Stacking the Shelves #13

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga over at Tynga's Reviews. Stacking the Shelves is a way to show off what books you have received throughout the week (whether they be for review, from the library, etc.)

This week: May 19th-May 26th

So I haven't posted one of these in a while because I've been so busy with school ending, so some of these books I got in past weeks. 

Received from paperbackswap.com:

Fruits Basket 2 and 3 by Natsuki Takaya

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Gossip Girl the Carlyles: Love the One You're With by Cecily von Ziegesar

I Will Always Love You by Cecily von Ziegesar

Received for review:

Saving the Pearls Part One: Revealing Eden and Saving the Pearls Part Two: Adapting Eden by Victoria Foyt (Found a lot of controversary over these books so I can't wait to read them and see what's up for myself. She did autograph them for me though which was super nice!)

That's all for now! Leave a comment below and I'll come check out what you got this week!

See you soon!

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Gossip Girl: The Carlyles: Love the One You're With by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 240
(This is going to be a slightly shorter review because I read the book about two weeks ago)
I think this is, by far, the best Carlyles book in the entire series. The first one was good because it was a new series, with new people, but this last book was a great way to end the series.
I really like books that take place on an island, especially rich people on vacation and that's what this was! So the Carlyle family goes on an island vacation and the triplets bring some of their friends along and there is, of course, lot's of drama, but also many problems that have persisted since the first book are put to rest.
Everything was resolved extremely well and there wasn't any issues that were left on a cliffhanger.
This was a great book, but I'm glad the series is over. It wouldn't have lasted as long as the Gossip Girl series, and honestly didn't need to. I felt that the triplets had more depth and each book went through a lot more than one Gossip Girl book did. 
Of course all the books were light and fun reads and I enjoy Cecily von Ziegesar's work, but I think I'm done with her books for awhile. I won't be reading the It Girl series because it'll probably be too much like all her other works. Of course I could be wrong, but it's time to move onto other books.
See you soon! Sorry for the short review!
Paige

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Gossip Girl: The Carlyles: Take A Chance On Me by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 240
These books are starting to sound too much like the original Gossip Girl series. The way the characters are starting to act and behave is suspiciously similar to Gossip Girl. And you're probably thinking, well yeah! Cecily von Ziegesar wrote both series'!
But in actuality, she didn't! She created The Carlyles series, and a lady named Annabelle Vestry was the one who actually wrote the series. And it doesn't even say her name on the front cover! If I was her I'd be a little upset, because it takes a lot of work to write a book!
But I'm not here to rant and rave about marketing, I'm here for reviews! So let's move on... (But just a side note about the marketing; I do LOVE that red dress on the right there!! SO cute!)
The series is starting to lose its appeal for me. It started out strong, but is continually becoming weaker and weaker. I'll still read the fourth book in the series to see how the story ends, but let's just say I'm glad there's only four books.
Don't get me wrong, I love the writing style, the cattiness of the girls, name dropping of designers, restaurants, etc., and the deliciousness of the boys, but the the plots are becoming boring. I had to keep convincing myself to read the book, just so I could be finished! (That's never a good thing and always a sign that the book is dull from beginning to end)
I also liked these books, at first, a bit more than the original Gossip Girl one's because there was less drug and sex references, but that's starting to become more common as well. Again, I'm all for having that in a book, because I am by no means a book burner, but I just had higher hopes for these characters. I also originally though these characters were a little more innocent in the beginning of the series, compared to Gossip Girl, but they've become cynical and...dry. Some seem to have little life left in them which leads to a disappointing and unrelateable character.
Normally, we want to look up to these characters and we wish we were like them, but now...They've lost their superiority, at least for me they have. They're less enviable. Because when you start to envy a characters clothes more than their attitude, you know there is a problem.
Overall, I wish the plots were a little more interesting and I hope the next and final book in the series does not disappoint me as much as this one.
See you soon!
Paige

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Gossip Girl: The Carlyles: You Just Can't Get Enough by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 208
This is the sequel to the first Carlyles book appropriately called The Carlyles, and it was just as good as the first! The beginning was a little slow but they usually are for me with Gossip Girl books, I'm not sure why. But as soon as you really get into the story and what issues are going on in the current novel, the book gets better and better. Gossip Girl/Carlyle books, for me, are like the TV show The Hills; totally addicting and a guilty pleasure! Sure there are books with more quality out there, but I just love diving right into these books where there's tons of backstabbing, hooking up, name dropping, and just overall, bad girl/boy activities. 
Plus I would totally love to move to New York!
I don't want to give away anything in this review so it will be fairly brief; Avery is still trying to live a classic and old fashioned New York life just like her grandmother did. Sometimes that doesn't always work out for her though...Avery also has to deal with her arch nemesis Jack again, who stirs up more trouble than she can handle. Especially with all the baggage she has in her own personal life.
Baby is now enjoying New York a little more, but she keeps noticing things that would make either her sister or her brother happy, but not her. Baby is a very conflicted person. She's happy most of the time, but the rest of the time she feels frustrated and unhappy with the old fashioned ways of NYC. Very unlike her sister who feels NYC isn't old fashioned enough...Hmm
Then Owen, also has conflicts with his friends and there are some large rumors spread about him around his school and he has to deal with those as well. (And some other stuff that I can't tell you about without spoiling it!)
I think I liked the first book better, simply because it was the first book, but I like how the characters are developing more and more throughout each novel. I also noticed more snarky interjections from Gossip Girl herself, throughout the novel, which I actually liked. She (or he? Really it could be either) has such a sarcastic attitude, but at the same time she has a lot of sense. A perfect narrator! 
Overall, I can't wait for the next one and can't wait to see what other kind of trouble these kids get into!
(Also, is it just me or do they seem way more sophisticated than their age level? They're only juniors in high school but they have such authority and power. Maybe it's because they're rich....)
See you soon!
Paige

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Gossip Girl: The Carlyles by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 243
Wow! Another fantastic book by Cecily von Ziegesar! I think I'm going to like this series more than Gossip Girl! Not really sure why, perhaps the characters were a little more relatable and the story moved along a lot more quickly. There was also a lot less main characters to keep track of. Much easier for the story to move more quickly because then you don't have to keep going back to one character and then another, and another; in general the story will move much more slowly.
Anyways, so a group of triplets, the Carlyles, move to New York from Nantucket and basically take on the Upper East Side (this is a spin-off series from Gossip Girl, obviously, so there are references to the old characters. For example, the Carlyles live in Blair's old penthouse). Avery and Baby go to Constance Billard, just like Serena and Blair did. However, this time the girls start out as the nobodies with a famous, dead, grandmother who used to wreck havoc on New York back in her day. 
Avery is trying to become one of the popular girls at Constance Billard and is vying for the position of Student Liaison (the Student Liaison, makes decisions for the rest of the class). Her enemy Jack, short for Jacqueline, is also campaigning for the position, and the girls go on a rampant of back stabbing. Oh fun!
Baby hates the fact that she had to leave Nantucket behind, along with her boyfriend, and is trying to overcome heartache in Manhattan. She is also trying to break as many rules as possible (cussing in French class on the first day? Awesome!) to get kicked out of Constance Billard's so she can be transported back to home sweet home. However, her views begin to be questioned when she meets some very interesting people...
Owen, the last Carlyle triplet, goes to St. Jude's and is attempting to get over a girl he had a fling with over the summer in Nantucket. He's also trying to make some new guy friends, because he didn't have many before he moved because he was always going after girls and the guys didn't want to compete with him. Surprise, surprise, however, the guy that Owen befriends has some shocking circumstances that will put Owen in a tight place.
I adore Cecily von Ziegesar's writing and I can't wait for the next book. Yes, there is the typical partying, drinking, and overall, misbehavior by teenagers, but you can't hide this from teens forever! Let them read these books and look at is as a learning tool to show that after the party is over, there's ugly hangovers to deal with and ruined reputations (doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but to a teenager it is).
Five out of five stars for another name-dropping, trash talking, overall guilty pleasure of a novel! Can't wait for the rest of the series! I've already ordered the next one's!
See you soon!
Paige

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Reading, reading, reading

Let me just say that I cannot wait until I go on Christmas break because then I will have all the time in the world to read, read, read.
This whole week has been crazy busy with homework and tests that a book that I should have finished probably yesterday I'm just a little more than half way through. I'm going to try to finish it tonight so that I can move on. (The book I'm talking about is Gossip Girl #7)
I'm still hoping that something new will happen in these Gossip Girl books because everything seems pretty monotonous. I mean it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't dragged out for so long. Like move on already! Oh well, I'm halfway finished with the series and it doesn't feel like it because I've gone through the books so quickly. As much as the story moves slowly I just plow through these books. They're still great but I just wish there was a new twist!
I think I'm going to read Evermore for real after I finish Gossip Girl #7 but I'm not 100% sure yet. Anyways! Just wanted to give you that little update! Hope you're all being good little children because Christmas is right around the corner (only 16 more days! Can you believe it! I still need to put my tree up, and go Christmas shopping, and oh! So much to do, so little time!)
See you soon!
-Paige

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Book Hauls?

As you know from my last post I went book shopping yesterday and I bought A TON of books! Since I know that I'm getting some for Christmas, I'm going to wait until the end of the month to post a collective December Book Haul. I think it will be easier/more fun to see how many books I've collected or received over the month. (Maybe I'll do this for the rest of the upcoming year too. I can't decide! What do you guys think?)
I'm almost done with Marked! I'm so sorry it's taking forever but I do have to juggle schoolwork into my schedule as well! I only need the last like 100 pages and then I'll be done! Also for the rest of the month I'm going to read the rest of the Gossip Girl series (my goal is to finish the entire series within December) and the rest of the Marked series. (I'm not setting a deadline for that one because the series is not even completely written yet!) So there may not be as many reviews this month but y'all should be spending time with your families and getting into the festive mood! Happy reading! See you soon!
-Paige

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Done!

Last night I finished another Gossip Girl book (Because I'm Worth It - number 4) and it was pretty good. I'm just hoping that maybe some new stuff starts happening because it's kinda getting repetitive.
I'm about half way done with Marked by P.C. and Kristen Cast and so far I LOVE it!!! I was skeptical about reading it because of all the bad reviews I've heard but I have to say, I think this is going to become one of my favorite series'. Although I did find some grammar errors....
Christmas is coming up and my wish list is ever-changing. I can't decide between all the books I want! Today I'm going shopping at this book place (will explain more later) and if I find some books there that are on my wish list I'll have to update it AGAIN! Haha it will be worth it though! Can't wait until Christmas! (Only 22 more days!)
So I guess I'll see you guys later! I've got a long day of book bargain hunting/shopping ahead of me and I can't wait!
See you soon!
-Paige

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Paperbackswap.com Haul!

I got my order today! Yay! Thanks so much to the person who sent the books to me! Here's what I got!

• Because I'm Worth It (Gossip Girl 4) by Cecily von Ziegesar
• I Like it Like That (Gossip Girl 5) by Cecily von Ziegesar
• You're The One That I Want (Gossip Girl 6) by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Nobody Does It Better (Gossip Girl 7) by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Nothing Can Keep Us Together (Gossip Girl 8) by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Only In Your Dreams (Gossip Girl 9) by Cecily von Ziegesar

Yep! Total of 6 books!!! All for free! Free, my favorite four letter word next to book(s) and love. (I love free book(s)!!!) I will be starting those soon, after I finish Murder Is Binding by Lorna Barrett (the first book in the Booktown Mystery series) So yeah! See y'all soon!
-Paige

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You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
How much it cost me: Free! (Paperbackswap, of course)
Retail Price: $8.99
Number of pages: 240
Yep it's official I love Gossip Girl! The books are always so witty and I love how the story will be told and then some unknown person (Gossip Girl I presume) will come in and make some sarcastic comment.
There's was a lot more sex and drug references in this book than the first one but I don't think it took away from the story. Such a fun read! I don't really want to say much about it in case you haven't read the first one so all I can say is read them! Even if they're your guilty pleasure! Just do it! I would give this book a Paige-Turn.
Okay! Now a mini update!
I'm going to be finishing the rest of the Gossip Girl series but I'm not going to do reviews on each and everyone, but when I'm finished with the series I will do a series review. I'm sure I'll get through all the books quickly, but I can't garuntee it! In between books I will probably read some stand alone novels and do some reviews but not too many because I don't want to get confused in the Gossip Girl series. See you soon!
-Paige

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Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

Read a synopsis here!
How much it cost me: Free (Paperbackswap!)
Retail Price: $8.99
Number of pages: 224
Being the second time that I've read this book I still love it! Gossip Girl is such a guilty pleasure for me! The story is probably geared more towards like 15 and up I would say due to the explicit material. (drug reference, profane language, and sexually explicit) So yes I am one of those people who LOVE Gossip Girl!
Now, I was browsing the reviews on GoodReads and a lot of people were talking trash on the books/series saying it wasn't good literature, it's to risque for teens, the stories are just pointless, etc. Okay let's address that first point: It's not good literature. To me, the writing was fine - typical young adult reading level. Of course I think the writing is better than Twilight (well anything is really, that's such trash) but come on! These books aren't meant to be studied in schools or discover hidden meangings like an E. E. Cummings poem or something! It's just fun quick reads!
Next point: It's to risque for teens. Okay if this is parents saying this then they need to wake up. There are teens out there EVERYWHERE who do drugs, have sex, and party at a very young age! You can't just hide the fact that that stuff happens! I actually commend Cecily von Ziegesar for writing about this stuff and sort of spreading awarness about it. In the books whenever a person did drugs or partied they always regretted it a little bit because it made them feel awful! This is sort of sending a message like, "Hey! DON'T party! (Or if you do, be safe!!)"
Lastly: The stories are pointless. Um question? Why are you reading if you think  a story is pointless? The POINT of a book is to tell a STORY!!! HELLO! That's what fiction is!! Fine, then why are you reading Twilight? What's the point? Teach you how to be a creepy stalker and just give up on life when the guy you like runs away for a couple months?? Gossip Girl's point (like I said before!) is almost to spread awarness on partying, drugs, and underage sex. The characters do these things and then regret it. Well expect for the stoners but come on-THEY'RE STONERS!
Anyway sorry for my little rant, but I stick up for what I believe in. Overall, I'd give this book a Paige-Turn and I can tell I'm going to devour the rest of the series really quickly.
See you soon!
-Paige

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