Book Review | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Routine, order and predictability shelter him from the messy, wider world. Then, at fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.

Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer and turns to his favorite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As he tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, we are drawn into the workings of Christopher’s mind.

I was hesitant to read Mark Haddon's critically acclaimed novel. I had heard that the story was “weird” because it was from an “odd” perspective. What I think everyone might have been trying to articulate was that it read differently because it was from an autistic perspective. People said it was alright, terrible, or good. Very rarely did I hear that it was astonishingly well written. My personal experience turned out to be a mixture of both positive and negative aspects.

Truthfully, this book was super short but I read it with the speed of a tortoise. I found the voice of Christopher to be quite gripping. One of my good friends has a brother with autism and I think Mark Haddon stayed true to what behavior is often displayed by people who have autism or similar syndromes. Christopher was quick as a whip with complex concepts and clueless when it came to simple social situations. It mirrored the reality of someone with Asperger syndrome, as well as anyone who struggles socially.

I liked that Christopher's condition was never directly mentioned. There were hints here and there yet it remained inconclusive. I think that left a door open for people to perceive the story more universally. As for the setting, I didn't find it particularly interesting that the characters were located in England. I thought that it might as well have taken place in New York. I will say, I did love the mention of London and how it played a larger role as the novel progressed.

Honestly, I can see how others called the entirety of the novel weird. I don't think it was Christopher's condition but rather what was included in the narrative. Sure, there were moments where I felt as though I learned something new and that was awesome. To say that everything Haddon wrote was necessary would be a lie. It wasn't. Christopher had some cool bits of knowledge to share but the middle of the book seemed to drag on once in awhile.

The character development wasn't mind blowing. However, the characters themselves were easy to follow. I liked Christopher's dad and mom for who they were: mistake making people that counterbalanced poor decisions with love for their son. I liked that the plot branched off of the dog, Wellington, and grew organically from that. All in all, I'm happy to have finally read this since, ya know, it came out in 2003. Better late than never!

3.75 out of 5 stars 

Book Review | A Sudden Light

The publisher gave me a copy of this book to read and review from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has, in no way, altered my opinion of the book. 

Garth Stein has a gift, ladies and gentlemen. He knows how to manipulate words in such a fashion that drops jaws and slams them shut, leaving the audience stunned. Perhaps, really, it leaves them with pursed lips trying not to get overly emotional. Guilty as charged, I admit.

A Sudden Light revolves around a 14 year old boy named Trevor Riddell, who sluggishly trails along with his father, Jones, to Seattle whilst his mother returns to England. What awaits them in Seattle is a terribly decrepit mansion. Riddell House. Former home of the wealthy Elijah Riddell, head of the Riddell Timber company, which now serves as the dwelling place of his descendants. Early on, Trevor faintly detests living where his father spent his childhood.

What he would like more than anything is the reunion of his currently separated parents, but what we want is not always what we get. Trevor becomes entangled with every complication that could be thrown his way, all while in the company of his demented Grandpa Samuel and perfect Aunt Serena. Jones and Serena see Riddell House as an opportunity. To them, there is only one option: sell the house and property for developmental “McMansions” and send Grandpa Samuel to an elderly living facility. Trevor soon discovers that developing the land is not what his forefathers had in mind.

On his path to do the “right thing” – Trevor uncovers more than he bargained for. Secrets. Lies. Scandal. Ghosts. In a world where everything is connected, Trevor must determine whether the present will corrupt the past, and what can be done to ensure his family's future.

I'm going to try to explain my feelings for this novel in a calm, spoiler free manner. I thought A Sudden Light was engaging, touching, and crafted beautifully. Books that evoke raw emotions are hard to come by for me, so once I neared the end, I was surprised that tears were welling up in my eyes. What I love the most is that Garth Stein included every relationship there is. Familial relationships. Romantic relationships. Friendships. All around “-ships.”

The family dynamic and dichotomy was on point. I'm glad that I've been reading more family oriented stories as opposed to romantically driven ones. Let me tell you, four hundred something pages is not a lot of time to develop as many characters as Stein did, but he managed. Everyone was so formed. Trevor grew in his relationship with his father. His father even grew with his own dad, Grandpa Samuel. We saw the bond form between Ben and Harry as well as Ben and Elijah. Then there was Serena, who I thought was sketch from day one. I'll leave it at that.

Trevor was a strong narrator. I'm pleased that Stein made his character on the younger side but kept him well spoken and up to pace with the older family members. While it is mostly viewed as regular literary fiction, there were paranormal aspects. I personally think the ghostly elements added to the narrative, specifically the first half of the book. Continuing through A Sudden Light, I can confidently say that the second half is better than the first. Suddenly (watch out, it's getting punny), a new light shone down, and the speed increased drastically.

I hate diary entries. Sometimes, rarely, they make the plot more interesting. In this case, they killed me. I don't mind one or two, but when there are more than five, it's a problem. Actually, let me rephrase that. It's only a problem when they're boring. But it definitely had everything to do with the wording of the entries. On the other hand, the language was meant to reflect that of the early 1900s in the diary sections, so I hereby cut Garth Stein some slack.

I can't say much more without revealing spoilers, so I'll conclude with the following 1) This book is breathtakingly beautiful 2) Garth Stein is the homie because we both live in Washington 3) Another reason Garth Stein is the homie is because this story takes place in Seattle and I love Seattle.

Furthermore, I need to read the rest of his books.

5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Long Lankin

Don't open the windows. Make sure the doors are locked. Never go to the old church. Every precaution and rule is set in place to keep them safe. What they don't know is why, or what happens when it's too late.

Cora and her younger sister Mimi have been sent to stay with their Aunt Ida, an unfavorable set up on both ends. Alone in the small village of Byers Guerdon, Aunt Ida is known by everyone, including a young boy named Roger who bumps into Cora and Mimi as they venture to their new home – Guerdon Hall. Upon their arrival, Aunt Ida is disapproving the moment she sets eyes on them. She wants them gone. Immediately.

Unable to see anything out of the ordinary, except for a creepy portrait hanging above the bathroom entrance, Cora and Mimi find Guerdon Hall rather bland. Until, one night, when the air becomes thick and the atmosphere tenses. Soon they discover that something is deeply wrong. Cora, Mimi, and the boys they befriend unravel a past that is slowly creeping up on one of their own. Is Aunt Ida as cruel as she is made out to be? Or is she protecting them from a dark being more powerful than they could ever imagine? Together, they must conquer an evil that has prevailed for centuries.

Long Lankin is the debut novel of Lindsey Barraclough and a strong one at that. I was pumped when I came across this book online. When I finally found Long Lankin at my local bookstore, I swear, there were tears of joy. It was to be my first real horror novel. However, it was not overwhelmingly good.

Barraclough's writing throughout the book was powerful but I could have done without the strenuous details. Certain components describing the separate towns and roads were tedious and should have been left out. That isn't to say there weren't details that worked well within the novel; my favorite being the description of the old church. I favor religious aspects as long as they aren't overbearing, rather serving as a minor setting or character quality.

I had read reviews previous to reading Long Lankin and unfortunately, those reviews were correct. The pacing is incredibly slow. It wasn't an enjoyable slow where I savored every moment, nor was it miserable. Along with the general slowness of the novel, I found that it slowed down during certain character perspectives. When Cora narrated, I followed in a daze. As the narration alternated to Roger, the pace decreased noticeably.

Fortunately, Roger had a compelling presence when he wasn't narrating. Other than Cora, I would choose Aunt Ida as a favorite. Yeah, she was kind of horrible, but it came from a place of genuine concern. Plus, her narration here and there spoke to me much more than that of Roger. Leading off of that, his mother was a fantastic secondary character, probably one of the better ones I've read.

Finally, we have Long Lankin himself. What intrigues and motivates people to pick up this book is the quote from the ballad used to anchor the entire story-line. The slow growing anticipation is unbearable. Creaking floorboards, ghostly apparitions, and old clues suggesting a deadly beast lurking about the real world and the after life. Those sound like fair reasons to get hyped about a book, when truly, they were mere tropes. Even with her own twists and turns, Barraclough can only cover up the tropes so well. I was disappointed with each encounter involving Lankin. He was creepy, not scary.

In the end, I had a difficult time deciding how to rate this book. There was nothing outstanding in terms of the stylistic choices but the writing was a wonderful representation of Lindsey Barraclough as a breakthrough author. I have no doubt that her future novels will be just as impressive. I understand that a lot of other book lovers enjoyed reading this, so I recommend it, but whatever you do, beware of Long Lankin that lives in the hay. 

3.75 out of 5 stars

Book Review | The Archived

Thank the lord, I have found a novel with immense amounts of originality. Holy shoot. The Archived was such a rad book and Victoria Schwab is a stunning writer. All the feels cannot be contained. Plus, there was Guyliner, among other enjoyable things.

In this world, the dead are called Histories. A select number of humans are deemed Keepers who work within a place called the Narrows. When Histories awake from the Archive, Keepers must find them and make sure they are returned. Sounds simple enough. But it isn't. Especially for Mackenzie “Mac” Bishop who has recently had her world turned upside down. She is a young Keeper, one who has begun to notice that something is off within the realm of the Archive. More Histories are being disrupted and she is determined to get to the bottom of what appears to be a never ending puzzle. Up, down, and around we go on this mesmerizing adventure where past and present collide.

Oh my gosh, it has taken way too long to find a book in the same playing field as my favorite books of all time (the Divergent trilogy), when this book was brought to my attention. Hallelujah. Honestly, I don't know where to begin. First things first (don't go there), the premise is awesome. Somewhere between our world now and an advanced version of it, we have the Archive. Secondly, the character development is impeccable. Maybe not as brilliant as more notable books, but it's up there. I'm speaking mostly for the main protagonist, Mackenzie. Although, I think I speak for all fangirls when I say Guyliner was and remains bae. Excuse me while I slap myself for using that expression. Really though. His character felt genuine and wasn't forced in any way to be something he wasn't. Then again, I liked every character in the book. Not for who they were necessarily, but because they served a purpose.

Weaknesses

• Naming a character Da. It didn't read well.

• The end. Saw it coming around a certain part but I don't care because it was executed strategically.

• I will say, the first fifteen pages are confusing but it clears up fast.

Strengths

• Um, hi, dead people are kept on shelves.

• The characters. They were great. Roland. Mackenzie. Guyliner. Everyone.

• I thought I'd dislike the setting but it grew on me. Once the story was finished, I was glad it took place in an old hotel building and branched off of that.

• The library.

• I love when authors challenge you to think instead of doling out obvious bits and pieces of info and expecting me to be impressed. 

It's an eerie, emotional, and fast paced gem crafted by Victoria Schwab. I'm dying to pick up The Unbound, the second installment to this trilogy/series? To my knowledge, it hasn't been announced as to how a third book will be presented or if there will be more after that. I can dream/hope/pray/plead. Wait what.

This book is a must read! 

5 out of 5 stars uh-huh,uh-huh, I like it

Book Review | Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a contemporary book written by both John Green and David Levithan. The whole idea is that there is Will Grayson numero uno (written by John Green), who has a humdrum life but carries about with a fair amount of friends, mainly Tiny Cooper and Jane. Then we have David Levithan's Will Grayson who had a total of one non-friend and a partial real friend. Two completely opposite characters with the same name who are unknowingly about to cross paths.

Okay, as some of you may know, I am not big on the contemporary boat. Right around the time I said this, I picked up those ever so gushed about John Green books. My previous John Green reads were very well liked. When I read that Will Grayson, Will Grayson was co-written, I thought the dynamic would be interesting so I picked it up. Worth a shot, right?

Throughout the novel, the point of view changes melodiously. However, that tactic is far over used and abused by most writers whose names aren't John Green or David Levithan, therefore I was quite impressed with the changing of perspectives. But that's expected when a collaboration is done the right way, carefully and concisely.

John Green's Will was awkward, unsure of himself, and funny with a lighthearted vibe. It felt very true to Green's writing aesthetic. His relationship with both Tiny and Jane was similar to how I feel many high school friendships are: slow to the start with a sudden realization of likeness for one another. He doesn't realize how much of himself is infused within his and Tiny's friendship, who by the way, began to bug the hell out of me after about fifty pages. I wanted to like his character but he was extremely reminiscent of Damian from Mean Girls, in both his stature and speech, just more exaggerated.

Now, Mr. Levithan is an author new to my life. His Will, whom I loved and refer to as Grayson, was outspoken, sarcastic, and bathed in dark humor. Lower case letters fit his personality and it was a nice stylistic choice on behalf of his creator. But when he got consumed by his love of Isaac, it came across as love sick-y which didn't seem in character for Grayson. What I loved were the brutally honest emotions emitting from him, but when he vocalized these feelings to others, his character fell short.

Aside from the basic individual concerns, the romantic relationships were lacking. I won't spoil them, but they weren't too fun to follow. The whole Schrödinger's Cat conversation was gripping for about one or two pages while any further discussion of it became dull. I am happy that this book touched upon all relationships whether they be straight/gay/lesbian/bisexual, but they weren't made out to be a huge deal. So, that was nice.

I think Will Grayon x2 is why I fell into my reading slump. I had relatively high expectations going in and was disappointed big time. The lack of life altering events after both Will's met was not what I had pictured to go down and the end was okay but by no means was it brilliant. I recommend this if you're a fan of John Green, David Levithan, or like contemporary.

3 out of 5 stars

Rainbow Readathon & More Update

For anyone that isn't aware, the Rainbow Readathon is taking place right this very moment! I specifically went shopping to find books for this readathon. I read one of those books you guys. One. To get to the point, I just wanted to let you know how much progress I have made and update you on a few minor things. 

During this readathon, we were supposed to read six books, each a different color. I was going to read: Water for Elephants as my red book. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time as my orange book. It's Kind of a Funny Story as my yellow book. I had no green book. The Ocean at the End of the Lane as my blue book. And Four as my purple book except that it isn't purple so after the first three days, I went out and bought a different purple book.

The amount of books I ended up actually reading is "kind of a funny story," to be honest. Of the books listed above, I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Indecisive. I know. But I have made more headway with this readathon than any other. Also, I swapped out The Ocean at the End of the Lane for The Archived by Victoria Schwab and it was fandabbytastic! That's my best friends version of fantastic, I figured I'd try it out. Next up, I plan on reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas because it's apparently amazeballs.

In other news, I am now releasing my updated contact information. I am wheezing and panting to catch up with the rest of my fellow Goodreads friends as well as managing (playing around with) my new Twitter account! Huzzah!

Anyway, if you'd like to contact me outside of my blog, check out my:
Instagram  
Twitter
Goodreads

Stay tuned for more book reviews coming soon, on here and on my Goodreads page!

How much progress have you made during the rainbow readathon? What all have you read for it?

Book Review | Anya's Ghost

Alright. Going to try and make my graphic novel reviews ten thousand times shorter than regular novel reviews. Moving on.

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part. . .

Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who's been dead for a century. 

Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.

Or so she thinks.

I traveled on over to Barnes & Noble about a month ago. While I was there, I bought this neat little graphic novel frequenting posts on various social media sites. I felt an extensive amount of victory when I grabbed the last copy. I didn't dare read it on the car ride home but holy shoot, did I want to. My grandmother, the woman I get my bookworm gene from, pulled into the driveway.

Like lightning, I bolted. I collapsed onto the living room couch and turned to the first page.

Twenty five minutes later...

Saying that this is a fast read is an understatement. I hadn't read a graphic novel since my early teen years when Manga was more my style. Anya's Ghost was undoubtedly well written and beautifully illustrated. It sure beat my previous Manga reads. Watch out for Vera Brosgol, she is a force to be reckon with. Lovely storytelling. Wonderful illustrations. Great character development with limited dialogue. What more can you ask for?

The synopsis on the built in dust jacket gives away the main conflict but the way in which Vera Brosgol arrives at that point is what's unique aside from the artwork. In spite of the fact that I knew what the main struggle would be from the get-go, I wasn't positive as to how the main character would resolve it. Other than that, the characters were awesome, and I liked that the author infused Russian culture into it since that stems from her actual background. I recommend that everyone read this, for sure!

Even though I really liked this graphic novel, certain aspects weren't enough to make it the "ultimate grand supreme" if you catch my drift. The illustrations and non-linear plot set it apart but I knew what was going to happen two thirds of the time. All in all, it's a great, quick read.

4 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Looking for Alaska

Being the ass backwards person that I am, I read Looking for Alaska two days after finishing The Fault in Our Stars. Not surprisingly, there was nothing but praise for the rest of John Green's books, particularly Looking for Alaska. I was absolutely unprepared diving into this book. It confused my feelings if that's even a thing.

Miles “Pudge” Halter decides that he wants to go to a school called Culver Creek, seeking a Great Perhaps. Along the way, he meets a myriad of people bursting with personality including The Colonel, Takumi, The Eagle, Weekday Warriors, then, lo and behold, Alaska Young. Pudge becomes engulfed by all things Alaska, finding her more captivating than anyone he has ever met. He yearns for this sort of self revelation that will lead him to adventure, or potentially the key to understanding Alaska past her good looks and quick wit. Then as the book says on the back, “After. Nothing is the same.”

Subsequent to buying the book, I read that it took place at a boarding school and I was like wow, that's original. Might I remind you that some of my reviews are rich in sarcasm. As I flipped through the first few pages, I thought it was a little on the slow side. Suddenly, the pace increased. It took me about one hundred pages to conclude that maybe my problem hadn't been with the beginning. Everything was fine. That was my problem.

I didn't know how to react to what I was reading. The words didn't seem to sink in while I was reading them and there was no deeper interpretation on my behalf...until I finished reading it. Alas, the back cover had been correct in more ways than one. After. Nothing was the same, and I understood. After I read the whole story, not just large chunks at a time, the feelings flooded my entire being.

Looking back on it, I had been reading the book with a semi-narrow perspective. People gave it a variety of praise for it's quote worthy lines, emphasis on minor misbehavior, and the climax that I found predictable, yet again. Consequently, those were the exact moments that I preyed on like a hawk. I found those quotes people couldn't shut up about such as, “If people were rain, I was drizzle, and she was a hurricane” and I tried to see the shock and awe factor because that line has to be the most tweeted, shared, and posted from the book. I saw the poetic kind of quality the quote embodied. I was aware that there would be lots of drinking, smoking, and casual conversation involving sex or even the act itself. It didn't offend me, I get it. It served a purpose. I noticed how the After was intertwined within the final pages and how it affected everyone's thoughts, emotions, and actions.

But I did not feel those things until the book was over. Sitting on my bed for at least fifteen minutes, I had no idea whatsoever how to feel about Looking for Alaska. It was different than I had imagined. There was a mix of good and bad. It had value. It wasn't the best book I've read but it had substance.

That is why I appreciate this book. It has a plethora of contrivances yet they seemed essential. People are made up of schemas that are put to schemes in the grand scale of things. Teens mess up, have sloppy relationships, and think they know what they want; but sometimes, they discover what they want. Other times, they don't find what they were searching for to begin with, or they discover it too late. The world is a funny place.

On a less emotional level, I liked these characters loads more than I thought was possible. Alaska was what I thought she would be. Not my favorite, but she encompassed certain qualities I applaud. I also liked that this book was told from a male perspective. Pudge comes off as an ordinary guy and that's what a lot of people are looking for in literary figures: individuals that resemble themselves with extraordinary variation. My favorite characters other than Pudge had to be Takumi and The Eagle. Takumi was flat out hilarious in some scenes and The Eagle was a riot in his own way. Poor bastard.

Nonetheless, John Green proved he is worthy yet again and that I should be eternally grateful.

[Irrelevant suggestion to past/future Looking for Alaska readers or anyone who has time to waste: Go watch a video where Elena Gant speaks. Afterward, go read any section that involves Lara talking. Boom. That's what Lara's accent sounds like in my head. That is all.]

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review | The Fault in Our Stars

Before I even begin the review, I'd like to admit that I had no intention of reading this. I thought it was over hyped, extremely predictable, and popular for the sake of a name – John Green. Don't get me wrong, this book is all of those things I mentioned above, but I now view each separate belief in a different light. Let me elaborate.

Virtually everybody knows what this book is about, who the characters are, and who plays them in the movie. Holla at my homies Tris and Caleb. Insert exaggerated wink. Now, if you have no clue what this book is about, I shall drop a small synopsis and mini review for your future reading prospects.

The Fault in Our Stars is about a girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster, who happens to attend a Cancer Support Group regularly and one day stumbles upon this beautiful young man named Augustus Waters. Eventually, Augustus does most of the leading when it comes to his relationship with Hazel but in doing so, he helps her discover new ways of viewing the world and inevitably teaches the importance of one's own story. Hazel learns to look past what she cannot control to figuring out what living in the moment means because time stops for no one and there is no time to complain, wonder, or wish for what could have been in comparison to what is.

There you have the as-vague-as-it's-going-to-get synopsis. Add on some spoilers and that's what I had to work with before finally giving into the peer pressure to read this book. I will say, I enjoyed this much more than I had originally envisioned in my mind. Preconceptions proved me wrong. Here comes the real review.

**SPOILERS**

I mentioned above that this book was more enjoyable than what I thought it would be, but just because I liked it, doesn't mean I loved it.

To clarify my take on this book, I did love and appreciate certain aspects within the story itself. With this being a stand alone, contemporary book; I have to say the world building was nice. I liked that Hazel ached to be a normal teenage girl so she acted like a normal teenage girl, hence the constant ANTM viewing. I liked that she made fun of Patrick and his constant reassurance that yep, he had “ball cancer” and of course, he was going to tell the group his somber tale of two balls turned none. I'm not joking, this is what he declares every time, I'm simply rewording it. And I also liked that her and Augustus had a close to regular teenage relationship where they were told to stay upstairs by his parents, joked about sex, and talked about problems small or big, in depth.

Moments that I loved and instantly got me hooked:

- When Augustus and Hazel spoke about the misuse of literality, specifically in terms of The Literal Heart of Jesus.

- Any involving An Imperial Affliction which I find fascinating. Similar to many die hard fans, I wanted to know if that book was real or not. The fact that it isn't a real work of fiction blows my mind. I give a round of applause to John Green for fathoming not only one book, but bits of a second. Bookception.

- Amsterdam. I honestly just appreciated the use of another culture that isn't too radically different from my own world in the United States but it was different enough to be intriguing and had a rather dream like quality. I think anyone would become entranced with the idea of Amsterdam as it's described in the book. Then there's the Swedish rapping 'cause, sure, why not?

- Times involving parental humor. It reminded me of my own family's humor, relatable.

- When Augustus went to the gas station once he became more ill. It was a beautifully written section that felt very honest and real.

- I liked that there was not an effortlessly happy ending.

My main problem with this book is not even the book necessarily. From the very moment I picked up The Fault in Our Stars, I KNEW one of the main characters would die. There is no getting around it. I was surprised that so many people were taken aback after reading this. It wasn't shocking at all, if anything it was very predictable but then again, that's probably why I didn't cry. Um hi, that's what authors are known for doing. John Green is no exception. He rips hearts out here and there with his writing. He ripped hearts out with this book as well.

**END SPOILERS**

Overall, I still believe that this book was over hyped although some of that hype is well deserved. The end was flat out predictable but I can't say I would have ended it any differently. Lastly, I know for a fact that this book is popular not solely because it's a wonderful work of literature but because of a well known name. But hey! That's why I picked it up, so clearly, the whole John Green movement is working it's magic and I have no room to be hypocritical.

I do recommend this book. However, I don't recommend it because I think it's “absolutely amazing” or the best book ever written since that isn't how I view it. I would recommend The Fault in Our Stars because it's well written, refreshing, and as good as contemporary fiction taking on the topic of cancer can get. For anyone a bit skeptical about reading this book, I understand the hesitation wholeheartedly, but trust me. Give it a whirl.

Feel free to share any other thoughts or book suggestions below! 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Divergent

Words can't describe my undeniable love for this book. And no, it is not because I'm jumping on the bandwagon. One day before school let out for summer, I decided to sit my butt down at the computer while there was a break in my television show. Of all the random moments, I turned around at the exact time of a brand new movie trailer, with the most beautiful man I've ever seen on screen for a split second. That split second encouraged me to look up the actor because I'm a sucker for the bad guys. After twenty minutes of staring at Jai Courtney's Wikipedia page, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia page for that new movie: Divergent.

As I was scrolling down the page, I came across a link to another. That was the moment I discovered that this Divergent movie was not just a movie. Before it had become this shimmery beacon of attractive male actors and gorgeous Hollywood leading ladies, it was a book. The first book in a trilogy to be specific. Unlike my fellow book lovers, I went against the more basic “rule”of them all: I saw the movie before I read the books. Queue daunting, dramatic music while closing in on my face dripping with guilt. Yeah. I felt like I had cheated on the loyal fans of the books. My bad y'all.

Watching this movie gave me a strange adrenaline rush I used to get when I watched really spectacular films, or even when I finished a breath taking book. Hence, the worst and best obstacle I've faced in terms of books. Right after I watched the movie, I marched myself over to Target, and bought the box set. I was on a high like no other. Two weeks later, spring break was in full swing. I stared and stared at the box set. Suddenly, I lost my patience. I ripped open the box set and took out Divergent. Shaking and anxiety ridden, I flipped to the first page. Three hours later--I had finished reading the most awe inducing book of my life. That sounds extremely melodramatic. But it felt extremely melodramatic. It was amazing.

In summation, the book is about a teenage girl named Beatrice 'Tris' Prior, living in a world with divided social groups. The intelligent, the honest, the kind, the brave, and the selfless. With the choosing ceremony right around the corner, Tris must decide who she wants to be, whether that means staying in her original faction or transferring to one of the other four. It encompasses self discovery, honesty, bravery, secrecy and a whole lot of heart.

The hook caught my attention, while the following paragraphs and chapters kept it. Then, the part I had been waiting for: introductions of the five factions, society’s new way of grouping its inhabitants. Erudite. Candor. Amity. Abnegation. Dauntless. I never imagined reading a dystopian book and calling it my favorite of ever...but my world is run by irony, and I love it!

Character development is far from lacking in this book written by Veronica Roth. I never realized how difficult it is to create characters and give them their own distinct voices. In Divergent, the voice of each character is loud and clear. From Tris to Caleb to Eric to Christina; EVERYONE pushes the plot forward and their personalities, though very different from one another, help strengthen that charisma. Veronica Roth has a way with words as well as world building. She injects liveliness and realism into not so real people. The scent of lemongrass emanating from Al. The coldness of Eric's eyes though he is truly sharp as a knife (watch out I'm getting punny). The intellect instilled within Will's words. The symbolism of Tris getting a tattoo. Each little quirk and detail of every person or place made me fall in love with this book more and more every day. I finished this book in three hours. It was extremely compelling and went above and beyond my expectations.

A love story never hurt either and this one was my cup of tea. Tris and Four were standoffish in their first few encounters but slowly, their relationship grew into a combative, hilariously dysfunctional union. Their relationship was real. Real couples have real problems. Maybe not on that scale but it was nice that they were awkward, sarcastic, and emotionally driven with one another.

Veronica Roth tackles beautifully written dystopian fiction in not one but three books, created dozens of characters, then killed off half, and even went as far as to writing out a manifesto for each faction. I commend this woman and give her my utmost respect. It's strange reading a book cover to cover, closing it, and thinking that it changed my life. I don't even know how but I can feel that I'm different now that I've read Divergent. I feel like I can be brave. Hopefully, future readers can feel the same elation I felt after reading this book/trilogy.

This book is fast paced, action packed, emotionally charged, funny, and intriguing. I look forward to future literary works of Veronica Roth's, fingers crossed, and advise everyone to read this book and follow it up with Insurgent and Allegiant!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | The Great Gatsby

Ugh, who doesn't love a good renown story of requited love gone wrong? Okay, like a good portion of those who have read this F. Scott Fitzgerald work, I did not read this by choice. Rather, I read it my junior year of high school, not going in with any expectations whatsoever. I wanted to remain open minded because I had not been impressed by the majority of books I had read prior to The Great Gatsby. Let me say openly and thankfully, this book revived my will to read.

This story centers around a man named Nick Carraway, cousin of Daisy Buchanan, who moves to Long Island during the Jazz Age. He quickly becomes overwhelmed with curiosity towards his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who is known for throwing lavish parties and living out the American Dream. Throughout the novel, it is revealed that there is more to Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan than what is seen on the surface. After wading through all of the secrets, drama, and scandal that is The Great Gatsby; readers, along with Nick, discover Gatsby's never ending love for a woman stuck between a rock and a hard place. In the end, life is not what it seems, even when it appears to be the American Dream. 

Overall, I was very pleased with The Great Gatsby. It held promise in my eyes with a title like that. Flipping through the first few pages, I gained the sense of a beautifully disastrous story lurking about. I was partially right. This book comes off as glamorous and highly conscientious of the worlds elite, mainly those found in New York. An interesting topic. Plus the length was short, sweet, and simple. I liked it already.

I had a hunch that Nick Carraway would be a stand up guy but fairly normal in comparison to the other leading characters such as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. I personally loved Gatsby. His grandeur way of living, although most of it was for the affection of Daisy, caught my affection as well. Lets' be real. Ya felt for the guy. Well, maybe not the beginning of the novel since that's where he appears the most reclusive, constantly seeking the approval of a woman stuck in her snobby ways with her other half, Tom Buchanan. What a guy. But of all the shady characters, my favorite had to be Jordan Baker. I like the back story behind her character that Fitzgerald explained once upon a conversation with Maxwell Perkins.

As much as I hated certain characters, I'm talking to you Myrtle, I admired the variety of Fitzgerald's fictional East and West Egg inhabitants. They grew on me. Now, I didn't particularly have cons when it came to this book. Instead I found that I was bored with the obvious symbolism. Actually, it bothered me quite a bit. The Dr. Eckleburg sign serving as a makeshift god looking down upon everyone, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, the yellow car that screamed CAUTION, and so on and so forth. Truthfully, I blame school for that. I can't help but look for symbols or motifs and it was weird not being challenged in finding any since they were laid out like a road map.

The Great Gatsby was a quick read, timeless, and enjoyable the majority of the time although it doesn't end on such a high note. I appreciated the over anticipation of the American Dream throughout the book and how it ended worked for me. It was neither happy nor unbearable. It is not my favorite book and I've read other books more recently that surpass it but it will remain a classic in my mind! I recommend that everyone read this book at least once, or perhaps another one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review | The Time Keeper

I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven and was pleasantly surprised with Mitch Albom's writing abilities. Unfortunately, my previous reading experience led me astray, indefinitely. I read the first page of The Time Keeper and truly believed there would be a great story ahead. Wrong. I was completely wrong. I find it interesting that my peers found this book so inspirational and wonderful and la-di-da-di-da, because in all reality, I was frustrated with this book.

We're introduced to three people throughout the entirety of the book who carry the story: Dor, Victor, and Sara. Dor is from a different time period, much earlier than that of Victor and Sarah. Dor decides that it would be a good idea to measure time which backfires to a certain extent; he figures out how to measure time, inevitably to be punished for it. He is made to be Father Time. As Father Time, Dor watches over those who complain about not having enough time or take their time for granted. Enter Victor and Sara. Victor is this old, rich man who tries to cheat time because he is very ill and Sara is a teenage girl that feels she should give up on life with the lack of a father figure and boy troubles getting the best of her.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I liked the first page. Hell, the first two pages were promising! But with every page, my awe slowly withered down to shock. It wasn't a good kind of shock either. The main characters of this book were so far from any of Mitch Albom's other fictional characters, it hurt my soul. I kid you not.

THE GOOD:

To be honest, there wasn't that much good in this book so I'm going to skip this section and go straight for the jugular.

THE BAD:

I had several problems with this novel. First of all, the character development was close to terrible. At first, I felt bad for Victor. Then poof, my sympathy and compassion disintegrated. His life and story were not expanded upon nearly enough and any inkling of a connection I had or potentially could have made, was ruined. Now, I wanted to like Victor but there was a huge disconnect with Sara. I flat out could not stand the character of Sara, which was probably due to the poor writing with her whiny and repetitive teenage perspective. There was no depth to her character, sadly making her come across as an annoying teenager, complaining about life and wishing it away when things didn't go her way. It lacked originality. Unless the name Dor constitutes as an original name but even then, his name hardly helped push the plot along. Freaking Dor.

I sound like I'm bashing this book. A perfectly fine book in theory, written by Mitch Albom, who has proven he has a knack for writing. I'll admit it: I am kind of bashing this book. It was just such a let down. Authors are seen as these perfection infested beings. They are supposed to write something worthy of resting upon a glistening pedestal way above any of us “average” people but here's the thing: Mitch Albom might have been aiming too high in order to stay on that pedestal when he wrote this book, his fifth to be exact.

Overall, this book seemed to have nothing but good intentions and honest life lessons about using our time wisely, but ironically, the time throughout the book didn't strike me as being used wisely. Plus, it was a really slow read. Mr. Albom tried to make it effortless, thought provoking, deep, and well written; it missed the mark. There was no spark. Without that spark, it's just another mediocre book lost in the void.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

BookTube-A-Thon Failure

As many fellow readers, book enthusiasts, writers, bloggers, and booktubers know; BookTube-A-Thon has recently concluded. Unfortunately for me, I was that person who showed up late to the party but didn't have the fashionably late excuse to fall back on. I flat out had no idea the Readathon/BookTube event was even occurring until this magical social media site called Instagram informed me along with it's many inhabitants. Thank you fellow Instagram followers.

Since I was about three days behind everyone, I figured I could try and catch up--until I read that one of the challenges was to start and finish a series and I only had four days left. I had a pitiful "laugh out loud" moment. On the up hand, I did manage to read a book that covered two of the challenges which happened to be 1) Read a book with pictures in it, and 2) Read a book with red on the cover. In the end, I was impressed by everyone else and their progress along with my half ass ATTEMPT at participating ever so slightly. I'm making a mental note, physical note, and computer note to ensure that I fully participate next year.

In a new found effort to redeem myself, I have decided to partake in the Rainbow Readathon which runs from August 2nd to the 9th, so if you're interested, here's the run down:
Read a RED book
Read an ORANGE book
Read a YELLOW book
Read a GREEN book
Read a BLUE book
Read a PURPLE book

Here are my reads: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY. I HAVE NOT CHOSEN A GREEN BOOK YET MY BAD. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE. Now I'm kind of cheating with my purple book option because I want to read FOUR but it's technically blue or if ya want to get fancy, maybe indigo...but I'm reading it either way. 

Anyway, those are my reads for this awesome readathon created by thebookishgirl on Instagram. If you're like me and failed miserably with previous readthons, please feel free to join in on the fun and get some TBR books out of the way!

Read on ✌