Music Matching Monday: New Segment!

Hey people of books and all things reading! I recently took to social media to ask you guys what y'all would like to see on this blog and I got some really awesome Ideas from people! I want this blog to be about books and reviews but I also want to include things that are book related to add something fun to my blog but also keep the theme of books going. So, without further typing, here's a brand new segment for you guys! I'm calling it "Music Matching Monday!"

Here's How It Works:

 

Every Monday, I'll choose a book and pair it with a song and tell you why I think they go together so well. It's pretty much like giving a book your own personal soundtrack. I have PLENTY of books and songs that I've paired together in my mind so I'm super excited to share my pairings with you guys! This idea came from one of my friends on Instagram @bookishmelissa (whom you should follow). Since my account name on IG is @books.music.life, she suggested I combine music and books together which I think is a brilliant way to interweave my account and blog :)

So, here's the first pairing I have for you guys!

 

 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

 

I've paired this book with one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists! This pairing has actually been one for almost a year now and every time I play this song, I still can't get it through my head how the song somehow didn't make it into the movie or official soundtrack. Like, what even?

Like A Star by Britt Nicole



Review: To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Rating: PG

Genre: Contemporary

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 355

Book #1 of the To All The Boys I've Loved Before duology

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Published: January 1, 2014

 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

 

Review:

PROS:

1. If you know anything about the book community on social media and YouTube, you have probably more than likely heard of this book and know how much hype surrounds this book, especially since the sequel is coming out later this year. After weeks of waiting to read this book, (my TBR is HUGE) I finally got to pick it up and I have to say, I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did! Let's get started with the review!

 

2. The characters in this book were so adorable and loveable I just wanted to jump right into the book and have them be my own friends. They were so different in personalities but they went together so well and made an entertaining group of friends. I fell in love with Lara Jean's character for many reasons. I liked how she was very quirky and a little socially awkward which in my case, I related to a lot. She also had to grow up a little faster after her sister leaves for college and she's left alone to take care of the family, including her sassy and feisty little sister Kitty. I also loved how Lara Jean, even though she wanted to be with someone, cared more about her family and friends than being in love. She was just a girl who wanted to find out who she was exactly and focus on the people she loved the most.

 

3. The romance in this book was nothing short of entertaining. Lara Jean and Peter were very sarcastic with each other as well as goofy and even though they didn't get each other most of time, it was funny to see them try. I also liked the romance between Lara Jean and Josh. They had chemistry but didn't really know how to deal with it, considering they were close childhood friends and didn't want to lose each other. That's right people, this one has a major love triangle!

 

4. The character development was absolutely fantastic! I loved getting to know them all and see what each character was like, even the side characters were well developed in just a short amount of time. Some characters were funny, some were sassy, some were smart, and some were just plainly and clearly the bad guys but you still loved them a little. I'm excited to see how the story progresses in the sequel and see just where everyone ends up and what happens next!

 

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I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

 

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Out May 26, 2015

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

All Fall Down By Ally Carter

Rating: PG

Genre: YA Fiction, Action & Adventure

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 310

Book #1 of the Embassy Row Series

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: January 20, 2015

 

This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row. Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.

 

Review:

PROS:

1. I'm not only a huge fan of the lovely and talented Ally Carter but I'm also such a huge fan of this new novel by her! I seriously couldn't wait to get my hands on it and even though I wasn't able to pick it up immediately after buying it, my excitement only increased. Here's the review!

 

2. One thing I seriously loved about this book was the characters! I loved the witty and sarcastic banter between them and it was exactly what you'd expect from a band of misfits trying to unravel the mystery of a murder. Grace was definitely my favorite out of all of them however. I loved how Grace knew she wasn't perfect despite her grandfather's important place in society and I loved how she accepted it but also used her imperfections to drive her to do whatever it took to catch her mother's killer. I also loved how Grace and Alexei had some major chemistry between them but Grace, however, chose to put her feelings aside and focus on her mission. I felt she was a strong character and very daring and a big risk taker.

 

3. The whole book had an air of mystery from the first page to the last. I loved how the story unfolded and how, at first, things seemed somewhat normal in Grace's life until different events started happening which revealed the true nature of Grace's personality and anxiety. It also felt like there were multiple twists and turns and even some pretty exciting, heart pounding moments that kept you on the edge of your seat. I wasn't sure where the story would go when I first picked it up but then things started falling into place, secrets were revealed, rumors were spread and a path was opened up for the story and boy did I love where it headed!

 

4. This book was an exciting, heartbreaking, heart pounding, action and suspense with a touch of romance read that I seriously want to reread it already! Not only did this book have an amazing band of characters, very well developed ones at that, and a really amazing world and surprising truths, but it had a mind blowing and all around freaking amazing plot twist about 20 pages from the end! Needless to say, I almost had a heart attack while reading and because of the amazing ending, I need the sequel to see what happens next! A sequel that I know will be worth the wait!

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

 

Purchase On Amazon

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Brooklynn's Bridge by K.T. Hunter

Brooklynn's Bridge by K.T. Hunter

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Rating: PG

Genre: Drama, YA Fiction

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 144

Book #1 of the Brooklynn's Bridge series

Publisher: Spectacle Publishing Media Group

Published: January 9, 2015

 

After her life is turned upside down through a serious of unfortunate events, sixteen-year-old Brooklynn is forced to move to Texas, where she and her family can start over. Plagued with the ability to read the thoughts of those around her and visions of the future, she must juggle adapting to her new high school and saving those she sees may be doomed to die. But after the incident back in Edmonds, Washington with Alex Pierce, Brooklynn is shaken about her ability and with only her grandmother, Karen, to understand her, she’s not sure whom she can trust—especially after meeting the mysterious and fearless January who seems to be the one person immune to her abilities. With a new school, new friends, and the conflicting feelings of a new crush, Brooklynn has a lot to manage… all while dealing with January’s impending threats of revenge. Filled with suspense, drama, and wit, Brooklynn’s Bridge will take readers through a spiraling mystery, as it follows Brooklynn and her secret abilities through the whirling world of high school and revenge… but will her powers and her new friends be enough to allow her escape January’s grasp with her life?

 

Review:

PROS:

1. After being sent this book for review by the author herself, I was pretty excited to read this book since I'd been looking for more of a fantasy read and since this book deals with psychic abilities, it counted as one in my book. Keep reading for the review!

 

2. I really loved the characters in this book from our "evil villain" to our main character, Brooklynn. I really liked Brooklynn's character because I felt she was relatable. Seeing as she was the new girl in school, fell into the wrong crowd of friends and had to deal with being different, I definitely felt like myself and Brooklynn had an understanding on certain levels and I thought that others could see eye to eye as well. I liked that she was quiet and nice but also tended to shut people out due to her struggle with her unique ability.

 

3. I really liked the storyline in this book. I liked how at first, things in Brooklynn's life didn't seem to be related at all with each other, such as her run in with Alex Pierce and even January's anger and hate towards Brooklynn but later seemed to all weave together with other things that were happening in the story and blended well into a few surprising conclusions. It had an air of mystery throughout the whole story and I really enjoyed that.

 

4. Lastly, I enjoyed the author's writing. Everything from the characters to the plot, climax and everything in between was well written and fleshed out and beautifully developed. I loved the mystery and suspense, romance and even the touch of comedy in this book. 

 

CONS:

1. The only thing I didn't enjoy that much about this book was that at first, the story didn't seem to have any real plot which is understandable since there had to be some world building and character development first before diving into the rest of the book. Everything did fall into place, however, as the story progressed.

 

Age Recommendation: 13+

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

A Time To Reap by Jonas Lee

A Time To Reap by Jonas Lee

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Rating: PG

Genre: Sci-fi, Time Travel

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 250

Book #1 of the Legend Of Carter Gabel Series

Publisher: Createspace

Published: July 2014

 

Pemberton Academy is not just a school, it’s a gathering place for the children of the future that are afflicted with Temporal Displacement and Telepathy; in short, time travelers and mind readers who have been diagnosed with this “disease.” The Academy is not all as it seems after an explosion nearly takes one of its classmates, but not before Carter Gabel rescues her by using an unknown symptom related to his described illness. An unsanctioned group called the Program begins taking notice as the two classmates exhibit stronger abilities when they are together. Carter's sense of reality begins to unwind as he learns more about his estranged father's involvement with it all. Carter will have to overcome the past of his father leaving, the present of an unknown adversary hunting him down and a future that seems to change with each decision he makes. He will have to learn who to trust out of the people in his life if he wants to conquer the looming notion that the government may be hunting him down because of his developing abilities.

 

Review:

PROS:

1. First off, I was pretty excited when I was sent this book for review not only because it sounded freaking cool, but also because it was the type of book that I'd been wanting to read. There are quite a few things I liked about this book so without any more rambling, let's just jump right into the review!

 

2. The characters in this book were so loveable in many ways. I have to say that our main character, Carter, is definitely my favorite, hands down. He was very funny with his sarcastic comments and snarky personality and pretty much had the perfect image of a typical teenage boy with a sometimes overprotective mom and not enough sleep to handle his very exciting and unpredictable life. I really loved Carter because he made me laugh out loud with the things he said and was just a fun character to follow in this book.

 

3. The storyline was fast-paced from beginning to end which, of course, is always a good thing for a sci-fi book. I loved getting to know about Carter's world, the abilities he has, as well as going along for the ride as he has to not only stay out of harm's way but also fight to keep the people he cares about alive. There was a lot of twists and turns that kept me hooked, wanting to know what happens next and also had a few mind blowing moments and plot twists that were pretty awesome.

 

4. I really enjoyed the writing in this book as well. I really loved how the sarcastic comments from the characters gave the book a lighter and fun loving feel even though the story was a bit dark and serious. I also loved how everything was well explained from Carter's ability to Leap, to how him and his gang planned on pretty much shutting down an entire government system. It was an exciting read and I recommend this book to anyone who wants something fun, fast-paced, and is full of exciting moments that will have you on the edge of your seat.

 

Age Recommendation: +13

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

January Wrap-Up and Book Haul 2015

Hey bookworms! So this month was really good to me both with reading and book buying! There is a lot of both so let's just get started!

Wrap- Up

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Bang by Lisa McMann

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (reread)

Evermore by Alyson Noël

Love Of The Undefined by Amelia Louise Carter

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards

The Edge Of Falling by Rebecca Serle

Memoirs Of A Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

(Reviews available for all the books above)

 

Book Haul

 

How Rude! by Alex J. Packer, PH.D - Library- $1

Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas -Half Price Books- $4.99

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin - Half Price Books- $8.99

Eragon by Christopher Paolini -Library- $2

The Help by Katheryn Stockett -Library- $2

The Edge Of Falling by Rebecca Serle -Half Price Books- $4.99

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han -Half Price Books- $4.99

Fairest by Marissa Meyer -Target- $14.95

All Fall Down by Ally Carter -Target- $14.95 (signed copy)

Good Girls by Laura Ruby -Thrift Shop- $0.50

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot -Thrift Shop- $0.50

Uglies by Scott Westerfield -Thrift Shop- $0.50

Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint -Given book-

October Baby by Eric Wilson and Theresa Preston -Mardel- $5.00

Avalon High by Meg Cabot -Thrift Shop- $0.50

The False Prince by Patrick Nielsen -Thrift Shop- $0.50

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan -Library- $1

Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast -Thrift Shop- $3.00 total

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern -Library- $1

The Maze Runner movie (Blu-ray Collector's Edition) -Target- $19.95

Divergent Official Illustrated Movie Companion- Half Price Books- $7.99

 

Phew . . . that was a lot of typing.



Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 332

Book #1 of the Vampire Academy Series

Publisher: Razorbill

Published: 2007

 

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . . Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

 

Review:

PROS:

1. In case you didn't know, I'm currently on the hunt all of this year to find some really good vampire series/books and obviously, this book was the first on my list to check out. Seeing as this book has been talked about so much by so many people, I thought I would stop putting off reading it and decided to finally pick it up. Let's get started with the review!

 

2. Even though they weren't my favorite group, I still really enjoyed the characters in this book. I especially loved Rose. She was very determined and didn't take well to authority and was the type of person who didn't like being told what to do, who to be and how to act. I felt she was very rebellious but still aware of her duties as a protector of Lissa.

 

3. I also liked that this book had multiple high points that kept me intrigued. It was quite a roller coaster of events with something unexpected right around the corner in every chapter. 

 

4. Overall, it was worth the read and I had a lot of fun reading it. I will most definitely be continuing on with the series. It wasn't overly cheesy or unbelievable and it was even funny at times. It was a darker read that I enjoyed and it was romantic, exciting, mysterious and a lot of fun.

 

CONS:

1. At times during this book, it got really slow and sometimes felt like it dragged some scenes on too long. Which is a common problem with most books so nothing personal!

 

2. I would've loved to see more character development in this book since I couldn't connect with most of them. I know during the rest of the books I'll more than likely see just that but I would've liked to have gotten to know them in this first book.

 

Age Recommendation: 13+

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!