Tbr List

Tbr List

This is a list to help me get together what I need to read before the year is up. As well is shows you guys what I have read.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan   Goodreads

the lost hero

I did a reread in preparation of starting the Heroes of Olympus series, and I fully intended on reading it. I just never followed through.

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater  Goodreads

all the crooked saints

This book sounded so wonderful but with school I just never got around to it. I’m hoping that over my Christmas break I will be able to get around to it.

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas  Goodreads

the hate you give

I’m so embarrassed that I’ve had this book on my shelf for so long, but I just haven’t gotten to it. It will be a very heavy book, and I want to be able to take it all in. This is another one that will have to wait till Christmas break.

Prodigy by Marie Lu   Goodreads

prodigy

There is no excuse for this one. I just didn’t really care about their story enough to continue reading.

Three Dark Crown by Kendare Blake     Goodreads

three dark crowns

My best friend, Meli, has been on me for so long for not reading it. I finally picked it up during my trip to Charleston. I will read it, and she can finally talk to me about.

Book: The Truth About Forever

Book: The Truth About Forever

Author: Sarah Dessen

Synopsis: Macy has her whole summer planned out- working at the library, studying, and spending time with her mother, sharing silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy’s father.

Her plans didn’t include landing a job at Wish Catering, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or helping to renovate the family’s cottage at the beach, left in disrepair since the death of her father. Or Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and amazing artistic talent.

But Macy soon discovers that the things you expect least are sometimes the things you need most.

Rating: ⅗

Review (Spoiler Free): I picked this up on a random trip to Barnes and Noble purely because I needed that romance and contemporary feel. It was definitely not the most creative, interesting, and well put together book, but it was good. All the characters gave of this chaotic and chill feeling.

Characters: ⅘ All the characters were enjoyable, aside from the fact we didn’t get to know anyone. We dove really deep into the main character, but everyone else we were just given their sympathy and sad stories.

The romance made no sense. I did not see them together at all. It was rushed, and they barely knew each other. For the strong romantic bonds I think it would have taken more than a summer of infrequent talking to develop them.

Even though they were all great characters, I felt like I’d seen them already. They weren’t different from any basic contemporary. I wish there was a little more creativity and development with their characters.

Plot: ⅖ Again, super unoriginal. It’s the same story told over and over. It took a while for the plot to go. We spent about 100 pages with just backstory and nothing happening. Once something did happen it hooked me a little more. The big climax or what was supposed to be didn’t really feel like that big of a deal. It was kind of what did you expect.

Writing Style: ⅗ I didn’t have many problems with it. It did lack in dialogue but it had details and emotion portrayed very well. It was just very basic, not a lot of “challenging words”

Overall, I liked it. It was a nice sick read for me. What did you think about it?

Favorite Adaptations

Favorite Adaptations

Movies can either make or break a book series. There are some movies like, Harry Potter, that are done really good, but there are also movies like, City of Bones, that are pretty bad. We prefer to set those aside and forget they exist. This is some of the adaptations I think are not all that bad. I’m going to exclude Harry Potter because everyone already knows I love that.

1. The Hunger Games

The first one was my absolute favorite. To me they captured the setting and feeling of the book really well. After Catching Fire the movies went down hill in my opinion.

2. The Princess Bride

I grew up on this movie. When I got older I read the book and loved it just as much. The romance and fighting really impressed 8 year old me.

3. The Fault in Our Stars

As always this movie made me cry. It was very truthful to the book, and it gave me all the emotions.

4. Inferno

I have never read a Dan Brown book. Very shocking, I know. The movie was my first experience and won’t be my last. It was very fun to watch them figure this out. I can’t wait to read some of his works.

5. Everything, Everything

I took my best friend to go see this after reading the book. It was one of the most truthful adaptations I have read. Almost everything was the same and the little changes were for the better.

6. The Book Thief

One of my favorite books became a movie that was done well. It clearly represented the theme and overall kindness of the book. I cried, I laughed, and I felt more connected to the characters.

7. Nerve

I was absolutely disgusted by the book. It was gross, weird, and not my thing. I don’t know why, but I went to see the movie. It was so much better. They took out all the weird things and really changed it for the better. My best friend and I now have this inside joke with the movie, and we watch it all the time.

8. The Murder on the Orient Express

With a bunch of friends for my birthday I saw this. It was full of beautiful shots and stunning places. I would 10/10 recommend for everyone to see it.

Book: Secret for the Mad

secret for the madBook: Secret for the Mad

Author: dodie

Synopsis: When I feel like I’m going mad, I write.

A lot of my worst fears have come true-fears that felt so big I could barely hold them in my head. I was convinced that when they’d happen, the world would end.

But the world didn’t end. In fact, it pushed on and demanded to keep spinning throughout all sorts of mayhem, and I got through it. And because I persisted, I learned lessons about how to be stronger, kinder, better human-lessons you can only learn by going through these sorts of things.

This is for people with minds that just don’t stop; for those who feel everything seemingly a thousand time more than the people around them.

Rating: 5/5

Review: This isn’t going to be a regular review because it’s nonfiction. It’s also a very personal book. I relate so much to dodie. I cried about 50 times while reading this. The part that hit me the hardest was the letter to her best friend. I’m currently going through something with my best friend. It’s hard because I’ve gone to her when I have a problem. I can’t go to her this time. I really miss her.

The letter to Hedy hit me hard too. As the younger sibling, I was on the other side. I saw something from the older one. I don’t know if my brother was like that, but it was different. Plus I don’t have him around this year. He’s grown, he went off to college.

I feel like there is so much to learn from this book. It can teach you so much about the world, and I honestly felt like I came out of knowing more about myself.

Book: This Savage Song

this savage songBook: This Savage Song

Author: V.E. Schwab

Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains-and friends or enemies-with the future of their homes at stake. The first of books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city-a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent- but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

Rating:

Review (Spoiler Free): V.E. Schwab is a favorite writer of mine. She has created so many characters that I love and feel like I know as a friends. I did very much enjoy this book, but I did not love it as much as The Darker Shade of Magic series. This Savage Song was so much darker than previous books because just how chaotic the world is.

Characters: ⅘ There was a lot of character depth, which seems to be her strong suit. I found that you could clearly see each character’s motivations, their flaws, and their strengths. Another thing that made her characters realistic is they both realized how much they needed each other. They went through a lot, but they stuck together. Romance really wasn’t prominent which was nice. I expected it to take over most of the plot and become a big point.

Plot: ⅗ There seemed like very little action. It took about 200 pages for things to start moving along. Part of that is because she had so much world building to do. Once things did start moving I found myself easily captured and brought along on their adventures. Movement or traveling constantly is something I always find myself troubled with, but this time I found each scene different and stood out.

World Building: 5/5 Once again, I have to give this section its own just because I loved it so much. She did a wonderful job of describing this broken world. The monsters went into so much detail, and I was never confused about what they were talking about. In the small pages she had she gave us a lot of information at some points it was a little too much.

Writing Style: ⅗ Schwab has such a distinct and lyrical writing. In this book it fit perfectly to the dark matter and chaotic feel of the book. She wrote scenes so clearly I felt like I was there.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Till the day I die I will be recommending Schwab’s books.

October Wrap up

This was overall, a wonderful reading month for me. I didn’t get to a lot of books, but I enjoyed every single one of them.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling 5/5 Goodreads

prisoner of azkaban

This book is probably one of my favorites out of this series. I always gain some information or understanding when I reread, and this time it was incredibly impactful.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie ⅘ Goodreads

murder on the orient express

I read this because there is an adaptation that I’m going to see with some friends. I did enjoy it more than past mysteries I’ve read.

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling 5/5 Goodreads

Goblet of fire

I love this book so much. I don’t know why, but it has always been my favorite. There are obviously parts that I hate, but it really sets up the rest of the series.

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken ⅘ Goodreads

dreadful tale of prosper redding

One of my new favorite Halloween books. I would totally recommend checking this out for some spooky vibes.

The Diviners by Libba Bray 5/5 Goodreads

diviners

The Diviners was hyped up so much and so big, so I was hesitant to pick it up. Thank god I did because it has made it to my favorite shelf. I would 100% recommend for anyone who is up for those thrilling vibes that follow you throughout the book.

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Book: The Diviners

divinersBook: The Diviners

Authors: Libba Bray

Synopsis: Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City-and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Spoiler Free) This is the first book in so long that I have felt this desire to read. I missed it so much. Magic in the twenties and a murderer around New York just makes for such a perfect and well thought out book. It’s a shame that many people opt out of it because of its size. The book is the perfect size for all that goes on and all the connections you get. Libba has outdone herself in every aspect of this book.

Characters: ⅘ These characters were so well thought out. There was great representation for diversity in this book. It was a little confusing to keep up with all these different characters, but there stories and situations were all so different that it helped differentiate. I didn’t find any character boring. I had my favorite which was Memphis and Evie’s perspectives because they just cared so much.

Motivation felt like such a big part of this story, as it does most mysteries. I found myself wondering why any of this would happen, and is anyone doing it for the sake of the greater good? There were times I really questioned everyone because it felt like everyone was just going through the motions of being good.

I liked the different perspectives which is weird because I don’t typically. With all these characters I was able to pick part of myself out of each of them really involving me in their stories.

Plot: 5/5 I was hooked from the beginning. The second it got supernatural I needed to know more. The mystery was more intriguing because of its darkness and connections to the occult. I didn’t feel rushed or like there was info dumping, it felt like we were working with them.

Writing Style: ⅘ Libba has such an ethereal and haunting writing. It really drew out and highlighted the gruesome parts of the story. Throughout the book her details enchanted these seemingly normal acts. She doesn’t get sidetracked from these details and lose the plot.

I don’t have much for these last two sections because I feel like it’s best to go in less knowledgeable. Please, please, please read this. I know so many people that would love this story, and I’m hopefully going to get them to read it.

Book: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

dreadful tale of prosper reddingBook: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Synopsis: “I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosper Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness.”

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history – that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great something grandfather made- and then broke-a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose – to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts tick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.

Rating:

Review (Spoilers): I really enjoyed this book.I did go to meet signing for this book, and Alex is such a sweet person. She interacts with the audience really well, and tells the funniest stories. It was filled with mysterious vibes that really took control of the plot, but there was still that innocence because Prosper is so young. It may deal with heavy topics, but it makes light of them because it is still middle grade.

Characters: ⅘ The family dynamic was perfect. Prosper seemed that he really wanted to make sure his family was safe, but it didn’t become the plot. Nell and Prosper’s relationship did seem a little fake because he ever met her, but he suddenly trusts her with putting magic on him. I doubted the legitimacy from the beginning, and I was right. I did love Nell so much though. I love how she decided to go for the part of the play even though it was a boy.

Alastor was the funniest demon I have ever read from. There were times when I wish he was a little more serious to push the story along. He seemed very humanized than a demon would be, and it’s a little scary to think of a demon having and showing these human traits like Alastor did. The ending of the book was what really shook me. Instead of this demon that’s bad, it’s this human. It was really such an eye opener that not all humans are good some are monsters. Just like humans an entire race can’t be judged on the action of some. We wouldn’t all like to be recognized as just Hitler, and the same could go for these demons. Maybe some of them are good, and we can’t judge the race as a whole because they are all different.

Plot: ⅗ It may have been the way I was reading it, in the middle of a bunch of testing, but the plot was really slow. It didn’t draw my attention span for long periods of time. There were some great moments throughout this book, just put all together it didn’t flow as nicely as it could have. I am going to be hoping for some more world building and action in this next book, especially since the ending of the last one.

Writing Style: This was perfect for test days because I could home to an easy read that gave my brain a break. It was filled with simple dialogue, not a lot of intense world building, and some very descriptive sights. I will not hold against her the lack of vocabulary, and sentence types because it is written for a younger audience.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I will be eagerly anticipating the coming books. What did you think of this book?

Spooky Reads

Spooky Reads

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken Goodreads

dreadful tale of prosper redding

This book is the definition of Halloween aesthetic. It has every factor you need to crave autumn, and the story just fits perfectly along with the whole aesthetic. I can’t wait to dive deeper into this book.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black Goodreads

coldest girl in coldtown

As this was my first experience with Holly Black I can say it won’t be my last. Vampires were the main focus of this book, and I completely feel in love with all of them. The whole book had me on edge and creeped out.

The Accident Season by Moȉra Fowley-Doyle Goodreads

accident season

There was something about this book that scared me so much. There was an actual season for accidents, and while I get hurt on a daily basis, I couldn’t handle an accident season.

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín Goodreads

call

I drew a lot of comparisons to the Hunger Games in this book, but it was so much darker. These creatures were ruthless and they honestly gave me chills. I can’t wait for the sequel that is set to come out in 2018.

The Diviners by Libba Bray Goodreads

diviners

A magical story set in the 20’s, I’m down. Murders happening across the city, I’m down. Reading it during Halloween, I’m down. I seriously want to finish this book especially during this spooky season.

Harry Potter Movies

harry potter moviesHello! I’m here to discuss my favorite adaptation that I watch on bad days and just any day. That is the Harry Potter series. I can’t choose a singular favorite but Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part 2. I do love all of them though. They all symbolize a big part of my childhood. I saw the first two movies when I was very little because they weren’t as dark, so I was able to watch them when my older brother did.

I have three very distinct memories of watching the Harry Potter movies. The first memory is when I was 6 or 7 in our old house, we watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, my favorite one. We were all cuddled up in our blankets while the sun was going down. After when finished the movie we had a puzzle. I don’t know why this is such a distinct moment in my memory.

The second memory I’m much older. We were helping up the yard at my grandma’s for the day, and we all came back sweaty and tired. I suggested that we all shower and watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because I had just gotten the craving to watch it. My mom made popcorn, and I grab a bunch of blankets off of my bed. We were all bundled up on the couches and floor. The reason I remember this one so well, I think is because my brother watched with us. He was never the type for movie nights, just because he was constantly studying. Of course, that got him pretty far in life.

The last memory was on the night after a 5k I did, so I was resting. It was one of those rare days where the temperature dipped below freezing. I was wearing a giant sweatshirt and leggings while on the couch drinking hot chocolate. I was half asleep, but my mom was in the kitchen making dinner. Moose, my dog, was against my side acting as a heater. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was a quiet murmur in the back. When I think of winter that is always the first thing to come to mind, and I love it.

I don’t know why I decided to share that. It was originally just going to be about the movies, but instead you get my memories.. So I hope you enjoyed that little trip down memory lane. What are some of your fondest memories of Harry Potter?
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