Bullying in YA

Hey Everyone!

Today I wanted to talk about the use of bullying in Young Adult Literature. I feel that this is an extremely important topic because two of the books I have read this semester deal with this. Those books are on the side, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina and Wonder by R.J. Palacio.

Bullying in Yaqui Delgado is more prevalent than in Wonder. In the first of the two mentioned books, it is the entire plot. This girl, Yaqui Delgado, wants to literally kick Piddy's ass. I feel like books today are bringing up topics that we rarely saw ten to fifteen years ago. Seeing books like these today is something I absolutely adore. Though I admit I didn't feel a real connection with Medina's book because I personally haven't had to deal with bullying. The idea that writers like Meg Medina and R.J. Palacio are making people aware of the fact that kids are getting bullied and people aren't doing a whole lot to help them out.

In Wonder bullying was more of a side-effect to the situation as a whole. It's more of "you have a facial deformity, therefore you are expected to be bullied Auggie." This is where I felt the bullying was kind of pushed off as nothing. Auggie isn't made of steel, guys. He let some of the "bullying" incidents just slide and I didn't feel like it was as realistic as Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. This one it was more of, I can make friends despite my deformity. The other one was a girl truly struggling with her life.

The two books are hard to compare because they are so different, but these are also the only books with bullying that I have read. I feel like it still is exceptionally rare to see books like these. Bullying is a big thing in a lot of kids lives. Most people are the bullied or the bully. Most kids, not all. Making people more aware of the problem may help people know what to do.

What do you think of books on bullying? Do you think they are still rare to find? Is it doing more harm than good? Give me your opinions!

Until Next Time,

The Mortal Instruments Back from the Dead?

Hey Everyone!

So I heard some news about one of my favorite book series, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

As you know, the first book was made into a film starring Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins. Well, the film flopped. I watched the film and I thought it was a decent representation. I thought they could have done better, but I loved the casting. Magnus Bane is something else, but I liked the casting otherwise.

Well, good news fellow TMI fans! IT IS BEING MADE INTO A TELEVISION SERIES! 

I am so excited about this! I really hope that they at least keep Jamie. Jamie is one of my favorite actors and he deserves some nice recognition for his acting skills. I feel he is worthy of a role in the new TV Series. I don't know what company or channel this will be through, but as I hear more, I will update you!

Until Next Time

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant by Veronica Roth is the last book in the Divergent trilogy. This book follows the points of view of both Beatrice "Tris" Prior and Tobias "Four" Eaton as they continue their conquest of getting freedom back.

In this book, we learn more about the back story of Tris's family such as Edith Prior who we learned about briefly at the end of Insurgent. The back story of her life was really interesting to learn about and made me feel that connection I have been wanting, but I quickly felt distanced due to the switching points of view.

I gave this book four cups of tea for a few reasons. One of the reasons was the switching points of view. Though I did enjoy how Roth wrote this, I am still not a fan of the points of view going back and forth. I felt lost at times not knowing who was narrating at times. I just like being in the know and having the consistency of the one character narrating it. The other reason was the ending, I know why Roth ended it like she did, but I grew so close to these characters that I just wish I had the sense of the happy ending.

I also felt like the chapters weren't as quality as the other books. They were sometimes a page long and I somehow didn't enjoy that. I like the simplicity of longer chapters with more depth. I do see that they started off longer and grew shorter as the book went on (was this purposeful?). 

All in all, I did think this was a good ending to a series, it was gut wrenching, but still fantastic nonetheless. I would recommend this book series to anyone who loves an action packed love story that takes place where things are not as they seem. Go check this out!

Spring Break Read-a-thon 2014

Hey Everyone!

So it is currently my spring break and I had planned on a read-a-thon for myself during this time. I chose books that I had been intending to read for a long while or I needed to reread for the films coming out this year. I can't believe I'm already halfway through my books!



Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth
I chose these two books mostly because of the film (which I am seeing on Friday). I fell in love with this series all over again and I cannot wait until I get Allegiant.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I have had this book since October, maybe earlier. I needed to read this because I felt bad for having this sitting on my shelf for a while.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I am rereading this one for the film in June.

Vampire Academy (Book 1) by Richelle Mead
I heard this was a fantastic series and I decided to pick up the book (which I happened to find at half-price books)!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I am excited to read this! I just need to read this to see what everyone is on about!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I love the cover and the story sounds so chilling and good. I can't wait to read this one!

The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass
A short and sweet book to read the last day before I go back to school.

**The Archived by Victoria Schwab (Not picture-- on Kindle)
I will read this depending on whether or not I have enough time.

I sure challenged myself, didn't I? It's a challenge, but who doesn't love a good challenge?

Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Hey Everyone!

Today I am reviewing Legacy by Cayla Kluver. I hope you enjoy this book and add this to your Goodreads list!

Title: Legacy
Author: Cayla Kluver
Series?: Yes, book 1 in a trilogy (I will review them all)
Pages: 496
Publication Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: HarelquinTeen
Rating: 4/5

This book takes place fully in the kingdom of Hytanica following the royal princess, Alera, as she must choose a suitable husband by her 18th birthday under the stress of the kingdom being attacked by the Cokyrian kingdom. When a blue eyed boy named Narian comes into the kingdom after being kidnapped during infancy, he disrupts Princess Alera's other suitor, Steldor's, courting as well as the peace of the kingdom.

I should start by saying this is probably the second or third time I have read this book. The first time, it was lent to me from a friend, the second time so I could read the sequel (which I never did). I figured I should read this once again because I own the entirety of the trilogy and the last one is signed by the author. I never met her, she's from my home state and did a signing at a local Barnes & Noble a few years ago when it came out.

The writing in this, I thought, was amazing considering it was written by a sixteen-year-old. Yes, the author published this when she was sixteen. It is written in first person, but the word choices Kluver picks makes you feel as if you're in a world other than your own. I feel as if I was transported to the times of Kings and Queens with a large poofy yellow Beauty & the Beast dress.

The romance is phenomenal, though minimal. The whole story, Princess Alera is battling with herself about who she should choose and it is amazing. It reminds me a little of The Selection and it makes me happy. That is one of my favorite series. THE ENDING THOUGH.... YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK, GUYS! The ending is incredible.

Top Ten Tuesday- Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Click here to visit post.

This week's topic is "Top ten books that will make you swoon." I'm going to take this as books that haven't come out/ I haven't read yet. 

1. The One by Kiera Cass

If you know me at all on here, then you will definitely know how much I adore this series. I am so excited for May, you have no idea. The cover looks absolutely stunning and the characters (mostly America and Maxon) definitely make me swoon. I love Cass' writing style and just the overall storyline of this. I can't wait to hold this book in my hands and own it and read it and love it. 

2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I loved Divergent. It was so good and I'm aware, I'm two books behind. Sue me! I read the first book before summer began in 2013. I need to reread it and then I will definitely read this one. TRIS AND TOBIAS FOR THE WORLD!

3. Legend by Marie Lu

I picked this up way before I heard all the hype about it. I admit, I bought it because I loved the cover and love me some dystopian. Now it's been sitting on my shelf and my sister has been the only one to read it. She loves it, she's read the whole series by now. I need to get on this one.






4. The Archived by Victoria Schwab

I have been hearing things about this for months. I snagged it over the weekend when it was $0.99 because I couldn't pass it up. Though I prefer having the hard copy of the book (which I will eventually buy), I am sure I will love this. The story sounds beautiful and the cover itself makes me swoon.






5. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I have heard about this from booktubers and friends on a variety of occasions. I have owned this book for a few months and I think it is time I read this. I heard Eleanor and Park have the cutest little relationship, but the ending is sad (thank you sister, I hope you're very happy about telling me this).






6. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Again, this one is kind of a standard one. I love Cassandra Clare and I have loved every book she has written about this world, I can't wait to read more. Jace is one of my favorite characters...EVER!







7. Control by Lydia Kang

I heard about this from JessetheReader on YouTube. He invited me for a read-a-long and I am planning on reading this soon. Though it probably won't be for the read-a-long, it will be soon. I am sure I will love it, it sounds absolutely amazing.







8. The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe

I have mentioned this book before and it sounds absolutely amazing. This sounds like the sweetest story ever. That is all I need to say to this.








9.  When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney

I heard about this from MelissaBooks on YouTube and this sounds like an amazing contemporary novel. I am starting to love these, I can't wait to read it.








10. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I don't think any of you should be surprised by this. I am practically a professional fangirl (my walls of One Direction appear to prove this to be true) and I have wanted to read this since the summer. I bought this for my roommate for Christmas and want to read it so  badly. I'll buy it eventually, just you watch.

Until Next Time,
Feel free to leave your thoughts below :)

Entwined with You by Sylvia Day

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the delayed review for this book, but here it is! I am also really sorry for the lack of blogging, school started back up!

Title: Entwined with You
Author: Sylvia Day
Pages: 356
Published: June 4, 2013
Cups of Tea: 5

So.... needless to say I FREAKING LOVED IT!

When I was reading this I was so intrigued in the story because, let's be honest, I did not expect what happened (I won't tell you because it was that good). Like, I thought it was just going to continue on from the previous books and just go around in circles. You know the circle, guys.

Basically, this story is not like that in the slightest and I was so pleased with that. I also wanted to use that One Direction lyric someone...haha. Found a place! The whole story, though was so beautifully written and I cannot wait for the next two books. COME TO ME CROSSFIRE SERIES! I AM READY!

Until Next Time,

What Should I Use Instead of Goodreads?

Hey Everyone!

So I thought I would post a discussion-like post. I wanted to find some websites that could find me some books instead of goodreads. Why? Because I hate surfing through listopia for hours to search for Friday Finds and just for books in general. So here is a list, and my thoughts on each one. Enjoy, and feel free to leave sites you found as well!

What Should I Read Next?
This website, I found, is relatively easy to use. You just type the title or the author in the search bar and it will bring you to a list of books. You just click info/buy and it will bring you to amazon.com. It's a nice site and it gives good suggestions. Sometimes, they'll bring you right to the Bargain buys.

Your Next Read
This website is great. You type the author or name of a book and you click on a book. Then, once you've selected a book, it will give you a map of books like it. It's neat.




I couldn't find many that aren't unknown, but these are ones I found! Let me know of any others you found!

Friday Finds (10 January 2014)

Friday Finds is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).
So, come on — share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen | Goodreads

The Boy Who Sneaks In My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley | Goodreads

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren (ADULT FICTION) | Goodreads

Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts | Goodreads

Tangled by Emma Chase (ADULT FICTION) | Goodreads

Consequences by Aleatha Romig | Goodreads

A Shimmer of Angels by Lisa M. Basso | Goodreads

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton | Goodreads

The Watcher by Lisa Voisin | Goodreads

Deamhan by Isaiyan Morrison | Goodreads

Surface by Tiffany Daune | Goodreads
Descendant by Nichole Giles | Goodreads

WWW Wednesday (8 January 2013)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

Entwined with You by Sylvia Day. Haven't started yet as I just finished one, but this is my book I entered on Goodreads.

What did you recently finish?

Reflected in You by Sylvia Day. Loved it! My full review is here on my blog.

What do you think you'll read next?

Emma by Jane Austen. I want to read more classics this year.