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Thursday, June 19, 2014

What's Next? [1] : 06/19/2014


Can't decide what book to read next? Need some help deciding? Then this meme is for you! :) What's Next? was created and is hosted by IceyBooks. Want learn more about this meme, click here. And don't forget to link up your post!

So this is my first week participating and I am super excited to since I cannot decide what to read next! I am currently about half away done with my current read (Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover) and plan to finish it in the next day or two.

So what do you think I should read next?

'Elsewhere' by Gabrielle Zevin

Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can’t get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere’s museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatric practice.

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she’s dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?



Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?



Veronica Severance feels cut off from the world. Forced to move from the city to rural Oregon with her parents, she is haunted by loneliness and by the chilling sounds of the Santiam, the river that runs through her backyard. Through the fog of isolation, Ronnie finds herself becoming close with Karen, a young girl who she babysits. But when she discovers Karen’s body on the banks of the Santiam, the victim of a supposed accident, Ronnie feels compelled to uncover the truth.

As she becomes increasingly obsessed with solving Karen’s death, Ronnie is led deeper and deeper into the woods surrounding the river and to the dark secret hidden within its midst. The Riveris a darkly atmospheric story of murder, isolation, obsession and dark secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Vote below on what you think I should read next! And also make sure to link to your What's Next? post for this week, if you participated, so I can make sure to stop by!

What's Next? [1]

Friday, June 13, 2014

'Otherbound' by Corinne Duyvis



Length: 400 pages (hardcover)
Publication Date: June 17th, 2014
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: ARC, Goodreads First Reads
Overall rating: 4 / 5 stars

'Otherbound' follows the stories of two main characters, Nolan and Amara, who live in vastly different worlds. Amara is a servant protecting a princess. Nolan lives in Arizona and every time he closes his eyes, he is transported into Amara's world, seeing and feeling all that Amara is going through. Nolan has always been an observer in Amara's world, but one day that changes.

When I first read the synopsis for this book a few months ago, I was really intrigued about how the author would handle and convey such differing perspectives and worlds. I instantly knew that this was a YA fantasy that I wanted to read and I am definitely happy I got the chance to through Goodreads First Reads.

Corinne Duyvis does an amazingly beautiful job of writing both Nolan's and Amara's stories. They have distinct voices and I never got confused about whose story I was reading. I absolutely loved the characters of both Amara and Nolan, as well as the diversity they brought to the story and YA fiction in general. She pulled in a physically disabled main character and queer characters so beautifully but didn't make those elements the focus of the story. I think they easily could have been, but in a fantasy novel I think she included it perfectly. It was just part of the characters, rather than being the story, which I found perfect for a fantasy novel.

I also really enjoyed the magic system in 'Otherbound' although I do wish it was explained earlier on, I was often confused in the first half of the book. I would recommend trying not to figure the magic system out as you go, since it will leave you confused earlier on, but instead just continue to read and get answers later on.

One of my favorite elements was the character plot twist that happens towards the end of the novel. I did not see it coming, but thought it was a great turning point for the book. I was interested to see how this book would stand as a stand alone novel and I believe the plot twist was essential in order for no sequels to 'Otherbound.' There are not a lot of high fantasy stand alone novels in YA right now, but I think Duyvis executed it beautifully.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading 'Otherbound' and would highly recommend to fantasy readers. The dual perspectives, one in a fantasy world and one in Arizona, definitely make this a unique story and one I think would appeal to many YA readers.

[An ARC copy of this book was provided by Goodreads First Reads in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions, and overall review. I received no compensation for this review.]

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Books 'n' Bloggers Swap!! Again!! :)


Just wanted to post quickly to let you know that I will once again be participating in the Books 'n' Bloggers Swap that is run over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps. I had an amazing time participating earlier this year and would definitely recommend it if you are interested! Here are the details:

Send your partner THREE books:
1.  A book you love
2.  A book you haven't read but are interested in
3.  A book from your partner's wish list

Rules:
-  Packages must contain three books that fit the criteria above.
-  Send books that fit your partner's genre preferences.
-  You must respond to emails from the swap hosts within a timely fashion.
-  Books MUST be mailed on or before June 28th.
-  You must send a tracking number for your package to your partner and the swap hosts.
-  You MUST post and link up your swap reveal post. This is non-negotiable.

Sounds like fun, right? The hosts we be assigning partners once the sign-up is closed, it is a great way to make more blogging friends. Head on over to the sign-up post to get more information! You can sign up through June 9th!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

2014: May Wrap Up & June TBR


Below is a recap of what I read in May, what I am currently reading, and what I plan to read in the coming June. Although the to be read list is subject to change, these are the ones currently on my mind. Links will connect you to the book's Goodreads page.

MAY WRAP UP


JUNE TBR PILE
'Days of Blood and Starlight' by Laini Taylor
'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han
'The Sandman, Vol 1: Preludes and Nocturnes' by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth
'Maybe Someday' by Colleen Hoover
'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood
'Scarlet' by Marissa Meyer

I am glad I finally got out of my reading slump this month and really enjoyed most of the books I read! The only book under four stars for me this month was 'Peanut.' Let me know if you have read any of my TBR books and what you thought of them! Thanks and hope everyone had a great May!