Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Hey guys! Before we move on to the review, I have some good news! Reading For a Living has hit 100 followers! Ahhhhh!!!! That makes me so happy! Thank you all so so much! And as a thank you, look out for a giveaway next week! Thanks again guys! And now onto the review!


Dreamland
Sarah Dessen 

Wake up, Caitlin

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

Summary taken from Goodreads

Dreamland was very different from any of Dessen's novels that I have read so far. Dreamland dealt with a much more serious topic then the others, an abusive relationship. I thought it was handled very well. 

I think what made this book so intense for me is that I listened to it on audiobook instead of reading it. Since I don't have any personal experience with the topic, having it read aloud to me gave me serious chills a multiple occasion. It made it so much easier to really get inside Caitlin's head. There were quite a few times I had to turn on some very happy music to keep myself from slipping into a deep depression. Which if that isn't proof of a great novel, I don't know what is!

Caitlin life is completely alter on her birthday, when her sister leaves without a word. Her family now has a hole that Caitlin feels she needs to fill. But she doesn't feel like she can ever live up to her. When she meets Rogerson, she feels like he's the first person to ever really see her, not just a shadow of her sister. And because of that, she lets her whole life spiral so far out of control

Rogerson was a great bad character. At first, I felt so bad for him! He had some very serious family issues that he didn't know how to deal with. And when he met Caitlin, he thought that she was going to save him. He put her on a pedestal. And when, in his eyes, she let him down for the first time, he couldn't handle it. He completely snapped. It was a horrifically sad story that will stay with me for a long time.

Dessen has quickly become a new favorite author. It makes me sad that I wanted so long to read her books!

Quotes I Liked: may contain spoilers

"If you didn't love him, this would have never happened. But you did. And accepting that love and everything that followed it is part of letting it go."
  
"I had this wild thought that he was the only one in all this chaos who was just like me, and that was comforting and profound all at once/"

"I took his wildness from him and tried to fold into myself, filling up the empty spaces all those second place finishes left behind."



Have you read this? What did you think?

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. And not so patiently waiting for!

 The Moon and More
Sarah Dessen
Release date: June 4th, 2013


Emaline works at her family's vacation rental company the summer before she leaves for college. She must confront her values, goals and choices as her relationship with city-boy Theo evolves and she's forced to say goodbye to the beach town where she grew up.

Summary taken for Goodreads

Sarah Dessen is a recently new author for me. But since I read my first novel by her, I've been devouring all of them! I love her so much! When I saw she had a new book on the way, I got so excited! I cannot wait! 

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors/Books I'm Thankful For.

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This is an obviously great topic this week. There are so many authors and books that got me through hard times, made me laugh when I didn't think anything could, and let me cry with them. I'm really excited for this week!

1. J.K. Rowling
I have a strong feeling she is going to be on almost everyone's list. Her books means so much to so many people. They got me through my parents divorced, and introduced me to just how magical the world could be. There are very few people in my generation that aren't thankful for Harry Potter. I love that this book brought so many people together. I will always be forever grateful for J.K. Rowling.

2. Laurell K. Hamilton
Her series, Anita Blake, showed me another world, let me escape wholly into it. It taught me a lot of lessons, especially about being tolerant and how first impressions aren't always correct. Watching Anita grow as a person made me grow as well. This will always be one of my favorite series.

3. Cassandra Clare
I love her. And her books. They have made me laugh, cry, made me so mad I wanted to throw them at the wall... They are wonderful. Just... so wonderful. Beyond thankful for them! AND THE MOVIE IS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME!

4. Katie MacAlister
Katie MacAlister is a wonderful romance author. I have read majority of her books. They are adorable and funny. They have been there when I needed a laugh. Which was a lot!

5. Stephanie Perkins
I love her books! They are so cute! Anna was such a wonderful escape for me, someone who hasn't traveled anywhere at all. I cannot wait to read Isla story! And every single book she ever writes for the rest of her life. She is fantastic!

6. Laurie Faria Stolarz
 I first read one of her books back in middle school, and instantly fell in love with her. Again, I didn't have a particularly happy childhood back in those days. So another magical book showing me a different world was perfect, even if this one did have a bit of a scary twist! Actually, I think these are the books that got me into scary novels! I love them!

7. Neil Gaiman 
Neil Gaiman is just an unbelievable person. His writing just comes alive and sucks you in. I cannot imagine not reading another book by him. He is one of the authors that made me want to be a writer myself! The most thankful for him! 

8. John Green
Again, John Green is just a fantastic human being. He does great things for the world! The world would be a worst place without him and his brother, Hank. His books mean so much to so many people. Myself included.

9. Libba Bray
Libba Bray writes these incredibly unique novels that make you see the world in such a different way.You can't help but fall in love with them and with her. I love escaping into these worlds she created and am so thankful for her creating them!

10. Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison is another author that made me want to become a writer. She writes these beautiful urban fantasies that sucked me in completely. That made me want to do the same for others. Lighting that fire in me is something I will always be thankful for.


What about you guys? What books slash authors are you thankful for?

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

 Summary taken from Goodreads


Unfortunately,  this was my least favorite book in the series. But that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It just wasn't what I wanted or what I expected. I felt like everyone kept doing things that were out of character. 

I spent almost the entire book being so furious with Jeremiah. Which definitely had never happened before. I really liked Jeremiah and Belly together, but they just kept making terrible mistakes that didn't make any sense to me.

Honestly, Conrad was all that kept me reading. He is just... so broken and messed up and I just want to fix him! 

All in all, I was happy with the ending, but the rest of the book was lacking. 

And now for something new here! I'm going to try to start writing down certain quotes I liked from books. These might be a little spoilerish so read at your own risk!

"It's not all the sudden," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "It's always."

"When did you know you were in love?"
I didn't have an answer to that question. There hadn't been one specific moment. It was like gradually waking up. You go from being asleep to the space between dreaming and awake then into consciousness. It's a slow process, but when you're awake, there's no mistaking it. 
There was no mistaking it was love.


So, for those of you who've read it, who did you want Belly to end up with?

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Etiquette and Espionage
Gail Carriger
Release date: February 5th, 2013

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

First in a four book YA series set 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate but in the same universe.

Ahhhh! Parasol Protectorate but for young adults! I want this more than most things! I cannot wait for this book!

What are you waiting on this weeK 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Want On A Deserted Island

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is going to the roughest. I love so many books and would want all of my favorites with me. Especially when it comes to series. I would want to bring every book of the series with me, but I will try my hardest not to cheat. No matter how much I want to!

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I am so in love with this book. And if I was stuck on a deserted island all by myself, I would definitely need this book to keep me in good spirits.

2. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
I would have to bring at least one book by Clare, and I chose the one where everyone gets at least a semi happy ending. Before she decided to keep writing more books and continuing to break my heart all the damn time.

3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
This is my favorite Neil Gaiman book so far. I feel like I could read it a thousand times and never get bored. That's just the sort of books he writes. Love em.

4. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Another book where I wouldn't get bored. I could read about the amazing Noah Shaw for the rest of my life. Oh am I on a deserted island? I didn't notice because NOAH SHAW.

5. Imaginary Girls by Nova Rev Suma

Imaginary Girls drew me in so completely that I forgot where I was every time I opened it. I am positive that it would do the same again. This book is a whole new world that dazzle me completely. It would be the perfect escape on an island.

6. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Every time I read this book, the world fades away. And then I want to die. This book would be a book to read when I'm sad and have lost hope to remind me, Hey. It could be worse.

7. Looking For Alaska by John Green
John Green is just amazing. I can't imagine never being able to read one of his books again. Having it there would be a must.

8. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
This would be such a cute distraction to have. Amy and Roger's is just the cutest book and I could read it again and again.

9. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
This will always be my favorite series. Anita Blake has a permanent place in my heart. If I was stuck on an island, I would need her. I could read the beginning of her story every day for the rest of ever. It's a must have.

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
For when I'm in more of a serious mood. It's my favorite classic novels and I've never had time to reread it. There are just so many books! But I would be able to give it the time it deserved if I only had ten books to read for the rest of time!


I am excited to see what everyone else chose! Do we have any books in common? Make sure to leave me a link to your Top Ten!

Daily Dose (11)

Hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly

Daily Dose is all about posting pictures that inspire us. Since, for some unknown reason, I am craving winter, that's my theme this week. I usually hate winter, but I want snow and cold and warm, fuzzy hats. But for some reason, Minnesota (of all places) isn't cooperating yet. So instead, here are some wintery photos. (I do not own any of these photos)

Anyone else experiencing sudden winter lust?

In My Mailbox (12)/ Stacking the Shelves (1)

 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Dearly Beloved by Lia Habel
The Diviners by Libba Bray
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers 

Sorry for the extremely crappy quality of my camera. The webcam on my computer is super awesome, can't you tell?

What did you get in your mailbox?

Top Ten Tuesdays: Freebie!

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week is freebie week. I have zero creativeness flowing today so I decided to pick an old topic. I decided to go with Top Ten Series I Haven't Finished. Which there are so freaking many I don't know how I am going to choose. I seriously need a year where no one publishes any new books at all so I can catch up on all my series. Can this be a thing please?

 1. The Forest of Hands and Teeth series by Carrie Ryan
I really enjoyed the first one, but I've stalled on The Dead Tossed Waves a couple different times. I think I just need to get past the first couple chapters and I'll love it. Need to get on that!

2. House Of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast
I was listening to all of these on audiobook and made it to number five. But now that I've moved back to Duluth my library doesn't carry them that way. Darn it anyways!

3. The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
I am only two books behind since the new one just came out so I really need to get on that! I love this series so much and cannot wait for the movie! Gah!!! 

4. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
I've only read the first two books so I am super behind. I loved this series! I have no idea why I keep pushing it back.  Seriously, people. Stop coming out with new books so I can catch up, please.

5. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr 
Another series that I have no idea why I stopped on it. Maybe because I ran out of money and I need to own them all! They're so good!  

6. The Immortals by Alyson Noel  
I've only read the first two of these. It's not my favorite series ever but I think it's really interesting and has a lot of potential. But I brought the first two and, since I'm a crazy person, I have to buy all the them. So they are on the to-buy list, just not that high.

7. Divergent series by Veronica Roth 
I AM BUYING INSURGENT TODAY! I wanted to read it the moment I finished Divergent. And I have a Barnes and Noble coupon and it is payday today. It will be mine!  

8. Touch series by Laurie Faria Stolarz 
I love Stolarz so much. I fell in love with her back in 2003 with her Blue is for Nightmares series. I have every one of the books she written (besides the rest of this series) and I cannot wait to finish this series.

9. Wicca series by Cate Tiernan 
 Dude I started this series back in middle school. I am 22 now. What the hell! I need to get back on these. 

10. Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent 

I love this series.  But I think I am afraid to keep reading. What if bad things happen?! I can't. I just can't.   


I actually have a whole shelf on Goodreads that are just series I need to finish. Seriously. But that's definitely the ones I need to get on right away!

What did you pick as your freebie? 

Daily Dose (10)

Hello, one and all! Guess what?! I have the internets again! That means we are back to our regular schedule blogging! Woohooo! So excited! Let's get this going!

Hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly (or at least it used to be but she hasn't done it in awhile) I don't own any of these pictures.

Top Ten Tuesdays: Romances that would make it in the real world

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I love this topic. There are definitely some book relationships that would probably fail in the real world. Here’s my list.

1. Anna and St. Clair- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and St. Clair had a very realistic relationship. No insta-love here! They took their time and learned about each other before they got together. And the had to overcome very real obstacles before then too. They would make a great real life romance.

2. Lola and Cricket- Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Cleary, Miss Perkins knows how to write a romance. These two just went together so well and built a good solid foundation before they got together. They knew each other for a long time before they got together. It was perfect.

3. Clary and Jace- Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
JACE AND CLARTY ARE PERFECT. Ahem. I mean. Jace and Clary balance each other out perfectly. They work well together and both would fight to stay together. I think they would have a lot of fights, but it would work. They would make it work. And I think that’s more important than anything else.

4. Belly and Jeremiah- Summer series by Jenny Han
I’m going to start by saying that I haven’t read the last book so I don’t know how it ends. Please don’t tell me! And secondly, in the book I am a Conrad fan all the way. I want him and Belly to be together. But in the real world, I think Jeremiah would work better with her. He makes her life and is more down to earth, no drama there. I think it would balances Belly out, since she is kind of a drama queen…

5. Colin and Lindsay- An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Colin and Lindsay really built up a great friendship before they started dating, and I think that is crucial in real world relationships. It’s hard to start a romance with no solid background and have it last. They were super adorable and I think they would make a great couple in real life.

6. Tessa and Jem- Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
First off let me say, TEAM WILL. All the way. But once again, in the real world I think Tessa and Jem would work better together. They have similar mannerism and would work well together. (Though book Tessa belongs with Will. No doubt about it.)

7. Rose and Dimitri- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
This is another couple who would do anything to stay together. Whatever obstacle came their way, they’d overcome it. They believe in each other and they love each other. Maybe I am a bit of a romantic, but I think that’s more than an enough to make it in the real world.

8. Katniss and Peeta- The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Katniss is the exact opposite of Peeta, but in a good way. They round each other out. They are perfect partners. When one of the them was weak, the other was strong. They would definitely make it in the real world.

9. Anita and Micha- Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton
There are a lot of love interest to chose from in Anita Blake, but Micha is the one that would work in the real would. He is the perfect mixture of dominance and submissive that Anita needs. He keeps her sane. I think they would work well together in the real world.

10. Rachel and Kisten- The Hollows series by Kim Harrison
If he wasn’t. Well. You know. Sad.. I just love the two of them. They worked together so well. Oh man. I miss him.

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach.

Summary taken from Goodreads

I am completely in love with this series. It’s the perfect blend of summer fun and complete heartbreak. Though this one was definitely more heartbreak than fun. I liked The Summer I Turned Pretty a little better but this one was still amazing.

    It’s Not Summer starts out telling us that Belly will never be going back to Cousin’s beach because Suzanne has past away. Hello tears! And in the first chapter too. Ouch. Then we have some heartbreaking flash backs of how horrible Conrad treated Belly. I just wanted to smack that kid! He made her feel like she completely made up their relationship in her head, which we all know was the furthest from the truth. What a dick. ‘Cuse my language.

    Then we have Belly’s mom. After losing her best friend, she completely shuts down. She went through the motions of day to day life, but she wasn’t really there. It was like she lost a piece of herself and didn’t know how to go on without Beck. Ugh it was so painful.

    In all honesty, Belly bugged me a bit in this one. Though I think that was kind of intentional. She was grieving and didn’t know how to deal with it. She acted like she was the only one who lost someone and it kinda made me want to punch her a little bit. Instead of trying to understand what Conrad was going through, she just pushed and pushed. Gah is all I have to say about that!

    “How do you regret one of the best nights of your entire life? You don’t. You remember every word, every look. Even when it hurts, you still remember.” That line. Oh that line. It kicked me right in the gut. I literally burst into tears and had to put the book down. Han is amazing at doing that, hitting you right where it hurts the most. Her writing is beautiful and I loved every word of it.

    I’m still a little shaky about the ending. I got it, it made sense. And I hated it. But then I didn’t. See? Shaky. (Except with how badass Belly’s mom was at the end! Loved it!) The next book is definitely the next on my to buy list. I can’t wait to see how it end, but I also don’t want it to end. You know what I mean?

    Have you read this series? What do you think?

Daily Dose (9)

Meme hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

 Summary taken from Goodreads 

It took me a really long time to figure out exactly what I thought of this book. If you've read it, you know what I mean. It just kept throwing you through loop after loop. I couldn't figure out what was real and what was just in Chloe's mind. I had to put the book down for almost a week before I really processed what I thought of it.

Suma's writing made this story. I think if anyone else would have attempted a novel like this, they would have failed. This is a story that is really just about two sisters. Nothing else. But Suma drags you in to this beautiful, haunting world of two sisters that you can't escape.

 A world that lies underneath the reservoir called Olive. 


Was Olive just a story that Ruby made up, or do the citizens still live there, dragging anyone down with them who swam into their territory? The whole thing was just so creepy.


Ruby and Chloe's relationship was beyond anything I have ever experience. I know what it's like to worship your older sister, since I'm the baby in my family. But this was something beyond that. Chloe really believe that Ruby could change their world just by wanting something. Chloe's whole world revolved around Ruby. She didn't feel like she existed unless Ruby was with her. It was a scary devotion that I will never understand. Sometimes it felt like Chloe hated Ruby a little, but she couldn't live without her. Their relationship was the most tangled and confusing I have ever read. 


Honestly, I'm still having a hard time putting this book into words. Because, well, nothing really happens. And usually that would be a bad thing. But that's not the case in the least with Imaginary Girls. It's completely creepy, haunting, eerie, and a mess of other adjectives to describe the chills this book left you with. It's not something I can write in a review, it's something you have to experience for yourself. 


It's been a long time since a book left me speechless and unsure of what I just read. But Imaginary Girls did so in the best way. Basically all I can say is read it. Then you'll know what I mean.