July Wrap-Up

July went by in a flash!  I had a fantastically busy month filled with great friends and many adventures.  I had a ton of fun, but that also meant I had very little time to read.  I set high goals for my reading this month, and fell short (but that's okay!)  Here's a recap of what happened this month:

Books I Read

I absolutely ADORED Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff; the plot was action-packed and the writing style was unique and fun to read.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a quick and enjoyable read.

Book Haul

I have only heard great things about Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, both from the online community as well as from friends and family.  I am super excited to pick this one up, and hopefully it will live up to all the hype!  I enjoyed reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and I am currently reading The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan.

Blog

Since I was so busy, I unfortunately did not have a lot of substantial posts this month.

• I wrote reviews for Illuminae and The Perks of Being a Wallflower
• I wrote a post about why I don't usually like to read romance novels
• I started some participating in more memes, such as Fictitious Fridays and Teaser Tuesdays.
• I did the Summer Reader Book Tag and the Chocolate Book Tag, which were both a lot of fun
• It's been a whirlwind of different backgrounds, fonts, and colors, but I think I've finally found the right Literary Legionnaire blog design

That's all for now!
~Alexandra

Why I Usually Avoid Reading Romance

Today I would like to discuss romance novels, especially of the young adult genre.  Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy romance, however I prefer not to read books revolving solely around the romance, and here are a few reasons why.

(Please note that these are not always present in all romance books, and that they are just observations based on a few books I've read from the genre.  Please also note that I have read some romance books I thoroughly enjoyed.)

1. The dreaded insta-love.  This is not the case in all romance books, but it is rather prevalent within the genre.  The girl falls in love with the guy at first sight, or something like that, and it's all:

Or…

I'm sorry, but… What?!?! I may not have ever been in love, but come on, it can't be that simple! Just stop.  Please.  Maybe a character is instantly attracted to the love interest, but attraction and love are not synonymous.  Maybe there's a spark.  I'll allow a spark, I'll allow instant chemistry.  But no way am I ever going to believe that you fell in love with someone within a day or a week of knowing each other.

2. The cliches.  Opposites attract: bad boy falls for good girl, nerd and jock/cheerleader become the power couple of the school, etc etc.  It gets extremely old extremely fast.  I'm not saying it is impossible for these things to happen, but there are other kinds of relationships too.

I mean, I absolutely adore The Breakfast Club and I totally ship Bender and Claire, but lately it's just been crazy how often a good girl falls for a bad boy.  I mean, seriously?!? Is that all you've got?

3. The plot.  I know it isn't true for all romance books, but it usually seems to be one of the following (similar to my point about cliches, but specifically in regard to the plot):

• Main character hates the eventual love interest's guts, but is somehow forced into a situation where he/she is stuck with said love interest.  The two start to get to know each other and realize the other isn't as bad as they thought, and start to have feelings for one another that eventually grows into a true romantic relationship.
• Main character pines for the love interest, but is too shy to speak up and said love interest is already in a relationship.  Said love interest eventually breaks up/is broken up with and is single, and begins to get to know guy/girl and realizes he/she the one they want to be with.
• Main character gets the love interest of their dreams, only to lose them to someone or something.  The main character either finds a way to prove his/her love or find some new love interest who loves them back.
• Main character is in love (or falls in love) with love interest, but something from main character or love interest's past is revealed and nothing is the same.
• (Or something along the lines of one of mentioned plots)

4. Love triangles.  Need I say more?

What are your thoughts on romance novels?

~Alexandra

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

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

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Page Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 20, 2015

Via Goodreads: Code Name Verity meets Inglourious Basterds in this fast-paced novel from the author of The Walled City.

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.

Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?


~

I am extremely excited for this book.  A shapeshifter that motorcycle races across Asia and Europe?  Sounds like an interesting story to me!  The synopsis is enticing and the book just sounds like high-stakes, action-packed read.  Also, I have only heard amazing things about this book from those who have managed to read and review it.  I can't wait until October when this book hits the shelves!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Review)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 213 pages
Format: Paperback (purchased)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It was a bit difficult to read at times due to some of the themes discussed, however it was overall pretty easy to get through, and I found myself connecting to many of the characters.

THE CHARACTERS

Charlie was especially a very relatable character.  He went through the difficulties many people face when starting high school, such as making friends and discovering who you are. In addition, however, he faced many other difficulties I could only imagine going through.

I also really liked Sam and Patrick.  Despite having problems of their own, they were always kind to Charlie and didn't judge him even when he screwed up or because he was more inexperienced and younger.

WRITING STYLE

I really liked how the story was told through Charlie's letters to the unknown "friend".  It was enthralling because anyone could be the friend, even myself, so it felt more personal.  Also, it was an interesting way to tell the story because I wouldn't always know what was happening; major parts of Charlie's life could be omitted if he chose to not mention it, so sometimes I was greatly surprised by bits of information he threw at the reader.

The story could be confusing sometimes, and since it was in letter format, could also sometimes "tell" and not "show" enough.  Chbosky did share Charlie's story through his letters very well, with vivid details, however at times things Charlie's letters would be vague and a bit jumbled.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have seen the movie in the past, but I don't think it really influenced my opinion on the book, except for maybe clarifying some details that I was confused about.  Although it did help to see the movie prior, I saw it a few years ago, so it also sometimes confused me while I was reading, such as the timeline of events that took place in the book.

To sum everything up, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was an enjoyable and quick read.  The characters were very relatable and seemed very real, despite only meeting them through letters.  I would highly recommend it to someone who needs a quick read and wants to try something a little different.

My rating: ✪✪✪✪

About The Perks of Being a Wallflower (via Goodreads):

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Current Reads

I have unfortunately completely overestimated my ability to read this month, and have only finished one of the eight books I planned on reading this month.  In fact, I have been traveling quite a bit this month and could not bring most of my July TBR with me, either because they were too heavy, took up too much space, or both.  So I have changed plans and hope to finish these three books and a three-in-one manga within the next week, and will hopefully be able to write up some reviews for a few as well.

Ficticious Fridays (1)

'Fictitious Fridays' is a weekly meme hosted by Aiysha at Mortal Moments.  Each week a specific subject will be chosen for the spotlight for example: favourite fiction book, character, place, food and many more you will have to wait and see!

Fiction Spotlight of the Week : Favourite Fictional Celebrity

Kyoko Mogami from the Skip Beat! manga series by Yoshiki Nakamura is one of my favorite fictional celebrities.  Although she has not reached stardom yet (and is still trying to become a celebrity), she has a lot of potential and is a caring person.  Although she initially starts out wanting to become famous for revenge, she grows as a person and begins to care about the business itself.  I also like other characters in the series (such as Ren Tsuruga), but I will not go into detail about the others right now.

Graham Larkin from This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith is another one of my favorite fictional celebrities.  This may be because he's one of the few I know of, but either way he is a super sweet character who is (as far as I can recall) not arrogant and very genuine.  He's a celebrity I would want to meet.

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

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

Yes, My Accent is Real and Some Other Things I Haven't Told You by Kunal Nayyar
Genre: Nonfiction/Autobiography/Memoir
Page Length: 272 pages
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: September 15, 2015

Via Goodreads: "Of all the charming misfits on television, there’s no doubt Raj from The Big Bang Theory — the sincere yet incurably geeky Indian-American astrophysicist — ranks among the misfittingest. Now, we meet the actor who is every bit as loveable as the character he plays on TV. In this revealing collection of essays written in his irreverent, hilarious, and self-deprecating voice, Kunal Nayyar traces his journey from a little boy in New Delhi who mistakes an awkward first kiss for a sacred commitment, gets nosebleeds chugging Coca-Cola to impress other students, and excels in the sport of badminton, to the confident, successful actor on the set of TV’s most-watched sitcom since Friends.

Going behind the scenes of The Big Bang Theory and into his personal experiences, Kunal introduces readers to the people who helped him grow, such as his James Bond-loving, mustachioed father who taught him the most important lessons in life: Treat a beggar as you would a king. There are two sides to every story. A smile goes a long way. And, when in doubt, use a spreadsheet. Kunal also walks us through his college years in Portland, where he takes his first sips of alcohol and learns to let loose with his French, 6’8” gentle-giant roommate, works his first-ever job for the university’s housekeeping department cleaning toilets for minimum wage, and begins a series of romantic exploits that go just about as well as they would for Raj. (That is, until he meets and marries a former Miss India in an elaborate seven-day event that we get to experience in a chapter titled “My Big Fat Indian Wedding.”)

Full of heart, but never taking itself too seriously, this witty and often inspiring collection of underdog tales follows a young man as he traverses two continents in search of a dream, along the way transcending culture and language (and many, many embarrassing incidents) to somehow miraculously land the role of a lifetime."

~

I normally am not particularly fond of memoirs and autobiographies, but I absolutely adore The Big Bang Theory and love Kunal Nayyar's work on the show.  I have been trying to be more open about reading nonfiction and memoirs and such, so I am really excited to read this one and find out what he's like as a person off-camera.

Books by YouTubers

I have been wary of reading books by celebrities or YouTubers, but at the same time, they're people just like "real authors" are.  I only recently started actively watching YouTube videos, but I've really been hooked; some YouTubers just make me laugh so hard I cry, and sometimes they just make so much sense and I feel better about myself and the world.  In fact, watching certain YouTubers or videos can make me almost, if not just as happy as when I am reading books, which is a strange phenomenon for me.  Some other activity actually makes me as happy as I am when I'm reading? *Gasps* Anyway, to stop babbling and also in honor of VidCon coming up later this week, I thought I would spotlight a few books by YouTubers that have caught my eye.

1) The Amazing Book is Not on Fire: The World of Dan and Phil by Dan Howell and Phil Lester (October 13)

I actually just learned about Dan and Phil this year, when I saw a postcard thingamajig advertising for their book.  Their names somehow stuck in my head, and now they've grown to become my favorite YouTubers.  Now that I've actually seen their work, I am super excited for their book!

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

I've mentioned this book before, but my friend mentioned Felicia Day a few months ago, and I started watching her videos and have read an excerpt of her book and found her (and her book) super fun and interesting.  Super excited to get my hands on this one as well!

3) Life with a Sprinkle of Glitter by Louise Pentland (September 15)

I have not seen a ton of Louise's videos, but she seems like a great person and friend based on what I have seen of her.  She seems to choose optimism despite some difficulties in her life, and I really admire her for that.  If anything, I'd love to see her opinions and learn from her, because I can be pretty pessimistic at times.

4) A Work in Progress by Connor Franta

I enjoy Connor's videos, and since I am trying to read more nonfiction/memoirs/etc., I'd love to give this one a try too.  This has been out for a bit, but since I just started watching YouTube more within the past two months or so, this book had never been in my radar until now.

What are your thoughts on books by YouTubers (or celebrities)?
~Alexandra

Chocolate Book Tag

This tag was created by the BookTuber A Daydreamer's Ramblings (original video here).  I've seen it floating around both BookTube and book blogs for a while, and even though I was not tagged, I really wanted to do it.  Feel free to do it if you'd like, I'm tagging Tia @Read It Write Now, as well as anyone else who wants to do it :)

1. Dark Chocolate -- A book that covers a dark topic

This book is truly an amazing read, but it does cover depression and suicide.  I did enjoy reading it, but it was definitely hard to get through at times, since the two main characters were planning their suicides throughout the novel.

2. White Chocolate -- Your favorite light-hearted/humorous read

I haven't read either of these in a while, but they are some of the most light-hearted reads I can think of. I love Jennifer E. Smith's books because they are all pretty fluffy, fun, and usually pretty easy to get into.

3. Milk Chocolate -- A book that has a lot of hype that you're dying to read

Yeah, I still need to read all of these… I've been wanting to read them for several years now and there has been a ton of hype for the series but I just haven't gotten around to it.  They sound so unique and like fun reads, and I really need to get my hands on them.

4. Chocolate with a Caramel Center -- Name a book that made you feel all gooey in the middle while you were reading it.

Cath and Levi <333 This book was such a fun and cute read!  (And I am also super excited that Rainbow Rowell is releasing Carry On as its own book.)

5. Wafer-Free Kit-Kat -- Name a book that surprised you lately.

I was super excited when I heard about the book, but did not have any high expectations for it.  I was unfamiliar with the author, so I had no idea whether I was going to like the writing style.  Even not knowing what I was getting myself into, I had a feeling I would  like the book, but I was surprised just  how much I enjoyed it.

6. Snickers -- A book that you are going nuts about

The minute I found out this book was a thing, I was going crazy.  I loved Susan Dennard's debut trilogy, and even the fact that she was releasing a new book made me squeal in delight.  Slowly the synopsis was revealed, then the cover, and I just honestly cannot stop going nuts about this book.  Unfortunately it isn't coming out for a while, but I just can't stop fangirling.

7. Hot Chocolate with Cream and Marshmallows -- What book would you turn to for a comfort read?

This was just such an adorable collection of stories and it was so heartwarming to read.  All of the characters and stories were unique, and since there are twelve individual short stories, it is easy to just dive into a few when I need something fun and comforting.

8. Box of Chocolates -- What series have you read that you feel has a wide variety and a little something for everyone?

The Defiance series by C.J. Redwine is a dystopian novel that is action-packed, has strange monsters that are often controlled by psychopaths, and also elements of romance.  Although I have only read the first book, I remember believing that it balanced these aspects very well, and although it may not be for everyone, covers a wide variety of genres.

~ Alexandra

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

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

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Via Goodreads: On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

This new must-read novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that must be made when life and love lead in different directions.

~

I absolutely adored two of Jennifer E. Smith's previous books, and cannot wait to give this newest one a try!  I had some mixed feelings about another one of her books (and had to put it aside for a while), but hopefully I'll only have positive feelings about this one.  I am really looking forward to Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, and although it seems a bit heavier than the other books I've read of hers, it still seems pretty fluffy and like a fun book to pick up.  Super excited to get my hands on this one!

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

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

Endure by Sara B. Larson
Genre: Young Adult/High Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: December 29, 2015

Via Goodreads: The remarkable third novel in Sara B. Larson's bestselling Defy series!

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.

When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers, and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?

Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy, that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.

~

I absolutely adored the first two books in the trilogy, and am so excited to read the final installment!  These books were so much fun to read, and I was lucky enough to dive into the series just as the sequel came out, so it has been torturous waiting for the final book, but I'm halfway there and still alive, so it will all be okay.  These books were action-packed and fun to read, and I anticipating an equally enchanting end.

Summer Reader Book Tag

This tag was created by the BookTuber islandOFbooks, and it seemed like fun (although I have not been tagged by anyone).

1. Lemonade: pick a book that started off bitter but got better.

All the characters just seemed very bitter about everything at the beginning of the book, and I was a bit annoyed by their attitudes.  Also, I found the beginning a bit slow, but it definitely picks up and the characters shape up, so the book became an awesome read.

2. Golden Sun: pick a book that made you smile beyond compare.

Beth and Ryan did have their issues and there were some difficult things they had to get through (and some difficult things I had to read), but when those things were not plaguing the pages of the book, I definitely had a huge grin on my face.

3. Tropical Flowers: pick a book set in a foreign country.

This was a historical novel about a Lithuanian girl who is forced to live in Siberia under the rule of Stalin.  It was a very sad read, but I really enjoyed it when I read it a few years ago.

4. Tree Shade: pick a book in which a mysterious or shady character was first introduced.

I can't think of many things shadier than killer mermaids…

5. Beach Sand: pick a book that was grainy, and the plot barely developed.

This is a manga, but I had to choose it for this one because I unfortunately had absolutely no clue what was going on whatsoever throughout the extent of the story and could not follow where the plot was going at all…

6. Green Grass: pick a character(s) that was/were full of life, making you smile.

Augustus Waters was so full of life and he really changed Hazel Grace for the better.  (And Isaac was also pretty fun and full of life, considering the circumstances.)  I just really loved the dynamic between all the characters and loved this book in general.

7. Watermelon: pick a book that had some juicy secrets.

So many secrets… Especially this one in particular ;)

8. Sun Hat: pick a book that had a vast, big universe/setting.

I still haven't finished this one, but I have seen the movie and know that the world is super complex and very difficult to understand at times.  I will not let that perturb me, but it is a bit intimidating.

9. BBQ: pick a book in which a character was portrayed as a hunk.

Tamlin <333

10. Summer Fun: pass the tag on.  I'd like to tag Rachel @A Perfection Called Books and Tia @Read It Write Now.

~Alexandra

July TBR

I will not have a lot of time to read this month, but there are a lot of books I want to read.  Although I have less time than I did in June (in which I only read 2 books), I am really hoping to read eight books.

1. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I have not read any science fiction books in what seems like eons, so I am super excited for this one!  The book is pretty unique, told through all sorts of different files, such as reports, emails, and interviews, so I am also pumped to dive into a completely different style of writing than I am normally used to.

2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I have only heard great things about this series, and I am really excited to start reading them this month (and throughout the rest of the summer as well), leading up to the release of Leigh Bardugo's new book, Six of Crows, which sounds absolutely amazing.

3-5. Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

I am determined to finish my Throne of Glass reread and finally catch up on Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire.  I really enjoyed Throne of Glass the first time around, and hope that I still love the series just as much.

6. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I have been craving a contemporary read for a while, and I have also been meaning to pick this up for the past six months, so it is the perfect opportunity to finally read it.

7. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

I have some books that are required reading for the summer, and this one was on the list of required books to choose from, so I am hoping to get this one out of the way as soon as possible.  It seems like an interesting choice, but it is historical fiction (which is usually one of my least favorite genres), so I'll have to see how this one goes.

8. West with the Night by Beryl Markham

I am not usually a fan of memoirs nor autobiographies, but I am required to read a nonfiction book this summer, so I decided to read this one.  I am already somewhat familiar with her story because I read a MG historical fiction book based on her life, but I am curious to see what she herself wrote about her travels and experiences.

What are you planning on reading this month?

~Alexandra

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

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

The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/High Fantasy
Page Length: 416 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 13, 2015

Via Goodreads: From New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes the second book in the exhilarating Young Elites series.

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers that murdered her love, the Crown Prince Enzo Valenciano.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

~

I cannot express how excited I am for this book.  The Young Elites was absolutely phenomenal and I can't wait until the sequel comes out!  I am a bit nervous about what the new book will bring (given the events of the previous book), but I am sure it will be just as exhilarating, action-packed, and amazing.