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 Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life.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?

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!

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

Out April 3.

Ahhh! I cannot wait for the third book in the Curse worker series! I just finally got around to finishing Red Glove and it is just the most amazing series. I love it more than her Tithe series! I cannnnnooootttt wait!


What are you waiting on?

Ton Top Tuesdays: Books That Broke Your Heart

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish.

Now the original title of this was 'Books that broke your heart a little.' I decided to drop the little and post books that absolutely shattered me. I love me some saddness, can't help it. Don't get me wrong I like a happy ending, but I always found myself drawn to book that hurt you so badly you don't know how there could possibly be a happy ending. Alright bring on the tear jerkers!

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS.

1. Anything by Cassandra Clare but specifically Clockwork Prince.
Clare is a master at setting up these beautiful relationships you can't help but root for. Annnndddd then she tears everyhing apart. Oh but wait, here's a tiny bit of hope to cling to. Oh wait again, just kidding! For the Infernal Devices series, I can't see a happy ending. Someone is going to be hurt. And more than likely, someone is going to be dead. Cassandra Clare, you brilliant, heartless bitch.

(I love Cassandra Clare. I don't really think she's a bitch. No one take that seriously.)

2. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Saddest book ever. And movie. I can only handle watching the movie like once a year, even though it's one of my absolute favorite. It just hurts too much. There is no happy ending to be found here. Not for anyone.

3. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
While most of these books break your heart in some way, but this one was the worse. Seeing Dimitri as a Strigoi was the worst. Worse than thinking he had dead. It broke my heart so bad.

4. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 
I don't think I could read this book again. It is a wonderful book. But it is completely heartbreaking. A young boy and his dogs. It is a wonderfully sad but hopefully story. As someone who has had dogs her entire life, I know how hard losing a pet can be. I remember just sobbing when we read it in class in elementary school, and I haven't been able to bring myself to read it again. Too much for me.


5. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
This book starts out with a death. And while this one ends on a note of hope, watching the main character trying to deal with the death was so heartbreaking. Especially because she feels like she can't talk to anyone about it. She had a secret relationship with her best friends brother and  he died before they could tell him. It was just the worst. But what a wonderful story.


6. For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
One of the worst deaths in a series ever. I am still mad at Harrison for killing Kisten. We are like five books later and it makes me sad all the time. I loved him so much. I will probably never forgive her.

7. Bridge to Terabithia bgy Katherine Paterson
What a beautifully sad story. Losing a friend at that age, I can't even imagine. But somehow the boy survives it. And doesn't lose his brilliant imagination. I just loved it. Even though it was hard to continue after her death. I'm glad I did though.


8. Gone by Lisa McMann 
This was the last book in the Wake series. And it. I mean, I can't even explain it. It was happy, or as happy as it could be. It was kind of a no win situation. Janie's life was going to be short and hard, but she was making the most of it. It just hurt.


9. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson 
Another book that starts with a death. I should seriously consider stop reading books that start that way. But I love them. And this is a wonderful story. It was sad and beautiful and fantastic. 

10. Graceling by Kristen Cashore 
Another bittersweet ending that nearly killed me. It wasn't anywhere near fair what happened to Po, but I guess it worked out in the end. Still the tears were flowing that's for sure.


I can't wait to see your guys picks! I love books that make me cry and cannot wait to discover new ones!


What's your Top Ten?

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins.
Release date: 3/13/12 

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Summary taken from Goodreads

 I am so in love with this series. I cannot wait to jump back into this wonderful world. And Archer. I need more Archer in my life.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

 Ahhh! Bitterblue! Finally! I am so excited for this to come out! Graceling was so amazing and I can't wait to escape back into this world. Fire fell a little short for me but I still hold high hopes for Bitterblue.

So what are you waiting for?  

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Summary taken from Goodreads

Another fabulous book from Clare, as always. But what really sets this series apart from the TMI series is the setting. Clare's writing never fails to impress me and her Victorian London is so vivid and beautiful. I felt completely transported back in time when I read this.

Another thing that Clare does way too well, love triangles. Even more in this than TMI. She makes it almost impossible to choose between Jem and Will. They are completely different people, both wonderful in there own way. Though if I'm being honest, Will has my heart completely after this one.

We finally get to see more into Will's past and we gain a  much better insight into him. Thank god! I was furious at the end of Clockwork Angel, so many unanswered questions! And while she doesn't wrap everything up, my Will curiosity was satisfied.

Jem is just wonderful too. He is such a sweetheart and has been such a loyal friend to Will, no matter how horrible he's been. If I didn't have such a soft spot for damaged bad boys I'd be head over heels for Jem. But I see him more as someone Tessa should be best friends with. Just friends, Tessa, you hear me?

The mysteries of the Magister just grow! Not to mention how Tessa came to be! Ah I cannot wait for Clockwork Princess to finally answer all my questions!

I can't say one bad thing about this book. Seriously. I think Clare is pretty much flawless and just keeps getting better with each book. I can't wait to read more by her. I hope she never stops writing about the Shadowhunter world.

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

 In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling.



City of Lost Souls!!! After the cover reveal last week I knew this was going to be my WoW. Especially since I just finished Clockwork Prince (review up Friday!). I just love everything Cassandra Clare does. And this cover! So beautiful! I may or may not have teared up a little just looking at it and reading the prologue. I just cannot wait. At all.


What are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Hmm. This is going to be a tough one...

1. Neil Gaiman!
I love him so much! I still haven't read all the ones he has written, but I still wish he would write more novels. I know he is doing some graphic novels, but those aren't really for me. I hope he writes another novel ASAP.

2. Stephen Chbosky- author of Perks of Being a Wallflower
As far as I know, that was the only book he's written. And it was completely amazing!!! I still love it years later! Write me another one please!

3. Annette Curtis Klause- author of Blood and Chocolate
Such a great werewolf novel. She has an amazing writing style and I would love to see more books from her.

4. Chevy Stevens
Okay. She just wrote a book last year. So what? I want another one!


And sadly, that's all I got. All the authors I read are still putting out books. Wait.... That's not sad at all :-D

In My Mailbox No. 8

As always, hosted by the Story Siren

Hey guys! Long time no see. 2012 is the year of reading (and reviewing) books for me so be prepared to see a whole lot more of me.

Also, excuse the rambliness that is me in this video. I recorded it at 2 am after I was done with work.

Deadly Little Games
Touch of Frost
Matched
Cryer's Cross

30 Day Book Challenge. Day Seven.

Day 07- A Book that’s hard to read

Basically anything by Chuck Palahniuck.

Not only does his writing style take me awhile to get into but his books are so raw and real, they are so hard to read. It took me forever to finish Fight Club because of the style of the writing. I think without the movie I would have been so lost.

Don't get me wrong, I love his work. I just have to give myself plenty of time between them. They leave you feeling raw and exposed. Not to mention a little ashamed sometimes...