What I'm Reading

Don't Breathe A Word

One summer night in Vermont, 12-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother Sam about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.

Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam , a practical, sensible man who doesn’t fear the dark and doesn’t have bad dreams—who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly they are faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam’s hard-headed, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed and could destroy them all.

*I've been dying to read this! I won it on goodreads awhile back and it just sounds so juicy and entertaining. And so far it is. It's also a bit creepy and I can't help but only want to read it during the day, hah. It's not disapointing though!

The History of Love -Review

Title: The History of Love
Author: Nicole Krauss
Page Number: 252
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis:
     Fourteen-year-old Alma Singer is trying to find a cure for her mother's loneliness. Believing that she might discover it in an old book her mother is lovingly translating, she sets out in search of its author.

Across New York an old man named Leo Gursky is trying to survive a little bit longer. He spends his days dreaming of the lost love who, sixty years ago in Poland, inspired him to write a book. And although he doesn't know it yet, that book also survived: crossing oceans and generations, and changing lives....

                                                             (~from back of book cover)

My Review: The beginning was a bit slow for me, and I was kind of confused because Krauss just dives right into the story. And I liked that but I was still somewhat confused.

I really liked the alternating chapters, I liked reading from the point of views of other characters.

I thought the book was really beautiful and filled with soul and love. It was very charasmatic and rich with great characters. The characters really grew on you and the story of "The History of Love" itself was very interesting and poetic. I really liked Alma & Leo so much. I couldn't help but love them.

The ending really surprised me and I couldn't help but tear up and say "WHAT?"

I will be re-reading it and I recommend it!

My Rating: 5/5 -Absolutely loved it. If I ever have a daughter I want to name her Alma :3 ♥

LC'S 500 Follower Giveaway!

Waiting On Wednesday (2)

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

Release Date: October 2011

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

 *I absolutely love The Maze Runner series. So, I can't wait for The Death Cure. A little sad too, since it's the last in the series.

What I'm Reading

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

Fourteen-year-old Alma Singer is trying to find a cure for her mother's loneliness. Believing that she might discover it in an old book her mother is lovingly translating, she sets out in search of its author.

Across New York an old man named Leo Gursky is trying to survive a little bit longer. He spends his days dreaming of the lost love who, sixty years ago in Poland, inspired him to write a book. And although he doesn't know it yet, that book also survived: crossing oceans and generations, and changing lives....

(~from back of book cover)

*So far I'm really enjoying it. I've been wanting to read this for a long time now. We'll see how it goes.

Divergent by Veronica Roth -Review

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Page Number: 487
Genre: YA
Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Review:When I first heard of this book it sounded like Hunger Games meets Matched and a little of Delirium. I loved all three so I was very excited and I heard a lot of good things about it. But, I also had high expectations because I loved all three of those books so much. Luckly, my expectations were met.
So, right off the bat, it was very fast pace and steady. The world Roth created was interesting and intriguing. I think the whole factions idea was really unique.

Tris is a reliable narrator and I enjoyed reading her perspective on the world in which she lives in.
It reminded me of Matched’s, in the sense that she’s living in a world wher society has control over her life choices. Delirium in the sense that, although not much was said about it, there is a fence around all four factions and in a way the people are trapped inside, either scared of the outside, or keeping everyone on the inside.

I loved the romance. I loved Four. I loved everything about it. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book and was just so captured by it. I love it so so much.

Will Insurgent come out already?!


And I definitly recommend this to fans of The Hunger Games, Matched, and Delirium!


My Rating: 5/5 -I loved it very much.  Especially Four ♥

What I'm Reading

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

~So far, I am loving it ♥

Waiting On Wednesday -Crossed by Ally Condie

Hosted by: Jill at Breaking the Spine

Crossed by Ally Condie

Synopsis: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

*I absolutely loved and adored Matched and Ky. I cannot wait for Crossed, one of my favorite series already!

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer -Review

Title: Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga #4)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Page Number: 752
Genre: YA
Synopsis: In Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final installment in the series, Bella’s story plays out in some unexpected ways. The ongoing conflicts that made this series so compelling--a human girl in love with a vampire, a werewolf in love with a human girl, the generations-long feud between werewolves and vampires--resolve pretty quickly, apparently so that Meyer could focus on Bella’s latest opportunity for self-sacrifice: giving her life for someone she loves even more than Edward. How close she comes to actually making that sacrifice is questionable, which is a big shift from the earlier books. Even though you knew Bella would make it through somehow, the threats to her life, and to her relationship with Edward, had previously always felt real. It’s as if Meyer was afraid of hurting her characters too much, which is unfortunate, because the pain Bella suffered at losing Edward in New Moon, and the pain Jacob suffered at losing Bella again and again, are the fire and the heart that drive the whole series. Diehard fans will stick with Bella, Edward, and Jacob for as many twists and turns as possible, but after most of the characters get what they want with little sacrifice, some readers may have a harder time caring what happens next (~via Amazon.com)

My Review: **(WARNING: If you have not read the book and don't want it to be ruined for you, do NOT read the review, please.) 
In this last installment of the Twilight Saga, Bella is now Mrs. Cullen..and so begins a huge  rollercoaster afterward.
Bella becomes pregnant with a half-human, half-vampire and it's killing her. Jacob leaves his pack and Seth and Leah join him. Once, Renesmee is born Jacob catches a glimpse of her and becomes Imprinted. Renesmee is growing quickly and soon is walking and talking. She has a special power as well. And Bella learns she is a shield. A protector of sorts. Irina, having been furious with the outcome of her beloved Laurent, sees Renesmee on a hunting trip Bella is on and rushes to the Volturi. Alice forsees their arrival and they quickly get things prepared for what they see as a battle, a suicide mission..

~deep breathes~ As always, I feel like the pacing of these books is very slow. Out of all four books this one is both the best and most disapointing.
Best because the reader got two sides of a story. Jacob and Bella's. I found Jacob a bit more entertaining but I could never grasp the whole reason as to why he loved Bella. Neither shape-shifter nor vampire ever really explained why they loved Bella. Obviously, Edwards reason was the irristable bloodlust he felt toward her..Jacob on the other hand was a bit more different, I'd say he only loved her because it was a way to irritate Edward.

and worst, because of the ending..

The ending was the most anti-climactic ending I've ever read. So much was wasted in everything the vampires were preparing, I felt like I wasted hours reading the last half, when in the end there was only ONE person who could change the mind of the Volutri and it happened in less than five minutes.
The Volturi were gone and everything was to be forgotten. The Cullens and their friends did not die and there was no battle. I was excited for this battle. I wanted the battle to happen. I was actually rooting for Bella for once. I wanted the Volturi dead and Vladimir and Stefan back in power, but to my disapointment that did not happen. I even wanted Bella and Edward to die. Have Renesmee and Jacob take off and live their lives the way it should have been intended. The biggest sacrifice Bella could have done. I felt that if that ending occured, the books would have had a bigger meanging. Instead, it just seemed rushed.

All in all, I didn't like the series. No moral, no theme, no leason learned.
Nothing.
Disappointment.

I'm going to go read Harry Potter now..

My Rating: 2/5 -It was alright, even if it wasn't for me.

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My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult -Review

Title: My Sister's Keeper
Author: Jodi Picoult
Page Number: 423
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now.

Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life… even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? (~via Jodi Picoult's website)

My Review: I've been dying to read this novel since I first saw the movie! I heard a lot of people who were fans of the novel were very disappointed with the movie version, but what fan base isn't at one point when a book they love is turned into a film. But, I understood their disappointment once I had finished the book and tried to watch the movie again. A lot of things were changed and I actually didn't like the ending.
Back to the book though! I thought it was absolutely amazing. The characters are well written and very realistic. Aside from the obvious problem they faced there were others as well and I thought it was portrayed very well. Not cheesey and unrealistic.

Picoult did a wonderful job with the writing. It was very poetic and unique. There was not a point while reading that I was bored, but I was very anxious to see how the outcome of the novel would be.

I really liked the alternating chapters. I really got to know the characters well and I enjoyed the backstories they had.

                  Overall, I really loved and enjoyed the novel and I recommend it to anyone!

My Rating: 5/5 -FAVORITE ♥

From Breaking Dawn

So, I am currently reading Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer and although I think the Saga is quite horrendous, I just couldn't get over how great this chapter title was!

"What do I look like? The Wizard of OZ? You need a brain? You need a heart? Go ahead. Take mine. Take everything I have."
-photo credit: me!

Books patiently waiting to be devoured ;3

 

 

For quite some time now I've had around 8 books on my book shelf waiting to be read. I've been so occupied and determinded to finish reading the Twilight Saga that I have yet to start reading them!

• The Year We Left Home - Jean Thompson - ARC
• Don't Breathe A Word - Jennifer McMahon
• Graveminder - Melissa Marr - ARC
• The History of Love - Nicole Krauss
• The Girl in the Blue Beret - Bobbie Anne Mason - ARC
• Dominance - Will Lavender - ARC
• Divergent - Veronica Roth
• The Mistress's Revenge - Tamar Cohen - ARC

Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer -Review

Title: Eclipse (Twilight Saga Book Three)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Page Number: 629
Genre: YA
Synopsis: As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob —- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? (~Goodreads.com)

My Review: I must admit now, that the movie version is better than the book. I mean I think it was at least a bit more entertaining. Here, now Bella is torn between Jacob and Edward. What is wrong with this girl? Can’t she just like someone normal? Someone HUMAN. She loves both a werewolf and vampire. Someone too hot, someone too cold. Personally, I like my men at room temperature..and human. And once again, Bella is more annoying, stubborn and naive. You’d think getting older, going through a crap load of things that other people have never been through would make this girl grow mature and stable, but no. Bella is a different type of human. She is over emotional, a drama queen and needs to grow up.
Second confession, though, she is a bit more likeable in the novel than the movie, I only say this because, Kristen Stewart can’t act and has no emotion whatsoever. But, that doesn’t change Bella and her annoying, stubborn attitude toward everything. *Double Sigh* I’m glad I have finally reached the final chapter in the series, I can’t wait to read better crafted novels. Opinions?

My Rating: 2/5 -It Was Okay

New Moon By Stephanie Meyer -Review

Title: New Moon (Twilight Saga Book Two)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Page Number: 608
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step. Vampire fans will appreciate the subsequently dour mood that permeates the novel, and it’s not until Bella befriends Jacob, a sophomore from her school with a penchant for motorcycles, that both the pace and her disposition begin to take off. Their adventures are wild, dare-devilish, and teeter on the brink of romance, but memories of Edward pervade Bella’s emotions, and soon their fun quickly morphs into danger, especially when she uncovers the true identities of Jacob and his pack of friends. (~Amazon.com)

My Review: I feel like the books just get worst and worst each time I get to the next one.
In this installment of the Twilight Saga, Bella is heartbroken and miserable because her beloved vampire boyfriend leaves in an attempt to keep her safe. She ends up going to new werewolf Jacob Black for company and friendship. And that pretty much sums it all up.
 Bella is naive and annoying and I can’t stand her. She has to be the most annoying protagonist in Literary history. The book was boring, Bella is boring and I was happy to finish it. Honestly, what in the world is the moral of this book? Goodness, this book is so bad (just as bad, possibly worst than the movie) and I don’t understand how ANYONE could ever compare these to books as Harry Potter or Hunger Games, THOSE are amazing, have morals and themes and is not full of crap about some boring, annoying, naive girl who falls in love with a gorgeous guy who happens to be a vampire and wants nothing more in the world than to be with him. I just can’t stand her or him. OR Jacob. I mean the love that those two boys have doesnt' even seem realistic. It’s so damn corny and cheesey.
 *SIGH* I hope to finish the series very soon.

My Rating: 1/5 -Didn't Like

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel -Review

Title: Dearly Departed (ARC- Book One)
Author: Lia Habel
Page Number: 483
Genre: YA
Synopsis: The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble … and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

My Review: From the very first page, I was sucked into a vivid, incredible world.
The setting is amazing and with every page, chapter, I was reading I couldn't help but feel like I was actually there with the characters living out everything they were. I felt like I was watching a movie.
Everything about it stuck. Habel, is a debut author and she does not disappoint. Her writting is magnificent. I could not but this book down.
In ways, it is very different from anything that you've read or see or heard about zombies. Habel did her research and it shows in her writing and story.
I am just at a loss for words. I cannot express how much I absolutely loved and adored this book. I very much recommend it!

My Rating: 5/5 -FAVORITE♥

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer -Review

Title: Twilight (Book One)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Page Number: 544
Genre: YA
Synopsis: When Bella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to Forks, Washington, a damp and dreary town known for the most rainfall in the United States, to live with her dad, she isnt expecting to like it. But the level of hostility displayed by her standoffish high school biology lab partner, Edward Cullen, surprises her. After several strange interactions, his preternatural beauty, strength, and speed have her intrigued. Edward is just as fascinated with Bella, and their attraction to one another grows. As Bella discovers more about Edwards nature and his family, she is thrown headlong into a dangerous adventure that has her making a desperate sacrifice to save her one true love. One of the more original vampire constructs around, this recording of Stephenie Meyers debut novel (Megan Tingley Books, 2005) is narrated with great style by Ilyana Kadushin, who makes the infinitely romantic tale of star-crossed lovers resonate with a bittersweet edge. Although Edward and Bellas romance and subsequent danger develops slowly, the pacing is appropriate for teens who want learn all the details in this suspenseful tale.


My Review: Goodness, I don’t think I ever thought that I would have accually end up reading this book. Ya know what? I wouldn’t even call it a book or novel. Books and Novels have reasonable morals and themes to them. Twlight’s moral and theme was “Fall inlove with a hot guy and that’s all that matters for the rest of your life.” Honestly, in ways it was even worst than the movie. I mean, at least in the movie I didn’t know exactly how fully obsessed Bella was. I think Meyer has potential, I mean she showed it in The Host, and that was a great but overly descriptive novel. I plan on finishing the saga, I’m on the 3rd and so far, they are all alike. Bella obsessing over some guy who just happens to be a vampire, her best friend is a werewolfe who loves her and she’s naive and the “villians” haven’t got anything on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.


My Rating: 2/5 -It Was OK

From Flickr: Nicole

By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Title: By The Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Page Number: 200
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Daelyn’s been the victim of bullying throughout her life and now she’s simply counting down the days until she can commit her final act on Earth. It’s destiny that she finds a Web site to help her in her quest. She has the motive, the means, and the determination. Then she meets this boy, Santana, who makes her examine her choice of death over life. But is he too late to save her? And is she too damaged to save him? (~Author website.)

My Review: I knew even before I started reading that I would love this book. The cover is gorgeous and the concept and plot caught my interest. I must say when I first bought it I was a bit skeptical though, since it’s such a short book!
From the very first page Daelyn knows what she wants and is determinded to make it happen. She wants to die. She is very independent and strong, but she is also weak. She is a girl who has been tormented almost all her life and has finally given up. When Santana enters her life she thinks he won’t make a difference, but he does. Very Slowly.
I personally loved Santana, he was adorable! And his story is tragic but his humor covers up for it. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I just want to say I was terribly sad when it ended. It was too short and I wish it was longer and that the end wasn’t rushed. All in All, it is now one of my very favorite books.

My Rating: 5/5 -Favorite ♥

Delirium by Lauren Oliver -Review

Title: Delirium (Book One)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Page Number: 448
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Lena Haloway is content in her safe, government-managed society. She feels (mostly) relaxed about the future in which her husband and career will be decided, and looks forward to turning 18, when she’ll be cured of deliria, a.k.a. love. She tries not to think about her mother’s suicide (her last words to Lena were a forbidden “I love you”) or the supposed “Invalid” community made up of the uncured just beyond her Portland, Maine, border. There’s no real point—she believes her government knows how to best protect its people, and should do so at any cost. But 95 days before her cure, Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot. As their romance blossoms, Lena begins to doubt the intentions of those in power, and fears that her world will turn gray should she submit to the procedure. In this powerful and beautifully written novel, Lauren Oliver, the bestselling author of Before I Fall, throws readers into a tightly controlled society where options don’t exist, and shows not only the lengths one will go for a chance at freedom, but also the true meaning of sacrifice. (~Amazon.com)

My Review:
The beginning was a bit slow for me, but gradually I began to love the book. I couldn't put it down!

I really liked that Lauren Oliver didn’t initually rush the relationship between Lena and Alex. It was gradual and steady and in a sense more realistic and not cheesey. I wasn’t sure if by the end I was going to like it, but I was wrong, Oliver didn’t disapoint and I really enjoyed it.
Her writing is so strong and deep, very beautiful and it has a nice flow.
In a way the book itself and the society is very depressing. Living in fear of falling in love, fearing hurt and pain. Falling in love before the age of 18 and then getting “cured” and losing most of those memories, numbing the feelings, it’s quite depressing, but I enjoyed the story and everything about it that I didn't mind it at all.

The ending really got me, I wasn't sure what to feel. Relief, sadness, excitment, happiness, fear?
I just can't wait to read the 2nd and see what happens next!


My Rating: 4/5 -Really Liked It

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks -Review

Title: The Last Song
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Page Number: 406
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Seventeen year old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father…until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels—first love, love between parents and children (~Amazon.com)

My Review: I thought the pacing of the book was very slow. I didn’t really like Ronnie, she grew very little on me. She developed as a character very little and I felt like it was all very predictable. The only character I really enjoyed was her little brother Jonah. He made the novel A BIT more enjoyable. I must admit I saw the movie before hand, and I didn’t like it very much either. I read it because a good friend of my loves Miley and reccommended. But I DO NOT reccomend it. I’ve read plenty better books. I thought the romance happened way too quickly and it wasn’t very real. I also thought Nicholas Sparks writing was very amatuer and first-time-author-esqu. It was the first of his novels I’ve read and it will be the last. I didn’t like his writing at all. And I will just stick to the movies instead.

My Rating: 1/5 -Didn't Like It

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger -Review

 

Title: The Time Traveler’s Wife
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Page Number: 546
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: On the surface, Henry and Clare Detamble are a normal couple living in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Henry works at the Newberry Library and Clare creates abstract paper art, but the cruel reality is that Henry is a prisoner of time. It sweeps him back and forth at its leisure, from the present to the past, with no regard for where he is or what he is doing. It drops him naked and vulnerable into another decade, wearing an age-appropriate face. In fact, it’s not unusual for Henry to run into the other Henry and help him out of a jam. Sound unusual? Imagine Clare Detamble’s astonishment at seeing Henry dropped stark naked into her parents’ meadow when she was only six. Though, of course, until she came of age, Henry was always the perfect gentleman and gave young Clare nothing but his friendship as he dropped in and out of her life. (~Amazon.com)

My Review: I was actually pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book. I got a couple pages in and knew I would really enjoy it. It definitely gives you the missing puzzles pieces you can’t find when watching the film and ulimately I thought the film was disappointing compared to the book.

Henry and Clare’s relationship is just so lustful and filled with love it’s hard not to ship them till the end. They are perfect for each other and Niffenegger is an amazing writer. Her words are poetic and deep and meaningful. This book is just so beautiful. There are some reviews I’ve read bashing the book from the core but I don’t understand how such a poetic, beautifully written novel COULDN’T be praised. I cannot express in words how amazing this book was and it might just be my favorite book of all time.

My Rating: 5/5 -Favorite ♥

                               Made by: -peetas“It was all for the Games. How you acted.”

From The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor

                 From Flickr: mysunshinesallaround

From: Guilia “My nightmares are usually about losing you. I’m okay once I realize you’re here.” Quote from Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Pic made by me.

Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge -Review

Title: Stoner & Spaz

Author: Ron Koertge
Page Number: 169
Genre: YA
Synopsis: For sixteen year old Ben Bancroft-a kid with cerebral palsy, no parents, and an overprotective grandmother-the closest thing to happiness is hunkering alone in the back of the Rialto Theatre, watching Bride of Frankenstein for the umpteenth time. Of course, the last thing he wants is to run into someone like drugged-out Collen Minou, resplendent in ripped tights, neon miniskirt, and an impressive array of tattoos. But when Colleen climbs into the seat beside him and rests a woozy head on his shoulder, Ben has that unmistakable feeling that his life is about to change. (~via Book Cover)

My Review: Wow. This book was absolutely amazing... and short. I desperately wish it was at least 100 pages longer, I just couldn't get enough of it. Of Ben. Ben is very humourous and a very enjoyable character. Koertge did a very good job. His characters are very well written and I just wish it was longer!

Goodness this was an amazing book and I recommend it to anyone. ANYONE.

Rating: 5/5 -Favorite♥

The Host by Stephanie Meyer -Review

Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Page Number: 619 (excluding bonus chapter)
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading “soul” who occupies Melanie’s body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
As Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visisons of Jared, a human who has avoided invasion and lives hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she’s never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies-set off to search for the man they both love.
Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human. (~via Book Cover)

My Review: I was pretty hesitant about reading The Host since Meyer is the author of one of the most popular Sagas out there and I hadn't read Twilight at the time. I just didn't want to be disapointed because although I hadn't read Twilight, (only the first 4 pages, and didn't like it!) I had low expectations. But, a friend of mine recommended it to me and I was like "Why not?" She told me the first half was very boring, but I actually quite liked it. I wasn't bored at all. I was enjoying it a lot more than I imagined I would.

Wanderer is a very interesting and unique character. I really liked her and I was rooting for her the whole way. I wanted her to have the life she deserved. Melanie on the other had was very bossy, and infuriating. She was in her own ways, naive and weak. The rest of the characters were very well written and I fell inlove with Ian. Jared though, was much like Melanie, which is why I didn't like him a whole lot.

In the end, it took me two whole weeks to finish this book (the longest it was ever taken me to finish a book!) and I was very happy at the outcome. I enjoyed it very much. It's not for everyone, but I liked it. I wouldn't read it twice though. It's one of those, "one time only" kind of books. It's overly descriptive, which is my only problem.

Rating: 4/5 -Really Liked It

Stolen By Lucy Christopher -Review

Title: Stolen
Author: Lucy Christopher
Page Number: 299
Genre: YA
Synopsis:A girl: Gemma, at the airport, on her way to a family vacation.
A guy: Ty, rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar, eyes blue as ice.
She steps away. For just a second. He pays for her drink. And drugs it.
He takes her, before she even knows what’s happening. To sand and heat.
To emptiness and isolation. To nowhere. And expects her to love him.
Written as a letter from a victim to her captor, this is Gemma’s desperate story of
survival. Ty has Stolen her body. Against every instinct screaming inside her,
will he also steal Gemma’s heart? (~via Book Cover)

My Review: For starters, I have to say this book isn't for everyone. I mean when I first looked into it I really thought it was going to be one of those rape-survivor types, but it definitely wasn't. In ways it was so much more than that. You really got to know Gemma and Ty. Ty is someone you don't expect. He's kind and creepy, but generous and mysterious. Gemma gives you glimpes of Ty, but you just want to know more about him. He's very mysterious and alluring.
I think Christopher wrote a very intriguing book and it's very different from the books I have read. Different from most YA novels. It's very poetic and Gemma is reliable narrator. Although, it does get a bit boring with all the descriptions I think it was very poetic and vivid. I look forward to more of Christopher's work.


Rating: 5/5 -Favorite ♥

If I Stay by Gayle Forman -Review

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Page Number: 234 (excluding book guide,FAQ,&Behind the Scenes)
Genre: YA
Synopsis: Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in a instant, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left-the most important decision she’ll ever make. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving. (~via Book Cover)

My Review: Some people would say it's paranormal, and can be related to The Lovely Bones. But, I thought it was an amazing novel, and it should be compared on it's own.

Mia loves to play the cello and has an amazing rocker boyfriend, with a wacky, adorable family. In the first couple of pages you know that this family is special and unique. The reader is being transported into Mia's life and memories and it's not hard to feel for her. She is just like you and me. She's young and naive and makes mistakes, so when she's reliving memories of her family, friends, boyfriend, you can't help but root for her the whole way. You want her to make it, you want her to live.

This book definitely captured my heart and I sobbed like a baby even though, me, who loves to explore and look through the book even before I read it, knows how it ended. I most definitely recommend this book to anyone!

Rating: 5/5 -FAVORITE ♥

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare -Review

Title: City of Bones (Book One)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Page Number: 485 (excluding Book 2 preview)
Genre: YA
Synopsis: “When Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings. This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons-and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. It’s also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden-haired Jace. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in an ordinary mundane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…” (~via Book Cover)

My Review: The whole world Clare created is very intriguing and I loved it. I think it was very interesting and nothing like, what I have read before. It has a lot of potential. My biggest problem however was the main character, Clary. I thought she was very annoying, and naive. If I wasn't one of those people who just HAS to finish a book, then I would of stopped reading because I couldn't stand her. I wanted to shake her by the shoulders because she was annoying me so much. Some of the choices she's made or just because she was so plain naive got me very upset with her.
To sum it up, I quite enjoyed the other characters and am looking forward to the next couple of books.


Rating: 3/5 -Liked it