TBR Tuesday: 7.28.15

A Wicked Thing

Busy, busy, busy

Things have been crazy busy around here, which is why I haven't been able to update in a while. Friends from Germany visiting, girls' day at Disney World (ALL day, YEAH!), and surgery (ick!). Not to mention, I've been in a bit of a reading slump. Almost every book I picked up was just 'blah' at the moment. I couldn't find anything that could hold my attention for more than 5 pages. Ewwy.

But it looks like I'm in the clear now. Even with school starting next week (for us teachers) and healing, I think I'm outta the slump and looking forward to reading and reviewing again. So, keep your eyes peeled for reviews and the such!

I did post two reviews that were LONG overdue: Anna and the French Kiss and My Life Next Door. They are under Sunday Review. The Winner's Curse will be up this Sunday.

Much love and thanks for your understanding! <3

New Week, New Book!: 7.27.15

The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince

I tried really, really, really hard to get into OCD Love Story, but it didn't happen. :( I think I may have burned myself out on contemporary YA this summer. Oopsie..! So, I delved into a fantasy (The Winner's Curse) and it was just what I needed. I really like it. The world, history, and characters (although I'd like nothing but to scratch Irex's eyes out) are all very intriguing.

New Book, New Week Monday!: 7.13.15

OCD Love Story

Flashback Friday!: 7.10.15

Read: July 3, 2014

Flashback: I've been listening to a lot of music this week since I've been in a "spring" cleaning frenzy. Every time I heard Good Girls from 5 Seconds of Summer, I kept thinking this song should be Margo Roth Spiegelman's theme song. Every time she appeared in a scene in the book, this is was should play in the book. (Kinda like those cards that you open and they sing to you? Yeah, like that, only Good Girl plays when Margo appears.) That, and Better Than Revenge by Taylor Swift was Margo's break-up song.

     What do ya'll think?

TBR Tuesday!: 7.7.15

OCD Love Story

New Week, New Book!: 7.6.15

Anna and the French Kiss

I will also be reading The 5th Wave on the side.

Sunday Review: 7.5.15 (Part II)

Title: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Number of Pages: 355

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date Read: 7.3.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

“When someone’s been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it’s like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you’re just clutching air and grit.” - Lara Jean

      Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved – five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

“It’s not like the movies. It’s better, because it’s real.” – Lara Jean

      This was a really cute book. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while, but I just couldn’t start reading it. I feel like all of my contemporary YA always get read in the summer. I’m glad I did finally read it though.

      Lara Jean is such a cute character. It was weird, because I could relate to both Lara Jean and Margot. The older sibling who is always in charge and knows the ins and outs of my family was half of me; the other half was the shy girl around guys and crushing from afar – too afraid to act on it. I could see where both of them came perfectly.

The sisters’ interactions with one another were interesting to read/see. Having only younger brothers, some things I didn’t get. When it came to secrets, my brothers and I kept them. So, I didn’t quite understand the sending of the letters or going to their dad to discuss Lara Jean’s sex life. This didn’t make sense to me. Maybe it’s because they were boys and drama/gossip wasn’t their thing; but we knew when any of us came to the other it was in strictest confidence. I loved the relationship between Kitty and Lara Jean the most (aside from the whole letter business). They were so sassy with one another.

      I was not a fan of Josh. I mean, he was sweet and charming and a really great friend – but that was it. A great friend. I feel like he kinda “made” himself like Lara Jean because Margot was gone and he was just transferring his feelings to her.

At first, I wasn’t a fan of Peter either, but he grew on me … slowly. There were times he was a real idiot, but others where a small part of my heart started to hope. And then, he went and bought those donuts specifically for Lara Jean and their trip. My heart melted and that’s when I fell in love with him.

As I read the book, I wondered if it was normal to hang on to notes or letters that we’ve received. I still have a box in the back of my closet with most, if not all, the notes my friends and I passed on another. I may even have a love letter or two in there. Since I went to high school before the big “texting” thing became the popular way to “pass notes” in class, I’m happy I still have mine… partially because of the silly contents and partially because we folded those suckers into the neatest damn things. You almost didn’t want to open them because of how awesome the fold was.

So, needless to say, I really liked the book and it brought back some really great memories. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. I didn’t like how things ended with Peter and I just HAVE TO KNOW!

Sunday Review: 7.5.15 (Part I)

Title: The Summer of chasing mermaids

Author: Sarah Ockler

Number of pages: 399

Publisher: Simon pulse

Date Read: 6.30.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

      “Sometimes love was a tonic. Sometimes it was a weapon. And so often it was nearly impossible to tell the difference.” – Elyse

      Sometimes there are no words …

      The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom – until a boating accident took everything from her. Now the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

      Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry – except for one.

      Christian Kane is a notorious playboy – insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

      When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though – swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them….

      “Some days you win the battle just by showing up.” – Granna

I picked up the book because it had a hella cute cover and everyone was buzzing about it. Not to mention, I was in the mood for a cute contemporary that I could read poolside.

      I went into this book thinking it would be light and flirty. I mean, look at the cover, totally adorbs. And while the inside did foreshadow a tragic incident in Elyse’s life, I still thought this would be light and sweet. I was oh so wrong.

      It ended up being a pretty serious book. Not only did it deal with Elyse’s tragedy and how she was coping afterwards, it also delved into the family issues revolving around Christian’s family and the mayor’s sexist and money-hungry views. The moral of the story: There are different ways of being silenced and not having a voice.

      For the most part, I enjoyed this book. There were parts were it dragged, but I think that was more because of all the ocean/water similes and metaphors. It felt like there was at least one in every paragraph. I got to the point in the middle where I started grumbling “Alright, already! I get it!”

      However, I did like the characters; even the scummy ones. I say that, because they got a reaction out of me The mayor made me grit my teeth and growl; I was angry on Sebastian’s behalf (but that little booger had me smiling); and Christian’s father – I don’t know what his deal was (yeah, it’s explained, but it’s no excuse) – he infuriated me. Then, there was Christian and Elyse, both tormented by their own demons. Hands down, though? I loved Mrs. James. Has the smallest role in the book, but made a BIG deal.

      I really liked the charm of Atargatis Cove. It reminded me a lot of my trip to Nantucket.. Coastal and rocky beaches too cold to swim in. I loved how small and quaint everything was there; the mom-and-pop shops, the fishing boats; and how Main Street was cobblestoned. That’s how I imagined Atargatis Cove to be like.

      With all things said and done, I really enjoyed this book.