Books To Read

A blog dedicated to book reviews. As an avid reader, I'm always searching for the next good book to read. The majority of these will be YOUNG ADULT FICTION. Cliches like Twilight, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, will not be reviewed. Open to suggestions!

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So I just realized how extensive my YA lit knowledge is. Anyone want some book recs? 

I've read a whole bunch, and I'm sure I could offer you some nice examples if you want.

The only thing I haven't read too much of is Sci-Fi (but plenty of Dystopias, which could sort of count I suppose).

Soo...Send me a message with a genre, and I'll give ya some book recs?

Looking to get this blog up again, but school's rough, and I'm about to start a new job. Hopefully soon, though.

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Wow, it's been awhile. But, I'm going to get back into the swing of things, starting with a whole new book ;) I'm also working on integrating myself to Wordpress (updates will still be posted here!)

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Hey guys, a little update here. Last Friday night I was contacted by the Executive Editor of The Chat Cast, a pop-culture website. I was offered a position on their staff, mostly under books. I'd love it if you guys could check it out, subscribe, and read my stuff!

With finals starting tomorrow, things will be slow. But, as I have a very long car ride coming up, I can type up a bunch of reviews for you guys, and queue them up. 

Happy Holidays!

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Book Title: Song of the Sparrow

Author: Lisa Ann Sandell

Number of Pages: 416

Stars: ★★★★

Description: (From Amazon)

Since the days of King Arthur, there have been poems and paintings created in her name. She is Elaine of Ascolat, the Lady of Shalott, and now there is a book all her own. The year is 490 A.D. and 16-year-old Elaine has a temperament to match her fiery red hair. Living on a military base with her father, brothers, and the rest of Arthur's army, Elaine pines for the handsome Lancelot, and longs for a female friend. But when the cruel, beautiful Gwynivere arrives, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. Can Elaine find the strength to survive the birth of a kingdom?

Thoughts:

This was actually my first introduction to the world of Arthurian Mythology. I read it back in fifth grade, I believe, and I've loved the book since. Like Crank (see my last review), this book is in verse. However, it's much easier to read than Ellen Hopkin's style. It flows, and pauses in the best ways.

My biggest draw to the book was the fact that the protagonist(s) in the book were female. Up until that point, I was always reading books about men saving the day, and being the chivalrous knights (I went to a rather closed-minded private school). Elaine (also considered the Lady of Shallot; her story, poem by Tennyson) gets a unique twist on her tale in this story, and it's so very captivating.

Lisa's friendly, too! Me, in my wistful, ten/eleven year old state, had attempted to send multiple authors my opinion of their stories. Lisa was the first to write back, and we had a fun correspondence for years. She even sent me a book plate that she signed (the first time I ever gave my address to a stranger. Whew!). Lisa even put up with my angsty, hormonal start-of-teenager-year messages, which were rather embarrassing now that I look back on them.

This isn't a particularly long read, and every little detail is important to put together the storyline, but it's definitely worth it. I read it, the first time, in about four-five hours, because some of the language was unfamiliar. Now, I can probably read it in an hour and a half?

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Nobles

Available on Kindle: No

Available on Nook: No

(Pick up a hardcover book, guys! It's worth it!)

(From Lisa Ann Sandell's website. This is the prologue. The rest of the first chapter can be found: here)

I am Elaine         daughter of Barnard of Ascolat.         Motherless.         Sisterless.  I sing these words to you now,  because the point of light grows smaller,  ever smaller now,  ever more distant now.  And with this song, I pray I may  push back the tides of war and death.  So, I sing these words  that this light, this tiny  ray of light and hope may live on.  I dare not hope that I  may live on too.

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Book Title:  Crank (book 1)

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Number of Pages: 544

Stars:  ★★★★★

Description: (From Amazon)

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place (Blogger clarification: Bree is Kristina's "alter ego").Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina -- she's fearless.

Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul -- her life.

Thoughts:

So, I first read this book in my first year of middle school (seventh grade, which was three years ago, for you nosey people). I read it because I was going to attend a teen-lit conference in my local town, where Ellen Hopkins was the keynote speaker. From the moment I opened it, I was hooked. 

For many, the way this story is formatted is very strange. It's in a poet-verse, but they AREN'T poems. Let me stress that! It's an actual story, just a different style of writing. Some people claim it hurts their eyes, but you just need to get used to it.

Back to the book itself: It, honestly, turned me off of drugs more than any talk about drugs or preacher could. And my family is very open to talking about drugs and drug abuse. I loved this book because it's exactly what it says: A book about crank (meth). It doesn't preach about how you shouldn't do drugs, nor does it promote it in any way. It's the most accurate description I've seen. It talks about the highs of the drug, and the crashing lows. The addiction you feel when you want need more. 

A very powerful book, as is all of Hopkin's stories. Not for the fragile! But if you can handle it, I would most definitely recommend this book. 

It's a trilogy, too! Crank is book one, and then comes Glass, and the final installment is Fallout (which isn't exactly focused on Kristina. But spoiler alert, so you'll have to read it yourself.)

Where to Buy:  Amazon, Barnes and Nobles,

Available on Kindle: Yes

Available on Nook: Yes

New--Excerpts! 

(Directly from Ellen Hopkin's website)

Flirtin’ with the Monster Life was good before I met                                the monster After,   life              was great, At least               for a little while.

ust Before The Drop You know how you stand and stand and stand in line for the most gigantic incredible roller                                       coaster you’ve ever dared attempt. Anticipation swelling, minute by minute by minute, you choose to wait even longer, to ride in the front                                       car and finally it’s your turn. They buckle you in, lock the safety bar with a jolting clunk! Hook engaged, the chain jerks you forward. You start to                                       climb Crank-crank-crank. Cresting the top, time moves into overtime as you wait for that scant hesitation, just before you                                      drop You know how you feel at that instant? Well, that’s exactly how it feels when you shake hands with the monster.

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i recommend Divergent by Veronica Roth. It's a great dystopic novel for young adults and also one of my favourite books :)

Edit from the blogger:

I'll definitely add it to my list to read! If I can find some time in California during Christmas Break, I'll read it! (Because, no doubt, one [if not more] of my family members is bound to get me a gift card to Barnes and Nobles

Thanks for the suggestion!

If you like Dystopic novels, The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a really good one! (I guess it's a series now; who knew!). It's by Carrie Ryan. Apocolyptic-type of book, but I didn't really realize that until I finished reading it, hahaha. But anyways, fantastic book, and a fantastic author. I was captivated since I first saw the cover and title! 

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Book Title: Vampire Academy Series

Author: Richelle Mead

Number of Pages: First book: 336

Stars: ★★★★

Description: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Thoughts: When I first read this, I figured it was going to be just your average vampire book. But Richelle Mead did a beautiful job at making it less-than-cliche. It's based off of Romanian and Russian folklore (the mortal vampire, the undead vampire, and the half-human-half-mortal-vampire-vampire). I liked all the action that went on in this, and of course, the characters.

It was really captivating, and I felt like I could connect with the main character, Rose. She's the typical bad-ass, sensual character, but at the same time, so lovable. All six of these books cause you a whirlwind of emotions, and I'd recommend them for anyone who's trying to get away from typical vampire stories. 

Plus...Hot Russian Vampires? Who could say no! ;)

Where to Buy: 

Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Available on Kindle: Yes

Available on Nook: Yes

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Upcoming:

Crank -- Ellen Hopkins

Glass -- Ellen Hopkins

Fallout -- Ellen Hopkins

Burned -- Ellen Hopkins

Impulse -- Ellen Hopkins

Tricks -- Ellen Hopkins

Identical --Ellen Hopkins

The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy -- Maggie Stiefvater

Vampire Academy Series -- Richelle Mead

Georgia Nicolson Series --Louise Renninson 

Weight of the Sky -- Lisa Ann Sandell

Song of the Sparrow --Lisa Ann Sandell

Stories of Sherlock Holmes -- Arthur Conan Doyle

13 Reasons Why -- Jay Asher

Forest of Hands and Teeth -- Carrie Ryan

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants -- Ann Brasheres 

Everemore --Alyson Noel

 Hush Hush series --Becca Fitzpatrick

City of Thieves -- David Benioff

Bloodlines Series --Richelle Mead

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Book Title: The Fault In Our Stars

Author: John Green

Number of Pages: 336 Pages

Stars: ★★★★★

Description: (from Amazon) Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Thoughts: This most definitely goes into the "tear-jerker" section. Prepared to have your tissues ready! It's beautifully written, as was expected by John Green. If you're a big reader, then you should have no problems with this book; the vocabulary and conversations can get a little troubling if you're not that big of a reader.

I'd recommend this book to everyone and everything. It's one of those re-read ones, because you can't get enough. Full of memorial quotes and moments.

Where to Buy: 

Amazon , Barnes and Nobles

Available on Kindle: Yes

Available on Nook: Yes

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