Follow me on Bloglovin!

Okay, this seems to be a pretty common happening over the past few weeks with Google reader being shut down. Being a new-ish blogger, I'm not sure what's going to happen with GFC, so I'm taking action now, just in case!

So I am now following all of the lovely blogs I've been following through GFC. If you're seeing this post in your feed, its probably because you're following me on GFC. If you decide to make the switch, be sure to follow me on Bloglovin. I'll probably be using some other feed sites too in the future, for those who don't use Bloglovin - but until then - I hope to see you all there!!

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Top Ten Tuesday - Books I want YOU to read

Heyyy TTT again, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Visit their blog to find out how to participate!

This week's topic is:

Top ten books I recommend the most.

Ooh this is a tough one. I have a hard time recommending books to people because, as a reviewer, I know there are things I don't like about certain books and I know there are certain types of books my friends don't like. With that being said, I try to get my friends to read all the time. The thing is, I read a little of everything, so I try to get different people to read different things.

Okay, enough rambling. Here's the best list I could come up with:

10. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Nieffenegger- Oh my, I cant even express to you the love I have for this book. I re-read the ending like 4 times because I couldn't let go, and I cried and cried and cried. Wow, now that I mention it, I think I want to read it again.

9. Percy Jackson and all of the books in the series by Rick Riordan - just love, Love, LOVE Percy Jackson and all of the stories I've read by Rick Riordan.

8. Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver - up until I FINALLY read Pandemonium, I wouldn't have recommended them to anyone because I didn't like Delirium. Well I've learned the error of my ways, and I'm sorry but I can deal with that one not-so-great book to get to the other two great ones plus four short stories. I did it, and now I want to go back and read them all again.

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I loved these books, and they were powerful and meaningful for me, and many others too. Theres not much to say other than - read them!!

6. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - Okay, I know, I know. The reading/blogging world has collectively fallen off of the Twilight wagon and we all hate her. I get it. But, in MY opinion, the books were well written and actually GOOD. Just because we hate Edward and Bella doesn't mean the books aren't good. And every time I hear someone say how much they love/hate the movies, I say, "oh yeah? Well have you read the books?" Just try it, you might actually like what you find.

5. Any Nora Roberts book - Like romance novels? Then please stop reading the smut and pick up a Nora Roberts novel, I beg of you. They at least have substance and a plot along with the smut.


4. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - What's all the hype about Jodi Picoult, you ask? Try reading this one, one of her more popular and mainstream books, ever since the movie came out. It'll give you a very good idea of what the rest of her books are like - HEARTBREAKING. This is the first Picoult novel I read and I was hooked ever since. Try it!

3. Cinder by Marissa Meyer - I just read this one earlier this month but I loved it and have been trying to recommend it to everyone.

2.  The Giver by Lois Lowry - one of my favorite childhood books that followed me into adulthood. I try to get everyone to read it, but I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

1.  HARRY POTTER by J.K. Rowling! Duhhh!! Obviously, I recommend this to everyone and anyone who will listen for a minimum of 5 seconds, sometimes even those who don't listen. I'm obsessed and they're my favorite books ever. No exaggeration either. I'm dead serious.

I love all of the books I listed above (so I hope you read them if you haven't already haha) and recommend them to those who will listen all the time.

What are your top ten fave books to recommend?!

A.

Mini-Reviews: Delirium Stories: Hana, Annabel & Raven by Lauren Oliver

ISBN: 9780062267788
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: March 2013
Series: Delirium Trilogy (#0.5, #1.5, #2.5)

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Hana is told through the perspective of Lena's best friend, Hana Tate. Set during the tumultuous summer before Lena and Hana are supposed to be cured, this story is a poignant and revealing look at a moment when the girls' paths diverge and their futures are altered forever.

Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery--a ghost from Lena's past--until now. Her journey from teenage runaway to prisoner of the state is a taut, gripping narrative that expands the Delirium world and illuminates events--and Lena--through a new point of view.

And as the passionate, fierce leader of a rebel group in the Wilds, Raven plays an integral role in the resistance effort and comes into Lena's life at a crucial time. Crackling with intensity, Raven is a brilliant story told in the voice of one of the strongest and most tenacious characters in the Delirium world.

MINI-REVIEWS:

     HANA (#0.5): ★★★★
     I felt very comfortable reading Hana, since Requiem was half-told in her POV. I'm glad I read this (and all of them) short story after reading the trilogy instead of before them or in between each one. Its interesting to look back, knowing what you know, you can see all of the little secrets and surprises Oliver gave us, such as the fate of several background characters in Delirium. One thing that I keep thinking is that I never felt any connection with Hana in Delirium. She was totally flat - but so were all of the characters in my opinion in the first book. But in Requiem and Hana, even though she was not a GOOD person, she finally did something and meant something, and I think it was good that she had her own story and a chance for us to know what was going on on the other side. The end of her story is especially powerful, where you can feel the ugly feelings Hana feels pulsing through the pages. Though the story was just a way for readers to hold on a little longer, I still loved it. Great job, Lauren, and thanks for the wonderful story!

     ANNABEL (#1.5): ★★★★
     From the very first page of this story, it was exactly what I was hoping for. An insight into Annabel's life before Lena. Not because I particularly cared but because it also gave an insight into what the world was like when the cure came about, which I find very interesting. I also like how Oliver used the "then" and "now" chapters like she did in Pandemonium. This is also a short story that doesn't move the trilogy forward in any way, but it gives insight to the mystery woman missing from Lena's life for so long. This story mostly served to make me sad, and feel pity and heartache for Annabel, a woman who loved deeply and couldn't be loved back, not the way she deserved. Annabel also made me wonder: Oliver talks about how the cure wasn't mandatory in the earlier days and and people "flocked to it." You tend to wonder if that would happen in real life. If they all of a sudden offered us a way out of the pain, the hurt, the feeling, would people do it?. I think people would do it. I honestly do. Hell, I might even think about it if something like that were to ever happen. But I guess you don't know what you have until it is gone, including the freedom to love. Again, though this one didn't do anything for the story itself, it was a great addition and added some depth to an otherwise static character.

     RAVEN (#2.5): ★★★★★
     Raven was just what I expected - sassy and sarcastic right from the beginning. Straightforward and to the point, just like the star of this short story. One thing I have to say after reading this short story is that Oliver is an amazing writer. I mean, I knew this, but this just cements it. Many times, an author has one voice and tells different stories from different POVs with the same voice. This is not the case with Lauren Oliver. You can always tell the difference between who is speaking at any given time, especially with Raven because she is such a strong character. I was engrossed in this story, having just read the final installment in the trilogy. The way Oliver ties everything together with this last short story.... I cant even explain to you the emotions going through me while reading this last story. I wanted to laugh, cry, hit something, hug someone. All of it.
I remember reading a few reviews about the ending of Requiem and how Oliver left some readers feeling bereft, empty. I beg to differ. I read Requiem and I was not thrilled with the ending, but I got through it okay. After reading Raven, I'm done. Emotionally DONE. I now feel EMPTY. I literally just want to lay down and cry. I wish I could go into more detail because there is so much more I want to say. Even thinking about it right now makes my heart literally ache in my chest, and I almost cant take it. This short story was slightly more beneficial to the trilogy and helped with learning about where Raven came from, why she was the way she was, and learning about the beautiful love she shared with Tack that we don't learn too much about in the main books.

Thank you Lauren Oliver for a few GREAT ADDITIONS to a fantastic trilogy.

Oh, but there is a bonus:

     ALEX:
     We wont rate this story on a star system because it was an addition to Requiem only in the first printings and it was 10-15 pages long at best (I don't know exactly). All I can say is that this little addition shows why Alex was acting that way when he returned in Requiem. Also, I think this story helped me understand Delirium a little better. I never felt a connection with Lena and Alex in Delirium and I think its because Delirium didn't give me enough to go on. I felt like I never got a chance to see WHY Lena loved Alex so much. This story showed me their relationship in a new way that I can appreciate and maybe I can see why some people are on Team Alex and not on Team Julian. I'm not changing my mind though. But....maybe Alex isnt all bad.

OVERALL RATING: ★★★★ 1/2
Thank you Lauren Oliver for an amazing ride!! I might not have loved Delirium that much but after reading the rest of the trilogy and these wonderful add-ons, I am sad to say goodbye. Though I felt the first two stories didn't serve much purpose, they were still a great way to add some depth to the characters that held some mysteries.

Have any of you read these? What did you think?

A.

Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

ISBN: 9780062014535
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: March 2013
Series: Delirium Trilogy #3
Page Count: 391


GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

IN-DEPTH REVIEW:
**NO SPOILERS, but if you havent read Pandemonium, I wouldn't suggest reading this. You may want to read my review of Pandemonium, though it does contain some small spoilers**
Ever since I finished Pandemonium, I've been dying to read this book as I'm sure many of you have been or were, and we all obviously know why. The return of ALEX **gasp**

I'm not going to lie, at the end of Pandemonium, I was very anxious to see what would happen with Alex, but ever since Julian entered the picture, I was 100% team Julian. I think I mentioned in my review of Pandemonium that I never felt any connection with Lena and Alex. No emotion when he "died" or anything like that. I just had no interest. I instantly connected with the Julian-Lena love story and I think its important for me to add that after reading Requiem where we have both Julian and Alex, I am still team Julian, though only about 90% now, maybe not 100%.

I was 15 pages into this book and I was already pissed off with Lena and the attitude she had taken on once Alex has shown up again. I was quickly understanding why many people didnt like this book. Lena was back to being boring Lena. But then all of a sudden, a few pages later, it all happened for me. I was hooked. I was literally crying at this point because of the emotions Lena was experiencing, and Oliver's writing is just so amazing that, at times, I felt those emotions myself. Those really are the best kinds of books, arent they? The ones that make you feel what the characters feel.

Another reason I felt like I connected with this book was because of the emotions Lena was feeling in her love life. Let us all be honest here, most of us have experienced some sort of romantic heartache, be it a break up in the 8th grade or in your adult life. Either way, you remember being crushed, right? Well I was a particularly dramatic teenager, and havent had the best of luck as of late, so I know what its like, and I think the second best kinds of books are the ones you can relate to. I related to Lena, I felt her pain because of the writing and because of my own memories.
Anyhow... moving on.

Julian grew so much in this final installment of the trilogy. Though I liked him in Pandemonium, he came off as weak to me, and Requiem comes around and no, he isn't all of a sudden tough and strong just because he's left Zombieland to live in the Wilds, like many authors would have made him. He grew. He was still afraid of the changes, of the difference in the quality of life, and of loving or showing affection, but he wanted to try and learn and be strong and be an asset to the resistance to fight for what he believed in and he did all of those things. I just loved Julian in Requiem which made Alex's return that much harder for me to accept. Ugh, imagine how hard it was for Lena!

Now, see - usually, when a dystopian novel like this begins to focus too much on love and romance when the fate of life itself is at stake, I tend to get annoyed by petty teenager things being important when there are obviously more important things to worry about. However, this novel is different in an interesting way. As we all know, this trilogy is about a society that deems love a disease, amor deliria nervosa, that it is the cause of all the world's problems. These books are about fighting for love. I expected to be annoyed by the focus on relationships but I wasnt and I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I was in the relationships in this trilogy.

One thing I do have to say that I also found interesting was that in Pandemonium and Requiem, the characters many times had the same thoughts I did. Are the "cureds" right? Is it really a disease? You find yourself so consumed, not thinking clearly, doing irrational things, etc. Arent they right in some way? It was just clever how Oliver presented this, giving up the ability to see both perspectives, how maybe the "cureds" werent totally wrong with the whole premise of the cure.

Now let's talk about Hana. Many of you should know that this book is told from Lena's view in the Wilds and Hana's view in Portland after her cure. I was so engrossed in Hana's story, as much as I was in Lena's. Even at the times I found myself hating her, I found myself cheering her on and feeling for her too.

I was totally engrossed in this book in its entirety and kind of wonder what some of the reviewers were talking about when they said they didnt even like it. I really cant think of much I didnt like except - oh! The ENDING!! I think many are in an uproar over the way this story ended, and while I am not happy with it, I like that it gives me room to decide how it ends myself. I have some ideas where Oliver wanted it to go with some things, but others, I guess it is kind of left up to the reader, and one day, I suppose I'll say where this one went in my head, but I dont want to give anything away. For now, I'll just replay it in my head whenever I get sad that this trilogy is over.

SUMMARY OF MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book, and was very happy with the growth of the characters and their depth. I enjoyed all aspects, including the progression of relationships and the progression of the resistance. I am ONE HUNDRED PERCENT TEAM JULIAN and I always will be. As always, the writing is terrific, and frankly this was my favorite in the series. I didnt like Delirium to begin with but continued because I dont like to leave things unfinished, ended up loving Pandemonium, and adored Requiem. I felt every emotion portrayed in this book with fierce intensity which brought me even farther into the world of Delirium.


RATING: ★★★★ 1/2

Four and a half stars for this one. The ONLY thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars one is the ending. I just wasnt happy with it, and though I am trying to look at it in a positive light, I cant help but remember thinking - THIS IS IT? THIS IS HOW IT ENDS!?

Now I'm going to read the three short stories that are a part of Delirium Stories and I will be posting a review on that some time this week, in addition the short story about Alex released in the first printing of Requiem.

So, have you read this one yet? If so, what did you think? If not, do you plan on reading it? Can't wait to hear what you thought of this one.

A.

Feature and Follow Friday - Guilty Pleasures

This week's Feature and Follow topic by Parajunkee is:

Q: What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre, or is it a certain type of book?

 

Ooohhh, guilty pleasures. I cant wait to hear all the interesting answers to this one, haha!
I had to really think about this one, because I saw some answers and I dont really like love triangles, or vampires, or outerspace, or anything. I'm not secretly into any of those things.

Okay, its gonna sound really weird but the one thing I seem to enjoy... well enjoy might not be the right word, but what really pulls at my heart strings are books that are emotionally taxing. Dont get me wrong, I truly love a lighthearted, easy read that puts me in a good mood, but I can tell you that the handful of books that STAY with me are the ones that I lost sleep over, the ones I cried my heart out to when I read them over and over because I just couldnt put them down.

Have you ever read a Jodi Picoult novel? They are already on touchy topics, then add in all the extra drama and you wont be able to move on for days. There was this one book she wrote, Picture Perfect, and let me tell you - after I finished that book, I literally laid down to take a nap. I was so mind-blown, so emotionally....DONE.

Why would I want to feel this way, you ask? Well, I dont. Lol... it sucks actually, but for me, those are the kinds of books with the most powerful message. Make me cry, even if its because so-and-so's boyfriend broke up with her, then you've got my attention. My eyes and ears will be wide open at this point for anything they've got to say, and thats when I truly enjoy a book.

Now, I dont exactly go looking for heart-wrenching books, one, because I can only take so much emotional abuse throughout the year. Two, I do enjoy happiness too. I'm not crazy, I tell you! I just like a powerful book like that.

Anyhow, what's your guilty pleasure?

Dont forget to visit Parajunkee to join in the fun, and make sure you follow lots and lots of other blogs!!

A.

Top Ten Tuesday - I NEED that book!

Hey ya'll, TTT again hosted by the Broke and the Bookish! Visit their blog to find out how to join in the fun!

This week's topic is:

"Top Ten Five Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread"

 

Yeahhh....about that. Can I make this list my top 60? Cause... thats how many books I have sitting on my shelf to read. And I generally throw a mental, sometimes real-life, hissy fit to justify buying book after book. I NEED EVERY BOOK! Ever. All books ever made. That is how I feel at times, and how I've ended up with such a ridiculous TBR shelf.

But with that being said, I'll go with the ones I threw the biggest hissy fits for or was super excited about, and that have been sitting on my shelf way too long:

1.  Son by Lois Lowry - I cannot explain to you the intense excitement that I expressed when I found out this book existed. I told everyone. People who didnt care. I bought the entire quartet in hardcover (and they all look so beautiful). But... about 4 months later, all 4 books are still sitting on my shelf, and for some reason I cant get myself to pick it up because there's always something else I want to read more.

2.  The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling - I, like many other die-hards, picked up this book almost as soon as it came out, even though the reviews were not so great. I vowed to read it, even if I hated it, just to show my support for my favorite author on earth. And here I am. Terrified to read it in case I really do hate it....

3.  Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein - When The Hobbit came out in theatres, I was so gung-ho about reading the whole series. I started with The Hobbit and quickly lost steam because I didnt love it. I still want to read them all but what if I dislike them as much as I disliked The Hobbit? Ugh.

4.  Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - My good friend is obsessed with this book, got me all hyped up to read it, went out and bought it, and now I, as with all the other 60 books I own, cant bring myself to skip over all the new things I have and read it.

5. The Alchemyst by Michael Scott - I am obsessed with all things Percy Jackson and anything reminiscnent of the same. So I love middle grade books like this and when I heard about it, I HAD to have it. Again - hasnt made it off my TBR shelf since purchase. :(

Actually, looking through my TBR pile, I notice how little excitement I have for many of the books I own. Is that sad? I suppose I should stop buying books until I get my number to at least half of what it is. I am pathetic. Anyhow, in looking at my pile, I remember excitement and a need to have at the moment I bought it, but the five listed above are the only ones I remember acting ridiculous for, and not having picked them up since buying them.

So whats your top ten this week?

A.

Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

ISBN: 9781442409088
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: February 2012
Series: Chemical Garden Trilogy #2
Page count: 341 pages

BN.COM SYNOPSIS:

"Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but they’re still in danger. Outside, they find a world even more disquieting than the one they left behind. Determined to get to Manhattan and to find Rhine’s twin brother Rowan, the two press forward, amidst threats of being captured again . . . or worse.

The road they are on is long and perilous—and in a world where young women only live to age 20 and men die at age 25, time is precious. In this sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price—now that she has more to lose than ever."

 IN-DEPTH REVIEW:

Well... where the heck to I start? I picked up this book a long time after reading Wither, so I didnt remember all of the little details from it. I do recall being a little bored but I did still enjoy the story enough. I didnt have this blog back then, but I would say I would've given it somewhere in the 3-4 star range.
** If you havent read Wither, I would recommend reading it first or reading someone else's review on it before you read this review. Also, please be advised there may be some little tiny spoilers for Fever in this review, if you havent read it already**

I was already pissed off that Rhine had run off with Gabriel at the end of Wither. I was not a fan of Gabriel. I felt like Rhine liked him because he was nice to her and they could relate in their imprisonment, whereas she could not relate with Linden (except much later she realizes he's a prisoner of his own sort and she COULD relate to him, but that is besides the point). I was sort of rooting for Linden from the middle of Wither and either way, I was never rooting for Gabriel. Especially in this second installment, when I felt the entire time that Gabriel was a shallow idiot who resented Rhine for bringing him to freedom, just because the world wasnt beautiful or easy. 

So anyhow, they're running away from the mansion, which is totally fine, because Rhine obv wants to be reunited with her brother, but then not FIVE MINUTES after they get out of whatever body of water they sailed over and swam through, did they make stupid decisions and were thwarted by a mad woman running a CARNIVAL OF PROSTITUES!! Okay, I'm sorry, some people were excited by the carnival aspect, but I was genuinely annoyed and kind of creeped out by the whole weird thing. The carnival part of the story was so slow for me, I just didnt get it, I hated Rhine and Gabriel while they were there and I just wanted it to be over! I actually felt like I connected more with Jared and Lilac in the carnival more than I did with the main characters!!!

Like I said, I found the first half of the book incredibly slow and boring for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events and pick up in the pace as they began getting ready to escape the carnival.

I know it almost sounds crazy, but this book was a little TOO dark for me. I mean, its dystopian, so what do I expect, right? But still - look at Cinder - hysterically funny while still being dark and dystopian-y. I couldnt even connect with Rhine and Gabriel's relationship the way I at least was able to with the other darker dystopian I've read, Pandemonium.

Another problem I had was how GROSS this novel was. I guess its a testament to DeStefano's writing that she can literally make me sick to my stomach with her descriptions of rats and eating old moldy food and what not. I literally found myself skipping brief descriptive portions like these because I thought I was going to puke. So, yay DeStefano, but eh... my stomach is too weak.

On that note - DeStefano is an amazing writer. Her prose.... wow. Just... wow. By the latter third of the book, when she was detailing Rhine's trips in and out of consciousness... it was just beautiful. Dark... and crazy.... but beautiful.

Okay, I ramble. My bad. Anyhow, by the second half of the book, I was much more interested and things were moving slightly faster. I wasnt totally sold on it, because the main characters did nothing for me and the plot hadnt been very great so far.

But then the unthinkable happens... Housemaster Vaughn... Okay I wont say it so this review wont be completely spoiled. Anyhow, after we reach this point in the story, I'm drawn back in. Soon returns the whole cast of the polygamous marriage crew and attendants and I'm back in the game!!

Somehow, I'm still rooting for Linden, and somehow I still hate Cecily. Little bi.... Okay, I'm sorry, I'll stop. Anyway, Rhine and Linden FINALLY come alive for me after a book and three quarters and I was so mad because I was determined not to like this book!! But I think I went into this with the preconceived notion that I didnt like it because I didnt love Wither and I would have rather been reading Requiem but it wasnt out yet. So in all fairness, I hadnt given it a chance. I still didnt love it, but DeStefano TOTALLY redeemed herself and her characters at the end of this book.

SUMMARY OF MY THOUGHTS:

Somehow, the ending redeemed the whole thing for me, and I cant wait to pick up Sever. The writing was absolutely beautiful, the plot was slow moving at first and a little better towards the end, and the characters (until the last 10 pages) were stagnant and boring - almost borderline annoying - for me. I did like this book, however, there were many things about it that I did not like.I would recommend this to anyone who has read Wither already, or those of you who can stand a not so great book to get to something better because something tells me that Sever is going to deliver.

RATING: ★★★ 1/2

I've given this one a total rating of 3 1/2 stars. If I was breaking it down (just to give you a better idea), the first half of this book would get a 2 star rating at best, and the second half would get a 3 1/2, then the last 15-20 pages would get a solid 5, because the book finally came alive here. So with that being said, on average, we fall back to 3 1/2. Also, I did like this book, but I didnt love it. It somehow didnt seem like it deserved a 4 but I didnt want to go as low as a 3.

Have any of you read this one yet? If you have - Do you agree or disagree with the points I made?  If you havent - do you think you will be picking this one up any time soon?

Cant wait to hear what you think!

A.

Feature and Follow Friday - Spring Reading Spots



Hey everyone, its feature and follow Friday! Make sure you visit Parajunkee to find out how to participate!!

This week's topic is:

"Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture"
 

Unfortunately, I'm at work right now, so I cant take a picture, but I just moved into a new apartment and it has a foyer thats more like a small room, and the entire room is lined with windows. I'm soon going to get a chair to put in there so I can read because my favorite place to read is any comfy spot with lots of sunlight! 

I also used to adore reading on my porch at my old apartment, but I can do the same on my new porch. I dont have a garden or anything cool like that, but I'm obsessed with sunlight and windows and bright happy feelings, so ANY place where the sun shines bright!!

How about you? Where is your favorite reading spot?

Thanks for stopping by, and let me know if you're a new follower so I can follow back! Oh and dont forget to follow lots and lots of these great blogs!!

A. :)

Top Ten Tuesday - Spring TBR List

Hey now, its Top Ten Tuesday again, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! Check out their blog to find out how to participate.

This week's TTT topic is:

"the books on your Spring TBR list, either books you're meaning to read or new releases."

 

Well, for those of you who know me, I have a really hard time not buying book after book after book. Actually - I just bought six books at once this weekend.... but I had coupons! I only spent 60 bucks on SIX BOOKS! One of them was originally a $30 book - I essentially got it for $10! I know, I'm awesome.

Anyhow, my point here is, my list will not be what releases I'm excited about because I cant let myself buy anything else. I have to read what is on my shelf. I have to, I have to , I have to.

So with that being said, from the 50+ books on my shelf, here is what I'm looking forward to this spring:

     10.     The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

     9.     The Alchemyst by Michael Scott - been wanting to read this one for a while but keep putting it off...

     8.    Shatter Me by Tahareh Mafi - JUST bought this weekend, and every time I look at the cover, I can barely contain myself...

     7.     The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

     6.     Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

     5.     Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - the reviews on this were just too good for me to not pick this one up...

     4.     Across the Universe by Beth Revis - I've been craving a book in outer space - I think this is the one for me...

     3.     Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - Can't believe I waited so long to read Cinder, now I'm desperate to read this...

     2.     Hana, Anabel and Raven by Lauren Oliver - I've been skimming this book for days now, trying to rush through the book I'm reading now to get to this...

     1.     Requiem by Lauren Oliver - Why did I wait forever to pick up Pandemonium? I NEED to read this ASAP!

These are all books that I currently have on my physical TBR shelf, and have been neglecting because I buy books faster than I can read them. I'm awful, I know..

But anyways, whats on your Spring 2013 TBR list?

A.

Feature and Follow Friday - What's all the hype about?

It's F&F Friday again, (though I regretably missed last week's) hosted by Parajunkee's View! Visit their blog to find out how to participate!

This week's question is:

"What is a book that you didn't like at all that all your friends raved about , or what book did you love that wasnt popular?"
 

Well as far as something that was raved about - I didnt like Matched by Ally Condie and Delirium by Lauren Oliver - though I loved the sequels - and even though I read them before they were all hyped up, people's reviews of them give such high marks, when I didnt like the first in either of these series at all.

Now, I just want to add - and I dont know why this sticks out in my mind - but even though they are classics, and they are generally raved about everywhere by everyone, I really didnt like Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre. I had such a hard time getting through Jane Eyre, but I did finish it. Alice on the other hand, I sort of skipped a bunch of parts to get to the end because I just couldnt do it. Does this mean I am a disgrace, a failure? I hate when I dont like something that is so widely known and raved about, and are classics like these. But I will continue to read the classics even if I am terrified that I will hate them because obviously someone thinks they have educational value, right? There's gotta be something in there thats beneficial.

Honestly, there isnt much I can think of off the top of my head that I loved that others didnt love. Usually if I end up liking something, it is because it has all the right qualities of a good book. :)

Anyhow, what books did you love and hate?

A.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

ISBN: 9781250007209
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: January 2012
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Page Count: 448 pages

SYNOPSIS:

"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl..."

In this Cinderella retelling, Cinder is a cyborg - formerly human, and has parts of her body replaced with robot parts - sort of like prosthetic limb but with wires and a control panel... I guess you'd have to read it to understand haha. She is also a gifted mechanic living in a future after the fourth world war, living in the Eastern Commonwealth in New Beijing, under the rule of Emperor Rikan and his dreamy son Prince Kaito (Kai for short), where the world has become plagued by an epidemic called the "blue plague".

The heroine, Cinder, lives with her "Stepmother" and two "Stepsisters" (technically her adoptive family). Her stepmom and one of her sisters hate her, and find her disgusting because of her cyborg qualities. As it happens, cyborgs are thought of as less than human and are considered property in New Beijing and have less rights than humans.

Prince Kai asks the gifted mechanic to fix his android and subsequently becomes enchanted by her...awkwardness? Most definitely not her beauty or wealth or family name. He asks her to the BALL! Yes, this book has a ball, and she turns him down because she is a martyr and doesnt want to embarrass him by letting him show up to this ball with a cyborg, especially because he doesnt know she is a cyborg.

With Cinder looking for a cure for the plague to save her sister - and the rest of the world - and trying to save Prince Kai from the evil-doings of the Lunar Queen Levana, who rules the "magical" creatures that inhabit the Earth's moon, now called Luna (which actually means moon in spanish - haha), she finds herself in a few predicaments that lead to her finding out some whopping secrets about her past that by the end of the book, she STILL cant wrap her head around.  There is something about Cinder... something she doesnt even know that will change her life as she knows it.

IN-DEPTH REVIEW:

This book was not just your average fairy tale. I enjoyed this book so much, and had to refrain from going out to purchase the sequel immediately (just because I have so much else to read). I found the world Meyer has built, with all her cyborgs and moon people and blue plague stuff, to somehow be more realistic than many of the popular dystopian novels out there right now. I know it sounds crazy, but I could picture myself as part cyborg more than I could picture myself fighting 20-something other children to the death in a giant arena. Dont get me wrong - I'm a huge fan of The Hunger Games, I'm just saying... I would be more likely to believe in people inhabiting the moon, thats all.

Writing style: superb
Plot: Interesting and moved quickly.
World building: SUPER COOL!

I actually found this to be a light, fun novel, even with all the death going around. The blue plague is the newest generation's version of the Bubonic Plague - the kids were even singing "Ring around the Rosie" at one point. For those of you that don't know the history behind that kid's game... check it out. You'll never want your kids to play it again.... creepy!

I loved the way Meyer worked in the Cinderella fairy tale without being over the top. It was a story that would still be a story if the Cinderella aspects were taken out, which was great for me. I mean who doesnt love fairy tales? But I'm 23, and though I loved to revisit my childhood, I like to think of myself as slightly more of an adult than I was when I was five. I'm glad there was a real story and plot that wasnt solely focused on Cinderella.

I loved the Prince, and Cinder because they were cute but not too much, and Cinder was funny and sarcastic which I always enjoy in my heroines. Meyer created two wonderful villians in Lihn Adri and Levana the Lunar Queen. I hated Levana and somehow despised and pitied Adri at the same time.

**SPOILER**
Its weird because at the end of the book there are some discussion questions and one asks if the reader thinks there was a character representing the "fairy godmother" in this story, and in one instance I will consider Dr. Erland the fairy godmother who gives her the money to escape and get gasoline for her car, which is sort of her "pumpkin carriage" being orange and all, and he champions her and wants to help her. And sort of could be Iko her android who saves her dress and finds her the cyborg foot. Might I just add how much I loved that and how much I loved the touch of Cinder losing her cyborg foot instead of her shoe on the stairs outside of the palace when she left the ball. Anyhow, in the other instance, I think Cinder was her own fair godmother. She paid for the cyborg foot, and repaired the car and got herself to the ball and tried the save the world alone. And I love that aspect that girls can sometimes need saving, but most times they can save themselves. Way to go Meyer! Girl power!!
**END SPOILER**

There wasnt much I didnt like about this book. I found myself a little bored a few times - only for a few pages though, before the action started back up. That was about it, though. I thought I'd be tired of dystopians by now, and wondered if I'd be over this one before I even finished it, but its so different and original and FUN. I loved this story - hats off to Marissa Meyer! Once I find it reasonable to buy another book to add to my pile of 50+ TBR books, I will be picking up the next one, and I cannot wait! Another thing that upsets me, by the way is that the third and fourth installments of this series arent coming out until 2014 and 2015. What if the world ends by then!? I cant die without reading the rest of the series.

SUMMARY OF MY THOUGHTS:

I enjoyed this book very much. The writing was wonderful; it was extremely unique and creative and very different from other dystopians crowding the market; it was fun, light and believable; and I cant wait to read the next in the series!

RATING: ★★★★

This one gets a four star rating! There were some slow parts for me, but never slow enough for me to lose interest. The characters, dialogue, world and plot were believable, even though it was chock full of cyborgs, androids, moon people and monarchies. I liked this book so much and I would recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi/fantasy novels, young adult fiction and dystopian novels - oh, and fairy tale retellings!!

Have you gotten to read this one yet? If you have - what did you think? Do you agree or disagree, and why?

A.