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 Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life.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

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: 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?

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Hello people! I am so sorry I have been gone so long! This not having internet thing is slowing killing  me this blog and I am so sorry! I am trying harder to make sure I have a day to get all the post for a week backed up but I still can't promise I will be updating regularly until I get internet of my own again. But enough about me. Book time!

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Will West is careful to live life under the radar. At his parents’ insistence, he’s made sure to get mediocre grades and to stay in the middle of the pack on his cross-country team. Then Will slips up, accidentally scoring off the charts on a nationwide exam.

Now Will is being courted by an exclusive prep school . . . and is being followed by men driving black sedans. When Will suddenly loses his parents, he must flee to the school. There he begins to explore all that he’s capable of—physical and mental feats that should be impossible—and learns that his abilities are connected to a struggle between titanic forces that has lasted for millennia.

Out  9/25/12
Summary taken from Goodreads 


How cool does that sound! I always love reading books where a boy is main character and this one sounds like it's going to be packed with adventure! I can't wait to get my hands on this!


What are you waiting on this week?

White Witch by Trish Milburn

Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business.No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. “Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls. Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina. She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life. A boyfriend. Friends. Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind. He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night. Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her. But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil? Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens. To believe there is some good in her.

Summary taken from Goodreads.


White Witch was a fun, quick read. I didn't love it, but it kept my attention and was entertaining enough.


There was a bad case of insta-love in this one. Not just insta-love, but STARCROSSED insta-love. Keller and Jax see each other for the first time, and then they are in love. But she's a witch and he hunts the supernatural. Not really anything new there and the should-I-shouldn't-I got old pretty quick. 


That aside, I enjoyed the plot. Jax is a witch on the run from her coven because they're evil and they force everyone in the coven to do evil. She doesn't want that for herself, so she runs. Now if they find her, they'll kill her. Even though she's blood family. Kinda messed up huh? So now Jax is trying to blend in and live a normal life. She clashes with the 'queen bee', makes friends with the quirky outsider, and attracts the hottest, most unattainable guy in school. Again, not much for new ideas. 


I did like the quirky best friend and her Whedon obsession. As a lifelong Whedon fanatic, I loved all the Buffy and Firefly references. 


Overall, White With was a fast, enjoyable read, even if it's not terribly original. I'd say it's worth reading, but no need to run out and buy a copy THIS MINUTE. Probably more of a borrow book than a buy.


Have you read this? Let me know what you thought of it in comments!

Slipping Reality by Emily Beaver

In a time of hardship and heartbreak, sometimes, reality just isn't enough. Slipping Reality is the story of fourteen-year-old Katelyn Emerson, who, when faced with the glaring reality of her brother's illness, rebels against the truth by slipping away into the depths of her own imagination. There, she finds the kind of support and comfort she feels she deserves. There, she does not have to feel so alone. And yet, as Katelyn's grasp on reality begins to unravel, so too does the story of a girl who grew up too fast and fell apart too soon. Emily Beaver's debut novel is a coming of age story that deals with the trials of young grief, insight, and growth where it's least expected.

Summary taken from Goodreads


This is going to be a hard review. It feels almost cruel, writing a bad review for this book, knowing that it's semi-autobiographical. But... it just wasn't a good book. It was written by a grieving fourteen year old girl, and it shows.


In the author's note, it says that this book was written as a form of therapy, a way to help the author deal with the death of her brother. I understand that, and have even done a little bit of that myself. But I personally think maybe it should have stayed that way and not been published. The story wasn't plausible, the writing wasn't good, and the pacing was off.


Part of the reason I disliked it so much was everyone in Katelyn's life, besides her imaginary friends, were completely okay with the fact she was pulling away from everyone, including her dying brother. That rang so false to me. Her parents and her best friend would have never let her get away with it, not if they cared about her at all. Not being there when someone you love dies, it's one of the worst feelings there is. Katelyn wouldn't have been able to forgive herself that easily, and her family would have known that and tried to put a stop to it.

We also spent eighty-five percent of this book listening to Katelyn debate whether or not Tristen and Cedric were real. She would say that she didn't care anymore, then go right back to the real-not real questions. It would have been okay, but they just kept saying the same things over and over again. No new information was given. It also really creeped me out that Katelyn was romatically involved with a figment of her imagination.  And didn't think it was strange at all. Nope. Completely normal...


And finally, my biggest complaint. Katelyn kept talking about her amazing relationship with her brother Matthew. How her whole life was about him. And she spends the entire book ignoring him. We see him about five times the entire novel. It was sad he was dying, but I had no emotional attachment to him. I had no idea who he was, other than as a boy dying of cancer.


I wanted to like this book. I really did. Especially knowing that parts were taken from the author's real life. But Slipping Reality fell flat in too many ways for me to enjoy it.
 

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?

Top Ten: Favorite Paranormal Young Adults Books

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week the topic is top ten X genre and I went for Paranormal Young Adults books. I went for more specific to try and narrow it down. Still. It's going to be a hard choice. But here we go!

1. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
I freaking love this series. Evie is so cute and spunky. And there are some really interesting paranormals in this series that I haven't seen before. I can't wait to see what happens in Endlessly.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
This is such a fanastic series that I am still sad is over. I can't wait for more from her. I still haven't picked up Bloodlines but I will soon! I promise!

3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Seriously, I cannot rave about this series enough. And I will not stop. They are amazing. As is my next pick.

4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
I don't think there will ever be a top ten that these books won't be in for me. Unless there is a top ten worst books.
Clare is an amazing author. Shadowhunters in Victorian London. Yes please!

5. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
What a wonderful book. I was completely blown away. Ahh. This was such just so great. Please read it.

6. Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
 I really want to read this series again. I fall in love with this in high school. They are so wonderful. Has anyone else read them?

7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
This book blown me away. The paranormal aspect took me by surprise but was totally awesome!


8. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Part paranormal, part historical fiction. It was great fun and quite sad. I couldn't read them fast enough!


9. White Cat by Holly Black
A con artist family with magical powers. Freaking sweet!

10. Wake by Lisa McMann 
This is such a wonderful series. Beautifully written and enticing. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for??


 Alright, what is your top ten??

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.
Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic. 

Summary taken from Goodreads

This book was really interesting. A world where caffeine and chocolate are illegal? No thank you! But it did make for a great read!

I read some complaints about how the coffee and chocolate affected people in this world. But it really didn't bother me at all. Haven't you ever had a caffeine high? Or a sugar rush? Imagine if you only had caffeine and chocolate once a month or even less? Wouldn't it taste better and hit you harder? Especially if you had too much at a time. It made perfect sense to me. Chocolate drunk sounds pretty good to me!

I loved reading about Anya's crime family. The dynamics between Anya and her extended family was so intriguing and different than anything I've read before. It was honorable that Anya was trying to keep her brother and sister far away from it, but family doesn't go away that easily. Not to mention everyone immediately judged her by her last name, assuming she was just like her father. I felt so bad for her!

But I felt worse for her brother and sister. It felt like they just couldn't win! Her brother was in the accident that killed their mother and was brain damaged because of it. It's an understatement that they deserved more than life gave them but they were trying to make the best of it. I loved both of them. 

Win... hmm. I liked him as a character, but I didn't really like the love story between him and Anya. It seemed like a mixture of insta-love and teenage rebellion, like they only got together because they knew they weren't supposed to. It wasn't enough for me. And the end really made me mad! Make up your mind already, geesh!

Anya was definitely my favorite though. She had a really hard life and had to grow up too fast. But she was dealing, and trying to protect her family. I admired that so much! I can't wait to see what she decides to do in the next book!

There was one plot twist I saw coming from miles away, and it bothered me that Anya couldn't see what was happening. It was right in front of her face! She kept almost fixing the situation, but then got distracted by something. And by something, I mean Win. Maybe that's why I didn't like them together...

All in all, a really interesting read and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Starters by Lissa Price

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . 


The world that Price built was completely fascinating. A world where there are no adults. Just kids, called Starters, and very old people, called Enders. And by very old I mean 80 to 200 years old!! How their life span got expanded so much wasn't really explained, which bothered me a bit.


The Spore Wars started it all. There really wasn't much said about the war, not the who or the why. Just that someone released spores over America that killed everyone who came in contact with them.. There weren't enough vaccines for everyone so they started with children and the elderly. Now they're all that's left. I found myself the whole book wishing there was more information on the war.


Life is really hard for Starters that are unclaimed, meaning they have no grandparents or other family to take care of them. If they're are caught, they are taken away by the government and institutionalized. Callie and her brother have been on the run since their mother died and their father was taken away. But when Callie hears about Prime Destinations, she thinks she has found a way to keep them safe forever. 


From the get go, Prime Destinations creeped me the hell out! Actually her whole world did, but especially Prime. Having someone take over your body. And you have no idea what they did while they were in it! How gross is that?! 


Not that I blame Callie for taking a shot. When you don't know where your next meal is going to come from or where you'll be sleeping, you do anything you have to survive. 


The plot was amazing! Prime Destinations kept getting worse and worse. It was so much fun learning who the real bad guys were and who to trust with Callie. The twists kept coming. I didn't see any of them coming. Especially the big one towards the end! That one made me so mad I started tearing up a bit. So mean!


The ending was just okay for me though. Some parts were really good, but then there were some parts that were too far fetched for me and didn't seem to fit with the story. I'm definitely going to be checking out Enders though. I hope more about the war and Enders are explained! But I can't wait to see more of this world!

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Summary taken from Goodreads

Wanderlove was a beautifully written story. The scenery was so vivid and amazing, I was ready to go out and buy a backpack and take off to a part of the world I'd never seen before. I was so envious of Bria the entire novel, which just goes to show how much I loved it!

Not only was the setting so real it was like you were there, but the story was very cute as well. Bria meets a couple of veteran backpackers who take her under their wind and help her escape what was bound to be a miserable vacation with the so called Global Vagabonds. She almost talked herself out of going, but the urge to see Central American the right way won out. Plus it didn't hurt that Rowen was a complete hottie! I would have done exactly the same!

Rowan was mysterious and totally sexy. He had a dark past but was trying so hard to overcome it and live a better life. That made him utterly irresistible to me. And he reads!! *swoon*

Rowan's sister, Starling, was an interesting character. She was really upbeat and fun to read about. And super protective of Rowan, like any good sister should be. I wish she would have been around more, but it made the scenes she was in even better. I'd love to have the kind of freedom she had, a job she loved and the means to travel. What else could a girl ask for?

Something else I loved were the drawings! There weren't many of them but they were very pretty and added a unique touch to this book. I thought it was an awesome idea!

My only complaint was Bria's relationship with her ex. It was clear from the start it was a terrible relationship but Bria couldn't see it. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen all the time. I know it does. It just got a little repetitive and made Bria seem weak. Still, the good farrrr out weighed the bad.

So. Who wants to go backpacking with me? Like. Right now?

Waiting on Wednesday (9)

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Releases March 13th


Gallagher Girls 5!!! Need I say more? I love this series. It's really cute and fun. I cannot wait to see what Cammie gets into next!


What are you waiting for this week?
 

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.
When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect. 

First, I have to say, look at that gorgeous cover! Just look at it! I was instantly drawn in by it and had to pick it up. So pretty!!! And the story was even better! Loved it! It was exactly what I wanted it to be. A cute love story, an intriguing mystery, and a kind of magic I rarely read about. Now I think I'm hooked! 


Donna was injured when she was young by a terrifying fairy beast. Without the Maker, she would have lost her hands. But he used alchemy and iron to restore them. I was hooked right away.

The Order of the Dragon was so fasctinating! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book to learn more about them. Alchemy isn't something I've read much about, but this book made me want to look more into and pick up more books with it in it. There wasn't a ton in this book, so I'm hoping the Wood Queen brings more!

Navin was probably my favorite character. He was such a loyal friend who stuck by Donna no matter what, even when she got kicked out of school. Most people will never know how amazing it is to find someone like that. Even when she had to tell him the truth about her, it didn't make him love her any less. He was amazing. Which was why I was so mad when he got kidnapped! Argh! Leave the super awesome best friend alone!

Xan was a great love interest. He was sweet and really cared about Donna. They shared something that no one else could come close to relating to. And he was hot! Like seriously steamy. I liked watching their romance unfold.

Donna was the only character I couldn't really connect with. I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her either. I don't know what it was about her, but she just wasn't my favorite.

There were definitely more questions than answers with this book. Like what really happened to Donna. I can't wait to pick up Wood Queen and find out!

The Near Witch by Victioria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget

Though the Near Witch starts off a little slow for my taste, once the story got rolling I really enjoyed it.

Lexi and her family live on the moor in a town called Near. This scenery was so beautiful and haunting. It was like the moor was alive and had a mind of it's own. If you just listened hard enough, it would tell you all it's secrets. But as Lexi's father always told her, the wind is lonely and always looking for company. I loved everything about the moor. I wanted to explore it and learn about it with Lexi. I wanted to get lost in it.

All the stories Lexi's father told her were beautifully written. There was a lot but I couldn't help wanting to hear more. Even though the father is dead the whole book, I felt like I knew him. It was clear he was a great man and father. I liked him the most, even though all we hear are stories about him.

The magic in this story was wonderful. It was 'old' magic, controlling elements instead of casting spells. I wish we saw more of this type in YA books.

Lexi was fierce and very protective. She was a great main character. She loved her family and her town and did everything she could to protect them. I admired that.

Cole kind of bothered me at first. I think it had something to do with how mysterious him was. It seemed a little unnatural and forced. But when he started to open up more, I really liked him.

The Near Witch is a hauntingly beautiful story that is well worth checking out. The writing has a very lyrical quality to it and I can't wait to see what Schwab comes out with next!

Have you guys read this? What did you think?