Feature Follow Friday: Books Kimi Wants To Change

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Change the Plot. If you could, what book would you change the ending or a plot thread? Go ahead and do it…change it.

1. Mockingjay - There would be more Peeta than Gale. Finnick would not have died. I think that's it... I'm pretty much satisfied with the story mostly, yeah.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Sorry J.K., your HP regrets would have been about who Hermione ends up with, but I'm pretty satisfied with that and have OTHER problems. I would have preferred Fred Weasley to stay alive. Albus Severus should not have been named that way. I don't see how Snape is a 'hero' or 'the bravest man Harry ever knew'. He basically spent most of his time tormenting the child of the woman he loves, and also begged Voldemort to spare Lily but didn't give batshit about Harry or his father. What kind of man is that? He may have been on the good side all this time, but he was a pretty awful character.

3. Allegiant - Not let Tris die. I don't have problems with main characters dying, as long as it is justifiable. However, I couldn't seem to understand why Tris had to die and at the expense of her evil brother too. I just don't see the point of her death. Also, I could be rid of the dual point of views, thank you very much.

4. Twilight - Not let Bella fall in love with a vampire. Not let her get pregnant with said vampire. Not let her give birth to a weird half vampire half human demon baby spawn thing. Not let any werewolves imprint on said baby. Not let that baby thing be named Renesmee. Not let Edward saying "Goodbye my friend, my brother, my son." to Jacob. 

Oh wait, that's basically the whole series. Oops.

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What would YOU change? I may have been brutally honest with my answers, but I can't help myself sometimes. HEEHEE. 

If you follow our blog, please please let us know in the comments! We will follow back because we just love meeting new bookish people! <3

A to Z Bookish Survey

a to z bookish survey

Ivana of Teenage Bookworms tagged me (Kimi) to answer the A to Z bookish survey! I've never actually answered anything like this before, so gulp, here goes!


Author you’ve read the most books from: 

Easy. Enyd Blyton. Isn't that so random? But I grew up reading his stories and I think he is the obvious answer to this question.


Best Sequel Ever: 

I hate sequels almost ALL the time, so the only obvious answer to this would be Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, because it was the only one that I thought was better than the first one.

Currently Reading: 

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. I'm not exactly sure what I think of it so far. I've found myself far too critical of books lately, but I do hope this turns out to be a great read. 


Drink of Choice While Reading:

I'm sorry but the answer would be NONE. I am much too clumsy to actually be reading and drinking at the same time. I don't want my kindle or my book to get soaked in sticky juice or something.


E-reader or Physical Book? 

Physical book!!!!!!!!! Yes? YES!


Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Peeta Mellark. Is. The. Only. Person. I'll. Ever. Date. Fictional. Or. Not.


Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: 

The Bell Jar! Sylvia Plath, the author of this book, stuck her head in the oven. You would understand why I initially didn't want to read this book.


Hidden Gem Book: 

I can't say right now. I have an endless list of books which I thought were good but then turned out to be meh, but I can't think of one which I thought was bad then ended up to be surprisingly good. Why would I read a book that I'd thought would be bad?

Important Moment in your Reading Life: 

When I read The Kite Runner. That was pretty heavy and life-changing, yeah.


Just Finished: 

Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas.


Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: 

Nicholas Sparks books. "i'm not like other girls oh no i am special i have problems blah blah" books. "i'm a white male i have white male problems and white male tears" books. Books with nice guys and manic pixie dream girls.

Longest Book You’ve Read: 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm not really sure...


Major book hangover because of: 

The last one I remember was Eleanor & Park. It was too good, that I kept rereading it and couldn't move on to other books.


Number of Bookcases You Own: 

One. Oh wait two. Well actually, three.


One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: 

The Harry Potter series. I reread the whole thing every time a movie comes out, and every time a movie doesn't come out. So that's like, all the time. 


Preferred Place To Read: 

BED. BED. BED. Runner up is the bathroom.


Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

"Realize your youth while you have it. Don’t squander the gold of your days, listening to the tedious, trying to improve the hopeless failure, or giving away your life to the ignorant, the common, and the vulgar. These are the sickly aims, the false ideals, of our age. Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing."


Reading Regret: 

I regret not reading any classics - at least I don't think I have yet. Especially Jane Austen books.


Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series): 

None. If I don't finish a series there is usually a reason, so I don't really feel the need to finish any of the series I have started but haven't finished.


Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: 

Catcher in the Rye (sorry this can't be helped), The Bell Jar, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:  

Peeniss. Oh wait EVERLARK. LOL. Katniss x Peeta forever!


Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: 

The next Harry Potter book. Oh wait, there isn't one. 


Worst Bookish Habit: 

I read multiple books at the same time. I know, I'm really horrible.


X Marks The Spot: (Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book)

Love and Misadventure by Lang Leav.


Your latest book purchase: 

The Beginning of Everything. I bought it for a friend.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late): 

Um, I've sworn to never do this anymore... but the last one was Racing Savannah.


Okay, I'm done! That was VERY fun! Thanks again Ivana for tagging me! :)

Book in Review: Player in Paradise by Rebecca Lewis

2014 debut
Title: Player in Paradise
Author: Rebecca Lewis
Publication Date: March 1, 2014
Format: ARC
Rating: 2/5 

Olivia, a girl who is living her dream job at PWR group is about to encounter a lot of unexpected events. She was given three rules in her new job, and one of those is that she can't have a relationship with any of her clients. She never thought that a guy as hot as Austin would walk into her life and change it forever. Could she still live up to the rules? How can she resist such a handsome and seductive celebrity? 

Upon reading the synopsis of this book, I was so hooked that I couldn't wait to open my kindle and read it. Sadly, it didn't turn out how I expected it to be. I thought that Austin and Olivia's relationship developed too quickly, and I didn't really feel their love for each other. It seemed as if everything that happened in the book was all surreal. I wasn't able to feel what the characters were feeling, so I couldn't find the book relatable or even enjoyable at the least. The book was clearly well written, but I felt like it needed more emotional pull. Player in Paradise's premise had a lot of potential, but it wasn't able to live up to it.

Despite all those, I loved how the book was very easy to read. That means I can just read it anytime and anywhere. Also, it wasn't stressful or heavy at all which I think is perfect fo times when you just want to relax. I finished this book very quickly and had no trouble reading it. This book was definitely a cliché, but it was still somehow interesting that I couldn't just DNF it. This book showed me that it is not easy to manage any job but all the effort is worth it when you finally get what you were hoping for.

Sadly I cannot give this book more than 2 stars, because I just don't feel passionate about it - not in any positive or negative way. It was just a meh book that I read to pass the time. Nevertheless, I would like to thank the author for providing me with an arc of this book. It was a fun read and I hope that I can see more of her work on the future. I believe that this book and the author have a lot of potential and I do  hope that her talent comes out in her next books. Player in Paradise would be perfect for anyone who is looking for an easy and fun read.

Have you read Plauer in Paradise? What did you think about it? Leave a Comment!

Waiting on Wednesdays: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

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"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


WHAT KIMI IS WAITING FOR

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Title: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless
Author: Liz Czukas
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: December 9th 2014

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees—of stealing upwards of $10,000 

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments.

WHY KIMI IS WAITING
Ask Again Later is definitely one of my favorite 2014 reads so I am waiting for Liz's next book for sure! The cover is as usual so pretty, and the blurb is just awesome! This sounds like such a fluffy and fun read, I just can't wait to get my hands on it! :D

What are you waiting for? Tell us below! :D

And if you're following us, tell us too and we'd follow back! We love meeting new bookish people! <3

Top Ten Tuesday REWIND: Top 10 Bookish Confessions

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish.

 This week's topic is our top ten bookish confessions. All of us have confessions when it comes to books. This is a great way for us to

1.  Addicted to the Smell of New Books. 
Well, who isn't? The feeling when you crack open a recently bought book, the smell of the pages, the texture of the cover are just some of the things that we love about books.

2. Never read Classics
We feel kinda bad about this one but it is true. It's hard for us to gain interest in classics. We also find those books a bit heavy and hard to understand. We have wanted to read a classic for a really long time but have never gotten around to reading any.

3. Reading Multiple Books at Once
This is true for all of us. Beryl only does this occasionally but Audrey and Kimi do it all the time. We are really trying hard to break this habit since it hinders us from understanding some parts of the books.

4. Reading in The Bathroom
We do this all the time and we know that a lot of you guys do it too. It's just different reading in the bathroom since it's very quiet and no one can just barge in and disturb you.

5. Reading at 2 am
We love reading at this time since everyone's asleep. You're sure that no one will disturb you.

6. Hate it When Books Become Mainstream
It's one of the things that we really can't stand. We feel like other people are only reading the book since it's already popular.

7. Reading at the Dentist
You know that thing that happens whenever you go to the dentist? The silent waiting where you don't know what to do and can't wait to get out of there? Well, during those times, we just whip out a book and start to read.

 8. Judging a Book by Its Cover
We try not to do this but find it impossible not to. The cover is the first thing we see and is a major factor in our choice of books.

9. Reading the Last Page/ Spoiling Ourselves
This is terrible and we know it but we still do it. There are times when we really can't stand the suspense or are dying to know whether the book has a happy ending or not so we end up looking at the last page.

10. Never Dog-ears a Book
We really never do this. We feel like it destroys the books. We also don't highlight or write anything on a book, not even our names (unless it's a school book). We don't fold back the covers and try as much as possible to not read while eating

What's your Top Ten Tuesday? What did you think about ours?

Book in Review: Skin and Bones by Sherry Shahan

Albert Whitman teen

Skin and Bones
Title: Skin and Bones
Author: Sherry Shahan
Publication Date: March 1, 2014 Publisher: Albert Whitman Teen
Format: ARC
Rating: 3/5

 Jack is an anorexic who checks into an recovery facility. He becomes friends with Lard (his name isn't actually Lard), his roommate, who is a compulsive eater and soon nicknames himself "Bones". He goes through a lot of challenges, befriends other patients in the facility, and finds himself falling in love.

First of  all, I would like to congratulate the author for writing a book wherein the main character is a male anorexic. Most books about anorexia have a female character as the protagonist which makes this book special. This book definitely opened my eyes to the fact that there are actually a lot of male anorexics out there. It also successfully showed how complex anorexia actually is. Bones and Alice, who are both anorexic in this book, have a couple of habits, that have something to do with their anorexia, that is quite disturbing. It also shows you how far Bones and Alice would go to lose weight. Skin and Bones also makes you realize that nobody can help you of you don't help yourself. Though the book is tackling a serious issues like anorexia and compulsive eating, the dialogue remains light and humorous.

Even though this book was good, I can't seem to give it a higher rating. The book wasn't really all that special even though the main character was a male anorexic. Aside from that, there was nothing really different about it. There are a lot of books about eating disorders and this one just didn't stand out. I didn't become attached to the characters and really didn't care much about what would happen. It also took me quite a long time to finish this book and I guess I was a bit disappointed by the ending but the rest of the book was good.

All in all, this book was good and simple. I don't regret reading it and would like to thank the author for giving me an arc of this book. I enjoyed this book and believe that a lot of other people will enjoy it too. For anyone who is looking for a simple yet meaningful read, this is the book for you. If you are trying to understand more about eating disorders, you should check this book out.

Have you read Skin and Bones? What did you think about it? Leave a comment!


Life of a Blogger: Are You an Introvert or Extrovert?

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Life of a Blogger is a great weekly feature made by Novel Heartbeat which will help our readers learn more abut who we are. This week's topic is if you're an introvert or an extrovert. Since there are three of us, our answers may differ so just bear with us if the post gets too confusing.

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We weren't too sure what exactly defines an introvert or an extrovert, so we decided to check out Myer's Briggs Personality Types to find out.

Before taking this test, Kimi sees herself as an extrovert, Beryl as an extrovert and Audrey as an introvert. But upon taking the exam, it seems that things are actually not what they seem.

Extraversion (E)
I like getting my energy from active involvement in events and having a lot of different activities. I’m excited when I’m around people and I like to energize other people. I like moving into action and making things happen. I generally feel at home in the world. I often understand a problem better when I can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say.
The following statements generally apply to me:
  • I am seen as “outgoing” or as a “people person.”
  • I feel comfortable in groups and like working in them.
  • I have a wide range of friends and know lots of people.
  • I sometimes jump too quickly into an activity and don’t allow enough time to think it over.
  • Before I start a project, I sometimes forget to stop and get clear on what I want to do and why.
Introversion (I)
I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I’ll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing.
The following statements generally apply to me:
  • I am seen as “reflective” or “reserved.”
  • I feel comfortable being alone and like things I can do on my own.
  • I prefer to know just a few people well.
  • I sometimes spend too much time reflecting and don’t move into action quickly enough.
  • I sometimes forget to check with the outside world to see if my ideas really fit the experience.
I guess I can consider myself more as an introvert now, because I like working on my own more than groupworks. I also like knowing just a few people well, as opposed to knowing lots of people everywhere. I used to think of myself as more of an extrovert just because I like going out, but I think from the descriptions above I can relate more to the statements listed under introversion.

I am definitely an introvert. I prefer being alone. I also don't have much friends since I hate socializing. Even without taking the quiz, it's quite obvious that I am an introvert. I'd rather do stuff on my own than work in groups. I'm too lazy to go out of the house and I hate people. PERIOD.


I think I'm more of an introvert. I am more focused on internal thoughts, feelings and moods rather than seeking out external stimulation. Just like Kimi, I first thought that I'm an extrovert but I realized that all the statements stated are really what I am. 

What about you? Are you an introvert or extrovert? :)

Soupy Sundays: Nice Guy Syndrome (1)

audrey
Soupy Sundays is a weekly feature at Geeky Chiquitas, where we write discussion posts about our thoughts, feelings and opinions about certain topics.

We decided to create a weekly feature! YAY! The idea came to mind when we realized how much feelings we had about things, and it was just impossible to keep them bottled inside.

So for the first topic of Soupy Sundays, we have decided to write about the Nice Guy Syndrome.

The Nice Guy Syndrome is a mental condition in which a heterosexual male feels personally victimized by women who don't want to date him, and also perpetuates the belief that women are either evil and/or stupid for choosing "jerks" for their boyfriends. Said "nice guy" feels as if you are obligated to date him just because he is a good listener or opens the door for you, or is basically the perfect 'gentleman' (whatever that even is).

SCENARIO:

Nice Guy: I like you.
Girl: I don't like you back.
Nice Guy: Why not? But I'm a nice guy!

He will say either one of these things and it's better to just completely avoid these kind of people.

1. BUT I WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU

 This is one of the most common things nice guys say to make you feel guilty for not choosing them or
even agreeing to date them. Guess what? There's a thing called friendship and just because we are friends and you like me does NOT obligate me to like you back. Friendship does not equal to relationship and you must be delusional to even think that. In fact when "nice guys" start to like you sometimes friendships get destroyed because they accuse you of friendzoning them when in the first place you actually did start out as friends and now he feels as if you owe him a chance at a relationship. Sure, he might have given you advice, helped you with homework, listened to your problems or let you borrow his pencil, but you owe him nothing. The moment nice guy accuses you of leading him on or citing these instances to make you feel bad for rejecting him, GUESS WHAT NICE GUY IS NOT ACTUALLY NICE.

2. YOU ARE A CRUEL BITCH

 Have you ever been called cruel or heartless? Nice guy uses this as an excuse for their rejection. They say that there's nothing wrong with him - it's you who's messed up, stupid, or have problems or issues for not liking him back. Nice Guy puts the blame on you, for something you have nothing to do with at all. He thinks that he's perfectly perfect, that if you're not interested in him, you're stupid and have no standards. You are cruel or heartless for not being interested in him. If he asks you out, it's basically impossible for him to accept a 'no' or take a hint that you're not at all interested. Instead, he concludes that you are either, playing hard to get, or are just a cruel, heartless bitch.

3. WHY DO YOU LIKE ASSHOLES AND JERKS

 Nice Guy starts to wonder why you're with the guy that you're dating. He can't think of anything that the guy has that nice guy doesn't. They therefore conclude that the guy you are dating is an asshole and that you like to be treated like shit. Nice Guy then thinks that everything would be so much better if you would just date him. First of all, Nice Guy shouldn't conclude that the guy the you are dating is an asshole just because you chose him. He doesn't know everything so he has no right to judge. Second, no one likes to be treated like shit. It's stupid that nice guy would even think that! And lastly, the only reason that Nice Guy thinks the guy you're dating is an asshole is because he thinks that the guy stole you from him. You are not his property. You NEVER showed interest in him in the first place, and you owe him absolutely NOTHING.

4. THEN I SHOULD BECOME AN ASSHOLE
GUESS WHAT? You already are!

If you have said any of these things after getting rejected by a girl, SHUT UP! If you are pushing your niceness as a valid reason why anyone is obligated to like you back, then I'm sorry but you will find yourself in the 'friendzone' or whatever you call it for the rest of your life. Please do not confuse niceness for greatness, smartness, attractiveness or even kindness! Niceness is not a redeeming quality and it will not get you a girlfriend. And if you're still whining about how nice guys always finish last and that women have such bad taste in men, then take the hint: You are not a nice guy, but are actually a misogynistic jerk.

And don't even think about writing us off as misandrists or radical feminists.

Go find a hobby, you.

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What do you think about "Nice Guys"? If you'd like to join the discussion, grab the banner and link your blog posts on the comments below! :)

Book in Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

2014 books
Side Effects May Vary
Title: Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: March 18, 2014
Kindle: 336 pages
Format: ARC
Rating: 4/5 stars

A lot of cancer books have been popping in YA contemporary over the years, wherein we read about the main protagonist having cancer and then going through a couple of life changing events in his/her life. More so, each of these books also focus on the themes of hope, death, and the loss of life - all of which are intertwined. 

There have been a couple of cancer books that I've read, some I found very moving and others I found too overkill - overly dramatic and lacking of originality. You could say Side Effects May Vary belongs to the 1st pile. 

Given the abundance of cancer books in the industry, Side Effects May Vary is what you consider something "different" - a breath of fresh air you may say. Side Effects May Vary deviates from the normal cancer book formula : the main character has cancer, finds love, comes to terms with problems in her family, and/or goes through different experiences which make the character significantly a better person. Alas, main character still must die as that is the whole point of cancer books, that you let go of the people you love, but the protagonist would have died as a better person who has changed other people's lives in the process.

Side Effects May Vary does not follow this formula at all. It tells the story of Alice, a girl who gets diagnosed with cancer, and then recruits her childhood friend Harvey (who is actually in love with her) to help her do a 'bucket list' filled with some cool things but also some very awful things of what she must do before the cancer eats her body. Harvey reluctantly agrees to help her and they set forth to finish Alice's last hurrah. But what happens when Alice suddenly goes into remission? How does she deal with the consequences of her actions?

I've seen some people pegging this as the next The Fault in Our Stars, but let me just say that the similarity between these two books is the fact that the main characters both have cancer - and the similarities end there. Nevertheless, I liked Side Effects May Vary on its own. What I found amazing about it is how this is actually Julie Murphy's debut, yet it is so fantastically written, from the characters, the plot, the pacing, the development. It was obvious from the very start that Julie Murphy is the kind of author who knows and is comfortable with what she's doing - she has a clear voice and writing style. Side Effects May Vary is the kind of book that is so emotionally gripping and honest, that you started to become part of it. I I found myself becoming so engrossed with the characters, the world and the story that it was no wonder I spent late into the night finishing it. I liked its premise of how Alice's life only began on the year she thought she was going to die, and how she was the only person who could make the decision to actually start living and do something with her life. I liked how the story showed the consequences of one's actions, that you simply can't escape things from your life and that you have to face them headfirst.

What I really loved most about this book though is how relatable the characters are. My usual complaint with a lot of books I've read lately is that I just couldn't seem to understand what was going on in the character's head. Sadly, character is usually what brings the downfall of what could've been a 5 star read to just a 3 star one. I consider character as one of the most important things about a book, even more than the plot, at least for me. And so, Side Effects May Vary was able to give me the three-dimensional characters I have been looking for, not just the protagonists but even the secondary characters. Alice who is quite a despicable and selfish person was written so brilliantly as not just a character or a plot point, but she actually felt like a real person. It was interesting for me to read about a very unlikeable character doing very detestable things, but I found myself understanding her, the way I came to understand myself. I understood her motives for the things she did, and I was able to empathize with what she felt. I am sure that we have all been betrayed by a friend or boyfriend, unsure how to deal with feelings of love, and even have gone through hell because of school and family. Alice's problems are no stranger to our everyday concerns, which is what makes her character so fully developed.

I liked Harvey the most because he is one of those characters that I think should be part of the list of Glorious YA Characters (along with Peeta Mellark). He does not fall to the category of guys with the nice guy syndrome (which I actually really really hate), but he has much more to offer than that. He is kind, sweet and gentle, but he is also very strong and empowering. He loves Alice unconditionally but be doesn't allow himself to be pushed around, especially when Alice tells him to leave her alone. Even so, his love and care for Alice radiates during his time away from her because it is quite evident that he still looks out for Alice even so and loved her still obviously. The secondary characters were also well written, they didn't just have names but they also had personalities and character backgrounds written into them, such as Alice's parents, Harvey's mom, Luke and even Celeste.

Characters aside, the writing was also beautiful, perfectly and subtly capturing the mood of the story - emotional but not overly dramatic, light and happy at some parts but not overly cheerful, sweet but not overly cheesy. There were some nice quotes throughout the book, most of which I highlighted on my kindle. The style of the story I also found very apt, as it is told in a non linear manner - Now (after Alice goes into remission) and Then (when Alice first got diagnosed). It also alternates with Alice and Harvey's POV, which I liked because it gave us two different perspectives of the same story. We don't usually get the thoughts of a friend who witnesses the protagonist have cancer, but I like how Julie Murphy decided to do it here. Harvey's voice was fresh and distinct and it gave us insights on what it was like to watch your best friend and the love of your life suffer with cancer. It showed how deeply he cared for her. The POVs weren't confusing and they both had different voices. The Now and Then provided a great contrast between the setting of the story and the mood which I found a great writing technique. I don't think the story would've been as effective if it was told in only Alice's POV linearly or if it was done in 3rd person. This was a great creative decision from the author and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I liked everything about this story (especially the ending, NO SPOILERS HERE!). The only reason why it isn't a 5 star is because it just didn't cling to me the way other YA Contemporaries did (i.e. Eleanor and Park). I acknowledge that this book is beautiful but it didn't impact me as much as others did. Meaning, I read the book, cried a little, put it down and that was it. However, I do recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of contemporary and I will be looking out for more of Julie Murphy's works.

Have you read Side Effects May Vary? What did you think of it? :)

Feature Follow Friday: Last Book That Made Me Cry

2014 books
Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! This is a blog hop that allows bloggers to gain new followers and find some awesome new blogs to follow themselves!

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host has a blog that they feature each week!

So, if you're a blogger, come join in on the fun!

Here's today's question -

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?


What a tough question because I just love crying over books! I guess the most recent tearjerker I've read is - SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY by Julie Murphy. I didn't really expect to cry when I started this book, but I did anyway. It's basically a story about a girl who finds herself and starts living on the year she was supposed to die. Okay, that was a bit confusing. Let me try again. The main character, Alice, is diagnosed with cancer but then goes into remission, and now has to deal with all the things she has done during the time she had cancer (and she did a bunch of awful things). Add in a love story between her and old childhood friend Harvey, and you've got the perfect book!


For more books that can make you cry, check this list! :)

Book In Review: The Moment Before by Suzy Vitello

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Title: The Moment Before
Author: Suzy Vitello
Publisher: Diversion Books
Paperback: 216 pages
Rating: 3/5 

Received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

“Don’t get me wrong. I loved my sister. I never, not once, wished her dead.”

Sabine and Brady are Irish twins, who were born 11 months apart. Sabine, the popular one and known as the head cheerleader dies because of a horrible cheerleading accident. Brady's life starts to fall apart after Sabine dies. Her parents blame Connor for the accident, but is he really the one to blame? Brady realizes that maybe there is something more to Sabine's death, and she starts to find out one by one what truly happened. As more secrets are revealed, she finds herself starting to like Connor, as if everything wasn't complicated enough.

The writing was great and easy to read. It didn't drag on like some other stories do. I loved how the plot was new and fresh, that it wasn't a cliche. At first, I thought that the book would be a long, boring read but soon realized that this book wasn't like that at all. I've always wanted to be the kind of person who is good at art which is why I was able to appreciate Brady's skill in art. I also think that Brady and Connor are perfect for each other. Whenever they are together, I can see the natural chemistry between them. I was rooting for them since the very start of the book and was very happy when they started to acknowledge their feelings toward each other. I also loved the ending. For me, it was perfect.

This book was a great read but there was something lacking in it. I thought that the plot development was too slow. I also didn't feel anything for the characters in this book no matter how much I wanted to feel for them. I really thought that I would become attached to the characters but unfortunately, that didn't happen. It felt a bit pointless to me since nothing much really happened. This book had a lot of potential and I believe that with a little more work, this book could easily become a 5-star read.

I would like to give my thanks to the author for letting me read and review this book. It was good and I do hope that I can read more of her work in the future. For anyone who is looking for a meaningful yet easy read, this book would be perfect for you.

Have you read The Moment Before? What did you think about it?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dear, Killer by Katherine Ewell

2014 books
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR


Title: Dear, Killer
Author: Katherine Ewell
Publisher: Harpercollins
Publication Date: April 2014

Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.

Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe.

WHY WE'RE WAITING

What an interesting concept! It sounds absolutely dark and thrilling and we've probably never read anything like this before! Eep! It's something new and we're really looking forward to it.

What are you waiting for? Tell us below! :) 

Book In Review: The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

2014 books
Title: The Secret Diamond Sisters
Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Paperback: 382 pages
Rating: 3/5
Format: ARC

Savannah, Courtney, and Peyton are sisters. When their mother is sent to rehab, they are taken in by their father who they were made to think was a drug addict but is actually a rich hotel and casino owner in Vegas. The book shows the struggle of the three girls to fit in in Vegas.

This book was a good and easy read. It was interesting and clearly showed the difference between all three of the sisters. I loved the fact that the characters in the book were realistic. The sisters all have a special place in my heart even though they were all very different. It's very easy to relate to the sisters. The author didn't try to make you like them by stressing the sister's good qualities but she found a way to make the reader grow fond of the girls or at the very least understand them. The book had a dream-like quality to it which made you want to read it to escape the real world. There is another thing that I feel like I should say about this book. Madison, who in any other book would be the mean, rich, popular girl that everyone would hate, was not portrayed like that in this book. I understood why she did what she did. Maybe it's because I have read her thoughts through her POV in the book or maybe it was because her actions were easy to understand but either way, I found myself understanding her. I usually like it more when I can clearly say who is the good guy and who is the bad guy but I appreciated this book that shows that everyone has good and bad inside them.

Peyton, the oldest among the sisters, is rebellious and decides to do everything in her power to make sure her dad regrets abandoning them. Her anger towards her father was understandable but her actions were a bit over the top. She goes from guy to guy ever since a former boyfriend of hers breaks her heart. At the start of the book, I didn't like Peyton all that much but as I reached the middle of the book, I found myself liking her more. She isn't perfect and has made too many mistakes to count but she is realistic.

Courtney, the middle child, always strives to be good. She is dedicated to her studies and has big dreams for her future. She always follows the rules. She believes that her mother loves her least so she tries to make up for it by always getting good grades and being good in school.

Savannah, the youngest, always wants to fit in. When she found out about her rich father, she was over the moon. She wants to be in the popular crowd and does her best to do so. She is sweet, hopeful, and innocent. Sometimes, she can be an idiot and give in to peer pressure. She is a bit of a pushover and always wants to please her friends. It's hard for me not to like her since she's so innocent that you want to just hug her and never let her go, just to keep her safe from the world

The reason I gave this book only 3 stars because of the following reasons. The sisters seemed to forget about their mother very easily. It was like they were too caught up in their new life that they forgot to think about their mother who is currently in rehab The book also seemed a bit pointless. I felt like nothing much was happening. I know that this is only the first book in a series and that most of the action will probably happen in the other books but maybe some of the problems were better off solved in the first book. The whole book, for all its 382 pages, seemed like it was just the beginning and middle of a book. Problems kept on appearing, even when the book was nearing its end, yet not a single one of them was solved.

I would like to thank  the author for providing me with an arc of The Secret Diamond Sisters. There are good points in this book, it wasn't all bad. Most of the book, actually, was great and very fun to read but I couldn't overlook the not-so-good points which is why I have written them above. This book is perfect for anyone who is looking for a book that won't stress you out. Anyone who is looking for an easy yet good read, should definitely read this book. For anybody who wants to see what it's like to live in Vegas, I strongly suggest that you read this book.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Vegas? What do you think about this book? Leave a comment!

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons Why We Love to be a Blogger/Reader

adventure
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish

Our topic for this week is the reasons why we love being a blogger or a reader. We think that this is a great opportunity for us to show how great blogging is.

1. Community

We just love the book blogging community because everyone is just so friendly! When we started book blogging (which was just about over a month ago) we honestly had no idea what we were doing (we still don't really, but we've gotten better at pretending that we do lol) and it was easier when we found out that there were book bloggers out there who are willing to help you with anything. We really wouldn't be where we are without the wonderful community of bookish people. We've connected with a couple of bloggers on Twitter and they are seriously the best people ever. Plus, there are great book blog events (like the Love-A-Thon) to participate in, and you get to interact with so many awesome people. 

2. Free books
We had no idea what ARCs even were when we first created this blog. When we started to get review requests and discovered Netgalley and Edelweiss, we just got so excited and crazy at all the free books that we ended up with a giant to-review pile. Whew, at least now we've learned to control ourselves more. Anyway, free books are one of the perks in book blogging, but it's not all about free books of course! Even without free books, we'd definitely still review books (anything that we do own or buy). 

3. Writing skills
Because really, why is it so fun to write reviews but such a pain to do school papers? Admit it, book blogging can be pretty tiring and time consuming, but we're all doing it anyway because we want to - and without realizing it, we're actually improving our writing skills. We never think of book blogging as homework though because that just takes the fun out of it, but unconsciously just writing a blog post everyday is already doing wonders to our abilities in writing.

4. Fun
It's just so much fun! Does this reason count? Of course it does! Whether it's a hobby, a passion, a talent or all three, book blogging and reading is just so much fun - if not  then why would we still do it? We just hope that book blogging and reading never ever starts to feel like a chore or work.

5. Something to do when you're bored
There are a lot of times during the summer vacation or during a school day that we get really bored. We think that blogging is a much healthier thing to do during those times than just sitting around, eating, and watching TV all day. At least when we blog, we can remain active.

6. Author interactions
Because of book blogging, we were able to interact with a lot of authors, and some we've actually become good friends with! There are a lot of friendly and nice authors out there who are so fun to talk to - you can go stalk them on Twitter and they'll be sure to respond! 

7. Adventure
With blogging, we feel like we're on a new adventure everyday. Because of blogging, we have learned a lot of new things. Also, as book bloggers, every read takes us into a new adventure. Each book we read, we act as if we are part of the book and feel what the characters are also feeling.

8. Experience
How many people out there have blogs? Compared to everyone in the world, the book blogging community is kinda small. Knowing that you are part of that small community just brings a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart. The experience of owning a blog is also great since you have tried new things and know more.

9. Bragging Rights
You'll be able to say that yes, I own a blog and yes, I'm proud of it. All that work will pay off. All that effort that you have put into blogging will be worth it because you will have the privilege to truthfully say that you own a blog.

10. Procrastinating 
Whenever we want to put off studying or doing our chores, we blog or read. It's great because we won't just be sitting there thinking about what we should be doing. We will be able to forget about what we were supposed to do by blogging or reading and then after, we can start studying or doing chores. It probably sounds terrible that we're using blogging and reading as an excuse to not do something that we should do but it is one of the reasons why we love the two.

What's your Top Ten Tuesday? What did you think about ours?

Book in Review: Me Since You by Laura Wiess

2014 books
Title: Me Since You
Author: Laura Weiss
Publisher: MTV Books
Publishing Date: February 18, 2014
Format: ARC
Rating: 4/5 stars

Me Since You is a haunting, compelling book about a young woman and how one single moment paints her life in shades of grief and loss. The book is about Rowan Areno and her cop father, who are forced to deal with tragedy when a stranger’s decision to end his and his child’s life has a ripple effect on Rowan, her family, and Eli, the reluctant witness who is no stranger to loss himself.

Rowan Areno, the protagonist, is a naïve, sheltered sixteen year old girl.. Her life Before, with her apple-pie American family, ends when a stranger’s crime leaves her father crippled with depression. Ostracized by the entire town, Rowan struggles to find a balance between empathizing with her father in his sadness, and allowing herself to be happy. Rowan seeks an escape in the form of a relationship with Eli, who seems to be the only one who knows what she’s going through. Just as it starts to get better; it gets worse. Rowan’s father kills himself, and Rowan spirals down and shuts herself off from the world.

Me Since You was a very difficult book to read. It’s always hard to read stories about death, grief and recovery because it always hits too close to home. None of us has been untouched by death, whether it be a face in the newspapers or someone we loved, that the concept of human mortality often seems both fleeting and without importance; and heartbreaking and devastating in equal measures. Wiess manages to write a book that delves into the dark abyss of grief in such a realistic and poignant way. 

Me Since You explores death, grief and heartbreak in such a deep and visceral way, as both recipient and observer. Wiess explores depression in an engaging, gritty manner. We experience it in several stages, first through Rowan’s father, as he tries to save a tortured man’s life, then through Rowan’s eyes, as she tiptoes around her father’s attempts to get better. It was very interesting and real for a book to explore depression as a real mental disease and not just adolescent melodrama. Watching Rowan’s father go through medication and therapy and yet ultimately decide to end his life, despite the presence of a loving and supporting family, was incredibly heartbreaking.

It was not easy for me to like Rowan; Rowan is the girl we all once were, when we thought ourselves invincible, merely an empathizer, and not a victim, of life. Her naiveté was both endearing and exasperating. Her decisions regarding her social life, especially the way she goes along with all of Nadia, her friend’s, plans, made me want to punch her in the face, most of the time. There is a distinct polarity in how Rowan acts; with her father, her careful tiptoeing seems excessive and tiring, but when with her peers she is dismissive and fleeting; it made it harder to understand her, especially in the face of her father’s depression. But her relationships with her parents and Eli ultimately redeemed her for me, as it peeled away the shallow-teenage-girl archetype she presented to the world. Rowan only ever acted like a real person when she was with her parents and Eli.

I liked the romance between Eli and Rowan; there was a sense of innocence and gentleness to their relationship that made me feel like they would have crossed paths regardless of the tragedy, that made me really root for them as a couple. Eli, his father, and his dog was actually one of my favorite parts of the book. Even the ephemeral nature of their budding relationship is bittersweet and poignant; when Rowan shuts herself off from the world, Eli takes a step back and gives her space. The romance is such a minimal aspect of the book, but that does not diminish the impact they have on each other, and how they help each other cope with loss.  

Wiess is a brilliant in the ways that she successfully encompasses the grieving process. People heal in different ways, and experiencing Rowan’s emotional journey was cathartic. Wiess was tender and merciless, portraying the explosive nature of Rowan’s disbelief and anger in her heartbreaking letters to her father, In contrast, her mother lives in denial, choosing to bury herself in 123434556 stray cats than face the reality of her father’s death.  It is only until their grandparents interfere that the duo stops floating in limbo and start to knit themselves back together again.

My criticisms with the book lie solely with the supporting characters, especially Nadia, Rowan’s best friend. I understand that Nadia is created as a foil to Rowan, but it almost seemed as if the author went out of her way to purposely make her awful. Everytime Nadia was in a scene, my desire to punch her in the face was jarring; my dislike for Nadia would take me out of Rowan’s head for a good fifteen minutes while I plotted her death. 

Another issue with the book is the conclusion. One crucial plotline is how Rowan is haunted by the lack of a suicide note left by her father. It was unrealistic that Rowan be able to instantly heal after finding her father’s note. Death isn’t always explainable, there isn’t always closure, and I was expecting Wiess to go that route; allowing Rowan to realize that we might not always understand why things happen, but that we can move on despite the fact. That grief and death are hard things to deal with precisely because we cannot justify them, and that closure is something we find on our own terms.  Finding the suicide note felt like a cop-out, and I felt that it was dismissive of the poignant tone of the rest of the book.  

Overall, Me Since You was a gut-wrenching read, achingly raw and powerful in its portrayal of grief and death. Wiess refuses to treat these issues with kid gloves, instead charting these issues with the grace, sensitivity and gravitas warranted; and as such produces a thought-provoking, well-crafted novel that soars above its contemporaries.

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2015 Reading Challenge

2015 Reading Challenge
Kimi has read 3 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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