54 Book Questions

• 1. Favorite childhood book?

– The only books I really read as a child were the Junie B. Jones series.

• 2. What are you reading right now?

– Currently, I am reading ‘Never Too Far’ by Abbi Glines

• 3. What books do you have on request at the library?

– Allegiant, Elite, Clockwork Princess, and The Raven Boys

• 4. Bad book habit?

– Skipping to the end of the book to see how my favorite character will end up

• 5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

– Nothing, I don’t go to the library very often and I prefer to buy books

• 6. Do you have an e-reader?

– Yes! It’s my baby

• 7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

– It really depends on what books are out at that time, I can read several books at a time

• 8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

– Not really, I guess I don’t read young adult paranormal books as often anymore

• 9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far)?

– The Innocents, Also, I read Antigone in English class and it sucked. Badly.

• 10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

– The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

• 11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

– I will read anything that has an element of romance in it. Call me sappy, but I love happy endings and cute male characters.

• 12. What is your reading comfort zone?

– YA Paranormal and Romanctic Realistic Fiction

• 13. Can you read on the bus?

– Yes, I did that everyday from 5th-8th grade, I’m pretty sure if reading on the bus was an Olympic port I would have a gold medal

• 14. Favorite place to read?

– My room, I like being able to spread out on my bed and move around

• 15. What is your policy on book lending?

– I only lend my books to people I know will appreciate and respect them as much as I do

• 16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

– ABSOLUTELY NOT!

• 17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?

– Not really, I never have a reason to

• 18. Not even with text books?

– Nope

• 19. What is your favourite language to read in?

– Brail…….jk I only know how to read English

• 20. What makes you love a book?

–  The characters and their attitudes toward the things that happen in the book

• 21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?

– Normally it depends on how much I love the main guy character 🙂

• 22. Favorite genre?

– Romance/ Realistic Fiction

• 23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?

– Historical Fiction

• 24. Favourite biography?

– The Bible

• 25. Have you ever read a self-help book?

– Nope, I’m far too confident to need a self-help book 😉

• 26. Favourite cookbook?

– I don’t think I’ve ever read a cookbook

• 27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

– The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

• 28. Favorite reading snack?

– Uhhhhh cookies? I don’t like eating chips while reading books because then you get the salt and/or cheese crap all over the pages

• 29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.

– The Hunger Games. Honestly, it was good but it wasn’t as earth-shatteringly wonderful as everyone said it was going to be

• 30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?

– About 80% of the time, I’m actually very easy to please book-wise. I normally just stick to the same type of characters and storylines

• 31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?

– I always make sure that people realize that it is only my opinion when I give out negative reviews. Just because I didn’t like something doesn’t mean another person won’t like it. I’m not afraid to give my honest opinion about books, but I never tell people not to read certain books just because I didn’t like them.

• 32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?

– Oooooh this is a good one, I guess I would say French because I think it looks really cool.

• 33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
• 34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?

– I LOVE big books, the bigger they are the more detail and story that is put into it. I guess Insurgent was kind of intimidating?

• 35. Favorite Poet?

– Shel Silverstein. Definitely.

• 36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?

– Depends on how many books have come into the library recently, I usually don’t check out more than 10 at a time

• 37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?

– Every time I go to the library I bring the book back from the time before with at least one that was never read. I can’t read books if I’m not in the mood to read that specific story.

• 38. Favorite fictional character?

– Male: Adrian Ivashkov (Vampire Academy)  Female: Rose Hathaway (Vampire Academy)

• 39. Favourite fictional villain?

–  Ahhh this is so hard! I’m gonna go with Seth (Covenant Series)

• 40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?

– Any Abbi Glines book, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Half-Blood, and The Last Song

• 41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.

– A day, and the only reason I didn’t read that day is because I didn’t have any books with me 😦

• 42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.

– Matched by Ally Condie…..just not my style

• 43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

– People having loud conversations around me

• 44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

– The Lucky One, I actually liked the movie better than the book

• 45. Most disappointing film adaptation?

– It’s a three-way tie between the 1st Twilight movie, City of Bones, and the Host

• 46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?

– Probably around $50, I only do that when people give me giftcards though

• 47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?

– I’m a speed reader, I rarely ever read every word in a book. So the answer is yes, I always skim at least a little bit of every book I read. But if I really like the book I will eventually go back and read everything that I missed

• 48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?

– If my favorite character dies

• 49. Do you like to keep your books organized?

– Normally yes, but sometimes I just leave them in a pile on my book shelf

• 50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?

– Keep them, I re-read books all the time so unless I really didn’t like it will be mine forever

• 51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?

– Allegiant, Clockwork Princess, and With All My Soul….I get anxiety when I start reading the last book in a good series

• 52. Name a book that made you angry.

– Pretty Little Liars. Ugh! Love the show but the book just made me mad from the beginning

• 53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?

– The Fault in Our Stars, I thought it was going to be really depressing and non-relatable. It turned out to be amazing and it is now one of my favorite books

• 54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?

Pretty Little Liars, the show was good and the books are always better than the show so I should love the books right? Well no, it was just not good at all in my opinion

Review: Starcrossed by: Josephine Anglini

Starcrossed by: Josephine Angelini

  How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it’s getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she’s haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they’re destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

I give this book an 8 out of 10. I loved the story line and how the book was based off of Helen of Troy and Illiad. Helen is exactly how I want my teenage female heroines to be. She’s obviously very strong, physically and mentally, and her personality is just very genuine. She also has a great sense of humor, which I personally find very important. And she’s not the least bit stuck-up or full of herself, which I have noticed is becoming a real problem with some of new female heroines in the newer books that are coming out. I love the relationship that Helen has with her dad, I think that he is absolutely hilarious and I love how even though he’s not as traditionally protective and parent(y) as most dads, you can still see that her dad is very concerned about her and he always tries to help her. I thought that the whole Gretchen and Helen situation was pathetic. I mean seriously, it was one little thing that could have happened to anybody and Gretchen suddenly decides to ruin Helen’s life? I think Gretchen needs to get over herself. I also found Cassandra’s dislike of Helen irritating and confusing. There was no reason or motive for Cassandra to dislike her until the end of the book, and no one knew what had happened until the end so it’s not like Helen was keeping some big secret. I loved Lucas and Hector. Lucas because he is so stinking cute and sweet to Helen and Hector because of how hilarious and blunt he is. This is a book that I could easily re-read.

Fav quotes: “I don’t want to fry fifty people. Fifty French fries, sure. Who wouldn’t want fifty French fries? Delicious.” – Helen “You’re one to talk,” Pandora grumbled. “Just two weeks ago I had to count the silverware after every meal to make sure you hadn’t swallowed any of it.” – Pandora “I know, I’m such a geek it’s gone viral,” Helen replied, Claire’s teasing instantly forgiven, as usual. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll catch a fatal dose of loser from me?”  “Nope. I’m so awesome I’m immune. Anyway, geeks are the best. You’re all so deliciously corruptible.” – Helen and Claire

Review: Shatter Me by: Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by: Tahereh Mafi

 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 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.

6 out of 10. I think that this book was really good in the beginning, but got kind of chaotic as it went on. The storyline was good and I like how the author put a splash of romance in it, but it was still kind of disappointing. The two main characters spent the entire book trying to escape and there wasn’t even one moment where they could relax and talk (build character development) until the end. I usually expect this type of story in the second or third book in a series, because by then you’ve already learned about the characters and there relationships. I mean the only things we really know about Juliette is that she has a dangerous power, and that her parents were the ones that gave her up to the bad people. We really don’t know anything about Adam until you meet his family members at the end of the book. Also, the bad guy (I don’t remember his name, sorry!) is a total psychopath. He tries to win Juliette’s love by locking her in a room and taking away all her freedom. What a charmer. I realize that the author probably meant for him to act this way because it fits his personality, but the whole time I was reading about him I was like “really, dude?” Psychopaths annoy me.  I don’t know if there’s a sequel but if not, then this book just got a whole lot more depressing…

Review: The Rules by: Stacey Kade

The Rules by: Stacey Kade

1.    Never trust anyone.

2.    Remember they are always searching.

3.    Don’t get involved.

4.    Keep your head down.

5.    Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival–and that of her adoptive father–depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans, to hide in plain sight from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening–and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules.

 

8 out of 10. I thought the storyline was great but it could have been so much more interesting had they made the bigger problem about Ariane’s secret and less about the mean girl with parent issues…I got sick of her real fast. I still thought that Rachel’s connection to the experiment (her grandfather is the main scientist) was an interesting plot twist though. Call me dorky but I think I re-read the carnival scene with Ariane and Zane about 10 times. They’re just so CUTE! I thought Zane’s character was very well-written. He’s a popular jock who’s tired of hanging out with the other mean popular kids, his dad treats him like crap and he just wants his life to be different. Jenna was my least favorite character, she was a total brat to Ariane and it irritated me that even though this girl was being awful to Ariane, she still didn’t want to give up their friendship because Ariane relied on it so much to help her get through her ‘normal’ life. I thought that the party scene where Ariane exposes her powers was awesome, but not for Ariane. And Zane is so heroic and wonderful when he tries to save her! Although he probably should have though this plan through better, I mean just walking through the front door and expecting to find her right away and break her out is a little naïve. Even though the characters had a lot of flaws, I still enjoyed reading the book and I look forward to the next one. Who knows what’s going happen next?

Review: Altered by: Jennifer Rush

Altered by: Jennifer Rush

They were made to forget. But they’ll never forgive.

 Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch, at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, solemn and brooding; Cas, light-hearted and playful; Trev, smart and caring; and Sam . . . who’s stolen Anna’s heart.
When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape. Anna’s father pushes her to go with them, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs.

 On the run, with her father’s warning in her head, Anna begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about herself. She soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

** spoiler alert **  I give it an 8 out of 10. I thought that it was awesome, it was totally what I hoped it would be. I loved how the four boys had kind of brotherly dynamics toward Anna(except for Sam at times), and I love that she wasn’t just some helpless damsel in distress. It was very refreshing. I also really liked how the author kept on giving you these cryptic clues, the story just kept on going and going as you sat there on the edge of your seat waiting to see what would happen next.  I was very disappointed in Trev though! He was my favorite character up until he betrayed them! But, other then that, it was highly recommendable.

Review: Perfect Chemistry by: Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by: Simone Elkeles

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren’t exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive. Neither teen is prepared for the most surprising chemical reaction of all — love. Can they break through the stereotypes and misconceptions that threaten to keep them apart? Travel to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

I give it a 9 out of 10. I love both Alex and Brittany because even though they’re different they are perfect together. Simone Elkeles has a very creative way of writing that makes you empathize with the character that you reading about. The book alternates between Alex and Brittany’s POV; which I really like because then you get to see what they’re both feeling instead of just reading through one person’s POV and guessing about the other one. Reading about Brittany now makes me wonder about every popular girl that goes to my school. This book is a very quick read.

Review: Bloodlines by: Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by: Richelle Mead

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive–this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

9 out of 10! This spin-off of Vampire Academy is exactly what I was hoping for. Sydney is an alchemist who goes through the book trying to figure out if her way of life is the right one, while fighting her attraction for the greatest guy EVER. Adrian! I absolutely love that Richelle Mead put Adrian into this series. He is and will always be my favorite character. In this book you get to see how some of our less frequent characters from Vampire Academy are dealing with their problems that are left over from Vampire Academy. Jill has to deal with becoming royal and famous, Eddie has to deal with his punishment after commiting a crime, and poor Adrian has to deal with his broken heart. Although I’m still glad that Rose ended up with Dimitri. This is an awesome book and an awesome series. *NOTE: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES BEFORE READING BLOODLINES! A lot of the characters and relationships carry over into Bloodlines.

Review: Torn Souls by: Crystal Cattabriga

Torn Souls by: Crystal Cattabriga

Julia Stone’s life has been turned upside down ever since her parents decided to move out of the country and into the city. The life she knew was gone and starting over was something she wasn’t prepared for. The thought of a new school, new teachers and even new friends was terrifying, but after a few weeks things didn’t seem all that bad. Julia had met a boy and his name was Alex. He wasn’t a jock, he wasn’t even the smartest kid in school, but he was nice and he made her laugh. Alex and Julia hung out all the time, eventually becoming best friends. They even made a pact never to keep secrets from each other, but for Julia it was harder than she thought. She had a secret that was destroying the very cord of her soul. Her life as a teenager was being ripped apart by the kids in her school. Julia was being bullied mentally and physically. The thought of going through the next three years in high school being bullied continuously wasn’t something she was prepared to do. The choice was simple, and she wasn’t about to do it alone.

I give this book a 9 out of 10! I loved the way that Julia dealt with her bullying problem; thinking of ways to take her experiences and using them to help other people too instead of just punishing Bridget to make herself feel better. The message that this book sends is very powerful and I think that all teens could use a wake-up call to the problem that is bullying. Everyone should know that they are important and that what they think matters. I also really loved Julia’s relationship with her family, how they had complete faith in her and she knew that they were always there for her, some kids aren’t so lucky. I highly recommend this book to teens everywhere.

Review: Witch & Wizard by: James Patterson

Witch & Wizard by: James Patterson

This is the astonishing testimonial of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared—for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic…and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

I give it an 8 out of 10. It was good- as are all James Patterson books, but it was kind of confusing. I think Wisty and Whit are fascinating characters and I love their bond; how they promise to keep each other safe and they’ll get through their horrible situation together. I think this first book is mostly more character development than the actual storyline. It was very hard to follow because of the constantly changing POV, the book alternates between Wisty and Whit’s POV. There was a lot of back story on both of them and each time you changed POV’s you would have to go through a new memory, and since neither of them knew that they were wizards you had to deal with them trying to figure it out on their own. It was still very readable though. I read it often when I can find it at the library. If you keep reading through the series the story gets better and better.

Review: Obsidian by: Jennifer L Armentrout

Obsidian by: Jennifer L Armentrout

When Katy Swartz moved to West Virginia right before her senior year, she’d  pretty much resigned herself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until she spotted her hot neighbor, with his  looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. Daemon Black is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. They do not get along.  At all. But when a stranger attacks Katy and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

I rate this book 10 out of 10! It was a fantastic storyline and I couldn’t put it down! Jennifer L. Armentrout is a literary genius. This book is funny, creative, and suspenseful. If you love quirky, hilarious new girls and hot, sarcastic bad boys then this is the book for you. If you really want to have all the details to this book you should read the prequel to it which is called Shadows.