Sarah Reviews: This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: This is What Happy Looks Like

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Pages: 416

Publishing Company: Headline

Publication Date: April 2, 2013

ISBN: 0316212822

My Rating:  

(more like 3.5 but closer to 3)

Summary:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Review:
This book was super adorable. If you're looking for a quick, cute contemporary book I would recommend this. The one thing that annoyed me was that a lot of it seemed over exagerrated. I mean I understand it had to seem to dramatic and like there was a threat, but it seemed blown out of proportion. This book doesn't delve into really deep themes or meanings but it was really enjoyable. I couldn't put the book down and wanted to know how it would end. Overall, it was enjoyable and a cute contemporary read.

Until next time fellow readers, this is what happy looks like

xoxo Sarah

Sarah Reviews: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Title: Pivot Point

Author: Kasie West

Pages: 384

Publishing Company: HarperTeen

Publication Date: December 31, 2013

ISBN: 9780062117366

My Rating:   

Synopsis:

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Review:
WOW! This book was not what I thought it would be. It was action packed, suspenseful, and there was romance! What more could a book lover ask for? The majority of the book is split between Addie's two possible futures. It was so cool how Kasie West structured the book. The two futures had similarities and it was so interesting to see how the mystery unfolded from both futures. I was completely enthralled and captivated by the story. The book was more centered on the plot rather than characters. I mean it is kind of hard when there are two possible paths the character could take. It was a very unusual world and not a lot was explained. I would like to more about Addie's home and how people developed abilities and why her's is so special. I feel like the second book will cover more of this while this one mainly focused on the issue at hand. It was so interesting during the book to figure out where the story was going and I can't wait to see what will happen in the sequel!

Until next time fellow readers, which path will you choose?
xoxo Sarah

Sarah Reviews: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Pages: 352

Publishing Company: Putnam Juvenille

Publication Date: April 8, 2014

ISBN: 0399256938

My Rating:    

Summary:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

BTW, this was booksplosion's book of the month for April! Check out the deets @booksplosion. Here is the link for the live show they did on May 3: 

Booksplosion Rebel Belle Live Show

Review:

This book! Amazing! If you have read some of Rachel Hawkins' books, you know how funny her writing is and Rebel Belle is just as funny. First of, let me say how much I love Harper and David. I SHIP IT SO HARD!!! Anyway, this story is so action packed and funny. Basically my reaction for most of the book:

I love how Rachel Hawkins is able to ease tension by weaving in her wit. The mythology is so different and unique and had me enthralled instantly. The first couple pages are a little weird and confusing...but don't let that stop you! I love the main character Harper and how everyone can relate to her. I totally understood how spread thin she was with all her activities and shuffling her crazy schedule. My favorite, most meaningful part, is how she mentions how society thinks she's crazy because of all her activities. If your looking for quick, fun, action packed read, don't hesitate to pick this up! Fans of Hex Hall or other guardian/fantasy meets modern world stories will love it! One of my favorite reads of 2014!

Until next time fellow readers, have a good time reading y'all!

xoxo Sarah 

Sarah Reviews: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Pages: 404

Publishing Company: Bloombury USA Children's

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

ISBN: 1599906953

My Rating:   
(or an 87%)

Synopsis:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. 

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review:

Wow! This book was definitely even better than I expected. I was originally wary and it took me a while to get into the writing style. The writing style was really unique and interesting. It was not written like many other YA books. Although the characters are snarky and sarcastic, the dialogue is written in a sort of sophisticated way. It's really cool! I loved Celaena a lot! She is so kickass and such a strong character. I mean she's an assassin! I love how the other characters underestimate her and then she's like BAM, watch my awesomeness! She is so strong and I love how both Chaol and Dorian, originally believing her to be evil, come to realize how she is an amazing person despite her "occupation". Everything in the story was revealed in a very clever way and kept the reader on their toes. It was suspenseful and crazy action packed! There is also a love triangle a-brewing, and I have no clue which side I'm on! I'm thinking Dorian, because he's so sweet and lovable, but Celaena doesn't seem to feel the same way...at least not yet *crosses fingers hopefully*. I loved the complexity of the characters and can't wait to see where their stories lead in the next book. I'm sure it will be just as action packed!!! Weird names and pronunciation problems aside, this book was definitely enjoyable. If you love assassins, fantasy, action, romance, or just kickass characters in general, pick up this book ASAP!!

Until next time fellow readers, watch out for those assassins! ;)

xoxo Sarah

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List

Time for another Top Ten Tuesday! Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks list is the top ten books I want to read this spring. Sarah will also be adding onto the list so yay! Here we go!

Molly:

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs - I absolutely LOVED Ms. Peregrine's so of course I have to read the sequel! I've already ordered this one so now I'm just waiting for it to come in the mail.

Frostbite by Richelle Mead - I really need to get reading this book because I read the first book about a year ago. I want to read the entire series so I better get a move on.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I am so so so so excited to read this book! I've heard nothing but great things about it and I can't wait to start reading it!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - The movie adaptation is coming out soon and I really want to read this book before then so that way I know what to espect beforehand.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth - Yeah, I've been putting this one off for a while and I really need to get on this one. I must finish the trilogy!!!!!

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - My friend Linda keeps telling me to read this book and I would really like to read it since it seems really good. Plus, I haven't read a book about time travel yet and this one seems as good as any.

The Odyssey by Homer - I LOVE Greek literature and mythology and I would love to read the entire epic poem. We started it in English class freshman year and I intend to finish it.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - I've been meaning to read this book forever and I'm really excited to do so.

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini - I'm finally getting around to read this book. I've owned it for about a year now and I would really like to read it at some point this year.

Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank - I've started reading this book several times in elementary school and now I would like to actually like to read the whole thing.


Sarah:

1. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - I just finished Throne of Glass and loved it!!! I can't wait to continue this stellar series!

2-4. The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi - I've been dying to read this series 5ever! It sounds super cool! 

5. Panic by Lauren Oliver - Lauren Oliver is one of my favorite writers and I've been dying to read her latest book. Plus, some booktubers over at @booksplosion are holding a read-along for this book! Woot!

6. The Archived by Victoria Schwab - This is another book I've been hearing people rave about on booktube. I don't know much about it, but there is another read-along for this book and the liveshow is this weekend. Yikes! I better get started...

7. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - I really don't know much about this book either except that my friends loved it. That's good enough for me! And no, it is not related to 50 Shades of Gray, AT ALL!

8. Pivot Point by Kasie West - This book sounds super interesting! It's about a girl who can see her future or something like that. Sounds awesome!

9. Partials by Dan Wells - This is a dystopian I bought like a week ago because it was really cheap on the nook. I'm about one chapter in...

10. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - I feel like this needs no explanation. As a fan of The Mortal Instruments, I have no excuse for not reading this yet.

Molly Reviews: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Title: The Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

Pages: 377

Publishing Company: Disney Hyperion Books

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

ISBN: 0786838665

My Rating:    

Synopsis: Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Review: This was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and now I remember why! I love Greek mythology and Percy Jackson is a great adaptation that is easy for everyone to understand! You don't have to know anything about Greek legends going into this book which is one of the reasons why I love it.

Last year, in English, we spent an entire marking period learning about Greek literature and coming back to this book after that led me to appreciate it even more (did anyone else notice Poseidon's mention of tragic heroes?). Not only does the book talk about Greek myths, but it also has quite a bit of sarcastic humor. I am SO glad my friend is making me reread the series. Even though this book is rather short and written for more middle grade audiences, I think that it is a good read for people of all ages!

Top Ten All Time Favorite Books in YA Fiction!!!

Hey y'all!

It's Molly here for another Top Ten Tuesday! This week was Top Ten Books in X Genre so I chose a somewhat broad topic but I read all different types of books so it was hard to pick one specific genre. So yeah! Here goes nothing!

1. Graceling - SUCH an amazing book. It's such a unique idea and just a great, entertaining story.

2. An Abundance of Katherines - This is my favorite John Green book. I love the characters and it's just a fun read. Highly recommend it.

3. Jellicoe Road - This is probably my favorite YA book of all time. I love the way the story is told and I just love everything about this book. It's definitely one of the best books out there.

4. The Spectacular Now - Tim Tharp knows how to write a book. Even though it doesn't have that many pages, it's a long read. It's extremely realistic and a must read for everyone.

5. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - Yay Christmas! The varrying points of view are one of the things that made me fall in love with this book. It's adorable.

6. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculliar Children - Okay, this book is pretty creepy. The story is pretty weird and the photos could give some people nightmares but I love that sort of thing so this book obviously got a spot on the list. 

7. The Scorpio Races - If you love horses and the beach, you'll love this book. It deals with the myth of water horses and yeah. It's good.

8. Between Shades of Gray - Definitely my favorite historical fiction novel. It's sosososo good and you simply must read it.

9. The Giver - This is probably one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It was very good and if you  haven't read it yet you totally should because the movie will be coming out soon!!!

10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - *cries forever*

That's all for today!! Thanks so much for stopping in!

Love,

Molly