Monthly Wrap Up | June 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016

So June has come to an end. This can only mean I did some reading, turned a year older (just turned 21 in case you were interested), went to school and did some other exciting stuff. Like buying journaling supplies, I'm a dork. Fight me.

So, on to the Wrap Up, lovelies.

Books read


1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
3. Addicted to You by Krista & Becca Ritchie
4. Illuminae by Amy Kauffman and Jay Kristoff


5. Kissing in America by Margo Rabb
6. Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy
7. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
8. Ricochet by Krista & Becca Ritchie

On the blog

Reviews:


Features:

Video Wrap Up

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord | Review

Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Title: The Start of Me and You
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: March 31st, 2015
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
It's been one year since it happened... When Paige Hancock's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident, she shut out almost everyone. Now Paige has decided it's finally time to rejoin the world, and she has a plan. First on the list: go out with Ryan Chase, her longtime and newly single crush. And last on the list: swim. Terrifying, yet possible? But when Ryan's sweet, nerdy cousin Max moves to town and recruits Paige for the QuizBowl team (of all things!), her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Starting over isn't easy, but Paige knows the scariest things are usually the most difficult. Can she face her fears and open herself up to life and love again?

What I thought

This book was just the right amount of cute and I love it for it. It's a YA contemporary about loss and love and the things that happen in between and I thought it was super cute in all the best ways. Following Paige and her group of friends around was a delight and I won't deny that more than once I was squealing in pure unadulterated joy because I'm cool like that. Also screaming at the characters because let's get real no book is ever really good if you aren't screaming at someone. This book has a huge heart and isn't afraid to show it.

I loved the characters. Each and every single one of them was unique and true and they were all dealing with stuff, but banded together. Another great thing about this book was the friendship in it! These guys are squad goals. Strong female friendship is something I wish there was more in contemporary and this book certainly brings that. Also Max and Paige are the cutest and there wasn't any insta-love and I'm in love with this fact. So, yeah, great job on character relationships Miss Lord.

However, I don't think this book is all about the cute, but also about family and grief and loss, and finding yourself among all these things. It's about the people that got your back but also about being yourself and figuring out what you want. I'm a sucker for this kind of contemporary, I'll admit to that much.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a contemporary read. It has heart in all the right places and it's guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. Also Max is a huge nerd and you really should fall in love with him. Also, Paige, who is also a huge nerd.

Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy | ARC Review

Thursday, June 23, 2016
Title: Learning to Swear in America
Author: Katie Kennedy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: July 5th, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. A big, bad one. Yuri, a physicist prodigy from Russia, has been called to NASA as they calculate a plan to avoid disaster. He knows how to stop the asteroid: his research in antimatter will probably win him a Nobel prize--if there's ever another Nobel prize awarded. But Yuri's 17, and having a hard time making older, stodgy physicists listen to him. Then he meets Dovie, who lives like a normal teenager, oblivious to the impending doom. Being with her, on the adventures she plans when he's not at NASA, Yuri catches a glimpse of what it means to save the world and save a life worth living. Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe, and have your mind burst open with questions of the universe.

What I thought

 I liked this book well enough. It was entertaining and the concept of an asteroid crashing into Earth has been a topic that has fascinated ever since I learned what dinosaurs were at around five. So, I was on board with this book and from its title I thought it would be a funny story, on top of the science aspect of it. And it was, but it was also lacking.

We have a seventeen year old genius boy in this book and he is an actual seventeen year old, with strokes of genius thrown here and there. He is also Russian and he happens to omit articles. I liked Yuri and I liked how he was portrayed as a seventeen year old boy would because sometimes it's easy to highlight intelligence over the innate teenage-ness of seventeen year old boy geniuses. However, I have more of a bone to pick with the portrayal of Dovie, who felt too much like just a prop to make Yuri live and experiment things. I do have to say that this changed a bit towards the end and she actually started to feel like her own person. However, Lennon, Dovie's brother takes away the prize for Favorite Character.

The writing was quirky and fun and there was some truly funny dialogue, especially between Lennon and Yuri. It was fun and light and easy even when some of the scientific mumble jumble got in the way. That part was interesting because I think that in another life in which I loved math a little more and words a little less I would have chosen to go into theoretical physics. However, I did feel like there were moments in which it didn't flow so well. These moments were scarce and far in between, but they were still there.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable, fun read. Not one of my favorites, but certainly entertaining.

Welcome to Our Mid-Year Evaluation. Here Are Our Best and Brightest | Top Ten Tuesday

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish, in which every Tuesday we list ten things (or more, or less) about that week's topic. This week's topic is Top Ten Favorite 2016 Releases so far. So without further adue let's dive into the books. not ten of them because I've only actually read 5 books released this year and have only enjoyed 3 of them.

1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

“Tell me what you see.” “A world divided in two.” Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.
It's no secret that my love for this book is boundless. I've filmed a review for it, talked about one its characters in another Top Ten Tuesday (and actually listen ten things instead of three) and will rave about it to anyone who will listen. Great book, I loved it. 10/10 would definitely recommend.

2. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Some kisses come at a price. War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him. At least, that’s what he thinks. In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her. But no one gets what they want just by wishing. As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?
The Winner's Kiss kept me up until late hours of the morning because I just had to know what happened. If that doesn't convince you of the greatness of this book you could always check out my review of it, and if you're not convinced by that either you should just read the book and see for yourself. 

3. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted. For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey… and is certain she is destined to kill him. Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.
The Raven King is the conclusion to The Raven Cycle and I liked it a lot. Notice I do not say I loved it, because it did lack as a conclusion, but it was still pretty good. Enough to be in this note-worthy list, anyway. Besides, I couldn't very well have only two books for a Top Ten Tuesday feature, could I? 

Illuminae by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | Review

Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Title: Illuminae
Author: Amy Kauffman, Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files (#1)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

What I thought 

I was kind of hesitant to pick up this book, even when everyone and their mother was going crazy about it. I thought it would lack in comparison to the hype it was getting and despite it's gorgeous cover, I told myself that I wouldn't buy it and that I would read it, eventually, after the hype had died down a bit and I could just express my opinion about it. Never during this scenario did I stop and think what would happen if I liked the book. Strange how I thought all about how I wouldn't like it but never stopped to consider what would happen if I did. I'm a strange one, I'll admit to that much. Also, I'm really good at worst case scenarios. It's a character flaw, or virtue, or both. Verdict is still out on that one. The one thing the verdict is not out on is on how much I liked this book. Because I did, like a lot.

The story is sci-fi at its best. There's spaceships, and a lethal virus, and Artificial Intelligence. All things I've had a fascination with at one point or another in my life. So, why wouldn't I love this book when it had all these elements and had them in a way that made sense, wasn't convoluted, and felt all too real? Answer is: I don't know. I'm glad I saw the error of my ways and gave this book a chance because of all the aforementioned elements, but also because of the story at the core of all that sci-fi stuff.

The story is one of survival and what it means to be human and about doing what's right by many. It's the good sci-fi stuff, other than all the other good sci-fi stuff. And the characters, let us speak of the characters that drive this story forward. Teenagers thrust into situations no teenager should be in, but would still handle with more sense of justice and the right thing than a grown up might. Youth is kind of noble and self-righteous and perhaps a little bit selfish. Nothing wrong with that, because hell, at the end of the day you want to live. Kady and Ezra and even AIDAN are all like this. Beautiful because of it too.

Oh and the format of this book is pretty cool too, but it's not the most important thing about the book. Now that I've nodded at the special formatting let me just say that if you're hesitant to pick this book up for the same reasons I had, don't be. This book is worth it.

Video Review

Do You Have Time To Talk About Our Lord and Savior Rhysand? | Top Ten Tuesday

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish, in which every Tuesday we list ten things (or more, or less) about that week's topic. This week's topic is Ten Reasons I Love X, and what better topic than the magnificent Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses Series y Sarah J. Maas..

I love Rhysand so much. I have talked about him in numerous videos and my video review of A Court of Mist and Fury is pretty much an ode to his perfection. I still think someone should get to actually writing an ode to his perfection, but then again that might get to his head and Cauldron help us. So, why, you ask? Well, let me tell you all about it.

1. His looks

Rhysand is more than his looks, but it helps his case that he is so good looking. I mean, that dark hair and the violet eyes and that impressive wingspan? It's like he's asking to be loved. I mean just look at fan art of the guy!


Fan art by: taratjah

2. His sense of humor

I love a guy who can laugh, and even poke some fun at himself. You throw in a bit of sarcasm and wit and some innuendos and I'm good to go. Rhys has all that and more.

3. How caring he is.

He cares deeply. Granted, he has funny ways of showing it, but he would do anything for those closest to him. He just loves people deeply and he cares for them. It's like, I don't even know how to describe it, because you just know he's the type of man who would go to hell for his loved ones but at the same time he respects their wishes. I don't know. 



4. Respect

Do you know how hard it is to find a YA guy character that actually respects other's choices and doesn't try to override them every step of the way for the sake of "knowing what's best"? Do you know the struggle? Well, Rhys flies in with his glorious wings and he respects everyone's choices. He disagrees with them, yes. but he never tries to force his worldview on anyone. He lives and lets live. He accepts Feyre and her decisions and he would never push her into anything. Do you know how hot that is? It's like, YAAAAAS. 


5. How he isn't impulsive

I feel like impulsiveness and brashness are traits shared by YA protagonists everywhere. After all, without some bad decisions how would the plot ever move forward, right? Well, ladies and gentleman our Rhysand isn't like that. All the time. He has his moments of weakness. However, they are few and far in between. He thinks through and he doesn't jump at the chance to take the bait he's clearly meant to take. Oh, and he's willing to let things run their course and not impose his will on everyone because he's really a manchild in disguise. Nope. Rhys doesn't bash in, head first like some bull and I love him for it. It's like I just want to blow kisses his way for being this way.



6. Chapter 55

If you've read A Court of Mist and Fury you know what I'm talking about. No more will be said on the topic.

7. He is willing to do what has to be done

Rhys is a person that puts others before himself. He knows what has to be done to protect others and he does it. He doesn't let his feelings get in the way of what's right, or what he thinks is right. As such he is often misunderstood, but he takes it all in stride for the greater good. That's a quality not a lot of people (especially male characters of the fantastical kind) have. 

8. His texting is on point

They don't have phones in the ACoTAR world, but they have magic disappearing paper and his skills are on point. Sure, he does pull the classic not replying crap, but when he does reply it's worth it. He's just witty and kind of sexy in his texts. And let's get real, when Feyre didn't reply he probably threw the paper across the room and pouted about it.


9. He is going to be a great father

Nothing ever makes me fangirl more than when I think about fictional boys being parents. It's a guilty pleasure of mine. I mean you can just tell he'll be the kind of Dad that dotes on their child and that plays with him or her all the time. He is the kind that will take their tiny little bundle of joy into the sky and show him the view. Also can you imagine him just standing over a crib, a silly smile on his face? Or watching Feyre and their child from a distance and smiling softly? I can and it's tearing me apart. 

10. He is flawed

Rhysand isn't perfect, although he gets pretty damn close, and I love him all the more for it. I think it's important to know that no one is perfect and to not expect people to be. Rhys knows both of these things and that makes him even more charming and worthy of love. I see him there being almost perfect and I go all heart eyes over him.

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski | Review

Sunday, June 5, 2016
Title: The Winner's Kiss
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy (#3)
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Some kisses come at a price. War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him. At least, that’s what he thinks. In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her. But no one gets what they want just by wishing. As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository 

What I thought

There is something you need to know about me and this book. Mainly about me, though, and that is that I only stay up at odd hours of the night reading a book when I can literally cannot bear the thought of not knowing what happens right then and there. It is a thing that I regret the next morning very much, but one that I do not regret as I'm doing it because a girl just has to know if her faves are going to be happy, you know? That was the case with The Winner's Kiss. I stayed up until four in the morning to finish this. Take from that what you will.

I loved this book. I cannot envision this series ending any other way and for me that is as good as a conclusion gets. The reader is satisfied, the characters have met their ends and we can all revisit each other with a smile in the face. No bitter feelings involved, is much more than I can say for a lot of series whose endings left me dissatisfied. That wasn't the case for The Winner's Kiss. Rutkoski delivered on all fronts.

The character relationships were just as complex as they have ever been, the characters themselves were given trials that made them change and adjust and flaunt that strategic expertise that make these books so special. The dialogue was witty and true, honest and raw. The characters, I feel, shone and so did Rutkoski's writing.

Everything was placed in a way that one event led to the other without feeling forced or dragging, despite the quieter moments in the book, of which there are some. It was, all in all, a lovely close to the series and while I'm sad to bid Arin and Kestrel goodbye I couldn't ask for a better way to do so. Now, go pick this book up if you haven't already and stay up late (or early, depending on who you ask) reading it.