Top Ten Book Recommendations for Those Scared of Dystopians or Sci-Fi

 Hey y'all, Taylor here, it's time for....

 Yay!

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...

http://www.youtube.com/weneedreads

 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. 

By the way, no order at all to it!

Read more...

Book Review: Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Ratings: 5/5

I read DEVOURED this book in a few hours.

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!

Read more...

IMM (8)

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! 

Hope you all have wonderful weeks!

Taylor

Read more...

TGIF (1): 2012 Must Reads

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!

Thanks so much for reading!

Taylor

Read more...

Review: I'll Be There

Reviewer: Taylor

Title: I'll Be There

Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan

Published: May 17, 2011

Source: Library

Series: no

Pages: 400

Rating: 5/5

 

Raised by an unstable father who keeps the family constantly on the move, Sam Border hasn't been in a classroom since the second grade. He's always been the rock for his younger brother Riddle, who stopped speaking long ago and instead makes sense of the world through his strange and intricate drawings. It's said that the two boys speak with one voice--and that voice is Sam's.

Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. The two share an immediate and intense attraction, and soon Sam and Riddle find themselves welcomed into the Bell's home. Faced with normalcy for the first time, they know it's too good to last.

Told from multiple perspectives, Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel offers readers fresh voices and a gripping story, with vivid glimpses into the lives of many unique characters. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together. 

The Main Idea: 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.

Wow guys. This book.. just WOW. Going into it, I had absolutely NO real idea of what it was about. And for that, I am glad. And, because of that, this will be somewhat of a short review because I do not want to spoil it for the rest of you! 





Basically, Sam and his brother have been raised by their theiving, has-no-heart father. They have moved around their whole lives, have had absolutely no friends, and are doing whatever they can do to survive. On the other hand, Emily's biggest worry is the solo her dad is making her sing in church and trying to find a boyfriend. These two stories are the farthest thing from going "hand-in-hand." But, as you will see, the book is all about how one person's actions can change things in multiple person's lives. That's really all I want to say about the plot for fear of spoiling anything!

That being said, I can still tell you that this book was just heart-breakingly amazing. (I know that's not really a word.. oh well.) For one thing, there are SO many characters. And it's not just dual point of view; it's from the point of view of at least 10 different people- focusing mainly on a select few. It was fun getting to hear and read things from various sides of the story. 



I also was not expecting so much action. Well, maybe it wasn't exactly action, but my heart was definitely racing for a good couple of chapters. You will know which ones when you read it- which you definitely should.
 
It 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.

Well done Holly Goldberg Sloan. Well done.

Read more...