It's Monday! What are you reading?

Finished: 

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins - Gabbi

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins - Gabbi

The Collector by Victoria Scott - Gabbi

Currently Reading: 

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard - Gabbi

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza - Charlotte

Next In Line: 

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

Quote Impressions

“You don't think I can fight." Tessa said, drawing back and matching his
silvery gaze with her own. "Because I'm a girl."

"I don't think you can fight because you're wearing a wedding dress", said Jem. "For what it's worth, I don't think Will could fight in that dress either."

"Perhaps not," said Will, who had ears like a bat's. "But I would make a radiant bride.” -- Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 “When I was little, I used to go to the local ice-skating rink. In my mind, I always felt like I could twirl and jump, but when I got out onto the ice, I could barely keep my blades straight. When I got older, that's how it was with people: In my mind, I am bold and forthright, but what comes out always seems to be so meek and polite. Even with Evan, my boyfriend for junior and most of senior year, I never quite managed to be that skating, twirling, leaping person I suspected I could be. But today, apparently, I can skate.” -- Just One Day by Gayle Forman

“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body.

I want to know where to touch you, I want to know how to touch you. I want to know convince you to design a smile just for me. Yes, I do want to be your friend. I want to be your best friend in the entire world.” -- Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

"Why are you such an ass?" The words came out before I could think twice.

"Everyone has to excel at something, right?"

"Well, you're doing a great job." -- Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth." -- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

"I guess it's true that love makes you blind."

"No," my mom said. "It doesn't make you blind. You're very, very aware of everything about the one you truly love, whether you know it from what your eyes tell you or your heart. So no, love doesn't make you blind. It paralyzes you until you can't breathe or run away from it." -- Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

"But there are much worse games to play." -- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

"You kept the door to that heart of yers locked up tight an hid the key away. Looks like she found it."

"Keys ain't her style. She kicked the door down." -- Rebel Heart by Moira Young

"I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though." -- Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book Review: Seefer Elliot and the World Aside Ours by P. Mallon

Seefer Elliot and the World Aside Ours by P. Mallon

Series: Book 1 in Seefer Elliot

Genre: Middle Grade Sci Fi

Publication Date:January 2012

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 284

One day, this twelve-year-old boy will save the world. For now, he's the one who needs saving.

Seefer Elliot thinks his life stinks. He's at constant odds with his mother. The kids at school relentlessly tease him. And not a day goes by where something near him doesn't break or burst into flames. Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, his school is overtaken by an otherworldly foe.

Now the kid nobody wanted around is the most wanted one in this existence. He faces the decision to flee for his own safety, or use his burgeoning superpower to battle the enemy who seeks control over it.

 

 So, I recieved this book as a review copy from the author. Pat Mallon sent me this physical proof (ARC).

The story is about a boy named Seefer Elliot who is picked on by his peers. He's portrayed as a loser and a bully victim of the "popular" middle school kids. But one day something bad happens and he's the only person who can save the world. So, him, along with a girl named Cassy, have to save the world from aliens. It's one of those underdog stories.

I always had a thing about underdog stories because there was this poetry video and one of the lines was "we grew up cheering on the underdog because we see ourselves in them" (Shane Koyczan, To this Day).

I really enjoyed this story in the sense that it was kind of childish but still easy to read. I know a lot of people in my grade would probably like this story more than me, but I found it kind of kiddy, considering I'm readinig hard hitting YA books in my usual time.

Seefer Elliot is the perfect underdog and a character that I didn't really mind all that much. I just didn't get how he was portrayed as a loser in the beginning and a hero in the end. The transition was just too big for me. I didn't get a sense of him changing, just in the moment of danger, him suddenly becoming some level headed hero.

It's also, without a doubt, middle grade. There is just that sense of immaturity that this book embraces. I know I've already said that, but that being said, only specific audiences would like this book. Most of my blogging friends wouldn't read this, because they're like 20 and 25 while I'm 13. They'd most likely think it was something that really isn't their style, but then again, I can't judge all.

I'm going to pass this book to my sister and see what she thinks. She's 8, but it would be good to get her opinion. Mine, however is that this book is good if you want something light, kind of funny and an overall good "family story" about the underdog who proved everyone wrong :)

Practically Peeing

I know, what a weird post title! But there's a lot of times when I'm excited for a book I say I'm peeing my pants for it. So "Practically Peeing" is a feature sort of like Waiting on Wednesday or On My Wishlist or Books  To Pine For where I showcase books that I realllllllly want to read. They might already be released, they might be a year away, they might be coming out next month! Either way, I can guarantee, I really want to read them.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA contemporary
Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 243

She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.. 

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter. . . . except this story could come true.

I loved Jennifer Echols's book Such a Rush. It was steamy, and I loved the characters. I have no doubt this book will hold the same awesome elements. Plus, fun creative writing stuff thrown in there! 

 Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Series: Just One Day #2

Genre: YA/NA Contemporary

Publication Date: October 15, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Children's

Pages: 384

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem's story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

Words can't even. Gayle Forman is AMAZEBALLZ and I adoredlovedworship Just One Day. I can't wait to get to know smexy Willem more!  

Where You Are by J.H. Trumble

Series: Standalone

Genre: YA contemporary

Publication Date: December 24, 2012

Publisher: Kensington

Pages: 320

Robert Westfall's life is falling apart-everywhere but in math class. That's the one place where problems always have a solution. But in the world beyond high school, his father is terminally ill, his mother is squabbling with his interfering aunts, his boyfriend is unsupportive, and the career path that's been planned for him feels less appealing by the day.

Robert's math teacher, Andrew McNelis, watches his best student floundering, concerned but wary of crossing the line between professional and personal. Gradually, Andrew becomes Robert's friend, then his confidante. As the year progresses, their relationship-in school and out of it-deepens and changes. And as hard as he tries to resist, Andrew knows that he and Robert are edging into territory that holds incalculable risks for both of them.

J.H. Trumble is spectacular beyond explanation. Her debut novel, Don't Let Me Go was legit the best. Her writing is poignant, and her characters have so much depth. 

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Series: Standalone

Genre: YA/NA contemporary

Publication Date: September 5, 2012

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 448

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

I have heard the most magnificent things about this book. I've got a weird thing for the books that completely obliterate my heart, and I've heard that this is that kind of book, so of course I must experience ALL THE FEELZ.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Boyfriends

I think a universal fact about book junkies is this: We connect to characters. We dive head first into their (most of the time) screwed up world, read their thoughts, hang on to their feelings. Sometimes we laugh with them, sometimes we cry for them. There are some characters we can't wait to see again, others we hope get their head crushed by a pirate riding a unicorn (which are totally okay thoughts to have about fictional characters). Most importantly, those characters steal a little piece of our souls whether we say it's okay or not.

I could prattle on about fictional characters for the rest of my lifehours. Especially fictional characters of the male variety. So this was a deliciously tortuous topic for me. Picking between my fave YA hotties is like trying to pick a favorite song or food and I'm like "OMG THERE ARE SO MANY I LOVE." I did my best, guys. I swear.  ~Gabbi

1) Link from the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Link is the kind of guy, that if he went to my high school, I would become his best friend and secretly pine for him, maybe without even realizing it. He has such a laid back, go-with-the-flow personality. He is a great friend and has a huge heart. Not to mention the goofiest sense of humor. 

2) Alex Sheathes from the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver - Alex will literally do anything for love. He's just so...beautiful. A lot of guys are sexy and funny and awesome, but Alex is just beautiful. 

3) Noah Hutchins from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - OMG OMG OMG Noah. I don't even know what to say. He both fits the stereotypical badboy and yet completely obliteratres it. He's got so many issues and he just needs a hug. Maybe some kisses. I could give him some kisses...ya know, if that's what he needs....

4) Dexter Jones from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dex is just the sweetest and the goofiest and one persistent little turdnugget. Not to mention he is in a band that writes song about potatoes! 

5) Dimitri Belikov from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - Dimitri is the kind of guy that I would probably literally swoon over. He's a badass in a fight, and yet he has the gentlest touch. He can sweep you off your feet with a gaze and deliver a harsh truth in a beautiful and wise way. He is a model citizen for upstanding morals, but sometimes he has to make decisions that seemingly fight those morals. I just love him, okay. I'm sighing just thinking about him. 

6) William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I honestly don't think I have words for William Herondale. My heart clenches when I think about him. He's just so perfectly imperfect. 

7) Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Augustus is another one of those guys I can just see going to my high school and me developing a ginormicus crush on. He is smart and funny and the weirdest sort of wonderful. So full of life and passion. 

8) Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - Glitter. Rainbow leather pants. Cat eyes. Bisexual. Immortal warlock. Come on now. 

9) Adrian Ivashkov from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead - He doesn't need an explanation. He just doesn't. But I'll give you this because I am in a generous mood: 

“Yeah? Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it'd be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.”

10) Adam Wilde from If I Stay and its companion Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Nomalicious musician. Need I say more? 

RUNNER UPS: 

Because I am an awful person and could not stop at ten. 

~ Jace Herondale from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Simon Lewis from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Jase from Huntley Fitzpatrick's My Life Next Door

~ Archer Cross from Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series

1) Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games) - I'm slightly obsessed... I even have a Finnick necklace!!

2) Joshua (The Other Life) - He's perfect. He's brave, he's warm, caring, he's flawed. (My boyfriend, I called dibbs.)

3) Denver Beck (The Demon Trappers) - Ooffft. He's so damaged but yet still so gawjjjjj! <3

4) Cole (The Wolves Of Mercy Falls) - He's a rogue. Hot, funny, kind, a typical lad but also part wolf, could you ask for more?

5) Liam (The Forsaken) - Gahhhhh, he's so beautiful :') *mouth waters*

6) Four (Divergent) - He's Four, I don't need to explain.

7) Alex (Hunting Lila) - He's just hot... Sexy, protective and again hot... The perfect 'You're my brother's best friend and I really shouldn't kiss you but I juuuuust might have to.'

8) Chris (Star-crossed) - He's your worst enemy but still your Romeo. <3

9) Jack (Blood Red Road) - He's just... Jack. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders but still manages that damn sexy attitude.

10) Rafa (Shadows) - He just has that... way about him that lures you in!

RUNNER UP:

Patch from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Kay people, not gonna lie, I have a thing for Bad Boys. I don't know, it's just me. I find scars, tattoos and an arrogant personality kind of hot, and it gives me a reason to hit the guy. :P If you haven't noticed, almost all guys are bad boys. It's just kind of how I roll. They're all really dark, mysterious and have a reason to pull you in. They've also got amazing stories in their past that sometimes, you just can't expect. I can't give you an individual explanation because they're all so close together, even though some of their true personalities are miles apart.

1) Wolf - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

2) Daniel - Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

3) Daemon - Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

4) Warner - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

5) Damen - Evermore by Alyson Noel

6) Travis - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

7) Noah - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

8) Four - Divergent by Veronica Roth

9) Jace - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

10) Ryan - Dare You To by Katie McGarry

March Recap

If you haven't been obsessively keeping tabs on my blog, I must say I'm neither surprised nor upset. So here are some posts of note from March, just in case you missed them ;D

It's Raining Bloggers! Hallelujah, It's Raining Bloggers!

In which you get to meet my new blogging partners. 

Who needs McLovin when I have Bloglovin

In which I do some self-promotion. 

Gabbi's review of Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Gabbi's review of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Nova's review of Gotcha! by Shelley Hrdlitschka

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

Some of which I read after posting this. 

Top Ten Books We Recommend Most

Cover Compare of Stephanie Perkins's new covers

In which my AP class shines through. 

Movie/TV Adaptations Castings

In which I confess my woman crush for Jennifer Lawrence.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Finished:

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare - Gabbi

Dare You To by Katie McGarry - Gabbi

Dark Parties by Sara Grant - Charlotte
Gotcha! by: Shelley Hrdlitschka - Nova

Currently Reading:

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins - Gabbi

Slated by Teri Terry - Charotte

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderon - Charlotte

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher - Charlotte

Up Next:

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - Gabbi
Shards and Ashes - Anthology (Dystopian) - Nova

Purchased: 

The Lord of the Rings Part One: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - Gabbi

The Lord of the Rings Part Two: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien - Gabbi