These are the books I’ve placed on my TBR list (but haven’t gotten around to reading yet!) due to multiple recommendations. You may recognize a few of these novels from last week’s TTT (books I’m not sure I want to read). In no particular order:
1. If I Stay by Gayle Forman – I’ve been told this book is on par with Fault in Our Stars (emotionally, at least). Also, I want to see the movie, and so I MUST read the book first.
2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – This book has been given so many great recommendations.
3. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – I’ve been told countless times I MUST read this book. (I promise, I promise!)
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Another MUST-read, according to my writer’s group.
5. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – I think people either love this book or hate it. I’ve been told to read it, and I tried, once.
6 – 8. More John Green (An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns) – MUST read more novels by John Green.
9. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige – I’ve been told that if I enjoy retellings (I do) that I MUST read this book.
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – I’ve heard good things!
Have you read these novels? Are they MUST-reads? Share your thoughts!
So I was tagged by Tara Therese for the Sunshine Award. This is the first blogger award I’ve received, so I’m especially excited and very honored. Thanks so much, Tara!
What I’m feeling looks something like this:
These are the rules:
Give five facts about yourself.
Answer the previous blogger’s five questions.
Nominate five other bloggers.
Proudly display the badge.
5 facts about myself:
1. I’ll be learning Italian this year.
2. I am highly allergic to tree nuts.
3. My most recent favorite TV show is Psych.
4. I once wrote a very angry journal entry about losing my socks.
5. I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate.
Tara’s questions:
1. What career appeals to you most?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. When I was younger, I didn’t quite know what that meant. Now, I’ve narrowed it down: I’d like to be a YA novelist. I’m also particularly interested in working in publishing. So that’s what I’m going to college for. 🙂
2. Do you like to write book reviews?
Short answer: Yes, I enjoy writing book reviews. Long answer: When I finish reading a book, even if it’s a book I really loved, I will put off writing the review. Procrastination is never a good thing! By the time I get around to writing the review, I’ve already finished another book, and then the first book isn’t as fresh in my mind. So that can be quite annoying, but obviously that’s entirely my fault! But once I finally put fingers to the keyboard to write the review, I enjoy describing the book and why/why not I liked it.
3. Which of the four elements would you be?
Can I be all four? 😉
4. Do you like leopard prints?
Yes, I really do. I just don’t own anything in leopard print. I do, however, have an entire Pinterest board devoted to ‘prints,’ and so it features a good deal of leopard print. 🙂 You are welcome to check out my ‘prints’ Pinterest board.
5. What’s it like being an only child/having (a) sibling(s)?
I could write a book in response to this question. And maybe, one day, I will. I have a younger sister – we are 18 months apart – and she is both my best friend and worst enemy. 😉 Honestly, I love having a sibling. I think it would be so boring to be an only child. Having a sister can often be challenging, especially when we need the bathroom at the same time, or she doesn’t approve of my outfit and I don’t approve of her addiction to TV. (Luckily I have now turned her into a reading fiend!) But we love each other, and we’re always there for each other, and most days I’m glad we’re so close in age because we can talk about school and friends and teachers.
When and why did you start blogging?
What do you want to be?
Favorite book-to-movie adaptation?
Favorite quote from a favorite book?
Share one exciting thing you did this summer.
This review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Big Wheel, first novel in the Wheel trilogy by Susan Larned Womble, is a YA coming of age story about human trafficking and equality.
Fifteen-year-old Paisley lives with her mother and sister on their dilapidated farm in Germany. They have been confined there for as long as Paisley can remember, after a virus swept across the world and everything went to chaos. Now, the ruthless mercenaries (mercs) have taken over and round up surviving humans to be traded and sold like animals. When Paisley’s mother and sister are taken and she is left behind, she must team up with Colt, a neighboring farm boy, and Riley, a teenage merc, to rescue them.
Paisley and Colt masquerade as brother and sister and are caught up in the politics of the post-virus world. The royal family and the mercs are in charge, but they might have hope in the American ambassador, the Queen’s husband who is still searching for a cure to the virus.
Paisley is feisty and spunky, but also rather immature at the beginning of the book. She’s been so sheltered all her life. But as the book progresses, I enjoyed watching her grow. She has a sweet relationship with her older sister Gretel, and also develops great friendships with Colt, Riley, and the “undesirables” she meets along the way. However, not many of the supporting characters are as well developed as Paisley. This could mean they’re given larger roles in the next books. Also, at times the themes of humanity and equality were a bit too explicit.
I’d definitely give this novel points for an unpredictable twist toward the end. The conflict is not entirely resolved when the book concludes, but the cliffhanger hints at escalating conflict in books 2 and 3, as Paisley and her friends fight to take back over the world from the corrupt King and his mercenaries.
These are the 10 books I’m not sure I want to read – I’ve listed them in no particular order. If you believe I should give any of these books a shot, please share your thoughts! I challenge you to change my mind – tell me what I’m missing! 🙂
1. Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell – I thought this book looked fascinating. And then I decided I might not be able to stomach reading from the perspective of a serial killer.
2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – I’ve heard mixed things about this book. (??)
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman – I really want to see the movie, and so I want to read the book. I’m just worried it’s depressing, and I’m not a huge fan of depressing books.
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green – Honestly, not sure why I’m holding back.
5. The Jewel by Amy Ewing – I was looking forward to this, but I read a few poor reviews and so now I’m not so sure.
6. The Killer Order (prequel to Maze Runner) by James Dashner – I really enjoyed the Maze Runner, but the rest of the series did little for me. And so I’m hesitant to read this prequel.
7. Meridian (sequel to Arclight) by Josin L. McQuein – Did not enjoy reading Arclight (book 1).
8. The Mime Order (Bone Season #2) by Samantha Shannon – I wasn’t as impressed with The Bone Season as I’d hoped I’d be, and I don’t find myself particularly excited for the publication of The Mime Order.
9. The Last Little Blue Envelope (sequel to 13 Little Blue Envelopes) by Maureen Johnson – If Ginny and Keith aren’t together, I don’t think I want to read it. I realize that’s a terrible reason.
10. Pandemonium (sequel to Delirium) by Lauren Oliver – I attempted to read this immediately after being sucked into Delirium. It just wasn’t working for me, and so I doubt I’ll attempt it a second time.
I love to read because I love to identify with unique characters. I share their weaknesses and their strengths, and it’s why I either root for them to succeed or hope they fail.
Harry Potter, of course, was one of my first favorite book series. I am much like Hermione Granger in that I’m a fierce perfectionist and an academic. My schoolwork is important to me, and I enjoy reading and learning new things, and I was always that girl in class who couldn’t resist raising her hand to answer a question. And my sister would probably say I’m bossy. So there’s that, too. I’d like to think I also share Hermione’s loyalty, bravery, and wit, although I’m sure that’s pushing it. 😉
Hermione sort of reminds me of Sydney Sage, protagonist of Bloodlines, and so I believe I’m a good bit like Sydney as well. We’re both total sticklers for the rules.
And I’m a lot like Cress, the Rapunzel of the Lunar Chronicles, because I’m a romantic. And I can be a bit of a dreamer.
As a child, I loved the Betsy-Tacy series because I saw myself in Betsy Ray. She was creative, and always made up stories, and eventually became a writer.
As for the characters I WISH I was more like?
I wish I shared Tris Prior’s fearlessness, and Katniss Everdeen’s determination and strength. I wish I were more feisty like America Singer. I wish I had incredible powers like Alina (Shadow and Bone), Clary (Mortal Instruments Series), Tessa (Infernal Devices Series), and Celaena (Throne of Glass).
These heroines inspire me to be confident in myself, to persevere, to always strive to be a better person. What qualities do you share with these characters?
Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in the chain!
I have so many good things to say about Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer. Goodreads does not allow half-star ratings, but this book deserves a 4.5.
Summary: Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren’t the most popular girls in school, they aren’t too worried. After all, real life will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. But when an unexpected event proves they’re missing out on the full high-school experience, it’s time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. The trio makes a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge and totally rock it.
Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she’ll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed; it could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now. These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that might mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for…
I thought this book would be about a smart girl with an identity crisis. You know the one – she realizes she has no social life, that being book smart isn’t everything, and so she goes in the opposite direction and plays “bad girl” only to realize she needs to stay true to herself. But despite my doubts about this book, I decided to give it a try anyway.
What I found was a believable, realistic narrator and a feel-good, original plotline about high school teenagers. To be completely honest, I didn’t find the book to be cliché at all. It’s about a tight-knit group of girls who realize what it means to mature. They push themselves to try new things and to challenge themselves in ways they hadn’t before, without abandoning their goals or values.
And even more surprising (and completely refreshing!), author Sarah Strohmeyer did not stereotype high school students. The “popular girls” aren’t catty or mean. The “jock” isn’t dumb. And everyone has a backstory – their behaviors are a result of their backgrounds / upbringing / values. Which is how it should be, is it not?
I didn’t even find the book to be predictable. (Major points for that!)
It was funny, and emotional, and moving. It completely captured the ups and downs of teenage relationships (friendships/romances) and high school life without painting it as unrealistically horrible.
Thank you, thank you Sarah Strohmeyer for Smart Girls Get What They Want. Finally, an every-day female protagonist to look up to!
So I’m participating in “Rewind & Review,” a blog hop hosted by Shae Has Left the Room. Basically, we’ll be glancing back at what happened on the blog during the month of July, and also take a look at what I’ve been reading.
Books I Bought
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Books I Read
*reviews to come!*
Open Road Summer by Emery Lord The School of Good and Evil by Soman Chainani City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare The Giver by Lois Lowry Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson The Big Wheel by Susan Larned Womble
TBR
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge The Taking by Kimberly Derting Elusion by Claudia Gabel, Cheryl Klam Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour The Luxe by Anna Godbersen The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
August will be a busy month, what with school (college!) starting up, but I’ll definitely be blogging.
Brooke Reviews: Smart Girls Get What They Want, The Giver, The Big Wheel
TTT – Aug 5 (top 10 books you’d give to friends who’ve never read X)
Post about opportunities
Blog chain
TTT – Aug 12 (books I’m not sure I want to read)
The Giver: book vs movie
TTT – Aug 19 (books people have been telling me to read)
TTT – Aug 26 – (top books I want to read but don’t own yet)
August Rewind & Review
Here’s the thing: I don’t fall in love with every book. It’s impossible. Authors, readers, reviewers – we’re all different people! And that’s what makes it special, because if we were all the same and we all liked the same things it’d be so boring.
Reviewing a book is such a subjective thing. Something one reader dislikes could be something another reader appreciates. But we share our opinions anyway. And why is that? There are so many books out there. When I’m looking for something new to read, rather than pulling a book at random (that happens, occasionally!) I’ll often read reviews or consult friends.
And likewise, if I like a book, I want to share it with others. There’s a desire to help promote the book, because I enjoyed it and believe others will, too. Specifically, I’ll want to explain why I enjoyed the book as much as I did. In every one of my reviews, I try to be as specific as possible (without spoilers, of course!).
I liked this book because…the characters were well-developed (I’ll usually give an example), the plot was original, the world building was fantastic (this is typically due to detail, or imagery), the book was humorous, etc.
Likewise, if I DIDN’T like the book, I write a review simply to explain my reasoning. And, often, the very things that I like about some books cause my dislike for others.
I didn’t like this book because…the characters weren’t well-developed (and fell flat), the plot was too predictable, the world-building was shallow, the book didn’t live up to its description (i.e., it WASN’T humorous as the back flap said it would be), etc.
In everything I write, I want to be honest. This includes all of my book reviews. That said, I will NEVER attack an author or insult their work. When it comes to writing a book review, there needs to be a level of respect. If I didn’t like the book, I will say so. But I will always try to explain why, and I’ll always try to find something I did like about the book (a redeeming quality).
And I believe it’s important to recognize when a book didn’t work for you simply because it’s not your favorite genre, or you didn’t agree with the subject matter. Because that’s entirely personal preference.
Last week I reviewed a book I didn’t like. I was actually quite surprised when I finished reading this book and realized I just didn’t like it much. I considered not writing a review, because I knew I’d have to be honest about my feelings. But I realized that wouldn’t be quite fair, to only post positive reviews.
I hope I wrote an honest but respectful review. I’ve actually read a glowing review of the same novel by a blogger I admire, and so I recognize there will always be differences of opinions. What I wrote about the novel is my personal opinion, and I did my best to explicitly explain it. I don’t often write negative reviews, and that’s what prompted me to write this post. It just felt like something I needed to address. Often, what I write/post on my blog is a record of what I’ve learned or am currently learning.
Please share your thoughts about reading/writing negative book reviews. Let’s have a conversation.
I was intrigued by the premise of Arclight by Josin L. McQuein, and was excited to read this YA horror story. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment for me. I’ll do my best to explain.
Summary: The Arclight is the last refuge in a post-apocalyptic world consumed by terrifying creatures called the Fade. No one crosses the wall of light that keeps the last human survivors safe. There’s nothing else left and nowhere to go. Or so they thought, until Marina, a lone teenage girl, stumbles out of the Dark.
Marina doesn’t remember who she is, where she came from, or how she survived. And the Fade want her back. When one of them infiltrates the compound and recognizes Marina, she begins to unlock secrets she didn’t even know she had. Marina knows she’s an outsider, but she’ll do anything to protect those who saved her. Whether they want her help or not.
The description leads you to believe it’s going to be an action-packed sci-fi horror story, but it really isn’t. In short, I thought the book was a bit vague and slow-moving. The Arclight, which protects the surviving citizens of the world from the Fade, sounded like an incredible story-world. However, the setting was difficult to picture and so I wasn’t very impressed.
I didn’t connect with the characters as I’d hoped to, and even the romance was a bit too sudden and predictable.
The big reveal of the novel wasn’t predictable, at least, so there’s that. However, it didn’t excite me or move me. I won’t be reading the sequel.
I really don’t relish writing reviews for books I disliked. I don’t believe in bashing authors, or forcing my opinions on others, but in this case I wanted to share my reasoning for giving the book 2 stars. (And honestly, I’d probably give it 2.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn’t allow half star ratings.)
And possibly I feel this way about Arclight because I’m not the greatest fan of sci-fi. That said, I don’t usually give genre a second thought when I fall for a book’s premise, and don’t believe my feelings for sci-fi are what ultimately led me to dislike the novel.
I’m a very practical person, and so you’ll see I’ve made my choices with the characters’ strengths and abilities in mind. That said, I didn’t give much thought to their personalities, and whether or not we’ll all get along. So it could be a total disaster, if we were to be on a deserted island together. Let me know what YOU think. 😉
In no particular order:
1. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
Um, heard of the Hunger Games? I’d totally want Katniss on my island.
2. Mal Oretsev (Shadow and Bone)
Mal is the perfect tracker. And on a deserted island, he’d be the person I’d send to find food. (If you’ve read Book 3 you are NOT allowed to comment on this.)
3. Carswell Thorne (Lunar Chronicles)
I just want him on the island, okay? Comic relief, perhaps? Eye candy?
4. Fia (Mind Games)
Fia has perfect instincts. Basically, I wouldn’t let Fia leave my side. And then if some wild beast tried to eat us, Fia would save our lives.
5. Katsa (Graceling)
Katsa is Graced with survival skills. Enough said.
6. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series)
She’s brilliant.
7. Sydney Sage (Bloodlines series)
First of all, she’s super smart. And she’s an Alchemist, which gives her plenty of helpful qualifications. And she has experience with vampires.
8. Po (Graceling)
Po is adorable. And he’s Graced with mind reading / perception skills and that could come in handy.
9. Harry Potter (Harry Potter series)
The boy that LIVED. He’s also a leader, and the person I’d trust to ward off dementors.
10. Magnus Bane (Mortal Instruments)
High Warlock of Brooklyn. He’s fabulous. (He could create a portal so we could escape the island!)
Can’t wait to read the other TTT posts! Comments welcome – share your thoughts.
Harry Potter, of course, was one of my first favorite book series. I am much like 
As for the characters I WISH I was more like?
5th – 
1. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
3. Carswell Thorne (Lunar Chronicles)