On the Twelth Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me..

12 Drummers Drumming!

So the first short story in My True Love Gave to Me is Midnights by Rainbow Rowell.

I wasn't sure what to expect for this short story because I have never read anything by Rainbow Rowell. I hear that she's an amazing writer, but I've held off from reading her books because they are in third person. I really don't like third person books. They are slightly hard to relate to, and my mind wanders if it's not in first person.

Anyway, I was still excited to read the story because I wanted to know if it was worth reading her other books. After reading the story, I was a little disappointed. First of all, it's a New Years story, and I wanted to read about Christmas. Despite the setback, I didn't let that affect my opinion. I just didn't like the story all that much. I think it had a good concept, but I feel like it was lacking something although, I don't know what. And I didn't really like the characters. It was a cute enough story, just not for me.

3/5 Stars

Twelve Days of Christmas

So in honor of Christmas and the Christmas anthology book I've bought featuring authors like Stephanie Perkins, Jenny Han, Ally Carter, and many more, I've decided that I'm going to review each short story individually for the next twelve days! Be sure to check back every day to see which story I'm reviewing, and be sure to join in the holiday fun!

Creatures of the Night Book Tag!

So this tag has been going around Booktube, and I wanted to join in on the fun. There are different catagories that go along with a Halloween theme, and what you do is pick your favorite book or character to fit the category. I'm really excited about doing this one since Halloween is TODAY! So let's get started!

1. Vampire

I haven't read a whole lot of vampire books, but the ones I have read have sucked after reading Twilight. So. Twilight is definitely my kind of vampire book. (And before you ask, Team Edward ;)

2. Werewolf

I actually don't like werewolves at all. I've only read three werewolves books. Twilight, Shiver, and The Mortal Instruments series. Shiver is the most boring and pointless book I've read in my life, and The Mortal Instruments isn't really focused on werewolves, so again the Twilight series it is! But for the sake of not picking the same book over and over, I'm going to go with New Moon.

3. Zombie

I haven't read one zombie book, and I don't really want to. Zombie's aren't my thing, but I guess if I had to pick one, I would pick Alice in Zombieland because I like the idea of retelling Alice in Wonderland.

4. Ghost

By far the best ghost book I've read has been the Mediater series by Meg Cabot. I read the series when I was younger, so they really had a spooky factor to them, but nothing could make me stop reading because of the hot ghost Jesse. *Swoons*

5. Witch/Wizard

I don't read witch or wizard books, so I don't have a favorite. But for the sake of the tag, I'm going to switch witch to alchemist and say the Bloodlines seires.

6. Demigod

Of course, my favorite demigod is Percy, but because he's everyone's favorite, I'm going to name my second favorite demigod and that is Leo from the Heroes of Olympus series. He's funny and sarcastic, and I really love his character.

7. Fairies

I loooooove books on fairies, and by far my favorite series is The Iron King series by Julie Kagawa.

8. Demons

I do not read books with demons, but I do read the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series, so I'm going to go with that. (I don't consider the "demons" in the books as demons demons. They seem more like monsters to me.)

9. Angels

I don't read a whole lot of books with angels, but I do really like the A Fractured Light series. I didn't like how the series ended, but it's still a good read and series overall.

10. Boyfriend

We all know boyfriends can be creatures of the night, and this category was made for Calvin from the new book Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick. I don't want to give much away, but once you read the book you'll see what I mean.

11. Aliens

BY FAR THE BEST BOOK IVE EVER READ THAT CONSISTED OF ALIENS IS THE LUX SERIES BY JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT AND IM WRITING IN CAPS BECUASE ITS SERIOUSLY SO AMAZING AND MAKES ME EXCITED.

12. Human with Superpower

This is kind of a hard category because most humans with a superpower were really a supernatural that just didn't know it. So instead of picking someone that turned out to be a werewolf or fairie or shadowhunter, I'm going to pick someone that was able to face their fears... Tris from the Divergent series! Facing your fears is a superpower, right?

13. Dinosaur

To be honest, I don't know why this is in the tag, but I'm just gonna run with it. So here. Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. This was a book I had as I child, but I didn't like it much. I don't recommend it.

And there you have it! The Creatures of the Night Book Tag! I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween. Don't get into any trouble, and eat all the candy you can!

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

What a crazy ride!

I first want to start off this review with a few comments about my opinion before reading.

When this book was first announced, I didn't want to read it. I thought it sounded creepy and scary and I am very much a scardy cat, so I wasn't interested. But this whole year I just kept rembering this book in the back of my mind. I had read the Hush Hush series and I loved it, so I wanted to read this book until I found out how creepy is sounded. Since it was the month of October and all things scary, and since some BookTubers I love were reading it for the book of the month, I decided to give it a try. Before I bought the book, I read and heard of a lot of people loving it. Then when I bought the book, I read and heard of a lot of people hating it.

The second thing I want everyone to know, is that while reading this book, I kept a very open mind. Now onto my review!

I looooooooved this book. And I loved it so much I put eight o's in it. I really really liked it. I'm not sure if it's just because I usually root for the underdogs, and I felt like this book was getting a lot of hate, or if it's really as good as I say it is. But anyway, I thought this book was well written with good characters and good development. Is this book creepy and scary? Not really. Is it something that I would recommend as a good Halloween read? Possibly. If you're dying for a book that will scare the crap out of you, this isn't it. But that doesn't mean the book isn't good. It's really good. It's just not a psychological read. I also think that this book would be a great movie, and I know a lot of people will hate on that comment, but I could totally see it on Lifetime.

So now there are a few main points I want to address.

1. Britt

A lot of people are saying Britt is a spoiled brat, etc. I didn't really see her as that. I don't think she acted like a brat at all. She did talk about how she depended on the men in her life a lot, but I don't think that's really all out of the ordinary. And she wasn't annoying to me either like a lot of people are saying.

2. Britt and Koribe's friendship:
Their friendship was terrible and it sucked. The writing didn't suck. It's their relationship that did. In every single book I've read, it's always the girl and her best friend that are so close it makes you want a friend like that, and then something happens and the two hate each other and have a fight before becoming friends again in the end. This book wasn't like that. The two were friends, and considered each other as their best friend, but they didn't act like they were. I liked how the book showed a broken friendship. It was something I could relate to and I have a feeling a lot of girls can too.

3. Britt and Calvin
This section may be a spoiler depending on how you look at it. So if you don't want to know anything, then you might want to skip to point four. If you're still here, then let me just say that Britt and Calvin's relationship is exactly how a relationship shouldn't be. It was false and manipulative, and made me sick, but I am glad that Becca Fitzpatrick wrote about it. I hope that some girls will be able to relate and realize that they are so much more and worth so much more and deserve so much more.

4. Character Development
I legit saw some great character development. Sometimes when I'm reading books, I don't always catch the development happen because it's so subtle, but with this book it was greatly obvious and it was like I felt myself changing along with the characters.

5. Other Reader's Reviews:
A lot of the quotes taken from the book and put into reviews are taken out of context. I would just like everyone to know that. I read a review that took a quote out of the book, and was like 'wow okay. that's why everyone is upset.' but when I read it for myself in the book, I felt like that's not the way it should be interpreted at all. Just keep that in mind while you're reading reviews.

Overall, I thought the book was amazing with twists on every page. I definitely recommend it and think the author deserves some recognition. It's completely different from her other books, and different from what's on the market right now. A lot of people are complaining about it being slow in the middle, but I don't know what any of them are talking about. I didn't feel like it was slow at all. It had a good pace and I felt like every chapter deserved to be in there. Give it a chance, and I think you'd like it.

15 Book Confessions Part Two!

1. I'm currently in what I think is my worst reading slump ever.

 

2. Percy Jackson is the main reason why I like Greek Mythology.

 

3. I love travel abroad books.

 

4. If there isn't a hot guy in the book, it's hard for me to read it and really get into it.

 

5. I think that's why I'm in a reading slump. I need more fictional hot guys.

 

6. I really want to rainbow coordinate my books, but that means I'd have to split books up in a series and I just can't do that.

 

7.  Sometimes I read middle school books because I like some of their concepts.

 

8. I want to write a children's book, but I don't know how to get started.

 

9. Even though I have a nook, I still buy physical copies of books because I like them better. Also, if an ebook is $9.99 and the physical copy of the book is $9.99, then it's just better, in my opinion, to buy a physical copy.

 

10. I really love winter/Christmas anthologies.

 

11. Even though I have about twenty or so books I own but haven't read, last night I just bought two more.

 

12. I first read the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout on my nook, but when they were re-released in print, I bought them again.

 

13. I've always wanted to go to a coffee shop in winter and curl up in a fluffy, warm jacket and read a book, but I haven't done it yet.

 

14. I really want the Kingdom Keepers books to be re-written or a spin off series for teens.

 

15. Even though I'm no longer a teenager, I still read young adult books, and haven't read one adult book yet.

2014 Debut Authors Bash - Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland

Hello Everyone!

 

Today is September 22 and I come to you all with a new tour and debut author! Below you will find the book and synopsis along with purchase links and an exclusive interview with the author! Check it out!



 

A captivating debut about the fragility of life, love, and perspective.

When Chase dies tragically, Alex embraces her own mortality. What she didn’t expect was that she’d have to make a choice: forget the years of pain and suffering once and for all, or linger as a spirit and get another chance at life and love.

Alex doesn’t hesitate to choose; she’d follow Chase anywhere. But the spirit world is nothing like she expected, and Alex finds she's forced to fight for her life once more. For even in a world where secrets are buried much deeper than six feet under, a legacy can continue to haunt you—and in a place this dangerous, no one is resting in peace.

Exclusive Interview with A. Lynden Rolland

 

1. Where did the inspiration for Of Breakable Things come from?

The idea for Of Breakable Things came to me gradually. I’ve always had a problem with emotions- showing either too much or too little. Emotions are so powerful. Think about how much you love something, and how much you hate something. Think about all the energy it takes to feel, and all the energy of your thoughts and intelligence and talent. I couldn’t imagine that when the body died all of that energy disappeared into thin air. What if your energy continued to exist in the form of a projection? Then, I had characters that just overtook my mind. Alex was first- breakable, tragic little Alex. Chase appeared beside her one day (fittingly) holding her hand. His brothers elbowed their way in soon after (they’re pushy like that).

2. Would you rather the book be a movie or a show?

As long as it’s done well…either. There are so many psychedelic aspects to a mental afterworld, I’m afraid a production would either be very cheesy or very expensive.

3. Do you like to write in order or write as scenes come to you?

Typically, I write in order, but sometimes I feel the need to write a completely random scene. Usually this happens at the worst times, like when I’m driving or when I’m sleeping or at the gym. But if I have the inspiration for a new scene or idea, I run with it.

4. What advice do you have for writers?

You amaze me! Wait, that’s not advice. But I’m fortunate to meet a lot of very young writers, and I’m enamored by their talent, creativity, and enthusiasm. Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you have a story, write the freaking story. Don’t let the opinions of others change your characters or their actions. It’s yours.

5. What was the hardest thing to edit out of Of Breakable Things?

The scenes between Alex and Chase when they were little. That relationship just writes itself, and it’s a beautiful concept that two people could love one another from the second they are born. Chase won’t walk until Alex walks, and Alex won’t speak until Chase speaks. Even a critic like Chase’s older brother Kaleb says he doesn’t believe in love, but he believes in whatever exists between Alex and Chase.

6. Who was your favorite character to write about?

Oddly, Jonas because he’s such a jerk! It’s refreshing to be able to say things I don’t usually say, and think a different way than usual, as well. He’s tough, but he bleeds just like the rest of us.

7. What is in your TBR pile?

Mortal Danger by Anne Aguirre, Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff, and Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame.

8. Do you create a playlist while writing?

Absolutely. I’m obsessed with music, all kinds. I finished the sequel to Of Breakable Things at the beginning of the summer, and I’ve been setting songs aside because I don’t want to listen to them until it’s time to edit (I don’t want to waste any creative juice). One of my favorites is by this band Lily and the Pearl, and the song is called Snowglobe. There’s a scene between Alex and Jonas in book 2 that this song epitomizes perfectly.

9. Tea or coffee?

Coffee! It’s my happy place and my comfort food. I happen to be drinking it now at 10 pm.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

Hopefully, a lot. I have so many ideas, and I’m as dramatic as they come, so if you like drama, you’ll love me. I take my time though because I want my stories to be exactly what they should be. Of Breakable Things is the first in a series— Alex and Chase have much to say and do. I’m also working on a contemporary now about a kid who moves to a small town where the teenagers rule the law.

Purchase Links:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Of-Breakable-Things-Lynden-Rolland/dp/1939765153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411257588&sr=8-1&keywords=Of+Breakable+Things

AbeBooks.com: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=13869041102&searchurl=%26amp%3Btn%3DOf%2520Breakable%2520Things%26amp%3Bclickid%3DwGN1kFyi82Ie1ri2ydTs3R14UkQWkuwt3WdtUw0%26amp%3Bcm_mmc%3Daff-_-ir-_-64613-_-77798%26amp%3Bafn_sr%3Dimpact

BookDepository.com: http://www.bookdepository.com/Breakable-Things-Lynden-Rolland/9781939765154?&a_aid=goodreads

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/of-breakable-things

!ndigo.com: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/advancedsearch/?sc=Of+Breakable+Things&sf=Name&facetIds=321011&sortKey=Default&sortDirection=0&ps=Books_Section

Half.com: http://search.half.ebay.com/Of-Breakable-Things_W0QQtgZproductsQQmZbooks

Indiebound.com: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781939765154

Book Blitz: XY by Shanta Everington

 

Would it possible to live without gender?

Fifteen year old Jesse lives in a world where babies are born neither male nor female – Compulsory Gender Assignment is carried out at birth. Will the secret she closely guards be found out? Boyfriend Zeus, mother Ana’s Natural Souls, and new friend Ork, leader of We Are One, pull Jesse in different directions, forcing her to make her own mind up about who she really is.

 

Cover quote:

"A highly original and thought-provoking dystopian novel. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it!”

Luisa Plaja, Chicklish, the UK’s Teen Fiction Site

 

Excerpt:

“I think Zeus might have a crush on you,” says Randy over breakfast the next morning.

The family are in the kitchen, sitting around the big, old, oak dining table, a hand-me-down from one of Ana’s friends. Most of their belongings are cast-offs. They are used to relying on the charity of others connected to Natural Souls. Ana has set the table with cereal, orange juice, toast and home-made preserves.

“Shut up,” says Jesse, spooning muesli into her mouth.

“Seriously. Didn’t you notice the way he kept watching you yesterday when you came out into the garden with your tight top on? I don’t think it was just your lemon ice lollies he was drooling at!”

Jesse feels her heart beating a little faster. Zeus is nice, she thinks, but nothing can happen. Zeus is one of the Nine Per Cent. He wouldn’t want her. At least not until afterwards. If she goes through with it.

“I know you like him!” continues Randy in a sing-song voice. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him your secret!”

“Randy,” says Ana sharply, pouring milk into her bowl. “Don’t wind your sister up before school.”

“I’m not!” protests Randy, rocking his chair backwards and stuffing toast into his mouth. “I’m just saying!”

Jesse carries on eating, feeling her cheeks burn.

Randy gets up from the table and whispers to Jesse on his way out of the kitchen, “He likes you, he likes you!”

Once her brother is out of earshot, Jesse turns to her mother.

“Mum, can I ask you a question?” she says, playing with her spoon, turning it over and over and watching her reflection morph into something grotesque.

“Anything,” says Ana.

“How old were you when you had your first boyfriend? I know it was different for you. You weren’t born like us but…”

“I was fifteen,” replies Ana without hesitating. “The same age you are now. His name was Jack. He was a friend of my brother’s too. He was born like you but he was a boy by the time I met him. It didn’t last, of course.”

“What happened?”

“You mean why didn’t it last?” asks Ana, absent-mindedly picking crumbs up off the table. “We were just kids. First love. It wasn’t even love. When George died, well…  Jack’s family moved away. It’s just as well or I wouldn’t have met your father and there would have been no Randy or Jesse.”

She looks up at Jesse with a bright smile. Sometimes Jesse wonders what lies beneath her mother’s happy face.

“I wish Dad was here,” says Jesse. “I wish he hadn’t left us.”

“I know, darling, but we have to be strong for one another. Think about what I said about seeing Maya again soon. Now, you don’t want to be late for school, do you?”

Jesse gets up and takes her plates to the sink before grabbing her school bag and heading over to school. Today she has history, biology, religious education and sex education. It will not be a good day. Her bag weighs heavily on her shoulder. She thinks about the text books it contains and what they are teaching her.

About the Book:

Publication date: 5 June 2014

Genre: Young adult (Dystopia)

Author: Shanta Everington

Paperback: 152 pages

Publisher: Bridge House (Red Telephone Books)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1907335323

ISBN-13: 978-1907335327

Formats: Paperback and e-book (Mobi only)

About the Author:

Shanta Everington is the author of seven books, including three young adult novels – Give Me a Sign, Boy Red and latest release XY (joint winner of the Red Telephone Books YA Novel Competition). She has had all sorts of jobs in the past, from baking vegan muffins and working as a private tutor to appearing as a guest agony aunt and running a teen sexual health helpline. With an MA in Creative Writing with distinction, Shanta currently teaches Creative Writing with The Open University. She lives in London, UK, with her husband and two children.

Links:

Publisher website: http://www.trtpublishing.co.uk/xy.html

Author website: www.shantaeverington.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShantaEverAfter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanta.everington

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/XY-Shanta-Everington/dp/1907335323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403088848&sr=8-1&keywords=9781907335327

Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1P1RPU

Goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1419856.Shanta_Everington