July TBR

Wow! Already July! I can't belive we are already half way through the year! I have read some amazing books so far this year, and I hope to get to many more. Here are the books I am planning on reading this month-

* All books are linked to Goodreads

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

I actually already finished this one, and I absolutely LOVED it! Look forward to the review sometime soon.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Stunning by Sara Shepard

Quarantine : The Loners by Lex Thomas

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

I'm thinking this is pretty manageable, but there is always the chance I go off pile. Hopefully I can get all nine knocked out this month. I have a pretty good start so far. I hope your month of reading goes great also!

Whisper Walker by London Cole

Whisper Walker
Author- London Cole
Published- April 7th, 2012
London Cole Books
170 pages
Won from a giveaway

After turning seventeen, orphan Drake Adair discovers he can see ghosts when he falls into a pit of human remains while running for his life. What he doesn't realize is that he's stumbled onto his destiny.

Kelsie Blake, Drake's roommate and closest friend since she fled her filicidal father, has secrets. Secrets she keeps even from Drake. Sneaking outside the Gates into the wild, she risks everything for a little excitement. Her lies now threaten everything she cares about most in her life.

Drake unearths a plot by an enemy Guild to tear apart life as he knows it. The very people closest to him may be pawns in the grisly scheme, leaving Kelsie and Drake with no one to turn to as they struggle to find answers before it's too late.

Set eighty years after World War III, Kelsie and Drake pair up to protect the only life they know in a harsh and unforgiving world. They must each come to grips with his abilities, her secrets, and their mixed feelings for each other. Will they make it? Or will the very foundations of their lives be ripped from beneath them.-- Goodreads

I finished this book up this morning, and I am pleasantly suprised at how much I liked it. It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of fantasty (fae, vampires, werewolves, etc) and this book does have some fantasy elements in it, but the way it was tied into the dystopian world just worked for me.

I actually kind of like the cover. It may be a little to spacey for my taste, but I think it works. Also, I didn't imagine Drake to look like that. Oh well :)

I really liked both Drake and Kelsie, even though I felt their relationship was a tad bit odd. They were very sexual with each other, even though they were supposedly just "friends". Totally not just friends. I think that a younger teen should be warned that this book does have some, in my mind, graphic scenes. They did everything together! Shower, sleep, explore.. I didn't have an issue, but others may.

Other than that, they were both great. I could totally picture Kelsie in my head as this cute, petite redhead and Drake as this huge, hulking brunette. You know you got into a book when she start picturing miniscule details about a character.

There was quite a bit of action in this book. Lots of woodsy adventures, killings, and general exploration. Many points of the book were very suspenseful and kept you on the edge of your seat, anxious to see what happens next.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were interesting and there was lots of action and romance, both of which make a winner for me! The book was a bit sexual, so be warned! ;)

Recommend A...(4)

Hey guys! Welcome to this weeks Recommend A... a meme hosted by Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit. This weeks topic is Recommed A..contemporary book.

*Book is linked to its Goodreads page

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Best friends Lani and Erin couldn't be more different. Lani's reserved and thoughtful; Erin's bubbly and outgoing. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. There's no possible way they could be interested in the same guy.
So when Erin starts dating Jason, Lani can't believe she feels such a deep connection with him--and it may be mutual. The more Lani fights it, the more certain she feels that it's her fate to be with Jason. But what do you do when the love of your life is the one person you can't have?--Goodreads

So, I'm not all that huge into contemporary books, so when I read one and actually like it, it is a huge deal. I read Something Like Fate recently and just really got into the story. It was relateable and had drama (read- catfights!) I had never read any of Mrs. Colasanti's books before, but now I am excited to try out some more. Dystopian will always be my favorite genre, but I think I can give contemporary a small piece of my heart!

Here is my review if you are curious

What contemporary books do you recommend I try?

June Reading Wrap-Up

Hey guys! Happy end of June! Here are all of the books that I read in June + plus reviews. Now that I look at the books I read this month, I see that I kinda sucked. Really, only seven books!? I guess if I think about it, only two of these books were less than 300 pages.

I'm just a tad bit sad that it will be July tommorow, and I only have about 1 1/2 months until school starts back up. Where has all of the time gone! Anyway, here are all of my June reads-



Seeds of Discovery by Breeana Puttroff- Review here

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella- Review here

The Death Cure by James Dashner- Review here

Crossed by Ally Condie- Review here

Legend by Marie Lu- Review here

Whisper Walker by London Cole- Review goes live 7/4

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

In My Mailbox (13)

Hey guys! Welcome to another In My Mailbox! I managed to acquire some great reads this week, so I am pumped! In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

*All books are linked to Goodreads

Won-

Abandon by Meg Cabot (Signed) + swag

Thanks to Diana from Little Miss Drama Queen!

From PBS-

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

What wonderful books landed in youir mailbox this week?

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend
Author- Marie Lu
Published- November 29th, 2011
Putnam Juvenile
305 pages
Obtained from the library

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.--Goodreads

I have added another Dystopian to the list for this year! I think this is quickly becoming my favorite YA sub genre. This book very much reminded me of a mixture of The Hunger Games society mixed with The Way We Fall's plague. I liked both books, so I was pretty sure this book would be a winner.

The cover of this book is interesting. I'm assuming that is the Republic symbol, which is cool and all, but at the same time the cover is not a check-me-out-I-look-cool type of cover. I'm not really a fan of mixing silver and gold either.

I love how this book is written in dual POV. I loved getting to know Day and June on a individual basis instead of hearing just one characters perspective.

I really think that the premise that brings June and Day together was really neat. I'm not really sure I would act like June did if Day killed my brother. I often wondered during the book what each person would be like if they were raised in each others situations. Would June still be a super prodigy and be high in the military? Would day still become a criminal?

I really liked both characters. June was just a plain old kick butt character, which for the record are my favorite characters! She was brave and never afraid to fight to fight for what she believed in. Day was very similar in the sense that he was just a rough and tough type of guy just living his life. I loved the vulnerable side that he showed. I can't imagine having to pretend I was dead to protect my family!

I thought the romance between Day and June was very cute and appropriate for the situation they were in. I mean, it wouldn't be believable if the romance was intense while June new Day was her brothers murderer. in my opinion. I think the romance in this book was just meant to be a teaser for what will come in the next book.

One thing that I though was weird/ interesting about this book were the different font and colors that each characters point of view was written in. I actually really liked the use of gold ink for Day's POV. I thought it was very unique and not something you see everyday.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked getting to know both characters and spending their lives with them. The book was a great fast paced, interesting novel that I totally recommend! I cant wait to read Prodigy!

I will be giving this book four stars!

Recommend A...(3)

Hey guys! Welcome back to this weeks Recommend A.. a meme where we share our recommendations of books based on prompts provided each week. Recommend A.. is hosted by Chick Loves Lit. This week the prompt is Recommend A..book you though was funny. Yes, I know that neither of these are YA, but I loved both of them and think any Young Adult would love them also!

* All books are linked to their Goodreads page

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

   I thought this book was a riot! I giggle during all of Sophie's books, but this one especially. The main character was just a goofy, ditzy girl trying to find her way in life. The best comedy comes from everyday life!

Here is where I reviewed the book.

                                                                                 

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

I adore all of Meg's books also, but I especially loved the way she chronicled the life of Heather Wells, former pop star turned homicide detective/ dorm administrator. Just the description of her life has me thinking about all of the crazy things she went through in this book. I HIGHLY recommend the Heather Wells series!

                              

What books have you read that you thought were LOL worthy?