Sunday, January 31, 2016

January Wrap-up and February TBR

January Wrap-Up
  1. The Horse and His Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia #3) by C.S. Lewis (3.5/5)
  2. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (5/5) review
  3. Where the Wild things Are by Maurice Sendak (3./5)
  4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (5/5)
  5. Crane (Legends Saga #1) by Stacey Rourke (4.5/5) (review coming soon)
  6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling (4.5/5)
  7. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer (5/5) (review coming soon)
  8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J.K. Rowling (5/5)


February TBR 
  1. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas 
  2. The Winner's Crime (The Winners Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski <---- Currently Reading 
  3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling
  4. Five-Seven-Five (The Boy with Words #1) by C.E. Wilson 
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Top 5 Books Under 200 Pages

I have to admit this was a little more difficult than I thought it would be, I mean, I never really read books that are this short, excluding Manga and Graphic Novels. So I have to give credit where credit is due and admit that all of these books were either required reading at school or pushed on me by friends and family. With that being said, lets get right on into it!


1.The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill
My mom convinced me to read this book and I am so happy she did. The story revolves around a painting that depicts a mysterious setting of masked revelers at the Venice Carnival; this dark art of the carnival actually has the power to entrap life. The story is such a haunting tale and kind of beautiful in its own way, I really enjoyed it. Plus, its by the same person who wrote the Woman in black, which should say something about the eeriness. 


 2.The Giver by Lois Lowry 
I don't know what to say about this book that you probably haven't already heard so I'm not going to say much. The book was very intriguing and I am happy I finally read it, considering how long I procrastinated it.

 

3.Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi 
This story was heartbreaking, funny and so moving. I probably never would have heard of it but my AP English teacher had us read it at the end of the year as a post-AP exam assignment and even though so many people were mad at her for it I am so happy she did. 

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4.Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong 
This is a telling of the story of the ill-fated Endurance, a ship that in 1914, carried 27 men from England in an attempt to be the first people to cross Antarctica. This was a book I had to read in middle school and though, at the time, I wasn't sure what the point of us reading it was, I can now appreciate it more than I ever thought I would.

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5.The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
So I was recommended this book by a friend of mine who raved about this book for so long. Now that I have read it I can honestly say that, it its own way, this book is kind of wonderful and beautiful,and though I did have some problems with it I would recommend it to everyone.

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6.Chance of Rain by Laurel Veil 
Bonus! I felt like I should add this book because it's different than all the other ones. It's a story about spying on loved ones and trying to protect those closest to you. This is one of those books that had me captured, though that was partly due to the fact that it was only 200 pages, as well as interested in what the ending was going to bring for all the characters. (review)

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Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Soundtrack To My Life Book Tag

Created by JenniKing  (created about a year ago)
I wanted to do something a little different today so I am doing something I have never done before, a tag! Hopefully my answers are not terribly boring. 



1. Opening Credits: Favorite childhood book 


When I was younger I wasn't much of a read, I was an outside kid; I'm talking tree houses, running through fields, and trying to make homemade zip-lines and triangle bridges, the works. BUT I was really into veggie tales so I mean, that's something. 



2. Waking Up: A book that got you out of a reading slump


Hibiki's Magic by Jun Maeda is probably the cutest manga I have ever read in my entire life. Whenever I get into a reading slump taking a quick read through this (manga in general really) helps me so much. This one is definitely one of my favorites.





3. School: A book you had to read for school that you ended up liking 


When Asia Was the World by Stewart Gordon is probably my favorite mandatory school book. Fun fact, I am actually a huge history buff.  Which partially makes this feel like I am cheating, but whatever, I really liked it. Other noteworthy school books include; How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster and Hamlet by William Shakespeare...Yes, I am a bit of a dork. 





4. Falling In Love: An Author you love so much you want to read all of their books

Marissa Meyer, after all the Lunar Chronicles series is one of my favorite and I just love her writing style. Plus, she has two new books coming out this year; a bind-up of a bunch of Lunar Chronicles novellas and the first book in a new series. So excited! 





5. Fight: Book with best action sequence

Destined by Aprilynn Pike. I must say the epic troll on faerie battle at the end of this series is pretty damn epic. Pike really knows how to set a scene. But, I can't choose this book without side mentioning that I also really like the battles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire series, and of course Red Rising; which has some sick strategy scenes, major props to Pierce Brown for killing it in battle strategy. 





6. Break Up: A Book or series you didn't finish and do not intend to finish

I'm not going to say much about the Hush, Hush series because I talked about this series in my Series I'm Not Going To Finish Part Two post, but basically I got half way through this series when something happened that just makes it really hard for me to finish the series. 





7.Hanging with Friends: A book you think everyone else should read

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is such an obvious choice, the book has so many amazing messages and it is just overall a beautiful book. Plus, the movie adaption of it was very well done and, in fact, one of my favorite movies. 




8. Breakdown: Book that seriously affected you/ made you cry
 your eyes out

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is probably the best book I have ever read in my entire life. As one of the few books that has ever made me cry, it has left a pretty big impact on me. Like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I believe everyone should read this book at some point in their lives. 



9. Road trip: Your favorite series (more than 3 books) 

The A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin is so freaking good. It has everything from love to vengeance to magic to politics; that, and as I have mentioned before, John Snow is pretty much my book husband. Though the series is ridiculously long, it is worth pretty much every page. 


10. Flashback: Your favorite book from five years ago 

Up until my high school graduation Fairest by Gail Carson Levine was my favorite book (that's because just days after I graduated I read The Book Thief for the first time which changed everything). I have always been a total sucker for fairy tale retellings and this is one of the best I have ever read.  





11. Getting Back Together: What book can you not stop rereading 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is the only book I have ever read more than twice, and the 2005 movie adaption is my most watched movie ever. To be completely honest though I don't even love the book that much, its the story I love; the idea of it all I suppose. (sorry if that is confusing) 

12. Wedding: A book that is really special to you 

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne is the oldest book I own, in fact I think my parents have had it since before I was born, so it has a certain sentimentality to it. The same goes for a very old copy of Where the Wild Things Are I have as well. 





13. Moment of Triumph: Longest book you have ever read

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin, I mean, all of his books are freakishly long but this one is nearly 1200 pages...crazy! yet so so so good.




14. Death Scene: Book or series you wish had ended differently

Ensnared by A.G. Howard was the last book in the Splintered series, which is an Alice's Adventures in Wonderland retelling, and it is completely crazy. It's not that I disliked the ending nor was it unhappy, but something about it made me want to throw the book across the room when I was done.


15. Funeral: Book with the best or worst epilogue 

Crane by Stacey Rourke had the funniest epilogue I have ever read. In fact the book as a whole was both amazing and hilarious, but the epilogue was definitely my favorite part. Just think about it, it's a Headless Horseman retelling and it funny, definitely worth the read even if its just for the epilogue. A+ to Rourke for humor.  




16. End Credits: Who do you tag?

Well I don't really know anyone in the bookish community (sadly) so I guess I tag everyone who has gotten this far. 





Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Top 5 Series I Want To Start/Finish In 2016

I have gotten, what feels like, so far behind on my series reading! There is so much I am just dying to dive into and so little time to do it! So here is a list of the top 5 series I want to start and finish this year. I am not going to lie, it feels so weird doing this considering I used to never read anymore than the first book in a series...weirddd (PS. There may be so a few to many exaggerations, but its hard to dampen my excitement.)

Series I want to start



1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 
I mean lets be real, its a tragedy that I haven't read this series yet.
 (Once this post is up I will have read the first two books though)


2. Throne Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Everyone raves on and on about how good this series is and I just cannot wait to dive on into it! I already have the first book and it's killing me to just see it sit there on my bookshelf.



3. Legends Saga by Stacey Rourke 
When I read the first book in this series, Crane, at the beginning of 
the year I absolutely loved it and I just can't wait until I to read 
the rest of it, sadly I believe the other two books are only in 
ebook form...so...may be awhile.


4. Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
I am going to be honest, in 2015 I tried twice to read the City of Bones and so 
far I just haven't been able to get into it. Crossing my fingers that this
 is the year I actually finish it. 


5. Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
The Mistborn series is one of those series that I know very little about but 
am so anticipating the read! I've been trying to avoid spoilers about this series like the plague. 



Series I want to finish
1. Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 
As I have mentioned before, this is one of my favorite series. 
I have a whole post about it so I wont say much here but can't 
believe how much has happened in this series. (By the time this is posted I will have actually finished the series)


2. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin 
Craziest bunch of books I have ever read! I haven't even read books 
4 and 5 yet but if they are anything like the first 3 than I know I will
be far from disappointed. Oh, I can we just talk about the fact that 
Martin needs to finish the 6th book already. Like, damn. 


3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
For such a short series I can't believe how long it is taking me to 
get through this. I've wanted to read the series for so long it almost 
bothers me that it is taking so long. *sigh*


4. The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski 
I read the Winner's Curse last summer and thought it was such 
a good read. So far I feel like this series is going to have a lot of
both fighting and romance and I'm definitely looking forward to 
both of those!


5. Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown 
HOLY SH*T. Red Rising had me on the edge of my seat, hanging on
 to every word and nothing I can say will compare to how great of a read it 
actually is. The anticipation I have to get a hold of the other two books
 is crazy. - review


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Yes Please Book Review

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

“Saying “yes” doesn’t mean I don’t know how to say no, and saying “please” doesn’t mean I am waiting for permission.” - Amy Poehler, Yes Please 

My opinion of this books is probably a little bias but I just freaking love Amy Poehler. She is one of my all time favorite women in Hollywood and I am so happy to have finally picked her book up. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it put me through a mild existential crisis. I couldn't ask for anything more!

 As always she was genuine, honest, and hilarious all at once, without shying away from discussing the darker sides of life, but she approaches them with hope and an uplifting spirit, always being the optimist. She really gets into the fact that she isn't a perfect person but that she is who she is and that's something everyone has to learn to live with. Her ideas on haw everyone has a currency was so refreshing and really highlights how down-to-earth she is as a person. Even when she is talking about sad or more serious issues she always manages to add in her own quirk and sarcastic tones. 

One of the tings that really brought the book together fro me is when she talks about events and shows she has been on because I can imagine her in those roles. For example, she dedicates an entire chapter to what is was like being on the show Parks and Recreation and what it meant to her; she even adds a little bit about all the main people in the show. This definitely filled me with emotions because that is one of my all time favorite shows and to hear her talk about how she was filming the last season while writing the book was definitely something. She also talks a lot about Tina Fey in the book which was so great considering the two of them are my all time favorite comedy duo. I had never known that they knew each other for so long and through so much, it really puts into perspective what true friendship is like. 

Also, I just have to mention on the pictures and quote pages in the book. They really help put you into her shoes plus its a good laugh to see her pre-stardum. Go Amy, keeping it real since before I was born *insert thumbs-up here*  (5/5) 

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Unpopular Bookish Opinions

We all have those books that we really want to love along with everybody else but no matter how hard we try we just can't.

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
It is so hard for me not to like this book. The concept was incredible and the psychopathic tendencies of both spouses were entertaining in themselves but for some reason the book as a whole was in some ways so painful to finish. I knew within the first 100 pages that this was not a book for me and I struggled to finish it. This will probably be the only Gillian Flynn book I ever read.

2. Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer
One thing I can say in regards to this series is that it is definitely one of those books that I feel everyone has an opinion on. I read all of the books in this series when I was in middle school and the only one I can safely say I enjoyed was The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. But the other ones felt a little dragged on to me. The story line was poorly executed and the writing style was just not for me, however, I do understand why so many people enjoyed this series.
3. Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
This is probably one of the most boring books I have ever read. Again, I believe it had an interesting concept and I really like the cover of the book but I just could not get into it no matter how hard I tried. The only thing I really liked about the book is how the author really got into what it would be like if the moon got knocked closer to earth; explaining everything from weather to gas to food supplies.

4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman 
In so many ways this was a beautiful story but that was all there really was for me. I feel like it was an idea that has been done a lot and the author never really got into depth with the characters. I dis kind of enjoy the end but the whole entire middle section was just not to my liking.

5. Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 
Okay, I get that so many people absolutely love this book and the series as a whole, and I agree, it is a really good series. I mean, I've only read the first two but I do really want to read the third one. Anyways, it is not the whole series I have a problem with, it is literally just the first book that I am not really crazy for. I feel like all it did was build and build but nothing huge really happened in it, like an extended beginning. BUT I will say that I really enjoyed the second book (though still not my favorite) and I hope that the third one is even better. 
 

Sunday, January 10, 2016

2016 Book Goals

So in the year of 2015 I, for the first time ever, participated in the Goodreads reading challenge (I think that is what is called). My goal in the year of 2015 was 52 books and I have definitely exceeded that goal. Considering I only just got into reading this year I am very proud of the fact that I have made it to 69 books, which includes everything from exceedingly long high fantasy books all the way to quick passed manga. I must say that I am so happy that I decided to challenge myself to finally read all the unread books on my bookshelf, and start reading series that I have been wanting to get my hands on.
In the year of 2016 I definitely plan on amping up my reading game and actually try to read 60 books! Which is going to be exciting because there are a lot of series I plan on starting/finishing, eg. Throne of Glass, The Winners Trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire, and so much more. I can already tell that my reading challenge next year is going to be better than this year because there are so many amazing books I plan on reading. I do hope that I will be able to read more than 60 books, but I do have plans to move cross country, go back to school, and start a new job in the up coming year so I can already tell that this new year is going to be something interesting.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Top 5 Favorite Fandoms

Top 5 Wednesday was created by gingerreadslainey (YouTubeGoodreads) and if you would like to join, here is the link for the Goodreads group with all the information. Anyways, who doesn't like a good fandom? Everyone has a guilty pleasure and I believe participating in fandoms is one of the best kind. 
5. Game of Thrones 
So I actually feel kind of weird putting this as one of my favorite fandoms considering I have never watched any of the episodes, but the books are freaking amazing. Like no joke, some of the best books I have ever read, in fact I have mentioned John Snow more than once in some of my other posts. And my anticipation for the last two books in the series is so strong, George Martin is killing me right now. 
 4. Lord of the Rings 
I've seen the movies for this trilogy like a million times, but it wasn't until this year that I actually sat down and read the books and I am SO happy that I did. They are so much better than the movies and actually make me love Pippin' even more (yes, he is by far my favorite character) the only downfall in regards to the books opposed to the movies is that I don't get to stare at a blonde, elven Orlando Bloom. 
3. The Office 
Jim and Pam are by far my all time favorite tv couple. I cannot get enough of them, fun fact when I first watched this series I had a thing for John Krasinski, but I digress. This series always manages to make me laugh (and cry), it is so great and I can't speak enough kindness about it. 
2. Parks and Recreation 
Amy Poehler is one of my all time favorite people and all my goals. I love every single character in this show and Ben Wyatt is basically my spirit animal. This show is so good and I love how it is funny and at the same time emotional and serious. So many amazing things happen and I would give anything for my life to turn out as great as any of the characters in this show. 
1. Supernatural 
This show has been my favorite show of all time for pretty much ever and is probably one of the most emotional shows I have ever watched in my entire life. Its so dynamic and really gets into how hard it is to live in the grey area of life in regards to what is right and what is wrong. Everyone in the cast does such an exceptional job and even in real life I love all of them (I mean have you seen their families? serious life goals right there). I could go on and on about this show but I truly feel like you have to watch some of it before you really make your own opinion on it. #AlwaysKeepFighting