Ohana Means Family...

...Family means no one gets left behind. 

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Songs for this book: Hey Summer by The Bigger Lights , Only Place I Call Home by Every Avenue, Dark Blue by Jack's Mannequin


Wow, so how to write a review after an ending like that?

So at first I didn't know how I felt about Helen. In the first chapter she was so shy and self conscious it was so irritating. The the next few chapters she was a bitchy, self contained, zombie girl and that was probably even more annoying. Then we finally found some middle ground when Lucas stepped up to the plate. Let's all take this time to take a large inhale an then let it out in a gigantic group sigh for Lucas. Ready? Ohhh Lucas! *sigh* he is quite the dream boy.
But it's not jut Lucas I'm in love with I adore the whole Delos family. honestly I'm infatuated with this family. Ari is the kindest person, Jason is all sauve but so gentle hearted, hector had to grow on my bit he is kinda the perfect older brother. Cassie also took some getting used to but she just loves her brother and doesn't want to see him get hurt. Plus she has got a lot on her plate for 13 years old.
This whole story is pretty heart wrenching. But kinda in the best way possible. The story is full of ups and downs which give it so much dynamic you can never be bored. Once you finish this story it is so difficult to then look back and see that the beginning is the same book. The characters grow so much. I also want to give kudos here, this book must have taken so much research and it shows. Really a killer job.
As with any good book of this genre, the ending left me hanging on to the tiniest sense of hope, City of Bones style. In the awful way where part of you wants to throw the book against the wall in frustration ( which would be a bad idea since I read this on my kindle) and the other is immediately scanning the Internet for the release date for the next book and any kind of spoilers you can find. All that said it truly was a beautiful ending, and while I didn't see it coming (should have paid more attention to my percent finished tracker), Where it ends only makes me all the more excited in anticipation  for the coming book. I have been trying to think of possible outcomes and loop holes and coming up blank. I can't wait to see what ends up coming to be.
This book definitely made it on my favorites for this year, I completely recommend it. But if you don't handle cliffhangers very well, suffer from fiction boyfriend obsessions, or are a really impatient reader when it comes to sequels, I suggest you proceed with caution and anticipate your possible side effect from reading this book. But read it cause it's totally worth it!


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Dead Wrong

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: (... hmm let me think of some songs i hate...)
Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not by Thompson Square (i hate this song, ill explain why i chose it in the review)
 Two is Better than One- by Boys Like Girls ft. Taylor Swift. (I don't actually hate this song, It's just fitting.)




Definitely some SPOILER type stuff. Including a list about the failure of the ending. But since i didn't even like this book, I entreat you to read on and learn all the reasons not to read this book. 

This book had so much potential: Boarding school, forbidden romance, the undead. Yet by the end I was extremely disappointed. The book was beautifully written. The words really flowed off the paper, and i guess that is why even though I wasn't totally enjoying the plot that I continued reading.

Let me begin with Dante. *cringe*. I never really liked him as a character. I suppose he was intended to be strikingly attractive and built with hair "like an Italian model" and brooding and sexy. Well he wasn't. All I could imagine him as was a husky kid in dire need of a hair cut and was totally sketch. Plus, I mean his name is Dante.. ick. I'm not usually prejudiced with characters names, I can usually get over them if I dont like it cause I fall for the character and can forgive them of their unfortunate name. But Dante really just wasn't working for me. I chose "are you gonna kiss me or not" because throughout the whole book thats pretty much what Renee is asking him and guess what? he never does. How romantic! (that was sarcasm)

The whole book is really repetitive. Renee goes to class, Renee gets in trouble, Renee goes to her room, Renee complains about Dante to Eleanor, Renee sneaks out, Renee gets in trouble, Renee complains about a conspiracy, Renee gets nasty sappy about Dante. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

This book could have used some serious Character Development. By the end of the book I still felt like a barely knew any of these characters. Speaking of the "end" of the book lets talk about how this one didn't really have one. First of all I still have no clue really went on at the end. There was some creeptastic mind switch thing and Renee became Dante or something icky like that. Then with absolutely no resolution to the prior events of the book, Dante essentially kills himself. umm okkk.
He is what I'm missing. In list form:
1. Why? ....... Why did Gideon do it? why did he kill the head mistress?
2. Nathaniel. is he undead or not? does he know he is? does he die?
3. What happens to poor little Eleanor? And how will her brother handle this?
4. Did we ever figure out how Renee's parents died?
5. what happens now that the headmistress is dead?
6. How does Renee live with herself and knowing she sorta killed her sorta boyfriend?
7. are we just going to let Minnie keep thinking she is crazy?

I have more, this are just a few that come to mind. SO to sum this up, this book is a 456 pages of wasted potential, and creepy ugly men. (Am i the only one who was grossed out by the fact that Dante was essentially 34? ICKKK!!) So while the words were nice to read the plot did nothing for me.




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Et Tu, Brute!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Paper-cut (bonus Track)- By the Summer Set, The way I loved you- By Taylor Swift, All I Know-By Parachute



This is the Second book is the Infernal Devices series, and prequel series to the Mortal Instruments series. If you haven't read either I highly suggest you do. If you happen to have read Clockwork Angel (the first in this series) and not found it quite up to par for you I highly suggest you give Clockwork another chance and pick this book up. I can almost Guarantee satisfaction and  that you will change your mind about these books. I sure did (even though I liked them in the first place, but I like them a whole lot more. and less... at the same time. Its complicated).

So I dont really know what to put here. I liked the book, I really, really did. There was a point where I thought I liked it more than any Cassie Clare book yet. I mean everything was going pretty good, a few hiccups but things seemed to be going my way. But then pg 431 snuck up on me and sucker punched me in the gut. WILLLLLL!!! What will become of his poor lonesome heart? How could you be so cruel Tessa? YEt even then I could laugh at the Demon Pox jokes. (seriously histericalllll). But im still depressed. And what worse, its over and I'm having Will withdrawal. And Will withdrawal can be even worse than Jace withdrawal because Will has such amazing Character development and this new innocent cuteness to him.

Yet through all my pain I press onward. As I did with Clary and Jace. For even when there seemed to be no hope, Cassie made a way for them. And I have faith in a similar miracle for Tessa and Will. I mean come on, Will is a Herondale! they always get the girl :) (knock on wood.)


Here is my reactions as posted on tumblr:
(note: raw emotions here. posted seconds after finishing the book and no rational thought was possible.)

I was reallllly happy at first like if you saw me reading it you would think i was insane.I would stop all the sudden and just giggle like an idiot.

And then when every star was aligning page 431 came and CRUSHED me. I thought I could not go on.

But then I chose to continue to hope….

only to have that Tease, Tessa lead me on. Bitch.

But I didn’t give up on Jace and Clary even when their situation seemed more than impossible (if not revolting… and yeah i did sorta give up for like a month but then I gave in and read city of ashes… never doubt true love again *swoons*) so I chose to continue holding out for Will and Tessa. 

P.S. I love Magnus - I did this weird little happy dance when ever he showed up. which is strange cause I never really liked him that much in TMI but he is so awesome here. 

P.P.S. I loveeeee William Herondale. 

Also Charlotte and Henry are a-dork-able!

So yep, this book was crazyyyy. I had to get up and take a break ever now and then cause I was so over stimulated. There were points (pg 431) where i literally almost had a panic attack. Truly until that point I was biding my time, trying to make this book last because I never wanted it to end. But once that went down I admit I kinda just skimmed for Will's name and had to go bad and read the rest later. Some of that Jem stuff I couldn't stomach and so I still haven't fully read it.




{if you haven't guessed I'm team Will. I tried to like Jem. I really did. but as with the Hunger Games, it is hard to be civil with the Peeta character ( jem in this case) when he is heartlessly tearing her away from her soul mate  Gale. (Will, as it would be.).}

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10 Things I Hate About You

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: All the Way by Allstar Weekend, Damned if I Do Ya by All time Low, and Seventeen Forever by Metro Station

An overall good read. Great characters and constant plot twists. i could go on in my usual rambling paragraph form but why do that when the title sets me up for this fun review?:

Ten Things I liked (... And some that I Didn't)

1) The style. I loved how there were mini chapters within each chapter. made it so fun to read. Granted at times it was annoying to have a current scene interrupted by a "flash back" but they were usually short enough to kinda skip over and go back to later. (bad reader alert! what? like you don't do it, too. I wanted to know what happened so I skimmed!! sue me for being eager.)

2)The concept. Really, this idea is kinda mind blowing to me. As a teenager I know I would never be able to pull that off. for some many reasons we don't need to get into including $, i love my parents, cleaning, cooking. I mean lets face it if I were to live on my own the place would be a mess and I would be 50pounds fatter after only eating pizza and cheetos everyday. But some how these girls pulled it off and convinced me that they did.

3)Character development. As I say a lot, this is one of the most important points in a story for me. And this book really pulled it off. By the end of the book I had conclusive opinions on all the characters, (I really liked this one, he was annoying, damn could I love you any more?)And not onlly that but I felt like I the background of all of them. About Vi and her mom, Lucy and why she was creepy, Hudson's secret, even Corinne who had like 0 dialog.

4) Best friend. Vi and Marissa kinda rock. Vi is kinda off the deep end crazy in a good kick ass kind of way and Marissa is more down to earth and angelic. They provide balance in April's life and I love them both. They are amazing friends and anyone would be lucky to have them.

5) The Hula. At first I was kinda judgmental about the Hula, I mean.. really girls? are you that emotionally unstable that you need to buy a hot tub to invite you boy toys to play in? But then I realized it kinda fit in perfectly with the story. It wouldn't be the same if all of these scenes in the Hula had taken place in the living room on the couch with the TV on. So I applaud you Hula, for being the perfect deep meaningful talk local as well as a trouble waiting to happen.

6) Sob story. This story wouldn't be the same without a depressing and sympathetically sob story background. Let's face it, of April didn't have the background she does she would just be a spoiled rebellious brat and kind of a stupid slut. But that being said, I do feel bad for her. No child should have to go through a divorce. And after that she should't be caught between her parents. And above all else no child should ever, ever feel as though their parents don't wan them. And that is what makes April human, and why we still like her even though she is naive and takes things for granted. I like you anyway April.

7) Parties. Parties are fun. And they make great drama for everyone. What I don't like is parties where everyone gets totally trashed loses all decorum and ruins their lives. Lucky for me I didn't think that really happened in this book. Sure there was that one Rager but it wasn't that bad. truly I liked that Vi and April always had a friend over. I like books with a lot of dialog and opinions. Boring narrations on what people are wearing and yada yada yada no thanks. So A+ on the character interactions and such.

8) Hudson and Dean. Love those brothers. Seriously, who wouldn't love to be best friends with a pair of totally attractive snarky mysterious brothers? One with a total player status and witty comebacks the other quiet with an income no one can explain and cheek bones that are stare worthy and blue eyes that melt you. Cause I don;t know about you but next time I have a Hula party those two are the first ones on my invite list!! 8.5) Hudson. Just Hudson. Damn that boy is amazing. I mean he got the girl a cat, he watch Vampire Nights (haha eww), he compliments her constantly! What more does this guy have to do April! if it was me I would have ditched Noah at the first sight of Hudson. Or at least after he got me a cat. I love him, really like he is the best. Can we have a whole book about Hudson? maybe his side of the story? could be aweeesome. (Note to self: Add Hudson to my mile long list of fictional boyfriends.)

9) The ending. negative. Really after all that all we get is one little kiss and a text message? A text message from a different continent. No plans for him to fly out on weekends? Go to college there? Damn all these Ya romances have really screwed up my expectations. At least gush to us about how you are planing to skype like every night for a gagillion hours. And then get an apartment together and open your own babysitting company and live happily ever after next door to Vi and Dean. (ok rant brought on by unrealistic expectations due to excessive reading of sappy YA dramas now over.)

10) The ending. positive. Very real, she learns and moves on. April isn't so nave now and she appreciates the people in her life more, especially her parents. Don't take for granted your childhood and being able to be carefree, Responsibility can suck the fun right out of things. It ends right, not everything in Aprils life is going to be tied up in a nice little bow just because it's the end of a book, she is only 17 after all.


So that's my 10 things. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad i picked it up!
I recommend it especially to Lauren Barnholdt fans, defiantly has a similar vibe.


Note: highlight over blocked out sections to view spoilers!!


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Stuck Between a Church Pew and a Bar Stool

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Song for this book: God Love Her by Toby Keith
Click here for full Playlist

Great book. I mean really just bought this kinda randomly from amazons for 3 dollars. Best three dollars I've ever spent :). Amazing deal on one of the best ebooks I've ever read. It can be pretty sappy at parts and it may be lacking some commas but it's an awesome quick read. Checkout out for sure.

Here is the official summary:

Being the good girl isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Ashton Gray has grown weary of playing the part to please her parents, and to be worthy of the town’s prince charming, Sawyer Vincent. Maybe That’s why she’s found herself spending time with Sawyer’s cousin, Beau, while he’s away for the summer camping with his family. Beau is nothing like her perfect boyfriend. He’s the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, dangerous in ways she’s only day dreamed about, and the one guy she should stay away from. 

Beau never envied Sawyer his loving parents, his big nice home, or his position as quarterback. He loves him like a brother. Which is why he's tried everything in his power to keep his distance from Sawyer’s girlfriend. Even if he has loved her since the age of five, Ashton is Sawyer’s girl, so therefore she’s off limits. But when Sawyer leaves for the summer, Ashton, the one girl Beau would move Heaven and Earth for, decides she wants to get into trouble. Stabbing the one person who’s always accepted him and stood by him in the back, is the cost of finally holding Ashton Gray in his arms. Is she worth losing his cousin over?.... Hell Yeah.

But personally I don't think that really explains this very well so here is my summary:

Growing up Ashton and Beau we're the trouble makers. Sneaking out to cause all sorts of juvenile mischief together. And Sawyer was the friend who was always left cleaning up their messes. This all changes when Sawyer starts dating Ashton. Now three years later Ashton and Beau barely speak, their relationship is strained and can barely be called a friendship. Sawyer is still looking out after his troubled bad boy cousin Beau though.  Ashton is no longer the tree climbing free spirited little girl but a perfect little preachers daughter.  But the summer before senior year the cracks in her "perfect" persona start to show. And when her perfect boyfriend Sawyer is away... the old trouble makers will play. 

Beau has been in love with Ashton for as long as he can remember. Ever since he beat up that kid in preschool for calling her a name. But she is Sawyers now. Beau has never envied Sawyer, not for his money, or his perfect family, not any of it; but Beau wants Ashton. He knew the real her and he wants her back. This summer he wants to find that girl he used to know. Is it wrong? yeah, but he is tried of waiting. Can these three childhood friends survive this web of secrets and still save face in this small town? 

Check this ebook out on Amazon!!

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My Favorite Fix

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Any Other Heart-Go Radio
Full Playlist

Posted in august: This cover is absolutely breathtaking! I know not to judge by the cover but, really, how can anything with such a stunning picture on the front not be amazing? truly gorgeous

Review:
Well I was right. With a cover that great this book had to be amazing. And whatever i was expecting, this was 100X more amazing. This is arguable the best book I have read all year. There is a lot of mystery surrounding this book. There was no real plot summary given before the book was released, I wasn't even sure of the exact genre when I picked it up. But that really just added to the craziness of this story.

To break it down for you, while keeping the mystery intact, here is a bit of a deeper summary. Mara Dyer has just moved to Florida from Rhode Island. She hates Florida. But there is nothing for her in RI anymore, all her friends are dead. She doesn't remember how it happened, but she knows that something is not right. How was it that she is the only one who survived the building collapse? Mara thinks she is going crazy. A kind of crazy that goes beyond the PTSD. Mara thinks she is broken. Everyday is a struggle to avoid hallucinations and shy away from mirrors which may hold more than her own reflection. This is Mara's life, until she meets Noah Shaw. Ruggedly handsome, permanently disheveled, English accented, Noah Shaw. Despite his man-whore reputation Mara finds herself trusting and enjoying his company more and more. In fact Mara is falling hard. But it is hard to have a healthy relationship when you think you are certifiable.

I loved this book. Characters are always the most important component of a story in my opinion. And Mara did not disappoint. Mara Dyer herself is a puzzle. And I was truly riveted by her thoughts. She is a captivating protagonist. Noah of course is a dream boy. let me explain my thought process of Noah: If Noah Shaw and Jace Wayland (City of Bones sex god) were to have a sexiness competition ... well the jury is still out on the winner but it would be a close race. And then there is Daniel. Perfect, dorky, lovable, over achiever older brother Daniel. Think Justin Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place but slightly less awkward and abnormal. Oh and not a wizard :P I pretty much love all of Mara's family.
Next comes the plot its self. Well I have to give Hodkin credit, she has really kept the contents of this book under wraps. In fact we still don't really know what is going on. And I finally understand why all the secrets. The mystery adds so much to the contents of the story.
The language of this book was lyrical. I loved the abstract and unconventional vocabulary (probably comes with having a British character) And the words really just flowed off the page. I loved reading this book. I was addicted. truly Addicted.
Please Please PLease read this book! Its mind blowing.




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Twice as Nice

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Song for this book: Invisible-Taylor Swift
Author's Playlist
My Playlist

Done rereading!! I don't know if this is even possible but I think I love this book even more the second time than the first. The first time I was a little conflicted between Christian and Tucker but rereading I really just enjoyed tucker soooo much more. (althoug I'm still open minded about Christian, should worst come to worst). I got so much more out of this book the second time through. I really got to enjoy the writing having already known the story. But I seem to have forgot how entirely inconclusive the ending itself was. I was already higly anticipating the release of the sequel but now... I'm counting the days!!!

* If you haven't read Unearthly, 1) read it. 2) So sorry I never wrote a review for it, so this is kind of a mini review. I added the official description below.

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has apurpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

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Tick Tock Tick Tock

Chime by Franny Billingsley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Song for this book: Saved (Acoustic) -The Spill Canvas

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

From when i first saw the cover of Chime i was intrigued. The picture is just so haunting and beautiful. It pulls you in. I read the description many times over and despite that all I could remember about the book was the amazing cover.
Although, that might not be the only reason. From the description I found the exact plot line hard to grasp. I couldn't seem to pin-point a time era for this piece and that made me hesitant to pick this book up. But I assumed all my questions would be cleared up as a read.
I found the beginning a little difficult to jump in to. I was slightly disoriented, and I don't know all that much about witch craft besides what one would learn from Sabrina the Teenage Witch so I'm not going to say it was the easiest read for me, but I kept reading ready to learn more.
The truth is I only really understood half the story. The things happening in down, got it down check. The swamp, the old ones, "mucky face", the "brownie"... not so much. I was really confused. Luckily I love Eldric so my attention was not lost. I really liked the story, despite it being a more difficult read, and my not understanding bits, I loved the plot and the ending was amazing. So if you are up for a challenge and a great story, go for it!!

Official Overview:


Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.



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Here's to Old Friends, Old Cars, and New Loves

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



There is something about Stephanie Perkins' writing that is so darn addicting. She writes these characters in a way where you can't help but care about them and soon she has them wrapped around your little finger.

Lola is a budding costume designer. She has a different wig for every occasion. She lives in San Francisco with her 2 gay fathers. She has a bad-ass rock'n'roll boyfriend, Max. A best friends who aspires to be Nancy Drew, Lindsey. And a dog named Heavens to Betsy. Despite her parents disapproval of her boyfriend, life it going alright for Lola.
Until the Terrible Bell Twins move back next door. Calliope, the self entitled figure skating goddess. And Cricket, her handsome(in a geek chic kinda way), shy, mechanical genius brother. The Nice Guy. Lola decided 2 years ago when they moved away that she hates both their guts and has spent most of those 2 years trying to forget about them. With their return come the arousing of all those old feeling Lola has tried to suppress. But she has a boy friend now.
With the help of her new friends and co-workers Anna and St.Clair (!!!) along with her parents, Lindsey and her embarrassment of a birth mother, Norah, Lola tries to make sense of her emotions and seek what is real.

Lets start with the obvious plus here: Anna and St.Clair are back!! that's right everyone's favorite Parisian couple is back for more. This time Anna and St.Clair are both working at the movie theater that Lola works at. Etienne also lives in the same dorm as Cricket at Berkeley.
Another thing that i feel i most mention is Max's car. Max drives a '67 Chevy Impala. To some this may sound extremely unimportant and stupid that this effected me so much, but im a geek like that. Because any self respecting, Dean Loving, Castiel Crazy, yellow eyed demon hating, Moosekateer who watch Supernatural know that the Winchester's (mainly Dean) are famous for their '67 Chevy Impala. I mean you can google it. so the mention of this amazing vehicle really sealed the deal that i was gonna love this book.
And while i think that Anna's book was more up my alley with the school in paris and her story, Cricket definitely gave St.Clair a run for his money. They are complete opposites, and so I love them both in different ways. Overall it was a great companion novel. I loved the reoccurring themes in both books. Perkins has a way with dialog. ANd her characters are so real you want to hug them.
So if your an Anna fan or just a fan of great realistic YA check this book out!!
I also just wanted to mention, has anyone noticed how incredible detailed this cover is? You can tell it was made just for this story. From crickets pinstriped pants, to his rainbow rubber bans, to the star on his hand. The fact that they are sitting on a windowsill with a lavender house behind them, and Crickets hair is standing up. I mean every little detail is right on the money with this. I don't think I have ever seen a book cover so greatly accurate with its book. Bravo, person in charge of cover art, brava.

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Amazon Princess vs the Poison Apple

Amazon has just released there new Kindle Family. The latest and Greatest being the Kindle Fire. 

Think of this as the option in between an ipad and and itouch. The Amazon Kindle Fire is about the same size as your typical Kindle. But this one has a multi-touch color screen, compatible with android apps, cloud connection and a super cool new browser, Amazon Silk.  

When I heard about the Amazon Fire i took it as a sign. I have been fed up with apple and all of their new encryption on my music downloads and limiting my authorization on certain items. You can't even make an MP3 of your itunes music these days due to the encryption. I for one have had enough. I decided I am making the switch to amazon. Lets face it, amazon is way more user/customer friendly. They have better deals, wider selections, and the almighty Cloud! Yes, apple did you release their new cloud drive. But come on Steve Jobs Amazon has had their's out for months now, what ever happened to Apple being a trend setter?? Plus with amazon, unlike with the icloud, you get unlimited access to your files for any computer. Not just 5 authorized ones like with steve's idea.  Yeah so thanks for the good times apple, it was fun before you started limiting my musical and video experiences to certain computers with slim to none sharing ability. We get it you dont want people mass distributing your stuff, but have you ever considered the idea that some...(most) of your customers just want to make a harmless MP3 for their car but they can't thanks to you. (actually you can but it is a hassle) If people were really downloading music for those reasons, they wouldn't be paying for the songs in the first place, they would be getting for free off the web.

So that is why i decided to try to make the switch. it's going to be hard but i have had enough. Now my big question is whether i want the Kindle fire. On the one hand I have never really had an interest in the iphones or ipads, i just don't need all that stuff on my phone, and its a big time waste. With the pad i figured it was so big why not just use the laptop? But i feel with this size and all the amazing new amazon features, such as the super fast Silk browser Fire might be worth it. It is bigger and faster than my phone for internet uses, yet smaller and easier to handle and travel with than a laptop or ipad. Hmmm i'm going to have to sleep on this one. either way I am very excited for the advancements of amazon. I wish them the best!!

Amazon Kindle Fire

Introducing Amazon Silk | Amazon Silk: 


'via Blog this'


What do you think:
of the Amazon Fire?
Apple or Amazon?
Do you mind the restrictions on itunes?
leave a comment below!

Lola & Anna & Vulcans Oh My!

As you may have noticed in my cute little widget on the side of the page, there is 2 weeks left until Steph Perkin's new book Lola and the Boy Next Door hits shelves and/or set thru the whisper net onto your Ereader. Either way this is very exciting!
Lola is Stephanie's second book the first being of course Anna and the French Kiss. If you know nothing about Steph's writing I just want to say please don't judge a book by it's cover. The cover art may seem a little juvenile and cheesy. The title may seem a little cliche and very Chick lit-y.. And the author may have blue hair. But if you just put any reservations aside and open the book I promise you will be pleasantly surprise with what you find. In fact it will probably leave you wanting more. Good thing Stephanie just posted a cute little bonus scene the other day! 
The scene was written for the HelpWriteNow auction to benefit southern storm relief in America. The Winner Richard Grooms got to pick a theme for the piece and he chose:  Vulcans . It's a cute little scene and you can read it Here. And for those hardcore Anna fans there will be a second bonus scene out next month. So make sure you check out Stephanie Perkins click any of the links above for more info on her or her writing. 

Smart is so Uncool

Here I go again. Not blogging for weeks. A girl friend of mine just showed me her blog today and I remembered I need to stop by here. So let's start off with Goodreads is down right now or something for some reason. This is not okay. What am I supposed to do with myself if i can't check up on the latest books and reviews? Well lots of things but most of those I would rather not do. So instead I am here talking to myself. (and maybe someone somewhere out there [under the pale moonlight] reading this)
In my English class, American Lit II, we cover the time period 1880-1950 in literature. Right now we are reading The Awakening by Kate Chopin. It is a relatively short read and covers women's roles in society in the 1800's before the women's suffrage campaign. I am surprisingly enjoying this read and was really looking forward to discussing it in class. However, I forgot two important pieces of information. One, I'm not in an Honors class anymore. 2, not everyone likes to read as much as I do. Now let me set something straight, I like to read but not usually school books. I was in honors English class for the past couple years and rarely did I actually read the books assigned. But still we had great conversations about what we were reading. There were always some kids with a genuine interest in the text. But as my teacher began asking questions about the reading I realized that almost no one around me was really enjoying this book. Okay I'm not judging but seriously only one other person seemed to really be experiencing the book like me instead of just reading it and scanning for information that might be on the quiz the next day. Most of the student's came in the room and said something along the lines of, "I don't understand what they are trying to say," "It's all just gibberish" or "why can't they translate these books into modern day English." I just didn't understand the first two comments. This book was extremely easy to comprehend. It is very light writing and fresh for the time period. Try reading Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights  and then come back and tell me Kate Chopin is hard to follow. The last comment up there about translating old books I just found offensive. I don't want to be hypocritical, I used to wonder that same thing when I was younger but Once you open you mind to the classics your mind is forever changed. There is such a beauty and an elegance to older works like this one by Kate Chopin, or Jane Austen or the Bronte girls. How could you ever want take the beauty of their writing and dumb it down to a reader's digest form of writing so these lazy kids will read it? It would be a crime. I hate to say it, because I do read a lot of contemporary lit, but there is a class in the older pieces that you just can't find anymore.
So this really put a damper on my day. Not only did I not get my discussion on the book like I wanted but I looked like one of the loser over achievers in class cause I gave to many answers on the book and raise my hand too many times to give my opinion. I hate it how it is so uncool to be publicly smart. This is something I know a lot about and it really troubles me. It is uncool to raise your hand more than 3 times in a class period because then people mark you of as an overachiever and will mock you for it. It is uncool to read books in school during free time  instead of playing on your phone or talking. As a person who does this a lot I know what this is like. I am constantly written off as a bookworm. I read a lot and I read fast. I don't make a big deal out of it, in fact I try not to bring it up at all. But when I am with some people  and I relate something to a book or something I always get a "of course you read this in a book" or a "How fast did you read that one?" It can really get old. I'm not ashamed of my reading, I just hate how my reading for fun in Highschool is such a BFD. If I said I saw it on tv nobody would give me any crap about it but the fact that I am literally looking at letters on a page... So lame.
And don't even think about bringing your kindle to school. This is one of the worst rookie mistakes. The act of bring a kindle to school shows 2 things: 1) that you read enough to use a kindle [aka you are a nerd] 2) you look like you are wanting attention. People think you are trying to show off and give you crap when really you just wanna sit down and read you effing Ebook. Excuse you that it was cheaper and fast to get in on amazon than drive over to Barnes&Noble. Oh and that part about wanting to read your ebook.. yeah you can forget about it. If you are seen reading from your kindle people who have no manners or respect for someone trying to escape into a book will rudely interrupt you and  say "Waoh! is that a kindle?" no dumbshit it's a piece of boiling lava I'm reading off of. Then they will ask,"So how do those things even work?"  Well you see I wear rubber gloves since it is hot lava. and I bang it against my head when I want to turn the page. "do you like it" Not I hate it and that's why I continue to read off it. Or you get the second option of response to seeing your kindle, "OMG you are sooo cool with your little kindle." Okay thanks for that sarcasm. Can I please get back to my book now?
To sum up this rant of a post: I am pissed off and saddened by the treatment of young readers and Students who show interest in an unpopular topic. I don't know how but I feel that the view of reading and literature for young people in our country needs a change. I joke with my friend about how she thinks reading is too hard or boring and I try not to judge her but if it was anyone else I would be thinking  That is is really lame and pathetic that you feel that way. Only a person who is trying to not enjoy a good book can possibly find it boring. And as for hard, well sure maybe if you didn't pass 1st grade phonics but come on people. Just because you have to physically hold the book and use your imagination instead of sit in front of the TV and have it tell the story to you free of effort, doesn't mean it's hard. It just means you are too lazy to try.

A Lose Lose Situation

Every Little Thing in the World by Nina de Gramont

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book isn't for everyone. And while there were some bits of this story i enjoyed, I just don't think I am one of those people. I could tell from the beginning that no matter how this book ended I was going to be disappointed. But that is bound to happen with a book like this. It was well written, it just wasn't for me.



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Lightning Strikes the Heart.

Betrayal by Mayandree Michel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Yes Finally! This book was so very long, it seemed endless at times. In a way I really enjoyed this because I really got to know the characters and the whole story. But on the other hand, it was soooo long. I kinda just wanted to finish it. And I wasn't upset when it ended. I realize this is the 1st in a series but I really wasn't left with that great longing to read the next book. By this I dont mean I don't intend to read the next one, simply that Michel wrapped up the end so nicely there was little to complain about. In fact she may have wrapped it up too well for a series, b/c why mess with a good thing? Either way I have to hand it to her, she has a way with endings. there are view authors I can say the same about. While the beginning was rather rough and choppy, confusing and at times more than a little frustrating, once she finally gets into her story it all just comes together. The last 3/4 of the book were a truly capturing reading.

*note: this is my Goodreads review I intend to add more soon!

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Test Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



*this is a quick little review of a book i read a view months ago. I am writing it now as a practice to see if it will send to my blog.*


I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Every element of the story just captivated me. It is always hard for me to get into a Steampunk story just because there is so much about the setting I am not familiar with. But I fell in love with this book relatively quickly. I loved how deep we got into each character. I really felt like I knew them. I loved how we kept uncovering little secrets here and there and they just Kept building and building.
When I think back on this book I just remember and feel a lot of raw emotion. I remember feeling so frustrated and confused while I was reading because I just wanted to know what was going on. But I didn't hate that feeling because it gave me such a drive to continue and finish the story. And I was so Happy when i realized there was going to be a second!



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General Mills

So now that I am finally posting again I figured I should do a bit of a general update. I kinda forgot how much I like blogging. My own little private journal that anyone and everyone can read. And to be honest i like it that way. Most things I write are meant to be read. whether by one or by many. Even when i write down something private I think of it more as writing down something for people to find in the future. Kinda strange I know, but i guess I just like the idea that someone is paying attention. 

Ok enough of the deep psychology of my actions. Lets start my update with this: I have for the past 2 weeks had some part of an All Time Low* song stuck in my head for the entire day. It's almost always a different song and it comes and goes throughout the day. And when it is stuck in my head it is on constant repeat. This band is great and all but after hearing "Walls" for the 59th time you start to wish you could listen to another song with out starting to hum Walls in the middle of the second verse. 

Next note of this update, Spanish. Here is some advice to you all: if you don't think you exceed in Spanish, if you just got by with a middle to low B in Spanish last year, and if you don't really love Spanish that much, DON'T take Honors Spanish IV. Because most of the people in honors Spanish IV actually like Spanish. And most of the people in honors Spanish IV are actually good at Spanish. And so if you just wanna make it thru the year like you did in spanish III, think again and just drop the class. Because You could end up like me in a class of 26 people (that is a lot actually) half of whom you actually would rather not talk to like... ever. And a slightly over lapping half of whom make you feel like an idiot they speak Spanish so well. And if you decide to look up from your pointless, frustrated doodles and actually try to learn something, well forget about that happening. Not over all the side conversations going n everywhere. Cause remember, the kids in Honors Spanish IV are already fluent in Spanish. Why would they need to listen to the teacher to teach them something? 

so now that it is 4:30 i should probably get off the computer and do some of my spanish homework. Lame. So i guess that is my update. Kinda pathetic i know but thats it for now. I have a couple movies to talk about later so stay tuned. And remember to check out my Goodreads for more frequent updates on my latest books of interest. 

p.s. this post was title General Mills because I was eating cereal while writing it. And because I thought i was clever. 

*If you don't know who All Time Low is go check them out. They are all over youtube, and most all of there songs are on spotify as well. 

Going Postal

I am having a problem. My mailman is incompetent. I'm serious here. They just can't seem to get anything right. We get our neighbors mail and who knows who gets ours. Now usually this really doesn't effect me aside from a magazine here and a lame college brochure there. But This is just too much.
I am part of a program at school that meets at odd times. It is just starting up again with the new school year so I have been waiting for an announcement about our first meeting. Now let me just be clear, this isn't some random little glee club, this is like a real program where we meet and learn lessons to teach our peers. So I am wait for this announcement for a few days when I hear my friends talking about how they are running late on turning in their form for the program this year. I was like, Ummm what in the world are you talking about? Well here's what seems to be the thing: Everyone in the program received by mail a letter abut returning to the program and a form to complete by the next meeting. well thanks to the superb postal service i have yet to acquire this document. And now its awkward b/c i don't know if it really got lost in the mail or if for some reason i purposely didn't get sent a letter.
Either way I blame the Post man. I am So giving his Christmas gift to the UPS man this year.

Like a Spill Canvas Playlist

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Lessons in Love- Cartel, What the Hell- Avril Lavigne, Don't let Your Enemies become Friends- The Spill Canvas

I have read a few other books with this central idea, Something like Fate, The unwritten rule, and now Sometimes it Happens. And i think of the 3 this book it the one that i enjoyed most. I loved the set up, back and forth between summer and the first day of school.
Mostly i just really connected with the main character and i wanted to know her story.
I love Lauren Barnholdt so i knew i would not be disappointed. I think it is one of her best works.

Official Overview:
On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction—and one night, into a passionate kiss. The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...


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Everything comes Naturally

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Bend or Break- Allstar Weekend

Ah! so much to say! i dont wanna go into any spoilers so let me just say I love Kiersten White's voice in all of her writing. It is so strong and humorous and after reading her blog you can almost imagine her laughing at this part she wrote or a little commentary about tasey going on in your head. And i really love that. I think the thing that makes me love these books so much is you can really sense the time and thought and love that she poured into the story and each of the characters. It's not that Kiersten has her fans best interest in mind, its that she has her characters best interest in mind. (ya know, in the long run :]) And that is what makes these special to me. Love Love Love.

Official Overview:

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

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TeenBitches and Tiaras

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Misery Business- Paramore 

I'm not sure what i was expecting from this book but it was definitely not what I just read.
The beginning of this book was intriguing. The concept of beauty queens in the wild sparked my interest for sure. But reading it, i found it very hard to understand what was going on. Supposedly almost everyone on the plane died, yet these girls are just shrugging it off like nothing happened. Which made me question what was really going on. I just found it hard to believe that people could act this way after what just happened. I realize this could have been a copping mechanism, denial. but they never seem to acknowledge it any differently. To add to my confusion Miss New Mexico had a tray sticking out of her forehead...? how was that not damaging to her brain? like, i'm sorry I just can grasp the fact that she really has a hunk of shrapnel in her head. Next on my list of "things I cannot believe": Sosie and the snake. Ummmmmmmm what she was actually swallowed by the sNAKE??

Then in the middle of the story I had no idea where the story was headed. all these background stories of the girls. The actual plot was at a complete stand still. And these stories were bizarre. The WIld girl? what does that mean? i was so confused. I thought she was turning into a werewolf at first.

Ok so lets skip the rant about the rest of the things i cannot believe/ dont understand about this book. towards the end I actually got into the story. This book was like Lord of the Flys meets 1984 meets an ABCfamily TV show.
And so lastly lets just say despite the weirdness throughout this book Libba Bray certainly knows how to wrap up an ending. That was my favorite part of the book. the flash forwards were great and it was the best closure i have had at tthe end of a book in a long time. :)    

Official Overview:
The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.


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Not Just another Paranormal Teen Romance

Die for Me by Amy Plum

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: All That I Am-Parachute

I will be the first to admit when I heard about this book i was less than interested. Just the title "Die for Me". Really? how is that going to be any different from every other predictable paranormal book out there these days. And so I ignored it. But last week I downloaded the HarperTeen Dark Days of Summer sampler and started reading Die to Me at random. And despite my first impressions, I really enjoyed it, so must that i had to get the rest of the book right away.
Every since I read Anna and the French Kiss (by Steph Perkins [Amazing book]) I have been really interested in reading books set in Paris. It is such a wonderful setting and brings so much life to a story that Canton, Ohio just can't. (no offense to Canton!) anyway, Reading about Kate's journeys through the city to the cafes and museums was so fun to here about.
What really Surprised me was the originality of the paranormal aspect of the plot. Sure it is the whole "un-dead" thing again but the idea of a Revenant was so new to me. I loved getting learn about them having known less than nothing about them before, unlike in other paranormal books where you already know how a Vampire works but ooooh look this time they sparkle or this time they are vegetarian.(Um what??) Sorry been there read that. *Yawn* But this was new to me and i liked learning about them with Kate.
This book did have its fair share of sappy moments. And i think that is because for 1: its Paris! the city of love and 2: honestly underneath the 200 years or so Vincent is a huge sappy romantic. end of story. Needless to say I would be going for Jules if I had the choice. I have a thing for sarcastic men. (i.e. Jace Wayland)
One last thing I want to praise about this book is the family dynamic. In so many Books of this genre these days the heroine is an only child with absent parents. I loved the sisterly bond Kate and Georgia share and i think there relationship brings something very special to this novel.
Overall, I loved characters of this book, they all had something about them that made me want to get to know them better. I loved the Paranormal aspect. Revenants are so fun to learn about. (And the history lesson isnt bad either!)I wasn't impressed by the cover, it was pretty but kinda typical teen paranormal romance cover that makes me overlook it. But other than that and the relative sap factor i thought this was a great read!


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So close and Yet so Far

He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this Book: The Fight Song- Sanctus Real

*Spoiler Alert*    So lets begin with saying i couldn't put this book down. And let me follow by saying i was really mad at this book for like pretty much all of it. I was expecting awkward encounters at the beach between Ally and Jake, not no contact at all. So that was a let down i guess. Because i really didnt want to read about Ally and that tool Cooper, her summer beau. I didn't want to read about Ally being a beyotch about everything either. Her attitude severely pissed me off. (not saying i don't understand these events. I get why she was acting this way. just saying i didn't really wanna read them) Things on Ally's side I didn't mind: Hammond, he really isn't that bad a dude. wouldn't have thrown a fit if they got a little closer. Faith, she wasn't there much but i felt bad for her. she seems to have good intentions. I was so happy about her and Shannon being civil to each other again.
With Ally being so unreasonable and hanging hanging with sleazy delinquents most of the time, i found i preferred reading Jake's side of the story more often. Yes, he was pretty whiny about his job but it was easier to deal with than Ally's bitching. And despite being a coward and not calling Ally he stayed true. That is until he got a little sidetracked. back to that in a minute.
Before i finish that I wannna make a shout out to Annie. I loved her little observation pages before each chapter. They gave me as a reader an unbiased look at what was truly going on around Jake and Ally. Plus her notes are totally relatable, (her comments towards work) and usually could make b=me laugh when i would have otherwise have been cursing Ally or Jake's newest dumb move.
Ok back to Jake's demise. So like i was saying, to me he was the good guy of the story (the options being Ally or Jake. Of all the characters in the story i would say Hammond is the ultimate "good guy" cause he just wants to take care of Ally and gain her love. poor Ham.) but all epic heros have a quality or event that leads to their downfall. Jake's being: he was too much of a coward to call Ally and fix everything and he is tired of waiting for her. Also he is not very cautious with his lady friends, he is a little naive, never realizing what the lady wants out of the relationship until its too late. i.e. Shannon sabotaging his relationship w/ ally and him not realizing why, and later his little late night "study date" with Chloe.
So just when you think the story is over and its time to wheel out the confetti and happily ever afters; turn the page. Yeah its not over. See in Crestie world Parties mean drama and Major issues. In our hero's case they didn't even making inside before the decent from their fall from grace began.   There are several lessons to be learned from Young Jake's story. One of them being: do not hook up with your sorta ex-girlfriend's ex-friend/good friend's on again off again girlfriend/study partner/neighbor/friend.  A more important lesson however is: Use a condom.

Welcome to the Secret Life Of the American Teenager Orchard Hill! Your life just became a bad tv drama. And Watch out Cresties, as if your recent housing rearrangement hasn't got you all hot and bothered, this news is sure to put your panties in a twist. :P

Side note: i say i didn't want to read a lot of this book but i want to clarify i simply mean it wasn't my ideal turn of events. I was totally hooked on this book i just was upset with some choices. But i realize that is what you sign up for with a book like this an i embrace it, it was a great story but i still get to hate a character now and again :)

Side note*: My prediction is Jake didn't actually get Chloe preggers.it was actually Will (forgot his last name.. the norm electrician dude.) at least that's what i'm hoping for anyway!!

Side note**: Sorry if my review is really cryptic or overly personalized. I have a tendency to over dramatize my reviews for my own amusement. My English teachers say i use a lot of voice in my writing.



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A Boy Among Men

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Don't Worry Now-Britt Nicole

by the end of the 17th summer I felt the book had reached its climax and i was ready for the ending. I kinda skimmed the 18th summer but i still cried. i cried a lot in this book. more than in any book ive read in quite a while. i didn't weep mind you. just a tear here and there. Chase and Noah's relationship just gets to me some times. There are no words for what those two share. So the fact that Moskowitz can make you feel what they have, if even for a moment, shows true talent.

Despite the cover, this book really wasn't about girls,bikinis on the beach, or any kind of girlfriend relationship. What it was about was love. Not falling in love, but simply Being in love. Being in love with the people around you. It's about a brothers love for his family and the cost of that love.

If you ask me this is anything but a happy tale. It has its moments but truly I see this book as real, pure raw emotion.

Read this book. It is in a class of its own.

Official Overview:
Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss?

Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive....

Not your typical beach read.


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City of Dirty Sexy Alleys

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Animal- The Cab, Problematique-Hot Chelle Rae 

AHHhhh!!!! Yes, Yes, Yes!!! but NO, No, No!!! i don't think i can explain my feelings about this book any better.

As a reader you grow to love all of Cassie's characters so much, you watch them develop and grow. She can make someone you hate at first seem like the nicest person in the world in a few paragraphs if she wants. So to watch these characters get so close to happiness only to have it crushed by some new force in their lives is like a seraph blade to the back. And then in the end she has set up the puzzle so that there is only one piece missing. Just when you (the reader) think you have that piece to make everything right, BAM. Guess what? Your wrong. Just when you think she is slowly withdrawing the Blade from your back... She gives it a sharp twist and leave you hanging. laying there with that Seraph Blade in your back until City of Lost Souls hits shelves.

For everyones sake, I hope we don't all bleed out from these twists before the story's over.


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Girl Power

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are so many things I could say about these books. How  really like them and how they are dfferent. How I genuinely like this heroin (which is more than I can say for some books these days) ect ect. Andi hope I get around to writing that but I'm not going to now because I just got City of Fallen Angels in the mail and if I don't read it now I know I'll simply die. :) SM & AC forever <3


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A Shallow Grave

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Song for this book: Roses-Meg & Dia

*this review may contain spoilers*
*i didn't mark this review with the "hide for spoilers" cause i dont think i gave away anything really, but there are somethings that might be considered spoiler-esque to some. to those people i apologize :) *





The entirety of this book is a contradiction. Generally the plot was predictable but it had a few twist here an there. I didn't like the twists but they helpped mix things up from every other paranormal-horror-fairytale-wannabe-just-like-but-different-than-twilight-teen-book I found the writing sappy best most of the time. Yet i still wanted to continue reading. I actually kinda liked Theia after you got past her "woe is me" vibe. I liked Donny's strong personality and i loved Gabe for being the good guy.
So i liked the human world of this story; its just once you get to the Under part where i get reallly confused. So this world is like in her dreams yet when she is really there its different and for some unknown reason she is immune to the Lure... I was so confused when i first read about Theia's dreams. She talks about being out in the yard yet its different and she is in a dream but awake and it was just a mess of pretty sentences on a page adding up to nothing but befuddlement. gradually i began to grasp more but even now after finishing the book im am still at a lose as to what exactly happened in those first few scenes.

Lets talk ending. THis is the only part of Falling Under that truely surprised me with its turn of events. It was a very risky move by the author if you ask me. She ran the risk of confusing her readers even more with the switching of perspective and the state of the characters in general. This was a risk that i dont think paid off. I hated the perspective switch. Not only was it confusing but it was boring and HAden wasn't even himself so why would i want to be in the head of basically a random stranger. plus Nothing was going on. It was just a blabbering of words and no action. and while i endured through that agonizingly boring and uneventful section I was all the while fighting my self not to just skip to whenever HAden and Theia went back to normal. Needless to say it took wayyy to long. And even in the final scene the was still this awkwardness as i read. It just seemed forced.

so overall i didn't mind reading this book but i found much to be desired. I will probably read the sequel but lets just say i wont be pre-ordering it.


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Mashup

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ok, yes, I know it's late but I just finished Hex Hall and I really wanted to write this review tonight.

To start off, I'll be candid: I judge books by their covers. I know it's wrong but think about it, why read a book where the cover doesn't make you wanna sit down and finish it. And to me the cover of Hex Hall just looked like a strange mix or sabrina theteenage witch meets Halloween Town meets Rory Gimore at chilton. (sorry that was kinda harsh but true)
But over this spring break I was bored so I picked up this book and started it. And I kept reading cause it was so easy to read. Igetting into the story wasn't a struggle and geting to know the characters wasn't forced. I for one, and I great mega_fan of the mortal instrument series along with the other paranormal books I've read. Really helped me understand what was going on with te different references to the seelie court and ect. (wondrous strange is also a good book to rference)

The plot here was slightly cookie cutter, I saw enoug of the twists already coming but at the same time the book didn't fail to surprise. And as far as Archer Cross goes the relationship hthere greatly reminds me of the Gallager Girls books. (i would say more but I try not to spill to many secrts :)


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Back for seconds

The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them by E. Lockhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this story even more than the first. I donlt know if this is because this one is sligtly less soul shatteringly empethetically depressing or because our heroien, Ruby, isn't so irriating when it comes to descion making. She also doesn't whine as much; althougt there is some whining involved but give her a break it's teen angst. Mostly I think I liked reading this book more because it follows more of a strict pattern and time line. With Roo #1 she seemed to jump around from past to "present" to future wthin her narrative. In the Boy Book she follows more of a strict retative pattern with her story. It starts with an entry from the real boy book that has relavance to the chapter then goes on telling her story n order with a few back stories and te occasional nutshelling of key events from the last book. And to my great appreciation Ruby never got ahead of herself in her story like she used to.
over all I truly enjoyed reading this book.  Found the style, writing, and plot of this book to altogether superior to the previous Ruby Oliver book. I look forward to reading the next few aswell.


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