Let me know if you have read any, and which ones you liked! I will be reading Legend this month for sure. A book review of Eve by Anna Carey is up next on the blog!
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 a purpose, 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.
The main idea: Unearthly was a book dealing with a normal girl dealing with normal teenage stuff. Except- she is an angel and has a divine purpose that she must complete. This book had plenty of love interest, conflict, and enough questions to make you ITCHING for the next book.
I surprisingly really, really enjoyed this book. I got it for .99 on my eReader and thought maybe I'd glance at it one day if I had the time. But... angels? Really? I've done wizards, vampires, and even demon slayers.. but angels? I wasn't so sure. (Obviously I need to work on getting out of my comfort zone...) But, surprise, surprise, it was awesome!
What I liked:
1. Real girl. Hand really depicts Clara as a real girl. As in, the book is not ALL about her being an angel. Yeah, obviously it has big effects on her life (hello moving to another state because of a vision you have?!), but she also was a "normal" teenage girl. She fought with her mom (a lot), crushed on guys who- shocker- were just normal human beings, and even made some friends.
2. Boys. I actually was down with both the boys in this book. I liked them each for different reasons, and that ending really got me confused! So, I have no team. I am teamless. But anyways, both boys were great. Neither of them were jerks (which is my BIGGEST pet peeve.. when a character falls for a complete jerk), and they treated Clara with respect. They were both portrayed as being smoking hot. Especially Tucker though... rugged, tan cowboy? Alright. Can't wait to get Hallowed in my hands so I can try to figure out who I like better!
3. Just enough paranormal. Obviously this book is paranormal... it is about angels. But, as I've said earlier, that's not what all of it was about. Yeah, that's basically all I have to say about that.
What I didn't like:
1. Clara fighting with her mom 24/7! I understand she was mad at her for not giving her more answers. Or for expecting her to be only focused on her "divine purpose." But seriously? She is your mom. Give her a little more respect! 2. Lack of action. I went into this book expecting a little more action than I got. Luckily, I've been reading lots of action books lately so it didn't bother me too much. But, I got the feeling that the next couple of books will definitely be more action packed!
I really would pick this up if I were you! I wish I had a physical copy... the cover is so pretty!
Fever by Lauren DeStefano. Sequel to Wither. Publication Date: February 21, 2012
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. Sequel to Delirium. Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times
bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the
fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a
revolution about to ignite.
Once by Anna Carey. Sequel to Eve. Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Brimming with danger and
star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this
electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate
called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it
means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes
adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo
and Juliet.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Sequel to Divergent. Publication Date: May 1, 2012
New York Times
bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the
dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a
story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful
insights about human nature.
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where were share our top pick of the week we are "waiting on."
So today, the top ten tuesday theme at the broke and bookish is a
FREEBIE.
So, I am choosing to talk about 10 (11 actually... oops)
books off of my own bookshelf that I am dying to read.
Here is the video, but I will also link pictures below!
But, if you have time, I'd love for you to check out the video! I am really, truly enjoying making them! :)
1. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. I read the first one in this series recently and really enjoyed it! Definitely want to finish reading this series soon.
2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I just really need to catch up with all her books.. so badly!
3. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John. Had this one for a while... supposed to be an amazing contemporary!
4. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. I've wanted this one forever. Finally bought it. Need to read it. Historical fiction taking place during the Holocaust.
5. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Bought this one recently but still really want to read it. I've just heard great things, and I love adventureish books!
6. Gone by Michael Grant. Yet another dystopian series I am dying to get into!
7. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. ANOTHER dystopian trilogy I want to read! Also, male point of view!
9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This paranormal romance has gotten SO much attention this year! Excited to be swept away into a new world!
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Definitely reading this one next month. No questions. I've heard this is INSANELY good. Her touch is lethal? WHAT.
11. A Million Suns by Beth Revis. AHHHHH. I'm reading this one ASAP. I loved Across the Universe and CAN'T wait to get into this sequel!
Whew. That was one long list. Hope y'all enjoyed! Let me know what your themes are this week so I can check them out!!
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.
Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.
Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.
As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.
I'm not good at ending things. It's not just that I get attached/addicted/committed to a television show or a routine or a ritual, I like feeling as if the "thing" is helping me understand myself.
That's kind of how I am with book series. I like getting to know my characters. I don't want to just appreciate them, I want to actually love them.
So when I realized Brashares wrote this fifth follow-up to her beloved Traveling Pants series (and if by some ridiculous reason you don't know about these books - especially if you are a teenage girl - click on that link immediately), I naturally had to read it. It took me longer to get my hands on it - unlike my usual self, I know - but I finally succeeded and read it in a couple of long car rides this weekend (mind you I wasn't driving, but sitting safely in the backseat).
I've read some reviews that people have left about this 5th book. Some said that the unexpected plot was "too much." Some said that it felt like some kind of farce. Some said they didn't WANT to know what happened to these girls after the fourth book (and to that I say: POOP YOU!! Don't read it if you don't care). Some said they felt like the girls hadn't grown up enough since the last book took place ten years ago.
But I loved it. Sure, I wanted to scream and throw things at Brashares for one big reason, but I won't spoil it. However, I can't imagine a more beautiful ending - and beginning - for my favorite group of gals. And by the end of the book, I easily saw how they had indeed grown up, without losing their cores - the things that made them each so very different and special but also so perfect for each other.
Brashares has a way of writing that feels like she takes the thoughts of others and writes them down, and somehow they are much more beautiful than we realized.
One big difference that reflects the "older tone" of this book compared to the series is the non-summery feel. Each Traveling Pants book is the perfect summer read...partially because they take place in the summer. This book covers the other side of the year....mostly the winter. I think that's pretty symbolic, don't you?
Hey guys! This week I have a video for my IMM. Actually... I have 2 haul videos from this week! I will link both of the videos down below. I meant to take a picture too, but forgot, and now all the books are back and school and not with me! So sorry about that!
Hey guys! Today I am doing a TGIF post hosted by Ginger over at GReads.
Today's question: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?
Hmm.. This is a tough one. I've read a lot of good ones lately! But I think I would recommend I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan. I truly enjoyed this one. If you want to see my full review, you can check it out here. But here was my short and quick "main idea" of the review:
I'll Be There could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets
poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can
say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart
wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.
-Taylor
Yowza, I agree - tough one. For the majority of my friends, I would recommend Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Published over 10 years ago, the award-winning novel is a quick, witty, sad, and honest story about a regular girl with a big burden, all while juggling the pressures of her lonely first year of high school. And while I often tire of the drawn-out clichés in YA books and movies (even though I also secretly love many...Mean Girls, hello), Anderson hit that "awkwardness" right on the head while keeping true to the themes. The main character is funny and flawed, but so real.
-Rebekah
Have you read either of these books? What did you think? What would you recommend?
New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There
are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines
for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse.
People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old
Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this
way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to
forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books
or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United
States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of
keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like
food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home
inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as
circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for
noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the
arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember
has ever loved.
You can either check out my video review (which is my first one ever... so it may be a tad scattered) or the written review below! Or both!
The Main Idea: Article 5 is a gripping dystopian filled with fleeing from the government, action packed pages, and learning to find one's old and true self. One definitely worth picking up and reading.
Things I liked:
1. Page-turner: This book was SUCH a page turner. I was always wanting to know what was going to happen next, if they were going to get caught, or if anything would heat up between Ember and Chase. There is the perfect amount of action. Not too much where you just feel worn out by reading it, but definitely enough to keep you always guessing and intrigued.
2. Rawness: I felt that Chase's character was so complex. But in a good way. Going off and joining in the FBR had not been an easy experience, and it had definitely affected who he was. During their journey, he and Ember were both trying to find at least some part of the old Chase. Sometimes, there would be a breakthrough, but then he would just as easily turn back into the gruff, different Chase. I loved the journey (that will undoubtedly continue through the next books) of Chase trying to find himself, and He and Ember trying to piece together any semblance of what they were like before.
3. Road trip: Sure, it definitely wasn't your typical road-trip book. However, they technically were still on a road trip. I liked this because the setting was always changing; there were always new characters you didn't know if you could trust or not. This definitely was an added element to the book for me.
Things I didn't like:
Ember's attitude: Yes, Ember has been through a heck of a lot. They took her mom, she was abused in the rehabilitation home, and now she is journeying with the boy she used to know. But, why do girls in books always think that they can figure things out on their own and that they need no one else's help. There was one scene in the book where Ember decided she didn't need Chase anymore, and she runs away. STUPID. STUPID. STUPID. You don't have to like someone- fine. I understand. But to go off in the wilderness on your own with no supplies, no sense of direction, and no safety? That is dumb. However, in the end, it of course made for a great action sequence!
Definitely a great, new dystopian series in the making!
In 1939, the families
in a remote Jewish village in Romania feel the war close in on them.
Their tribe has moved and escaped for thousands of years- across oceans,
deserts, and mountains-but now, it seems, there is nowhere else to go.
Danger is imminent in every direction, yet the territory of imagination
and belief is limitless. At the suggestion of an eleven-year-old girl
and a mysterious stranger who has washed up on the riverbank, the
villagers decide to reinvent the world: deny any relationship with the
known and start over from scratch. Destiny is unwritten. Time and
history are forgotten. Jobs, husbands, a child, are reassigned. And for
years, there is boundless hope. But the real world continues to unfold
alongside the imagined one, eventually overtaking it, and soon our
narrator-the girl, grown into a young mother-must flee her village, move
from one world to the next, to find her husband and save her children,
and propel them toward a real and hopeful future. A beguiling,
imaginative, inspiring story about the bigness of being alive as an
individual, as a member of a tribe, and as a participant in history, No One Is Here Except All Of Us explores how we use storytelling to survive and shape our own truths. It marks the arrival of a major new literary talent.
Hello fellow earthlings. Rebekah here.
I've kind of been in my own world lately - that always happens to me between semesters.
I just decided to re-watch the entire Lost series when I went to visit my sister last week (I got her season one for her birthday-i'm enjoying it as well hehe). It's still so good.
Back to my point (I promise there is one). A big theme in Lost is starting over with a clean slate. I mean, they're trapped on an island completely shut off from the rest of the world fighting polar bears and crazy monsters and freaky island people (if you haven't watched the show, don't be put off by this). They're surviving. Don't have time to worry about who they were - they are who they choose to be now.
This upcoming book seems like it will focus a great deal on that same aspect of "starting over." Set during the onset of WWII, a group of people forget their pasts and create their own future in order to escape the reality of war. I'm so curious to see what kind of characters this will hold. Not sure what genre this belongs in, but I'm excited that I'll get a chance to read this from an upcoming "big talent."
Sorry this is a late in the day posting. Just kind of decided last minute.
This week the topic was choosing books we would recommend to people who don't normally read within a certain genre. It could be a broad topic like all of YA, or like I chose, a specific genre within YA fiction. So, below are all the dystopian/sci-fi books I would recommend to those who normally stay away!
Oh! and in other huge news, I think I may have finally gotten up the courage to start making a few youtube videos to go along with this blog. I feel like I do better speaking than I do writing... So the new channel is...
Ahh! I'm so excited but very nervous. I kind of just don't want anyone that I know in real life to know about it quite yet- do any other book vloggers feel the same way?
Anyways- I am planning on making my first two videos tomorrow morning, so no telling if they will be up yet- but if you follow the book blogging community on youtube you could just go ahead and subscribe anyways..?! haha!
Anyways, without further ado- the books you should read if you are scared of dystopians or books that dip a little into the sci-fi realm of things.
I don't really know why I was so compelled by Anderson's writing, but I guess it was because it felt so real. Melinda, the narrator/protagonist, is completely realistic. No, I can't personally relate to what she dealt with, but I felt so inside he head and her reasonings. I kind of just wanted to jump in the pages and be just that one voice to tell her, "It's not your fault!"
Whew. So, yeah. Read it.
I know this is a short post, but I don't know what else to tell you. GO! READ!
Hey guys! This week was by far the best book week I have ever had. Pretty exciting right!?
I had seven hardback books come in from Barnes and Noble that I got with the 50% off teen sale and the giftcard my dad gave me for Christmas!
I also used the coupon to buy 5 paperback books in the store, but I'm going to save those for next week as I'm pretty positive I won't have any new books!
I got...
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. I have been wanting this one for so long! People who were lucky enough to read it early have just RAVED about it! I will be picking this one up very soon.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This book takes place during the Holocaust. This seems like the perfect heart-wrenching historical fiction book. I'm so glad to finally have this!
Blood Red Road by Moira Young. If you know me at all, you know I am obsessed with dystopians/post-apocalyptic. I have yet to hear a negative review for this one.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. No explanation needed? Okay. Oh, and I might, possibly, for sure be meeting John Green on Tuesday at a book signing. No big deal.
A Million Suns by Beth Revis. I cannot contain my excitement for this book. Just finished across the Universe and was thoroughly obsessed. I love a book with a big twist!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. So, basically I just got books that everyone else raves about so there is not much of an explanation needed! But yes, super pumped for this one.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Oh my goodness, FINALLY I have my hands on this book. I just think it is absolutely beautiful and I can not wait to read it!
Currently Reading:
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. I'm about halfway through and am still not loving it. Colin (the protagonist) is kind of annoying! But, I have faith that I will end up loving it!
Next up:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Before you all freak out- yes, of course I have already read this trilogy. However, I read the first two in the summer of 2010. So, I need a refresher before the movie comes out!
Well, that is all for this week! Really curious as to what everyone else got. Also, if you have been a follower for a while or are just following today, (thank you in advance! comment and let me know so I can check out your blog!) we have twitter now! Our button is on the sidebar!
First time to do this meme and I'm pumped! Can't wait to see what everyone else has on their list. This is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at Good Reads.
Today's question: Which books are at the top of your list to read this year (new or old release).
I actually only chose 2012 releases, although there are so many books released in years past that I can't wait to read either! Of course, most of mine are sequels! Can't get enough of dystopian trilogies!
Ahh, so much EXCITEMENT!! Please comment, so I can check out your reads for 2012 and keep adding to this monstrous list!
Let me know if you have read any, and which ones you liked! I will be reading Legend this month for sure. A book review of Eve by Anna Carey is up next on the blog!
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 a purpose, 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.
The main idea: Unearthly was a book dealing with a normal girl dealing with normal teenage stuff. Except- she is an angel and has a divine purpose that she must complete. This book had plenty of love interest, conflict, and enough questions to make you ITCHING for the next book.
I surprisingly really, really enjoyed this book. I got it for .99 on my eReader and thought maybe I'd glance at it one day if I had the time. But... angels? Really? I've done wizards, vampires, and even demon slayers.. but angels? I wasn't so sure. (Obviously I need to work on getting out of my comfort zone...) But, surprise, surprise, it was awesome!
What I liked:
1. Real girl. Hand really depicts Clara as a real girl. As in, the book is not ALL about her being an angel. Yeah, obviously it has big effects on her life (hello moving to another state because of a vision you have?!), but she also was a "normal" teenage girl. She fought with her mom (a lot), crushed on guys who- shocker- were just normal human beings, and even made some friends.
2. Boys. I actually was down with both the boys in this book. I liked them each for different reasons, and that ending really got me confused! So, I have no team. I am teamless. But anyways, both boys were great. Neither of them were jerks (which is my BIGGEST pet peeve.. when a character falls for a complete jerk), and they treated Clara with respect. They were both portrayed as being smoking hot. Especially Tucker though... rugged, tan cowboy? Alright. Can't wait to get Hallowed in my hands so I can try to figure out who I like better!
3. Just enough paranormal. Obviously this book is paranormal... it is about angels. But, as I've said earlier, that's not what all of it was about. Yeah, that's basically all I have to say about that.
What I didn't like:
1. Clara fighting with her mom 24/7! I understand she was mad at her for not giving her more answers. Or for expecting her to be only focused on her "divine purpose." But seriously? She is your mom. Give her a little more respect! 2. Lack of action. I went into this book expecting a little more action than I got. Luckily, I've been reading lots of action books lately so it didn't bother me too much. But, I got the feeling that the next couple of books will definitely be more action packed!
I really would pick this up if I were you! I wish I had a physical copy... the cover is so pretty!
Fever by Lauren DeStefano. Sequel to Wither. Publication Date: February 21, 2012
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. Sequel to Delirium. Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times
bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the
fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a
revolution about to ignite.
Once by Anna Carey. Sequel to Eve. Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Brimming with danger and
star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this
electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate
called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it
means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes
adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo
and Juliet.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Sequel to Divergent. Publication Date: May 1, 2012
New York Times
bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the
dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a
story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful
insights about human nature.
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where were share our top pick of the week we are "waiting on."
So today, the top ten tuesday theme at the broke and bookish is a
FREEBIE.
So, I am choosing to talk about 10 (11 actually... oops)
books off of my own bookshelf that I am dying to read.
Here is the video, but I will also link pictures below!
But, if you have time, I'd love for you to check out the video! I am really, truly enjoying making them! :)
1. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. I read the first one in this series recently and really enjoyed it! Definitely want to finish reading this series soon.
2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I just really need to catch up with all her books.. so badly!
3. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John. Had this one for a while... supposed to be an amazing contemporary!
4. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. I've wanted this one forever. Finally bought it. Need to read it. Historical fiction taking place during the Holocaust.
5. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Bought this one recently but still really want to read it. I've just heard great things, and I love adventureish books!
6. Gone by Michael Grant. Yet another dystopian series I am dying to get into!
7. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. ANOTHER dystopian trilogy I want to read! Also, male point of view!
9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This paranormal romance has gotten SO much attention this year! Excited to be swept away into a new world!
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Definitely reading this one next month. No questions. I've heard this is INSANELY good. Her touch is lethal? WHAT.
11. A Million Suns by Beth Revis. AHHHHH. I'm reading this one ASAP. I loved Across the Universe and CAN'T wait to get into this sequel!
Whew. That was one long list. Hope y'all enjoyed! Let me know what your themes are this week so I can check them out!!
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.
Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.
Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.
As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.
I'm not good at ending things. It's not just that I get attached/addicted/committed to a television show or a routine or a ritual, I like feeling as if the "thing" is helping me understand myself.
That's kind of how I am with book series. I like getting to know my characters. I don't want to just appreciate them, I want to actually love them.
So when I realized Brashares wrote this fifth follow-up to her beloved Traveling Pants series (and if by some ridiculous reason you don't know about these books - especially if you are a teenage girl - click on that link immediately), I naturally had to read it. It took me longer to get my hands on it - unlike my usual self, I know - but I finally succeeded and read it in a couple of long car rides this weekend (mind you I wasn't driving, but sitting safely in the backseat).
I've read some reviews that people have left about this 5th book. Some said that the unexpected plot was "too much." Some said that it felt like some kind of farce. Some said they didn't WANT to know what happened to these girls after the fourth book (and to that I say: POOP YOU!! Don't read it if you don't care). Some said they felt like the girls hadn't grown up enough since the last book took place ten years ago.
But I loved it. Sure, I wanted to scream and throw things at Brashares for one big reason, but I won't spoil it. However, I can't imagine a more beautiful ending - and beginning - for my favorite group of gals. And by the end of the book, I easily saw how they had indeed grown up, without losing their cores - the things that made them each so very different and special but also so perfect for each other.
Brashares has a way of writing that feels like she takes the thoughts of others and writes them down, and somehow they are much more beautiful than we realized.
One big difference that reflects the "older tone" of this book compared to the series is the non-summery feel. Each Traveling Pants book is the perfect summer read...partially because they take place in the summer. This book covers the other side of the year....mostly the winter. I think that's pretty symbolic, don't you?
Hey guys! This week I have a video for my IMM. Actually... I have 2 haul videos from this week! I will link both of the videos down below. I meant to take a picture too, but forgot, and now all the books are back and school and not with me! So sorry about that!
Hey guys! Today I am doing a TGIF post hosted by Ginger over at GReads.
Today's question: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?
Hmm.. This is a tough one. I've read a lot of good ones lately! But I think I would recommend I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan. I truly enjoyed this one. If you want to see my full review, you can check it out here. But here was my short and quick "main idea" of the review:
I'll Be There could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets
poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can
say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart
wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.
-Taylor
Yowza, I agree - tough one. For the majority of my friends, I would recommend Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Published over 10 years ago, the award-winning novel is a quick, witty, sad, and honest story about a regular girl with a big burden, all while juggling the pressures of her lonely first year of high school. And while I often tire of the drawn-out clichés in YA books and movies (even though I also secretly love many...Mean Girls, hello), Anderson hit that "awkwardness" right on the head while keeping true to the themes. The main character is funny and flawed, but so real.
-Rebekah
Have you read either of these books? What did you think? What would you recommend?
New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There
are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines
for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse.
People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old
Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this
way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to
forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books
or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United
States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of
keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like
food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home
inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as
circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for
noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the
arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember
has ever loved.
You can either check out my video review (which is my first one ever... so it may be a tad scattered) or the written review below! Or both!
The Main Idea: Article 5 is a gripping dystopian filled with fleeing from the government, action packed pages, and learning to find one's old and true self. One definitely worth picking up and reading.
Things I liked:
1. Page-turner: This book was SUCH a page turner. I was always wanting to know what was going to happen next, if they were going to get caught, or if anything would heat up between Ember and Chase. There is the perfect amount of action. Not too much where you just feel worn out by reading it, but definitely enough to keep you always guessing and intrigued.
2. Rawness: I felt that Chase's character was so complex. But in a good way. Going off and joining in the FBR had not been an easy experience, and it had definitely affected who he was. During their journey, he and Ember were both trying to find at least some part of the old Chase. Sometimes, there would be a breakthrough, but then he would just as easily turn back into the gruff, different Chase. I loved the journey (that will undoubtedly continue through the next books) of Chase trying to find himself, and He and Ember trying to piece together any semblance of what they were like before.
3. Road trip: Sure, it definitely wasn't your typical road-trip book. However, they technically were still on a road trip. I liked this because the setting was always changing; there were always new characters you didn't know if you could trust or not. This definitely was an added element to the book for me.
Things I didn't like:
Ember's attitude: Yes, Ember has been through a heck of a lot. They took her mom, she was abused in the rehabilitation home, and now she is journeying with the boy she used to know. But, why do girls in books always think that they can figure things out on their own and that they need no one else's help. There was one scene in the book where Ember decided she didn't need Chase anymore, and she runs away. STUPID. STUPID. STUPID. You don't have to like someone- fine. I understand. But to go off in the wilderness on your own with no supplies, no sense of direction, and no safety? That is dumb. However, in the end, it of course made for a great action sequence!
Definitely a great, new dystopian series in the making!
In 1939, the families
in a remote Jewish village in Romania feel the war close in on them.
Their tribe has moved and escaped for thousands of years- across oceans,
deserts, and mountains-but now, it seems, there is nowhere else to go.
Danger is imminent in every direction, yet the territory of imagination
and belief is limitless. At the suggestion of an eleven-year-old girl
and a mysterious stranger who has washed up on the riverbank, the
villagers decide to reinvent the world: deny any relationship with the
known and start over from scratch. Destiny is unwritten. Time and
history are forgotten. Jobs, husbands, a child, are reassigned. And for
years, there is boundless hope. But the real world continues to unfold
alongside the imagined one, eventually overtaking it, and soon our
narrator-the girl, grown into a young mother-must flee her village, move
from one world to the next, to find her husband and save her children,
and propel them toward a real and hopeful future. A beguiling,
imaginative, inspiring story about the bigness of being alive as an
individual, as a member of a tribe, and as a participant in history, No One Is Here Except All Of Us explores how we use storytelling to survive and shape our own truths. It marks the arrival of a major new literary talent.
Hello fellow earthlings. Rebekah here.
I've kind of been in my own world lately - that always happens to me between semesters.
I just decided to re-watch the entire Lost series when I went to visit my sister last week (I got her season one for her birthday-i'm enjoying it as well hehe). It's still so good.
Back to my point (I promise there is one). A big theme in Lost is starting over with a clean slate. I mean, they're trapped on an island completely shut off from the rest of the world fighting polar bears and crazy monsters and freaky island people (if you haven't watched the show, don't be put off by this). They're surviving. Don't have time to worry about who they were - they are who they choose to be now.
This upcoming book seems like it will focus a great deal on that same aspect of "starting over." Set during the onset of WWII, a group of people forget their pasts and create their own future in order to escape the reality of war. I'm so curious to see what kind of characters this will hold. Not sure what genre this belongs in, but I'm excited that I'll get a chance to read this from an upcoming "big talent."
Sorry this is a late in the day posting. Just kind of decided last minute.
This week the topic was choosing books we would recommend to people who don't normally read within a certain genre. It could be a broad topic like all of YA, or like I chose, a specific genre within YA fiction. So, below are all the dystopian/sci-fi books I would recommend to those who normally stay away!
Oh! and in other huge news, I think I may have finally gotten up the courage to start making a few youtube videos to go along with this blog. I feel like I do better speaking than I do writing... So the new channel is...
Ahh! I'm so excited but very nervous. I kind of just don't want anyone that I know in real life to know about it quite yet- do any other book vloggers feel the same way?
Anyways- I am planning on making my first two videos tomorrow morning, so no telling if they will be up yet- but if you follow the book blogging community on youtube you could just go ahead and subscribe anyways..?! haha!
Anyways, without further ado- the books you should read if you are scared of dystopians or books that dip a little into the sci-fi realm of things.
I don't really know why I was so compelled by Anderson's writing, but I guess it was because it felt so real. Melinda, the narrator/protagonist, is completely realistic. No, I can't personally relate to what she dealt with, but I felt so inside he head and her reasonings. I kind of just wanted to jump in the pages and be just that one voice to tell her, "It's not your fault!"
Whew. So, yeah. Read it.
I know this is a short post, but I don't know what else to tell you. GO! READ!
Hey guys! This week was by far the best book week I have ever had. Pretty exciting right!?
I had seven hardback books come in from Barnes and Noble that I got with the 50% off teen sale and the giftcard my dad gave me for Christmas!
I also used the coupon to buy 5 paperback books in the store, but I'm going to save those for next week as I'm pretty positive I won't have any new books!
I got...
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. I have been wanting this one for so long! People who were lucky enough to read it early have just RAVED about it! I will be picking this one up very soon.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This book takes place during the Holocaust. This seems like the perfect heart-wrenching historical fiction book. I'm so glad to finally have this!
Blood Red Road by Moira Young. If you know me at all, you know I am obsessed with dystopians/post-apocalyptic. I have yet to hear a negative review for this one.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. No explanation needed? Okay. Oh, and I might, possibly, for sure be meeting John Green on Tuesday at a book signing. No big deal.
A Million Suns by Beth Revis. I cannot contain my excitement for this book. Just finished across the Universe and was thoroughly obsessed. I love a book with a big twist!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. So, basically I just got books that everyone else raves about so there is not much of an explanation needed! But yes, super pumped for this one.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Oh my goodness, FINALLY I have my hands on this book. I just think it is absolutely beautiful and I can not wait to read it!
Currently Reading:
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. I'm about halfway through and am still not loving it. Colin (the protagonist) is kind of annoying! But, I have faith that I will end up loving it!
Next up:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Before you all freak out- yes, of course I have already read this trilogy. However, I read the first two in the summer of 2010. So, I need a refresher before the movie comes out!
Well, that is all for this week! Really curious as to what everyone else got. Also, if you have been a follower for a while or are just following today, (thank you in advance! comment and let me know so I can check out your blog!) we have twitter now! Our button is on the sidebar!
First time to do this meme and I'm pumped! Can't wait to see what everyone else has on their list. This is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at Good Reads.
Today's question: Which books are at the top of your list to read this year (new or old release).
I actually only chose 2012 releases, although there are so many books released in years past that I can't wait to read either! Of course, most of mine are sequels! Can't get enough of dystopian trilogies!
Ahh, so much EXCITEMENT!! Please comment, so I can check out your reads for 2012 and keep adding to this monstrous list!
we're just a couple of "young adults" who love to read and read some more. we know we're not experts, but we have a passion for.....well, books! Feel free to request reviews as we are always looking for new reads!
Reviewer: Taylor
Once by Anna Carey. Sequel to Eve.
6. Gone by Michael Grant. Yet another dystopian series I am dying to get into!
8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Enough said. For real. 
Reviewer: Taylor
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