I Love Books: Book Haul

My daddy said that I could buy as many books as I wanted.  If I did that, I would have maxed out the credit card.  However, here's what I did decided on at my local indie store!!! Support those little bookstores :)

I got Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt because I was there for that book signing.  I'll leave a photo of the signed title page because it's so cute, and you can read about the super original pajama party book launch here!!

Also got Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor for an upcoming book signing.  I mostly got it because I hate showing up to multiple author book signings without having a book for everyone, but I've heard wonderful things about it!!!!!!!

Next, Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi! I got to support her and her awesomeness.  And it is the epic conclusion.

Lastly, I got Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan.  I saw David last month, but I didn't get this signed so now I have an excuse to see him again :) Have to have a complete signed, first edition collection of David's work!  Yes, I'm a nerd, but I thought I established this already.

My Favorite Books Read 2013

These aren't in a specific order, just in which order they come to mind.  I suppose whichever ones I remember first were better than the others, but now I'm getting all psychology nerd on you;)

1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I just finished this book tonight, so I won't have a review up for a little while.  I also have to do a book report on it and finish in one day because of my surgery interfering with deadlines. I'm giving you my little summary, but for the rest of the books on this list I am just linking my review where summaries can be found.

This is a nonfiction work about a woman named Henrietta, whose cells are still alive even though she is dead.  These cells have lead to amazing medical advancements like the polio vaccine and cancer treatment like Taxol, but her doctors took cell samples from her without her ever knowing.  These cells are extremely valuable for research even still today, and producing these cells called HeLa became a billion dollar industry.  But does her family get any of the money? They can't even afford health insurance.

2. Vain by Fisher Amelie

3. The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski

4. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

5. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

9. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston LeRoux

10. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

11. Down London Road by Samantha Young

12. Wait for You by J. Lynn

13. Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Hope you have a great 2014!

Shatter Me #3 by Tahereh Mafi Title and Cover Reveal

It's called IGNITE ME! And here are some words from Tahereh:

" Hi guys!

I'm so so thrilled to be able to share this final cover with you all. The "Shatter Me" series is swiftly coming to a close, and though it's a bittersweet feeling, I'm anxious for everyone to know how the story will end. Also I'm hoping we can still be friends after you finish reading.Ahem.

If you follow me around the internet, you know I've teased you a lot about what may or may not happen in book 3, but the truth is, most of the time I was just messing with you. What actually happens in the third book is probably almost definitely not what you think is going to happen. (Don't let the title fool you! "Ignite" is so much more than it seems.)

Of this final book I can promise you this much, though: Juliette is back. She's pissed. And she's ready to kick some ass. No regrets.

And mom, if you're reading this, I'm sorry I just said ass on the Internet. Twice."

-Tahereh Mafi 

COVER TIME!!!

MY THOUGHTS: AHH the cover is so gorgeous! Tahereh is a great writer and though I've only read Shatter Me, I'm still super excited.  I had the pleasure of meeting Tahereh and Ransom Riggs when Unravel Me and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (paperback) came out, and she sweet and hilarious as was he.  And guess what?  This OTP is engaged.  I didn't think it was real because Tahereh is sarcastic as you can get but they seem really good together.  Only fellow book nerds would be excited over this :)

Actually, we are. We're engaged! 💍😊 RT @algelalaiii: I wish @TaherehMafi and @ransomriggs were more than friends. I really ship them a lot.
— Ransom Riggs (@ransomriggs) August 11, 2013

no sarcasm, i promise! @ransomriggs and i really are engaged. we are my otp.
— Tahereh Mafi (@TaherehMafi) August 11, 2013

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. 

As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason.

And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

Characters: So I had the chance to meet Mr. Riggs last month when the paperback of Miss Peregrine was released.  I met him prior to reading the book and I wonder if that contributes to my disappointment.  Jacob is based on Ransom, but Jacob lacks his wit.  Ransom is really funny in a nerdy way like John Green.  Jacob has a few chuckle-worthy lines, but he was disappointing.  However, I do like his transformation, going from that nerdy underdog state to a brave hero.  His relationship with Emma is super cute!  Emma was Abe's girlfriend, so her dating his grandson is kinda weird and violates bro code or whatever, but they're a good pair.  Sweet young, love.  All of the characters are kind to Jacob when he arrives and have sick powers!

Plot: I admit that this book took forever for me to finish because I needed to get into it.  But once I did, it really picked up!  People, including me, think that this is a creepy book from first glance, but this is a mix of historical, adventure, and sci-fi, not scary at all.  Actually, I read that Ransom Riggs was going to write a children's book using some of the photos initially.  Once you read the book, you're going to be amazed at how Ransom  creatively crafted a story around these random photos that he selected to be put together.  

Sequel: Hollow is the name of the sequel.  Thank goodness there exists one because that would have been a crappy ending.

Movie: Tim Burton will be directing the movie.  I can't think of a better person for the job.  I'm anxious to see who gets casted, but I have no idea when casting begins.  But it is going to be a real movie, none of that thinking it will happen because it got "optioned" and then dropped.  Hmm, maybe Ransom Riggs will have a lot of control over the movie since he studied filmmaking before becoming an author.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, this isn't my favorite book, but Ransom Riggs' talent is undeniable.

Left to right: Carly (moi), Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, my friend Dani

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Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .
Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

Looks like a lot of fans will be moving over to Team Warner after this read.  In this novella, Warner's real motivations are revealed, and Warner is seen as a sensitive guy who has lots of feelings.  I'm stil Team Adam but no doubt is there a love triangle coming into play.

Also included are Juliette's,Adam's, Warner's, and Kenji's files which is super near to look at.  And as always, Tahereh's lovely writing style is present!

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, it's a nice bridge between Shatter Me andUnravel  Me.

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Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Characters: 

Juliette: It's hard not to like this girl. Well, at least it's hard not to feel sorry for her.  She's been an outcast all of her life even though she tries to be good.  That's what I like most about Juliette.  

Adam: Is it me or did anyone else constantly think of Superman when you read his name, Adam Kent?  Regardless, I still love this boy.  His relationship with Juliette reminds me of Peeta and Katniss' in that they knew each other when they were younger and the guy fell in love with the girl.  I think it's cute.  The one thing I didn't like though was that these two are way too hot and bothered.  Their hands were all over each other too frequently, making her touch seem less special.

Plot: Thank goodness there is a sequel because the story was just starting to get good at the end.  It seems like there were only a few key events so it makes sense that the book isn't terribly long.  If you like a really good plot, you're going to have to wait for the next book

Writing: Tahereh's writing is absolutely beautiful.  I usually don't like the flowery stuff since I enjoy concision, but it worked in this story.  And I love that there are lines in the book that are crossed out,
so you really know what's on Juliette's mind.

P.S. I went to her book signing, and Tahereh is hysterical.  She told a story about the bird tattoo which made me crack up when I got to that part in the book.  I guess that kind of ruined that part of the book since it was probably supposed to be pretty serious.  If you ever get a chance to see Tahereh, go!!!!

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes, I  think the concept of this book is super neat! It's not your typical YA dystopian.

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