tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48254251930091424802024-03-13T15:01:00.406-07:00Once Upon A TimeMayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-3291977534092614862016-01-24T03:03:00.002-08:002016-01-24T03:03:22.884-08:00Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz<a href="http://smithsonianapa.org/bookdragon/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/04/Aristotle-and-Dante-Discover-the-Secrets-of-the-Universe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://smithsonianapa.org/bookdragon/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/04/Aristotle-and-Dante-Discover-the-Secrets-of-the-Universe.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 21st February 2012</span></span></div>
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This book. This book. This book... I don't even know how to express how lovely and special this book is - and what it means to me. It's like that feeling when you hear a song playing and it just clicks with the beat of your heartstrings and you feel like every one of your thoughts is dancing slowly and happily with this beautiful song. I feel like this book changed me - made me feel things in a different way, with more emotion and heart, and made me appreciate everything about the ones and the world around me more because this book is like a breathe of fresh air that I never want to stop inhaling. I sound so lost trying to express how much I adore this book - and perhaps overly dramatic - but all I'm trying to say is I love this book for everything that it is.<br />
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From the blurb it may not seem especially special, and I wasn't sure I'd love it so much - but the sparkling reviews on goodreads and the fact that I enjoy books that take something that seems simple and makes it extraordinary and lovely. You already get a hint that it's something new from the main characters names: Aristotle and Dante - both unusual names inspired by philosophers and poets.<br />
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When I picked up this book I did not intend to read it right there and then because I thought I was tired and in a lazy mood but once I started reading this book I couldn't stop - I read it all in one go, which I haven't done in a while, because there was something about Ari's voice that captured me there and then. Sáenz crafted a beautiful mixture of self-deprecating, bitter, pessimistic, secretly hopeful, funny, sarcastic and subtly loving in one voice that I enjoyed reading. I remember right from the get-go smiling and laughing because of the way Ari saw the world. This book is definitely not all smiles and laughs and sunshine and unicorns because, as the blurb says, Ari is someone who is trying to deal with a lot of anger and doesn't really know how to make or keep a friend because of his tendency to push people away. But, on the topic of sunshine, then Dante comes into the story. Oh Dante, I wish I could know you. There's always this unusually sweet but genuine tone underlying anything he says - even if it's not that innocent or predictable - and you cannot put him in a box or even dare try to label him because he is so much more than kind. He's different and so is Ari - their uniqueness because of their many layers - and this is what creates the unexpected friendship between them. This book is not just milk and honey - it has its darker moments, as life does, and that made it feel all the more real.<br />
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This book spans over a few years, and I enjoyed this because you get to see both Ari and Dante in different phases of their life and see how their perspectives and relationships change as they grow older (it's not that many years but from being around 15 to 17 or 18 I believe:)). This made so many of their thoughts and experiences relatable - but even experiences far away from mine felt relatable because of the way I felt invested in both of them. I just felt so emotionally invested that I didn't know what to do and I didn't want the book to end.<br />
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Family and friendship are explored with such a touching and distinctive insight by the author. He shows two families that would have such different scrapbooks of experiences yet overlap in the most perfect ways. The friendship between Ari and Dante is built up in such a believable and lovely and fun manner because we see two completely different people connect and get to experience them connect - so many writers skip over the forming of bonds but Sáenz indulges us in it from the start. Sometimes I found myself grinning over their jokes or worrying over their setbacks because I CARED SO MUCH.<br />
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This book is packed with so many deep insights that I feel I can apply to my outlook - but it never feels too direct or forceful - instead he weaves in these messages with a understated and gentle touch. I may have kinda cried reading this book - not because of happy or sad moments, even though it has plenty of both - but because of the overwhelming feeling of loving it too much and loving the characters too much and loving the experience of reading it too much. At one point I'd be sure I'd know where the story was going but at the next I'd start to wander - and I liked not being sure of where the book is going but getting to experience it as Ari and Dante would - in the beautiful moment. It's not an overly dramatic or action-packed book but the author's way of showing us the lives of two Mexican-American teenagers in such vivid detail and with such unwavering brilliance and subtlety makes it more impactful than you could ever guess. I don't even know if I want to post this because I don't think it does the book justice but I will because I can't not rave about this book:)<br />
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There's meaning in this story like there are stars in a dark night sky. 5 million stars!<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
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Also, for once you've finished the book or those who have read it, here's a song that somehow is a match made in heaven for this story: </div>
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Moondust by Jaymes Young</div>
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<br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-91381023559773192252016-01-24T02:06:00.002-08:002016-01-24T02:33:41.993-08:00Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie<a href="http://www.joeabercrombie.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/half-a-king-uk-hb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.joeabercrombie.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/half-a-king-uk-hb.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Betrayed by his family and left for dead, Prince Yarvi, reluctant heir to a divided kingdom, has vowed to reclaim a throne he never wanted. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But first he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea itself - all with only one good hand. Born a weakling in the eyes of a hard, cold world, he cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he has sharpened his mind to a deadly edge. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast, he finds they can help him more than any noble could. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even so, Yarvi's path may end as it began - in twists, traps and tragedy... </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 15th July 2014</span></span></div>
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A fantasy YA book that George RR Martin, Rick Riordan and Patrick Rothfuss love is one I can't help but try, and I'm so glad I did. This book is especially great for someone who wants to dip their toes into the mystical pool of fantasy but is intimidated by the ginormous fantasy books that seem almost twice my height in length. The book is around 336 pages, and Joe Abercrombie does not waste a page, paragraph or sentence in this magical adventure.<br />
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At first, I wasn't sure if I would love this book because even though I loved The Name of the Wind, I'm not someone especially experienced with full-out fantasy books but I really want to be so that anticipation made me nervous. But as I read past the first few pages I slowly became more and more absorbed with the story and with Yarvi. The premise of him sharpening his mind and wits to survive in the harsh world he lives in captivated me and the author's execution of it was perfect. I loved Yarvi for everything that he was - his dark and his light. Because that's the thing about fantasy books, their characters tend to lie in a fascinating grey area but some of them you can't help but root for. His adventure to reclaim his throne moved so fast that I never got bored and the decisions he has to make along the way inspire admiration and sympathy for all the good and bad outcomes.<br />
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The group of people he meets along the way add something dynamic and special to this book because they bring out different sides to Yarvi but also stand as individuals who I want to learn more and more about. Their path constantly twists and turns, and even though I occasionally fancy myself a bit of a detective when it comes to having an idea of the end, I really couldn't predict anything and I loved that so much because of the surprise and the realisation of Joe Abercrombie's genius that comes with it. His mind, and the mind of many wonderful fantasy authors, tends to, much like the mind of a crime writer, know exactly how to fit the millions of intricate and colourful puzzle pieces together to form a bittersweet, sad or happy picture.<br />
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His writing really captured Yarvi's personality - his deep sadness, his anger, his love, his intelligence, his wit, his hope and all his layers - in a way that made every word engaging once you get into the book. So even though I didn't fall in love from the first page, there was a moment really close to it that just made me drown into his story and never look back. I hadn't read a book in a really long time so I appreciate this book for bringing back that "I really just can't put this book down" feeling.<br />
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This book is part of the Shattered Sea series but I feel like he wraps up a huge element of the current conflict and story in this book so it felt like a standalone. The relationships Joe Abercrombie creates fall all on points of a spectrum of love to hate and each in its own is so interesting and emotional. The fact that it's a YA book written by an author who usually doesn't write YA does not hinder the wonder of this book in the least as I liked the experience you could tell Abercrombie has with fantasy and the YA element means that Yarvi was in my age group so his relatable voice made the book a lot easier to fall in love with and follow.<br />
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So that's 5 golden stars for another fantasy!<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">I can't wait to read more of Joe Abercrombie's books:)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<span id="goog_813296897"></span><span id="goog_813296898"></span><br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-18147298134779239062015-12-15T02:32:00.003-08:002015-12-15T02:32:55.837-08:00Review: Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/A1TjJ0ZJguL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/A1TjJ0ZJguL.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.
The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . . </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 6th October 2015</span></span></div>
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I absolutely love Rick Riordan, and all the books he writes, and this is no exception. I was a bit hesitant to begin this series because I didn't want to start comparing it to the Percy Jackson series (because I love it so much!) but this series is hilarious, sweet and hits all the right places in its own way so it doesn't beg to be compared. When Tom Hiddleston plays Loki he becomes such an intriguing character that you crave to learn more about- and he becomes so three-dimensional when you learn a bit of his backstory - so Norse mythology was something I was excited to read about. Rick Riordan's skills at finding fascinating myths within these mythologies and molding them intelligently and delicately into the bits and pieces of the plot never fails to amaze me.<br />
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I loved Magnus Chase! - he was an adorable, strong and intelligent (intelligent in the same way as Percy as he doesn't always act like he is and has slight Seaweed Brain tendencies;) but he's undeniably smart, daring and strategic in a battle). There's just something so relatable about Magnus because I get what he thinks and why, and you can tell how much his heart motivates him - there are so many frustrating protagonists in other novels so it was a relief to enjoy his voice wholeheartedly. He also starts of as 16 which makes him closer to my age than I thought he would be - and this makes it feel even more like I'm having a fascinating and fun conversation with a friend who happens to be a son of a Norse god. Sam was also a great character because of her strength, loyalty and determination to succeed despite constantly feeling like an outsider. I liked the moments of vulnerability we saw in her too because characters are so much more than a list of a few traits. The relationship between Sam and Magnus becomes a friendship after some struggles shall we say - but I can't help but wonder, as someone who loves Percabeth, whether it'll evolve into something more.<br />
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Talking about Percabeth, we also get to see our resident Wisegirl Annabeth Chase in this book because as Rick Riordan revealed, she is his cousin. The consistency in Rick's description of her made me feel so nostalgic as when the girl with the fierce, stormy grey eyes appears, I couldn't help but miss Percy. But I can't not mention that Magnus has many other relationships with friends or allies that are so moving and fun at the same time. Hearth and Blitz were so original, and Rick's development of the oh-so-fashionable Blitz and the determined Hearth was beautifully executed as usual.<br />
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The plot was inspired! The plot feels like a large and intricate spider web that Rick masterfully weaved because there are so many different dimensions of Norse mythology he explores from the gods, the nine worlds, runes, and a giant scary squirrel, but they all tie together in a natural and perfect way. There's also the fact that, like in Percy Jackson, Rick ties together one part of the plot - so one chapter of a bigger story closes which is refreshing because I feel satisfied rather than like I'm wheezing for some sense of closure.<br />
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Overall, I loved this book and I had a feeling I would because of who wrote it:) It was a perfect escape from school because it made me genuinely laugh out loud unlike so many other books. It has magic, Loki, quirky and unexpected plot lines, friendship and family - what more could you want?:P SO 5 GOLDEN stars!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-61327684886565163032015-11-25T01:08:00.003-08:002015-11-25T01:12:09.044-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/2015/11/waiting-on-wednesday-girls-guide-to.html" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a> that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My choice is The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's how Rick described it in his exciting blog post:</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How do you punish an immortal?
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By making him human. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’ favor. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But Apollo has many enemies – gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go. . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I explained on tour, the idea came to me while writing Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, because Apollo had been turned mortal twice before when he got on Zeus' bad side. The first novel has been so much fun to write! The Trials of Apollo is told first person from Apollo's point of view. During the series you will see all the characters from the previous Percy/Heroes of Olympus series so you can get a chance to see what they are up to.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 3 May 2016</span></span></div>
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Finding out about this book has been one of the best surprises! I know there's so long from now to May but this can be part of the sunshine at the end of my IB tunnel;) I was so sad to read the last Percy Jackson book because he was one of my favourite characters and always will be<3 To hear that characters from Percy's series (hopefully him included!) will make an appearance in this book was more than music to my ears.<br />
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One thing I really admire about Rick Riordan is how he manages to take fascinating tales from Greek mythology and use them in his own stories. He actually inspired me to read the original Greek myths and I love them all the more once characters as special as his have explored them in a modern landscape. Apollo in the Percy Jackson series was hilarious because of his love of writing goofy haikus so it'll be really interesting and different to see him play the leading protagonist. Also he'll be going to Camp Half Blood which makes me feel so nostalgic - as though I was once a demigod who lived there, and experienced Chiron's warm advice, Mr. D being Mr. D and the magic within it:)<br />
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Can you imagine all the funny events that will occur when Apollo, the shining god of the sun, poetry, archery, prophecy (and many other things...) is forced to endure being a mortal? Well I have a feeling that Rick Riordan will exceed any expectation and as always bring some heart and meaning to the whole story.<br />
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This is essentially how I feel...;)</div>
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Thank you for reading!<br />
What's your Waiting on Wednesday?:)</div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-4132407135000995882015-11-09T02:03:00.002-08:002015-11-09T02:04:06.649-08:00Review: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312055996l/9279177.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312055996l/9279177.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A modern love story told through a series of dictionary-style entries is a sequence of intimate windows into the large and small events that shape the course of a romantic relationship.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 4th January 2011</span></span></div>
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This book is different from anything I've ever read and I loved every second of the unusual delight. As said in the blurb, it's a love story told through entries inspired by dictionaries.<br />
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For example:<br />
“<b><span style="color: white;">abstraction,</span> </b><i>n.</i><br />
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Love is one kind of abstraction. And then there are those nights when I sleep alone, when I curl into a pillow that isn't you, when I hear the tiptoe sounds that aren't yours. It's not as if I can conjure you up completely. I must embrace the idea of you instead.” <br />
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“<b><span style="color: white;">ubiquitous,</span></b> <i>adj.</i><br />
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When it’s going well, the fact of it is everywhere. It’s there in the song that shuffles into your ears. It’s there in the book you’re reading. It’s there on the shelves of the store as you reach for a towel and forget about the towel. It’s there as you open the door. As you stare off into the subway, it’s what you’re looking at. You wear it on the inside of your hat. It lines your pockets. It’s the temperature.<br />
The hitch, of course, it that when it’s going badly, it’s in all the same places.” <br />
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David Levithan is so articulate that he is able to breathe life into these words, and make them mean something and everything. He uses words like these and his character's versions of their definitions to show us a love story in all its stages. We get to see the good and the bad - the breathtaking and the heart wrenching and sometimes just appreciate the deliciously quiet moments of any relationship. </div>
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There is not a chronological order which may seem confusing but I liked how the book felt like a puzzle that I could put together in my mind as I dissect the love put before us. However I do wish that there was a feeling of finality when I had finished because I felt like I wasn't at the end of the story at all. But looking back I realize that relationships don't have clear cut beginnings and ends - in fact, they're messy but in a gorgeous kind of way so the structure of the book does reflect that. I would have loved if the end had more of an impact - like one last word that just made me smile or made the world around me stop so that the experience of the book could be represented well.</div>
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This book isn't long and it got me out of a reading slump so if you'd like to try something different and you love love and raw feelings (and maybe you're a dictionary aficionado who can't wait to see your favorite words in a new light?) then this is the book for you! Books with concepts like this don't come so often so embracing the creativity of the experience made it even better. </div>
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I would probably give this book 4.5 stars out of 5:)</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-39968269913333382882015-11-06T05:40:00.002-08:002015-11-06T05:41:16.642-08:00Books in Second PersonThere's something so fascinating about books in the second person. I haven't read that many in novels in the second-person narrative but as soon as I came across it, I knew I needed more! How entrancing and captivating is it that you become the character? All these beautiful and complex plots are told around that unexpected "you."<br />
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So here's a list of books that use second person because they may be worth exploring!<br />
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1. If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If on a Winter's Night a Traveler is a marvel of ingenuity, an experimental text that looks longingly back to the great age of narration--"when time no longer seemed stopped and did not yet seem to have exploded."</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Reader buys a fashionable new book, which opens with an exhortation: "Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade."
Calvino intersperses 10 different pastiches--stories of menace, spies, mystery, premonition--with explorations of how and why we read, make meanings, and get our bearings or fail to.</span><br />
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This book is one of the most famous second person books and it's supposed to be the ultimate book for book-lovers! Why? Because it's all about reading, but throughout the journey of books is also love and tragedy which sounds like a intoxicating mix to me!<br />
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A book that starts with "You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If on a winter's night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, "No, I don't want to watch TV!" Raise your voice -- they won't hear you otherwise -- "I'm reading! I don't want to be disturbed!" Maybe they haven't heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell: "I'm beginning to read Italo Calvino's new novel!" Or if you prefer, don't say anything: just hope they'll leave you alone." is a book I know I'll drown into. One great thing about second person books is that you tend to forget the world around you and feel fully immersed in a book that's engaging you as there's some intangible emotional pull to an author writing about "you" - especially when you're characterised as "The Reader". I haven't read this book yet but I really want to so hopefully I will soon.<br />
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2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called “Le Cirque des Reves,” and it is only open at night. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
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I have read this book and I'm absolutely infatuated with the use of second person because it transported me to the mystical and magical night circus that I now dream of visiting. The plot about the duel may not have always been strong nor parts of the romance but this book was definitely worth reading and I still love it because it's one of those times when I felt like I had literally jumped into a fantasy world. The writing is gorgeous and Rick Riordan himself loves it;)<br />
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The whole novel is not in second person but whenever the night circus is being described, second person is used to give the reader a feel of the dreaminess of it all. There's a quote from the book that goes, "like stepping into a fairy tale under a curtain of stars" and that's how the description of me walking into this bizarre and beautiful circus made me feel.<br />
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“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. <br />
You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”<br />
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3. Bright Light, Big City by Jay McInerney
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the publication of Bright Lights, Big City in 1984, Jay McInerney became a literary sensation, heralded as the voice of a generation. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The novel follows a young man, living in Manhattan as if he owned it, through nightclubs, fashion shows, editorial offices, and loft parties as he attempts to outstrip mortality and the recurring approach of dawn. With nothing but goodwill, controlled substances, and wit to sustain him in this anti-quest, he runs until he reaches his reckoning point, where he is forced to acknowledge loss and, possibly, to rediscover his better instincts. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This remarkable novel of youth and New York remains one of the most beloved, imitated, and iconic novels in America.</span><br />
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This is also one of the most famous second person narratives. I am so intrigued by the idea of experiencing someone's "anti-quest" as he slowly loses himself but hopefully finds his happiness again. I feel like reading a book like this could give me a new perspective and also give me the opportunity to experience his rollercoaster journey (from the safety of my couch). From the blurb it seems as though he loses hope and purpose, and if a book that brings you in, by making you the protagonist, explores this journey, I hope it leaves you with a profound message on redemption or identity.<br />
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And read this amazing quote: "But what you are left with is a premonition of the way your life will fade behind you, like a book you have read too quickly, leaving a dwindling trail of images and emotions, until all you can remember is a name.”<br />
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4. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris, David Javerbaum and Antony Hare<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened?
Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in “aUtobiography”? Then look no further than Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! In this revolutionary, Joycean experiment in light celebrity narrative, actor/personality/carbon-based life-form Neil Patrick Harris lets you, the reader, live his life. You will be born in New Mexico. You will get your big break at an acting camp. You will get into a bizarre confrontation outside a nightclub with actor Scott Caan. Even better, at each critical juncture of your life, you will choose how to proceed. You will decide whether to try out for Doogie Howser, M.D. You will decide whether to spend years struggling with your sexuality. You will decide what kind of caviar you want to eat on board Elton John’s yacht.
Choose correctly and you’ll find fame, fortune, and true love. Choose incorrectly and you’ll find misery, heartbreak, and a hideous death by piranhas. All this, plus magic tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from your time as a child actor, and even a closing song. Yes, if you buy one book this year, congratulations on being above the American average, but make that book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography!</span><br />
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As an avid 'How I Met Your Mother' fan, I was so excited by this book. But that's not the only reason... an autobiography that's in second person is such a fun idea! I like the idea of choosing Neil's path and seeing where Neil would end up if I was the one making the decisions. It's a book that seems like it would make me smile.<br />
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Also Patrick Rothfuss, the author of the Kingkiller Chronicles, said, "I expected this book to be witty. I expected it to be clever and fun. And it was. It was all of those things in spades.
But I didn't expect it to be sweet and sad and honest and touching. I mean, it's framed as a choose-your-own-adventure. You don't expect those to be heartfelt, emotional stories...." (To read his lovely review, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1101716338?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1" target="_blank">click here!</a>).<br />
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That's all for now!<br />
Thanks for reading:)Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-9113151347942065992015-11-04T00:14:00.001-08:002015-11-04T00:14:22.823-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/2015/11/waiting-on-wednesday-two-if-by-sea.html" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a> that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My choice is <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20443235-the-winner-s-kiss" target="_blank">The Winner's Kiss </a>(The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it, with the East as his ally and the empire as his enemy. He’s finally managed to dismiss the memory of Kestrel, even if he can’t quite forget her. Kestrel turned into someone he could no longer recognize: someone who cared more for the empire than for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she cared for him. At least, that’s what he thinks. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But far north lies a work camp where Kestrel is a prisoner. Can she manage to escape before she loses herself? As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover unexpected roles in battle, terrible secrets, and a fragile hope. The world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and Kestrel and Arin are caught between. In a game like this, can anybody really win?</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date of Publication: 1 March 2016</span></span></div>
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YESSSS! I loved both books in this series and I cannot wait for more! The first book made my heart skip a beat and the second took my breath away. Arin and Kestrel's relationship is so complex, beautiful, scarred and undeniable that I can't help but feel wholly invested in them. It's the last book in the trilogy so I need Kestrel and Arin to be together but whatever the outcome, I know the journey is going to be unexpected and perfect.<br />
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There are so many miscommunications that hinder their relationship from being fully realised and I'm one step away from jumping into this book and making them finally kiss. When a book like this comes along all I can do is anxiously wait for it to come out. But at the same time, I don't want this series to end... I love it too much. If you haven't read this series then I strongly recommend it if you love reading books with characters that are so well-written than they become pieces of art, romance, political intrigue and power plays.<br />
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Thank you for reading!<br />
What's your Waiting on Wednesday?:)</div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-28935332840460389562015-08-31T03:29:00.003-07:002015-08-31T08:40:44.190-07:00Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli<a href="http://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1402936339r/10015384._SY540_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1402936339r/10015384._SY540_.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 7th April 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">So in my Top Ten Tuesday I mentioned this book (and fangirled all over it) while I had still been in the process of reading it and can I say I LOVE IT SO MUCH!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what I said about it then and all of it is still truer than true:) :<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">I'm reading this book right now but I'm already fangirling about it because it's not just like eating an amazing chocolate bar - it's like eating your favourite kind of chocolate cake, your favourite chocolate bar, brownies, and all of your favourite comfort food being laid out before you while your all-time favourite movie happens to play and pillows form underneath you till you're in some kind of fluffy paradise. </span><span style="text-align: center;">What I'm incoherently trying to express is that this book makes me smile more than most books have ever managed! </span><span style="text-align: center;">It's been a while since I've loved a narrator so much that I've just wanted to watch Harry Potter with them and give them a great big hug because they deserve a thousand. Simon is a Harry Potter fan (a.k.a. he's one of us;)) who is a lovely friend. He's a bit uncomfortable at parties and has a golden retriever called Bieber - can I just say I love him? </span><span style="text-align: center;">This story is about Simon, who is gay, falling for a guy he only knows as Blue as they've been emailing after Simon saw a beautiful written post Blue wrote that he needed to tell him he loved. Simon is being blackmailed by someone who read his emails so he's in a tricky situation plus he knows Blue and he go to the same school but not who he is (it was unexpectedly suspenseful!) Reading their emails and seeing Simon's reactions to them is like eating candy. </span><span style="text-align: center;">This is a book about the characters </span><span style="text-align: center;">(like how The Office is about the wacky and wonderful characters) so if you love that then give this a go!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">This book makes me feel happier than happy. IB causes so much stress but while reading this I felt like I was on a cotton candy cloud and I couldn't keep a smile off my face. I loved everything about this book so ending it was a painful bittersweet experience because I wish I could erase my memory of it and read it all over again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simon is the kind of protagonist and narrator that you want to be your friend because it's so fun to be in his mind and you can't help but see the world in his bubbly, sweet and unique point of view and wish that you could buy a pair of sunglasses tinted with his </span>colourful<span style="font-family: inherit;"> perspective. He's someone built up with such love that I can imagine him in reality and I can imagine having a crush on him even if I knew he's gay:( He's been emailing this guy he only knows as 'Blue' for quite a while and would love and fear meeting him. Slowly over email they become close and he can't help but wonder who Blue is. His curiosity became mine and it felt as suspenseful as a mystery novel because I felt so invested in the characters. I wished I could hire Sherlock Holmes to help Simon figure out who this funny and lovely grammar nerd of a guy is. BUT I wouldn't actually because I loved (how many times I have used the word 'love' in this review;)) how Becky Albertalli resolved this mystery. It ended perfectly. At one point I was worried I wouldn't like the truth of who Blue is but my faith in this story overruled and my trust in the author was way more than well deserved. </span></span><br />
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Also the author manages to capture a teenager's voice in an impressive way. She did work as a psychologist at a high school so she gained insight into our flowery and strange minds. Sometimes when adults try to harness a teenager's voice it feels awkward and like they're trying to capture a voice they haven't quite understood, but here Simon feels like a real and lovable teenager who I could pluck out of the book at anytime.<br />
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The romance was something special. Blue and Simon have something like a meet-cute via the internet (Tumblr I believe;)) that turns into something so much more. It was so refreshing to see a romance that starts with words - that starts with two souls meeting. I know that physical attraction does play a role in romance, but sometimes it is has too much emphasis and this takes a way from the genuine connection between the characters. The pace of their relationship is just right. Their relationship from friendship to more is enviable because they just make each other happy and that is beautiful in its own simple way. Reading their emails made me feel like I was allowed a privileged sneak peak into a conversation that showed just how powerful words can be.<br />
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Simon's friends and family make up a big part of his life and so a big part of this book. They're all like a huge, hilarious and compassionate family. Their interactions felt genuine and beautiful because Simon valued his friends and his family which was refreshing when compared to other YA novels. None of the characters ever felt like they had a label on them - often with books that deal with high school there are stereotypes used (and sometimes they are wonderfully and skilfully challenged) but here all the characters had many dimensions like fascinating, real and relatable pieces of art. Nick isn't just the guy who plays guitar, Abby isn't just the cheerleader and none of the secondary characters feel like they're being used to fill up space. They have relationships and feelings too - they're the protagonists of their own stories. Relationships are really what makes this book feel like it's written with sunshine. The focus on the characters is done without exploiting them at any turn and without them falling into the expected. Simon isn't defined by his sexual orientation and like he says throughout the book, a part of him wants coming out to be a big deal and the other part strongly doesn't want it to be. He and Blue both have personalities as bold and sweet and special as a impressionist painting so that's how we know them and just how we love them.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I'm going to stop myself because I can just feel more metaphors coming on - comparing this book to some of the things that make me feel like I can never stop smiling, things that make me feel at home and comfortable and things that I want to hug so I shall stop myself before I ramble on:) </span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I could say one thing I would say: Give this book a try if you want to remember how books can make you feel like it's harder not to smile than to smile;)</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So, obviously, 5 burning bright stars!</span></span></div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-10964516060836247862015-08-25T04:45:00.005-07:002015-08-25T04:50:29.030-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Would Be On Your Syllabus If You Taught Contemporary (with a lot of romance!) 101<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Time for some Top Ten Tuesday:)</span></div>
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely book blog:<a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/08/top-ten-books-that-would-be-on-your.html" target="_blank"> The Broke and the Bookish.</a></div>
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Today I'm going to be exploring the topic: Top ten books that would be on my syllabus if I taught contemporary 101! The funny thing is, initially I came in a bit weary of what the vast and colourful world of contemporary world would be like but then these books made me realise that it's a kind of paradise.</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins</u></span></div>
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One of the first contemporary books I ever read (thanks to my BFF<3) was <span style="color: white;">Anna and the French Kiss</span> <span style="color: white;"> </span>This book has made Stephanie Perkins an auto-buy author for me because I cannot tell you how much I love this book! <span style="color: white;">It's in Paris, the city of love, and is filled with an atmosphere I wish I could bottle up and save so it would twinkle in a little glass bottle endlessly.</span> The CHARACTERS. Anna is one of the most relatable and likeable characters ever- sometimes she thinks just as awkwardly as I do and <span style="color: white;">she's so fun to experience the story with. </span>Etienne... *sigh* - I loved how he and Anna go together like PB&J. While I use the cliche of PB&J, I'd like to add in that I never found it too cheesy - in fact I kinda loved how I felt like I floated away to Paris when I read this book and I thought the <span style="color: white;">relationships felt so grounded in a true and beautiful connection </span>that it wasn't too cheesy but perfect. They're so sweet and real and serious and right for each other that their scenes together make me feel like I'm watching one of my favourite romcoms. The thing is I use this as my standard of contemporary romances because this <span style="color: white;">romance felt genuine</span> because the characters actually got to know each other over time to the point of you getting more and more invested in their relationship as the books goes on. <span style="color: white;">If you want to sm</span><span style="color: white;">ile and swoon then this is for you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">I'm reading this book right now but I'm already fangirling about it because it's not just like eating an amazing chocolate bar - it's like eating your favourite kind of chocolate cake, your favourite chocolate bar, brownies, and all of your favourite comfort food being laid out before you while your all-time favourite movie happens to play and pillows form underneath you till you're in some kind of fluffy paradise. </span>What I'm incoherently trying to express is that this book makes me smile more than most books have ever managed! <span style="color: white;">It's been a while since I've loved a narrator so much that I've just wanted to watch Harry Potter with them and give them a great big hug because they deserve a thousand. Simon is a Harry Potter fan (a.k.a. he's one of us;)) who is a lovely friend. He's a bit uncomfortable at parties and has a golden retriever called Bieber - can I just say I love him? </span>This story is about Simon, who is gay, falling for a guy he only knows as Blue as they've been emailing after Simon saw a beautiful written post Blue wrote that he needed to tell him he loved. Simon is being blackmailed by someone who read his emails so he's in a tricky situation plus he knows Blue and he go to the same school but not who he is (it was unexpectedly suspenseful!) Reading their emails and seeing Simon's reactions to them is like eating candy. <span style="color: white;">This is a book about the characters </span>(like how The Office is about the wacky and wonderful characters) so if you love that then give this a go!</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson</u></span></div>
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"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Gosh I adore this book like I love art and love. </div>
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A story about twins, family, love, tragedy, art, mistakes and acceptance that makes me feel like I've lived through everything the characters go through because I'm so invested in them.I actually wrote a review on it here:) --> http://anotheronceuponatime.blogspot.sg/2015/07/review-ill-give-you-sun-by-jandy-nelson.html</div>
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Let's just say the rainbow of creativity within this story, the beyond soulful and beautiful description of art in Noah's mind and the messed up but lovely characters made this one to remember. </div>
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<u style="color: white;">Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles</u></div>
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I may have read this a loooong time ago but I'll always treasure the romance of it. Brittany and Alex are so different... or are they? Being in high school, it's so interesting to see how two people from two very different groups interact and how <span style="color: white;">slowly they realise what people expect of them isn't what defines them.</span> Love is a choice we get to make and <span style="color: white;">this book shows you what a intense and butterfly-inducing experience it is when you get it right.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin</u></span></div>
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This book was a <span style="color: white;">moving and gorgeous read that anyone who loves bookshops might love. </span>It's about a bookstore owner, A.J. Fikry, who has given up on life because he's never smiling - he's never really living. But then one day a baby called Maya is left on his doorstep and <span style="color: white;">his life changes forever. </span>I liked reading a story about becoming who you are and love and explored these themes in a new way. The fact that the main character is a booklover helped too:P <span style="color: white;">Seeing someone's life go through a rollercoaster of change is really something that makes you appreciate every little lovely thing</span> and it makes you root for them and yourself.</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson</u></span></div>
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I wrote a review which basically explored this book and MY LOVE FOR IT!: http://anotheronceuponatime.blogspot.sg/2015/02/2-mini-reviews-these-broken-stars-amy.html</div>
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This was also at the beginning of my contemporary journey and let me just say this is one I'll never forget. <span style="color: white;">This is what I want falling in love to feel like for me. </span>Who doesn't love a good friends to something a bit (a lot!) like love romance?:) <span style="color: white;">Amy and Roger were written so insightfully and with a loving hand because they're wonderful apart and together. They go on a road trip together that turns into so much more than a trip with a destination</span> - it turns into an adventure in which Amy and Roger counter bears, delicious food, ice cream, new makeover-loving and video game-loving friends, golf courses and Graceland. </div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Where She Went by Gayle Forman</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">This book is like a melody that you never want to let go of. </span>The lyrics that Gayle Forman wrote as Adam's character are so emotional and raw - they give the book a <span style="color: white;">whole new layer of golden musical notes. </span>I think the love story in this one is one that I couldn't help but root for. An undeniable connection. Love leaking through their eyes. Hoping love wins. </div>
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<span style="color: white;">Reading this book felt like lying on a cloud above and watching a couple so destined for each other work their way back together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry</u></span></div>
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Another perfect recommendation from my amiga! Just thinking back to this book makes me relive it - and it's a wonderful feeling. <span style="color: white;">It's such an intense romance that I felt and still feel so sucked in by it.</span> I loved who Noah and Echo both went through so much in their lives and somehow it leads them to each other. <span style="color: white;">They don't seem like two pieces that would fit together yet they're strangely and perfectly made for each other. </span>Noah's in YA tend to be amazing, don't they?</div>
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He's had a hard life and so has Echo, and I felt like I had their scars while reading this which made me love them all the more.</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u>Two Contemporary Books I Want To Read:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley: </span>It's a book about teenagers on an adventure of graffiti, art, high school, love and life in 24 hours. After reading 'I'll Give You The Sun," I've been longing for another book that made the world a bit more colourful and chalky.</div>
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<span style="color: white;">Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith: </span>This is about a couple who are about to embark on the next chapter: university. They're trying to make the difficult decision of whether to break up or try long distance once they go to university so they decide to retrace their relationship. I'm fascinated by the idea of a couple reflecting on their own relationship so I hope it proves an emotional, sweet and moving read. (& the COVER!)</div>
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Thanks for reading! What do you guys think should be on my Contemporary 101 syllabus?:)</div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /></span>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-86480517726600688092015-08-23T20:01:00.001-07:002015-08-23T20:01:23.645-07:00Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.
Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.
Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.
And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 1st March 2012</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is book is a bit of a rebel - it deviates from what you expect a book that explores illness, friendship and finding yourself in high school to be like. And I really appreciated that. It's like seeing a rainbow that's painted in teal, maroon and pink. It's a book I wanted to experience ever since I watched the trailer of the movie (AND look at that cover:)) and felt chills and felt excited for this new and weird (in a lovely sense) coming-of-age story! It didn't live up to my expectations but it was worth the read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The beginning of this book is one of my favourite beginnings. Although the beginnings of books tend to not be the strongest, this one unashamedly makes me laugh and pokes fun of the high school </span>hierarchy<span style="font-family: inherit;">. I picked up this book hoping it would be as hilarious as I hoped it would be and Greg's description of high school groups is not cliche in any way but so ridiculous and perfect that a smile can't resist itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Greg's philosophy on high school is so different from most peoples that I felt like I was watching a social experiment. He doesn't want to belong with anyone - he doesn't want friends - he just wants to make it through high school without having a spotlight shining on him. I loved how he and Earl make quirky parody movies because it's fun to hear about the ideas behind their weird and wonderful (not technically but in spirit;)) films. Greg and Earl have an interesting and unusual relationship that I would call friendship even though the 'friendless' Greg refuses to acknowledge he does indeed have a friend. Their dynamic is a special part of this book because it shows you that friendship can spring from unlikely places and that friends have the ability to push you to become a better person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This book is not a dreamer. This book does not pretend to be a dreamer or an optimist. That was one thing that made it unique. It refused to give in to what we expect in a book: romance, typical relationships and big dreams dreamt by everyone. It chooses to be raw and realistic and funny, even when you it would be so easy for it to fall to convention. I liked how Rachel, Greg and Earl interacted with eachother because it was like pieces of different puzzles somehow coming together. It could get really awkward for them (</span>People cringe in real life so why not in books too?:P) <span style="font-family: inherit;">but that's what the start of things tends to be like (and I like how their awkwardness and weirdness was so real - it wasn't eccentric - it was more grounded in reality with a fun twist). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But there was just a slight disconnect between me and this book. I'm not sure if it's just me being an eternal dreamer and an optimist who likes a bit of cheesy or lots of emotion but I just didn't feel like I got an emotional pay off as I didn't feel satisfied by the end of the book. Normally books that focus on characters and relationships are my chocolate (for example, the TV show, the Office (US) has so much humour but also touching and beautiful moments - and it's about a paper company BUT it's really about the people who work there!) but I just never felt as invested in the characters or in the plot as I wanted to be. That's why the start of this book was my favourite part of it. I did </span>thoroughly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> enjoy this book but it's not an all-time favourite for me and if there was a fire and I had to choose which books to save (Never let this happen!), this would probably not be one I'd run for.</span><br />
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So this book gets a lovely <span style="font-size: large;">4 stars!</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-86600846022018070902015-08-23T19:31:00.002-07:002015-08-23T19:31:37.384-07:00Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.
While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: September 2 2015</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Characters:</span><br />
As always, Sarah J. Maas' characters are written with so much honesty and insightful detail, that they feel real. It was almost as though Celaena Sardothien had just appeared right in front of me with her unquenched anger, latent sadness and glowing strength radiating from her. In the last book I think we all saw Celaena in one of her darkest and most vengeance-fuelled moments but here we get to see the startling after shock of her actions and how she deals with what she's been through. More than anything she feels alone at the beginning, not even the loveable and cute Fleetfoot is with her, so we see her deal with a whole colour wheel of feelings by herself for a while.<br />
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But one special thing about this book is that there's a bunch of new characters<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved getting to explore how these new puzzle pieces fit into the story because I know at first it seems like it has the potential to take us away from the characters we are so invested in but in the end it really added to the story. Some of the new characters became huge parts of the main characters' lives, and because of that we get to see a new side of them. </span><br />
Some of the new characters are Rowan, Sorsha and Manon. Rowan is rough and tough, but not...;) He, in a way, acts as a begrudging mentor to Celaena - but their dynamic is wonderful because he isn't afraid of her unleashed wildness.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(Spoilers from the 2nd book) </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rowan has awesome and complex tattoos and comes off as glaringly hostile and tough at first. But, of course, in this world the characters are beautifully 3-dimensional so we delve deeper into his true compassion and acceptance. He is the one who pushes Celaena to accept her Fae nature and not be afraid of what she can do- he is not afraid of her in the least. I loved the dynamic between them because it feels like Celaena has met her match, which you can see in their snarky battle of words and the way he makes her see what she is capable of. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows because he isn't for the faint-hearted- when I say he pushes her, I mean he shoves her towards her destiny of magic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(Spoiler done;))</i></span><br />
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Sorsha has actually been part of the story before. She is the healer, who oh-so-kindly helped take care of all our characters in the last book when they got hurt. So here we see her own story and sweetly innocent thoughts - she's almost the opposite of Celaena in some ways which was interesting to see because I'm so used to our fearless, bold and daring protagonist, that to see someone who was in the background before come to the spotlight is new in a great way.<br />
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Chaol and Dorian are thankfully not forgotten at all<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span>I liked how Chaol moves away from his obedience to the King and instead chooses to walk down a path filled with danger, rebellion and magic. It shows us just how much Celaena has awoken him to the cruelty of the King and his role to play in fighting it. Come on guys<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>- just reunite<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span>Pretty please...<br />
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I've always liked Dorian's character, not necessarily for Celaena, but instead just as a character. I feel like Dorian would be a way better ruler than his father could ever imagine, just because of his kindness and his determination to right what's wronged. Did I say I love the twist (from the last book) in which he has magical abilites? Because I do<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span>In this book the author uses it to give him a new love interest... As cute as the stolen glances, blushes and puppy-love smiles were, I wish their romance was developed further- I like the whole Cinderella-esque romance because he's the Prince and she never even thinks he notices her but I just want them to have a funny conversation so that we can see that they can make each other smile in normal times. I wanted Dorian to be given a new love interest because it would mean he's finally over Celaena and moving on to someone who loves him back. As said in Moulin Rouge, "the greatest thing is just to love and to be loved in return."So he does get a romance that is startlingly different to the one he had with Celaena.<br />
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Manon Blackbeak is a new character that is so dark and twisted because that's how she was brought up to be. At first I hated the cruel grin on her bloodthirsty face but later we get to see her show some kindness to someone who has only been hurt and left to break.<br />
Ah the character development is so wonderful<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<i>(Spoilers from 2nd book and minor spoilers from this book)</i><br />
Manon and the beaten but ferocious and determined wyvern was one unexpected but wonderful storyline. As someone who loves animals, I couldn't help but appreciate the way she treated him with friendship when everyone else was satisfied to watch him break. Go Manon<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aedin so obviously cares for Celaena that I really want them to meet again</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The flashbacks just showed how they were like a two-in-one deal so having that positive side of her past come back in the flesh might be fun and may be </span>endearingly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sweet. </span><br />
<i>(Spoilers done<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>)</i><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Writing: </span>As always the writing was engaging, magical, gentle, harsh and everything right<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Initially I was sticky-noting all the parts which had lovely writing that made me re-read the quotes again and again. But then I was basically bookmarking every single page so I decided to stop:P None of the meaningful and almost lyrical lines she writes feels forced- the feel like they break open a hidden light in characters or create a setting so vivid that I can feel the frost chill my bones or feel the leaves tickle my arms as I run past them faster than an enchanted hurricane.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Plot: </span>The plot... the plot... it was... AMAZING<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I mean I'm always somehow shocked by just how unique the storylines are. I honestly wish I could borrow Sarah J. Maas' mind someday because the tiniest things that happen in the plot are always so well-thought out and push forward the overall story and character development. The plot starts off quite slow for Celaena which was unusual but I think it reflects her situation and then all of a sudden the plot is just on fire</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are so many things I didn't see coming but that, even if they break my heart, I loved. There were many shadows at the end of the tunnel but none were out of the blue, which makes for a perfect book</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So <span style="font-size: large;">5 stars!</span></span>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-72965600312345430552015-08-09T22:02:00.005-07:002015-08-09T22:02:46.642-07:00Review: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.
Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.
First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 27 March 2014</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I don’t even know how to start with this book because it’s so beautiful.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Leslye Walton is going to be on my auto-buy list of authors because the world she creates feels so real and surreal at the same time. She uses magical realism like it’s something she’s done for a 100 years. In fact, the reason I enjoyed her magical realism was that I feel it shows a truer version of the world – feelings and thoughts felt on the inside are illustrated on the outside in ways which show a raw and magical reality. In this world if I felt rejected my heart would literally break and that adds this layer of silver honesty which was perfect.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The story spanned generations of the Roux family which made it feel like an epic - years of tragedy, lost love, desire and regret. I devoured every single story and read every single word like they were the last words I’d ever read. It felt like I was absorbed in a cinematic universe of colours, pain and angel wings with each story. Seeing the different downfalls of the family and the ways they succumbed or survived was mesmerising and emotional. I felt so emotionally invested in all the character’s stories, especially Ava and Viviane’s stories - I haven’t experienced anything like they have yet it felt like I had felt everything they felt - like a pang in the heart, a midnight kiss or a breaking heart - on a new starry out-of-this-world level. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Ava was born with angel wings but in the end she’s just a girl who wants to fit in. I think the exploration of the importance of self-acceptance and finding people in your life who love you as you are is wonderful because everyone can relate to that. I loved the progression of her story because it stayed true to her character yet showed her grow into someone stronger - character development is one of my favourite journeys to go on. Her character shone like someone had painted her with golden glitter, and so did the romance she experiences because that shimmered with blossoming flowers and constellations because it was so refreshing and sweet - it didn’t overpower the plot but it played a role in it that felt natural. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Also, Ava has a twin brother who has never spoken a word - and can I just say I LOVED how his character grew because it was adorable and weird and lovely. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Nathaniel Sorrows thinks that Ava is an angel and not an ordinary girl because of her angelic and majestic wings. We get to see his perspective and just thinking about him gives me chills because he’s so set on his views that nothing stops him. His existence in the book adds suspense that keeps you feeling wide awake and a bit frightened for our favourite characters because he’s cruel and obsessive and we can see that through every word he uses and every thought he thinks. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Viviane and Jack's stories was one of my favourite to read - and Emilienne's and her sisters so maybe just all of them! - because its equal amounts hopeful and heartbreaking so I think it's a story that takes you places you don't always expect it to go which can be so immersive.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The settings were so vividly described that they spilled out of the pages with the smell of newly baked bread, celebrations and rain-soaked grass and the colours of a swirly and perfect masterpiece. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">So read it for the characters, read it for the scale, read it if you want to live in a crooked fairytale;)</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">5 GOLDEN SHINING STARS!</span></span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-26427979932310253852015-07-22T05:33:00.004-07:002015-07-22T05:33:50.859-07:00Review: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A brilliant, luminous story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal for fans of John Green, David Levithan, and Rainbow Rowell. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else—an even more unpredictable new force in her life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> This radiant novel from the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 16 September 2014</span></span></div>
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This book is such a gem that I didn’t even know if I could write a review that could show you even half of my love for it. The writing is special because there is so much to admire about it. Jandy Nelson uses magical realism at times and I felt like it made the book feel like a piece of art with colours that grew out of it and sprayed my heart with all of its teal, crimson and lilac emotions. It’s made me want to explore magical realism to the point that I obsessively researched books with a similar style of writing only to realise that one more reason to hold this book tight is that the writing is fearless in a bold and artsy way.<br />
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My absolute favourite part was the characters Jandy Nelson writes because of how flawed and frustrating they are – why? – well because at the end of every sentence, comma and paragraph you realise how much you care for them no matter what they do. Noah not only has a lovely name but is also one rainbow of a character with his dorkiness, passion and just this inner sweetness that I can’t describe well enough. His passion for art was a highlight because in his mind the whole world takes on a new glow, especially when he describes his drawings which add fairy light to everything as he IS an ARTIST – it’s a part of him as much as a limb or heart – In fact I’m pretty sure his heart is drawn from charcoal or painted in watercolours. He and Jude make tons and tons of mistakes that made me want to jump into their story and tell them not to do something but the thing is it’s a realistic depiction of teenagers and humans in general when they makes mistakes and learn from them- but witnessing the heavy consequences they endure was excruciating and true and mesmerising.<br />
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Jude was a quirky character just like her brother, but in a completely different way. Her past has changed her and made her dress unlike herself, imagine her grandmother’s ghost and always follow superstitious sayings. The suspense of how she changed, since we see her brother’s perspective in the past and hers in the present, was tangible while I was reading because I needed to know why she and Noah became who they are. I really enjoyed reading from both their distinct perspectives because they both bring so much to the story and seeing them explore friendship, family and art in their own ways was insightful. Jude was such a weirdo but I liked that about her so don’t be scared off;) In the end it is a story of twins: a brother and a sister – how they fall apart and if they’ll come back together.<br />
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The family element of stories is always interesting to think about because in so many books it’s almost as though the characters don’t have a family or have lost them in a tragic way and that is not always a bad thing because it can be integral to the plot for the character to feel like a wanderer without a home or to need revenge or a family to love and support them. I really enjoyed how Rick Riordan explored family in Percy Jackson because who doesn’t think Sally Jackson with her array of blue food isn’t a wonderful mom who helped Percy become the awesome guy he is? Here, family is a central theme and it brings out a million shades of emotions in me when I think about their journey. I felt like I was the house they lived in, watching the kids grow older and the parents navigating life, and hoping with the strength of my walls that they’ll be okay because the book is that immersive (sorry for the weird analogy;)).<br />
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I will say that the first tiny bit of the book wasn’t the best beginning I’ve read but I did fall in love with the story soon so it’s barely a blimp on my radar (especially since it’s a good thing for a book to get better as it goes on rather than worse!). And to make up for it one thing I liked was how the author played with time through the two perspectives as something might happen in the past in Noah’s perspective and then it’ll cut off into Jude’s perspective and we’ll experience the impact.<br />
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There was, of course, some lovely romance in this book! I’m quite a sappy romantic but it takes a good romance for me to fall in love with it. I loved Noah’s romance – I’ve never actually read a romantic story in the perspective of a gay guy so it’s about time:P The added layer of tension made me feel like there was a literal layer of anxiety engulfing me because the “will they? Won’t they?” is so intense and ugh I could see pink hearts floating from the pages but just like Noah you can’t help but wonder if his love interest is interested in him and cross your fingers that he is. I JUST LOVED THEM SO MUCH…
Jude’s love story happens with a guy I think a lot of readers will envy meeting because he’s… well… British and a photographer who believes in destiny (maybe a bit too much for me but it makes him quirky and lovely for Jude;)) and calls her an angel so yeah… pretty perfect;) In a way he felt like an actual dream guy of a YA – especially since he’s also troubled but with a really sweet Teddy bear side. So he may not be the most original love interest but I really enjoyed their relationship because when something is done well in an original book I don’t mind if he’s not one of a kind outside the book as long as I love him in the book. Plus he and Jude are so quirky together and he embraces her for all that she is that I can’t help but root for them (yay British guys who ride motorcycles ;)). Also as the story goes on new layers of complexity are added to their relationship which I personally found rejuvenating because, just like the end of the book, it’s like pieces of an epic puzzle with over a million pieces, each of a different tone and shade, coming together in a whole new way.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So from me this book gets the A* (5 stars) it deserves for showing me why I love reading.
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I tried to write a slightly different kind of review where I just poured all my thoughts into it so I hope you like it:)<br />
Thanks for reading!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-53928503096769398062015-05-19T07:08:00.000-07:002015-05-19T07:08:17.801-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Made Me CryHello<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time for some Top Ten Tuesday:)</span><br />
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely book blog:<a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/05/julias-top-ten-romance-books-for-people.html" target="_blank"> The Broke and the Bookish.</a></div>
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This week's topic is ... a FREEBIE<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> It took me forever to choose a topic because there are endless possibilities but I couldn't resist writing a post of books that broke my heart in two...<br />
This powerful and lovely quote by John Green sums up how I feel about most of these books: <span style="color: white;">"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book." A book doesn't need to be sad to be meaningful or life-changing, but these are examples of books that are well worth the tears and the money the tubs of ice cream will cost you afterwards.</span><br />
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<li><i><span style="color: white;">Percy Jackson series (ESPECIALLY the last one) by Rick Riordan: </span></i>Did I mention this is one of my favourite series ever? No? Because IT IS undeniably so<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But it would take me beyond infinite hours to tell you why I want to hug this book for its retelling of entrancing greek myths, its ability to make me give reading a chance and eventually become so very bookish and its array of hilarious, troubled, broken, brave, compassionate and just EVERYTHING characters (and *cough* Percabeth;) *cough*). I want to visit Camp Half Blood (if it were real...) because imagine the strawberry fields, the satyrs, each cabin crafted to fit its God or Goddess and the food (Blue cookies in a drink? yes please</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) So many characters in this series have remained in my heart - Percy himself is such a lovingly crafted character that you can't help but love the guy and his story - and when characters have a difficult (to say the least...) path ahead, you go on that path with them. But it's not only the protagonists who are constructed three-dimensionally with insightful and emotional backstories, which leads to a whole lot of loving and crying. So, Rick Riordan basically made me run out of tears from crying so much</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: white;">Harry Potter series (every single word and punctuation mark can make me dissolve into tears - especially from Prisoner of Azkaban and onwards) by JK Rowling:</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></i>You know, I think that we're all truly waiting for one little letter that can change our lives to come to us one day... via owl perhaps? I think we all know of the emotional turmoil JK Rowling has put us through - in fact, sometimes if I just think about certain parts of the book I want to melt into tears and I do inevitably because JK Rowling is just that wonderful at creating a story that will forever be haunting me and making me smile at the same time</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since this is no spoilers (but if you've read the series I think this one's an obvious pick;)), I'll just say that JK Rowling is not afraid to make you cry - for example with the unexpected depths of the characters, the strong messages on love, family and strength, the characters to look up to (I want to ace my O.W.L.S like HERMIONE</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) and the twists in every book that send us to Heartbreak Hotel (metaphorically so). Additionally the sorrow of never receiving an acceptance letter to Hogwarts to become a wizard (Who wouldn't love a wand, meeting animagi, Dumbledore, Wizarding tournaments, enchanted joke stores, magical food and being up to no good?) hurts too.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: </span></i>My lovely, lovely best friend got me hooked onto these - they're just heartbreaking in the strangest and most obvious ways. Once I cried because I was so shocked about a happy moment in one of these books - real happy tears<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both books wowed me because of the way every detail of the character's journeys becomes your life. I want to fly beautiful kites with Amir and Hassan and I never want them to grow up, I want to reread the last page of Kite Runner endlessly because of what is says about hope or hopelessness, I want to create a wonderful and hidden place where Tariq and Laila can hide from their problems forever, I want to tell Mariam that she's been braver than brave right from the first word and I want you to experience these life changing books so that you know how it feels to cherish these books like I do</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak:</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></i> Oh how unexpected a book about WWII... BUT it's unique and wonderful and blew me away. Firstly, it's written by Death, funny thing Death sure knows how to make me cry, who happens to be very funny, poetic, sombre and reflective - some of his lines just stepped on my heart<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't know this book was going to make me sob but Zusak taught me I don't know anything. Liesel Meminger is one girl I'd love to meet - she has lost so much but books give her power - they give her the strength to survive and love, which I love. Rudy, the boy with hair the colour of lemons who wants to be just like Jessie Owens, is the best friend Liesel could ever have and he could make me cry just from everything sweet he does with his big blue eyes shining at his Saumensch:P If you want a book you'll always hold close to your heart and that can leave you crying at 2am in the dark of the night then this is it.</span></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: </span></i>I'm pretty sure I put off this book for months because I was not "emotionally ready" as I weirdly said but every tear, every punch in the gut, every slow smile, every hysterical laugh - it's all worth the ride a million times over. I didn't expect to become so attached to this book but John Green's original, quirky, honest, whimsical and intelligent writing pulled me in, only to tear me into pieces. Hazel is a character that is prepared to let life go by despite the humour, love and Hazel-ness she can bring to it while Augustus is someone who can make you smile when you least think you can. I think I just sat by myself crying for a few minutes, hours, or days because of this book - gosh yes the fault is indeed in our stars sometimes, Sorry Shakespeare, but life can be so unfair to lovely characters like the ones in this book.</div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: </span></i>This book was the startpoint on my roadmap into fantasy and wow did I surprisingly enjoy Kvothe's journey immensely. I mean, it does start slow but once it gets into the action it gets magical and never turns back. We see Kvothe grow up from a boy who loses his parents, to a courageous teenager looking for a future of adventure, learning and a great and seemingly impossible love and the book is structured so that we also see him in the present as a lonely, sad man with his bright red hair still as bright as ever but his smile dulled. Kvothe just made me want to hug him so many times - so I blame Patrick Rothfuss for making Kvothe so so hurt by tragedy (and playing his lovely tragic songs), as it hurts me too.</div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">Allegiant by Veronica Roth:</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></i>Okay, so I didn't like this book to say the least...;) But I did love Divergent - I loved Tris' unusual choices, her bravery which occasionally became dangerously close to recklessness, Four (his strength, his dark blue eyes, his hidden sweetness (for Tris<3), the idea of society being separated according to factions such as Erudite and Dauntless was also intriguing and really well set up in Divergent. But Allegiant lost the plot (in my opinion) - the characters diluted into something else, the plot became less meaningful and got confused in trying to explain the premise - YET what made me cry was reading the end - it wasn't that I particularly enjoyed the ending but that it shocked me to the core - it made me hurt for the characters - the characters in Divergent that I grew to love suffered so much throughout the series so no matter my disappointment in the last book I still feel connected to them and to their sorrow. Veronica Roth created a wonderful book so I'll always respect her choices but I just, personally, felt a bit broken about the end.</div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: </span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></i>I haven't read as many classics as I would have liked to just yet but this classic would make me read them all because it's truly a golden star on a dark night. It's all about idealism, the destructive nature of love, hope, the American Dream and loss - a perfect combination<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gatsby's story and Fitzgerald's writing (which reminds me of fairy lights, strawberries and cream, stars and salty tears) together is just bound to make you feel something NEW. You feel nostalgic and freshly infused with dreams with Gatsby, confused and unsatisfied with Daisy and curious and entranced with Nick. The end of the story and the build up to it scream tragedy a million times over - they roar it and warn you but this book is too good to stay away:)</span></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">Graceling by Kritsin Cashore: </span></i> I didn't expect to cry with this one but one moment near the end just led to tears leaking from my misty eyes because it's a moment centred on loss. When you realise how that character must feel and how alone they feel in their struggle to continue to appear strong to others you just want to give them a cuddle. The characters' interactions in that moment of the book just spill with accepting and undeniable love (not just attraction but compassion) and break you with a shock but build you up again with hope.</div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">I think that the Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski will make me cry...: </span></i>I'm about halfway through the Winner's Crime and I already adore it endlessly. It took me out of an exam-induced reading slump because I was instantly transported into this story that I didn't want to leave - that familiar feeling of falling into a book with characters you already know and love is wonderful<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I just care for this series so much that I feel like this book has the potential to get a tear out of me - because there are too many decisions and sacrifices made by the characters that feel like my own personal problems - If I went to a counsellor, I'd probably be talking about Kestrel and Arin's problems and how much it all stresses me out</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for reading! What's your WoW?:)</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-86403698850794544352015-05-15T06:29:00.002-07:002015-05-15T06:36:23.783-07:00My Dream Cast: Legend by Marie Lou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white;">Recently, many books that we all know and love are being adapted into movies. It's a very bittersweet experience at first because you never know how the movie will turn out but sometimes the movies become new favourites. I've always been interested in the casting choices as soon as I hear of a new movie coming out since I feel almost like the protective older brother of these book characters. So after many of my favourite books have become movies like The Fault in Our Stars, The Book Thief, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, The Great Gatsby, Divergent etc etc... I have decided to have a little bookish fun and really think about my dream cast for some books that have been optioned to become movies and some that I can imagine as movies<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span></span><br />
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Here are a few actors and actresses that I would cast for the lovely and diverse cast of Legend<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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June was one of the hardest characters to cast because I have a rough picture in my head of this dark brown haired girl with eyes so dark they're black with glinting golden specks (I would love if that was what my eyes looked like<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>). Her head is always held high and her eyes are forever scrutinising and calculating but sometimes a glowing warmth exudes from them. I just feel like she radiates intelligence and strength but a slight wariness too. But one thing that always stands out on her proud and unreadable face (except to maybe Day and Metias<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>) is the undeniable kindness she can't hide.</div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Nina Dobrev</span></div>
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I think she could be a great June! I don't watch Vampire Diaries but from all the love fans of the show give her, I imagine her to be a pretty capable actress:) Someone who can show all the complex layers of the Junebug we all admire and root for (eventually;)). And she's got a look which suits June's description and can perhaps make it feel like she's broken out of the book and onto our screen.</div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Kaya Scodelario</span></div>
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You may know Kaya from Skins or Maze Runner and she also unexpectedly jumped into my mind when I thought of June<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She still has many physical similarities with June - maybe not as many as other actresses - but after watching her play Effy Stonem during the first generation of Skins I couldn't help but know her acting would do June justice. Effy always seemed to walk around with a black cloud around her end but it was never overdone - she came off as in control, confident and rebellious but also always loved her older brother (*cough* Who does June love? Her older brother Metias</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">*cough*) and took care of him when he needed her most. And at the same time she was lost and lonely with a deep sadness ingrained in her - the way Kaya played her with quiet and reluctant smiles or anger subtly exuding from her matches with how I imagine June in the beginning. </span></div>
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I love Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm pretty sure I swooned from the get-go and never stopped. His determination to survive and keep fighting for what's right, his love for his family, his undeniable connection to June and the way he respects her enough to have her give him a chance but also not be intimidated enough to actually get her to crack a smile. I know he has long and almost Rapunzel-like hair (okay... not that long but you get the idea...;)) but I always pictured him with slightly shorter than shoulder length hair. One of my favourite details about him was his sky-blue, seven seas, soul-searing blue eyes - except one eye is coloured differently to the other but I think that shows what he's been through (eyes are the windows to the soul</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) and honestly eyes like that are filled with stories and I want to listen to his stories all day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Alex Pettyfer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are so many actors who fulfil the whole blonde hair, blue eyes, lean and muscular thing which Day's got going on but Day's different - he's one of a kind - he's the feeling of daylight breaking out in the sky after a long and lonely night - so I tried my best. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you know how hard it is to choose one picture?:) I chose this one because of the way he looks at her- staring at this picture is like watching someone fall in love for the first time (there's this tenderness, awe, realisation and love in his look which I think mirrors how Day looks at June). I think we all know Alex Pettyfer - ever since Wild Child a little piece of my heart belongs to his characters. He would be my number one choice for Day because I think he'd be able to show everyone how strong, loving and loveable Day is.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mitch Hewer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another Skins alum here (that wasn't intentional...)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I saw this picture and remembered how endearing Mitch was on Skins (and how much everyone swooned for him) I couldn't resist pitching this;) He has this gentleness in his face and untamed blonde hair that I can see cascading down like Day's. He's also got a big grin which suits Day's mission to spread joy with his infectious smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When June loved Metias we loved him too. He deserves the Best Brother award for the way he's always looked out for June - and he calls her Junebug which is plain adorable</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The whole story is kicked off with June wanting vengeance for his death- she needs it to heal and become whole again... or so she thinks...:P I admired his intelligence and the way he rubs off on June - and as the series goes on we learn more and more about him which was as delightful as chocolate. I envision him with this face that makes you just want to hug him, a slightly cheeky and nerdy smile and as someone who almost seems to have light radiate from them like an angel... yup not easy criteria... This one's not in a particular order</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Matt Lanter</span></div>
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He may not have been exactly how I initially pictured him but then I can't help but think he'd be wonderful<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> He fulfils all the seemingly impossible criteria doesn't he?<3 He just has this radiance (like a permanent pregnancy glow:P) and friendliness just escapes from his eyes. I think he could play Metias well and Metias would be a huge change from his character on 90210 but I wouldn't typecast him due to his most famous role.</div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Nicholas Hoult</span></div>
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Whenever I think of flashbacks June would have of her brother - the happy moments - I picture Nicholas Hoult as her smiling, modest and composed brother who you can't help but root for and adore. His acting skills are forever golden in my opinion. He would be able to play Metias the way he deserves to be played- with an air of modest confidence and a melody playing harmoniously around him. </div>
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Lastly...</div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Willow Shields</span></div>
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She popped into my head when I thought of the determined, frail and protective Tess. I always see her as being very lean because of her life so very delicate in a sense and with big eyes reminiscent of Alexis Bledel or Amanda Seyfried. I think Willow Shields (who played Prim in the Hunger Games) embodies the traits of Tess and can play the girl with the broken heart who becomes stronger and stronger each day.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks so much for reading my looooong post</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who would you cast?:)</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-66307378233920855242015-05-13T07:21:00.001-07:002015-05-13T07:28:07.334-07:00Waiting on Wednesday: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/2015/05/waiting-on-wednesday-race-for-paris.html" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a> that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My choice is <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18692431-everything-everything" target="_blank">Everything, Everything </a>by Nicola Yoon</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster..</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 1 September 2015</span></span></div>
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This book sounds like as enticing and unique as a Willy Wonka golden ticket<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I've never read about a protagonist who is allergic to the world around her - and I cannot imagine the agony of that condition because it means she has to live trapped most of her life... but you know what they say: love can set you free! Her isolation will make this love story beautifully new and something that I can call new territory for me. One thing, other than the premise and the vibrant eye-candy of a cover, that drew me to this book was the rave reviews about it. When so many book lovers swoon for a book - a book that has the potential to be quirky in an enchanting way, emotional, and shocking -it feels like coming across some hidden treasure just waiting to be loved<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I just hope it doesn't disappoint:)<br />
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Also doesn't the idea sound reminiscent of Rapunzel? The idea of a girl isolated from society finding love - except a much less romanticised/Disney version;)<br />
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Thank you for reading!<br />
What's your Waiting on Wednesday?:)</div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-14125886215668875382015-03-31T10:10:00.001-07:002015-05-07T19:37:59.595-07:00Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Recently Added To My To-Be-Read ListHi everyone<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely book blog: <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/03/top-ten-books-daisy-added-to-her-tbr.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish.</a></div>
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This week's topic is books I've recently added to my to-be-read list<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> There are too many amazing books I want to read but I'll try...</div>
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<li><i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab:</span> </i>Everything about this book makes me want to read it<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> The <span style="color: white;">wondrous writing</span> and promise that the author brings, the unusual plot infused with <span style="color: white;">magic</span> and one of my favourite cities and the concept of <span style="color: white;">parallel worlds.</span> Normally I'm a complete goody two shoes but in this world I can imagine paying Kell to smuggle me through parallel universes to see the different versions of London:)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo:</span> </i>Firstly, it's my Leigh Bardugo so how could I say no?;) But then I look at the blurb and I think I actually fall in love with the way it burns with the <span style="color: white;">potential </span>to be a five-star book<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I mean a <span style="color: white;">criminal prodigy</span> putting together a <span style="color: white;">dysfunctional gang</span> of <span style="color: white;">outcasts</span> I know we're going to love (maybe some anti-heroes too)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!?</span> So <span style="color: white;">darkly delicious</span>;) Also all of Leigh Bardugo's covers seem to be hauntingly and subtly gorgeous<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton:</span> </i>The <span style="color: white;">rave reviews</span> of this book make it seem like reading it leaves the reader left in this bubble of <span style="color: white;">magical and lonely and thought-provoking after-shock</span> - and I want to experience that<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> The protagonist may have wings but they seem to make her more <span style="color: white;">relatable</span> as she struggles to fit in. I just know this story of twirly and <span style="color: white;">poetic </span>writing is going to break my heart.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">The Pretty App by Katie Sise:</span> </i>I am newly obsessed with apps and a guiltily obsessed with reality TV shows so the combination seems enticing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I'm so intrigued by how this app seems to capture<span style="color: white;"> society's obsession with outer beauty</span> because the protagonist is voted one of the prettiest girls in America through the app and whisked off to a <span style="color: white;">competitive reality show.</span> Also the protagonist has a story beyond the surface that could be interesting- and its coupled with a <span style="color: white;">potential romance </span>with a guy named Leo (after the Heroes of Olympus series I love that name so I already love this guy<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>).</div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Jackaby by William Ritter:</span> </i>I'm waiting and waiting for Sherlock to return so when the blurb said "Doctor Who meets Sherlock" I couldn't help but jump in excitement<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> Its <span style="color: white;">fantasy + paranormal + mystery</span> so I hope it ends up being a book I can't put down because I've been craving a unique mystery with a weird and loveable detective<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I hope there's a lot of <span style="color: white;">dark humour and wit </span>and that the main characters, Jackaby and Abigail, have a dynamic and quirky partnership.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach:</span> </i>"Four highschool seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurtles toward Earth in this contemporary novel." Doesn't that just pull you right in?;) It's such a <span style="color: white;">promising premise!</span> Since the protagonists are in high school I feel like I'll be able to <span style="color: white;">relate to them easily </span>so putting familiar characters in this scary and <span style="color: white;">unfamiliar situation</span> and seeing how it plays out will be fascinating and maybe heartbreaking- <span style="color: white;">definitely thought-provoking</span> because can you <span style="color: white;">imagine the concoction of raw human emotions on what is possibly the last day of earth?</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr:</span> </i>Everything about this story makes me want to read it right away<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I haven't read much historical fiction even though I loved history last year but this can be the book that makes me love it even more (*cough* The Book Thief *cough*)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I just want to know what happens when <span style="color: white;">the worlds of Marie-Laure, the blind and beloved girl who lives by the sea, and Werner, an intelligent orphan who wants to escape his choices, collide.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Red Rising by Pierce Brown:</span> </i>I love a good <span style="color: white;">rebellion</span> (in a book;))<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> The Reds work hard to make Mars habitable only to discover that it already is- and that the Golds already live on Mars. The friction between social classes, the beginning of a rebellion and a infiltration mission will give readers a book that bubbles with <span style="color: white;">intensity and suspense<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas: </span></i>Almost done with Heir of Fire (the third installation in the series) so can't wait to get my hands on this one<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> If you haven't tried this series yet, I definitely recommend it- <span style="color: white;">the elements of magic, cruelty, rebellion, love, friendship and mystery burn so fiercely and irresistibly</span> in this series (in my opinion the second book is where it gets AMAZING:))<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Winter by Marissa Meyer: </span></i>Final installations in series can go so wrong (don't even get me started<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>). But they can also go so right<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> Fairytale retellings are done beautifully by Marissa Meyer and I honestly cannot imagine <span style="color: white;">how her mind crafted all these strange and mesmerising visions</span> of these old fairytales that somehow work (Cinderella's a cyborg everyone<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>):) I'm excited to <span style="color: white;">learn more about Winter's character</span> because I just from the blurb I admire her endlessly:)</div>
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<i>Just making this list makes me fall out of my reading slump so yay<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>;) Thanks for reading<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> Link me up to your Top Ten Tuesday list<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>:)</i></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-16838927383151830522015-02-25T05:42:00.003-08:002015-02-25T05:46:42.899-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: Sweet Temptation & The Rest of Us Just Live Here<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/2015/02/waiting-on-wednesday-sweetheart-deal.html" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine </a>that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Author Note:
Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 8 September 2015</span></span></div>
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So this is <b><span style="font-size: large;">Book 4</span></b> of the Sweet Trilogy by Wendy Higgins<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?!</span> I did not know this existed<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span> But YAY<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mind partially blown;)</td></tr>
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I may not love this cover but this series has been AMAZING<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I loved the character development- I love the layers each character had- that it was so easy to adore and root for them through their crazy, intense, intricate and beautifully-done journey<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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Also this one is basically a condensed version of the trilogy in Kaidan Rowe's perspective<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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Kaidan Rowe seems like the typical 'bad boy' but really there's so much more to him and in this book we'll get to see him fall in love with Anna (aww<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span>) AND we'll get to experience his conflicted, tormented but lovely thoughts<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span>Wow<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What if you weren’t the Chosen One?
What if you’re not the one who’s so often the hero in YA fiction; who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend might just be the God of mountain lions...
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: August 27 2015</span></div>
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So I love a book with a Chosen One but I still can't wait to read this book and here are some of the reasons why:<br />
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<li>The concept of this book is fascinatingly unique and truly original<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> A book where the protagonist is so over heroes, superpowers, villains and all the antics that come along with all of the world he lives in because he just wants to live his normal life? YES PLEASE<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></li>
<li>It's like a contemporary novel set in a fantasy world and I can't wait to see how the two worlds reluctantly, explosively and comically collide.</li>
<li>I tend to love and admire The Chosen Ones in books- especially when they didn't want to be the Chosen One but are still amazing at saving the world etc;) But I never feel like I'd be the Chosen One in books; in fact, I think I'd be a bit of a Mikey - an ordinary teenager in an extraordinary world.</li>
<li>It's Patrick Ness and I've heard the best things about him and so need to read one of his books ASAP<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></li>
<li>There also seems to be some romance (Henna and Mikey) and I have to admit that I adore a bit or a lot of romance in my books:)</li>
<li>The cover. Simple. Reminiscent of an elegant graphic novel. Sneakily striking.</li>
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Can I please have these books now? Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?<br />
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What books are you excited about? </div>
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Thanks for reading:)</div>
Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-65781088934005541392015-02-19T07:11:00.000-08:002015-02-19T10:40:02.231-08:002 Mini Reviews: These Broken Stars & Amy and Roger's Epic Detour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.</span></div>
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I read both these books last summer so it's been a while but they've always stood out in my memory as amazing so I thought it's time I review them as I still need to finish the book I'm reading right now<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">Cover:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?</span></div>
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Stars + Two star-crossed lovers trying to hold on to each other + a beautiful silky dress with a seemingly endless train = </div>
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Luckily, the beauty of the story matches the beauty of the cover<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Characters: </i></b></span> Such richly built characters<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Lilac LaRoux:</span> Tarver goes from rags to riches in terms of status (but not wealth) before the beginning of the book but with Lilac I would also say she goes from rags to riches in terms of strength of character;) </div>
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This is our introduction to Lilac through Tarver's eyes:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What I liked most about her: </span></b></div>
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<li>She begins as a character with so much<span style="color: white;"> potential- </span> she just wants to escape her life because she wants to love who she wants, talk to who she wants and have some privacy (similar to the problems of a celebrity;)).</li>
<li>All these small moments of connecting with her finally create this feeling of understanding <span style="color: white;">the true Lilac</span>. </li>
<li>She redefines herself: initially she reduced herself to heir to the LaRoux empire or the media's darling but later <span style="color: white;">she is finally free to define herself by her own abilities</span>, feelings and inner strength.</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">There's just one tiny problem...:</span> </b>Sometimes she annoyed me because she basically scowls and <span style="color: white;">complains</span> for half the book (but we see her motivation in her perspective and she remains a <span style="color: white;">sympathetic </span>character through it all!) and I didn't understand why she had to constantly make herself dislike Tarver so much<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Tarver Merendsen: </span> </div>
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We start of with his perspective (there are alternating perspectives which is carried out flawlessly<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> We even get little glimpses into the future through an interview that starts off every chapter) and he drew me into the story with his <span style="color: white;">deliciously snarky words</span> and <span style="color: white;">quietly beautiful opinions.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What I liked most about him: </span></b></div>
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<li>He's a book lover<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> Yay<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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He's so <span style="color: white;">sarcastic</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I swear his words drip with sarcasm sometimes and I catch myself with a little smirk on my face while reading them:)</div>
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He's truly <span style="color: white;">humble.</span> He attributes his success to external factors rather than to his own hard work.</div>
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He's a fighter- but <span style="color: white;">he fights from the heart</span> and with compassion, bravery, resourcefulness and intelligence as his sword.</div>
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There's so much that we learn about Tarver<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> He has so many cracks on his heart that I loved him even more for how brave he was throughout the whole thing. <span style="color: white;">I love him!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Romance:</span></div>
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This part reminds me so much of when Lilac and Tarver first meet</td></tr>
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If you like <span style="color: white;">hate to love romances</span> then this is one for you because at first there is so much awkward and forced animosity between them which eventually grows into something a lot more lovely and sweet.</div>
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Their characters <span style="color: white;">complemented each other </span>really well because they were strong as individuals but brought out the best in each other and were able to deal with a lot of issues/problems, that had always plagued them, together.</div>
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I do wish that we saw their love grow from shy but passionate love into intense and "I would die for you" love a bit more slowly but that's a small complaint:)</div>
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<b style="color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><i>Plot: </i></b>This book is <span style="color: white;">perfect way to get into sci-fi YA</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> I never felt lost or like a fish out of water while journeying through its twists and turns because the descriptions painted a clear and vivid world (some of the most <span style="color: white;">mesmerising and flowing descriptions of setting</span> I've ever read). <span style="color: white;">The survival aspect of this book was interlaced with emotional growth</span> of the characters and let us see how truly scared they were (because who wouldn't be scared if they're isolated on an unknown land and their home just crashed and burned?) and so I enjoyed it! It didn't just stick to the usual path of purely methodical survival because they were interacting with a whole new world.</div>
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There are<span style="color: white;"> two major twists </span>and I personally adored both of them because I did not see either coming<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> One of them really spotlights character development while the other is one that should make a sci-fi lover proud because it explains everything through this fantastical world and its creatures.</div>
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<i style="color: white; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;">Writing: </i>One word: Spellbinding<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.
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This book made me feel so much<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span> It's not just a light and purely fluffy read and yet it's so sweet and cuddly<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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Me after reading this:</div>
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This is the kind of book you just want to hug after reading it because it's <span style="color: white;">sugary sweet but packs an emotional punch<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy is a character who you can't help but root for the whole way through:) She is dealing with a lot because her dad recently passed away and she feels guilty. She feels heartbroken. <span style="color: white;">She feels lost.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All she wants to do is recapture who she used to be before the car accident ruined her life- but she can't. To make it worse, she feels <span style="color: white;">alone</span>. Her mom never seems to be there and her twin brother (younger by 3 minutes) is off in rehab after his father's death lead to him abusing drugs out of sorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Her mom decided that they would all move to Connecticut to get away from all the memories that haunted them. She went on this road trip to reach Connecticut for <span style="color: white;">a fresh start</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span>but instead found one during her road trip with Roger- because of Roger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love Roger! He's a guy with a golden heart. </span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He's so </span>wonderful<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it's like he's made of rainbows;)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty on the outside and inside!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;">Their relationship is so real</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">!</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <span style="color: white;">slow journey</span> from <span style="color: white;">awkward strangers with shy smiles</span> to<span style="color: white;"> friends </span>who can play Twenty Questions and write haikus together and take spontaneous detours to see bears <span style="color: white;">in Yosemite and eat cheesesteak and wear giant socks 'borrowed' from Walmart to run and slide on the gleaming floors of an empty Walmart and eat way too much fast food</span> (so much fun randomness they get up to</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) to two people who realize that a simple hug from the other means more than the world sometimes. And the moment they finally realize how right they are for each other had me <span style="color: white;">cheering, swooning and smiling;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Normally when two characters meet for the first time in books there are barely any awkward silences; in fact, they are more than witty from the first "hello," but not in this lovely book. <span style="color: white;">Every relationship in this book was crafted with a delicate and skilled hand</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">!</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We meet a whole variety of characters from Bronwyn: the weirdly wise and friendly fashionista, Leonard: the sweet video-game addict with a cool 'Call Me Kevin' t-shirt to Hadley: the girl Roger can't let go of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Both Amy and Roger have quests of their own.</span> I don't want to go too into detail but just know the way they're there for each other is <span style="color: white;">magic</span> (real magic which we can all find:)). There's this scene which just made me stop for a second and appreciate what an impact someone can have on your life</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another thing that I loved about this book was that <span style="color: white;">we get to go on the road trip with them</span> too because there are scrapbook pages, restaurant receipts, playlists and little sketches scattered like delightful treats all over this book</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So my reviews weren't as mini as I thought they would be...;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Both books, of course, get a...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-8825715653767085042015-02-17T22:22:00.002-08:002015-02-17T22:22:29.389-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted By Jill at </span><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly longing for and anticipating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20983362-passenger?from_search=true" target="_blank">Title: Passenger</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Author: Alexandra Bracken (!!!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The author of The Darkest Minds series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Publication Date: January 5th 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know this book is not going to be released for ages but it's Alexandra Bracken and she is the mastermind behind the Darkest Mind series!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are some authors that have impressed you so much with their previous books that you just know you're going to run in to a bookstore and buy their next books ASAP (like Rick Riordan and Stephanie Perkins:)).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Etta sounds like a wonderful character! Whenever a character is described as being a musician or prodigy I always love to read scenes in which they play music (e.g. Kestrel's piano playing scene in Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski or Adam's lyrics in Where She Went by Gayle Forman) because you see another side of them- they just let go of everything and drown in their music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This book also has a time-travel element which is always fun to read because we get to see characters struggling to fit in with a completely new world;) Plus she arrives on a ship </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which means a perfectly dangerous and beautiful setting</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">+ Etta and Nicholas have to find clues and solve a puzzle which means we've got a mystery/ clue hunt on our hands!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alexandra Bracken created a one-of-a-kind character with Liam in The Darkest Minds as he was genuinely sweet and someone I would love to know so I'm sure she'll create a character we love with Nicholas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This series is so different from the first but I know it has the potential to be just as great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So that's my Waiting on Wednesday! What's yours?:)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for reading!</span><br />
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-33299517986039693612015-02-17T02:31:00.000-08:002015-02-17T02:31:22.415-08:00Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta627pampDI/VOMAEGe97pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/OSzgYByWq0w/s1600/17199504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta627pampDI/VOMAEGe97pI/AAAAAAAAAOs/OSzgYByWq0w/s1600/17199504.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
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I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did! I knew that this book was acclaimed by many but on the other hand I was not aware of all the hype so I went in with pretty low expectations and was wonderfully surprised by it.</div>
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This is a fantasy book so the world it was set in played a big role in the plot. And wow was it one complex yet magical world! It took me a while to be able to imagine this new London because of how quickly we're thrust into it but slowly a vivid image of a place ruled by fear was created in my mind. A world in which there are clairvoyants- basically people have these superpowers (which I really want!) from being able to see dreamscapes to being able to put images into anyone's mind. The new world Samantha Shannon creates makes me want to take a step back and marvel at it like I would with an enrapturing art piece. When it comes to people with supernatural powers I always have this romanticised idea of heroism but in this world to even have an ability is to break the rules.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: robot6.comicbookresources.com</td></tr>
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That's why our main character, Paige, works for Jaxon Hall- and let me just say he speaks in the most comical way! One of his eccentric lines:"You've bloomed like the ambrosial flower you are, my winsome wunderkind." I've never heard anyone called a winsome wunderkind before and sometimes his silly nicknames add a touch of humour to such a dark story. </div>
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We learn a lot about the people she works with in the criminal underworld. I loved learning about Nick and their friendship! Paige admires Nick and thinks of him almost as a prince and so do I. There is such a diverse range of characters in this book that you're bound to love getting to know them. In fact, the main character, Paige Mahoney, is such a strong and relatable and brave and admirable (( could add a million more ands!) protagonist. She breaks rules to help those in need, she feels an endless amount of sympathy even for those she hardly knows and she sure knows how to take care of herself. If I was in her situation I have no idea what I would do! There are always those protagonists that make you want to scream, "What are you doing?" or protagonists who you feel no connection to but I understood all of Paige's decisions, even if her bravery sometimes bordered on reckless (doesn't it always?;)). </div>
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The plot moves right from the start. Which results in a bit of info-dumping... I personally didn't mind it too much because I was eagerly trying to grab every little sentence or word that could help me picture this shattered and sparkling fantasy world. But I know that info-dumping can be annoying because we like for the world to be slowly unravelled in front of our eyes rather than to be told exactly what's happening but in a way it helped set up this very complex world so that we could move forward into the many twists and turns and new settings of this story. </div>
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I love a good romance because Love is a place of concentrated, explosive and beautiful feelings. In this book, as much as I really, really like the romance and root for the two characters (who shall remain nameless in this review... except for the fact that as soon as you read the book it's pretty obvious who the love interest is going to be because as soon as a guy is described as "beautiful and terrible" there's a 99% chance he's the one;)) to be together, I wish there were more sparks between them. Throughout the story you can feel the characters trying to learn more about each other and learn that they're fighting for the same things. But I feel like maybe there should be more chemistry between them- I wanted more moments of just them- getting to know the small, light-hearted things about the other. I wanted to feel Paige fall in love slowly with him- I wanted a moment before the kiss with the realisation of her raw and powerful feelings. However there is this electrifying and magnetic kiss that bubbles with chemistry- and it's spontaneous too!</div>
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But I love when love (or blooming love) results in the characters becoming their better selves:) And this is definitely true for the romance in this book - they make each other strong and I love them together. Plus there is so much action and character development that love couldn't take centre stage yet so I think the author played out the romance beautifully between two lovely, conflicted, selfless and brave characters. </div>
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Overall, I definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone! This story has an oppressive governing system, CLAIRVOYANCE (oooh dreamwalkers and gangs!) a heroine we can all love and respect, a romance built on trust, tons of characters that have been developed marvellously and tons of characters that are aching to be developed in the next book (which I have heard the best things about).</div>
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I give it a...</div>
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(The ranking is the same as with school grades because school has pretty much taken over my life so why not?;))</div>
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Thanks for reading! Have you read The Bone Season or anything like it?:)</div>
<br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-60368961609474275672015-02-10T07:31:00.002-08:002015-02-11T02:29:10.060-08:00Top Ten Tuesday: Romance<div style="text-align: center;">
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely book blog: <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/02/top-ten-things-daisy-likesdislikes-when.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish.</a></div>
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This week's top ten tuesday is about the top ten things I like and dislike when it comes to <span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i>romances</i> </span>in books.</div>
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I love a romance element in the books I read- as a rom-com addict/ hopeless romantic I can't help but love when an author creates a romance which makes me swoon!</div>
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<u>4 Things I Dislike About Romances in Books</u></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><i>Too much too soon (insta-love): </i>Isn't it annoying when the characters fall dangerously in love almost in an instant? When after meeting their love interest they declare to the world that they would die to save them? I understand that people can love so strongly and truly that they would sacrifice anything for the person they love but do they need to be so dramatic when they barely know the 'love of their lives' yet?;) If done right, this passion can be absolutely swoon-inducing to read but when its rushed and you feel like the character's feelings have no substance, it becomes frustrating!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i>Do I know you?:</i> Whenever the protagonist falls in love with a character I want to fall in love with them or feel something about them too! So I hate feeling left out in the dark when authors don't let the reader get to know the love interest well enough- when a love interest is almost reduced to simply being the 'love interest' and nothing else. I want to know why he or she is so special and wonderful and lovely! Otherwise it's not hard to feel disconnected from the romance:(</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i>Geometry and Love don't mix: </i>Why are there so many love triangles, squares and probably even decagons? Now, Hamlet, that is the question! Sometimes love triangles can be done in a way that makes you enjoy them- they're suspenseful ("Who will she/he choose?"), you get to choose a team (which can be really fun!) and you understand the conflict and why the characters are so attracted to whoever they're so infatuated with. But so many books obsess over love triangles even though in reality there aren't that many love triangles and there's nothing wrong with a classic love story (a love line?;))<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>I Don't Want To Miss A Thing: </i>Another tiny thing that bothers me to no end is when we're told the characters are talking and having the conversation of their lives but we never get to experience that oh-so-sweet get to know you stage. I want to know what the characters are saying to each other and why they feel so connected- give me the dialogue which has conversation and banter I could cuddle! It adds substance to their relationship and in the end will make me care about them more if I know what they are like together and how they understand each other so perfectly!</div>
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<u>6 Things I Like About Romances in Books</u></div>
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<li><i>Witty or adorable conversations: </i>There's always that couple who have the most entertaining, humorous and yet loving conversations I can imagine! Some books in which I have experienced this are: Katy and Daemon in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12578077-obsidian?from_search=true" target="_blank">Lux series</a> (their banter makes me smile and laugh and just stop to appreciate Daemon for a few minutes;)), Rudy and Liesel in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief?ac=1" target="_blank">The Book Thief</a> - how cute is Rudy's "How about a kiss, Saumensch?", Percy and Annabeth in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28187.The_Lightning_Thief?ac=1" target="_blank">Percy Jackson</a> because who can forget those two - Seaweed Brain and Wise Girl, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1885.Pride_and_Prejudice?ac=1" target="_blank">Pride and Prejudice </a>is a classic example;), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars?ac=1" target="_blank">Fault in Our Stars</a> is abundant with these (the quirkiness, lovability and intelligence of the characters sure helps!) and of course Noah Shaw and Mara Dyer in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11408650-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer?ac=1" target="_blank">Mara Dyer series</a> (too many quotable moments between those two- Noah should be a poet!)! </li>
<li><i>Stop, drop and roll: </i>Except in this case it's Stop, drop jaw and swoon! There are those moments in romances which just make you instantly adore the couple and everything about them! It can be the most unexpected moment but everything just comes together. For example in The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, I always remember the random and strangely sweet moment Noah kneels down to tie her shoelaces ("'Now you won't fall.' Too late".)</li>
<li><i>Time after time:</i> Slow-burn romances are the best! Almost the opposite of insta-love because they give characters time to get to know eachother and give the readers time to slowly feel more and more passionate about the characters finally realizing how they feel for eachother. This is done in so many books like <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone?ac=1" target="_blank">Harry Potter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?ac=1" target="_blank">Winner's Curse</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11500217-angelfall?ac=1" target="_blank">Angelfall</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds?ac=1" target="_blank">The Darkest Minds</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16119664-life-in-outer-space?ac=1" target="_blank">Life in Outer Space</a> (the ultimate geeky sweet romance:)) and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17167166-crown-of-midnight?ac=1" target="_blank">Crown of Midnight</a>.</li>
<li><i>You & Me: </i>The best relationships, in books and real life, are the ones in which the characters inspire their love to become their best self and at the same time also embrace their own potential. They're equals and the both end up feeling at home with eachother! In Life In Outer Space, a lovely, weird (a great weird!) and down-to-earth romance, the characters get each other through their hardships by being there for each other and showing each other original and kooky ways to move on from something holding them back. A similar situation is in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9725419-amy-roger-s-epic-detour" target="_blank">Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. </a>One book I'll never forget, in which there's a grumpy bookstore owner who is transformed by a little girl named Maya (my name!) left in his store and transformed by someone who just gets and loves him, is called <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18293427-the-storied-life-of-a-j-fikry" target="_blank">The Storied Like of AJ Fikry. </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9725419-amy-roger-s-epic-detour" target="_blank"><br /></a></li>
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<span class="s1"><i>The chase: </i>Don't you love when two characters are pining for each other? The tension, nervous feelings, sweet moments and reluctant smiles result in making the chase one of my favourite parts of a romance. A classic example is the Lux series, Crown of Midnight and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11808950-sweet-evil?ac=1" target="_blank">Sweet Evil</a>.</span></div>
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<i>Underdog:</i> You can see how highly a character thinks of another when they think the other person is too good for them but still love them despite how hopeless they think their crush is. I love when a character is so relatable in his/her own awkward and adorable way as they have no idea what to do next! Anna in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9754815-anna-and-the-french-kiss" target="_blank">Anna and the French Kiss</a> doesn't think she can ever be with Etienne St Clair but really.... they're perfect for eachother! Stephanie Perkins is a goddess of romance novels:)</div>
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Thanks for reading! What do you love or hate about romance in books?</div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-9208801468377523212015-02-08T03:29:00.001-08:002015-02-08T04:51:58.234-08:00Stacking The Shelves: Books Galore!<div style="text-align: center;">
Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2015/02/stacking-the-shelves-145.html" target="_blank">Tynga's Reviews</a>. </div>
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First let's start with books from...</div>
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The library sure is a fantasy land isn't it?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13638125-vicious" target="_blank">Vicious</a> by V.E. Schwab</span></td></tr>
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<i><span class="readable" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></i></div>
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Everything about this book makes me want to skip through a field of flowers and sing as loudly as I can (despite the fact that I can't sing;)) because this book sounds like a masterpiece. I've been craving an unusual superhero/fantasy book lately and this is it! The protagonists are not all rainbows, unicorns and flowers but instead their journeys let the author make us question EVERYTHING we thought we knew about heroes and villains. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17199504-the-bone-season?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Bone Season</a> by Samantha Shannon</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Not all of us know what we are. Some of us die without ever knowing. Some of us know, and never get caught. But we're out there. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Trust me.” </span></i></div>
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(this quote reminds me a bit of the first paragraph of Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan:))</div>
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I'm not sure how I'll feel about this book but the main character is a dreamwalker so I ran with the wind and borrowed it! Because can you imagine getting to walk into someone else's dreams- this aspect has the potential to create imaginative and haunting scenes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wrl6WISJdIg/VNcxBQGftGI/AAAAAAAAAMo/sVslpI9q1rM/s1600/10063939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wrl6WISJdIg/VNcxBQGftGI/AAAAAAAAAMo/sVslpI9q1rM/s1600/10063939.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10063939-the-way-of-kings" target="_blank">The Way of Kings</a> by Brandon Sanderson</span></td></tr>
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The twists and turns of Mistborn have inspired me to read more Brandon Sanderson. Everytime I look up new fantasy books he seems to come up so I'm off on a new Brandon Sanderson adventure! The book looks GINORMOUS though but that's not a problem:)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj10yUCgtnE/VNcyOO0vxhI/AAAAAAAAAM0/vORUkgSYrQY/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-08%2Bat%2B4.30.59%2Bpm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj10yUCgtnE/VNcyOO0vxhI/AAAAAAAAAM0/vORUkgSYrQY/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-08%2Bat%2B4.30.59%2Bpm.png" height="54" width="320" /></a></div>
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(I went a bit (...a lot) Amazon crazy...)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F08v6zF8Cm8/VNcykeA61nI/AAAAAAAAAM8/RROHGjXq4TM/s1600/17623975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F08v6zF8Cm8/VNcykeA61nI/AAAAAAAAAM8/RROHGjXq4TM/s1600/17623975.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17623975-just-one-day?from_search=true" target="_blank">Just One Day</a> by Gayle Forman</span></td></tr>
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Romantic. Real. Painful. Beautiful.</div>
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I've heard so many good things about this book and I adored Where She Went so now that I finally have this book in my possession I can't wait to read it! Get ready to be loved Just One Day;)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BqO9xUVl0/VNdAEt5XX_I/AAAAAAAAANU/ouGUk4aC2T0/s1600/6342491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BqO9xUVl0/VNdAEt5XX_I/AAAAAAAAANU/ouGUk4aC2T0/s1600/6342491.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6342491-the-demon-king?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Demon King</a> by Cinda Williams Chima</span></td></tr>
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Boy meets girl-and oh wait there's magic, a queendom and warriors too! We start out with the characters separately and then boom they meet in this detailed and dreamy fantasy world that the author apparently builds up so well. I'm so excited for this series!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_b-F6Gzv3U/VNdBTkauA5I/AAAAAAAAANg/RHf_iobdyT4/s1600/15768409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_b-F6Gzv3U/VNdBTkauA5I/AAAAAAAAANg/RHf_iobdyT4/s1600/15768409.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768409-the-retribution-of-mara-dyer?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Retribution of Mara Dyer</a> by Michelle Hodkin</span></td></tr>
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The last book of the Mara Dyer series... need I say more?;) So far the books have been intense and consuming in the best possible way- it's one twisty, twirly roller coaster journey!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59TnFti6zjw/VNdCVyWLaFI/AAAAAAAAANo/0M2gk_8E1-Q/s1600/470901728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59TnFti6zjw/VNdCVyWLaFI/AAAAAAAAANo/0M2gk_8E1-Q/s1600/470901728.jpg" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237241.Gone_with_the_Wind" target="_blank">Gone With the Wind</a> by Margaret Mitchell</span></td></tr>
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My fabulous best friend loved this and it seems like the kind of classic the world stops moving for:) I want to experience this whirlwind love story that is set during the American Civil War because I just know it's going to make me feel so much! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey is me & Chandler is Gone With The Wind;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJRB9RsPsk/VNdEtSSzZ1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/zOVk6Lfag3g/s1600/4932435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJRB9RsPsk/VNdEtSSzZ1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/zOVk6Lfag3g/s1600/4932435.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6719736-finnikin-of-the-rock" target="_blank">Finnikin of the Rock</a> by Melina Marchetta</span></td></tr>
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Melina Marchetta is so loved in the YA world so I'm extra excited to read her mysterious and daring fantasy series! The characters go on a quest to find the heir to the throne who everyone thought was dead- I love a good quest!</div>
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<i>So that's it for now! Thanks for reading:)</i></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-17867012155090058522015-02-04T05:13:00.001-08:002015-02-04T05:13:17.295-08:00Waiting on Wednesday: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted By Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a> that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly longing for and anticipating.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20443207-the-winner-s-crime" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Title: The Winner's Crime</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Author: The talented Marie Rutkoski</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 12th March 2015 (just around a month away!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I read Winner's Curse (the first book of the series) during summer and I absolutely loved it! I was absorbed by it completely because it was everything I had craved for in a book. It had romance, historical drama (a rivalry between two nations, slavery and conspiracies) and fantasy all strategically and wonderfully mixed up into one YA novel- what's better than that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I came across so many books which had insta-love (ewwww...) which was so annoying because it results in a frustrating lack of substance to such raw and supposedly beautiful feelings. But in Winner's Curse there was a slow-burning romance which was filled with forbidden love and so much conflict- even as a reader I felt shattered and emotional. The characters go through this perfectly paced transition from strangers, to reluctant friends to two people who are in love and scared by the big, bad and beautiful love. However this story was not consumed by love and just from the blurb you can tell the sequel will be focused on action and character development rather than dismissing everything else (including difficult topics such as slavery and duty) for love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Arin held so much within himself- slowly the weary layers hiding the true Arin were unravelled so that the reader learnt more and more about him- about his passion and courage. While Kestrel was so intelligent and just had this spark in her eyes. I want to know how they grow as characters when the people around them, setting and decisions change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second book will probably focus more on the theme of sacrifice which I know Marie Rutkoski will explore in a tragically haunting way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Also on goodreads a huge amount of people who have gotten arc's seem to adore this book-- possibly more than the first one which must make this fantastic! The last book ended on a cliffhanger that left me wanting more so here I am waiting and waiting for it;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading:)</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825425193009142480.post-38216619902454657922015-01-31T06:55:00.001-08:002015-01-31T06:55:41.249-08:00Book Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Me: I’ve never met anyone like you before and I think I… love you-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Station Eleven: I know;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The beyond </span>gorgeous<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> cover! (Source: goodreads)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Station Eleven shocked me in the best possible way. As in it reached a whole new level of beautiful! If I had to choose just one word to describe it (which is quite the challenge) I would say magical because I felt like I had fallen into this “darkly glittering” fictional universe, I felt like all the emotions the author described took me over and I felt absorbed in the subtly yet perfectly woven storylines. I mean it’s a post-apocalyptic book that zooms in on the importance of art, friendship, heartbreak and hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Every character managed to shoot an arrow straight through my heart because I loved reading all of their perspectives. There is something enchantingly special about the unique way each of them sees the world. They each had a quirky passion that defined them or had a little anecdote which opened my eyes to why they feel lonely, jealous, in love or simply happy. Even with the story somehow gracefully jumping to and from different time periods, all the characters were connected in an unforced manner and had strong, relatable feelings which showed me the transcendent nature of emotion— so many Shakespeare-lovers highlight that as one of the main strengths of his work which is, funny enough, totally relevant to this novel which happens to feature some of his plays! In fact the only thing I would change a teeny bit is to incorporate more elements from Shakespeare's plays-- maybe so that some </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">plot lines or characters of his are reflected in the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The story features a few timelines which helped me put the pieces of little mysteries we’re given along the way together and I felt like Sherlock (before I realised that he’s way cooler than I ever can be) whenever I had hunches about how some plots in the past would lead to events in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We get to explore the famous actor Arthur Leander’s life before his tragic death which starts the novel. The novel starts with a performance of King Lear, in which Arthur plays the titular character. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“The interior of the theater was darkened now, the posters still advertising King Lear, with Arthur gazing up into blue light with flowers in his hair and the dead Cordelia limp in his arms.”</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He, in a way, is the main link because he seems to have made quite an impact on the majority of the characters. I loved, loved, loved learning about his life as an actor and the struggles that came with it. There was something so poetic, gentle yet frustrating about him that intrigued me. Also, being a hopeless romantic, I couldn’t help giddily enjoying learning about his love life— he is, at one point, a celebrity and so it’s like reading a romantic, heartbreaking and conflicted portrayal of celebrity gossip! Another thing that made this book brilliant was that the large span of time allowed Emily St John Mandel to explore the character developments in detail: we watch them bloom or rot (to be dramatic:P) and this is great because, I think, we get to see why the characters turn out the way they do in their endings.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Kirsten is the girl with the tattoo that I now feel tempted to get: “because survival is insufficient.” Her character lets us hang around and explore the post-apocalyptic world— a post-apocalyptic world with a Travelling Symphony that is! That’s right!- she is part of a performance group that travels (as suggested by their name) to many places and plays soul-stirring music and performs Shakespeare to audiences, no matter how small or big, in order to keep hope and art alive. After reading this I almost felt like joining a performance group myself, then I remembered I can’t act:( A lot more action takes place in Kirsten’s storylines because of the crazy Prophet that happens to jump into her story. At first I thought I may not like the storyline with the Prophet when I read about it in the blurb but all the emotions that bubbled within the characters made it special and haunting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the future, I loved seeing the startlingly different ways the characters coped with the loss of everything they knew before: some clung onto the past, some went insane, some constantly searched for the brighter things. And in the past I loved seeing how passionate Miranda was about art, how nostalgic Clark and Arthur were, how conflicted Jeevan was and how innocent Kirsten was. So many characters with their jumble of decisions and hopes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Even the descriptions went beyond my expectations! Sometimes action carries the plot forward while description is just there— but no, not in this book! The smallest things like a paperweight or old letters become something new and beautiful. And i’ve just got to mention the dog, who looks like a “marshmallow,” because as someone who has a lovely puppy, I couldn’t help but laugh at the descriptions of Luli, the dog, staring longingly at strawberries after being exiled from a dinner party for trying to steal food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here’s an example of one short but elegant description:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“The ships were lit up to prevent collisions in the dark, and when she looked out at them she felt stranded, the blaze of light on the horizon both filled with mystery and impossibly distant, a fairy-tale kingdom.”</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When you find out what Station Eleven is, I think you’ll be shocked and delighted. The descriptions of whatever it is were so easy to imagine and fall into.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">One of my absolute favourite quotes from the book:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>“No more Internet. No more social media, no more scrolling through litanies of dreams and nervous hopes and photographs of lunches, cries for help and expressions of contentment and relationship-status updates with heart icons whole or broken, plans to meet up later, pleas, complaints, desires, pictures of babies dressed as bears or peppers for Halloween. No more reading and commenting on the lives of others, and in so doing, feeling slightly less alone in the room."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I would give it an... </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading:)</span></span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314087549065181071noreply@blogger.com5Singapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.8441055 103.174389 1.8600605 104.46528300000001