If you haven't been obsessively keeping tabs on our blog, I must say I'm neither surprised nor upset. So here are some posts of note from July, just in case you missed them ;D
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
It's Monday! What are you reading?
A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
Just Between Us by J.H. Trumble
Currently reading:
No clue!
Up next:
Good question.
Man, I didn't expect to read so much this week, now I have no idea what to do next. So many options. I think I'll have better luck deciding what I'm in the mood to read next when it isn't 2 AM.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Quote Impressions: The Romantique Edition
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
“'And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?'" His voice tightened. "'And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching.'” - City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
“On a sigh he brought up his hand and used one long finger to brush a dark curl away from my face. With the saddest look in his eyes, he said, 'A girl needs to be held right now, and comforted, and told that everything is going to be okay. I'm sorry I can't do that for you. I don't have any of that left.'
'I have a little,' I said, 'and I'll lend it to you.'” - Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
Enjoy the various degrees of swoon. Also, clicking on the book covers will take you to the respective book's goodreads page.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Book Review: A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Series: StandaloneGenre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: July 23, 2013
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Format: eARC
Pages: 288
Source: Received from publisher for review via NetGalley
A hint of Recovery Road, a sample of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and a cut of Juno. A Really Awesome Mess is a laugh-out-loud, gut-wrenching/heart-warming story of two teenagers struggling to find love and themselves.
Two teenagers. Two very bumpy roads taken that lead to Heartland Academy.
Justin was just having fun, but when his dad walked in on him with a girl in a very compromising position, Justin's summer took a quick turn for the worse. His parents' divorce put Justin on rocky mental ground, and after a handful of Tylenol lands him in the hospital, he has really hit rock bottom.
Emmy never felt like part of her family. She was adopted from China. Her parents and sister tower over her and look like they came out of a Ralph Lauren catalog-- and Emmy definitely doesn't. After a scandalous photo of Emmy leads to vicious rumors around school, she threatens the boy who started it all on Facebook.
Justin and Emmy arrive at Heartland Academy, a reform school that will force them to deal with their issues, damaged souls with little patience for authority. But along the way they will find a ragtag group of teens who are just as broken, stubborn, and full of sarcasm as themselves. In the end, they might even call each other friends.
A funny, sad, and remarkable story, A Really Awesome Mess is a journey of friendship and self-discovery that teen readers will surely sign up for. (Summary from Goodreads.com)
The best part of this novel, in my opinion, is the group dynamic between Emmy, Justin, "Mohammed," Diana, Jenny, and Chip. There is humor, affection, and various screwed-upedness. I loved the transition from not knowing/liking each other to becoming partners in crime, looking out for each other, and challenging each other to face their aforementioned screwed up-edness. Together they are an interesting bunch. Individually, however, I can't say I particularly adore any of the characters. My favorite story belongs to Diana (but I won't give anything away). My least favorite is probably Jenny's, though her illness is very interesting and not something one will find in a lot of books.
Emmy, one of the narrators, really bothered me, though. For various reasons. For one, she refuses to accept her painfully obvious eating disorder. Please refer to this hilariously awesome review that just so happens to perfectly describe how annoying Emmy could be at times. Another thing is the way body image defines her life and the lives of those around her. I know that she has an eating disorder, so body image is a prominent thought in her mind. That does not stop me from being infuriated. At one point she says something along the lines of, "That girl is overweight so she must hate herself." Get the fucking fuck out.
Probably the most major flaw in this novel, though, is the lack of depth. Seeing as the setting is a mental illness rehabilitation center, this book features a vast range of mental illnesses. I did not feel like any of them were touched on as deeply as they could have been, which really hindered the emotional connection. All the feels were right there, a breath away from surface, but they never made it for me. Why do authors refuse to give me the feels? I love to see the characters suffer!
Would I recommend this book? Yeah, I would. It's entertaining, quick, and provides a bit more substance while still being a generally light read. It's not super original, but it does have aspects I've never read about before, which makes it a trillion times cooler and more memorable. Though this wasn't the reading experience I was hoping for, it is one I am happy I had.
Oh, and there's a really comical situation with a pig. Quite a few pig-related comical situations actually.
My true rating falls somewhere between 3.5 and 4 crowns, but it leans more toward 4.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Top Ten Tuesday: words/topics that make me NOT want to read a book
created by The Broke and the Bookish
Top Ten (seven) Topics That Make Me Not Want To Read A BookOkay, I'm going to cheat on this a little. I try to be open to all books, give them a chance even if they have elements I'm not entirely interested in. So, instead of things that turn me off before I crack open a book, I'm going to list the things that make me not like a book while reading it (besides the painfully obvious ones like insta-love, unoriginal plot, stilted dialogue, etc.).
1) Moving to a new school/town for generic reasons.
Find a different way for your MC to meet a new cast of characters. Or, if you are going to have such a cliche inciting incident, at least add your own twist to it, make the cliche something something un-cliche.
2) Evil popular girl.
Especially if she's perfect and gorgeous and a cheerleader. It just grinds my gears. I don't even have words. Sometimes a person can be beautiful, talented, a cheerleader, and "perfect" and just be genuinely sweet. And, okay, this is kind of a completely different issue, but just because a girl is really feminine/preppy doesn't mean she's stupid or an awful human being in general.
3) The electric charge.
You know, that moment when the MC and his/her meant-to-be make physical contact and a pulse of electricity races through him/her.
4) LGBT Shaming.
I don't think I've ever run into a serious case of this, but if I were to--HOLD MY HOOPS, GIRL. I will not stand for it.
5) Making light of suicide.
Suicide is a tragedy, and it is all too common in our society. It's not something to be joked about. Ever.
6) All the insecurities.
I get that teenage girls have insecurities, obviously. But I'd like to see more girls loving themselves. It hasn't been easy, but I love myself despite all the things others may deem unlovable. Maybe, for once, the girl can be good enough for the smokin' hot guy. Maybe, for once, the girl can be beautiful even if her body isn't the traditional definition of perfect. Maybe, for once, her looks and her mistakes won't define her. And this actually applies to guys too, even though I said "girl" the entire time.
7) Over dramaticness.
If you're going to be shunned by an entire school, or whatever, at least make it something believable. LIKE OH NOEZ YOU STOLE YOUR BFF'S BF? WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT. No thanks. Oh, and an MC that cries all the frackin time--or better yet, feints? I'll pass. Every now and then, okay whatevz. I once read a book where the MC cried at least every other page. Too much.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Series: The 5th Wave #1
Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic
Publication Date: May 1, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
This book was so good! The plot, the characters, the pacing, the writing, all of it!
I was hooked from the start, from the moment I stepped into this world the action was raging. Not even 20 pages in and you're shown how Cassie's world has been turned upside down - literally - and how instinct has torn her heart apart in a frenzy for survival.
Cassie (short for Cassiopia) is on a lonely stretch of highway, running from the haunting past she has endured with no one to trust. The 4th wave is upon her, smothering her chances of survival while the 5th wave is unknown, but it's coming.
This story was just ghdfyjfhrhtfhj!!!!! It's an alien story, yes, but is it a typical alien tale? No. Hell to the no. This has been so intricately planned and written, it is unique and enthralling. It does remind me (slightly-ish-not-majorly) of another book out on the market but it'd be a spoiler to say which!
Usually in alien apocalypse books/movies, aliens come down to earth in huge spaceships with large machines buried deep beneath the earth and the aliens are butt ugly baboons BUT The 5th wave puts an end to this. There is literally no confrontation (until the 4th wave - which you learn more about later in the book). Instead, the 1st wave consists of an electromagnetic pulse taking out all electricity/battery operated appliances etc. The 2nd wave is a tsunami, killing thousands and herding survivors. The 3rd wave sends out the pestilence (a deadly disease spread via birds because birds know no boundaries). The 4th wave brings Silencers, forcing survivors to stand alone. And the 5th wave? No one knows, but it's coming.
This fast-paced, action-packed plot is accompanied by some remarkable characters. There's Cassie (our protagonist) who is a head-strong, brave survivor of this otherworldly apocalypse - she's such a legitimate character, all of her actions and emotions are realistic, she's so human.
Another character is Evan Walker BUT I can't really say anything about him (or any other characters) without slipping out a few spoilers.
One thing I did love about this book was how you were never quite sure yourself who to trust or where others held their loyalties. You were in Cassie's shoes right up until the moment of truth.
I should have also mentioned that this book is written with alternating POVs between characters - who I cannot say. ;)
I definitely did love this book! It's a must read for everyone - particularly apocalypse/dystopian fans! I will certainly be picking up the sequel!
The aliens in this book are called 'The Others'. I only figured this out after misreading the first couple sentences a million times. Oh and make sure you read the page titled "Intrusion 1995" before chapter 1. :)
Check out this awesome book trailer by penguin illustrating all 4 waves, it got me uber hyped up for the book!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Book Review: Amongst the Ruins by Saewod Tice
Series: The Chronicles of 2020 #1
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication Date: September 12, 2011
Publisher: Noble Young Adult
Pages: 321 pages
Source: Received for review from the author
In the year 2220, only about 15% of Earth's population have survived and thrived after the Nuclear Disaster of 2020.
With the collapse of modern society, the population has regressed into eight clans.
Amongst these clans, an unusual girl grows from child to adult.
Raised on the run and in hiding, Shilo wants to be free of the expectations of women. But in a ruined world where anyone could be an enemy, only the radiation-twisted mutants are clearly identifiable. A fertile female is a precious treasure, and any lapse in caution can mean a loss of the freedom she longs for.
Training as hard as a soldier would, in order to free herself from social constraints, she finds herself faced with an offer from a new clan--an offer that provides her with what she desires. But her recently found independence brings discovery, and discovery brings two very different men from her past—and each of them is determined to claim her.
One is obsessed with owning her, the other desires her as the only person who can make him love again. (Summary from Goodreads.com)
This books was truly amazing! I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It's the first novel in the promising 2020 chronicles. When I finished reading "Amongst the ruins" I completely fangirled to the author and she hasn't replied yet so I think I scared her? Maybe the part where I told her I "loved" her did it?
Ok, so onto the more serious part of the review... Heck, this is going to be so hard to write! I'm still so hyper about the book!
I genuinely don't know where to start or what to say to prove how phenomenal this novel was. It's hard to sum up awesomeness in a few paragraphs.
Unlike most dystopian novels, whose plots sound promising but fail to deliver, this story really struck me and is now one of favourites of all time.
The plot was basic yet seemed so complex at the same time. There were so many twists and unpredictable turns. In the future the remaining 15% of the population live in clans due to the collapse in society after a nuclear disaster devastated mankind. The 'Nigredo" are savage, radiation-twisted mutants, almost human-like if it weren't for their lack of empathy, who threaten to ruin the life mankind has salvaged from their past failures; but they're not all that endanger Shilo's life, freedom and future.
Shilo's transformation from a young girl in hiding to a young woman who will stand her ground is compelling and dangerous. Everything she does is to survive. Nothing else matters but survival in this world, but for Shilo, survival isn't enough. She wants freedom from the trap she's fallen into, from the expectations of women in this monster of a world.
The characters are what make the story. The characterisation was beautiful and ever so real. The heartless mean fueled me with adrenaline and her friends and family enveloped me in warmth. I felt everything she experienced as if I were her, but at the same time I felt as though I was sat on the side line, unable to help her when my heart was screaming at me to do so.
The relationships between characters, whether they were enemies, friends, family or lovers were indecisive, believable and emotional. The feelings characters developed towards one another and the words they wished they'd had a chance to say make you realise just how precious life is.
I really can't strain enough how prodigious this novel was. The plot was simple yet layered, the characters all too human and beautiful.
A compelling read. An admirable protagonist. Her story will consume you.
*Recommended for 15+ due to mature content*
(Also available at Amazon US and from the publisher.)
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