Waiting on Wednesday #20

Everything, Everything

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.

Title: Everything, Everything

Author: Nicola Yoon

Expected Release Date: September 1st, 2015

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Adults

Goodreads Link:  Everything, Everything

Preorder Link: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Synopsis:

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I'm allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster

Why I need it in my Collection:

This book sounds so cute and I've never heard of a disease where you can't set foot outside, so this topic definitely interests me. Also I've really been in the mood for contemporaries and this book seems like the perfect read. What book are you excited for? Leave a comment below; I would love to hear from you. This cover is just gorgeous as well! 

-SandraTheBookWorm

An Ember in the Ashes

Book Review

Title: An Ember in the Ashes

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Date Published: April 25, 2015

Publisher: Razorbill

Page Count: 453

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Meet The Author: Sabaa Tahir

Synopsis: 

Laia is a slave.
Elias is a soldier.
Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They've seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself

My Thoughts:

WOW this book has just blown my mind. It's sooo good and deserves all the hype that's it's been getting.

Laia has just lost the only family she had left to the Empire, and is determined to find the rebels and ask for their help. When she finally finds the resistance; she is sent as a slave to spy on the Commandant of the Empire's greatest military academy in return the rebels will help Laia free her brother from prison. Is there where Laia meets soldier Elias and they will soon find out that their destinies are somehow intertwine and that Laia will provide Elias with the freedom he has so desperately been looking for.

This book is definitely one of my 2015 favorites Sabaa Tahir's writing is superb. I immediately fell in love with Laia and Elias. Their character building threw out the novel was written really well. This book is full of action from the moment you start it to the moment you finish and has the perfect amount of romance.

I have never read anything like it, I'm so glad that they decided to make a sequel since the book ends with a cliffhanger and I couldn't go on the rest of my life not knowing what happened. I was a little skeptical about this book because of the overhype surrounding it, but it definitely proved me wrong. I definitely recommend you pick this book up if you haven't already. I definitely did a happy dance when I found out about the sequel.

-SandraTheBookWorm

Favorite Quotes from the Book:

"Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after."

" Your an ember in the ashes. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it."

" You'll never forget them, not even after years. But one day, you'll go a whole minute without feeling the pain. Then an hour. A day. That's all you can ask for, really."

Waiting on Wednesday #19

Paperweight

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.

Title: Paperweight

Author: Meg Haston

Expected Release Date: July 7th, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Goodreads Link: Paperweight

Preorder Links: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Stevie is trapped. In her life. In her body. And now in an eating-disorder treatment center on the dusty outskirts of the New Mexico desert.

Life in the center is regimented and intrusive, a nightmare come true. Nurses and therapists watch Stevie at mealtime, accompany her to the bathroom, and challenge her to eat the foods she’s worked so hard to avoid.

Her dad has signed her up for sixty days of treatment. But what no one knows is that Stevie doesn't plan to stay that long. There are only twenty-seven days until the anniversary of her brother Josh’s death—the death she caused. And if Stevie gets her way, there are only twenty-seven days until she too will end her life.

In this emotionally haunting and beautifully written young adult debut, Meg Haston delves into the devastating impact of trauma and loss, while posing the question: Why are some consumed by their illness while others embark on a path toward recovery?

Why I need it in my Collection:

As I was reading the synopsis I immediately knew I had to read it. This book seems to dive into two very serious topics eating disorder and suicide. I'm also very intrigued to know why our main character blames herself for her brother’s death. What book are you waiting for? Leave a comment below; I would love to hear from you.

-SandraTheBookWorm

Why We Broke Up

Book Review

Title: Why We Broke Up

Author: Daniel Handler Illustrator: Maira Kalman

Date Published: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Page Count: 354

Rating:★★★

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N,Book Depository

Meet The Author: Daniel Handler

Meet The Illustrator:  Maira Kalman

Synopsis:

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

My Thoughts:

feel like I just got dumped. This book wasn't what I expected; to be honest I really don't know what I was expecting from this book I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

Our main character Min is breaking up with Ed, Min has a box full of memories that she wants to give back to Ed, so she is writing him a letter explaining the significance of each thing inside the box and how it lead them to break up.

I didn't hate this book but I did have some problems with it. I had never read a book like it. The Illustrations and the explanations kept me turning the pages; I also really grew attached to Min. The reason I gave this book three stars was the author's writing style, it just wasn't for me the run on sentences to explain one thing were so irritating. I have never read a book by Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) so I'm not sure if that is his writing style or it was only used in this book. Also I saw the ending coming and I hate books that have such a predictable ending (the true reason why they broke up), but I'm not going to lie the ending did make me tear up a little. I have a love, hate relationship with this book at the moment.

I'm not going to tell you don't read the book, but I wouldn't drop my current read to pick this up any time soon. Like I said I have very mixed feelings for this book. 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Magnolia

Book Review

Title: Magnolia

Author: Kristi Cook

Date Published: August 5, 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Page Count: 336

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Meet The Author: Kristi Cook

Synopsis:

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They're only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can't stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn't exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.

My Thoughts: 

I LOVED this book! It was the light, fluffy read I needed to get me out of my reading slump.

Jemma and Ryder have known each other since they were born and their family the Cafferty’s and Marsden’s have known each other since the civil war and have been dying to unite both families by marriage, and now that Jemma and Ryder have been born they finally can. There is just one problem Jemma and Ryder hate each other and have no intention of making their family's dreams come true. Until a violent storm hits Magnolia Branch and they're forced to spend a whole week together and their true feelings for each other begin to surface. 

This book reminded me of Romeo and Juliet but turned upside down. I loved how the love story wasn't insta love that Jemma and Ryder had known each other their whole lives, but they just didn't know how they felt about each other. I loved the Mississippi setting and that they lived in old plantation homes it just made the read so much better; the southern feel to it. Also Jemma was kind of bad azz I liked how she was captain of the cheerleaders, but she also had the best shot in Mississippi.

If you're in the mood for a light contemporary with a summery feel to it, look no further this book is perfect, or if you're in a reading slump this book will definitely get you out of it. A plus Ryder is so HOT and I need more of him in my life. I read this book in one sitting, that’s how good it is. If you haven't picked it up you definitely should.

-SandraTheBookWorm

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)

Book Review

Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)

Author: Amie Kaufman - Meagan Spooner

Date Published: December 10, 2013.

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Page Count: 374

Rating:★★★★

Buy Me:Amazon, B&N, Book Depository

Meet the Authors: Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

Synopsis:

Luxury spaceliner Icarus suddenly plummets from hyperspace into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive -- alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a cynical war hero. Both journey across the eerie deserted terrain for help. Everything changes when they uncover the truth. 

My Thoughts:

This is my first Sci-fi, survival book and I LOVED IT!! Let me start of by saying how amazingly written the crash of the Icarus was. I felt like I was one of the passengers and I was going down with it. The crash of the Icarus did remind me a lot of the Titanic movie, but that is where the similarities end. This story is so unique.

In this book we follow Mrs. Lilac Laroux the daughter of the richest man on the universe and Tarver a soldier turned into a war hero, while they try to survive in an abandoned planet; where they wait for rescue that with each passing day seems less likely to be coming.

I immediately fell in love with Tarver and Lilac; the growth these two characters went through in the book was extraordinary. Especially by Lilac she was a very strong character and she showed that she was more than just a rich girl in high heels.  The reason I gave these book four stars and not five was that some of the things that happened in this world left me scratching my head and some of my questions were left unanswered. If you're into survival books, sci-fi, even paranormal yes, this book had some paranormal aspects you should definitely pick this book up.

I'm so excited to continue with this series; I do believe they are companion novels, so you don't have to read this one to read the second one, but you should definitely read it. Lilac and Tarver's story deserves to be read! 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Waiting On Wednesday #18

Love Fortunes and Other Disasters

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.


Title: Love Fortunes and Other Disasters

Author: Kimberly Karalius

Expected Release Date: May 12, 2015

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Goodreads Link: Love Fortunes and Other Disasters

Preorder Links: Amazon,  B&N, 





Synopsis:

In the tradition of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic, one girl chooses to change her fortune and her fate by falling in love.

Love is real in the town of Grimbaud, and Fallon Dupree has dreamed of attending high school there for years. After all, generations of Duprees have successfully followed the (100% accurate!) love fortunes from Zita’s famous Love Charms Shop to happily marry their high school sweethearts. It’s a tradition. So she is both stunned and devastated when her fortune states that she will NEVER find love.

Fortunately, Fallon isn’t the only student with a terrible love fortune, and a rebellion is brewing. Fallon is determined to take control of her own fate—even if it means working with a notorious heartbreaker like Sebastian.

Will Fallon and Sebastian be able to overthrow Zita’s tyranny and fall in love?


Why I need it in my Collection:

This book sounds like a light, fun read also they had me at In tradition of Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic. I love Practical Magic and would love to see what similarities this book has to that one. I'm really in the mood for more fluffy reads and this sounds just perfect and unique a plus the cover is just beautiful. What book are you excited for? Let me know on the comments below-- I would love to hear from you.

This is going to be me when I buy the book!

-SandraTheBookWorm

Eleanor and Park

Book Review

Title: Eleanor and Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Date Published: February 26, 2013

Page Count: 328

Rating:★★★★.5

Buy Me:B&N Collectors Edition, Amazon, Book Depository

Meet The Author: Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

This book guys, oh my God this book! Why did it take me so long to get my hands on it; I loved every single second of this book. I related so much with Eleanor it was insane and Park oh Park I fell in love with his as soon as he fell in love with Eleanor; he was the sweetest. I think one reason I loved this book so much was because I connected so much with Eleanor in being bullied. When I was in high school I used to get bullied a lot because of my appearance and this book hit right at home.

 

 

We meet Eleanor when she is getting on the bus for her first day of school. That’s where she sees Park for the first time, at first glance Park doesn’t think much of Eleanor in fact he thinks she’s weird; as time goes on  Eleanor and Park get closer to the point where park feels that he can’t leave without her. While trying to deal with bullying and her crazy stepdad Eleanor finds a safe haven in Park.

I loved how Eleanor found someone that she could be herself with while also feeling safe and I loved how Park was so protective of her. I also loved the old school relationship no cell phones actually interacting and going out, writing letters and giving your significant other mixed tapes. As much as I loved this book I only had one problem. How could Rowell end it that way! I want to know what is going to happen between Eleanor and Park, it’s killing me to know that this is a standalone and I will never know what's going to happen between these two characters I grew to love. 



 

Reading this book was so emotional for me especially towards the end I was balling took me a while to gain my composure. If you haven't picked this book up I truly recommend it. Rainbow Rowell has slowly made her way into my heart and has become one of my favorite authors.

 

 



-SandraTheBookWorm 



  

Liebster Award!!!

This morning Rhian from  UponaNovel was kind enough to nominate me for the Liebster Award. I am so thankful that she took the time to look at my blog and like it enough to nominate it. Thank you so much Rhian! It means a lot to me.

This award is in place so bloggers big and small can interact with one another and promote friendships through the similar hobby of blogging. There are few steps to this award which I will go through as I complete each section. First though, I must state the rules. 

Rules 

* Link back to the person that nominated you for this award.

* Give 11 random facts about yourself.

*Answer 11 questions from your nominator.

* Nominate 11 bloggers.

* Come up with 11 questions for your nominees and inform them that you have nominated them.

Okay! So here are the 11 random facts about myself.

1. I'm 24 years old.

2. I'm a stay at home mom my son is 2 yrs old.

3. .Even though I'm 24 I enjoy YA more than Adult novels.

4. I would like to travel to Paris, NY, Spain and many other places.

5. I'm a huge Disney nerd.

6.  I live in Texas! No, we don't all wear cowboy boots and ride horses to work.

7. I'm super claustrophobic. 

8. I'm not very good with grammar. 

9.  I just read Harry Potter in January.

10. Twilight was the series that started my book obsession.

11.  I didn't cry while reading The Fault In Our Stars, but I was a wreck when I watched the movie.

Some Questions Rhian wants me to answer.

1. What is your all time favorite book?

I would have to say Twilight since it what began my love for reading.

2. Who is your favorite author?

Rainbow Rowell

3. Pristine or damaged book?

Pristine.

4. Is cracking the spine of a book acceptable in your eyes?

No, you crack my books spine I crack your arm lol.

5. Favorite snack to eat when your reading?

I don't eat while I'm reading.

6. What is your most favorite genre and your most hated genre?

I love Fantasy! I don't think I hate any genre.

7. Favorite weather for reading?

I love to read during rainy days. 

8. Do you like complete silence when reading or do you like some music or the television on etc?

 I usually have my TV on while I read, but I'm pretty good at tuning it out.

9. Favorite book to movie adaptation?

This is a though question. I would have to say the Twilight series I own all of them. 

10. E-books or physical copies?

Physical copies, I hardly own any E-books.

11. Why did you start your blog?

I love to read and sharing my thoughts with fellow book lovers. Also I don't have many friends that like to read and this is a amazing way to meet people with common interest.

Questions for my Nominees

1. Who is your book boyfriend?

2. Used or New Books?

3. Where do you like to read?

4. What is your favorite series?

5. Stand Alone or Series?

6. Do you read one book at a time or several?

7. Most hated character?

8. Least favorite book?

9. Favorite love triangle?

10. Favorite character?

11. What world of the books you have read would you like to live in?

And now my nominees are as follows...

(Names are taken from Instagram)

1. NovelsandNecklaces (http://novelsandnecklaces.blogspot.com/)

2. TheBookishCrypt (https://cassandrareadsalot.wordpress.com/)

3.Book_Believer (http://bookbeliever.blogspot.com/)

4. Bookishfanboy (http://bookishfanboy.blogspot.com/)

5. BookFlame (http://bookflame.blogspot.com/)

6. Enchantedbbya (http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.com/)

7. Thereadercomplex (https://thereadercomplex.wordpress.com/)

8. livlovesbooks (https://livlovesbooks.wordpress.com/)

9. DonnabookPassion (http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co.uk/)

10. Mafscrazybooklife (http://mafscrazybooklife.blogspot.com/)

11. A_Woundrous_bookshelf (https://awondrousbookshelf.wordpress.com/)

-SandraTheBookWorm