Book Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Goodreads synopsis: Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Rate(1-10): 6

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Book Summary: A coming-of-age tale of fanfiction, family, and first love.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.... But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she's really good at it. She and her twin, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.

Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...and she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Liana's Summary: Cather Avery and her sister, Wren, were so close before college. But now? Wren doesn't want to have Cather as her roommate anymore. She doesn't want to be involved with Simon Snow anymore. Cath lives with her new roommate, Reagan, who doesn't seem to like her at all. Reagan has a cute boyfriend.. or many cute boyfriends.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
(Anna and the French Kiss #1)
Book Summary: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Liana's Summary: Anna wasn't expecting to go to Paris for her senior year. She just wanted to be home at Atlanta, in America, where her family, best friend, and crush were. At home. But when she meets the gorgeous Étienne St. Clair, her path makes a turn. Everything changes. But.. he has a girlfriend (which seems to be their relationship-block). But as their relationship continues to develop, things take another turn, for the good, for the bad-- all for Anna and Etienne to decide on.

Rate(1-10): 9.5

Book Review: To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones

To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones
Book Summary: 
Her friends 
have a joke about her:
How can you tell if Colette is lying?

Her mouth is open.

Fifteen-year-old Colette is addicted to lying. Her shrink says this is because she’s got a very bad case of Daughter-of-a-famous-movie-star Disorder—so she lies to escape out from under her mother’s massive shadow. But Colette doesn’t see it that way. She says she lies because it’s the most fun she can have with her clothes on. Not that she’s had that much fun with her clothes off. At least not yet, anyway…

When her mother drags her away from Hollywood to spend the entire summer on location in a boring little town in the middle of nowhere, Colette is less than thrilled. But then she meets a sexy biker named Connor. He’s older, gorgeous, funny, and totally into her. So what if she lies to him about her age, and about who her mother is? I mean, she has to keep her mother’s identity a secret from him. If he finds out who she really is, he’ll forget all about Colette, and start panting and drooling and asking her for her mother’s autograph. Just like everyone always does. 

But what Colette doesn’t know is that Connor is keeping a secret of his own…

Liana's Summary: Colette is addicted to lying. Even her friends have a joke about her and her BS. When she meets Connor, though, of course Colette continues to lie-- but what will that lead to? Colette doesn't know, but she'll find out. As things start escalating, and she uncovers the real truth about Connor-- she starts to realize something about herself..

Rate(1-10): 9

Book Review: Sylo by D.J. MacHale

Sylo by D.J. MacHale
Book Summary: Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?

Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come. 

It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.  

#1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale brings his brilliant plotting and breathless pacing to SYLO, the first in this ultimate end-of-the-world adventure trilogy.
Liana's Summary: Tucker Pierce doesn't try hard enough. He doesn't live up to his potential, his parents say. He always backs away before he can humiliate himself by trying, his best friend tells him. When Pemberwick Island, his home, is invaded by SYLO, and there's a mysterious man named Feit who tries to get Tucker to try a drug that can send power channeling through every vein of the body-- Tucker's world turns upside-down..

Rate(1-10): 7.5

Book Review: Persephone's Orchard by Molly Ringle.

Persephone's Orchard by Molly Ringle.
Book Summary: The Greek gods never actually existed. Did they? Sophie Darrow finds she was wrong about that assumption when she's pulled into the spirit realm, complete with an Underworld, on her first day at college. Adrian, the mysterious young man who brought her there, simply wants her to taste a pomegranate. 

Soon, though she returns to her regular life, her mind begins exploding with dreams and memories of ancient times; of a love between two Greeks named Persephone and Hades. But lethal danger has always surrounded the immortals, and now that she's tainted with the Underworld's magic, that danger is drawing closer to Sophie.

Liana's Summary: When a dude wearing strange clothes enters her dorm room, clearly stressed, needing help, and somewhat lost, Sophie couldn't do anything but try to help him. But where does that lead her? It leads her to Adrian Watt. It leads her to another realm. But what will that lead to? Danger.

Rate(1-10): 7

Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevive Tucholke.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke.
Book Summary: You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Liana's Summary: When the panther-hipped River West comes into Violet White's life, things start to happen. Eerie things. Scary things. Violet starts to suspect River.. what could he be? But why should she suspect him? She likes him. A lot. There's something going on with River. Something Violet needs to know.

Rate(1-10): 7.9 (Not quite an 8. But close enough, right?)

Book Review: Why I Love My Gay Boyfriend by Sabrina Zollo

Why I Love My Gay Boyfriend by Sabrina Zollo.
Book Summary: When Veronica graduated with an MBA and dreams of saving the world, she never knew she would end up a corporate slave to the lipstick gods, in love with her playboy boss and in need of a gay best friend to make her feel fabulous. Straight out of school, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Veronica has her heart set on an honourable job, such as saving starving children. Instead, she accepts a job at Gisele, a global cosmetic empire that seems to mock her every value. Veronica struggles to fit in until she meets Stevie, a gay co-worker, who immediately assumes the role of fashion counselor and fabulousness.

Under Stevie’s mentorship, Veronica flourishes as a vixen and marketing peon. But for Veronica to truly succeed at Gisele and seduce her boss, she must bequeath her soul to the makeup gods and sacrifice her friends in a ritual known as corporate brainwash. How far does Veronica go before she realizes she is losing everything she once valued, including herself?

Liana's Summary: When Veronica accepted a job at Gisele, she didn't know what she'd signed up for. As she gets caught up in everything, she starts to lose her friends- so what will she do about it?

Rate(1-10): 3

Book Review: Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina.
Book Summary: In Meg Medina’s compelling new novel, a Latina teen is targeted by a bully at her new school — and must discover resources she never knew she had.

One morning before school, some girl tells Piddy Sanchez that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass. Piddy doesn’t even know who Yaqui is, never mind what she’s done to piss her off. Word is that Yaqui thinks Piddy is stuck-up, shakes her stuff when she walks, and isn’t Latin enough with her white skin, good grades, and no accent. And Yaqui isn’t kidding around, so Piddy better watch her back. At first Piddy is more concerned with trying to find out more about the father she’s never met and how to balance honors courses with her weekend job at the neighborhood hair salon. But as the harassment escalates, avoiding Yaqui and her gang starts to take over Piddy’s life. Is there any way for Piddy to survive without closing herself off or running away? In an all-too-realistic novel, Meg Medina portrays a sympathetic heroine who is forced to decide who she really is.

Liana's Summary: Piddy Sanchez is told that Yaqui Delgado wants to kick her ass. But she doesn't even know who Yaqui Delgado is, or why she wants to kick her ass. Day after day, Yaqui tries to ruin Piddy's life by making each day for her terrible. Day after day, Yaqui doesn't stop. So what does she do? Does she run, or does she face her fears?

Rate(1-10): 8

I have to say, isn't that such a fab title? LOL. It's probably the longest title I've ever seen on a book and it's kind of ratchet too but aha no one cares because it's such a good story  We talked about this book in Book Club sometime in March when it came out, and I've been motivated to read this book ever since. Despite how the title is somewhat ridiculous, I really have to admit that it was a meaningful title, that probably drew a lot of readers.. including me.

Although reading about Latina girls fighting their butts off isn't my favorite sort of genre, I still liked this book. It was authentic and really portrayed a teen's life and how a bully can ruin it. 

Meg Medina wrote this book pretty well. She added a lot of humor that I probably laughed a lot at.. She also made a variety of interesting characters:

Piddy- She was the main character of this story, and an okay one at that. She wasn't exactly likable. She was sort of motivated to change, mainly because of Yaqui. She wasn't doing the things she wanted to do and letting Yaqui stand in her way. That in itself was kind of annoying on its own, and I was really disappointed that Piddy didn't bother to do anything..

Lila- Lila, I think, was my favorite character out of all of them. Yeah, she's the cool aunt of this story.. She sympathized with Piddy whenever she needed, and she was the one with most of the hilarious lines..

Joey- I don't know what to think about Joey. At first, I thought that he was just another one of those dudes that would leave Piddy disappointed, but hey! What do you know.. I still feel uncomfortable about the chemistry that developed between them, though..

.. there are more characters that I might just be too lazy to discuss LOL

Meg kept me turning the pages with this story of hers, and I hope to read more of her writing.

Quotes

Note: This was an ARC copy. Quotes in this copy may not be directly corresponding with those of the final print's.

"You can't go around with two loose onions in your shirt for all the boys to stare at," she snapped,..

Well

I kind of laughed harder at this than necessary but ok

"Creeper. What are you whipping out?"

OH MY GOD IT'S NOT GOOD THAT I UNDERSTOOD THIS

MY MIND IS POLLUTED

"Inside was a drug-dealer-size wad of bills."

That was the best comparison ever

"Library."

There's a.. library club?!

"I'll bet the boys die for you."

People at home: I bet all the boys die for you

Boys at school: Ew what is that thing is it alive

"I'm still breathless with fright and something like love."

Oh.. okay.. strange..

"Standing. What does it look like?"

this is why i love joey

"Come with me, Toad,"

I CAN'T GET OVER HOW HE CALLS HER TOAD

"Take care of yourself, Toad,"

CRYING BECAUSE THIS IS SO ROMANTIC SORT OF NOT REALLY

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That's that. What do you think of this review?

Book Review: Paper Towns by John Green.

Paper Towns by John Green.
Book Summary: 
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back 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 of the girl he thought he knew.

Liana's Summary: Quentin has loved Margo Roth Spiegelman for who-knows-how-long. So, when she barges into his house through his window demanding that he drive her around, what does he do? He agrees, of course. And that's when he really realizes how much he loves her. He's eager for her to be part of his life. He's eager to sit with her at lunch, exchange smiles, talk more and more. However, on the next day, she has become a mystery. And Q does what he has to do.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

Well, okay. I've heard a lot of good things about this book. It's very mainstream, so mainstream that I saw a classmate reading this book the same time I was in math class. What-a-coinkydink. I don't mind that it's mainstream. I just dislike the fact that mainstream-ness and praise seem to be on the same train. Because, well, just because it's so mainstream doesn't mean it's good, right?

Don't get me wrong. I really liked this book. John Green is amazing. I still think he's a writing god. (Somewhere beneath Mr.Sparks. HAHA.) The beginning was killer.

Well, I'll just flat out say it. The thing that's keeping it from getting a full rating-- John Green tends to write books with somewhat the same plot. And the general plots.. well, generally.. include these:

-A guy. Not a jock, not a total loser. Just a normal guy with a normal family with a normal life with normal insecurities and worries.
-A girl. Suicidal, perhaps, with her own view of the world. Crazy and free. 
-Guy falls for girl. Girl doesn't quite fall for guy as much as he falls for her, BUT we don't know that because the story is usually in the guy's point of view.
-There's always that best friend that is either lovable or dislikable or just whatever-able.
-Something bad happens. Like a death, a disappearance, etc etc.
-Guy tries to do something about it.
-John's humor. (I swear, he is one funny guy.)

I kind of noticed that after reading Looking for Alaska, and then An Abundance of Katherines, and then Paper Towns. Abundance wasn't as similar to Looking for Alaska as Paper Towns was, but Abundance still included most of the things on that list. Out of all John's books that I've read, I still like Fault In Our Stars the most, because it was the most original.

A mon avis, this is what puts Nicholas Sparks above John Green on the Writing God thrones.

But even still, I gave this book an 80% rating because I liked it. I really liked it. John Green has this way of writing that is completely admirable and engaging to the reader. He has a fabulous sense of humor that might get you a six-pack from laughing, who knows, and he is great at spinning up inside jokes and little things that mean little to the ordinary person but a lot to the everyday J. Green reader. You get what I'm saying?

So I want to talk about this book more in depth instead of talking about the amazing John Green in general.

Paper Towns seemed to be a favorite among many people, like I said, and I just wanted to read it. Yes, it was worth my 10 dollars. (Yes, ten freaking dollars.. YAY) And plus, I was in desperate need of a good contemporary book. So why not Paper Towns?!

The main character, Quentin, whom we may call Q, is a very.. normal guy. He's been bullied by bullies growing up, he's a good student, perf attendance (dat's hawt) and he narrates with such a VOICE that screams 'JOHN GREEN!!' He is basically in love with Margo Roth Spiegelman, whose name we see very often in this book. That wasn't a spoiler because it's in synopsis anyway, for heaven's sake. So basically, one night, Margo comes up to him and talks to him for the first time in years. And the plot escalates. I won't say anything else lest I spoil something..

But yeah, overall, the whole story was just very engaging. Definitely a page turner that keeps you goin' till the very end.

Quotes:

"..beside her boyfriend.."


Why does she have a boyfriend?!


"Bro, I saw your mom kiss you on the cheek this morning, and forgive me, but I swear to God I was like, man, I wish I was Q. And also, I wish my cheeks had penises."


Oh my God I can't


"You just love my big ass."


Of course he does -winkity wink wink-


"I was wrong."


Oh my God I'm scared should I be scared


"..but I was smiling."


D'aaw this is so cute


"You're just a really loud, awkward ninja," Margo said, "but we are both ninjas."


Okay I don't know why I find everything Margo says to be quotable like seriously


"..but I need to find her."


Hell yes you do


"Okay. Good. Because I have to pee."


THIS IS WHY I LOVE BEN OKAY
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That's it! What do you think of this review?(:

Book Review: Between by Jessica Warman.

Between by Jessica Warman.
Book Summary: Elizabeth Valchar-pretty, popular, and perfect-wakes up the morning after her eighteenth birthday party on her family's yacht, where she'd been celebrating with her six closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, what she finds will change everything she thought she knew about her life, her friends, and everything in between. As Liz begins to unravel the circumstances surrounding her birthday night, she will find that no one around her, least of all Liz herself, was perfect-or innocent. Critically acclaimed author Jessica Warman brings readers along on a roller-coaster ride of a mystery, one that is also a heartbreaking character study, a touching romance, and ultimately a hopeful tale of redemption, love, and letting go.

Liana's Summary: Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Valchar wakes up the day of her birthday, thinking she's still alive. But she's not. It's confirmed that she's dead as a rock when Alex Berg comes up to her. And that wouldn't be possible, because he's dead. And so it means that she's dead too. But she doesn't remember much. It all comes back slowly, though, and in the end, she realizes that she has to let go and move on.

Rate(1-10): 8

So here's a story: Cindy came over that one day, and started raving about a book, telling me ALL about it, spoiling the WHOLE entire storyline for me. It sounded complicated. (But, God forbid, not as complicated as Katie Dale's Someone Else's Life. Give that book a try if you haven't read it, btw. It has a killer plot.) And then, a few weeks ago, she handed me this book and said, "Liana, this was the book I was talking about." And so I took it. The good thing was I forgot everything she rambled about, so the story remained a mystery. (Well, until I accidentally remembered something. Ugh.)

I thought this was a pretty good book, actually. It has what a reader looks for in a book:

-Well-organized plot
-Plot twists
-Character development

I was about to put romance, but then it occurred to me that I'm one of the few people in this book-reading universe that actually looks for romance in every single book..

On the very first page, I knew that the main character was a bitch. And yes, she is a spoiled, prissy bitch, but, what I absolutely LOVED the fact that she went through so much character development and she finally realized what was and what wasn't important; what's right or wrong.

So, the thing is, the main character, Liz, is dead. No, that's not a spoiler, because you find out that she's dead in the first freakin' chapter. And she can't really remember anything except that her name is Elizabeth Valchar, and that she's rich and, ahem, pretty. And so she goes through all these memories, because they come back one at a time, and she sees her past self and she realizes how much of a bitch she really was. It's seeing herself from 'someone else's' eyes. Even though that someone else is basically her ghost.

And there's this guy, Alex. He's the one who can see her. The one who's dead as well. At first, I thought he wasn't important, that he didn't need to be there at all, but oh-ho, WAS I WRONG.

Which just leads me to the plot twists. I can't even. The plot twists are just so... TWISTED. LOL. But I kind of guessed most of them, like, a page before they happened. But you know.

Definitely a page turner. Even if the beginning wasn't that gripping, this book is still pretty great.

Quotes:
Note: This is an ARC copy, so the quotes might not match those of the final print's.

"I'm pretty. Beautiful, actually."


Oh, get over yourself.


"Oh, you're a big help. Thanks a whole lot."


Gee, and you're such a great main character. Thanks a whole lot.


"On my freaking birthday."


No one really gives a shit


"I'm ugly."


Really? You're dead and that's all you care about?


"What do they know?"


Well, what do you know?


"Josie's a good person."


Right..


"This isn't fair."


Sure as hell it is. Now shut up.
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That's that. What do you think of this review?(:

Book Review: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.
Book Summary: 
Katherine V thought boys were gross
Katherine X just wanted to be friends
Katherine XVIII dumped him in an e-mail
K-19 broke his heart 
When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.
On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun--but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself.

Liana's Summary: Colin Singleton has a thing for girls named Katherine. Not Kathy, Rinne, nor anything else-- nor, God forbid, Catherine. Katherine. With a K. He's dated 19 Katherines, all who've dumped him. Colin is trying to find a Katherine that won't dump him. But will it be easy?

Rate(1-10): 4

Yeah, I'll say it. I'd expected this book to be better. Because we're talking about John Green, here. 

Yes, I enjoyed reading his writing. And his footnotes, but that's about it for this book.

Okay.

1. The plot didn't really go anywhere at all. So there's a guy. Colin. He was a child prodigy. Very smart. A bit weird. Okay? Okay, he has an obsession with girls named Katherine. Okay, okay. He's on a road trip with his friend. Okay! And..?

2. Storyline isn't engaging.

It was sort of kind of like Looking for Alaska-- except LFA was better.

I'm still looking forward to reading more of John's books, though, although I didn't enjoy this one as much as I'd wanted to.

Quotes

"You aime lots of stupid crap."


I probably laughed harder than I should have


"Do you want to be my boyfriend?"


So this is how it started..


"So my name's Katherine..."

Ah, so now does the story begin?
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That's that.

Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green.

Looking for Alaska by John Green.
Book Summary:
Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Liana's Summary: After Miles Halter meets Alaska Young, everything changes. Suddenly, he finds himself in a group of friends. Friends, he never had before. He has an obsession with memorizing famous last words.. Things develop with Alaska, until he finally falls for her. But after that night, everything changed for the worse.

Rate(1-10): 8.9

I've been wanting to read this book for a while--because, well, 1, John Green is like a GOD, and 2, it's all the rage.

Some people may argue that this book is too mainstream, and that's why they don't want to read it, and I see their point of view, but the fact that some books are too mainstream make me want to read them even more, because it just sparks my curiosity. The question is: Is it really that good? And all you really have to do is find out for yourself.

So. Was this book good? Yes, it was. It was great. Fabulous. Sad. But I still have to say that I enjoyed The Fault In Our Stars much, much, more. Looking For Alaska was a really well-written book, but I didn't enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed John Green's way of writing.

Character discussions- One thing that I admire about John Green is that he creates characters with depth...

Alaska- Well, her name being on the title, I guess all of you can guess that she's a very important character. She's great, really. Once you get to know her you'll just wonder about her because you KNOW she has depth. You just know. I think she might be my favorite character.

Pudge (Miles)- Well, his name's not in the title, but he just so happens to be our narrator. I can't help but be reminded of Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower when I read this story in Pudge's point of view. How? Well, one thing is that he's easily influenced..

Colonel- He may seem like a really tough guy that would rather die than open up to people, he's a really nice friend inside.

Takumi- I can't be the only one that thought of Kenji from Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series. No, it's not only because they're both Japanese, gosh-- it's that they almost have the identical attitude about things. And I love Kenji. So I love Takumi too. Alaska and Takumi are definitely my top two..

Yeah. The story was a bit slow in the beginning, but only for about two pages, because the plot moved on right away. Couldn't put the book down. Didn't want to get off the bed to drink some water- maybe because I was tired and lazy but mostly because I didn't want to put down the damn book.


I hope to read more of John Green's books--I have Paper Towns in a pile under my desk right now--because he is A W E S O M E.

Quotes

"And the way her mouth curled up on the right side all the time..."


So is this when the romance starts


"Because you may be smart, but I've been smart longer."


That's probably the best thing a fictional teacher has ever said


"Too bad I love my boyfriend."


Just forget your boyfriend already ohmygod.


"Pudge, my friend, we are indefuckingstructible."


Note to self: Use that word sometime.
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That's that, what do you think of this review?(:

Book Review: Undone by Elizabeth Norris. (Unraveling #1.5)

Undone by Elizabeth Norris. (Unraveling 1.5)
Book Summary: Before the accident. Before their universes collided. Before they fell in love.

Riveting and romantic, Undone: An Unraveling Novella contains three short stories set in the world of Unraveling, the first book in the gripping sci-fi duology by Elizabeth Norris.

Before Ben Michaels saved Janelle Tenner’s life, Janelle saved Ben when he stumbled through an interuniverse portal into a completely new world. That day, he fell in love with the girl of his dreams. And he never forgot her.

Through three stories told from Ben’s point of view, learn how Ben and his friends discovered their ability to travel between worlds, how Ben first met Janelle, and how he pined for her for years before he actually got the chance to meet her, save her life, and capture her heart. And find out what happens to Ben between the cliff-hanger conclusion to Unraveling and the beginning of its heart-stopping sequel, Unbreakable.

Liana's Summary: Before Ben saved her, when he saved her, and after he saved her. Janelle's not the only one who narrates their story-- Ben has his own part to tell. Elizabeth Norris writes a thrilling novella of the Unraveling series, a contemporary story with a delightful twist of science fiction and a taste of multiverses.

Rate(1-10): 9

I think this novella was pretty good, actually, and it answers a lot of questions, or, should I say, clarifies a lot of things.

I just love novellas with a burning passion, LOL. i don't even know

UNDONE was all in Ben's point of view, and he is, in fact, a very good narrator. (Or it's just Elizabeth Norris's writing showing its talent)..

This series is definitely worth reading, give it a try! And don't miss out on this novella~

Book Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris.
Book Summary: Sixteen-year-old Janelle Tenner is used to having a lot of responsibility. She balances working as a lifeguard in San Diego with an intense academic schedule. Janelle's mother is bipolar, and her dad is a workaholic FBI agent, which means Janelle also has to look out for her younger brother, Jared.

And that was before she died...and is brought back to life by Ben Michaels, a mysterious, alluring loner from her high school. When she discovers a strange clock that seems to be counting down to the earth's destruction, Janelle learns she has twenty-four days to figure out how to stop the clock and save the planet.

Liana's Summary: Janelle Tenner dies in a tragic accident-- she feels herself dying. But the next thing she knows, she wakes up and is staring into the face of Ben Michaels, a kid that she's never even talked to. Somehow, she knows, that he has saved her life. And she's determined to find out how. When she confronts him, he is all but comfortable about telling her. As truth after truth is uncovered, Janelle realizes that the world is about to end. And she needs to find a way to stop it. Even if it means splitting up with the one she loves.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

So this is what all the buzz is about. For a long while now, I've been getting..
"Have you read Unraveling?"
"Unraveling is awesome!"
"It's a great book!"

I liked this book lots.

At first sight, I would have assumed that this was a dystopian book, but I guess not. I was sort of relieved that the book started out on a beach with normal, contemporary teenage stuff. (Which just means I need to pick up a good contemporary book pretty soon.) But then it started escalating. I liked the whole apocalypse and multiverse thing with the world ending. This might as well be considered a speculation of the supposedly end-of-the-world thing in December 2012. But definitely more interesting.

The plot had many twists, which were absolutely amazing. The author writes with this grace (it's a debut novel too!) that keeps the readers on the edges of their seats the whole time. The plot was very well organized.

I'll just jump right into character discussions.

Janelle- She's a good protagonist. She's been through a bit of character development and I feel like she's become more jaded somehow. She's definitely responsible, and that's definitely what I like most about her.

Ben- He's a great guy although I was annoyed about his secrets. But even still, he turned out to be caring and surprisingly honest. He blames himself for things that aren't really his fault. Sweet guy.

Alex- The 'guy best friend' of this story, Alex is freaking amazing. Although his persistent denial was somewhat irritating. 

Jared- I can't help but think of Jeremy from The Vampire Diaries when it comes to Jared. I mean, besides the fact that both their names start with J. They're both the little brothers that go, "I'm responsible and old enough to be part of this dangerous thing you're hurling yourself into" and they just make things sort of worse. I liked Jared, though. 

That's all I really have to say!

Quotes!

"..and he's wearing a blue collared shirt and a gray V-neck sweater,.."

That's hot

"Book club,"

I just love it when a guy loves to read

"I'm half-Asian!"

I don't know if I'm supposed to be offended at this stereotype

"Is this the kind of bike Ben works on?"

LOL she could at least try to look less interested

"How often does Ben work here?"

sooo eager

"..how will I ever leave you?"

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That's all! What did you think of this review?(:

Book Review: Uprising by Jessica Therrien. (Children of the Gods #2)

Uprising by Jessica Therrien.
(Children of the Gods #2)
Book Summary: Elyse has done everything she can to protect her friends from The Council's reach. As long as they believe she's dead, she has time to rest and train for war. And war is inevitable. 

When Kara arrives with the news that Anna and Chloe have been captured, Elyse is faced with the realization that no one is safe until The Council is stopped and Christoph is destroyed. She doesn't need a prophecy to tell her to lead an army. Christoph has done the one thing that ensures she'll fight to the death. He's threatened the people she loves. 

It will take more than the words of an oracle to help them fight against the most powerful Descendant alive. To break The Council's oppression and rise up against a plot so many years in the making, Elyse will need to get dangerously close to her enemy. So close, in fact, she may not survive.

Liana's Summary: War. It's time for war, and nothing Elyse does can stop it from happening. When Elyse finds out that her friends, Anna and Chloe, have been captured and are in danger, Elyse refuses to let anything happen to them. She knows that no one can be safe unless Christoph is dead. Elyse needs to get closer to her enemy-- so close that she herself, and perhaps the people she loves, may not survive.

Rate(1-10): 9

First of all, let me thank Jessica for sending me an eARC of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Opression, and I liked Uprising so much more-- mainly because there's more action, and the plot seems to be faster paced. The romance is the same though, and I can't and won't say that's a bad thing. 

I kind of forgot a lot of things from the first book, since I read it a long time ago. But with Jessica Therrien's writing, it's not hard to remember all the characters. 

At first, I thought the romance was a bit spontaneous, but as William and Elyse got to interact more I felt like their love for each other developed.

If you haven't read Oppression, probably none of that made sense. LOL. Check out my review for it.

http://bookaholic-ness.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-oppression-by-jessica.html

That's it!

Book Review: Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza.

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza.
Book Summary: Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past—that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.
Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity-style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.

Liana's Summary: Mila is a normal teenage girl-- at least, that's what she tells herself. Her world is flipped upside down when Kaylee, her 'friend', flings her violently from the back of her truck, and Mila's arm splits open. But instead of flesh and blood and human organs, she sees a machine. She's Mila 2.0, and she's a runaway. When the government is close enough to find her, Mila and Nicole are forced to run-- to Canada. Whatever Mila's leaving behind-- must be left behind. For now.

Rate(1-10): 7.5

I've been wanting to read this book for quite some time now, and I can't say that I'm disappointed! However, I think the cover is the best thing about this whole book..

I liked..
-Of course, the cover. It's so gorgeous.
-The fact that she's an android. I mean, that's AWESOME! She has all these cool abilities and everything.
-The romance. I hope more of it will develop in the rest of the series. I have a feeling a love triangle is coming up.
-The action near the end of the book. It was absolutely amazing and kept the readers at the edges of their seats.

But. I disliked:
-The main character, Mila. She's cool and all but I feel like sometimes, she's just kind of annoying. I don't know. I like the fact that she's an android but I don't like the fact that she's one of those protagonists-in-denial (that I strongly dislike).
-The plot. It was kind of slow, but it was still good. Somewhat. It was very dry until the last quarter of the book, where things started to get interesting.

Overall, this book was alright. I thought it would be better, but it was still good.

Quotes!

"Want to trade cell numbers?"


LOL ALREADY WHAT


"..he was touching me with thick, firm fingers."


okay that's not cute


"Except his eyes."


Oh my god is she seriously gonna comment about his eyes NO THIS ISNT THE RIGHT GUY MILA


"That red flush crept over his cheeks again."


Dangit she's making him blush
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That's it. What did you guys think of this review?(;