TGIF (4) Choose Your Next Read

This feature is hosted by Ginger at GReads! She asks book bloggers a fun question every week and we get to answer it. (Ginger is putting this feature on hold for awhile. So this is my last TGIF for a while.)

This weeks question is. . .
 How do you go about choosing what you read next? Do you have a schedule you follow, or do you read whatever makes you happy at the moment?
 
I have a shelf in my cabinet that holds all my TBR books, and I have a shelf on my nook that holds all my unread ebooks. I will usually decide first if I want to read a physical book or an ebook. Then I will either browse through them and just decide on whatever I want to read, or I will choose the top five books I would like to read and go on Goodreads and see if any of my friends have read it and liked it.

Book Haul #2

So......... I got some more books. But what can I say? They were super cheap.

Review: The Wish by Gail Carson Levine

Title: The Wish
Author(s): Gail Carson Levine
Release Date: May 31, 2000
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Page Number: 243
Format: Paperback


Synopsis(Goodreads): From the author of the Newbery Honor Book "Ella Enchanted." When Wilma gets one wish, she asks to be the most popular girl at school. But when her wish is granted, it's more than she bargained for.

My Review: I'm slightly disappointed in Gail Carson Levine right now. I have read all her other books(with the exception of A Tale of Two Castles) and I've loved them all. And I'm not saying I didn't like this book. It just wasn't as good as her other books. [This is a middle grade book. If you don't like reading them, this review is not for you.]

When Wilma Strutz gives an old lady her seat on the subway, she is given one wish. She wishes to be the most popular girl at her middle school. Suddenly everyone wants to be her friend and 40 boys have asked her to the Grad Night dance. But it turns out there might be a loophole in Wilma's popularity, and she'll do anything to avoid it.

This book had no depth. And I'm talking, like ZERO depth. Nothing was very well explained, at all. When Wilma told us that their were two types of people at the school, and that she was a brain, I was excited. I thought she would tell us about how smart the brains were and all about the schools academics. Nope. I hated the lack of depth.

The only character we got to know was Wilma, and because the book was so short, I felt that I didn't know her at all. And because of this, I couldn't paint an accurate picture of who she was as a character.

The writing style of this book was what I was hoping for. Gail Carson Levine has a fantastic writing style that keeps readers reading and wondering what will happen next. I absolutely loved it in all her fairytale retellings, and I loved it here too. The book was such a quick read that I really did enjoy reading, even though I did have problems with it. But, if I'm being honest, I think Gail Carson Levine should stick to fairytales.

Rating: 4/5 Worms

I think I'm rating this book highly because I love Gail Carson Levine as an author, but I also did like this book. It was aimed at a younger audience, but I love this author so much I had to read it.

 

Audio books, Ebooks, Hardcovers, or Paperbacks

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to discuss my thoughts on the following formats of books: audio books, ebooks, hardcovers, and paperbacks. I saw a few videos like this on YouTube, so I thought it would be cool to discuss it with you.

Audio books: Lately I've been on an audio book craze. I have been re-reading the Harry Potter series, and my mom has all the books in audio book, so I hesitantly picked one up. And I loved it. Normally I don't like audio books because I feel like I can get more if I actually read the book, but since I'd already read the book and I understood it, I loved listening to it. I also loved the narrator. He did a wonderful job making the characters sound like themselves(if that makes any sense).

Ebooks: If you watch my videos on YouTube, you know I did a video on my thoughts on ebooks vs. real books. If you haven't seen it, I will link it here. I own a Nook Color and I really love it. I love how its light and portable, and you can store thousands of books on there at one time. I also love that sometimes books are cheaper, which is nice because I am always looking for a good deal.

Hardcovers: Hardcovers and I aren't the best team. I don't particularly like them because of how heavy and large they are. But I do love the jackets they come with, and the fact that the spine doesn't show breakage very easily.

Paperbacks: I love paperbacks. They are light and easy to carry and you can hold them open with one hand. But on the other side, the spines break really easily and the covers can get damaged. All in all, though, I really love paperbacks.

So those were my thoughts on the formats. Feel free to comment and tell what you favorite format is. Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

Waiting on Wednesday in a weekly feature hosted at Breaking the Spine that showcases titles that we are eagerly awaiting.

This weeks title is...

Erasing Time
by C.J. Hill
Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Synopsis(Goodreads): In this high-action and romantic futuristic adventure, there is no escape from the future for two contemporary girls pulled out of their own time.

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are patiently awaiting.

This weeks title is....

The Lost Girl
by Sangu Mandanna
Publication Date: August 28, 2012


Synopsis(Goodreads): Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself.

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where a topic is posted and bloggers make a list of the top ten things that go into each topic.



This weeks topic is...

Top Ten Book Romances That You Think Would Make It In The Real World


1.  Rose and Dimitri for the Vampire Academy series: Yes, I realize that there are no vampires in the real world, but I still think that their romance could work. They were just so cute in the books that I really think that they could make it. But they'd have to find new jobs.

2. Owen and Annabel from Just Listen: Since contemporary is the closest to real life, I think that Owen and Annabel would still be perfect for each other. They were super cute together and their problems weren't huge problems like being turned into a vampire. 

3.  Harry and Ginny from Harry Potter: Yes I think that not having magic would be a bit of a culture shock, but they would make it. I am confident.

4. Ron and Hermonie from Harry Potter: I think not having magic would kill Hermonie, but Ron and Hermonie would get along just fine. I hope.

5. Four and Tris from Divergent: I think without people trying to kill them their relationship would grow. I mean, they are just so good for each other!

6. Kate and Fitz from The A Circuit series: Come on, he was willing to lie to save her job! He gets some major props for that. And their mutual love for horses will keep them together too.

7. Sean and Puck from The Scorpio Races:  Their relationship is perfect! Well, almost perfect. Its good enough for me.

Fangirling about Harry Potter

Okay. So, as of August 10, 2012, I began re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I wasn't into the book I was currently reading and I was planning to re-read the series at some point if I ever got the time. So I picked it up and started reading.

AND I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH I MISSED MY LITTLE FICTIONAL WORLD!!!!

I haven't read this book since I was in 4th grad and that was four years ago. I didn't realize I loved it so much until today. I have been quoting from the the book for days and I think my parents are starting to get a little weirded out about my random little outburst of things like, No Harry! Don't go with him!, or I told you so Harry. But, then again, they have been living with my craziness for 13 years.
Anyway, I just felt like sharing my love of Harry Potter with you all today. Today I ask a comment question: Have you ever found a series you love so much you have read it over and over? I would love to know. As always, keep on reading!

Review: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Title: Juliet Immortal (Juliet Immortal #1)
Author(s): Stacey Jay
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
 Pages: 307
Format: Hardcover


Synopsis(Goodreads): Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's "Shiver" and Becca Fitzpatrick's "Hush" will relish this intense paranormal love story featuring Romeo and Juliet, literary history's most tragic couple, who meet again, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies.
The most tragic love story in history . . .
Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

My Review: I didn't like the original story of Romeo and Juliet. Let's just get that out there. I didn't like it because I didn't think it was a fantastic love story. I didn't feel like Romeo and Juliet really connected. But that's just my opinion. I liked Juliet Immortal a little more.

I  was a little confused about Juliet's character. She started out strong, doing her job to help lovers connect. Yeah, she was a little bitter and filled with hate, but come one, her true love killed her. I would be mad too. But then she meets Ben, and that's when her character started to fall apart. She was still kind of strong, trying to resist her feelings for Ben but she still wanted to be with him and that was obvious. And when they finally got together, I had some mixed feelings. I was happy that she found someone like Ben, but I was still mad because she kept saying to herself that she shouldn't be with Ben, couldn't be with Ben. So, yeah, Juliet and I had a small problem with each other.

I was also confused with Romeo and Juliet's relationship. They had been enemies for 700 years, and all of a sudden Romeo tells Juliet that he loves her again? Yeah, buddy, you had your chance.

The idea of this book made up for the fact that I wasn't impressed with Juliet's character. I really liked the idea of the Ambassadors going inside some one's body and helping two soul mates realize that they are perfect for each other. And I liked that Romeo and Juliet were enemies, even if they only fought once and then Romeo tried to convince her to love him again.

The ending was okay. I was expected a total all out battle, but I just got a knife to the gut and a shooting. But I liked finding out what happened to Juliet [spoiler] once her specter took her away. And it was good to find out what happened to Romeo after he was forced back into his body. [end of spoiler]

Rating: 3/5 worms

This book was really hard for me to rate. I liked about half the book, but I had some major issues with the rest.



Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted over at Breaking The Spine. It shows upcoming releases we are awaiting.

This weeks title is...  

Defiance

By C.J. Redwine

Publication date: August 28, 2012

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel...moreWithin the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

                                                                                        

Review: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

Title: Someone Like You
Author(s): Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 1, 1998 (Published again May 11, 2004)
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 281
Format: Paperback


Synopsis(Goodreads): Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever.

Random Thought: Every time I look at this book, I start singing Adele's Someone Like You. I don't know why, because this book is nothing like the song. I think its the cover, but that's just me.

My Review: I was a little let down by this book. Having just finished Just Listen by the same author, I had very high expectations for this book. But it didn't have the writing that I had loved so much. So, for me the writing in this book was okay. It wasn't as deep as Just Listen but it had a way of telling the story that was all its own.

The main character, Halley, was so stubborn and naive at times, but she always cared for Scarlett. I really loved her for that, but sometimes I got frustrated with her character. Scarlett on the other hand was absolutely brilliant. She was strong and caring and fantastic. She acted so well when she found out she was pregnant, getting extra hours for her job so she could afford to keep her baby. I absolutely adored her.

I didn't exactly love the plot. I thought it was good but it wasn't fast like Just Listen. However, I loved going along with Halley's point of view throughout this book and seeing how everything played out. Because of the slower plot you really got to know the characters, and I really like that in books.

Rating: 4/5 worms

Review: Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Title: Keep Holding On
Author(s): Susane Colasanti
Release Date: May 31, 2012
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 202
Format: Hardcover

Synopsis(Goodreads): A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.

My Review: Don't let the cover fool you. This book is not a cute book about dating. This book is about bullying at its worst. I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up from my library. I hadn't read the synopsis or looked it up on Goodreads. I took one look at the cover and thought it looked like a cute summer read. Covers can be deceiving.

Noelle has it rough. She is being bullyied at school and her mother is neglecting her at home. She has one friend and all she wants to do is graduate from high school and move far away. I was instantly sympathetic for Noelle, because I knew what she was going through. I fell right into her voice as she told her story and I could feel the emotions she was going through. I kept wishing there was something I could do for her, but then I remembered that it was a book.

The writing of this book was good. Susane did a great job of creating characters and creating the world she set them in. I could really believe that this could actually be happening. It was great.

Rating: 4/5

This book told a realistic story about bullying that made my heart break for the characters.

July Wrap Up and August TBR

This month is looking up for my reading. I read a total of 5 books which I'm happy with, but I'm excited for August so I can get back into my reading mood!

Books I read this month:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

August TBR: Like I said last month, I don't like to be confined to a TBR. So instead I'm just going to read whatever I want, and some books I got from the library.

Books from the library:

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

That's all for me guys. Tell me what you read in July and are planning to read in August. Otherwise, happy reading!

TGIF (3)

TGIF is a weekly feature hossted by Ginger at GReads! She asks a fun question and book bloggers get to answer it.

This weeks question is....

Book Olympics: In the spirit of the Olympics, which books would you give the gold, silver, and bronze medals to?

Gold: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Having just finished this book and having had a few days to think about it, I think that this book should definitely get the gold. Sarah Dessen's writing had me hanging on to every sentence and her characters we just so great.






Silver: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
This book has me dying to read the sequel! Kami and Margaret have spun such a wonderful world with some great characters. I really loved that it was set in a small town, and that played such a big part in the story. They wove all this together, along with a brilliant cast of characters and a phenomenal plot, and it was wonderful.


                               Bronze: Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging
 by Louise Rennison
This book had me laughing out loud constantly, something that not a lot of books make me do! The main character Georgia takes readers on the ride of our lives when she starts writing in her diary. Louise Rennison created a cast of characters that made me laugh out loud. Absolutely brilliant!