Top 10 Tuesday #3

Check out all the info here at The Broke and The Bookish's blog.
January 15: Top 10 2013 Debut I'm Looking Forward To

1. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (I loved the first book and can't wait to read the second one, and now the third one is coming out!! It's too much excitement!)


2. Unremembered by Jessica Brody (When I met her at a book festival she gave me a little leaflet with a short passage from the book in it and I've been pining for this book ever since)


3. True by Hilary Duff (I LOVED the first two books in the Elixir series and it left off on such a cliff hanger so I cannot wait for this book!)


4. Towering by Alex Flinn (another fairy tale retelling? Awesome)


5. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger (Curtsying and killing what more could a girl want?)


6. Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan (Sounds awesome!)


7. Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance (I love any sort of spin off book that has to deal with Pride and Prejudice)


8. Red by Alison Cherry (Sounds like a very original plot!)


9. Shadowlands by Kate Brian (I like a lot of Kate Brian's other work so I hope this one is just as good)


10. Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulburg (I loved Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulburg so I hope this one is great too!)


As always, leave a link below and I'll come check out your list and hit that subscribe button over there!
See you soon!
Paige

Read More

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 343
So, I know this book was on my "To Read list of 2013" but I just couldn't get through it. I got to about page 60 or so and just gave up. I actually put off writing this review for awhile because I thought what's the point? I didn't like it. But I digress.
 I was waiting for it to get a lot more fast paced and for something to actually happen but nothing did. Perhaps I should have given it a few more pages but I just couldn't bear to continue on. I felt the characters weren't described well along with the setting, and I never like books that start out in the middle of an event happening. In this case, the twin girls' fathers funeral. That always confuses me.
This book was definitely a lot darker than I expected it to be. If I could summarize it in one word I think it would be gothic.
One of the good points was that it was a historical fiction novel (which I'm always looking for more of) but other than that I just couldn't get into it. Some of the characters (whose names I can't even remember because they weren't all that memorable) plain creeped me out. Which is good, I guess, but it was the sort of creep out that makes you not want to read a book and shove it in a corner where you won't have to try again until a much later date when you discover the novel in the back recesses of a shelf or cabinet. 
Will I try reading this again? Maybe during Halloween next year when I'm in sort of a creepy/spooky mood but not for awhile. It was just too weird for me. 
The style of this book sort of reminds me of Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves so I guess if you liked or disliked that book it will give you a good indication of whether or not you will like or dislike this one. (As you may recall I did NOT like Slice of Cherry and also gave up about 60 or so pages in)
See you soon!
Paige
P.S. I do like the cover though. It's very beautiful.

Read More

Top 10 Tuesday #2

Check out all the info here at The Broke and The Bookish's blog.
January 8th: Top 10 Bookish Goals for 2013

1. Blog more consistently! I want to be able to keep up with my review requests and in general review more books than last year.

2. Finish my 2013 book goal. Last year I was only able to finish 80 out of 100 books and this year I would definitely like to be able to finish all of them.

3. Finish at least half of my To Be Read Pile. A lot of the books that are on my TBR I talked about in the previous Top 10 Tuesday, and like I said then, they have been on my shelf for more than a year so I’d like to finally read them (Reading them also gives me another excuse to go buy more books).

4. Read more books outside of my favorite genres. I realized I read A LOT of books from the YA romance or contemporary fiction genre and I’d like to branch out more to science fiction, action/adventure, dystopian, and historical fiction genres which I REALLY like but just never have time to hunt for really good books.

5. Be more frugal when buying books. Too often I buy way too many books when I don’t need them or when I’m running low on money so I’d like to buy some books this year but more in moderation.

6. Read more classics! I’m going to try to read at least one classic a month (hopefully more) along with whatever other book I’m reading because I received a ton of classics from my mom and they’re just waiting to be picked up and read. Plus it’s always fun to say “oh I’ve already read that” like a snooty reader.

7. Read more new releases. Often I’ll end up buying older books because they’re sometimes cheaper or more available but I would like to read some new releases from 2013.

8. Take advantage of my library more. This sort of goes along with the read more new releases because I do like reading from the library and then buying the book later, plus this will save me a lot of money if I find out that I don’t like a book after all (and I won’t have to wait for a package to be shipped to my house if I order something, I can just go to the library and pick it up and then order the book later).

9. Support local booksellers more, not just the big chains like Barnes and Noble. I often wander to two of my favorite used bookstores but not as much as I like and I often find better deals there so I will probably be going there more and more often.

10. Don’t let reading distract me too much from school work. Last year I had a major problem with reading distracting me from my work so this year I’m going to have to learn to divide up my time more. However, I am entering my second semester of senior year so it’s easy cruising from here on out!

What are your Top 10 Bookish Goals for 2013? Leave a comment or a link to your blog post and I’ll come check it out!

See you soon!

Paige

Read More

Tan Lines by Katherine Applegate

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 539
Out of the three books that I've read in the "Summer" series I think I like this one second best. The first book in the series, Beach Blondes, was definitely the most light hearted and was just a fun novel to read (with a whopping 700 pages!). Spring Break had too many issues that I didn't think we're believable (see my last review for more on that). But this one, it was good. Not great but good. It had that light hearted feel, but also delved deeper into the characters problems which was really nice. We were finally able to see some of the darker and more cynical sides of the characters, which was kind of relieving since in Beach Blondes they all seemed sort of picture perfect. Well, maybe not ALL of them...
Anyways, Summer is back in Florida for the summer and she has found an apartment with her cousin/friend Diana and her other friend Marquez. Summer hopes once again to rekindle her romance with Seth but he's all the way in California for an internship, and Austin, the guy she met over spring break is conveniently working just downstairs. Marquez is dealing with some guy issues of her own, but more importantly is dealing with some weight loss issues and her friends are constantly telling her to take care of herself and to stop losing so much weight so quickly, but in a typical Marquez fashion she doesn't listen. Good old Marquez, I wish more people were more headstrong like her. She's definitely one of the best characters in the book. If there was a spin-off series with her as the main character I think I'd like it even better than the "Summer" novels. Diana is her typical moody self, brooding when alone and being mysterious whilst in public.
There is one more book after this one in the series but I actually could see how this would be a good conclusion. The plot lines were worked out well and tied up quite nicely (although at times I felt it was tied up TOO quickly and nicely). I definitely can't wait to start reading the next one Sun-Kissed Christmas. The synopsis sounds like another crazy break from school for Summer. 
You know, on the outside she seems like the perfect character but when you really think about it, she goes through a lot with emotional family turmoil, trying to keep her friends from tearing each other's throats out, and dealing with the many boys in her life who "love" her (I put love in quotes there because I feel like all the characters throw the word around a little too loosely). 
Overall, a great ending to a few plot lines but I definitely can't wait to finish the series. After all the problems I had with Spring Break this was definitely a better follow up book and put my faith back into the series.
See you soon!
Paige

Read More

Spring Break by Katherine Applegate

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 211
This is the sequel to the omnibus Beach Blondes, also by Katherine Applegate, and you should definitely read Beach Blondes before reading this one otherwise you will probably get confused with the majority of the plot. Also this review may contain some spoilers if you have not read Beach Blondes.
Summer Smith is traveling back down to Florida from Minnesota so she can hang out with her two best friends Diana Olan (who is also her cousin) and Maria Marquez (who likes to go by just Marquez). Summer is also meeting up with her boyfriend Seth, in the hopes that this short week of Spring Break can help rekindle their relationship, to the amount of lust and love they felt last summer.
The entire party will be spending a week on a yacht which Diana's mom kindly borrowed from one of her friends and is lending to the girls.
On a connecting flight to Florida, Summer meets a guy named Austin Reed who jumps off the plane at the last minute, for no apparent reason. He leaves behind a book of lyrics and poems that he wrote and Summer jumps off the plane too, to go find him. By the time Summer has found Austin her flight has already taken off (with all her luggage on board) and she is stuck at the airport with Austin until later that night, which is when she can get another flight. 
Austin suggests they go to DisneyWorld instead of waiting in the airport and Summer reluctantly agrees. This is where I start to question Summer's judgement. Wandering off to DisneyWorld with a guy just because he's cute? That's seems a little sketchy, and something someone with a lot of sense would NEVER do. Also, he pays for her ticket; what a gentleman. But DisneyWorld tickets are expensive, so that's a little unbelievable too. Not to mention getting a cab to DisneyWorld and back to the airport? Austin must be very rich if he's doing this out of the kindness of his heart for Summer, but I digress.
The couple, who is not really a couple, has fun at DisneyWorld and they exchange a kiss, which Summer feels she simply cannot resist, even though, again, a girl with a lot more sense would say no firmly and declare that she has a boyfriend. Although, in Summer's defense she did say that a few times and Austin kept coming on to her, however if a strange man you just met could not understand what "no" meant then I'd be hightailing it out of DisneyWorld back to the airport if I were her. 
Once the troublesome twosome come back to the airport they land in Florida and take a cab to the marina where the yacht it docked. No where in the story is there a discussion about picking up the luggage, or luggage being lost, which would have been my number one priority. It all seemed a little to easy and perfect if you asked me. 
Summer, of course, insists that Austin stay on the boat with her and Diana (because Marquez has run away in the meantime to God knows where) and he agrees. Beats staying in a motel which was his original plan. However, that night he tries to kill himself and Summer miraculously saves him (from drowning) and brings him back to the yacht and finally asks him what is wrong. Austin confesses that his father has Huntington's; a genetic disease which slowly kills the person it affects. Austin is also unsure if he has the disease himself and is supposed to be tested for it during his time in Florida but is too scared; he's also too scared to visit his dad in the hospital. All very understandable, and Summer soothes him by letting him sleep in her bed. 
What. What the heck. Summer you have a boyfriend! 
Then the plot thickens, and her boyfriend Seth shows up a day earlier than he was supposed to and almost catches the two of them in bed together but Diana saves the day and pretends that Austin is HER boyfriend, even though Austin makes it extremely obvious to everyone, except apparently Seth, that he is in love with Summer.
After a few days Summer tells Austin he has to leave the yacht and never come back. Before that though she goes to the hospital with Austin to visit his dad, which is very kind of her. Austin becomes too close to her again and she demands that he leave. Conveniently, Seth see's the pair making out in a parking lot and mopes, cries, and accuses Summer of cheating. Seth is sort of a hypocrite though because last Christmas he got stuck in a truck with Diana and was making out with HER. Although Seth never tells Summer this. 
By this point I was rubbing my hands together manically and producing evil laughter with all the twists and turns these teens were taking.
The rest of the story...well you'll have to read that on your own to figure out what happens next. Although it is a little predictable. I do love this book, it's just a little too perfect and predictable sometimes. It's one of those guilty pleasure books for me and I can not wait to read Tan Lines which is the next omnibus in the series. 
See you soon!
Paige

Read More

Top 10 Tuesday #1

(This is my first Top 10 Tuesday!) Check out all the info here at The Broke and The Bookish's blog.
January 1st: Top 10 Books I Resolve to Read in 2013
All of the books I choose for this list have been on my TBR pile for over a year so it's about time that I tackle them sometime in the next 12 months.

1. Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie (just in time to read the final installment)


2. The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (also just in time to read the final installment which will be out on paperback soon)


3. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa (I've heard great things about them and I can't wait to start reading)


4. The Gone series by Michael Grant (I own the first two Gone, and Hunger, and I desperately need to buy the rest of them)


5. Monster High series by Lisi Harrison (I own the first one and, again, desperately need to buy the rest of them because I love all of Lisi Harrison's work)


6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Can't wait to read this because I've heard so many wonderful things about it)


7. A Million Suns by Beth Revis (Just in time to buy the next installment Shades of Earth which comes out this month!)


8. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (There is three books in this whole series, but I want to see how I like this first one before I go buy the next two)


9. The Year I Turned 16 Omnibus by Diane Schwemm (Still need to read this even though I'm not 16 anymore...)


10. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Been waiting forever to read this and the rest of the series)


If you want leave a link to your Top 10 in the comments and I'll come check it out!
See you soon!
Paige

Read More

Random Thoughts #5: 2012 Year in Review

Well it's been a great year! A lot has changed and I'm so thankful to everyone who has followed, or even glanced at my blog once. I never thought I'd get so many books to review or even a single follower. So, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and looked at my blog I really appreciate it. Without you  guys there is no me!
I've come across some great books this year, WAY too many to put in a single list, but I will do my Top 12 books of 2012! This was an extremely hard list to put together and it actually took a lot of deliberation and took me a few days to finally decide on which were my favorites. Some of these books were not released in 2012, but I still read them this year. So, here is my final list:

1. Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Check out my review here!

2. Easy by Tammara Webber


3. Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan James

Check out my review here!

4. (I'm sort of cheating on this one, it's actually a series of three books) Life As We Knew It, The Dead and the Gone, and This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It review here!
The Dead and the Gone review here!
This World We Live In review here!

5. Casey Barnes Eponymous by E. A. Rigg

Check out my review here!

6. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulburg

Check out my review here!

7. Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Check out my review here!

8. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Check out my review here!

9. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Check out my review here!

10. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey


11. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Check out my review here!

12. To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

Check out my review here!

And some close one's that almost made the list include

Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite by Lianne Simon

Check out my review here!

Nocturne by Syrie James


Fallen by Lauren Kate

Check out my review here!

And the biggest disappoint for me that I read in 2012 was

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Check out my review here!

Again, thank you all for such a wonderful year and I can't wait to get back to doing reviews for you guys. Here's to a wonderful New Year.
See you soon,
Paige

Read More

November Book Haul

Sorry this is so late! I didn't get any books in October, so I got a few more than I normally would in November. Here's what I got:

Tan Lines by Katherine Applegate (Paperbackswap.com)


Spring Break by Katherine Applegate (Paperbackswap.com)


The D.U.F.F. by Kody Keplinger (Paperbackswap.com)


Envy (The Luxe #3) by Anna Godbersen (Paperbackswap.com)


The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Paperbackswap.com)


It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily von Ziegesar (Paperbackswap.com)


City of Angels (Hollywood Royalty #3) by Zoey Dean (Paperbackswap.com)


Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Target, Black Friday!)


Divergent by Veronica Roth (Target, Black Friday!)
 

Elixir by Hilary Duff (Amazon.com, Cyber Monday!)


Devoted (Elixir #2) by Hilary Duff (Amazon.com, Cyber Monday!)


Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin (Amazon.com, Cyber Monday!)


Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin (Amazon.com, Cyber Monday!)

Read More