Vicious by V.E. Schwab (a book written by someone under 30)

I'm writing this post about a week after I finished the book, so I'm going to make it short because I don't necessarily remember all of the details. I am using this book for a book written by someone under 30 because Victoria Schwab is 27. I was going to use it for a book with magic but since their powers are technically based on science I figured it didn't really count.

Going into this book I had incredibly high expectations because of the non-stop hype on booktube and Goodreads. Unfortunately, I didn't think it lived up to the hype or my expectations. I'm not saying the book was bad, I really did enjoy it, it just wasn't all that I expected it to be. That being said I am still very excited for V.E. Schwab's upcoming release, A Darker Shade of Magic, but I don't think that I am going to spend the $25 on it anymore. I'm hoping with the new release that I will be able to read it before it becomes hyped. I have found that I tend to REALLY enjoy books when I know little to nothing going into them. If I go in with a neutral mindset I am usually pleasantly surprised, like I was with Snow Like Ashes (a great book).

My faults with the book have to do with the lack of plot. Although the book spanned over 10 years it really on discussed a few days I detail and most of the plot centered around 3 days. The book is very character oriented which I tend not to enjoy as books that are more plot based. I loved the characters in the book, and I loved to hate them but I found that I wasn't all that invested in their story. I actually like the character of Sydney and her story, more than I did the main characters. I think I was disappointed mainly because of the hype surrounding the book. If I had read it when it first came out I might have  book more but as it was I found the book to be entertaining but not as engaging as I thought it would be. It took me about a week to read this book even though it is relatively short compared to other books I have read.

MY RATING: *** 1/2

I hope to be posting another book review soon because I am just about halfway through Outlander. (loving it so far & completely in love with Jamie)

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll (a graphic novel)

This book was my first ever graphic novel. I wasn't really sure what graphic novel I should start with, but I have seen Jesse from Jesse the Reader on YouTube talking about this book, so I decided to read this one. I'm not sure if this was the best boo to introduce me to the genre but it's too late now. The book consists of five creepy stories all centered around the woods. The whole thing only took me about a half hour to read, so I really enjoyed the fast-paced nature. I also really enjoyed the artwork; each story started out with regular color art but when they got to the creepier parts, the art changed to black, white, and red. I thought the stories were interesting but overall they were just okay. My favorite one was "His Face All Red". The main reason I didn't like the stories was because they didn't really have the plot that I am used to from reading full length fiction. Most of them didn't have a resolution, which is normal for short stories but not really my favorite thing. Overall the main thing I liked was that it was a really quick read. If I pick up another graphic novel in the future it will probably be one that has a full length story. If you have a favorite graphic novel that you think I should try, comment below because I am interested in reading more from this genre.

MY RATING: ***

All the Light We Cannot See (a book based on a true story)

Now I know looking at the title of this post may be a bit confusing; this book is fiction but it is historical fiction and thus I used it to complete this challenge. All the Light We Cannot See, is based on World War 2 and takes place throughout Europe. I am not exactly sure how true the events in this book are but I know that the bombing of Saint Malo was a real event towards the end of the war. Since this book is historical fiction I thought it would be pretty cool to incorporate some pictures of the actual bombing.

This image shows a B-4 plane flying over the burning city.

 

 

        This one shows prisoners (men ages 16-60) from the city being rounded up by the German's.

I just thought these pictures are really neat and were worth including because they are scenes from the book. Now moving on to the actual reviewing part! I absolutely loved this book and the writing. It did take me longer than normal to read this book; not because it was boring but because the writing style was so rich that at times I just had to set down it down and think about what I just read. The author using incredible imagery and metaphors. I found it very interesting to read from the perspective of a blind girl because even though she couldn't see to describe what was going on around her, most of the time I was still able to visualize what was happening. I also really enjoyed the change of both the perspectives and the time shifts. I think they helped build the suspense and make a more well rounded story. This book  told a story of immense courage on both sides of the front and the story was just absolutely beautiful. That being said I think this book needs to be made into a movie, like right now. There were scenes in the book where I could not only see it on the big screen but I could also hear the music that would go along with the scene. For those people who have read it you understand what I am talking about, especially the "music" chapters toward the end where all the characters in different parts of the city heard music. Those scenes were made for film and I am dying to see them acted out before my eyes. ANY DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS REAING THIS, MAKE THIS BOOK INTO A MOVIE, NOW!...PLEASE?

This book also had one of the greatest endings ever. I'm not saying that I loved everything that happened but the way he author tied up every single loose end was amazing. I loved it when characters from different story lines meet and that happened in the most beautiful ways in this book. I highly recommend this book to every person no matter what age, gender, or even if you hate reading. Just read it people!

My Rating: *****

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (a book that made me cry)

I continue to crops challenges off my list by checking off "a book that made me cry". This is the fifth book I have read this year towards my sixty book goal. This book had been recommended to me by so many people that I just had to read it; plus I got a copy of it for my birthday! When I started it I wasn't really sure what to expect besides a story about a boy with a facial deformity and honestly the book didn't go much beyond that. Don't get me wrong the book was beautiful and moving but I felt it was a bit lacking in plot. For example... Have you ever been to see some animated film with your younger sibling or cousin? It's a cute film but the plot goes little beyond the underdog hero saving the day. That's kind of what this book is like. That being said, I did still really enjoy this book but since it was so hyped I went into it expecting to have my mind blown while using up a whole box of tissues. Instead I teared up a bit throughout the book but I didn't really cry until the end. The thing about the copy of the book I got was that it included "The Julian Chapter". This is a novella that the author wrote after Wonder to explain and give a voice to one of the more controversial characters. This chapter was the only point in the book that I truly cried. When Juilian's grandmere is telling him the story of the crippled boy from her school i began to cry for the first time. You have to understand that I am not really a book cryer but this chapter that explained Julian's hatred and his remorse was one of the saddest but also uplifting points in the book. So, if you plan on reading this book read "the Julian chapter"! If you have already read the book but didn't read the novella, read "the Julian chapter"!

My Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes Plese by Amy Poehler (a funny book)

I continue my reading challenge of 2015 by crossing off "a funny book". My funny book was Yes Please by Amy Poehler. This hilarious woman can not only play a pretty funny fake pregnant woman but also write an equally funny book. This book is made up a short stories about her road to fame and life lessons that she learned along the way. Her writing was so completely honest and that honesty was one of the most refreshing things about the book. She doesn't sugar-coat the truth but she does like to add a humorous sin. I recommend this book to any woman. If you want to break into an acting career this book has some tips. If you just had kids or went through a divorce, Amy can offer some good advice. Or if you are just looking for something fun and entertaining to read (with lots of pictures!) you should pick up this book. The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is because there was just something missing. The book was funny but I couldn't always picture Amy Poehler writing this book. If you want to get the complete experience you should listen to the audio book while looking at the pictures and extras in the actual book.

MY RATING: ****

The Cuckoo's Calling (a book that takes place in a different country)

My third read of the year was The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling). This book counted towards my reading challenge because it took place in a different country.  I was super pumped to read a mystery novel written by the great mind that wrote the Harry Potter series. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. The characters were likeable enough but the plot had little going for it. For the first three-quarters of the book all that happened was the main character, Coromon  Strike interviewed all of the people that interacted with Lula. Strike seemed to be getting clues from these meetings but as a reader they didn't offer anything. It wasn't until the last few pages that it all began to come together and then the book was over. To write a successful mystery novel I think the author needs to drop clues that keep the reader interested and this book had none of those. Also the ending (the killer) was very predictable, not because of the clues that were revealed (or lack of) but because the "twist" was something that I have seen in many other movies and books. Overall I was completely disappointed and I will not be continuing on with this serious. I wish I could say that J.K. Rowling could write books other than Harry Potter but sadly this book didn't prove that.

MY RATING: **

New Year, New Me (2015 Reading Challenges)

I know it has been forever since I last posted but I wanted to try and get back into the habit of recording the books I read.

This year I am setting a few challenges for myself. Once again I will be attempting the 100 book challenge! Also I will be attempting another reading challenge. This challenge consists of a list of 43 challenges that I will have to complete. This list can be found on line but I removed some of the more outlandish challenges so that I would still have some freedom to read whatever I wanted. These are the 43 criteria I will have to read books for:
 

- a book with more than 500 pages
- a classic romance
- a book that became a movie
- a book published this year
- a book with a number in the title
- a book written by someone under 30
- a book with non-human characters
- a funny book
- a book written by a female author
- a mystery or thriller
- a book with a one word title
- a book of short stories
- a book set in a different country
- a non-fiction book
- a popular author's first book
- a book from an author that you haven't read yet
- a book a friend recommended
- a Pulitzer Prize-winning book
- a book based on a true story
- a book your mom loves
- a book that scares you
- a book more than 100 years old
- a book based entirely on its cover
- a memoir
- a book you can finish in a day
- a book set somewhere you always wanted to visit
- a book that came out the year you were born
- a book from your childhood
- a trilogy
- a book with a love triangle
- a book set in the future
- a book set in high school
- a book with a color in the title
- a book that made you cry
- a book with magic
- a graphic novel
- a book by an author you've never read before
- a book you own but have never read
- a book that was originally written in a different language
- a book set during Christmas
- a book written by an author with your same initials
- a book based on or turned into a TV show
- a book you started but never finished

I am so excited to begin this challenge and I hope to push myself to be open to reading book I may have overlooked before. I have actually already completed two of these challenges. I read a book that became a movie when I finally finished The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I also read a book by an author I loved but I had never read when I read (and loved!) Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This is the sequel to White Hot Kiss and it left me craving the next book in the series which doesn't even have a cover or a release date yet (the agony). These books were the first two books of my 2015 reading year which leaves me with only 41 more challenges and 98 more books to read. I hope your 2015 reading year is EPIC!!