30 Day Book Challenge – Day 6

Posted August 6, 2014 / Book Challenges / 0 Comments

A Book that Broke Your Heart The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini This is the kind of book that I would normally never pick up on my own, but I’m so glad I ended up reading it. I think it was some kind of requirement or option to read it in high school. It was the same year that the movie came out, and both made me cry like a fool. Judging by most reviews of this one, I’m not alone in thinking that this novel is utterly heartbreaking. It tugs on the heartstrings like no other. The Kite Runner is the story of how Amir goes back and tries to right his wrongs, especially those against his only friend Hassan. I specifically remember a scene where Hassan is being tormented by some boys and Amir does nothing to help them, which was the most heartbreaking (for me) of all. This is a book that everyone should read – but be prepared for it to stay with you for a very long time. I’ve hesitated to read his other books because of how this one made me feel. This was his debut novel; how could he ever follow it up!?

WWW Wednesdays #3

Posted August 6, 2014 / Weekly Memes, WWW Wednesdays / 3 Comments

What are you currently reading? I just started If I Stay by Gayle Forman last night. It’s been sitting in my office for a few weeks since my coworker let me borrow it. I’ve been caught up in the Isla is Coming readalong and the two ARCS I wanted to review, so it’s been hanging out on my windowsill for a while. From what I’ve gathered, it’s a pretty quick read. The Lola readalong starts tomorrow, so I hope I finish If I Stay by the weekend to keep on pace with everything! So many books, too little time. I’m also so close to being done with my Since You’ve Been Gone (Morgan Matson) audiobook. I’m too cheap to buy another one so I’ll be anxiously awaiting the arrival of my next Audible credit. What did you recently finish reading? I just finished Aspen by Rebekah Crane yesterday. That book totally exceeded my expectations. Before that, I finished my other ARC, Can’t Look Away by Donna Cooner. I expected to like that one more than Aspen, but it was a little more predictable than I was hoping. I liked that both books were really unique and featured topics and characters unlike other books I’ve ever read. I’d highly recommend them both! What do you think you’ll read next? Besides Lola and the Boy Next Door for the readalong, I’ll probably read Where She Went by Gayle Forman (assuming I like If I Stay!) Everyone loved it, so I’m sure I will too, but […]

ARC Review: Aspen

Posted August 6, 2014 / Book Reviews / 6 Comments

Review: This book was definitely not what I was expecting. Based on the synopsis, I thought I was going to get something more paranormal. I figured Katelyn’s ghost would be talking to Aspen and trying to live her senior year vicariously through Aspen, since she wouldn’t get the chance. In reality, Katelyn’s ghost would just appear as a figment of Aspen’s imagination until she came to terms with what she’d done. What a great read this book was! I loved all of the characters, the plot moved flawlessly, and it was wrapped up in a way better than I expected. Aspen was a totally normal girl: she had weird friends and hair she hated. She made mistakes. Her mother, the pot-smoking hippie with a boyfriends coming through a revolving door, was awesome. I was totally fascinated by their mother-daughter relationship, because it was pretty much the reverse of what it would normally be. My mom would never encourage me to have sex or say things like “a little sex would put a smile back on that face” and “orgasms make you live longer too.” It was a really cool dynamic that worked in some ways and need help in others. Her friends, Kim and Cass, totally loved each other but would never admit it. I was hoping for a little more about them when the book ended, but it didn’t bother me too much. Katelyn’s former best friend, Suzy, and boyfriend, Ben, are suddenly in Aspen’s life too. One thing that […]

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon

Posted August 5, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 1 Comment

I’ve joined another challenge – the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon! The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team This challenge is all about reading more books than you normally would in a week. I’m actually planning on taking a few vacation days that week, so I’m really hoping to spend some time reading on the beach and beating my usual records! Lately I’ve been reading a book every 2-3 days, but previously I could/would read a book per week (or even longer, depending on my plans for the week!) My goal for this challenge: Read 7 books in one week

30 Day Book Challenge – Day 5

Posted August 5, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 0 Comments

A Book That Makes You Happy Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Despite the fact that I just finished this book a few days ago, this is the first one that came to mind when I thought of books that made me happy. I smiled like a lunatic at the sheer cuteness that happened on every page of this book. It was a fairly standard young adult romance with some predictable pieces, but it was exactly what I expected – in the best way possible. When I saw people doing the #IslaIsComing readalong, I decided to join in because so many bloggers were raving about how adorable the series is. This book should be the poster child for all young adult authors.

Top Ten Tuesdays #2: Recs for YA Virgins

Posted August 5, 2014 / Top 10 Tuesdays, Weekly Memes / 9 Comments

Top 10 Books I’d Give to Adult Readers Who Have Never Read Young Adult Don’t even get me started on the age-related stigma placed on young adult books. The bottom line is, you should read whatever makes you happy! I prefer reading about younger characters and putting myself back at that age. I like books I can relate my own experiences to – even if those experiences happened a few years ago. Reading “adult” books makes me think of the future, getting older, and other problems I don’t want to deal with at this stage in my life. I’m sure at some point, once I’m older, I’ll branch out a little more.. In the meantime, here are the top 10 young adult books I would recommend to adults (or adult books with younger characters growing up)! Looking for Alaska by John Green: This is my all-time favorite book, and definitely John Green’s best work. Readers of all ages can connect to this story and appreciate all of the character development and thought that he put into it. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen: I recommended Sarah Dessen to a friend who wasn’t into young adult books, and now she is completely hooked! This story was a gateway drug for her into the world of YA. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: I always call this a modern-day Catcher in the Rye. Any adult reader who enjoyed that book, will enjoy Perks. After you finish the book, watch the […]

30 Day Book Challenge – Day 4

Posted August 4, 2014 / Book Challenges, Features / 2 Comments

Worst Film Adaptation Of A Book My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Oh goodness. Both the book and movie versions made me cry like a crazy person. However, I was definitely not okay with the film adaptation of this at all. Throughout the movie, I picked up on little changes here and there that diverted from the book’s plot. Granted, I had read the book years earlier and didn’t remember too much, but I still could tell it was different. The biggest issue of all was the effing ENDING! What was that?? How can you make a movie based on a book and give it a completely different ending?! I don’t want to spoil anything here, in case you haven’t read it or seen it, but seriously that was ridiculous. Here’s the Wikipedia page that lists the changes (including the major ending change – so beware of spoilers!) Even Jodi Picoult was adamant that they not change the ending, but it was done anyways. How do directors/producers/writers get away with that?! If someone was making a movie of my book, I’d be on set every day hooting and hollering and ensuring the plot stayed intact.

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 […]