This book. Oh my god, it was soooo good. I knew this book was supposed to be amazing, but i didn't realize how much so! I loved the characters, settinThis book. Oh my god, it was soooo good. I knew this book was supposed to be amazing, but i didn't realize how much so! I loved the characters, setting, plot, ideas, absolutely everything.I was not aware that I was supposed to get feels over characters I'd barely even met, but my god. I can't. I'm going to re-read this next year! ...more
I don't really understand what just happened. JNBS: 36/100, or Super F. This book was one of the most obscure things I have ever beheld (which is sayingI don't really understand what just happened. JNBS: 36/100, or Super F. This book was one of the most obscure things I have ever beheld (which is saying a lot), and not in a good way. I've heard of Wilson, but none of it was good. I was hoping this would change, but as aforementioned, it didn't. At first I thought I was reading a cute/thought-provoking book about a kid finding new hope through football and a new family. But actually it had ghosts and monsters and death and maggots. Not really sure what happened. Don't think I ever will. The only thing keeping me going was that I wanted to say that I finished it first, and I did. I kind of regret it. Overall, confusing and disappointing. Not worth the time, even if it was short....more
Ugh, I loved this as a whole so much! As for the individuals:
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: 5/5 What a great way to begin this book! I absolutely fell iUgh, I loved this as a whole so much! As for the individuals:
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: 5/5 What a great way to begin this book! I absolutely fell in love with this short story in true Rainbow style.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link: 2.5/5 It seemed pretty at first, but I'm not really sure exactly what happened there.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena: 4.5/5 I thought this one was really true to life. Tugs at those heartstrings.
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han: 4/5 Absolutely ADORABLE idea, but it should have been longer, not too much happened. :(
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins - 6/5 Oh my gods my HEART! This is my favorite out of all of these! I don't know how to explain this except this might as well be published as her next novel.
Your Temporary Santa Claus by David Levithan: 3/5 Meh. Pretty bland characters, setting, plot. Skipworthy, really.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black: 3/5 I kind of liked where it was going, then I remembered it was Holly Black and it was for sure not a contemporary, and then the twist came. And not a good one.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman: 4.5/5 10 bajillion times better than If I Stay, in my opinion. (don't hate me)
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire: 3.5/5 I thought this one was just pretty funny! Everything was real sweet. I'll definitely be picking her stuff up soon!
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter - 1/5 Ummm, I haven't read any of her stuff yet, but isn't this the plot of every one of her books? No structure at all. This should have been a novel, not a short story, in the exact opposite way of Stephanie Perkins'.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White - 5/5 This is a close second with Midnights as well. The atmosphere of this book is so homey and warm, with that little bit of reality blowing in like the door opening in a winter storm. So, so good.
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor - 5/5 A lot of people just didn't like this story, but I loved it. I am going to start the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series very soon, and I've been wanting to read her stuff for a while. I thought this was going to be a challenging read - and it was, mind you - but it was totally worth it. This story was so very memorable.
So yeah! Last review of 2014, I suppose. I know nobody reads these, but I'm going to get better at these next year.
(Update from Julie of next year: No, I don't ...more
JNBS: 91.5/100 This was an excellent book! I can't believe I loved a biography this much, or that frankly, it was anyone's autobiography! Woodson did aJNBS: 91.5/100 This was an excellent book! I can't believe I loved a biography this much, or that frankly, it was anyone's autobiography! Woodson did a phenomenal job with the language and formatting. This is the most promising nonfiction Newbery contender I've read thus far!...more
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I must admit, I did have to rush at the end to finish it, but I really have no complaints. It was basically aOverall, this was a very enjoyable read. I must admit, I did have to rush at the end to finish it, but I really have no complaints. It was basically a slightly grown up version of those lighthouse inn mystery twins books. Overall, even though it was a more realistic than most books I've read for the club in the past, it felt rather whimsical. Even though the book took place over the span of two or three days, a lot got done. The author accomplished what she wanted to, and that's what makes a book....more
Was it better than the first one? No, but the reading experience was way better. Again, characterization needs to be ramped up, but they're in life orWas it better than the first one? No, but the reading experience was way better. Again, characterization needs to be ramped up, but they're in life or death situations here, I don't blame Dashner too much there. This should make an interesting movie for sure, & I can't wait to get my hands on The Death Cure!...more
JNBS: 91.5/100 - A I loved this book! I read it in one sitting (not an hour and a half) and it was so much better than expected. I was under the impresJNBS: 91.5/100 - A I loved this book! I read it in one sitting (not an hour and a half) and it was so much better than expected. I was under the impression this was going to be something stupid like the grandfather experimenting on her goldfish, but no, Ellie actually learns a valid lesson on life in general. That's more than I can say for most middle grade books, and it was about 200 pages. I was thoroughly impressed with this book. It's definitely my favorite of the year so far....more
This book was okay. I've read much better contemporary. Don't get me wrong - it was a good story. It had its ups, but I keep getting stuck on the downsThis book was okay. I've read much better contemporary. Don't get me wrong - it was a good story. It had its ups, but I keep getting stuck on the downs. Honestly, she just droned on about memories that were either bittersweet or sugar-high-sweet, which would have been fine with me if they tied in better. I totally agreed with and understood her decision until she changed it at the last second. I get why Mia decided that, but not Forman. Overall, If I Stay is a solid 3-star. I'll still read Where She Went, I'll see the movie when it comes on Redbox, & eventually I'll get to Just One Day. Just not today. If you really want an inspirational contemporary, The Perks of Being a Wallflower cannot be hyped enough....more
Solid 3.5. I enjoyed it very much, though I believe that this was not really needed on too of Tobias's perspective in Allegiant.Solid 3.5. I enjoyed it very much, though I believe that this was not really needed on too of Tobias's perspective in Allegiant....more
This book was not my cup of tea. The main character, Star (which is a terrible name of which I could not get over its terribleness), is so naive and pThis book was not my cup of tea. The main character, Star (which is a terrible name of which I could not get over its terribleness), is so naive and pretty selfish. I do understand she's 10 years old, but she doesn't stop to think what others think or feel before herself. I honestly do not think she developed, other than the fact that she accepted some crap in her life. I was expecting more from this book, but it just didn't deliver. Also, like The Center of Everything from last year, there was a little bit of plot that was interesting, and then the book promptly ended (in the other book's case, it went back to boring). The only reason I wanted to keep reading was for her older sister, Winter, the ONLY interesting character. I did get a vibe of a poorly written version of Dorothy Must Die's beginning, and I wish the author would have run with it, but the under baked plot passed out halfway 'round the track. I HOPE (ba dum tiss) that we have more luck with other books this year! ...more
My gods. This book. I cried. Gods. Agh. I cannot even. Just know that I 1,000,000,000% recommend this series. Oh, and no more Wessa versus Jessa. It'sMy gods. This book. I cried. Gods. Agh. I cannot even. Just know that I 1,000,000,000% recommend this series. Oh, and no more Wessa versus Jessa. It's fricking Jillsa, guys. Jillsa be da OTP....more