oliver) Jesus Christ why didn’t I read Gone Girl sooner?? What a book. I’m listening to an audiobook after I told myself I wouldn’t… and I’m having the same experiences I’m having before. Maybe this deserves a post of it’s own, but I just can’t get into audiobooks. I absolutely LOVE the idea of them – “reading” wherever you go (especially while driving and getting ready in the morning), but the narrator’s voice totally affects my thoughts on the characters. I don’t know why; I just can’t separate it. I’m going to keep trying though because I […]

30 Day Book Challenge – Day 3

Posted August 3, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 0 Comments

Your Favorite Series Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard I already used Harry Potter, so here’s a (very different) close second. I’ve been reading these since the year they started coming out – long before the show was even thought of. She was first only going to write 8, I believe, then decided to have 16 in the actual series plus two bonus books (a prequel and one covering their winter vacation). Whenever a new PLL book was released, I would read it immediately and finish within two days. I’m currently anxiously awaiting the final book, Vicious, which will come out in December of this year. People say the books have gone downhill since about halfway through the series, but I have been intrigued and engaged the entire time. If you like the show, I would definitely recommend reading these. The plot of the series is VERY different from the show, so you won’t get the two easily confused.

Isla Is Coming Readalong / Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Posted August 2, 2014 / Book Challenges, Book Reviews, Features / 5 Comments

The Isla Is Coming readalong kicked off on the last day of July and I decided to take part! Unlike most people participating, I’m reading the series for the first time. (Click on the picture on the right to read the informational post). I started reading Anna and the French Kiss on Friday, when the readalong started, and I basically haven’t stopped it reading since. I just finished the book (WAY too early!) and now I’m going to wait another few days before starting Lola and the Boy Next Door with the rest of the readers. It’ll be hard to resist but I really want to keep pace with the readalong. Of course, the point of the readalong is to gear up for the third book’s release – Isla and the Happily Ever After on the 14th. Judging by how much I absolutely loved the first book, I’m sure I’ll really enjoy the next two in this totally adorable trilogy. So now here’s my review for the first book in the Isla Is Coming readalong! Review: This is exactly what I’m looking for when I read a young adult romance. All YA authors should read this book before writing one of their own. I feel like I smiled to myself like an idiot throughout the whole book; it was just so damn cute. Anna was one of the most relatable characters I’ve encountered. Her experiences completely mirror those of the average teenage girl: getting screwed over by a best friend, falling for a boy […]

30 Day Book Challenge – Day 2

Posted August 2, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features, Uncategorized / 0 Comments

A Book That You’ve Read Again And Again The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Okay so I haven’t technically read this over and over again. I don’t like to reread books, as I’ve said before, because I feel like there are so many books out there I would never get to if I kept rereading my favorites. However, this is one book I fully intend on reading repeatedly throughout my life. I borrowed it from the library back in middle school and loved every second of it. Since then, I’ve purchased it for my kindle to have for future readings. I think sometime within the next few months I’ll read this one again, since I recently saw the movie and was inspired to. For me, this is a modern-day version of The Catcher in the Rye.

Review: Class of ’98

Posted August 2, 2014 / Book Reviews / 4 Comments

Review: What a great plot concept this book has. I am totally smitten with this book and sort of in love with Matt. As you can tell from the synopsis, Jackie and Matt (who were essentially opposites in high school) are sent back in time from their reunion to their senior year. They have to work together to get back to the present…. and that includes bringing back some painful memories. Jackie and Matt are forced back into their high school relationships: with the boyfriend who cheated, the best friend who ruined her relationship, and the girlfriend who becomes an ex-wife. Throughout the book, Jackie is hyper-concerned about messing up her adult life. Even though she is pretty unhappy where she is, she doesn’t want to risk impacting her future as well as those around her. Matt, who naturally develops feelings for Jackie, doesn’t care what happens. Their relationship took some interesting turns throughout the story, which I really enjoyed watching. At times, Jackie could be a little annoying with her incessant need to keep everything the same and, as a result, treat Matt like garbage. A.L. Player did a great job writing this ; the style is humorous and light. I’m pretty sure I read this book in 24 hours. It has elements of young adult fiction as well as adult fiction (and not just because the characters are both young adult and adult age in the book). Once you are introduced to Jackie as a teenager and the events that […]

30 Day Book Challenge – Day 1

Posted August 1, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 2 Comments

A Book You Wish You Could Live In Harry Potter books by JK Rowling

Friday Finds #2

Posted August 1, 2014 / Friday Finds, Weekly Memes / 14 Comments

Here are the books I’ve added to my to-read shelf! Some of them are not released yet but I’m dying to check them out. Click on the cover image to check out the Goodreads page for it. The Girl Who Never Was by Skylar Dorset A girl who discovers she’s a faerie princess? Sign me up! The middle schooler in me is screaming right now. One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington This girl lives two lives – she spends 24 hours in one then spends the next 24 in a different one. Sounds so fascinating. Dissonance by Erica O’Rourke I can’t stress enough how much I’m obsessed with the idea that every decision we make creates an alternate universe. I hope this book lives up to the pedestal I’m putting it on! Every Ugly Word by Aimee Salter The 23 year old version of Ashley talks the 17 year old version through the bullying and heartbreak she’s going to experience in high school. There seems to be a cool element of mystery to this book too, as the older Ashley is hiding a secret. Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke This book is like a fairy tale story told from the other side: the stepsisters. Plus the cover is super cute. I’m trying so hard to get an advanced copy of this one! Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot I love books about girls going to ritzy schools and making cool/famous friends. This sounds right up my alley.

30 Day Book Challenge

Posted August 1, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 4 Comments

For the month of August, since it’ll be the first full month I’ll have my blog, I’m going to do the 30 Day Book Challenge (which I found over at The Reader’s Roost). You’ll be able to learn a little more about me and some of the books I’ve read long before this blog got started. Comment with links to your challenge if you decide to join me for the month! Day 01 – A Book You Wish You Could Live In [Harry Potter] Day 02 – A Book That You’ve Read Again And Again [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] Day 03 – Your Favourite Series [Pretty Little Liars] Day 04 – Worst Film Adaptation Of A Book [My Sister’s Keeper] Day 05 – A Book That Makes You Happy [Anna and the French Kiss] Day 06 – A Book that Broke Your Heart [The Kite Runner] Day 07 – Most underrated Book [Class of 98] Day 08 – Most Overrated Book [We Were Liars] Day 09 – A Book You Thought You Wouldn’t Like But Ended Up Loving [Beyond Belief] Day 10 – Favourite Classic Book [The Catcher in the Rye]