Recommendation of the Month!!

I know I have been M.I.A. lately, mainly due to me slacking off and being completely uninspired. I haven't read much lately to be honest, but today, a friend of mine reminded me of a good book that I have already read but have yet to recommend to you.

If you are a fantasy reader and fan like I am, you have to try The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. The first book in the series is The Name of the Wind, and it is simply fantastic. I can't tell you what it's about since I don't want to spoil too much, but it's just one of those books you can not help but adore. It is wonderfully crafted by the author; its characters and settings so rich it'd be hard to tear yourself away from them.

Simply put, these novels make up one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. It has everything that I love about books and reading, and if you like the said genre, try it out. If you don't trust me, I hope the thousands of 5-star reviews will encourage you even more! Happy reading!

Fifty Shades of Complete Nonsense

For about two months now, I have been so out of the loop when it comes to books and what people are reading. I don't know if it's because of lack of inspiration, lack of ideas, or just pure laziness, but I just wasn't feeling it unfortunately.

However, these past few months, statuses about a certain not-so-little book from my friends on Facebook are being posted. You may have heard of it.

The reader in me just knew I had to pick Fifty Shades of Grey especially when my non-reader friends started raving about it, and asking me what I thought about it. Going into this, I had no idea what the book was even about - that was how out of the loop I was! I then found out its genre, which I haven't even tried before. To be honest though, my curiosity got the best of me. Why were so many people reading and raving about it? Is it really as good as everyone says it is?

So I read it. I finished it in a day. Here's my opinion. This has got to be one of the worst stories I've ever read. It was, and I don't think I've called a book this, just a complete waste of time.

First, the writing. It was like reading the worst fan fiction story ever. Fifty Shades of Grey was repetitive and unimaginative, as if the author found it impossible to come up with other ideas to make up this story. Chapter 14 sounded like Chapter 1, Chapter 17 sounded like Chapter 14 again, which makes it sound like Chapter 1... you get the point. There's no plot development whatsoever. Also, the events and situations just felt so incredibly forced (like a horribly acted soap opera) that I couldn't help but laugh in some parts.

The characters - just pure cliches! Predictable, abusive, self-indulgent, messed up, and obsessive - scary combination, and not executed very well either. There's of course the needy, dim-witted girl, who just needs a tough man to fill in the emptiness in her life. She wants her life to be spontaneous, exciting, exhilarating, and complete. Then there's the brooding male character. Good looking. Attractive in every way. Mysterious. A little dangerous. Actually has a huge heart. Note that he can be a little intense, abusive, and degrading, but "she likes it, so it's okay!" Yeah. That makes total sense!

As for the plot... was there even one?

Overall, I tried to enjoy this for the sake of entertainment. I tried. I failed. This book had no purpose, no plot, no likable and believable characters... I can go on and on. I will tell you this; if you like this genre and this style - PLEASE go to good, quality fan fiction websites. They will be so much better. I promise you.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Genre: Young Adult - dystopian

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: After hearing so many rave reviews on this book, I finally decided to go ahead and give it a try. I want to go ahead and say that first off, I really enjoyed this book. But before I say the things I loved about it, I'm going to mention one tiny little flaw I found I just didn't like. I didn't like that we didn't really get to see or catch a glimpse of the city of Chicago. While the idea of the five factions was fascinating, I found there's many things left to be desired. I wanted to find out more about the world outside the factions. How is the actual city of Chicago? How's the factionless? I wanted to see the entire world, to see what it has become. To me, that's the true point of a dystopian. Then again, that's also just my opinion.

That being said, I was still thoroughly entertained. The author, Veronica Roth, is excellent at story telling. She's able to draw her readers in with just enough details and descriptions, making the pace of the story perfect. I found that the world that was available - the factions - were awesome. I also really liked the characters, especially the main male lead. He was just very realistic - none of those typical male characters you read about nowadays. And also, I simply found the overall plot to be incredibly compelling. I couldn't stop reading - even at 2am, when I should be sleeping, I didn't want to stop as I wanted to find out what happens next.

So yes, I would definitely recommend this to YA fans and readers, adults, and dystopian fans. Must read for sure. It's a unique book and a unique story, told wonderfully. I am impressed and can't wait to read the sequel! Hopefully we get to see more of the actual city of Chicago, outside the factions, to get a real feel of what happened to it and what made it into what it is now. Overall, 4.5 stars!

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go was one of those books that I really, really wanted to love. In some ways, I liked it. But for the most part, I really did not enjoy it.

I loved the concept first of all. I was definitely immersed in this world that the author created. It's highly imaginable and creative. Would I like to live in a world like this? Of course not, but it made me think of what it would be like if I did, and for a book to be able to make me imagine being in a fictional setting, is enough for me to give it a good rating.

However, there were some major flaws in this book. You may all know; I'm an emotional reader. It's easy for me to fall in love with characters and their stories, as well as empathize with them. But for this book, I wasn't emotionally invested at all. First off, I disliked the main character, Todd. I didn't find him likable at all, so I couldn't even care or root for him. Everything just felt a bit mechanical as well as contrived for me.

Also, I feel as if far too many books strive so hard to surprise their readers by giving twists and shocking information, that in a way, it has become incredibly predictable. This book is no exception to that trend.

I have to be honest; I really wanted to love this book, mainly because everyone keeps raving about it! And while there are some areas that I liked - like the concept and the writing - I wasn't particularly fond of the main character, as well as the story's pace and development. I can see why people love this book so much, but for me, something was just missing.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: This is a cute story. It's perfectly readable, is fast-paced, and is entertaining. However, this book screams cliche for me, sadly. Stereotypical characters, cliche dialogues, overly contrived scenarios... unfortunately. As a whole, this book just didn't seem believable to me. I get it's a fictional story, but I believe good fiction should deliver a realistic-enough story that readers would really believe it can be their own version of reality. This is just my opinion though.

That being said, Lola and the Boy Next Door was a light, fun read. Entertaining enough. I didn't hate it. It just did not 'speak' to me. It didn't have the same charm Anna and the French Kiss had. In fact, I found it a bit corny, and not exactly in a good way. I also found the main protagonist, Lola, somewhat annoying and somewhat pretentious. The male lead was not 'lovable' either, and I didn't particularly find anyone else likable as well.

I would still recommend this, mostly to fans of Anna and the French Kiss. For me, though it was light-hearted and fun, I was disappointed.

two reviews in one.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Rating: 3.5 stars

This review will be simple and straight-forward. I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, and I really liked the premise. I found the whole 'Lorien Legacies' backstory very intriguing, and while it's not necessarily a favorite of mine, I definitely recommend it if you like SciFi/Fantasy-ish/YA genre. I am looking forward to reading the sequel for this to find out what happens next! Should be interesting.

Legend by Marie Lu

Rating: 4 stars

I can't help it. I'm a sucker for the dystopian sub-genre. There's something incredibly exciting about getting to know different imagined versions of our world in the future. I wanted to read Legend the moment I heard of its synopsis. Fortunately, it did not disappoint in terms of delivering an engaging post-apocalyptic story. It had a really 'dark' feeling to it - which I liked - and it eminded me a lot of The Hunger Games, style-wise.

While there's some strong protagonists here, I have to admit I didn't truly feel for them or anything, almost like I wasn't given enough time to fully get to know them and fall in love with them as characters. So because of that, I felt like I wasn't completely immersed in the story.

Other than that though, I enjoyed this book. Give it a try if you like dystopian fiction.

little things like these make my day.

Since I've been having a horrible reading slump these past few months, I haven't bought or read a single book. Yesterday though, I finally, thankfully, felt this sudden craving to get a new book. I missed this feeling so much. So today, I decided to get one that I've been really wanting to read for a while now - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

I think I can safely say, having read all of his books now - except for Paper Towns - that John Green has definitely made it to my top 'inspirational people' list. He is an amazing writer, author, person, spokesperson, and of course, an awesome leader of an even more awesome community called Nerdfighteria.

That being said, I was ecstatic when I saw it was available.

And not just available.

It was SIGNED.

And as if those weren't enough, when I turned to the first chapter, a little friendly note surprised me.

It just literally made my day so much better.

Made me proud being part of John Green and his brother, Hank Green's, huge and awesome project even more.

Has this ever happened to you?

Found a note inside a book? Feels so much personal that way for some reason.

Anyway, share your stories! And if you are familiar with the vlogbrothers.... then, DFTBA!

<3

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Genre: Young Adult - paranormal

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: I'm a sucker for creepy, eerie stories, especially when they're set somewhere with such a rich history. And the fact that it surrounds a mysterious figure such as Jack the Ripper makes it even more intriguing to read and learn more about. I was thoroughly entertained and was into the story all throughout.

I especially liked the way the author, Maureen Johnson, took a paranormal route to the story as well - made it even more surprisingly original and fresh. As for her writing, I think she did a great job painting a picture for her readers. As I was reading this book, I found it easy to imagine myself actually living where the story itself takes place - in a beautiful city like London, in a mysterious boarding school like Wexford. I also liked the way she developed the plot naturally. It didn't appear to be rushed, forced, or contrived in any way.

I have to admit though that while the characters are cool to get to know as I was reading the book, now, days after finishing it, I've come to realize they're forgettable to me. This doesn't make them bad characters; just not necessarily favorites or stand-outs to me.

Overall, I really loved the premise for this book. It was highly intriguing and interesting, suspenseful and exciting. Even though none of the characters stood out to me, I still enjoyed it. Is it as good as everyone claims it to be? Maybe not for me. I liked it, but didn't LOVE it. I would still, however, recommend it to anybody who likes eerie stories and the paranormal genre! I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Genre: Young Adult - contemporary

Rating: 2 stars

Review: This book was a bit of a disappointment, for me, personally. I do not think it’s a bad read at all, because I quite enjoyed my time reading it, but for some reason, for me, it’s very forgettable. While the premise is interesting, the execution lacked, and while the writing is good, it didn’t “speak” to me. I also felt like the characters were not introduced or developed well enough, to the poifnt that I feel like I never got to know them that well.

Overall the whole story didn’t seem realistic and believable enough to root for. Maybe it’s because two writers worked on this – that could perhaps have had an impact on the story’s delivery and development? I’m not sure, but for some reason, the two sides of the story – using two narrators and all – didn’t seem to work. In fact, it seemed contrived and forced, and obvious that actual authors are speaking, and not necessarily the characters themselves, if that makes any sense at all.

I really wanted to like this. The idea of two strangers turning into lovers all because of a dreamy bookstore and a beautiful city sounds so wonderful. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Genre: Young Adult - contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Review: John Green's one of those writers that you either really, really love, or you just don't get. I've discovered, after reading two of his books - and currently reading another one - that I'm most definitely one of those who simply love his writing style. It's certainly not for everyone, as it is quite different and unique. I enjoy it, and fortunately for me, that unique writing style was apparent in this book.

I found it smart, witty, and fresh. This made the character's voice really come through, which makes him sound unpretentious to me. And speaking of the character/s, I'm happy to say that they also came to life. They seemed like actual people to me - almost like they were just my friends that I talk to or hang out with everyday. They were likable and unlikable characters at the same time, which ultimately makes them believable.

If you are looking for a John Green book to start with, I'd still highly recommend Looking for Alaska first (I haven't read the rest, but will do so soon) before this one. Would I recommend this book exactly? Like I mentioned, it's an either you like it or you don't situation. Personally I thought An Abundance of Katherines was a fun and smart read. It didn't bore me, and I was thoroughly entertained. I also was able to take a couple of great quotes from here, which is always a good thing, and to be honest, have actually learned a thing or two from them. I'd say that's totally 4-star material right there.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 2 stars

Review: Here's the thing - this book offers its readers so many good things. Beautiful images, well-thought out characters, magical settings, and a poetic writing style. It's such an exceptionally gorgeous looking and sounding novel, and I commend the author for creating such a lovely world.

Unfortunately, I honestly felt like its magic and its beauty was only from the outside - the story itself didn't grab hold of me. It didn't make me fall in love. Even though I can see why so many people rave about it, there were a couple of reasons why I do not feel the same:

• it's excessively descriptive - The descriptions are beautiful, but they were just way too many of them. The descriptions and details just kept going on and on. I found myself getting extremely bored and annoyed with them! I constantly wanted something - some sort of action or event - to actually happen, but nothing does, because the author is still too busy describing.

• there's too many characters at once - I like a good cast of characters, but I felt like for this one, too many were introduced at once. It was almost hard to catch up with everyone, and it was hard to remember them due to lack of realistic personalities.

• plot and character development - To put it simply, I saw none.

• felt a bit misleading - Reading its intriguing synopsis, you'd expect an action-packed story about the circus, and the people who work there. You would also expect some sort of romance in there, when in fact, I actually could not see much of the romance aspect.

• a bit confusing - the timeline! I didn't get it, and I really, really paid attention to it. The narration felt forced.

So overall, I just felt like The Night Circus was all about setting the tone and the mood - which usually I would be perfectly okay with, if the story itself delivered as well. Unfortunately, for me at least, it did not deliver at all. I finished this book, feeling as if I have not really read a story, like I haven't really gotten to know the characters that well. So no, I do not recommend this to people at all. However, almost everyone that read this absolutely loved it, so I could be wrong. Sadly, even though its premise sounds like my kind of read, it just didn't go very well for me.

The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: This was alright. It's one of those books that I find hard to fully review since I thought it was just an okay read; I didn't LOVE it, but there's really nothing to hate about it either.

I believe that if you typically enjoy the YA genre, you might appreciate this.

For me, personally, I found it a bit forgettable. While the premise is interesting and intriguing, the writing overall didn't do it much for me. There were some parts that were drawn out that I thought could have just been edited out, and some parts when details lacked. I also didn't particularly root for the characters. Even though they were realistic and believable characters, I unfortunately couldn't connect to them. This of course almost always leads to me not really liking the book as a whole. So for that reason, I'm giving this 2.5 stars.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Genre: Young Adult -fantasy/paranormal/contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: Enjoyed this book so much! It's the perfect choice of read, especially because at the time I read this, I was looking for a sort of 'escape' from the real world. The world the author created in the book, while a bit dark, melancholic, and mysterious in nature, is a great one to live in even for a moment. I just thought the fantasy aspects were believable, the characters extremely likable (I do have a slight crush on the lead male character), and the writing is engaging and exciting - as it should be. I couldn't stop reading it. I couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced; a true suspenseful page-turner. The plot development, though, I have to say, was the winner for me. It was simply effortless!

So overall, while not exactly a 'favorite,' I still thought Forgotten was thrilling, exciting, entertaining, and well-executed. The concept for it is unique, and the characters are ones you'd want to get to know and want to actually care about. So yes, I highly recommend this to YA readers and fans. I would also like to say, I would most definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author, Cat Patrick. Very impressive debut!

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Genre: Young Adult - contemporary

Rating: 5 stars

Review: This was a great read. It's one of those rare books that seem to mirror real life situations perfectly - no matter how young or old the person going through it is. It talks about first love, heart break, disappointment, failures and triumphs, friendships, and individuality...among many others. And even though this book features a teenager as the main character, I do think everybody can somehow relate to her story, her world, and what she's gone through.

Sure, there were some factors in the story that weren't as realistic - like getting an unexpected inheritance that lets the character transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school and going to 21+ clubs and not getting checked for their ID.

But despite these minor details, I thought the ones that truly mattered - like the characters and their emotions and their actions - were extremely believable. I thought the overall plot and character development, as well as its conclusion, seemed very real as well, and did not seem contrived at all.

So yes, I do recommend this, mostly to mature YA readers (definitely pg13!)

As a whole, I just found it lovely and understated. It's not "spectacular" by any means, but it's a good read. Hey, it may even take you back to past memories and remind you of some things you may have already forgotten. Perhaps it may even shine a light on some things happening in your life right now! At the end of the day, it's just a simple coming-of-age story, and is identifiable in many ways. That I think is the book's greatest strength.

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Genre: General Fiction

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: I am a huge fan of Lisa Genova's debut novel, Still Alice. I highly recommend that novel for anybody who likes Literary Fiction, as I thought it was a story that's wonderfully told. So I was excited to read her second novel, Left Neglected.

What I Liked: Reading its synopsis, I was immediately sold. The concept just sounds unique and original, like I've never read anything like it before. And it is indeed original. The way the author was able to mix in fact and information with fiction was effortless. I never felt like I was reading a textbook, or felt like I was being lectured. It also didn't hurt that it was fast-paced enough, and that the characters the author created were interesting as well.

What I Didn't Like: Lisa Genova's talented and skilled, and I don't deny that, but there were some parts in the book that I thought were just too repetitive. But the biggest flaw that this book has in my opinion, is its main character. Her behavior, personality, and internal dialogues that she has with herself, makes her character seem very shallow, which as a result, makes her difficult to empathize with. I just didn't really believe her and her moments of struggle, defeat, and even triumph. I didn't find myself rooting for her; I even found myself annoyed with her at times and rooting for her family members instead!

Overall: If the author's goal was to make her readers aware of the topic, then I am happy to say she exactly did that for me. The topic that the author chose for this fictional story is highly intriguing, and it's something I'm looking forward to learning more about in the future.However, the main character was not someone I can relate to, or root for, and so I didn't feel emotionally invested in her story in any way whatsoever.

I would still highly, highly recommend Still Alice, but would suggest for you to skip this. Although perfectly readable, it simply wasn't compelling enough for me.

Wither by Lauren Destefano

Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy/Science Fiction-ish

Rating: 5 stars

Review: As you probably know, I had the case of an awful reading slump the past couple of weeks, and needed a fresh new book to cure it. Thankfully, I was able to pick up Wither from the library. First off, can I just say how much I love the plot line and its premise? It is so original and new, and it makes this story such a refreshing read. And the way the author executed the whole thing, I thought was simply flawless. The pace was on-point, the development was perfect, the writing was beautiful and flowed so well, and the entire setting was so great to learn more about and explore.

As for the characters, I really liked getting to know about them more. They aren't made up of stereotypical personalities and characteristics, which in itself, is a huge plus. But what I loved about the most was the narrator (the main protagonist). This may sound weird, but I actually didn't see her as a fictional character. Instead, it seemed as if she was actually me. I felt like I was in her situation, feeling all these kinds of things, going through all this stuff. It truly made the whole story realistic and believable, despite the fact that it's fantasy and science fiction.

So yes, I loved it. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and rooted for the characters all the way. I like the way it exudes 'darkness and sadness' in a very subtle (instead of contrived and forced) way. All in all, I just thought it was a very intriguing world to live in, even for a few hours. I highly recommend this to YA fans and readers looking for an original and fresh story line.

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Genre: Young Adult - contempory/paranormal-ish

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: This book was alright. It has its fun and entertaining moments, and for the most part, I enjoyed my time reading it. The writing and the flow makes it perfectly readable, and the characters were okay enough - even though I have to admit, they were a bit stereotypical at times.

But like I said, it was just alright. It's one of those books that's fun as I read it, but one that I completely forget about after. It just didn't stand out to me. So at the end of the day, I don't think I would recommend it. Not necessarily because it was a bad read - because it certainly wasn't - but because I do feel that there are other titles out there that perhaps could be better choices instead.

Little funny tidbit: Bridget's best friends are Jillian and Michele. Well, my name is actually Jillian Michele ;)

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 stars

Review: There's not much to say about this book - it was just simply a fun read. It was very entertaining, and loved the fact that it's incredibly fast-paced. I really liked the change of setting also, and liked the overall growth and development of the characters. Speaking of, can I just say how much I love Sophie Mercer as a protagonist? She's pretty awesome. I think her personality just fits, and her sarcasm definitely makes her a likable and realistic character.

I also liked the writing style - simple, conversational, and casual; almost like you're speaking with a friend.

So overall, I loved this book. It's just a fun read. It's a great sequel to the Hex Hall trilogy, and it most definitely made me excited for the final installment. This series as a whole is a must read for any paranormal YA fans that are tired of the usual and typical Paranormal YA stuff we often see around nowadays.

you know that feeling you get when you're JUST starting to REALLY like someone?

Well, this book covered that feeling pretty well! The excitement, the confusion, the craziness, and the giddiness that comes when a new friendship/relationship is growing. I was literally just feeling all happy and smiley as I was reading this!

In all seriousness though, I just really enjoyed this book. It was such a fun, cute, light page-turner that truly made me happy for the few hours that I devoured it. I liked its fast pace, the conversational and casual narration, the settings (Paris!!)... and the characters! I adore them. They were not stereotypical, and they just seemed genuinely real to me.

I do think that the best part for me, aside from all of those already mentioned, was how realistic their young, blossoming love story was. From the characters themselves to the slow and uncertain but steady and gradual development of their relationship. There weren't any moments when I felt as if their relationship was forced or pushed too fast. And though there were a couple of 'too-cheesy' moments, I didn't really mind. I was still sold. I still truly believed it.

Maybe it's silly to feel giddy over a fictional romance - but the thing is, I don't really mind. I had such a fun time reading this, and a fun time feeling "in love" while reading it.

It's not a deep book by any means, and it's most definitely not for everybody, but I'm going to say that if you like cute, simple, and fun contemporary YA with realistic character&plot development, you might enjoy this.

Title: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 stars

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy

Rating: 1 star

Review: I may be the only one that did not like this book so I'm going to apologize ahead for giving it a 1 star rating.

First off, let me say that the premise and the story line for this is awesome. It's nice that it is set in India, and it's pretty cool that they're using a tiger as a character. I do love tigers! All these things made the book have so much potential.

Unfortunately, the execution didn't work for me due to a combination of things. First, the writing. I didn't find it engaging at all. There were also too many unnecessary information added in! At times, the narrator would go on about telling us what kind of shirt the other one's wearing to what she had for breakfast to what kind of car they're in. There's just too many details, too much "telling and not much showing."

Next, the characters. The female protagonist seemed flat to me. And the male lead reminded me too much of Edward Cullen - "the perfect gentleman" with not much personality. Their relationship with each other felt forced to me as well. Finally, the development of the plot and the characters. I didn't really see any, unfortunately.

And maybe the worst thing for me was that I did not believe it. I didn't get in or give in to this fantasy world. I didn't get into its fantastical elements. I didn't want to learn more about it. It felt contrived to me, and this fictional novel just did not seem "real" at all to me. I simply wasn't sold on the idea. That to me is a deal breaker.

So as a whole, I obviously did not enjoy it. I have to admit that I was very bored by it and can't really find anything that was good about it, as far as how the story itself was told. So would I recommend it? Probably not. But then again, I may be the only one that didn't like it, so I could totally be just wrong. I suggest you try it out. See for yourself. For me, sadly, it's a no.