Making up for Monday #2

Making Up for Monday is a weekly meme hosted by An Avid Reader, A Wannabe Writer

This weeks question: Who's your favorite fictional villain?




I am by no means, a big reader of alien books. It's just never quite worked for me. I've never been able to fully suspend my disbelief. The 5th Wave changed all of that. The aliens in this book, are some of the best villains ever. I hope that no real aliens read this book because then we're all screwed.

Follow me on Twitter!

Hey everyone. I've always been a little slow with all of this technology despite growing up during the digital age. I suck at Twitter, everything updates so quickly I just can't keep up, I'm lucky I can manage Facebook to be quite honest. Aaaaaaanyway, I created a twitter for blogging, I figure the least I can do is send out tweets about new blog post. I'm sure I'll figure the rest of it out later :)

So if you've got a twitter I'd appreciate the follow, I'm slowly but surely following on Twitter, everyone who I follow through blogger. It may take a while but I'll get there.

Thanks everyone!!!

Just one more person reviewing the Divergent movie

I saw the Divergent movie the other day. I was terrified when I sat who they cast as Tris. I tried my hardest to watch the Secret Life on ABC Family and wanted to pull my hair out it was so bad. The acting was bad, the writing was bad, the story lines were bad it just sucked, and I'm not even that picky. Needless to say the thought of Shailene Woodley as Tris made me want to crawl in a whole. Over the next few months people told me that they saw her in some other movie that was pretty good and I began to calm down, but I was still secretly terrified. I think I had subconsciously decided not to see the movie until a coworker asked me if I wanted to go, and I gave in.

I must say, I was pretty gosh darn impressed. In the books, Tris has a very subtle (or not so subtle) character transition. She's still the Adnegation girl she was raised to be, but as the book progressed and she became stronger, she began to change. Tris didn't turn into some stone cold GI Jane or anything but she develops a tougher exterior but she still has the same heart. I wasn't sure if Shailene Woodley would be able to pull of the character changes but she did a pretty good job. I was very engaged and I didn't look at her as that irritating pregnant chick from ABC Family. As far as I'm concerned, that's the most important part of a book to movie adaptation.

Things in the movie will change, parts will be left out, and we, as readers and watchers, have to accept that and shut up. Many of the authors that I follow on Twitter of Facebook (John Green, Kim Harrison, and more) constantly say that when their books become movies, they don't mind that the characters don't look exactly as they've described, or if things are changed, what matters is that these actors can fully portray the characters that the authors have created. I wouldn't have minded a slightly tougher Christina, but other than that I have no complaints. It was a great movie.

Review: Better Off Friends

 

Publisher: Point

Pub. Date: February 25, 2014

Format: eBook

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Romance








For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love? (Goodreads)
 
This was a great book. I loved the dynamic between Macallan and Levi. You could really tell that they were the best of friends, yin and yang. The author did such a great job of making you fall in love with their friendship that when things take a turn for the worst you honestly hurt for them. I like how Macallan and Levi provided commentary throughout the book, it was almost as if they were mentally reliving the events of the book as we were reading them.

I loved everything except the communication issues. If Macallan had just opened her mouth there would have been a lot less issues, however the author compensated for that by having Levi and point out (in their commentary in between scenes) that very fact, so it was pretty cute. I will say that it was refreshing to see a boy express his feelings so openly. Go Levi. I loved this book. Go read it!!!

4.5 stars.

"Waiting on" Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever."

Yeah, I'm pretty much in love with Kelley Armstrong after the Women of the Otherworld series and her YA books!

Release date: April 8, 2014

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"There's no way Desk Guy'll get that. And if he does, it's totally some girl jerking your chain."
Pg.10 Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

I have high hopes for this book. I hope it lives up to my expectations!!

Making Up For Monday #1

Making Up for Monday is a weekly meme hosted by An Avid Reader, A Wannabe Writer

This weeks question: What books do you have on hold at the library?

Well I work at a library so I always have books on hold!
 
To All The Boy's I've Loved Before


Prisoner B-3087


Road Rash


The Treatment

Feature and Follow Friday #10

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Question of the Week: How have your reading habits changed in the past few years? Did you get interested in a new genre? Do you read more? Less? Why do you think your habits changed, if they did.

This is a really good question. I guess my biggest reading change is my YA obsession. Back in high school it was Nora Roberts and V.C.Andrews (until she started to freak me out). Then in college it as fantasy, some time after college I was hooked into YA, I feel like I've been reading it forever, but it honestly has only been about three years.

"Waiting On" Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.

Until Claire meets Luke.

But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.

With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.

In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story."

Release date June 17, 2014 

Teaser Tuesday: Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"Everything changed after that. Maybe change wasn't the best word. But Levi and I were closer than ever."
Pg.67. Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

I've finally gotten around to reading this book. I'm so excited for it! (I had to do three lines this week for the full effect.)

Liebster Award

Thank you OlgiaLikesFood @ Orange Owls and Books for nominating me!

The Rules!

1. List 11 Facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions put forward by whoever nominated you.
3. Ask 11 new questions to 9 bloggers. They must have less than 200 followers on Bloglovin' (or their preferred method). You cannot re-nominate the blog that nominated you.
4. Go to their blog and inform them that they have been nominated!

11 Facts About  Me:

1. I'm the oldest of three
2. I'm afraid of cows
3. I drink so much coffee that I'll probably drown in it one day.
4. One day my friend Jenn threw the Anne Bishop Black Jewel books at me and I've loved fantasy books ever since.
5. I have lived in six states
6. I use to work at Disney World
7. I worked on Sesame Street Live for three days and it was real weird.
8. One day during a silent raffle, I stood by the table and begged people to stop bidding on an autographed Globe Trotters ball so I could buy it for my brother for Christmas.
9. There mere presence of a spider can and will make me cry
10. I believe in fairies and mermaids with everything I am.
11. When in my car, I sing real loud and pretend I'm a rock star.

11 Questions for me to answer :

What is your favorite song and why?

We Are Golden my MIKA because he dances crazy around his room in the music video.

Why Book Blogging?

I began looking up book reviews when trying to decide what to buy for my library, then I wanted to write the reviews myself

What's your favorite "classic"? 

Little Women because Jo March and I are practically the same person.

What's the name of the book that got you into reading?

The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman. Random, but true.

What's your favorite thing to eat?

 Any kind of pasta

How much time do you spend on a computer a day?

Well that's not fair because I work in front of a computer, and take classes online. (AKA, way too much)

Do you listen to music while reading? What kind?

Yes, the Fantasia soundtrack :D

Favorite color?

Blue because I'm boring :/

Which fictional character would you love to meet?

There are way too many to count, but I'd LOVE to meet Lucivar from the Black Jewel books by Anne Bishop. I just love him. Oh, there's also Bones from the Night Huntress books. *swoon*
What is your most favorite book-to-movie adaptation?

Honestly, Harry Potter. There are others, but I either don't like them very much, or haven't read the book, or haven't watched the movie.

What's your favorite thing to do when you are not reading?

Sing karaoke with my friends!!

11 Questions to my nominees:

1. Pirates or Ninjas?
2. If you could have lunch with one author who would it be?
3. What's you favorite genre?
4. Do you prefer to read Adult or YA books?
5. What's your favorite band?
6. Werewolf or Vampire?
7. Do you listen to music while reading? What kind?
8. If you could live in any book world what would you choose?
9. Who's your favorite book boyfriend/girlfriend?
10. Do you have a favorite book series? (I know it's hard to choose one book)
11. What's you favorite animal?

I nominate:

Bailey and Dorothy @ Unladylike Reviews 

 Aneta @ Angelic Book Reviews

Kanettra @ A Readers Sanctuary

Felicitia @ The Four Eyed Cat

Elizabeth @ Redhead Reader

Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

Thea @ Gizzimomo'a Book Shelf

Sarah @ YA Librarian Tales

Sarah @ Words With Sarah

BookExpo America!! I'M GOING!!

 

There are days when I'm bored with life and feel like I should be living in some big city like Chicago, Seattle, or San Francisco. There are other days, however, when I love living in my little state because this year I'm going to Bookexpo America at the Javits Center in New York. Basically there are book and authors EVERYWHERE. I've also found out that this  giant event hosts a bloggers conference. I'm going, I'm willing to fork over the money to meet other book bloggers and learn about formatting, and what's appealing and all of that business. 

I wonder if any of you blogger that I follow or who follow me are going to this event because I'd love to meet see you at the conference, but if not, don't be surprised if I make a ton of changes to my throughout the month of June.

I'm so excited!!!

Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann. (Goodreads)

I'd read a few mixed reviews about this book so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. Basically, this company has found way to check for what is called, the Killer Gene. If someone possesses this gene they are considered more likely to kill or harm others. Davy is a music prodigy from one of the best families and she attends one of the best schools. When she finds out that she has the Killer Gene she's sure that it's a mistake. Davy is forced to go to another school where she spends the day locked in a room with other carriers. As the book progresses we watch as Davy realizes that no two people are alike, just because someone was born with this gene, it doesn't mean they'll maliciously hurt anyone.

Although there were many moments when I wanted to shake some sense into Davy, I had to admire her, she went though some major character development within the pages of this book and I look forward to seeing how things work out for her in book two. 

3.75 stars 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

 

"Theo is better now.

She's eating again, dating guys who are almost appropriate, and well on her way to becoming an elite ballet dancer. But when her oldest friend, Donovan, returns home after spending four long years with his kidnapper, Theo starts reliving memories about his abduction—and his abductor.

Donovan isn't talking about what happened, and even though Theo knows she didn't do anything wrong, telling the truth would put everything she's been living for at risk. But keeping quiet might be worse." (Goodreads)

 

With a theatre background, I'm always intrigued reading about dancers. I'll read about them, watching documentaries about them, I'll even watch those old Lifetime movies about this. I'm looking forward to this book very much!

 

Release date: April 10, 2014 

Review: Second Star by Alyssa Sheinmel

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them. (Goodreads)

This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love fairy tale adaptations, and although in the original cartoon (and the Disney live action movie) I've never been a fan of Wendy. As a child I could never understand why she wold want to leave Neverland just so she could go home, grow up, and live some boring dull life. Because I'm such a fan of Peter Pan I always read adaptations of the story. I've read the original, Forever Neverland, Tiger Lily, and now I've read Second Star and it didn't disappoint me.

In this version John and Michael are twin boys who love to surf. They disappeared nine months before the beginning of the book, and were later pronounced dead when their surfboards surfaced completely damaged right after two unknown boys disappeared while surfing a wave. Wendy decides that it's possible her brother may be alive and begins to search for them, She stumbles across Pete, Belle, and their friends living in an abandoned house on the beach. Then we insert Jas (AKA Hook) the drug dealing, surfer bum, ex-friend of Pete's.

Throughout the story Wendy switches between finding clues to locate her brothers as well as her feeling for Pete and Jas. In a way this story follows along with the original Peter Pan tale, facing reality and living life.

However, at the end of Peter Pan, although I was mad at Wendy for ruining all of the fun, I was satisfied. The story was over. In this book, I was torn, I was with Wendy, convinced that it had all been an illusion (in the same way the parents in the original book were), but by the time she was leaving for school, I didn't know what to think.

Fantastic story.
*Publication date May 13, 2014*

It's happened

I've been the worst blogger ever for the past week, my grad classes have begun again and they've returned with a vengeance. I'll try to have things ready as a backup, but I ran out of them. With these classes, who knows what the rest of the semester will bring, so I'll do the best I can, don't give up on me guys, I'm still around and kicking! (and screaming when I look at my homework assignments).

The 16 Most Anticipated YA Books Publishing in March

I'm excited for just about ever book on this list.

I want to read Panic so badly because Lauren Oliver have birthdays that are only like three days apart and when I met her at YALL Fest and told her, she got super excited and drew a birthday cake in my book. She and I are officially BFFs!!

What are you guys excited for?