It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (3)

This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and was then passed on to Sheila from Book Journey, then Kathryn The Book Date, where it currently resides. It's a fun way to share what we've read in the past week, what we're currently reading, and what's next!

Covers link to Goodreads, reviews linked below if I've posted them!

Read:

1. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns is one of my favorite books of 2019 thus far! I loved the focus on libraries and dangerous books, and the romance and love interest was sublime. Silas was probably my favorite character though - animal sidekicks ftw.

4.5/5

Review

2. Happy Together by Suzann Pileggi Pawelski and James O. Pawelski

I am literally always on a self-help kick, and wanted to read one about romantic relationships specifically. I thought Happy Together took a great approach to relationships by emphasizing positive psychology, and seeing the best in your partner. There are some great exercises in here that I can't wait to try out with my significant other! It wasn't life-changing, but I did quite enjoy reading this one.

3.5/5

3. Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Save the Date was a fluffy and funny contemporary novel revolving around the main character, Charlie, and her sister's wedding. It focuses on the issues of change when it comes to family. Charlie tries so hard throughout the novel to reconnect with her four siblings and get back that feeling of the whole family hanging out together and talking, the way it was before everyone moved out of the house. Charlie is the youngest, and the last one left, the house is being sold, and her mother's comic focusing on their family is ending. 

I liked Save the Date well enough, but I noticed something that many other readers on Goodreads did as well: it sort of read like a screenplay. There were some great scenes I could imagine full-out cackling at if it were a movie scene, but only got a slight smile, if that, in book format. I did appreciate the focus on family and siblings - although there is a little romance - and the realization that sometimes your family isn't perfect, and that's okay!

3/5

Currently Reading: 

I went a little crazy starting new books this week, as you can see... no judgement!!

1. Burned (Pretty Little Liars #12) by Sara Shepard

This is one of those series that never ends, but I kinda don't mind it (think the other neverending series, Gossip Girl). It's pure fluff, and interesting enough to keep me turning pages, even though I know that A is not whoever the girls are guessing at this point.

2. Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

I LOVED the first book is this series, Pivot Point, so I immediately started on the next one. This one alternates between the main character Addie's POV, and her best friend Laila. It's not quite as engrossing as Pivot Point, but I do like being able to see inside Laila's head since she seemed a little shallow in the first book.

3. Grim Tuesday (Keys to the Kingdom #2) by Garth Nix

I love Garth Nix with a probably abnormal passion, so I'm determined to get into this series despite not finding the first book very compelling. I'm not far into Grim Tuesday, but it's not hooking me so far, sadly.

4. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) by Jenny Han

I'm almost ten years behind the hype on this one, but it's super cute so far! I love short chapters <3

5. The Gathering Storm (Katerina #1) by Robin Bridges

I plucked this one off my shelf through a random reads thing I've been doing - putting all my to-read books on Goodreads into a random number generator and reading the one that is selected. The Gathering Storm is a little different than what I expected based on the cover, but I'm intrigued.

Next: 

It'll be all I can do to finish my currently reading for next week I think, but I am going to start a couple new things despite that.

1. Coral by Sara Ella

I was just approved for an ARC of Coral on Netgalley, and I'm so excited! The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie as a kid, and adult me likes the angst of the original Hans Christian Anderson tale as well - this is a twist on that version. I can't wait to dig into this. The book comes out in November!

2. Messenger by Lois Lowry

I re-read The Giver recently and remembered how much I loved it - I'm finishing up the series now, and really enjoying the new stories and characters.

Sorcery of Thorns, or, The One with LIBRARIANS WIELDING SWORDS, SO MUCH YES

Sorcery of Thorns

by Margaret Rogerson

Pages: 456

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: June 4th, 2019

Cover Comments: This cover is gorgeous, and I love that it matches the style of the author's other book, An Enchantment of Ravens. I love that the sword and vines with thorns on them give subtle clues to the story without being heavy-handed. I wish Silas had made it on the cover though, in cat form of course.

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

Synopsis: All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

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Review

“Books, too, had hearts, though they were not the same as people's, and a book's heart could be broken: she had seen it happen before. Grimoires that refused to open, their voices gone silent, or whose ink faded and bled across the pages like tears.” 

Sorcery of Thorns made it *this close* to my list of all-time favorite books, and definitely tops my list of favorite reads of 2019. Although quite a long book, it pulled me out of a reading slump and I flew through it. The premise of sword-wielding librarians and books that bite back is amazing, but Margaret Rogerson gets so much deeper into the library and grimoire mythology, really making this an amazing book.

The yays and nays, in no particular order:

Yays

1) Library magic (cue The Head & the Heart)

Okay, any book set in a library and revolving around libraries and books automatically gets a yes from me. I don't think I've read one that involves those elements that I didn't love. But Rogerson goes even deeper to make libraries and books not just an element of Sorcery of Thorns, but an integral plot point that leads to one of the most touching scenes I've read in recent memory. LOVE.

2) Nathaniel

Best. love. interest. ever. I am head over heels for Nathaniel's dry humor and complicated past. What's a boy without emotional baggage, amirite? *crickets* ...okay, moving on.

Nathaniel's backstory and his relationship with his demonic servant, Silas, is complicated and simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. And the way he and Elisabeth interact is hilarious and touching. For example:

“His severe expression faltered as his hand grazed the cape covering her gown.

"Scrivener," he said carefully, "I don't mean to be forward, but is that a—"

"A sword hidden underneath my dress? Yes, it is."

"I see. And how exactly is it—"

"I thought you didn't mean to be forward." She squeezed his arm. "Come on.” 

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave the touching lines for you to discover.

3) Tall, strong female who don't need no man (but she does like one)

Elisabeth isn't afraid to wield a sword or crowbar, fight demons, or take down powerful men if they are doing wicked things. She's tall, brave, and not afraid to make a scene in social situations, which I personally enjoyed greatly.

4) Subtle nod to fluid sexuality

It's a very small part of the book, but it's mentioned that Nathaniel is bi-sexual, and it's totally not a big deal. You know why? CAUSE IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, PEOPLE. It's nice to see different sexuality types thrown in without a huge plotline being made of it. It's just a natural part of the character.

5) World-building

As the plot unfolds, we get to learn more about the Great Libraries, grimoires, demons, and the Otherworld, and it's all so fascinating.

6) Silas

I LOVE SILAS, probably because he reminds me of Moggett from Garth Nix's Abhorsen series (see more on that below). The duality of his nature is fascinating, with his demon side constantly battling with the side of him that would kill his beloved master in a heartbeat.

“First, I learned how to make tea," he said finally, speaking more to himself than to her. "When humans wish to help, they are forever offering each other tea.” 

Also, his animal form looks a bit like this, I imagine, so ALL THE STARS.

Nays

1) Too much borrowing

There's a reason I love Silas and the Great Libraries so much, aside from their inherent awesomeness: I've seen them before. Silas is pretty much Moggett from the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix: great powerful, evil being who can take a cat form (check), can be released, but it might end the world (check), sarcastic (check), great/evil power held in check by a family that it serves (check). The Great Libraries in Sorcery of Thorns are much like the library of the Clayr in Lirael, the second in the Abhorsen series. Lirael herself was raised an orphan in a library, just like Lirael, or even Lazlo from Strange the Dreamer. The biggest difference is that Nix did it slightly better, no offense to Rogerson. Rogerson freely cites Nix's books and the restricted section in the Hogwarts library as inspirations for Sorcery of Thorns, and she definitely expands on the ideas in a new and interesting way, but it was a little too much borrowing for my taste. I probably would have given the book five stars if I had not already read Nix's series.

2) Slightly predictable

There were definitely some twists and turns in there that I didn't anticipate, but I knew who the villain was immediately, and knew how the battle at the end would turn out.

3) Could use some Jenny Craig

Some slight trimming could have been done here - the book is over 450 pages, and there were some parts in the middle that were a little slow and didn't contribute much to the plot. However, I didn't get bored!

I think this will definitely be a favorite for this year, for me and many other readers. I highly recommend for anyone who loves libraries, snark, and demonology (jk on the last one... sorta).

4.5/5 biting books

☆☆☆☆

Lovestruck, or, Greek mythology but more fun

Lovestruck

by Kate Watson

Pages: 300

Publisher: Flux

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2019

Cover Comments: I love the font and arrow motifs on this cover, plus the purple & sky is so pretty!

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old cupid-in-training Kali is in an Olympus-sized mountain of trouble. Rule number one in arrow-toting matchmaking: don't stick yourself. But accidents happen, and Kali instantly falls hard for her indie rock, bass-playing target, Benicio.

The God of Love is going to kill her. Even if he is her dad.

Being the daughter of Eros isn't all it's cracked up to be. For one thing, a girl can get jaded when her parents have the most beautiful and fatalistic love story in history. For another, immortality royally sucks when the Oracle condemns you to eternity in the wrong profession. Do the Gods care that Kali wants to ditch the love stuff and be a muse?

Nope.

To reclaim her heart and her destiny, Kali is left with no choice but to defy the Gods, tempt the Fates, date the mortal love-of-her-life, and hope she doesn't lose her best friend, Hector, in the process.

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Review

Finally, a book to help fill the void that Percy Jackson left in my Greek-mythology-lovin’ heart. Lovestruck by Kate Watson is a fun read with great characters and an interesting plot and world to explore. Our main character, Kalixtra, (Kali for short) is in training to be an Erote, an Olympian match-maker who strikes her intended targets with an arrow to speed up their love story. She used to enjoy her job and take matching very seriously, before the Thunderclap. One of the things that kept me engrossed in Lovestruck is the fact that we don’t find out what changed Kali’s attitude toward love and fate until later on in the novel.

Much of the novel is set in Olympus, where Kali interacts with her own demi-god friends, as well as full-fledged gods, like Apollo, Artemis, and Aphrodite. I loved reading more about Greek mythology, as well as Watson’s own spins and interpretations on the original stories. Kali’s friends aren’t two-dimensional support characters – they’re all fleshed out with their own backstories and unique struggles.

As you’ll know from the main description, the story really begins when Kali accidentally sticks herself with an arrow, thus falls in love instantly with Ben (Benicio), a mortal. Kali’s feelings on this event are mixed throughout the novel, as she struggles with feeling powerless against the Fates and feeling love towards Ben as she gets to know him better. I liked Ben, but like Kali, found myself annoyed by his insecurity. Hector, on the other hand, is a big ole dreamboat. Seeing Kali torn between Ben and Hector was realistic and heartbreaking.

The plot takes several turns throughout Lovestruck, involving Deya, Cosmo, and Teresa Kali’s best friends; Artemis, the goddess fated never to love; and Kali’s own mission to take back her fate and her heart. I was never bored and was often surprised at the twists and turns that occurred.

One thing I struggled with in Lovestruck was its end. After everything Kali goes through to reverse her match and take back her fate, the ending comes across like a deux ex machina, and so simple it seems a bit unbelievable. However, I still enjoyed where things ended up. I would dive back into the world Kate Watson has created in a heartbeat, and there’s potential for so many great stories following Kali or her other friends in Olympus. I highly recommend Lovestruck for fans of Percy Jackson, Greek mythology in general, and anyone who enjoys a fun, twisty story.

☆☆☆☆

*Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read Into the Hollow before its publication date.

Into the Hollow, or, The One with EVERYTHING + Appalachia

Into the Hollow

by Lynn Vroman

Pages: 310

Publisher: Owl Hollow Press
Publication Date: November 6th, 2018
Cover Comments: This cover is what drew me to the book. I love the watercolor feel of it and the pink and green together, and it evokes feelings about the the beauty of Appalachia but also its solitude. Lovely.

First Lines: 
"The last present daddy gave me was a gun." 
               Goodreads 丨 Amazon

The hollow was the perfect place to hide.

Or so Free’s dad thought. His plan: flee California with Free’s five-year-old brother illegally in tow, hide out in the mountains of West Virginia, make fast cash during ginseng season, then escape to a nicer place where the law can’t find them. Free isn’t thrilled about living in a holler alongside drug dealers and thieves, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Unfortunately, with their father disappearing into the woods with increasing frequency, Free and her brother exist largely alone. Until their neighbor Cole appears with lots of questions.

Cole’s spent his entire life in the holler—and his entire life working out a way to leave his druggie mother and incarcerated brother. As the editor of the school newspaper, he’s an expert at getting to the bottom of a story, and he’s determined to crack Free—who seems un-crack-able.

When the family she was desperate to protect is ripped apart, Free turns to Cole for help, the only person willing. But while her plan escalates, Free can’t deny the pull she feels toward the boy with too many questions—and who holds just as many secrets. As they become closer, she finds that Cole might need her help as much as she needs his.

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Review

Into the Hollow really surprised me, in a good way. I was expecting a novel about a girl finding love despite difficult life circumstances, but what I got was much more. This is a novel about family, hope, poverty, grief, and yes, love. It was unique, heart-wrenching, and pulled me in from the start. I loved Free, Cole, Little, and the supporting characters who helped them on their way and added context to this world.

Yays: 

1) Slow-building romance

As I'm sure we can all attest to, insta-love is a huge trope in YA novels, and Cole's immediate obsession with Free made me think that their romance might progress too quickly to be believable. However, Free is understandably skittish and her standoffishness successfully prevents that from happening. I loved seeing the romance build from friendship and trust to something more. Cole is so sweet and respectful and tries his hardest not to push Free despite her secrets and mistrust.

2) Non-catty girls

Initially, it seems as though one of Cole's female friends is going to be a sort of arch-nemesis for Free, as she makes her jealously pretty clear in the beginning. However, I was pleased with female friendships Free was able to cultivate (albeit through Cole) and Into the Hollow didn't really play on high school drama much at all - impressive since Free is an easy target with her ripped and out of fashion clothing, etc.

3) Math (ugh but also yay!)

Sorry y'all Mean Girls is just super topical

Free is basically a math prodigy, able to solve complex equations in her head and solving the math teacher's "unsolvable" riddle her first week in school. I love seeing girls represented in STEM and it was interesting to see Free use math as a coping mechanism. A sadder side of her gift is that her father doesn't seem to recognize it for what it is, even though her little brother is amazed by Free's mathematical prowess. 

4) Unique chapter openers

I'm a sucker for little "extras" in chapter openers - I love extra illustrations, quotes, anything to give a hint of what might happen in a unique way. The story is told in alternating perspectives - Free's and Cole's. Free's sections begin with a math equation and example - for example, a + b = c (in theory, anyway) opens up the first chapter, followed by more complicated equations captioned "momentum," etc. You can probably tell by this explanation that I'm not very good at math, but I loved this little extra insight into Free's mind. Cole's dream is to be a journalist, so his entries open up with a news article style captions like "Mystery Girl Moves in Next Door".

5) Unexpected plot

I had an idea of what I thought the climax of the novel might be early on, but when this event happened in the first third of the book, I knew it would be different than expected. It was so much better, and gave more time for the characters to develop as well as let us see them in different circumstances. 

6) A Dumbledore or Gandalf if you will

I love characters who are a sort of guiding force or Dumbledore, Gandalf, Yoda (pick your sci-fi/fantasy poison) if you will. The guidance counselor at Free's school gently pushes her to dream and expect more from her future without being annoying about it.

7) Appalachia

I feel like Appalachia is a region that has gotten a lot of attention in nonfiction and the news lately (i.e. Hillbilly Elegy and responses to it), so it's exciting to see the region represented in YA. The hopelessness and poverty that pervades the area in the novel is disheartening, but seems accurate. Cole's family is torn apart by opiate addiction and the incarceration of his father and his abusive brother, Free and her family is on the run and squatting at an abandoned house, and other characters grapple with issues related to poverty. However, the resilience and heart of other characters shine through and show another side of the community. Other scenes highlight the natural beauty of the area.

8) Strong supporting characters

I loved the development of even the smaller supporting characters. Lynn Vroman tricked me into thinking someone was a one-dimensional person, then show me another side of them later on in the novel. 

9) Hero/heroine

When Cole first helps to "save" Free, I thought that dynamic would stick throughout the book. However, Free gets the chance to save Cole too, and their relationship becomes more built on mutual trust and understanding than a white knight/damsel in distress situation.

10) We are family

I LOVED Free's relationship with her little brother, Little. It was the both the most heartwarming and heartbreaking part of the novel, and their little phrase "You're my favorite" ("I love you" in Little speak) made my heart grow three sizes each time it appeared. I also loved Free's memories of her mother, and her love of the music her mother loved. Free's relationship with her father is very complicated - they're affectionate and obviously love one another, but her father doesn't seem to be able to put what's best for his children first, sadly.

Cole also has a complicated relationship with his family. His mother and sister have struggled with opiate addiction, with his mother still on the drugs. His brother Richie is in prison at the beginning of the novel, along with this father, and Cole strives every day to make enough money to get out of the "holler" and away from his family. Cole's sister and her daughter, Cole's niece, provide some sweet spots in all the trauma, but ultimately add to the sadness of the situation since they are stuck as well. 

11) Road trip

'Nough said

12) Indie author

I'm ashamed to say that I typically avoid books from small or indie publishers and authors. This books shows me that that's a huge mistake. I think editing could be better (part of my only nay) but this story is too good to miss because of snobbery.

Nays:

1) A lil unbelievable 

I sat here for a few moments trying to come up with negatives for this book, but they're hard to come by. I can say that Cole is the sweetest and most understanding teenage boy I've ever read, and it's hard to believe he's real. It's hard to describe, but there's some small something missing from Into the Hollow that keeps me from rating it a full 5 stars. I think the writing is a little off in places, especially dialogue portions, possibly because this is an indie book (as far as I can tell). As we speak though, I'm reading another of Lynn Vroman's novels because I can't believe I haven't heard more about her before. 

I highly recommend Into the Hollow for anyone looking for an engrossing novel about family, love, and hope/hopelessness in a rich Appalachian setting.

☆☆☆☆

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

*Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read Into the Hollow before its publication date.

Claw the System, or, OMG Cats are the Best

@thebooksloth on Instagram

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Claw the System 

by Francesco Marciuliano

Pages: 112

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
Cover Comments: Adorable grumpy cat who is obviously sick of the system! What could be better?

First Lines: 
"Until every person realizes
That every human is always wrong
I'm not sure how they can ever
Hope to reach a consensus"

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I Could Pee on This, Francesco Marciuliano, comes a lesson from cats in resistance. 

Cats are done with humans' crap. For too long they have put up with baby talk, the humiliation of holiday costumes, and the social injustice of being told, "No." They will not sleep through this anymore. We humans have woken the beast, and in this book they have gathered together to reclaim their voice, loudly and repeatedly until we pay attention. Watch the uprising unfold, through anthems such as "Redefine Terms," "Accepted," "Decide," "A New Dawn," and "Just What Do You Think You're Doing?" Show support for your feline friends and try to understand why they're so spitting mad.

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Review

Tired of the same old political arguments and parties? Claw the System gives voice to a little heard (in English), but much evidently much-abused constituent of our world: cats.

You may have heard of Francesco Marciuliano's other books, I Could Pee on This and its sequel, I Could Pee on This, Too, so you'll recognize a theme in the author's work. I hadn't read either of Marciuliano's other books before starting Claw the System, but I was very amused by this book.

Claw the System is set up to portray a societal uprising of sorts, by cats and for cats. Each section, from "Recognize" to "Rebuild" featured poetry from the viewpoint of felines about their struggles and plans for taking back the power from the system. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed that I didn't find this book as funny as I'd hoped. I love cats, and the premise sounds hilarious, but most of the poems fell short, while others got a smile. I enjoyed the photography almost as much as the actual text.

I would recommend this book as a short, fun read that also might be a good selection for your coffee table, but it sounds like the author's previous books might be a bit more laugh-out-loud funny, so I'll be checking those out soon.

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 kitty uprisings

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

Throwback Titles (4): Withering Tights, or, The One Where I Laugh at Boob Jokes Despite Being 24

Throwback Titles are books that I've been meaning to read for a very, very long time, but have just now gotten around to it. In other words, it's that book you picked up in middle school that may have been a little bit above your reading level, and also happened to have 14 sequels. And what do you, a rational adult do now that you've realized that you stopped a mere five books from finishing the series? Continue, of course.

That's most of my stories, but I consider a throwback title to be any book 5 or more years old. Let's clear these babies out of to-be-reads and remind people of their favorite 2005 novel! I'll be posting a throwback title every Thursday (naturally). Please join in the fun by adding to the linky below and adding my graphic (or one of yours, as long as it links back here) above to your post!

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Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

Pages: 351

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: July 5th, 2010

Cover Comments: A cute cover that lets you know you're getting a fluffy contemporary loosely inspired by Wuthering Heights that has an owl element.

First lines: "Wow. This is it. This is me growing up. On my own, going to Performing Arts College. This is goodbye Tallulah, you long, gangly thing, and helloooooo Lullah, star of stage and... owwwwooo. Ow and ow."

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Goodreads │ Amazon

Description

Hilarious new series from Queen of Teen – laugh your tights off at the (VERY) amateur dramatic antics of Talullah and her bonkers mates. Boys, snogging and bad acting guaranteed!

Picture the scene: Dother Hall performing arts college somewhere Up North, surrounded by rolling dales, bearded cheesemaking villagers (male and female) and wildlife of the squirrely-type. On the whole, it’s not quite the showbiz experience Tallulah was expecting… but once her mates turn up and they start their ‘FAME! I’m gonna liiiiive foreeeeeever, I’m gonna fill my tiiiiights’ summer course things are bound to perk up.

Especially when the boys arrive. (When DO the boys arrive?)

Six weeks of parent-free freedom. BOY freedom. Freedom of expression… cos it’s the THEATRE dahling, the theatre!!

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Snapshot

After reading Louise Rennison's most famous series, Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (First book: Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging), I wanted to read more of her simply because that was one of the only book series I'd ever read that made me laugh out loud more than once per book. Obviously, I waited a long time between finishing the Georgia series and starting this series, so I was a little concerned I had outgrown the humor. Luckily, I apparently still have the comedic taste of a fourteen year old, so I found this book quite funny as well. There were a couple of things that kept this from being a favorite read for me, but overall it was very quick and enjoyable.

Yays:

1) Hilarity ensues

Tallulah is an adorably quirky and awkward character, and she (unfortunately) reminded me of me at that age, except my awkwardness meant I was a lot less social. I haven't been amused so much by a book since The Princess Diaries series, and I loved being in Tallulah's head (for the most part).

“I gave my artistic laugh and also threw in some quirky language for good measure. "Lawks-a-mercy, no! I'm going to have a long bath and..."I looked shyly down. Which is pretty impressive to have done artistic laugh, quirky language and shyness all in the space of ten seconds.”

2) Being yourself (awww)

Although Tallulah is awkward and strange and laments this fact sometimes, it's her special talent at being able to make others laugh that gets her noticed in the end. As much as she tries to be someone else, it's her true self that gives a her a great friend group and several gentleman callers.

3) Boyz

Tallulah runs into several love interests over the course of the book, (almost) all of which I'd like to see more of. Talullah being pretty young (I think fourteen), nothing is too deep, but it's very reminiscent of first crushes and extremely sweet and entertaining.

“He had everything a dream boy should have. Back, front, sides, Everything. A head.”

 There are three relationships set up in this book that I can see as being continued in the next book, and the dilemmas with all have been set up very well.

4) Girl squad

Tallulah has a great group of friends in Withering Tights, and this friendship is given equal if not more time than the myriad of love interests in the book. They annoy each other but are always there for one another, as true friends do.

“As we drew near to the gates of Dother Hall the old bell in the belfry rang out. I said, 'I must go in, it's nigh on ten of the clock.' He half-turned away from me, his jacket collar hiding his expression. Was he angry? Disappointed?"Jo looked intently and I said, "Hungry?"Jo ignored me, but as she passed by acting out walking away from Phil, she allowed her hand to slap against my head.”

Nays:

1) Blimey, what's a corker? Cor love a duck.

This is pretty representative of Rennison's writing style, but there is SO. MUCH. BRITISH. LINGO. The author (or "Tallulah") has helpfully placed a hilarious dictionary in the back to explain the terms, but it gets a bit exhausting to read about corkers and what larks.

2)  Plot, plot. Wherefore art thou plot?

I found the book too funny to be truly bored, but not a lot happened. There's a lot of wandering around, Tallulah doing crazy bits at school, running into boys and being a spaz, and hanging out with her friends and talking about the school bits and boys. I didn't mind it much, but it'd be nice if the book were more than me giggling at whatever crazy thing Tallulah just said.

Overall, Withering Tights is just what is advertised: a light, hilarious read for the pre/early teen age range. I'll be continuing with the series, probably in 5-10 years, but I'll be laughing when I do.

Rating: 4/5 corker exercises

Can't Wait Wednesday (1): Nightblood by Elly Blake

Can't Wait Wednesdays is a bookish meme hosted by Wishful Endings in which we share our anticipated reads each week!

This week, I'm itching to get my hands on the third in Elly Blake's Frostblood saga, Nightblood.

Nightblood by Elly Blake

Book Birthday: August 21st, 2018

"Ruby's world has changed more than she ever could have imagined. She's in love with a powerful Frost King. She's the heir to the Fire Throne. And she may be a Nightblood--the spawn of a vengeful deity hellbent on releasing his wraithlike Minax from their prison. Once freed, these beasts will roam the earth, devouring every last person until he or she is nothing but an empty husk. But Ruby is able to control the Minax to a degree, and now she, her beloved Arcus, and her friend Kai must find a way to bring Frostbloods and Firebloods--sworn enemies--together to make a stand against a foe more deadly than any they've faced.

In this heart-pounding finale of Elly Blake's gorgeously written and action-packed Frostblood Saga, the fate of Frostbloods, Firebloods, and all of humanity is at stake."

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I know this came out yesterday, but my copy hasn't arrived yet so I still can't wati! I've really enjoyed the two previous books in the series, Frostblood and Fireblood, and the last book took a really interesting turn - I'm excited to see where it goes! What release are you excited for this week?

Throwback Titles (3): Eleanor & Park, or, The One in Which I Realize I May Be More Jaded than the Average Teen

Throwback Titles are books that I've been meaning to read for a very, very long time, but have just now gotten around to it. In other words, it's that book you picked up in middle school that may have been a little bit above your reading level, and also happened to have 14 sequels. And what do you, a rational adult do now that you've realized that you stopped a mere five books from finishing the series? Continue, of course.

That's most of my stories, but I consider a throwback title to be any book 5 or more years old. Let's clear these babies out of to-be-reads and remind people of their favorite 2005 novel! I'll be posting a throwback title every Thursday (naturally). Please join in the fun by adding to the linky below and adding my graphic (or one of yours, as long as it links back here) above to your post!

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Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 328

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 26th, 2013

Cover Comments: One of the best covers I've seen. It really captures the simplicity of Eleanor and Park's love story amidst their otherwise often chaotic life.

Cover Comments: "He'd stopped trying to bring her back."

Two misfits.

One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

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Review

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is a book that I've been hearing about for a long time, and most of the things I heard were exclusively rave reviews. People love Rainbow Rowell and everything she writes, it seems. I can't say I'm quite so head over heels about Eleanor & Park as I hoped I'd be, but overall, this was a very sweet love story, if a bit unrealistic for my realist, jaded, adult self.

Yays:

1) A romance that builds

When Eleanor and Park meet, they don't like each other. Not physically, and not by personality. But their friendship grows through a mutual love of music and comics, and from there to a romantic relationship. It's rare to see a YA book where the love interests aren't immediately "drawn" to one another from the beginning, and I love to see a romance blossom from friendship.

2) Diverse characters

Park is half Korean and half Irish, and Eleanor seems to be a little overweight. It's nice to read about characters who are not white, skinny, and beautiful(see: 99% of teen romances)

Not pointing fingers, nope, not me

3) Real life issues

Eleanor's issues at home are heartbreaking and read all too realistically. While Park's home life is far superior, he also struggles with his dad's expectations of how a man should look, dress, and behave.

Nays:

1) 0 to 1205871230498234091723

I noted earlier that I liked that Eleanor and Park's relationship in the book is one that builds slowly. This is true for the most part, but I did think things started to get a little too fast and co-dependent for my taste. 

"I don't like you, Park. Sometimes I think I live for you."

I get that this is partly because with everything else going on in Eleanor's life, Park is a warm safe space. It's a also been a while since I was a teenager in love, so we can chalk this up to life ripping out my sentimentality.

2)  The ending

If I were Park, I would be mad as hell. Just saying...

Overall, Eleanor and Park is a very sweet, mostly authentic teen love story with added depth where family issues are concerned. In the tradition of John Green, I can't say that the teens really think or speak like real teens do, but that's half the fun.

Rating: 4/5 walkmans

Legendary, or, The One With ALL THE FANCY DRESSES

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Legendary by Stephanie Garber

Pages: 451

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 29th, 2018
Cover Comments: Almost as beautiful as Caraval's cover. I love the dark starry black background with the red rose spade, both subtle nods to the plot.

First Lines: "While some rooms on the estate had monsters hiding beneath the beds, Tella swore her mother's suite concealed enchantment."

Goodreads 丨 Amazon

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

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Review

“Every good story needs a villain. But the best villains are the ones you secretly like.”

I think the word that best sums up Legendary, like Caraval before it, is enchanting.

Caraval was my favorite new release last year, and Legendary has claimed that title for 2018 as well. Stephanie Garber manages to maintain the magic of Caraval, while giving us an entirely new story and perspective, looking through Tella's eyes instead of Scarlett's.

yays:

1. DRESSES

Call me shallow for putting this first but WOW. Stephanie Garber really outdid herself in her descriptions of all the decadent costumes in this book. I've never been one to especially pay attention to clothing in books, but every gown described in Legendary is a show stopper. I would love to see this series in movie or tv format if only for the dresses.

2. writing

Just like in Caraval, Stephanie Garber's writing is so decadent and magical that you feel transported to the scenes she's describing. A little tidbit:

“The air tasted like wonder. Like candied butterfly wings caught in sugared spiderwebs, and drunken peaches coated in luck.”

The way colors and scents are described in this book are so vivid, and they really helped me to envision all the wonderful and terrible scenes.

3. even sexier romance, if you can believe it

“His mouth was crashing against hers. He tasted like exquisite nightmares and stolen dreams, like the wings of fallen angels, and bottles of fresh moonlight.”

I loved Julian and Scarlett's romance in Caraval, but Tella's boyz in this book are on a whole 'nother level. Tella is a more bold character who enjoys a good game, and the games she plays with Dante are SMOKING. Their relationship is complicated, but never boring and never without palpable sexual tension. I also liked that we got glimpses of Julian and Scarlett's relationship through Tella spying on them (lol).

5. caraval, reimagined

Another game of Caraval could have felt like a repeat of the last book, but this game is utterly different. The stakes are so much higher, and the prize is personal. The rules from last game are thrown out the window and Tella is left wondering if she even wants to win.

6. new characters & back stories

This book gave so much depth to the Caraval world, with interlaid mythologies, long-forgotten villains, and lost family members. We learn so much about Dante, Tella's mother Paloma, and the history of the world itself. It  never felt too much like exposition, instead told through stories that interlaced with the current events in the book.

7. satisfying but open ending

I was afraid of a cliffhanger ending, but Garber avoids that, instead resolving many of the plot lines of this book, while setting up the last novel, Finale, in a way that makes me anxious to read it, but not angry at being left hanging.

nays:

1. slightly predictable

There were lots of twists and turns in the book, but I predicted a good amount of them. On top of that, I didn't feel that some of the twists really made sense (ex: a certain one true love). I'm hopeful that some things will be explained better in Finale, and we'll get to see why certain events played out the way they did.

2. a little more game, a little less talk

This Caraval felt less like a game and more like Tella wandering around chatting with people. I wanted more magical trades, daring contests, and secret passageways. And Tella, bless her heart, isn't as good at playing games as she thinks she is. When one character tells her she gets some free questions, she immediately wastes a question on something inconsequential. She's also even more gullible than Scarlett, despite her untrusting attitude toward everyone.

The positives far outweigh the negatives for me though, and I'm sure that Legendary will rank highly in my top reads of 2018. I can't wait to get caught up in the world of Tella, Scarlett, and Legend next time in Finale.

“Not everyone gets a true ending. There are two types of endings because most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, where the situation feels hopeless. But that’s when hope is needed most. only those who persevere can find their true ending.”

4.5/5 stars

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