June Wrap-Up

Books I Read This Month:

I did not read as many books as I thought I would this month, however I absolutely adored An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses!  I had time to read one book in May (Bloodlines), but otherwise I had absolutely no time to read these past few months, so it was amazing being able to read such splendid novels in June.  Both of these books are probably in my top 10 favorite books.  (You can see my review for An Ember in the Ashes here and my review for A Court of Thorns and Roses here.)

June Book Haul:

Purchased

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead is the sequel to Bloodlines, and considering how much I enjoyed Bloodlines last month, I just had to pick up a copy of the sequel.  I haven't had time to read this one yet, but I am hoping it will be just as enjoyable as the first book.  Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas was a book I stumbled upon while browsing my local Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, and the plot sounded intriguing, so I thought I'd like to give it a try.

Borrowing

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes is a book I've been wanting to read since way before it was even released, yet I never got around to reading it.  I am so glad my friend is letting me borrow it.

Other Bookish Things:

• I cleared out and reorganized my bookshelves.  I had to reorganize my shelves twice in order to get them the way I wanted to, but it happened!  They used to be organized in the strangest way, but now I have them sorted by genre and I absolutely love it.  It's so much easier to find everything!
• I unhauled a total of 64 books within the past two months.  64 BOOKS!!  You can 50 of the books I unhauled here, and (if you were curious) the others are I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (I absolutely loved the series, but I had an extra copy so I gave it to my friend who has never read them), Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, and all twelve books from the MG series, Avalon: Web of Magic.
• I decided to reread a book for the first time.  See my initial thoughts here, and stay tuned for my final thoughts on rereading books, which will hopefully be up soon (depending on how long it takes me to reread Throne of Glass).
• I started a book blog!  I know it's only been 20 days since I started this blog, but it already seems like such a long time ago.  I always wanted to start a blog, but I was always afraid to.  I am so glad I pushed away my fear (and ignored some of my friends' comments about not having what it takes to do it) and started one anyway.  It has been such a fun experience so far, but I also finally understand how much hard work must be put into it.

That's a wrap!

~Alexandra

IMPORTANT NOTICE: I will not have access to my blog (nor the internet) from July 8th until July 21st.  I have some blog posts scheduled, so the blog will not be dormant, however I will be unable to personally be active during those two weeks.  Thank you.

Love Triangles

I often find myself attracted to books that have love triangles.  It is not because there are love triangles in it that draws me in, but it just happens.  I am actually not a huge fan of them; I am not completely against love triangles, but for the most part I'm not exactly a fan of them either…

I know it can be a good way to add suspense, tension and conflict in books, however I just do not see how it is really logical.  Maybe I'm just cynical because I've never been in a relationship, but to be honest, I feel like it is atypical for two people to be fighting over the same person, not a typical thing.  And it is a very typical thing these days in young adult fiction, no matter what genre.  I mean, most of these love triangle things happen in trilogies, and I do not think that two people are going to wait three books-worth of time to let the girl (or guy) decide between them, no matter how much in love they are with the person.

I mean, it's kind of pathetic and sad to watch characters pine over characters that do not love them in return… Maybe it's not that simple but what about “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were"?  Fine, I do admire the characters for trying to win their loves back, but I mean half the time its a worthless effort.  Okay, to be fair I know that the character often cares deeply or "loves both" of the love interests, but I still feel like said character always fancies one more than the other.  I know that love is a complicated thing, but the characters should not be getting themselves into situations where they are in love with two people… Once again probably not that simple, but love triangles are such cliches these days.

Why isn't it this simple?

Also, there is more to life than just love, no matter what the Beatles say (and by that, I am referring to their song "All You Need is Love").  I am far from saying that all characters stuck in love triangles are completely focused on their love lives (in fact, many have much bigger problems on their plates, like Katniss from The Hunger Games), but some are completely absorbed in their romances, and can often come across as mundane and self-absorbed because of it.

I will admit that I am probably more of a classical/scientific thinker than a romantic one, so I am taking a more "logical" or "scientific" view on a topic that is far from logical or scientific, but nonetheless, love triangles are strange phenomena that are too often found in the pages of books these days, and I felt the need to talk about it.  (The strangest thing is that I am a total sap when it comes to a good romance, yet I am extremely cynical at the same time.  Perhaps one day I'll understand…) Anyway, what are your thoughts?  Do you agree?  Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

~Alexandra

The Ultimate Book Tag

Although I was not specifically nominated, I'd like to thank Rachel @A Perfection Called Books for tagging anyone who wanted to do it, and I'd like to tag Tia @Read It Write Now.  Here goes:

1. Do you get sick while reading in a car?

*Dances around happily* Not one bit.  Although I can get distracted by the radio or people talking in the car, I have never been sick while reading in a moving vehicle.

2. Which author's writing style is completely unique to you and why?

Jennifer Niven, the author of All the Bright Places, because although I have cried when reading books before, she had me feeling so many different emotions that lasted a very long time after reading her book  Her book is the only one that has ever made me cry so much even after reading it and the only book that has ever given me a massive book hangover.  Jennifer Niven's exquisite writing made me connect with the characters in a way I never had before.

3. Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.

I haven't actually read the Twilight Saga, but I have read snippets of it, and based on my opinion of most vampire books, as well as my love for Harry Potter, I'll have to say with 99.99999999999% certainty Harry Potter.

1. Although the overarching conflict is the same throughout the books, there is always something new, unique and exciting about every Harry Potter book
2. The characters are all intricate and fun to read about, even if you hate them *cough* Bellatrix Lestrange *cough*, and they each have a unique personality, despite how many characters there are in the Wizarding World
3. I loved watching Harry and the gang grow up throughout all the books and seeing them develop as characters/wizards.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is in it (besides books)?

On a normal basis, I do not carry a book bag, but when I do I usually have a few pens and a notebook in case I want to write down my feelings about a book or need to take other miscellaneous notes.

5. Do you smell your books?

No… not usually.  I did one time when I accidentally spilled soda on my book, but otherwise I don't smell my books.

6. Books with or without little illustrations?

I am not against little illustrations, however I prefer books without them so I can visualize how the scene/story unfolds on my own.  Although I am sure authors have a certain way of visualizing their characters and storyline, I like having the freedom to analyze words without having pictures guiding me along or forcing me into seeing something in a single way.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing?

I was absolutely obsessed with the Warrior Cats series when I was in elementary school for whatever reason. After reading several of the spinoff series, however, and also growing older, I've realized that although they were entertaining at the time, they are not exactly the best books out there…

8. Do you have any stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!

None that I can remember…

9. What is the tiniest book on your shelf?

112 pages

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?

Definitely one of my favorite Harry Potter books, but a whopping 759 pages

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

I definitely do not write as well as I read, but I love writing and wish I could be an author one day.  Right now, I cannot see myself being an actual published author, but I won't give up hope, and will push myself to become better.

12. When did you get into reading?

I've loved reading for as long as I can remember, especially elementary school.  I cannot recall a narrower time period, but even before that I loved listening to and reading stories.

13. What is your favorite classic book?

I don't read a ton of classics, but I truly enjoyed reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

14. In school what was your best subject?

Although I've always had a fondness for English, unfortunately my best subject was either one of the maths or sciences…

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated, what would you do?

I would definitely be grateful to the person who gave it to me, but I would definitely donate it to my local library or give it away so that it does not sit on my shelf forlorn and unread.  Even if I don't like a book, there will surely be someone out there that does like it, and I would rather someone who loves it have it than me.

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

The Testing reminds me of The Hunger Games quite a bit. A select few teenagers are chosen for this special program that sends them through a series of different types of tests and challenges in order to determine whether they are good enough to attend University and eventually help rule their dystopian society… The different tests they go through are not only academic, however, and could be fatal if they choose to trust the wrong people.

17. What is a bad habit you always do while blogging?

Since I am a new blogger, I often get distracted and easily forget to write posts (or in most cases, struggle to come up with something to blog about and just wait until a day where I do think of something or finish a book and can post a review).

18. What is your favorite word?

Plethora (and I'm not even sure why.)

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above

I definitely would classify myself as a nerd, and I believe that I can occasionally be a bit of a dork, but I honestly hope I am not a dweeb… I don't think I'm a dweeb… *shrugs*

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?

Hmmm… I guess at this point in my life, I would go with vampires.  I feel like fairies are either super sneaky and secretly evil, or way too happy and cheerful for their own good.  I just find them too annoying or too confusing to handle.

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Shapeshifters because I feel like angels are so overhyped…

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

Werewolves, I guess.  I don't really know because I don't usually deal with either of them, but I'll say werewolves for Remus Lupin (from Harry Potter).

23. Zombies or Vampires? Why?

Zombies because the whole storyline and all of the characters from the Something Strange and Deadly trilogy by Susan Dennard revolve around and rely on the existence of the undead, and that trilogy is one of my absolute favorites.

24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love?

Forbidden love.  Most of the time, I root for the wrong team in love triangles and end up hating books because of it.  Forbidden love is more fun (as long as there aren't love triangles, of course).

25. Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?

This is definitely a hard question to answer, but I'd probably say action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in because although I do love romance, I enjoy a good read that incorporates all sorts of different things.


I had a lot of fun doing this tag, so even if I didn't specifically tag you (but you still want to do it) definitely give it a go! :)

~Alexandra

Why I Don't Reread + Thoughts of a First-Time Rereader

I have never willingly reread a book before.  I recently decided, however, that I would break that habit.  I started rereading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas a few days ago.  I know that I enjoyed the book when I first read it, yet enjoyment of a book alone does not usually cause me to pick it up again.  The only reason why I am rereading it is because I want to read Crown of Midnight (book 2) and Heir of Fire (book 3) for the first time before the fourth book, Queen of Shadows, comes out this fall.  Normally, I would just not care and pick up Crown of Midnight, but it has been 3 YEARS since I last dove into Celaena's story, and from what I can recall, it is not the simplest of stories to understand.  Although my love for Dorian has stayed with me, as well as my general understanding of the plot, a lot of the important details have left me and I want to slowly ease myself back into the Throne of Glass world.

The Main Reasons I Don't Reread:

1) I already know what happens so it is not as exciting and interesting
2) I am worried that I will not feel the same way about the book the second/third/fourth/etc. time around
3) See #2 except applied to my feelings/opinions about the characters
4) I have an overwhelming TBR as it is and it is a "waste of time" (for lack of a better term) to read something I've already read when I can read something new
5) After reading it the first time, I may have discovered a book/books that I liked better (so when I reread it, I will not enjoy it as much as the first time around/it will pale in comparison to other reads)

My Thoughts So Far

I am about 20 pages into my Throne of Glass reread.  I remember it taking some time for me to get engrossed in the Throne of Glass world the first time, so I guess that hasn't changed.  One thing that I believe has changed, however, is listed above as fear #3.  Although I did read Throne of Glass a long time ago, I feel as if I would remember if I disliked the characters, and I do not recall such a thing (other than my dislike for Chaol).  I know I shouldn't judge so early, however I am finding myself disliking all three of the main characters, including Dorian.  I am not surprised that I still do not like Chaol, but so far at least he's been pretty quiet.  On the other hand, I am extremely surprised by how pompous and annoying Dorian is being.  I know he is a prince and all, but something about his attitude just gets on my nerves.  Something about him, Chaol, and Celaena's attitudes, actually.  Each of them seem so high and mighty right now, and I do not like it one bit.

It may not have been the best idea to reread Throne of Glass right after reading A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in Sarah J. Maas' new series, but alas I did just read Maas' new book, and it was absolutely exquisite.  Unfortunately, after reading A Court of Thorns and Roses, I feel like Throne of Glass truly pales in comparison, thus proving fear #5 is something I legitimately should be afraid of.  I am still willing to dive back into Throne of Glass and the rest of the books in the series, but I am truly worried that it will not live up to my standards and previous enjoyment (I think I rated it a 4, 4.5 or 5 stars the first time).

I'll definitely make sure to share my final thoughts as soon as I finish, and I'd love to hear your opinions on rereading as well!

~Alexandra

Oh and also, although I'd been wanting to write this post anyway, I recently saw an awesome post about rereading books over at Publishing Crawl, a blog run by a bunch of awesome authors and industry professionals.   (They had nothing to do with my opinions on rereading or this post in general, but I figured I'd mention it because I love their blog and it was relevant to the theme of my post.  If you're interested, check out Julie Eshbaugh's post about rereading here.)

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/Urban Fantasy/Superheroes
Page Length: 560 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 23, 2015

Via Goodreads: Ethan, aka "Scam," has a way with words. When he opens his mouth, whatever he wants you to hear comes out. But Ethan isn't just a smooth talker. He has a unique ability to say things he doesn't consciously even know. Sometimes the voice helps, but sometimes it hurts - like now, when the voice has lied and has landed Ethan in a massive mess. So now Ethan needs help. And he needs to go to the last people who would ever want to help him - his former group of friends, the self-named "zeros" who also all possess similarly double-edged abilities, and who are all angry at Ethan for their own respective reasons. Brought back together by Scam's latest mischief, they find themselves entangled in an epic, whirlwind adventure packed with as much interpersonal drama as mind-bending action. 


~

I am super excited for this one, but the reason may be strange.  Although I would be interested in this book anyway because I love reading books about kids with superpowers, I was absolutely obsessed with this anime earlier in the year, and the premise for Zeroes sounds a teeny tiny bit like the anime.  Anyway, Zeroes sounds like a fun and exhilarating read and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Bookish Playlists - Paper Towns

Listening to music is a key element in my everyday life, and is sometimes influenced by what I read.  Although I am not one of those people who can listen to music while reading (because I get distracted really easily), I often find myself forming playlists when I hear a song or lyric that reminds me of book(s) I am currently reading or just finished.

Note: I do not own the rights to any of these songs, and these are strictly my own opinions on the books and music I mention.  The content of this post is solely for the purpose of entertainment and further enjoyment of mentioned book(s)/music.

A few months ago, I was traveling when reading Paper Towns by John Green, so I often alternated between reading and listening to music.  I just thought I'd share some of the songs on my Paper Towns playlist and explain why I chose them, and I may end up sharing more "bookish playlists" in the future.  I know that there is a new Paper Towns soundtrack coming out soon for the upcoming movie, however since the full soundtrack is not coming out until July 10 (and I already made this playlist a while ago), I figured I might as well share part of it.

About Paper Towns (via Goodreads): "Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew…"


WARNING: SPOILERS LIE AHEAD (READ AT YOUR OWN RISK).


1. Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran) by Taylor Swift

This one is a pretty self-explanatory.  For one, if Paper Towns was its own solar system, Margo Roth Spiegelman would be the sun, and Q would be one of the closest orbiting planets.  Q is absolutely infatuated with the person/goddess that he believes Margo is, and Paper Towns revolves pretty much completely around Q's journey to discover Margo and who she really is.  Q has set this high standard for Margo and he realizes that he doesn't truly know Margo as well as he believes he does. 

2. Amsterdam by Imagine Dragons

3. Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

I feel like Amsterdam represents Margo in many ways, and certain parts of Kryptonite as well.  Margo is an enigma that people believed they understood when they really didn't (and couldn't).  Margo was struggling to live up to everyone else's standards and felt as though the walls of her life were crumbling around her, and she just wanted to escape it all.

4. Daylight by Maroon 5

When Margo takes Q on an all-night whirlwind escapade, Q does not know that everything will be different the next day.  Although for this scene it is a platonic relationship for Margo and Q, I believe that Daylight ultimately captures the feelings between them nonetheless.  Q and Margo had an epic adventure that night, and neither seemed to want it to end.  That night they shared (as well as the day that followed), ultimately marked a turning point in their relationship and the immense changes to come.

5. Maps by Maroon 5

Can I just say that this is kind of like the epitome of this book?  I mean, maybe Q was not the greatest friend to Margo (considering the fact that he fell into the same category as everyone else when it came to expecting great things and expecting more out of Margo than she could handle), but I mean the whole plot of the book…


So there you have it--5 songs from my Paper Towns playlist!  I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed compiling it.  Do you ever create personal playlists for books, or am I the only one?

~Alexandra

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Soundless by Richelle Mead
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Page Length: 272 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: November 10, 2015

Via Goodreads: From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore. 

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…

~

This book just sounds epic…  I've recently started reading some of Richelle Mead's other books (I'm currently reading The Golden Lily) and absolutely love her writing.  Also (like I've said a million times in a million different ways before), I am a huge fan of books based on different cultures, folklore and myths.  I think the premise of Soundless sounds intriguing, exciting, and just the book for me.  I can't wait to pick this one up!

Most Anticipated Summer Releases

After a stressful year, I am ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy some good books.  I am super psyched for summer and all the great books that are being released.  Here are my top 5 most anticipated summer releases:

1. The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell (June 2)

 Via Goodreads: "Japanese teenager, Sora, is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Lonely and isolated, Sora turns to the ancient wisdom of the samurai for guidance and comfort. But he also finds hope in the present; through the internet he finds friends that see him, not just his illness. This is a story of friendship and acceptance, and testing strength in an uncertain future."

I've been wanting to read this book for a really long time.  The plot sound sounds both fascinating and sad.  I usually enjoy reading emotional reads like this one, and I love Japanese culture as well, so I am hoping it will satisfy my expectations.

2. Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout (June 9)

Via Goodreads: "A teen escapes to a boarding school abroad and falls for a Korean pop star in this fun and fresh romantic novel in the vein of Anna and the French Kiss.

Grace Wilde is running—from the multi-million dollar mansion her record producer father bought, the famous older brother who’s topped the country music charts five years in a row, and the mother who blames her for her brother’s breakdown. Grace escapes to the farthest place from home she can think of, a boarding school in Korea, hoping for a fresh start.

She wants nothing to do with music, but when her roommate Sophie’s twin brother Jason turns out to be the newest Korean pop music superstar, Grace is thrust back into the world of fame. She can't stand Jason, whose celebrity status is only outmatched by his oversized ego, but they form a tenuous alliance for the sake of her friendship with Sophie. As the months go by and Grace adjusts to her new life in Korea, even she can't deny the sparks flying between her and the KPOP idol. 

Soon, Grace realizes that her feelings for Jason threaten her promise to herself that she'll leave behind the music industry that destroyed her family. But can Grace ignore her attraction to Jason and her undeniable pull of the music she was born to write? Sweet, fun, and romantic, this young adult novel explores what it means to experience first love and discover who you really are in the process."

This book looks like a really cute read, and although I have listened to some K-pop and watched a few Korean dramas, I am not well-versed in Korean culture and hope to learn more about Korea as well.  I have not read many light-hearted contemporary young adult novels lately, so I hope this one will be a good one.

3. You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day (August 11)

Via Goodreads: "From online entertainment mogul, actress, and “queen of the geeks” Felicia Day, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet-stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.

The Internet isn’t all cat videos. There’s also Felicia Day—violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world…or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet Geeks and Goodreads book clubs.

After growing up in the south where she was 'homeschooled for hippie reasons', Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia’s misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company, and become an Internet star…'" (Read the full synopsis here.)

I'm normally not interested in reading nonfiction or memoirs, however I recently started more actively watching YouTube videos (including Felicia's), and I was able to read an excerpt from her memoir and I absolutely loved it.  It was amazing to find out that she is just as fun and interesting a person off the screen and in the pages of her memoir as she is on-screen and online.  Her stories were extremely entertaining to read about and I can't wait to read more.

4. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (July 14)

Via Goodreads: "Originally written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman was the novel Harper Lee first submitted to her publishers before To Kill a Mockingbird. Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.

Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch—Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving Atticus, society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.

Exploring how the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird are adjusting to the turbulent events transforming mid-1950s America, Go Set a Watchman casts a fascinating new light on Harper Lee’s enduring classic. Moving, funny and compelling, it stands as a magnificent novel in its own right."

I really enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird when I read it, and I am really excited to see what Harper Lee has in store now for the beloved cast of characters in this sequel.  Go Set a Watchman would probably be higher on my most anticipated releases if I read To Kill A Mockingbird more recently.  (I read it a few years ago so I remember the plot, but not exactly why I loved it so much.)

5. Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid (August 4)

Via Goodreads: "Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school.

Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember. 

Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love."

I have not read any Adi Alsaid novels, however this one looks like a fun contemporary read.  I am very interested in seeing how Dave and Julia's story unfolds, and what they learn along the way while completing their Never List.

What are your most anticipated summer releases?
~Alexandra

Major Book Unhaul

I recently finished cleaning my room, which meant throwing out/giving away a lot of stuff, including books.  Within the past month, in fact, I unhauled a total of 50 books.  Although I enjoyed many (but not all) of the books, I just had absolutely no room on my shelves or anywhere else to store them.  Most of them are books I read but have no intention of ever reading them again, and then some are just books I've had sitting on my shelf for way too long and still have not read.  Here are the books I unhauled (some books not shown in the pictures):

Middle Grade - MG, Young Teen* - YT, Young Adult - YA

*(I'm not sure what legitimately defines "young teen" but I'm just basing it off of what I believe is somewhere in between MG and YA.)

1. Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland (MG)
2. The Melting of Maggie Bean by Tricia Rayburn (MG)
3. Just Another Day in My Insanely Real Life by Barbara Dee (MG)
4. Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee (MG)
5. The Allegra Biscotti Collection by Olivia Bennett (MG)
6. The Allegra Biscotti Collection: Who What Wear by Olivia Bennett (MG)
7. My Sister the Vampire #1: Switched by Sienna Mercer (MG)
8. My Sister the Vampire #2: Fangtastic! by Sienna Mercer (MG)
9. My Sister the Vampire #3: Re-Vamped! by Sienna Mercer (MG)
10. Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande (YT)
11. The Daughters by Joanna Philbin (YT)
12. My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald (MG/YT)
13. The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky (MG)
14. The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent (YT/YA)
15. Love Ya Bunches (A Flower Power Book #1) by Lauren Myracle (MG)
16. Violet in Bloom (A Flower Power Book #2) by Lauren Myracle (MG)
17. Ripple by Mandy Hubbard (YA)
18. Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs (YT/YA)
19. I Like Him, He Likes Her by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (YA)
20. Monster High (Monster High #1) by Lisi Harrison (YT)
21. Monster High: The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High #2) by Lisi Harrison (YT)
22. Monster High: Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way (Monster High #3) by Lisi Harrison (YT)
23. Monster High: Back and Deader Than Ever (Monster High #4) by Lisi Harrison (YT)
24. Firelight (Firelight #1) by Sophie Jordan (YA)
25. Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan (YA)
26. Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan (YA)
27. The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker (MG)
28. Entwined by Heather Dixon (YA)
29. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (YA)
30. Invasion of the Overworld: An Unofficial Minecrafter's Adventure by Mark Cheverton
31. The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (YA)
32. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City (Kiki Strike #1) by Kirsten Miller (MG)
33. A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle (MG)
34. Reality Check by Jen Calonita (YA)
35. The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt (MG)
36. Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt (MG/YT)
37. The Adoration of Jenna Fox (The Jenna Fox Cycle #1) by Mary E. Pearson (YA)
38. The Fox Inheritance (The Jenna Fox Cycle #2) by Mary E. Pearson (YA)
39. Frozen (Cold Awakening #1) by Robin Wasserman (YA)
40. Shattered (Cold Awakening #2) by Robin Wasserman (YA)
41. Torn (Cold Awaking #3) by Robin Wasserman (YA)
42. Swede Dreams (A S.A.S.S. [Students Across the Seven Seas] Book) by Eva Apelqvist (YT)
43. Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor (MG)
44. Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore (MG)
45. Heaven is For Real by Lynn Vincent and Todd Burpo
46. Three Cups of Tea: Young Reader's Edition by Greg Mortenson (MG)
47. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald (MG)
48. The Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher (MG/YT)
49. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (YA)
50. No Matter How I Look at It, It's Your Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!, Vol. 1 by Nico Tanigawa (manga)

I had so many books to unhaul that they refused to stay in a single stack without falling over…

(And apologies for how dark the images are I took them late at night with my camera's flash, if you couldn't tell…)

What books have you recently unhauled?
~Alexandra

Taylor Swift Tag

I've seen this tag on many BookTube channels as well as book blogs, and have been dying to do it.  I am a huge fan of Taylor Swift, so pairing Taylor Swift songs and books together should be a piece of cake.  Although I was not specifically tagged by anyone, Rachel @A Perfection Called Books did the tag a bit ago and tagged anyone who wanted to do it, so here I am.  A bit late compared to most people, but oh well.  Here goes…

1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - pick a book (or book series) you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.

I enjoyed the first book, but hated the second one.  I just gave up trying.

2. Red - pick a book with a red cover.

3. The Best Day - pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.

This series is a throwback to my middle school book club. I don't know why but I really miss that club… I'm still in a book club but something about it just isn't the same.

4. Love Story - pick a book with forbidden love.

I feel like a lot of people don't know about it, but it's a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, Annabel Lee.  It tells of the forbidden love between a cursed boy and a wealthy heiress, and the villagers and otherworldly creatures that try to tear them apart.

5. I Knew You Were Trouble - pick a book with a bad character you can't help but love.

Adelina, obviously.  Not Teren.

A quick interlude - this image basically sums up my feelings toward Teren:

 (via lunchbagmonster on Tumblr)

*Ahem.* Anyway, let's continue, shall we?

6. Innocent - pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.

I will admit that I asked my friend to tell me a minor detail regarding the end of Champion, but I only wanted that small detail spoiled.  Yet instead she gave me a whole summary of the ending.  *sighs*

7. Everything Has Changed - pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development.

Violet and Finch from All The Bright Places…

8. You Belong With Me - pick your most anticipated book release.

I loved Susan Dennard's writing in the Something Strange and Deadly trilogy.  I loved Avatar: The Last Airbender.  So naturally, I've been waiting impatiently for this glorious book dubbed "Garth Nix meets Avatar: The Last Airbender" to be released.  And look at the cover! *swoons*

9. Forever and Always - pick your favorite book couple.

I ship Alexa and Damian so hard <333

10. Come Back, Be Here - pick a book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it too much.

I just adored this book too much.  Don't take it away from me.

11. Teardrops on My Guitar - pick a book that made you cry a lot.

In the history of all the books that I've read, this is the one that made me cry the most while reading it.  And it's also the only book that made me cry days after finishing it.  So excuse the fact that I already used this book for a previous song, but it was the best book suited for it.

12. Shake it Off - pick a book that you love so much, you just shake off the haters.

I'm not sure how many haters there are for this book, but I know they do exist…

BUT THE HATERS WILL NEVER DETER ME FROM LOVING THIS BOOK *shakes them off*

13. Blank Space - favorite autographed book.

To be perfectly honest, I have not yet read this book.  However, it is extremely high on my TBR list, and the other autographed books I love I've mentioned too many times (An Ember in the Ashes and All the Bright Places).

14. Welcome to New York - favorite setting.

I mean it's set in Venice, Italy during the Renaissance.  Need I say more?

15. Today Was a Fairytale - favorite retelling.

A good Alice in Wonderland retelling? Yes please.

Thanks to Rachel for tagging anyone who wants to do this tag.  I'd like to tag Tia @Read It Write Now, and anyone else who wants to do it.

~Alexandra

Bloodlines (Review)

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #1

Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal

Page Length: 422 pages

Format: Paperback (purchased)

I completely devoured Bloodlines by Richelle Mead.  Although I've been wary of vampire books, it staked out its role as a captivating read that deserves the praises it has received.  Once I sunk my teeth in, I couldn't stop reading.  There were a few minor things that drove me batty, but otherwise I have no biting remarks for the book.  (Sorry, I'll stop with these vampire puns.)

THE CHARACTERS

At first, I wasn't quite sure what to think of Sydney Sage.  My initial opinion of her at the beginning was that she would either be a complete brat or that she'd be a total badass.  Although I wouldn't truly consider her either of those things, she is a very strong character that I appreciate and loved learning more about.  I felt a connection to Sydney, unfortunately not because of her badassery (which I wish I possessed) but rather her awkwardness in social situations.  *Ahem.*  Anyway, Sydney Sage is not always an honest person, but she always has people's best interests at heart.  She was much more than the character I thought she would be, and I'm excited to continue with her through her journey.

Now on to the one and only Adrian Ivashkov *sighs dreamily*.  I loved everything about Mr. Ivashkov.  His snarkiness and caring personality were refreshing, although I did want to slap him into reality a few times as well.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed Bloodlines.  Although it was over 400 pages, it was a quick read that I read in less than a day.  The characters were intriguing and the plot was just fast enough that it was never boring to read.  There were quite a few plot twists, and although they were more obvious looking back, I somehow managed to be surprised by them.  I highly recommend Bloodlines, even to people who are wary of paranormal books—especially vampire books.

My Rating: ✪✪✪✪

About Bloodlines (via Goodreads):

Sydney belongs to a secret group who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the world of humans and vampires.
But when Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, she fears she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. What unfolds is far worse. The sister of Moroi queen Lissa Dragomir is in mortal danger, and goes into hiding. Now Sydney must act as her protector.
The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one...  

5 Series I Want to Read This Summer

I've come to realize that I am pretty lazy when it comes to finishing series, so I figure summer is the perfect time to read, finish and catch up on series that I have been reading or want to read.  Here are my top five series that I hope to read this summer:

1. The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

2. The Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead

3. The Legend trilogy by Marie Lu

4. The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

5. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

What series are you planning on reading this summer?

~Alexandra

An Ember in the Ashes (Review)

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember in the Ashes #1

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/High Fantasy

Page Length: 446 pages

Format: Hardcover (purchased)

THE PLOT

Laia is a Scholar. Elias is a Martial. Under the Martial Empire's iron fist, the Scholars are fighting to survive. If you are a Scholar, you are either working class or a slave, and few rebels (or suspected rebels) are left unharmed or undetected. When Laia's brother is taken from her, she is willing do anything to save him—even if it means going into Blackcliff and never coming back. Blackcliff is a military academy where Martials like Elias Veturius are trained to become Masks, the assassin-soldiers of the Empire. Supervised and lead by the cold-hearted Commandant, even Blackcliff's students must face the violence and cruelty of the Empire. This cruelty and violence is part of the reason that Elias Veturius plans to desert.

An Ember in the Ashes is a breathtaking dystopian novel based on the Roman Empire with fantastical and mythical elements woven in. As long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by not only Roman mythology, but Ancient Rome in general. The politics, military strategy, and social structure of that era is a fascinating topic in history, and I'm happy to say that Tahir's twist on the era did not disappoint.

THE CHARACTERS

Before focusing in on Elias and Laia, I'd like to take a second and point out that Tahir did a phenomenal job crafting the slew of characters seen in An Ember in the Ashes. Even the characters with the smallest role in the novel were three-dimensional—not a single one seemed flat or a copy of any other character. I often find that secondary and minor characters are not as finely crafted and can seem very similar to one another, but I was pleasantly surprised by Tahir's cast of characters. She truly honed in on each and every one of her characters, big and small, and thought through how each of their minds worked and how they'd play a role in the plot. These seemingly minor details about the lesser characters really helped me appreciate An Ember in the Ashes even more, and proceeded to further my understanding of the main characters and their emotions as well.

Elias

“Always victorious."

The words of Elias Veturius' grandfather and the motto of Gens Veturia always ring in Elias' mind. As the heir to Gens Veturia and the star student at Blackcliff, it is only understandable the immeasurable amount of pride his grandfather feels towards him, and also the immeasurable pressure put on Elias as a result. Yet fame and strength are not on Elias' mind—all Elias truly wants is freedom.

I absolutely adore Elias as a character. He is a strong character who knows right from wrong even when others do not. Although he makes mistakes (he is human after all), he is willing to make amends and fix his errors. In a society where it is easy to accept social standards and leave people to suffer and die, Elias is willing to fight for justice. He is an extremely caring person who looks out for his friends and even for people he doesn't know.

Laia

“But I’m not strong. I’m weak, and I’m sick of pretending I’m not.” 

Laia lost it all, and she's struggling to reclaim the one person she might be able to save—her elder brother, Darin. Although she may be able to save him, she knows it won't be easy, yet she's still willing to take the risk.

Laia has a lot of expectations to live up to, and tries her best to do everything she can to make her dead family, and her brother, proud. I admire Laia's determination and strong will. Although she falters once in a while, she always finds the strength to get back up and fight again. I believe that despite her flaws, and despite her belief that she is weak, she is in her own way unbelievably strong for trying over and over and over again.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Tahir's writing is exquisite, and I was captivated from beginning to end. She was able to perfectly mix the world-building, character development, dialogue, and action.  The book was a delectable treat that went beyond satisfying my recently book-deprived heart and soul.

Tahir told Laia and Elias' story beautifully, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of their lives unfold.

"You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes."

My rating: 4 stars

About An Ember in the Ashes (via Goodreads):

Laia is a slave. 

Elias is a soldier. 

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.