18 October 2015

Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon



Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Summary:
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. 
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. 
{Special thanks to Bibliophile Soprano and Pinoy Book Tours for the review opportunity! (I borrowed the copy before Bibliophile Soprano returned it.)}

Review:

All her life, Maddy has lived in a white room, where everything is clean and safe. She has this disease wherein you don't know what you're allergic of, so you're basically allergic to the world. One magical day, a family moves in next door. (I can already imagine this scene happening in a movie. Like there's this slo-mo and stuff.) And there's this boy.

I expected this book to be a "poignant" one, since there's this disease, but no it's not. It's actually much more lighthearted than I expected. The romance is cute, the main characters are cute, but it's like a kissing book? (I'm exaggerating. But you know.)

My excitement was evenly distributed- there was almost no dull moment. Plus, I love the illustrations! Speaking of illustrations, the cover is gorgeous. The cover is the type of cover that will definitely make me want a book. (Or want a book more.)

It's actually rare for me not to fangirl over the main guy, (if you haven't seen my previous reviews, I really usually do) but yeah. Carla is my favorite character because I personally think that Maddy wouldn't be who she is without Carla.

The ending felt perfect! It's very positive and I didn't kick walls or anything just because this and that should've happened. I love it.

"Spoiler Alert: Love is worth everything. Everything."

I recommend reading this book because of the quotes, and the illustrations and the diversity (mixed-race characters, and I have never heard of SCID before reading Everything, Everything.) and because it's nice. PLUS, MADDY READS BOOKS!!!1!!


RATING: 4.75/5


I am so sorry because I can't really say much without spoilers.


5 September 2015

Book Haul-ish? (3): Invisible Book Haul



Book Haul-ish? is a weekly feature created and hosted by me and Bibliophile Soprano. We encourage bloggers to post about their hauls no matter how small or invisible it might be. Yay.

For those who want to participate:

-You can use the picture above, or create your own. Up to you. :) Just link the picture to this blog or to Bibliophile Soprano.
-Ideally, we'll post every Saturday (8 AM EST). Oh whale, I'm late. Anyways, you don't have to post on a Saturday if you don't feel like it, you can post on
-Just talk about your book haul-ish, you can post pictures if you want :))
- You can include ebooks you purchased, digital review copies (DRCs), physical ARCs, books you purchased, anything.
-Please tweet us! We'll try to RT as much as we can. :) (@CelestialPages & @bookishsongs)

August 30- September 5 

[invisible]

Sooo. Here's a perfect example of an invisible book haul. Yay. I'm sorry for not posting about my [invisble] book hauls for 2 weeks!


1 September 2015

ARC Review: Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales




Tonight the Streets Are Ours
Author: Leila Sales
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
On sale date: September 15, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she's tired of being loyal to people who don't appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom. 
Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called "Tonight the Streets Are Ours," the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. 
When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.
During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn't exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn't exactly who she thought she was, either. 

SO HI GUYS! I MISSED YOU ALL.

Review:

UGH. I DIDN'T WANT THIS BOOK TO END.

15 August 2015

Book Haul-ish? (2): *extremely thankful*



Book Haul-ish? is a weekly feature created and hosted by me and Bibliophile Soprano. We encourage bloggers to post about their hauls no matter how small or invisible it might be. Yay.

For those who want to participate:

-You can use the picture above, or create your own. Up to you. :) Just link the picture to this blog or to Bibliophile Soprano.
-Ideally, we'll post every Saturday (8 AM EST). Oh whale, I'm late. Anyways, you don't have to post on a Saturday if you don't feel like it, you can post on
-Just talk about your book haul-ish, you can post pictures if you want :))
- You can include ebooks you purchased, digital review copies (DRCs), physical ARCs, books you purchased, finished copies, anything.
-Please tweet us! We'll try to RT as much as we can. :) (@CelestialPages & @bookishsongs) 
The post after this shall be a review. :) I don't wan't this blog to be made of features.


9 August 2015

Book Haul-ish? (1): DRCs!

Oh whale. This was supposed to be on the blog by yesterday. Oh whale.



Book Haul-ish? is a weekly feature created and hosted by me and Bibliophile Soprano. We encourage bloggers to post about their hauls no matter how small or invisible it might be. Yay.

For those who want to participate:

-You can use the picture above, or create your own. Up to you. :) Just link the picture to this blog or to Bibliophile Soprano.
-Ideally, we'll post every Saturday (8 AM EST). Oh whale, I'm late. Anyways, you don't have to post on a Saturday if you don't feel like it, you can post on
-Just talk about your book haul-ish, you can post pictures if you want :))
- You can include ebooks you purchased, digital review copies (DRCs), physical ARCs, books you purchased, anything.
-Please tweet us! We'll try to RT as much as we can. :) (@CelestialPages & @bookishsongs) 

So yay!

August 1-7




DRCs from Edelweiss
(Thank you, HarperCollins!)

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix
A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

These books have PERFECT covers. I.Just.Can't.Even.

 My reviews for these will come sometime in September so stay tuned! :))


3 August 2015

Attention, please!

In this post, I'll be discussing some matters. Yeah.

1. SEMI-HIATUS. It's already evident, actually. So yeah, school has started again and I'm (finally) trying my best. Anyways, I'll still post, but I won't be very active. I'M SORRY. I'LL MISS Y'ALL.

2. Posts! This is kinda related to the first matter. I failed to post something. And it won't post asdfghjkl

3. BOOKWORMS UNITE! It was so much fun! I'll surprise you guys with a giveaway someday.

4. Book Haul (ish)! So... Bibliophile Soprano and I came up with this some time ago, and yes, it's finally out! I'll start this Saturday. Join guys, join! We're encouraging bloggers to post about their book haul no matter how small (or invisible) it is. Most of the time, mine's invisible. I SWEAR. If not, it has like, ebooks only. So if you're shy about yours, don't be. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

I'll talk about this on Saturday.

5. Bye, July! So... the blog event ended (well not really) with giveaways!

You can check my blog's sidebar. AND WHO WANTS TEN BOOKS?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6. HOORAH. GUYS. GUYS. GUYS. Happy 20 followers on Bloglovin', 200 on Twitter, 20 on GFC, and nearly 20 via Feedburner! Thank you thank you thank youuu.

I love you all.



18 July 2015

Blogger Interview: Erin from The Hardcover Lover



So... Erin. She's one of my first blogging friends, she runs a blog with a cute design, and she's awesome.

And hey, my name's Erin too! :D



Personal Questions



Favorite food?

Buffalo Chicken

Favorite color?

Pink

Favorite flower?

Orchid

Favorite song?
I don’t have one. 

Favorite TV show?

Friends and Gilmore Girls

Favorite place to read and/or blog?
My bedroom

Favorite book? 
Just one? That’s too difficult of a choice!


Blogging Questions



Who are you when you’re blogging? 
Right now… I’m not really sure. I used to be so relaxed when I was blogging, but lately, I’ve been feeling like it’s more complex than it used to be.

Who are you when you’re not blogging?

I’m just Erin – the reader, the teacher, the babysitter. 

Which do you prefer more?
I’m not sure. I don’t really see myself split into two different people, so I guess I don’t really prefer one version of myself over the other.

What drives you to blog more?
I really have no idea. Lately, I’ve been in a slump, and have been cutting back on blogging.

5. How do you see yourself in the blogosphere?
I don’t really see myself as part of the “in-crowd,” but I do have a lot of great blogging buddies that I can talk to on a daily basis. 

Are you a perfectionist when it comes to your blog?
Kind of, but not really. I want the content to be perfect, but I am not great with graphics, so I let those slide a little bit.

Do you like making outlines when you blog, or do you prefer to start from scratch and work your way from there?
I keep track of ARCs in a planner so I know when to post my reviews. I do a little drafting for reviews in a review notebook, but usually everything is from scratch. I feel like it’s more authentic that way.

How much do your followers mean to you?
I love my followers. I don’t care if I don’t have many because I know that the ones that I have enjoy my blog, and that’s all that matters to me.

What is the best blogging advice that you could share with us? 
Find your strengths and stick with them. Don’t try to copy someone else just because you think it will get you more attention from other bloggers or publishers. You need to have a unique and authentic voice in the blogosphere, so find it and use it.


Topic Questions



How would you define book discrimination?
Book discrimination can really be anything-  banning books, not allowing your children to read books, not reading a book because the main character is a different race, etc.

How do you feel about it?
I’m okay with parents not allowing children to read certain things at certain ages due to content, but otherwise, I think everyone should be entitled to read what they want.

What do you think is the cause of book discrimination?
It all depends. It could be schools, governments, parents – anyone really. 



You can visit Erin's blog here




8 July 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (7): It's About Love by Steven Camden


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature/meme created and hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It features upcoming titles that I really look forward to.


It's About Love
Author: Steven Camden
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
On-sale date: August 4, 2014

Edelweiss Summary:


He’s Luke. She’s Leia. Just like in Star Wars. Just like they’re made for each other. Same film studies course, different backgrounds, different ends of town.Only this isn’t a film. This is real life. This is where monsters from the past come back to take revenge. This is where you are sometimes the monster.But real life? Sometimes, only sometimes, it turns out just like in the movies…… maybe.


 Everyone, look at that cover. So cute and attractive.

So here's another thing about me: there are times when I relate my life to movies, books, or music. That's why I think that this book has greatness in it. It's like, the first time I've seen something like this. I also have a feeling that there are many quotes in this book. Look at the conversation thing in the cover! :D

Oh, and Star Wars, I can't really say that I'm a fan, but I enjoyed the movies! Lightsabers are awesome.


4 July 2015

Review: Eleanor & Park



Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
This edition published by Orion Books in 2013

Summary:

Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried. 
Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black T-shirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor... never to Eleanor. 
Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose. 

Review:

Okay, wow. This was my first Rainbow Rowell read and it's great.

3 July 2015

Define: Book Discrimination


For me, book discrimination is when you refuse to read a book because it’s not popular, self published, or it has negative reviews. Or you think it’s too mainstream. Simply judging books for some reason.

don’t think refusing to read a book simply because you have no time, you’re not in the mood for it or you’re not ready for the stuff in that age group is book discrimination. We’re not forcing you to read anything here. (Anyway, when you’re ready, you’ll read them, right? *wink wink*)

And book genre favoritism, for me, is not book discrimination. Because that’s what you enjoy. We respect that. Unless  you ONLY read books in that genre because others aren’t going to be nice. When you judge a genre when you haven’t read anything in that or you’ve read just a few. I mean, don’t generalize.

For me, judging a book by how entertaining its first parts are is also discrimination.

I don’t have DNFs on my blog yet (but in case, I won’t rate, I would just tell why it’s a DNF and maybe talk about it some more), because there’s something that makes me want to finish a boring read someday. Like, I don’t want to finish it but I want to finish it. Like someday, I’m gonna feel like it. And I think that that something is the feeling that maybe the nice part of this book is right after this chapter. Or the next. Or the next. So I continue. Then I finish it.

I’m actually guilty, because I’ve discriminated books in the past (I had a case of the covers, but now, it’s just like, extra points for the gorgeous cover). To be honest, I’m still working on it. I’m trying.

To stop book discrimination, I think people should just read. Like without this book is not famous/the cover isn’t attractive/etc. so I’m not gonna read it.

We have different preferences. You might like what they didn’t. It’s not bad to read popular books. But don’t limit your bookshelf only to popular books. We’re not just following the trend here. Give self-published authors and small publishers a chance. You might be missing out on a lot. 




So that's it! What do you think? :) Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

2 July 2015

Book Discrimination Awareness Month



IT'S THE BOOK DISCRIMINATION AWARENESS MONTH!

This is the first blog event ever on Celestial Pages. THIS IS HISTORY. Anyways...

Fay from Bibliophile Soprano started this thing last year, and for this month, I'm co-hosting with her! If you're reading this, please do check her blog. I have a guest post about my thoughts on book discrimination- wooh! (first guest post, this is history.)  Actually, I'm gonna post that on this blog too, tomorrow, 12 AM! :)

This month will be glorious. We will have weekly giveaways and a massive one at the end of the month, a Twitter chat party on July 27, 8 PM EST, and of course, other stuff! :D

Have a great month!


1 July 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (6): Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature/meme created and hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It features upcoming titles that I really look forward to.

So guys! I'm sorry for not being able to post anything last week, not even a WoW post, I'm really, really sorry. We had problems with our internet connection.



Tonight the Streets Are Ours
Author: Leila Sales
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
On sale date: September 15, 2015

Goodreads Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she's tired of being loyal to people who don't appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom. 
Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called "Tonight the Streets Are Ours," the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. 
When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.
During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn't exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn't exactly who she thought she was, either. 

I've read the uncorrected proof, and it made me go wow. I found so many quotes and I can't wait to legally quote them! (We can't really quote from ARCs without checking the published edition.) I'm gonna make a post about my favorite quotes from this book. 

Plus, I'm really desperate for more Peter. I need to see if Leila Sales added some more! It's gonna make me even more happy. (Because I'm already happy with it.) HE'S BOOKISH AND CHILL AND HAWT.

So my review will be up sometime in August or early September. On or before the on sale date. :))



P.S.: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PETER. 

17 June 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (5): The Lies About Truth, The Distance From Me To You (IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature/meme created and hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. This features upcoming titles that I really really really look forward to.

HI!!! It's my thirteenth birthday, so I'm gonna wait for two books for a special WoW post! :) It's actually my fifth week doing this so it's like a mini milestone. I really took a long time trying to decide on what I'll wait for this week, and finally...

16 June 2015

Review: The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten



The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
Author: Teresa Toten
Publisher: Doubleday Canada, Walker Books
First published: August 27, 2013

Goodreads Summary:
When Adam meets Robyn at a support group for kids coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder, he is drawn to her almost before he can take a breath. He's determined to protect and defend her--to play Batman to her Robyn--whatever the cost. But when you're fourteen and the everyday problems of dealing with divorced parents and step-siblings are supplemented by the challenges of OCD, it's hard to imagine yourself falling in love. How can you have a "normal" relationship when your life is so fraught with problems? And that's not even to mention the small matter of those threatening letters Adam's mother has started to receive . . .

Special thanks to Bibliophile Soprano for lending me her copy!

Review:

Adam's life is full of drama. His mother has this hoarding problem. He has OCD. He attends a support group with other teenagers coping with . When he saw Robyn Plummer, the newest member of the group, he "fell in love" with her. He believes that he has to fix himself for her, protect her; be her Batman.

I started this book without much expectations, since the first time I heard about this was when my sister received it. The reading experience was wonderful. And oh, how much this book taught me about OCD. However, a tiny portion of this book bored me, particularly the Brenda-only parts, but no, not the with-Sweetie parts. Sweetie's so adorable. But when it's not boring, it's goooood. The title made me wonder why at first, but it was justified.

10 June 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (4): This Raging Light by Estelle Laure



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme features upcoming titles that I really look forward to.


This Raging Light
Author: Estelle Laure
Publisher: Houghton Miffin Harcourt
To be published on December 22, 2015

Edelweiss Summary:

Can the best thing happen at the worst time?
Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she’s about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend’s brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure’s soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

6 June 2015

Review: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno



99 Days
Author: Katie Cotugno
Publisher: Balzer+Bray (HarperCollins)
Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done. 
Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”
Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.
Eighty-seven days of summer to go, and history is repeating itself. The last thing I want is to come between the Donnelly brothers again…but the truth is, the Donnellys stole my heart a long time ago. 

3 June 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (3): A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern





A Step Toward Falling
Author: Cammie McGovern
To be published on October 6, 2015

Summary:
Cammie McGovern follows up her breakout young adult debut, Say What You Will, with this powerful and unforgettable novel about learning from your mistakes, and learning to forgive. 
Told in alternating points of view, A Step Toward Falling is a poignant, hopeful, and altogether stunning work that will appeal to fans of Jennifer Niven, Robyn Schneider, and Jandy Nelson. 
Emily has always been the kind of girl who tries to do the right thing—until one night when she does the worst thing possible. She sees Belinda, a classmate with developmental disabilities, being attacked. Inexplicably, she does nothing at all. 
Belinda, however, manages to save herself. When their high school finds out what happened, Emily and Lucas, a football player who was also there that night, are required to perform community service at a center for disabled people. Soon, Lucas and Emily begin to feel like maybe they're starting to make a real difference. Like they would be able to do the right thing if they could do that night all over again. But can they do anything that will actually help the one person they hurt the most?


I was looking for some titles to request on Edelweiss when I saw a gorg cover. When I looked more closely, I saw something- Cammie McGovern. I've read her YA debut Say What You Will and I liked it.
(A giant thank you to Stay Bookish for the SWYW giveaway. First win ever!)

This looks interesting and the plot can make me want to read this without the author being Cammie McGovern. This one's a romance novel too! (I've been waiting on three Wednesdays for romance-ish books so...)

Its tagline thingy- Sometimes the worst thing to do is nothing at all - I LOVE IT. I also loooove the fonts used in the cover! (They're actually what made the cover attractive to me!) Now, I look forward to all of Cammie's YA works partly because of the covers (and the tagline thingies!).



27 May 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (2): Madly by Amy Alward

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. 
This meme features upcoming releases (books!) that I really really really look forward to! :)


Madly
Author: Amy Alward
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
To be published on September 29, 2015

Summary:
Samantha may be falling for the beloved of the princess she is sent to save in this start to a hilarious, adventurous, and sweetly romantic trilogy.
When Samantha is summoned to the royal court of Nova for a secret mission, it’s her chance to put her training to the test: Princess Evelyn has taken an illegal love potion with disastrous effects, and Samantha, like her ancestors before her, is great at mixing potions. She may not be one of the naturally Talented—those who can heal or transform at the wave of their hands—but she is skilled nonetheless, and determined to find an antidote and cure Princess Evelyn. 
The problem? Princess Evelyn took the love potion to make her best friend Zain fall for her—and it’s Zain who Samantha keeps encountering on her hunt for antidote ingredients. As forbidden sparks between them fly, Samantha is forced to wonder: will curing Princess Evelyn doom her own chance at love?



 Here's another thing about me: I have a thing for potions! I used to mix shampoo, liquid soap, and water to create my "potion." Some of our plants died because of that. I also "brewed" some more crazy stuff.

Potions seem magical. They are magical, right?



And I love romance novels. Potions plus romance? Bingo. The cover and the colors- just perfect. I love it.

Madly is the first of The Potion Trilogy, and I want need this one.



26 May 2015

Excerpts + Giveaway: Buqo YA Bundle 5: Perfect Moments



Follow the tour! http://oopsireadabookagain.com/2015/05/blog-tour-invite-buqo-ya-bundle-5.html

Perfect Moments
Various Authors

Sometimes you’ll meet your match: at detention, on the badminton court, in a resort hotel in Davao, at a lab, in a foster home, at an epic party. You’ll never know. But always keep your heart ready for that perfect moment. Read these stories and experience the bliss of first love.
Aaaand... We're down to the last (definitely not the least!) Buqo YA bundle! This week, it's available for only 0.99 USD (45 pesos). Thank you so much to Dianne from Oops! I Read A Book Again for organizing this tour!

I'm so sorry for the pictureless post. We're on a vacation and I'm not sure I can use anything capable of that :(

24 May 2015

A Guide to a Grand Bookish Adventure


I know, the banner is super off-theme, but I really felt like that the blackboard theme was appropriate. 

A Guide to A Grand Bookish Adventure! Let me rephrase it: a guide to an epic reading experience/reading tips!

21 May 2015

Book Blitz + Giveaway: In The Beginning There Was Us by Ingrid Jonach


Thank you to Dianne from Oops! I Read A Book Again and of course, Ingrid Jonach!

We have a guest post by Ingrid, an excerpt from In the Beginning There Was Us, and an international giveaway for you guys! 

20 May 2015

Waiting on Wednesday (1): P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. 
This meme features upcoming releases (books!) that I really look forward to! :)



P.S. I Still Love You
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
To be published on May 26, 2015

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?  
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

18 May 2015

Review + Giveaway: Buqo YA Bundle 4- Heart Choices





Heart Choices
by Various Authors
Publication Date: April 24, 2015

Summary:
Sometimes it’s hard to choose. 
Do you stay or do you let go? Should you become friends, more than friends, or stay strangers? Would you risk love for popularity? You’re invited to explore these stories and find out each character’s choice from the heart.

Thanks to Oops! I Read Again Tours for organizing this! :)

Review:

Today's my tour stop for this bundle and I'm reviewing two of them!

17 May 2015

Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass


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The Heir
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Summary:
Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible. 
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests. 
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Review:

I was so excited for the special international edition of The Heir that I asked my sister to buy it for me on the release date! (I'm just twelve, so I'm kind of not allowed to go to malls whenever I want/need to.) Thank you so much to my sister, Fay from Bibliophile Soprano! :)

I had fun while reading The Heir- especially on the middle parts. The first chapters bored me a little and I always thought: GIVE ME THE SELECTION PART ALREADY!.

Review: The One by Kiera Cass



The One
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Summary:

The time has come for one winner to be crowned. 
When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.


Review:

I still read this book despite my opinions on The Elite because I liked book one so much!  I don't regret reading this- not even a bit- because I enjoyed being in America's world once again. 

16 May 2015

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass



The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Pulication Date: April 23, 2013

Goodreads Summary:

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.

Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip awa
y.


Review:

This is the book two for The Selection series. Click here to see my thoughts on book one.

I loved book one, but I'm kind of disappointed with this one. I felt like this was just written to stretch the Maxon-America-Aspen story into a trilogy.

14 May 2015

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass


The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Goodreads Summary:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
 

Review:

This is the first YA book I've ever read, and I'm happy because I wouldn't be blogging without The Selection; I wouldn't go YA Romance-crazy, who knows?

In The Selection, Illea had this caste system with numbers representing their class: One being the highest, Eight being the lowest. The Ones were the royalties, while the Eights were the homeless. The possible jobs depend on their caste, like Fives cannot be models and Sixes cannot be singers. If two people from different castes marry each other, the girl joins the boy in his caste. That was America's problem. She needed to save up for her and Aspen (Six). Their relationship was sort of hidden. Her mother wanted her to join the Selection and told her she could apply for a job if she applied for the Selection. 

I didn't connect with America well in the first half of the book because I felt like she was too self-and-Aspen-centered. However, she got much better in the Selection. Now, Maxon, he is a very patient guy. In fact, most "patient guys" make it to my mental Favorite Fictional Boys (and Maxon made it!). Maxon is just soooo cute!


"One can never help being born into perfection." - America Singer

I love the lines! Points for all the quotes in The Selection. I don't really consider the thing I quoted  a quote, but it's possible to make a bookmark out of that.

The plot is very interesting, but it takes long to explain everything essential. The first few chapters were a blur, like "What are castes?" and I was confused with America being her name, and how she was a singer while her surname is Singer. My little confusion was one of the reasons why I kept on reading. And as I read on, feels started to grow. I started to ship Maxerica!

I recommend this book to people who appreciate romance stories of any age (this is pretty light).

RATING: 4/5