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Cinder, by: Marissa Meyer

9/28/2016

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Blurb

       Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
       Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
       Cinder (92%) is a book I have put off reading for a long time. I hadn't really heard anyone rave about it, and I have a really strange edition of this book, which you can read about here. But, I have to say, I am so happy that I picked this book up when I did. I hadn't read a fairy tale retelling before, but I can say that my standards have been raised tremendously by Marissa Meyer.
       First of all, the world that Meyer builds throughout the book is so amazing, there are no words. Instead of creating the world at the beginning, she introduced us to Cinder's world first, then started to add to it until we finally got the entire picture. I really enjoyed how she didn't throw it all at us at once.
       I also loved how we got to see through Cinder's eyes a little bit. I liked the little bits when we got some inside information about her foot, and when we learned about the little orange light in her eye. Small things like that were what really set this book apart for me.
       My favorite part of the book, though, was all the unexpected humor that came with the story. This book made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion, and that is a big selling point for me. Iko did a lot of comedic relief, which made her one of my favorite characters, but there were a few times Kai said some things and had a "Well we were all thinking it," kind of mentality about it, which I absolutely loved.

Review

       What are your thoughts on Cinder? Let me know in the comments below!

While she waits for her futuristic prince,
Ashton
Even in the future, the story begins with once upon a time.” 
― Marissa Meyer, Cinder
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by: J.K. Rowling

9/25/2016

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Blurb

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.
       Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.
       It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
       While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
       Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (No Percentile) was a terrific addition to the Harry Potter collection. I really enjoyed seeing what was happening to Harry and the gang in the "present". It was a great tale, and I really hope I can go see it performed sometime soon!
       First of all, you're probably wondering why there isn't a percent rating like there normally is. I didn't want to rate this, because this was not something I read to review. It is something you read for the story, not for the quality. You read it to enjoy hearing the actors take on their book counterparts and to absorb the general idea and content.

Review

Please note that some of the discussion points have spoilers.

Discussion Points

       1. I could hear Daniel, Emma, and Rupert talking to me as I read.

I can honestly say that I've never heard dialogue so clearly in my head before. It's like they recorded everyone saying their lines and someone started the playback track every time I opened the book. It was really cool and a little creepy...

       2. There was way more Malfoy than I expected...and I loved it way more than I expected.

The way this book came off, I expected to have the story of Albus and Rose in Hogwarts, and that was it. When Scorpius got thrown into the mix and took over for an act or so, I was caught a bit off guard, but I also fell in love with him. He was so adorable and sweet and quirky and just all around cute! Where can I buy a Scorpius? Cause I would pay serious money for one.

       3. I forgot about sassy book Ginny. UNTIL NOW!

Book Ginny made me so happy. And then I watched the movies. Ginny is just kind of there in the movies, and I did not approve of her relationship with Harry, but I completely forgot about their relationship in the book. As Harry is freaking out about his kids and Voldemort, she has got her crap together. I just love it.

       4. I loved the script setup way more than I thought I would.

       So, the script setup was fantastic. It might've been that I just am really into theater, but it was awesome to read. I loved that there wasn't a whole lot of world building or setting descriptions, so I could imagine the sets and wardrobe however I saw fit. That was something I wasn't used to with YA fantasy.

       5. I couldn't help having fond memories of A Very Potter Musical.

First of all, if you haven't watched A Very Potter Musical, you need to, now. It's all on YouTube, and it deserves your attention, now. But if you have watched it, you probably felt the same about this book. I couldn't help smile at the thought of Albus and Scorpius breaking out into "Gotta Get Back to Hogwarts". If I saw that, my life would be complete.
       What are your thoughts on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? Let me know in the comments below!

As she waits for more HP canon,
Ashton
“The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.” 
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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Zac and Mia, by A.J. Betts

9/18/2016

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Blurb

"When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics."

So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can’t forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.
       Zac and Mia (57%) was an okay book to get me out of my reading slump, but not something I would recommend as a quality romance novel. If you had The Fault in Our Stars and took away John Green's amazing writing style and flow, you would get Zac and Mia.
       For me, the flow of the story wasn't really there. There were lots of events, but some of them never really connected to anything. One page was in the hospital, the next was with Mia and her boyfriend, the next was at Zac's family farm two months later. I was confused on multiple occasions where they were and how much time had passed.
       I didn't feel like the character development was very real, either. Mia seemed to change from a moody teenager into someone very wise and caring in a matter of a chapter or two. She was never someone I could relate to or even feel bad for at times.
       I did, however, really like Zac's character. He always had a positive outlook on his situation. I especially liked how he called his bone marrow transplant Helga. It made me smile every time.

Review

       What did you think of A.J. Betts's novel? Let me know in the comments below!

As she breaks out of her reading slump like an egg,
Ashton
Perhaps courage is simply this spur-of-the-moment acts when your head screams don't, but your body does it anyway.” 
― A.J. Betts, Zac and Mia
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How to Blog on a Busy Schedule

9/13/2016

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Blogging

       So you want to start a book blog. It sounds like fun. But, the problem is, you also want to have a life. There is usually quite a bit involved if you want to have a successful blog, so I'm going to give you my tips and tricks on how to book blog on a schedule.
       1. Blogging
First things first, find a user friendly website builder. I use Weebly, but I know that a lot of bloggers use WordPress. Once you have decided on a blog name, design, and layout, you are ready to start cranking out posts. What I like to do is find a day of the week that I'm not busy, sit down, and write a few posts ahead of time. This way, I don't have to worry about writing a blog post when I have homework and practices to get to. Another tip is to come up with post ideas before sitting down to write. That way, you know what things you are going to write about, and you're not staring at a blank screen.
       2. Social Media
I definitely recommend getting an account where you can plan your social media posts ahead of time. I use Buffer, but I know some people use HootSuite, and other websites with the same idea. Nothing is more stressful for me as a blogger than worrying about social media posts. Another tip along these same lines is to take all your Instagram pictures ahead of time, especially when you have both time and good lighting.
       3. Reading Habits
After you start blogging for a little while, you start to see a decrease in your reading output. Make sure you are taking a book everywhere with you. You'd be amazed how much reading you get in while waiting in line or a few free minutes during lunch. Getting a book read is an essential part of book blogging, and I sometimes get so worked up about what's going on online, that I forget why I'm really doing this. It's to share what I've read online and discuss it with other people with the same interests.
       Do you have a blog or any blogging tips? Please share them in the comments below!

As she starts figuring out this weekend's post,
Ashton
This is going to take a while. I'm a fantasy author. We have trouble with the concept of brevity." 
— Brandon Sanderson​
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What to Do While Listening to Audiobooks

9/11/2016

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Audiobooks

       If you have ever tried to listen to an audiobook, you have come across the problem of, "what to do now?". Here is a quick list of 6 things to consider when you find yourself asking that very question.
​       1. Exercise
I know, I know. None of us want to exercise. But, if you're listening to that book you've been dying to read, this is the perfect way to motivate yourself. And, you'll have so much more fun on a walk, run, or bike ride!
       2. Clean
This follows the same concept with the exercising. Bonus points if you're cleaning your bookshelf!
       3. Do a Puzzle
A puzzle is a great way to occupy your mind while listening to a story. Your brain doesn't have to focus on completing a task, but it occupies the visual part of your mind while the auditory part is free to take in the story.
       4. Fall Asleep
I haven't tried this for myself, but I do know that a lot of people swear by it. They set a timer on the audiobook, and snuggle down. This way, there is no physical act of reading keeping you awake, and you are more likely to get more sleep. (Rather than staying up until four in the morning for one more chapter.)
       5. While Getting Ready in the Morning/at Night
I think I will start doing this. While you're getting ready in the morning, put on an audiobook. Nothing is more mindless in my day than getting dressed or brushing my teeth.
       6. In the Car
Instead of listening to music on your way to work, listen to a story instead. You'll be amazed at how many books you will get through by not doing anything differently.
       What's your go-to task when listening to audiobooks? Let me know in the comments!

While she turns on an audiobook,
Ashton
I've never listened to an audiobook before, and I have to say it's a totally different experience. When you read a book, the story definitely takes place in your head. When you listen, it seems to happen in a little cloud all around it, like a fuzzy knit cap pulled down over your eyes" 
— Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
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Fall Releases I'm Dying to Read

9/7/2016

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Falling Over Sideways, by:​ Jordan Sonnenblick

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       It's not easy being Claire. (Really.)
       Claire's life is a joke . . . but she's not laughing. While her friends seem to be leaping forward, she's dancing in the same place. The mean girls at school are living up to their mean name, and there's a boy, Ryder, who's just as bad, if not worse. And at home, nobody's really listening to her -- if anything, they seem to be more in on the joke than she is.

       Then into all of this (not-very-funny-to-Claire) comedy comes something intense and tragic -- while her dad is talking to her at the kitchen table, he falls over with a medical emergency. Suddenly the joke has become very serious -- and the only way Claire, her family, and her friends are going to get through it is if they can find a way to make it funny again.

       I think this sounds like a very interesting concept. On one hand, you have a very sarcastic and funny tone of a synopsis. On the other, you have a very serious event. It will be interesting to see how the narration and writing style makes the events in this book feel, whether it's sarcastic or serious.

The Female of the Species, by: Mindy McGinnis

       Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it. When her older sister, Anna, was murdered three years ago and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best. The language of violence.
       While her crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people, even in her small hometown. She relegates herself to the shadows, a girl who goes unseen in plain sight, unremarkable in the high school hallways.
       But Jack Fisher sees her. He’s the guy all other guys want to be: the star athlete gunning for valedictorian with the prom queen on his arm. Guilt over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered hasn’t let him forget Alex over the years, and now her green eyes amid a constellation of freckles have his attention. He doesn’t want to only see Alex Craft; he wants to know her.
       So does Peekay, the preacher’s kid, a girl whose identity is entangled with her dad’s job, though that does not stop her from knowing the taste of beer or missing the touch of her ex-boyfriend. When Peekay and Alex start working together at the animal shelter, a friendship forms and Alex’s protective nature extends to more than just the dogs and cats they care for.
       Circumstances bring Alex, Jack, and Peekay together as their senior year unfolds. While partying one night, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting the teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever.


       While this book is not something I would normally read, it has definitely piqued my interest. This reminds me of my younger reading days, when I loved the Sammy Keyes books (Although, let it be known that this book sounds way darker than Sammy Keyes, but you get the idea.). I think this will be a perfect book for Halloween this year.
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Gamescape: Overworld, by: Emma Trevayne

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       The planet is dying. Centuries of abuse have damaged the earth beyond repair, and now all the authorities can do is polish the surface, make the landscape look pretty to hide the disease within. Two prominent yet mysterious businessmen couldn’t fix it, either, but they did something even better. Together, they invented Chimera, the most complex and immersive virtual reality video game the world has ever known. The Cubes in which Chimera is played quickly became a fixture of this landscape: part distraction, part hospital, and almost wholly responsible for holding up the failing world economy.
       Miguel Anderson is also dying. He isn’t the only one who plays the game–everybody does–but Miguel has more reason than most: When players leave their Cubes for the day, the upgrades and enhancements they’ve earned for their virtual characters leave with them. New lungs to breathe poisoned air, skin that won’t burn under the sun are great and everything… but Miguel, born as broken as the earth, needs a new heart–and soon–if he wants any hope of surviving just a little longer.
       Then the two Gamerunners announce a competition, with greater rewards and faster progression than ever before, and Miguel thinks his prayers have been answered. All he needs to do is get picked to lead a team, play the game he’s spent years getting good at, and ask for his prize when he wins. Simple, really.
       At first, things seem to go according to plan. Mostly, anyway. Inside his Cube, with his new team–including his best friend–at his back, Miguel begins his quest. He plays recklessly, even dangerously, for someone whose most vital organ could give up at any moment, but his desperation makes him play better than ever. The eyes of the world are on him, watching through status updates and live feeds, betting on his chances. With greater rewards, though, come greater risks, and the Gamerunners seem to delight at surprising the competitors at every turn. As he ventures deeper into a world that blends the virtual and the real to an unsettling degree, Miguel begins to wonder just why the game was invented at all, and whether its stakes could be even higher than life and death.


       I have to say, I'm a sucker for both a good dystopian and a virtual reality story. Anything to do with gaming in a story, is a definite yes from me. This definitely gets some Ready Player One vibes, but after being let down with Armada, I don't really get my hopes up too high.

Side Note: If you're really into gaming novels, I highly recommend Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde. It's the book that got me into the genre in the first place. There are also two companion books with it if you enjoy it, too.

The Last True Love Story, by: Brendan Kiely

       The point of living is learning how to love.
       That’s what Gpa says. To Hendrix and Corrina, both seventeen but otherwise alike only in their loneliness, that sounds like another line from a pop song that tries to promise kids that life doesn’t actually suck. Okay, so: love. Sure.
       The thing about Corrina—her adoptive parents are suffocating, trying to mold her into someone acceptable, predictable, like them. She’s a musician, itching for any chance to escape, become the person she really wants to be. Whoever that is.
       And Hendrix, he’s cool. Kind of a poet. But also kind of lost. His dad is dead and his mom is married to her job. Gpa is his only real family, but he’s fading fast from Alzheimer’s. Looking for any way to help the man who raised him, Hendrix has made Gpa an impossible promise—that he’ll get him back east to the hill where he first kissed his wife, before his illness wipes away all memory of her.
       One hot July night, Hendrix and Corrina decide to risk everything. They steal a car, spring Gpa from his assisted living facility, stuff Old Humper the dog into the back seat, and take off on a cross-country odyssey from LA to NY. With their parents, Gpa’s doctors, and the police all hot on their heels, Hendrix and Corrina set off to discover for themselves if what Gpa says is true—that the only stories that last are love stories.

       
I think this book sounds like so much fun. There's some romance,  adventure, and a tad bit of suspense to get me interested. It gives me the vibes of a contemporary romance/road trip novel, but it's seems like something with a very different meaning. I'm excited where this story leads!
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Three Dark Crowns, by: Kendare Blake

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       Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
       But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.
       If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.


       Royalty, magic, possible anti-hero(es)? Yes please! If Red Queen and Half Bad had a love child book, it sounds like this would be it. Every once in a while I get in the mood to read a book like this, and I think this book is the one. I haven't read a book like this in a long time, so maybe this will be the one.

The Sun Is Also a Star, by: Nicola Yoon

       Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
       Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

       The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

       Just with a synopsis, I can already relate to these characters. We are all very school, good kids, although I'm a little bit more of a dreamer, but that's okay. This does sound like a really neat romance, read though. I also have a feeling that this story might be narrated by "The Universe", which would be very interesting. 
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The Fever Code, by: James Dashner

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       Once there was a world’s end.
       The forests burned, the lakes and rivers dried up, and the oceans swelled.
       Then came a plague, and fever spread across the globe. Families died, violence reigned, and man killed man.
       Next came WICKED, who were looking for an answer. And then they found the perfect boy.
       The boy’s name was Thomas, and Thomas built a maze.
       Now there are secrets.
       There are lies.
       And there are loyalties history could never have foreseen. 
       This is the story of that boy, Thomas, and how he built a maze that only he could tear down.
       All will be revealed.
       A prequel to the worldwide Maze Runner phenomenon, The Fever Code is the book that holds all the answers. How did WICKED find the Gladers? Who are Group B? And what side are Thomas and Teresa really on? Lies will be exposed. Secrets will be uncovered. Loyalties will be proven. Fans will never see the truth coming.

       
Here's my thing with this new TMR book. I know they're stretching out this series for all it's worth. I also know that The Kill Order was downright awful and, quite frankly, pointless. (I won't even go there.) But, I also know that this prequel is (hopefully) about the main characters, and there is no way on Earth that is worse than The Kill Order. Even though my expectations are lower than low, I would like to know more about what happened to Thomas, and friends, before the maze.
       What's your most anticipated fall release? Let me know in the comments!

While she waits patiently,
Ashton
Once I got home, though, and saw several packages on my front porch, all the crap from the day disappeared. A few had smiley faces on them. Squealing, I grabbed the boxes. Books were inside-- new release books I'd preordered weeks ago." 
— Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian
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Dreamology, by: Lucy Keating

9/2/2016

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Blurb

       For as long as Alice can remember, she has dreamed of Max. Together they have traveled the world and fallen deliriously, hopelessly in love. Max is the boy of her dreams—and only her dreams. Because he doesn’t exist.
       But when Alice walks into class on her first day at a new school, there he is. It turns out, though, that Real Max is nothing like Dream Max, and getting to know each other in reality isn’t as perfect as Alice always hoped.
       When their dreams start to bleed dangerously into their waking hours, the pair realize that they might have to put an end to a lifetime of dreaming about each other. But when you fall in love in your dreams, can reality ever be enough?
       Dreamology (94%) is an awesome fantasy/romance read.  Lucy Keating takes such a simple idea, dreams, and turns it into something spectacular.
       I loved how Alice finds herself in her own little "wonderland", (See what I did there?) and creates her own imaginary friend who she can be with even when times are hard for her. The way Keating writes Alice's dreams is beautiful, and it fits within the story. Sometimes with dreams, flashbacks, etc., they can make a story very choppy, but these dreams are not like that at all.
       One of my favorite parts of the story was Alice's relationships with others. She and Max are very believable throughout the story. In other novels, as soon as they met, they would have thrown themselves at each other, and it would have been very mushy. Here, Alice was surprised and timid, and her actions reinforced that. On the other hand, Max was scared out of his mind and very defensive. These traits also highlighted throughout the whole book, which was a very refreshing reminder that they are just two teenagers in the grand scheme of things.
       The main thing I didn't quite understand, however, was why neither of them remember the fact that they had nightmares, or that they visited the CDD when they were little. I don't know if I just read right over that detail, or if it was just left out. If you do know, let me know in the comments!
       Overall this was a great book, and it pulled me away from the reading slump monster. (Stay away from him. He sucks away your will to read.) I definitely recommend it for all your reading needs!

Review

       What do you think of Dreamology? Let me know in the comments!

From a dream state,
Ashton
It surprises me, how a small gesture can feel so very big. How sometimes you don't realize the nervousness or sadness you were holding deep inside until the touch of someone you love lets it all out of you, like your entire body is exhaling.” 
― Lucy Keating, Dreamology
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