tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64532977411871488822024-03-18T01:42:36.289-04:00Downright Dystopian A Young Adult Book Review SiteKrystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.comBlogger1308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-8959589992388735552019-04-04T08:31:00.003-04:002019-04-04T08:31:34.182-04:00I SWITCHED TO SELF-HOSTEDHey everyone! I just thought I'd let you know that I made the switch to self-hosted Wordpress, so if you want to keep getting content from me, then subscribe to the <a href="https://downrightdystopian.com/">website linked here instead, especially if you subscribe via RSS</a>! Thank you so much for reading my blog for all these years!Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-17336080165970070542019-04-01T09:46:00.002-04:002019-04-01T09:46:58.837-04:00BIG APRIL BOOK HAUL (1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJSc2LWpvQjt5jPL0xt-fwgr5JjQSbWbuxC8kJyNauv07iSPC6TRyRXktJzRMZ7lssSayhRaP6_mvO_V33P6MB-F7e_b0pJo_fDmh4zJf2UdY9DwOrrSss_8uuY4QY7cdRS66v0Q8y6Q/s1600/stacking+the+shelves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJSc2LWpvQjt5jPL0xt-fwgr5JjQSbWbuxC8kJyNauv07iSPC6TRyRXktJzRMZ7lssSayhRaP6_mvO_V33P6MB-F7e_b0pJo_fDmh4zJf2UdY9DwOrrSss_8uuY4QY7cdRS66v0Q8y6Q/s320/stacking+the+shelves.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay, so I just realized <b>I haven't posted a book haul since last July. </b>Like, what!? How has it been that long? So, this is just a massive post of all the books I've purchased and received for review since then.<br />
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<b>Purchased:</b></div>
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<img alt="Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486337482l/32196073.jpg" width="133" /><img alt="10257528" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1295381886l/10257528.jpg" width="123" /><img alt="23593321" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416499186l/23593321.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="Tender is the Night" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421617822l/4670.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone </i>by J.K. Rowling -- SLYTHERIN EDITION!!</div>
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<i>To Kill A Mockingbird </i>by Harper Lee</div>
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<i>Station Eleven </i>by Emily St. John Mandel</div>
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<i>Tender is the Night </i>by F. Scott Fitzgerald</div>
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<b>For review:</b></div>
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<img alt="39396874" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533148427l/39396874.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="40645629" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531317720l/40645629.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="32048835" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521061282l/32048835.jpg" width="130" /><img alt="36118682" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539378101l/36118682.jpg" width="131" /></div>
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<i>Hearts Made for Breaking </i>by Jen Klein</div>
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<i>Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee </i>by Jeff Zentner</div>
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<i>Squad </i>by Mariah MacCarthy</div>
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<i>Wicked Saints </i>by Emily A. Duncan</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="35128563" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527451038l/35128563.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="40212193" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1550641294l/40212193.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="40798092" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531474519l/40798092.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="Comics Will Break Your Heart" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1515873906l/34506913.jpg" width="129" /></div>
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<i>Belly Up </i>by Eva Darrows</div>
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<i>Cropse & Crown </i>by Alisa Kwitney</div>
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<i>29 Dates </i>by Melissa de la Cruz</div>
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<i>Comics Will Break Your Heart </i>by Faith Erin Hicks</div>
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<img alt="28147081" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529446525l/28147081.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527692484l/33952377.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="32970644" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527184143l/32970644.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="36511890" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541605951l/36511890.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<i>Nick and June Were Here </i>by Shalanda Stanley</div>
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<i>Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak </i>by Adi Alsaid</div>
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<i>Pulp </i>by Robin Talley</div>
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<i>Even If I Fall </i>by Abigal Johnson</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="40212098" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527291840l/40212098.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="39861165" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539364756l/39861165.jpg" width="133" /><img alt="Any Second" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519856839l/38885432.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="34221193" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526240882l/34221193.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<i>The Dating Game </i>by Kiley Roache</div>
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<i>Just Pretending </i>by Leah and Kate Rooper</div>
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<i>Any Second </i>by Kevin Emerson</div>
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<i>The Darkest Star </i>by Jennifer L. Armentrout</div>
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<img alt="40221949" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539639486l/40221949.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="37789683" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527283028l/37789683.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="39333677" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529947315l/39333677.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="40220881" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539644070l/40220881.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<i>Missing, Presumed Dead </i>by Emma Berquist</div>
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<i>After the Fire </i>by Will Hill</div>
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<i>If You're Out There </i>by Katy Loutzenhiser</div>
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<i>A Dress for the Wicked </i>by Autumn Krause</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="36558159" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1538661449l/36558159.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="39834280" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539641056l/39834280.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="40535962" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539206205l/40535962.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="36541405" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1540495972l/36541405.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<i>The Beholder </i>by Anna Bright</div>
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<i>The Beckoning Shadow </i>by Kathryn</div>
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<i>Fan the Flame </i>by Anna Priemaza</div>
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<i>When the Light Went Out </i>by Bridget Morrissey</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="40556653" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529325798l/40556653.jpg" width="129" /><img alt="40142464" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1548112506l/40142464.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<i>Between Before and After </i>by Maureen Doyle McQuerry</div>
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<i>You Owe Me A Murder </i>by Eileen Cook</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>From the library:</b></div>
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<img alt="36505654" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511294905l/36505654.jpg" width="131" /><img alt="32075671" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535002553l/32075671.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="23602569" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493136936l/23602569.jpg" width="140" /><img alt="The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362932908l/7806720.jpg" width="134" /></div>
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<i>Illegal </i>by Eoin Colfer</div>
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<i>The Hate U Give </i>by Angie Thomas</div>
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<i>We Should All Be Feminists </i>by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</div>
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<i>The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe </i>by C.S. Lewis</div>
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<br /></div>
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What books have you recently gotten?</div>
Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-57514363173940262292019-03-31T11:34:00.001-04:002019-03-31T11:34:10.054-04:00BOOK LOVER INTERVIEW SIGN-UPSHey everyone!! If you've been following me for a while now, you might remember back a few years ago when I used to feature book bloggers on my blog in an interview format. Well, now I've decided to <b>bring those interviews back, </b>but this time, I'd love to feature anyone who loves books!<br />
<br />
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<img alt="Image result for yaassss gif" src="https://media1.tenor.com/images/d00755b0b2e0646d57c17ed3b6196326/tenor.gif?itemid=4499458" /></div>
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<b>So, what do you have to do to get featured?</b></div>
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It's simple!</div>
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<br /></div>
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First of all, <b>you have to be someone who <i>loves </i>books</b>. That's pretty much the only eligibility! That means you could just be a reader or a member of Goodreads, you could have a blog, you could have a book tumblr, you could be an author, or you could even have a bookstagram. As long as you love books, then you are welcome to email the answers to me!</div>
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Next, <b>email me at downrightdystopian@gmail.com</b> the answers to the following questions:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bookish Questions</b></div>
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1. What made you fall in love with books?</div>
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2. Who is your favorite author and why?</div>
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3. What's the number one book you always recommend to people?</div>
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4. What's your favorite book quote?</div>
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5. Who are some of your favorite book bloggers or bookstagrammers that you follow?</div>
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6. If you could live in any world created by any author, which world would it be and why?</div>
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7. Are you a fan of book to movie adaptations? Why or why not?</div>
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8. What is your favorite book cover of all time?</div>
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9. What's your most anticipated release?</div>
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10. What's your favorite <i>and </i>most annoying trope from your favorite genre?</div>
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<b>Rapid Fire "Get to Know You" Questions</b></div>
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1. Coffee or tea?</div>
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2. Favorite TV show?</div>
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3. Favorite season?</div>
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4. Favorite candy?</div>
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5. Describe yourself in 3 words.</div>
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6. Do you have any pets?</div>
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<b>In addition to emailing me the answers to the questions, be sure to include either a thumbnail/logo of your blog/bookstagram or photo of yourself to post with the interview, as well as a brief little introduction to yourself (if you have a blog or bookstagram or anything you'd like me to share) in addition to any links if you'd like!</b></div>
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If you sign up, I'll get back to you soon with the date that your interview will be posted! I look forward to hearing from you! :)</div>
Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-21512022571893308982019-03-11T08:10:00.000-04:002019-03-11T08:10:58.424-04:00Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529946335l/38251237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="38251237" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529946335l/38251237.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss</div>
<b>Author: </b>Kasie West<br />
<b>Source: </b>Edelweiss<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>HarperTeen<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>February 5, 2019<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn't involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donovan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.<br />As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script. </blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>**Thank you so much to HarperTeen for letting me reading this in exchange for an honest review!**</b></div>
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<b>-what i liked-</b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Now, it's been a while since I read a contemporary novel. As some of you may know, I have a love hate relationship with them. Sometimes I end up loving them, but other times they really annoy me because they're so predictable. Yet, I really enjoyed this one! It was a bit predictable at times, yes, but it was engaging and interesting, which led me to continue on reading.</li>
<li>I loved that every so often, a chapter would open with part of the script. It made it really fun because then I knew exactly what was going on when Lacey and Grant would talk about the scenes since I actually got to read some of them.</li>
<li>The chemistry! I learned to absolutely love the tutor and he soon became my favorite character.</li>
<li>I also loved that this was such an easy read!</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>-what i disliked-</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Honestly, the only thing I disliked was the added element of mystery that I didn't even catch onto until 3/4 of the way through. It seemed a bit unnecessary, but I do think that it added to the plot a lot. But, other than that, I loved it!</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-z1xbRmWmgf9ShMtD4giIiGOMi0zOYzwIwRcXGyc4mSZj0Awuc_wpeupCLrIkURVYmJqL4rZjhw8ayDjofYrEvq59PGOPtcBko1aRbfCblYquls0b3qhQB9jkwNxpeE8GLqUkiivc0/s1600/4+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="53" data-original-width="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-z1xbRmWmgf9ShMtD4giIiGOMi0zOYzwIwRcXGyc4mSZj0Awuc_wpeupCLrIkURVYmJqL4rZjhw8ayDjofYrEvq59PGOPtcBko1aRbfCblYquls0b3qhQB9jkwNxpeE8GLqUkiivc0/s1600/4+stars.jpg" /></a></div>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-10512725564747459502019-03-08T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:34:16.715-04:00Illegal | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511294905l/36505654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="36505654" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511294905l/36505654.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Illegal</div>
<b>Author: </b>Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>August 7, 2018<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Sourcebooks<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
This is a powerful and timely story about one boy's epic journey across Africa to Europe, a graphic novel for all children with glorious colour artwork throughout. From Eoin Colfer, previously Irish Children's Laureate, and the team behind his bestselling Artemis Fowl graphic novels.<br />
Ebo: alone.<br />
His sister left months ago. Now his brother has disappeared too, and Ebo knows it can only be to make the hazardous journey to Europe.<br />
Ebo's epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But with every step he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his sister.</blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what i liked</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I feel like I'm saying this in the beginning of every one of my reviews, but I read this one for my YA class and loved it!</li>
<li><b>I love that it's a graphic novel yet touches on such a strong and scary topic. </b>Emmigration and immigration is usually not safe, and this book touches on that and shows it in a perspective that even young children can understand. It's really eye-opening in that way.</li>
<li><b>The illustrations were amazing. </b>I could spend hours staring at the illustrations. </li>
<li><b>I loved Ebo. </b>I really felt for him throughout the novel, and only loved him more towards the end.</li>
<li><b>This book was incredibly moving. </b>I read it a week ago and I still can't stop thinking about it.</li>
<li><b>I also appreciated the interview at the end that was also drawn out in the graphic novel. </b>It was a nice touch.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<b>what i disliked</b></div>
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<b>NOTHING!</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQsawsdU4O7fEpeAzzC_zpa-W-60wqWLe7bSg5JLn3NOfB6ZgJMpfr1gpumdTt_VIr6aeiiWoRvRrAIdZUX5TYwbPUfxUQIvxPM4UcSFbTTGY8ay5wUscZaWzNORfaz3xIQMlkZvrf3o/s1600/5+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQsawsdU4O7fEpeAzzC_zpa-W-60wqWLe7bSg5JLn3NOfB6ZgJMpfr1gpumdTt_VIr6aeiiWoRvRrAIdZUX5TYwbPUfxUQIvxPM4UcSFbTTGY8ay5wUscZaWzNORfaz3xIQMlkZvrf3o/s1600/5+stars.png" /></a></div>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-76241124578533057112019-03-04T08:55:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:28:35.314-04:00The Crossover | Review<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6453297741187148882" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1390427593l/18263725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="18263725" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1390427593l/18263725.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>The Crossover<br />
<b>Author: </b>Kwame Alexander<br />
<b>Release Date: </b> March 18, 2014<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Houghton Mifflin<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks... The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood.<br />Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.</blockquote>
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>I had to read this one for my YA Lit class, and I LOVED IT. </b></li>
<li>I think what I liked most was that <b>it's written in verse. </b>It really made the book move along in a rhythmic way. I was basically beat-boxing the words in my head to a tune because of the rhyming schemes. It was a lot of fun to read.</li>
<li><b>It's an easy read. </b>It doesn't take long at all.</li>
<li>The plot line is really interesting. I soon fell for Josh and Jordan and wanted them both to succeed, even though Josh really didn't want any change in his life. He seemed to want to be just like his dad. </li>
<li><b>There's a spin off novel about the Dad! </b>I haven't read it yet, but I definitely want to get my hands on it at some point.</li>
<li><b>It's about sports! </b>I play two sports in college and I have since 8th grade. I love playing sports and I'm a huge advocate for being part of a team because of the community that it creates. </li>
<li>Also, I literally disliked <i>nothing. </i></li>
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<br />Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-20509894956812725612019-02-28T13:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T08:46:46.331-04:00Sorry for the hiatus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys, sorry I haven't been posting as much lately! I'm currently studying abroad and I've been really busy exploring and getting used to a different way of teaching! I have been reading though, so there will be some reviews coming soon!<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-3485778705323452542019-01-14T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:23:03.098-04:00Children of Blood and Bone | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516127989l/34728667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="34728667" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516127989l/34728667.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Children of Blood and Bone</div>
<b>Author: </b>Tomi Adeyemi<br />
<b>Series: </b>Legacy of Orisha<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Henry Holt Books for Young Readers<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Hardcover (525 pages)<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>March 6, 2018<br />
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<blockquote>
They killed my mother.<br />They took our magic.<br />They tried to bury us.<br />Now we rise.<br />Zelie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orisha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie's Repear mother summoned forth souls.<br />But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zelie without a mother and her people without hope.<br />Now Zelie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.<br />Danger lurks in Orisha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zelie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.</blockquote>
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This was yet another one that I had to read for my young adult fiction class. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I did think that it dragged on a bit at times. I bet I only think that because it was a book I had to read for class. I'm sure that if I had picked it up on my own, I would've enjoyed it a lot more.<br />
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I really loved Zelie. She was such an awesome and powerful character. She was ruthless yet sweet, and I loved how much she cared for everyone in her life. I also love that the book itself was told in three different point of views, including Zelie, Amari, and Inan. It really gave a strong mixture of perspectives, which let you see the story from many different vantage points.<br />
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I also really appreciated the character development of <i>all </i>the characters throughout this book. I wouldn't have wanted it any differently! The ending was also crazy. I really want to talk about it but don't want to spoil anything! I know that I'll probably pick up book 2 at some point, even though this one wasn't one that I loved.<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-74361430099700279942019-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:18:44.163-04:00A Monster Calls | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338758629l/10694831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="10694831" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338758629l/10694831.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>A Monster Calls</div>
<b>Author: </b>Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay, conceptualized by Siobhan Dowd<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>September 15, 2011 (first published May 5, 2011)<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Hardcover (206 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Candlewick Press<br />
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<blockquote>
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...<br />This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.<br />It wants the truth.</blockquote>
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Let me preface this by saying that the <i>Chaos Walking </i>series is one of my favorites of all time. It's such an intense and interesting series of novels that I absolutely ate up. I recommend it to so many people all the time who are looking for a book to read. So, needless to say, I was quite eager to be able to read this one for my young adult course!<br />
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Now, I love the story behind this one. Siobhan Dowd, after finding out that she was sick, had asked her publishers to get Patrick Ness to finish this story for her upon her death. He ultimately agreed, but wanted to truly stick to what the original story was as to respect Siobhan. So, this is what was created. He also got Jim Kay to help illustrate it. It's also been made into a movie, though I haven't seen it yet.<br />
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I found this book to be really captivating. I immediately fell for Conor. I wanted him to be okay. I felt for him, especially with his mother's cancer and him trying to face the reality of it throughout the whole novel. I even cried at the end. I don't do that often, so that's saying something! All I can say is that I really want to read more by Patrick Ness now and also check out this movie.<br />
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I wouldn't change a thing about this book.<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-12487126472057986052018-12-26T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:10:43.534-04:00Northern Lights | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508605905l/36452634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="36452634" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508605905l/36452634.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Northern Lights<br />
<b>Author: </b>Philip Pullman<br />
<b>Series: </b>His Dark Materials #1<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Scholastic<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback (448 pages)<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 19, 2017 (originally published July 9, 1995)<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Without this child, we shall all die." Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight. Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world... The first volume in Philip Pullman's incredible HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy, re-issued with a striking newly-designed cover by Chris Wormell to celebrate the publication of THE BOOK OF DUST.</blockquote>
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So, I had to read this one for a Young Adult Fiction course this semester at school. I remember loving the movie as a kid, so yes, I was excited to finally pick up the book. However, I ended up not enjoying it as much as I thought I would!<br /><br />
I think my main problem was that I was just not that engaged in the story. I found it to be rather long and boring. I just wanted it to be over, and that might just have to do with the fact that I waited to read it until the night before it had to be read for my class.<br />
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I did, however, like the characters. I found Lyra to be pretty awesome and I loved how rebellious she was. It was nice too to see such a young character grow and learn to stand up for herself as the book went on.<br />
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I will say I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series. I'll probably sell my copy of the book. But, I think that if you're into fantasy or if you like children's literature, then this might be a great book for you!<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-34713241410494337952018-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T09:06:14.458-04:00Just My Type: A Book About Fonts | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327886002l/10909804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="10909804" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327886002l/10909804.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Just My Type: A Book About Fonts<br />
<b>Author: </b>Simon Garfield<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Gotham<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>September 1, 2011<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Hardcover (384 pages)<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What's your type? Suddenly everyone's obsessed with fonts. Whether you're enraged by Ikea's Verdanagate, want to know what the Beach Boys have in common with easy Jet or why it's okay to like Comic Sans, Just My Type will have the answer. Learn why using upper case got a New Zealand health worker sacked. Refer to Prince in the Tafkap years as a Dingbat (that works on many levels). Spot where movies get their time periods wrong and don't be duped by fake posters on eBay. Simon Garfield meets the people behind the typefaces and along the way learns why some fonts-like men-are from Mars and some are from Venus. From type on the high street and album covers, to the print in our homes and offices, Garfield is the font of all types of knowledge.</blockquote>
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>This was a book I had to read for my typography class, and I ended up really enjoying it! I loved that it <b>made me pay attention to parts of type that I hadn't before. </b>Now, when I'm out and about, I notice the smallest things about type.</li>
<li>It's <b>a quirky read! </b>I also loved learning about the Ikea fiasco. I was a kid when the type change happened, but I didn't know people got so torn up about the font change for the logo!</li>
<li>I liked that <b>there were mini chapters throughout that focused on certain type artists. </b>Some of them were pretty wild! </li>
<li>I like that <b>I was learning in a very fun way. </b>The stories are so easily read, and I think that even if you know nothing about type before picking this book up, you'll thoroughly enjoy it.</li>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-90667056296209309122018-12-12T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T08:41:37.866-04:00The Reluctant Fundamentalist | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532715321l/40961543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="40961543" border="0" height="400" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532715321l/40961543.jpg" width="263" /></a><b>Title: </b>The Reluctant Fundamentalist</div>
<b>Author: </b>Mohsin Hamid<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>April 3, 2007<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Mariner Books<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Kindle (228 pages)<br />
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<blockquote>
At a cafe table in Lahore, a bearded Pakistani man converses with an uneasy American stranger. As dusk deepens to night, he begins the tale that has brought them to this fateful encounter...<br />
Changez is living an immigrant's dream of America. At the top of his class at Princeton, he is snapped up by an elite valuation firm. He thrives on the energy of New York, and his budding romance with elegant, beautiful Erica promises entry into Manhattan society at the same exalted level once occupied by his own family back in Lahore.<br />
But in the wake of September 11, Changez finds his position in his adopted city suddenly overturned, and his relationship with Erica shifting. And Changez's own identity is in seismic shift as well, unearthing allegiances more fundamental than money, power, and maybe even love.</blockquote>
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<b>-what i liked-</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>I'm honestly having such good luck with books read for school! I thoroughly enjoyed this one too, which was surprising, because I even had to lead a class discussion on this one.</li>
<li>I loved the way that this book was told. Changez is sitting in a cafe and telling this whole story, and the whole time he's kind of an unreliable narrator. You never know if he's actually telling the truth or if he's withholding any information. Then you're brought back into the present at the end of the book.</li>
<li>Changez ends up being a very interesting character. He grew on me.</li>
<li>This book takes an interesting look on 9/11 through the eyes of a Pakistani man, which was a different POV.</li>
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The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because though I really enjoyed it, it's not a favorite of mine!<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-977248534645047242018-12-03T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T08:34:17.706-04:00The Mac is Not a Typewriter | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347762146l/41600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="41600" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347762146l/41600.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>The Mac is Not a Typewriter<br />
<b>Author: </b>Robin P. Williams<br />
<b>Release date: </b>May 1, 2003<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback, second edition (88 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Peachpit Press<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One of the most popular Macintosh books ever written, <b>The Mac is not a typewriter </b>has been called the "Strunk and White of typography." Best-selling author <b>Robin Williams</b>'s simple, logical principles for using type to produce beautiful, professional documents are as true now as they were when the original edition was published in 1989. This updated edition includes new examples and expanded information dedicated to the practical advice that made the first edition an enduring bestseller. Throughout, Robin shows you the small details that separate the pros and the amateurs: typographer versus typewriter quotation marks, en and em dashes, tabs and indents, kerning, leading, white space, widows and orphans, and hanging punctuation. If you prepare documents, you'll find <b>The Mac is not a typewriter, Second Edition </b>an indispensable guide. And those who read your documents will recognize the work of a pro, even if they don't know a curly quote from curly fries.</blockquote>
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<b>-what i liked-</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Yet again I am having <b>great luck with books I have to read for class! </b>This was one that I had to read for my typography course. It teaches you basically everything you have to know about type on a Mac in inDesign. It was <i>extremely </i>helpful, and even now I notice things I never noticed before when looking at type. I literally only want to point out people's mistakes.</li>
<li>I like how <b>this was written in a way that absolutely everyone can understand. </b>If you've worked with type before or if you haven't, then you're going to get something out of this book and be able to understand everything.</li>
<li><b>The shortcuts! </b>The appendix is so helpful. I will probably end up making a copy of the pages to put in my binder for class and keep one by my computer for when I do homework.</li>
</ul>
Honestly, everyone needs a copy of this book. It's extremely helpful and I bet you'll learn something new!<br /><br /><br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-30263560567140367742018-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:002019-03-11T08:16:46.323-04:00A Golden Age | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533056616l/41014713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="41014713" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533056616l/41014713.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>A Golden Age</div>
<b>Author: </b>Tahmima Anam<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 13, 2009<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Kindle (326 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>HarperCollins<br />
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<blockquote>
As a young widow Rehana Haque awakes one March morning, she might be forgiven for feeling happy. Her children are almost grown, the city is buzzing with excitement after recent elections. Change is in the air.<br />
But no one can foresee what will happen in the days and months that follow. For this is East Pakistan in 1971, a country on the brink of war. And this family's life is about to change forever.<br />
Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, 'A Golden Age' is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith, and unexpected heroism. In the chaos of this era, everyone must make choices. And as she struggles to keep her family safe, Rehana will be forced to face a heartbreaking dilemma.</blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>-what i liked-</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>So, I had to read this one for a class, and surprisingly I loved it! I only say "surprisingly" because it's not often that I read a book for class and end up enjoying it. There's something about picking up a book for fun vs. having to read a book, isn't there? Maybe I'm just weird!</li>
<li>The characters. I easily connected with Rehana and her family. I couldn't put the book down because I loved her story and wanted to hear everything about her.</li>
<li>I loved that this book was engaging. I wanted to keep reading. I thought about reading it when I was in class and had to pay attention. That's how interesting it was. I also loved that it was historical fiction regarding a time in history in a place that I didn't know much about before taking this course at my University.</li>
<li>That I didn't dislike anything! </li>
</ul>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-37737710425465021342018-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:002019-02-18T06:49:46.982-05:00Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521370787l/38507175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="38507175" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521370787l/38507175.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart</div>
<b>Author: </b>Courtney Peppernell<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>August 7, 2018<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Andrews McMeel Publishing<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback (224 pages)<br />
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<blockquote>
Following the smash success of her best-selling book, <i>Pillow Thoughts</i>, Courtney Peppernell now returns with the follow-up sequel <i>Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart. </i><i><br /></i>
Peppernell understands that healing is a process, and <i>Pillow Thoughts II </i>eloquently captures the time and experience that one goes through on their journey to peace through restoration.<br />
A collection of inspiration and comforting poems for anyone who is mending from a broken heart.</blockquote>
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Before I start this review, I just have to say that if you get the chance to pick up one of Courtney Peppernell's poetry collections, you have to! Give it a shot! She's become my favorite poet over a matter of her few books. To be honest, I fell for her words after the first <i>Pillow Thoughts </i>was written, and I've only loved her other poetry books more and more.<br />
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Peppernell's emotions. </b>They are so clearly on the pages, and I can connect to her so quickly through almost all of her poems. I've never connected to someone's words so easily.</li>
<li><b>The way that the poems are separated. </b>They are separated by what they have in common, which makes it a much more enjoyable read.</li>
<li><b>It's all written in free verse</b>, which makes it so easy to read, at least in my opinion. </li>
<li><b>It's such a quick read. </b>I read it in about two sittings, and I've picked it up a few times since I've read it just to flip through and read some other poems when I feel like it. </li>
<li><b>Her poems are exactly what the title says they are: pillow thoughts. </b>Everything is so free flowing and I just love that about Peppernell's poems.</li>
</ul>
Honestly, <b>there was nothing I disliked. </b>I can't wait to read more from Peppernell in the future, because she has pulled on my heartstrings in all of her poetry collections now. I love her work more than Rupi Kaur's, and I recommend it to everyone who's interested in poetry or is just looking for something to read.<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-77243103025649821152018-11-16T00:00:00.000-05:002019-02-18T06:40:31.668-05:00Funny Boy | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421711766l/23461010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="23461010" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421711766l/23461010.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Funny Boy: A Novel</div>
<b>Author: </b>Shyam Selvadurai<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>July 14, 2015<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback (320 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>William Morrow Paperbacks<br />
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<blockquote>
An evocative coming-of-age novel about growing up gay in Sri Lanka during the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict-one of the country's most turbulent and deadly periods.<br />
Arjie is "funny."<br />
The second son of a privileged family in Sri Lanka, he prefers staging make-believe wedding pageants with his female cousins to battling balls with the other boys. When his parents discover his innocent pastime, Arjie is forced to abandon his idyllic childhood games and adopt the rigid rules of an adult world. Bewildered by his incipient sexual awakening, mortified by the bloody Tamil-Sinhalese conflicts that threaten to tear apart his homeland, Arjie painfully grows toward manhood and an understanding of his own "different" identity.<br />
Refreshing, raw, and poignant, <i>Funny Boy </i>is an exquisitely written, compassionate tale of a boy's coming-of-age that quietly confounds expectations of love, family, and country as it delivers the powerful message of staying true to one's self no matter the obstacles.</blockquote>
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This is another one that I had to read for my Southeast Asia class, though I thoroughly enjoyed this one!<br />
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>The writing style is quite simple, making it easy to follow. </b>Oftentimes, I feel like literature assigned in college can be quite difficult to follow because of all the unnecessary jargon used, but I didn't find myself being lost at all while reading this book.</li>
<li><b>It has a very progressive storyline, </b>as it follows Arjie, a Sri Lankan child during a very difficult conflict. He falls in love and realizes that he is different after being called "funny" for years. It touches on societal expectations and trying to break those boundaries. I sincerely loved Arjie as a character.</li>
<li><b>The love story. </b>It was quite a strong one. </li>
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<b>what i disliked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Honestly there wasn't a thing I disliked, </b>I just didn't love it enough to rate it more stars. It was good, but not quite a memorable book for me.</li>
</ul>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-418060794626816852018-11-07T00:00:00.000-05:002019-02-17T12:38:27.916-05:00The Reckoning of Noah Shaw Blog Tour | Review & Playlist<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKztka4bDy_eAS2fHA8i4qRT1t5Mfig37eF2ccFGjnjMfxLUclrP1TtbporwZ3SWhimxkE_8As7W6cHrnG3QUgTMGGjja60w7NoW5X8HVfqELOxGOmStWziY4VIIvpdcYmrnXQB7gUaAY/s1600/Reckoning+Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKztka4bDy_eAS2fHA8i4qRT1t5Mfig37eF2ccFGjnjMfxLUclrP1TtbporwZ3SWhimxkE_8As7W6cHrnG3QUgTMGGjja60w7NoW5X8HVfqELOxGOmStWziY4VIIvpdcYmrnXQB7gUaAY/s400/Reckoning+Cover+Image.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<b>Title: </b>The Reckoning of Noah Shaw<br />
<b>Author:</b> Michelle Hodkin<br />
<b>Series: </b>The Shaw Confessions #2<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>November 13, 2018<br />
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<blockquote>
In this sequel to The Becoming of Noah Shaw, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, legacies are revealed, lips are unraveled, and old alliances are forged. Noah's reckoning is here.<br />
Noah Shaw wants nothing more than to escape the consequences of his choices.<br />
He can't.<br />
He's sure the memories that haunt him are merely proof of a broken heart.<br />
They aren't.<br />
He thinks he can move forward without first confronting his past.<br />
He's wrong. </blockquote>
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<b>**Thank you to Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review as a part of the blog tour!** </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>It's another freaking book about Noah Shaw, aka my favorite male character ever, aka my book boyfriend. </b>I honestly just can't get enough of Noah's point of view. He's just such an interesting character and I love him to death. It's still interesting viewing his and Mara's relationship through his eyes instead of hers. </li>
<li><b>It's not your average second book in a trilogy that suffers from second book syndrome. </b>There's actually some meat to the story in here! Plus, we are back in England. A good amount of stuff happens in this book, and it didn't leave me bored.</li>
<li><b>This book is such a quick read. </b>Yes, I get that it's 500ish pages, but I couldn't put it down.</li>
<li><b>Goose! </b>We get more of Goose. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what i disliked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Now I have to wait again for book 3!! </b>I'm guessing it will come out sometime next year in 2019. I'm definitely going to have to do a reread of the whole series before then.</li>
</ul>
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I do think it's worth noting as well that this book touches on suicide, depression, and alcohol and substance abuse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CT78SBpA7lhxGjlD3WTF_Kp3ZyYkLuDQTlAcKCB54pRLr4O_rghdXaisM-nHRnoQZCiprPakQacxBKVOuEEVdXEWTu731yv-pGa2Hb7XYx58Xn59MkNoE-1Z08fI6b0lunqB3rywLtk/s1600/5+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="53" data-original-width="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CT78SBpA7lhxGjlD3WTF_Kp3ZyYkLuDQTlAcKCB54pRLr4O_rghdXaisM-nHRnoQZCiprPakQacxBKVOuEEVdXEWTu731yv-pGa2Hb7XYx58Xn59MkNoE-1Z08fI6b0lunqB3rywLtk/s1600/5+stars.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoakmAwg04lJ1awtdwa89zUVDmhx1jiw712lhT0OhzAThLRyZO6LTTm9EKJ9jL5p_hdYDu57DGGM1Ah_cM7F9TtH-VPqyo_ei3bQddZvgBlEkG7VPx-3moqMj8ICPYrS19BVblVXN9_vs/s1600/Hodkin+Author+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoakmAwg04lJ1awtdwa89zUVDmhx1jiw712lhT0OhzAThLRyZO6LTTm9EKJ9jL5p_hdYDu57DGGM1Ah_cM7F9TtH-VPqyo_ei3bQddZvgBlEkG7VPx-3moqMj8ICPYrS19BVblVXN9_vs/s1600/Hodkin+Author+Photo.jpg" /></a><b>About the author</b><br />
Michelle Hodkin grew up in Florida, went to college in New York, and studied law in Michigan. She is the author of the Mara Dyer trilogy, including <i>The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, </i>and <i>The Retribution of Mara Dyer. </i>Visit her online at MichelleHodkin.com.<br />
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<b>Playlist for <i>The Reckoning of Noah Shaw</i></b></div>
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1. Come Together by The Beatles</div>
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2. Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger</div>
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3. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey</div>
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4. Simple Song by The Shins </div>
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5. Waves by Dean Lewis</div>
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6. I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie</div>
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7. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol</div>
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8. Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar</div>
Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-53587073976173424532018-11-02T00:00:00.000-04:002019-02-18T06:35:36.495-05:00Cracking India | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388463184l/40238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="40238" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388463184l/40238.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Cracking India<br />
<b>Author: </b>Bapsi Sidhwa<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 1, 1988<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback (296 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Milkweed Editions<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The 1947 Partition of India is the backdrop for this powerful novel, narrated by a precocious child who describes the brutal transition with chilling veracity. Young Lenny Sethi is kept out of school because she suffers from polio. She spends her days with Ayah, her beautiful nanny, visiting with the large group of admirers that Ayah draws. It is in the company of these working class characters that Lenny learns about religious differences, religious intolerance, and the blossoming genocidal strife on the eve of Partition. As she matures, Lenny begins to identify the differences between the Hindus, Moslems, and Sikhs engaging in political arguments all around her. Lenny enjoys a happy, privileged life in Lahore, but the kidnapping of her beloved Ayah signals a dramatic change. Soon Lenny's world erupts in religious, ethnic, and racial violence. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, the domestic drama serves as a microcosm for a profound political upheaval.</blockquote>
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I had to read this book for my honors course on Southeast Asia. I'm glad that I had the chance to read it, because I had never heard of it before.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what i liked</b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Bapsi Sidhwa's writing. </b>She is really talented.</li>
<li><b>It covers a big part of India's history. </b>It does so in a way that really connects the reader to the story, even if they don't know the full extent of what was involved in the Partition before reading. It is also very brutal at times and doesn't hide any of the violence.</li>
<li><b>The companion movie, Earth. </b>It's definitely worth checking out. We watched part of it in my class.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>what i disliked</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b>I honestly found it hard to get into</b>. It took a while for the book to pick up pace after the beginning. I felt invested for a chapter or two, then it didn't keep my attention again until the very end. Because of that, I'm giving it two stars. I like for a book to keep my attention. I think that maybe if I had picked it up on my own to read instead of having to read it for a course while overloaded with homework in other courses at the same time, I might've enjoyed it more.</li>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-86226896353438952332018-10-26T00:00:00.000-04:002019-02-18T06:29:35.110-05:00The Power of a Positive Team: Proven Principles and Practices that Make Great Teams Great | Mini Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528848493l/40519696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="40519696" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528848493l/40519696.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>The Power of a Positive Team: Proven Principles and Practices that Make Great Teams Great</div>
<b>Author: </b>Jon Gordon<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>June 11, 2018<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Kindle Edition (176 pages)<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Wiley<br />
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<blockquote>
A book about teams to help teams become more positive, united and connected.<br />Worldwide bestseller--the author of<i> The Energy Bus </i>and <i>The Power of Positive Leadership </i>shares the proven principles and practices that build great teams--and provides practical tools to help teams overcome negativity and enhance their culture, communication, connection, commitment and performance.<br />Jon Gordon doesn't just research the keys to great teams, he has personally worked with some of the most successful teams on the planet and has a keen understanding of how and why they become great. In <i>The Power of a Positive Team, </i>Jon draws upon his unique team building experience as well as conversations with some of the greatest teams in history in order to provide an essential framework, filled with proven practices, to empower teams to work together more effectively and achieve superior results.<br />Utilizing examples from the writing team who created the hit Billions, the National Champion Clemson Football team, the World Series contending Los Angeles Dodgers, The Miami Heat and the greatest beach volleyball team of all time to Navy SEAL's, Marching bands, Southwest Airlines, USC and UVA Tennis, Twitter, Apple and Ford, Jon shares innovative strategies to transform a group of individuals into a united, positive and powerful team.<br />Jon not only infuses this book with the latest research, compelling stories, and strategies to maintain optimism through adversity... he also shares his best practices to transform negativity, built trust (through his favorite team building exercises) and practical ways to have difficult conversations--all designed to make a team more positive, cohesive, stronger and better.<br /><i>The Power of a Positive Team </i>also provides a blueprint for addressing common pitfalls that cause teams to fail--including complaining, selfishness, inconsistency, complacency, unaccountability, while offering solutions to enhance a team's creativity, grit, innovation and growth.<br />This is a book meant for teams to read together. It's written in such a way that if you and your team read it together, you will understand the obstacles you will face and what you must do to become a great team. If you read it together, stay positive together, and take action together you will accomplish amazing things TOGETHER.</blockquote>
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Every year, my field hockey team reads a book by Jon Gordon to help bring us together as a team. Gordon teaches great lessons for being a team player in all of his novels, and this one was no exception.<br />
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The whole time I was reading, I highlighted so many things. I kept quotes down and kept notes on what I could change and focus on in my gameplay and team mentality. I've come to realize that it all comes from within, and only then can you spread positivity to the rest of the team.<br />
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I think the great thing about this book is that it could be applied to any type of team, not only sports. It could be used in business and friendships too. There are so many important life lessons in this book that I think everyone should give it a chance if they are given it. It is a pretty breezy book too; it's not that hard to get through. It left me wanting to be the best that I can be.<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-20953607830438074802018-10-19T00:00:00.000-04:002019-02-18T06:23:48.279-05:00Turtles All the Way Down | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503002776l/35504431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="35504431" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503002776l/35504431.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Turtles All the Way Down<br />
<b>Author: </b>John Green<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Dutton Books for Young Readers<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 10, 2017<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there's a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett's son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. In his long-awaited return, John Green shares Aza's story with shattering, unflinching clarity.</blockquote>
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So, I've come to realize that John Green's books are either hit or miss with me. I know, <i>unpopular opinion</i>. I loved <i>Looking for Alaska</i> and didn't really care for <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>. Honestly, <i>The Fault in Our Stars </i>movie is what made me ultimately fall in love with the storyline. I didn't get all the hype around the book. So, I at least went into <i>Turtles All the Way Down </i>thinking I'd enjoy it. However, I didn't really find it that interesting, which I hate to say.<br />
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Now, don't get me wrong. I love John Green. His writing style is superb and I'm a huge fan of his YouTube videos. I also love him as a person. And DFTBA. But, I just couldn't love this book no matter how hard I tried.<br />
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I feel like not much happened. It was so slow moving. I couldn't really connect with either of the characters. I literally forced myself to finish the book just because I love John Green's writing and I was hoping that something else would happen to make the book more entertaining, but that something else never happened. I wanted so badly to love it and I just couldn't.<br />
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I wouldn't recommend not to check this book out, because it might be your cup of tea; it just wasn't mine. I know plenty of people who loved this book, so if you see it around, pick it up and give it a try. But, if you're new to John Green's books, I'd definitely suggest reading <i>Looking for Alaska </i>over <i>Turtles All the Way Down. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSudXfVxyP66Rgaj-jOyMUGdXg1VZnX0nTnX8YUtaqFxNwTN6qKBDO1CHbDwkLSvYWjueWneR7WzwW2UE5jd7-OAZKzqe_L8Rmwo6_3atVfna3X1SOBBcRjf1nT7QWLftVEiHvKTVHPuE/s1600/2+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSudXfVxyP66Rgaj-jOyMUGdXg1VZnX0nTnX8YUtaqFxNwTN6qKBDO1CHbDwkLSvYWjueWneR7WzwW2UE5jd7-OAZKzqe_L8Rmwo6_3atVfna3X1SOBBcRjf1nT7QWLftVEiHvKTVHPuE/s1600/2+stars.png" /></a></div>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-28404235793670580262018-10-12T00:00:00.000-04:002019-02-17T12:42:25.613-05:00Please Don't Go Before I Get Better | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519152864l/37510668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="37510668" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519152864l/37510668.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Please Don't Go Before I Get Better<br />
<b>Author: </b>Madisen Kuhn<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>May 1, 2018<br />
<b>Source: </b>Goodreads Giveaway<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Paperback (208 pages)<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Discover this exquisite poetry and prose collection about the pains of growing up from the popular millennial Instagram poet, perfect for fans of Amanda Lovelace and Rupi Kaur.<br />Following her breakout debut <i>Eighteen Years</i>, poet Madisen Kuhn is thrilled to share this intimate portrait of a young woman navigating early adulthood and leaving her teenage years behind.<br />Chronicling the complexities, joys, and challenges of this transitional phase of life, <i>Please Don't Go Before I Get Better </i>is a powerful, deeply affecting work that pierces your heart with its refreshing candor and vulnerability. A poignant exploration of self-image, self-discovery, and self-reflection, this anthology brilliantly captures the universal experience of growing up, and you are bound to find yourself reflected in this glimmering pages.</blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
**Thank you to Goodreads!**</div>
<br />
As poetry has been garnering more and more attention by the media and readers alike, I knew that this one was a book I had to give a try. I then took my chances by entering a Goodreads giveaway, and before I knew it, I had actually won! I never win Goodreads giveaways, so I was highly surprised but also elated with joy at the same time.<br />
<br />
This book is a collection of poetry, but Madisen's writing is so raw and real. I connected to more than one poem wholeheartedly, probably because we are both around the same age. Though I had never heard of her Instagram, nor had I heard of Instagram poetry, I instantly connected with her and her writing as we explored her inner thoughts and feelings.<br />
<br />
I also appreciated that some of her poems were actually quite long, as in more than one page. I feel like lately, a lot of poems are so incredibly short, especially the ones that end up circulating around the internet. I am excited to read more from Kuhn in the future, and in the meantime, will probably turn back to this book for a reread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkWZ2y9nBPZCY8iWj1-vsTjjxjOi5ASwtke4uocgiZNvflalVfeuzXNzMd0RLhHJQeh0Sape8ZnhJ5_hCf5RlP8oSkMlodm4AKqjGVm73lwcA4Cvox8jd7gnKtI9XAd4qerjnj7QIFiQ/s1600/5+stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkWZ2y9nBPZCY8iWj1-vsTjjxjOi5ASwtke4uocgiZNvflalVfeuzXNzMd0RLhHJQeh0Sape8ZnhJ5_hCf5RlP8oSkMlodm4AKqjGVm73lwcA4Cvox8jd7gnKtI9XAd4qerjnj7QIFiQ/s1600/5+stars.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-58690239672177834252018-10-05T00:00:00.000-04:002019-02-17T12:38:08.997-05:00Restore Me | Review<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507232049l/34992929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="34992929" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507232049l/34992929.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Restore Me<br />
<b>Author: </b>Tahereh Mafi<br />
<b>Series: </b>Shatter Me #4<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>March 6, 2018<br />
<b>Edition: </b>Hardcover (435 pages)<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch-and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?</blockquote>
<br />
<b>-what i liked-</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>More of the <i>Shatter Me </i>series! </b>I was so beyond overjoyed after hearing that Tahereh Mafi was going to be continuing this series. After finally binge-reading the entire series last year, it quickly sky-rocketed onto my all-time favorites list. Needless to say, I couldn't contain my happiness when I finally got this book in my hands, because boy did book three leave on a cliff hanger.</li>
<li><b>Juliette and Warner. </b>God, I love them together. I can't get enough of the two of them. Warner is my favorite character, and we only get more of him now!</li>
<li><b>Learning more about the Establishment. </b>There's a lot more to it and I can tell it's only going to grow in the next two books. </li>
<li><b>We finally get to see what happened right after </b><b style="font-style: italic;">Ignite Me. </b>In fact, this takes place slightly over two weeks after that ending, so all the events are still very fresh in the minds of the characters. </li>
<li><b>Warner's POV. </b>I just really like Warner, okay!?</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b>-what i disliked-</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Honestly, the only thing I hate is the waiting time for book 5.</b></li>
</ul>
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If you haven't started this series yet, then get on it!! What are you doing with your life??</div>
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<br />Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-65996480957209256722018-08-27T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-27T00:00:01.266-04:00Phoebe Will Destroy You | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507457538l/36373488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="36373488" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507457538l/36373488.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Phoebe Will Destroy You</div>
<b>Author: </b>Blake Nelson<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Simon Pulse<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>June 19, 2018<br />
<b>Source: </b>Netgalley<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
The summer I was seventeen I met this girl...<br />Nick has the best of moms and the worst of moms. On the upside, she's a distinguished professor and bestselling author. On the downside, she's a serious alcoholic, with no clue how to relate to her son or husband.<br />Nick, meanwhile, has finished his junior year and needs a break from his stressful home life. What better place to spend the summer than Seaside, Oregon, a sleepy beach town where he can chill out, meet girls, and work at his Uncle's car wash.<br />Enter local legend, Phoebe Garnet. She's funny, sexy, but dangerously self-destructive. Suddenly Nick is more in love, more obsessed, more heartsick than he's ever been in his life.<br />Why does Nick love her so much? Will he survive this obsession? And who can he turn to for help?</blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>**Thank you so much to Simon Pulse for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!** </b></div>
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I had been in the mood for a good contemporary for a while, so I was excited to get the chance to read this one!</div>
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><b>It's a good summer setting. </b>Nick goes to stay with his Uncle just for the summer, which makes for a perfect summer read.</li>
<li><b>It was a super easy read. </b>It wasn't too heavy of a book to read, which was nice. </li>
<li><b>Nick was an interesting character. </b>I actually liked reading about him, which isn't always the case for me when I read contemporaries!</li>
</ul>
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<b>what i disliked</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b>The title of the book is literally </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Phoebe Will Destroy You</i>, <b>yet Phoebe was barely a side character in this book. </b>She was probably in it for about 30 pages. It was upsetting, because I thought it was going to be a little more of a romance, but it wasn't. The title was very misleading. </li>
<li><b>There was nothing that really stuck out about this book. </b>It didn't really have anything interesting to me that made it different from many other contemporaries. </li>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-76089146554200621042018-08-24T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-24T00:00:10.986-04:00Violent Ends | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1412741590l/23341259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="23341259" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1412741590l/23341259.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>Violent Ends</div>
<b>Author: </b>Shaun David Hutchinson<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Simon Pulse<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>September 1, 2015<br />
<b>Source: </b>Library<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
In a one-of-a-kind collaboration, seventeen of the most recognizable YA writers-including Shaun David Hutchinson, Neal and Brandon Shusterman, and Beth Revis-come together to share the viewpoints of a group of students affected by a school shooting.<br />It took only twenty-two minutes for Kirby Matheson to exit his car, march onto the school grounds, enter the gymnasium, and open fire, killing six and injuring five others.<br />But this isn't a story about the shooting itself. This isn't about recounting that one unforgettable day.<br />This is about one boy-who had friends, enjoyed reading, playing saxophone in the band, and had never been in trouble before-became a monster capable of entering his school with a loaded gun and firing bullets at his classmates.<br />Each chapter is told from a different victim's viewpoint, giving insight into who Kirby was and who he'd become. Some are sweet, some are dark; some are seemingly unrelated, about fights or first kisses or late-night parties. This is a book told from multiple perspectives-with one character and one event drawing them all together-by some of YA's most recognizable names.</blockquote>
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<i>Violent Ends </i>is about a school shooting, which is why I picked it up. These have been occurring way too often across the United States recently, and it's a topic that's being talked about often. This story is also an anthology, yet each chapter is told from a different perspective of someone in regards to what happened at the school. Some of the characters are from the other school, some were friends of the shooter, and some were ones that ended up murdered.<br />
<br />
My favorite chapter of all was written by Neal and Brendan Shusterman and was called "Presumed Destroyed". This chapter was a change from the rest of the characters and POVs throughout the story, as it was actually through the point of view of the gun that Kirby used. It was very interesting and different.<br />
<br />
Part of me is upset that there wasn't a chapter told through Kirby's point of view. We get perspectives from people who know of him or who were even his friend, but because the reader never gets his point of view, we never actually get to know him. We only really know what other people say about him, which I guess is how it ends up being anyway in real life.<br />
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I would suggest picking this one up if you're interested. It was a very different read, but there were some parts that were very chilling.<br />
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6453297741187148882.post-31238698575637046862018-08-20T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-20T00:00:03.978-04:00#MurderTrending | Review<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503680360l/34521785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="34521785" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503680360l/34521785.jpg" /></a><b>Title: </b>#MURDERTRENDING</div>
<b>Author: </b>Gretchen McNeil<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Freeform<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>August 7, 2018<br />
<b>Source: </b>Netgalley<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest 8/18 citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society's most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.<br />
When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she's about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn't commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she's innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman's cast of executioners kill them off one by one?</blockquote>
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<b>**Thank you so much to Freeform for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!**</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In the past, I've read and loved some of McNeil's other novels, like <i>3:59</i>. That's why I had such high hopes for #murdertrending, plus it has a sort of science fiction/dystopian feel to it, which made me even more excited. </div>
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<b>what i liked</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>The concept. </b>I loved the idea of there being an island where felons are sent to, yet they live a sort of normal life while there. They have jobs, they have a nice house, they get to hang out with friends. Yet, everything is broadcast through an app called The Postman where the entire world can watch and see who is going to be murdered next. It's sickening yet so intriguing. </li>
<li><b>The cast of characters. </b>I learned to love Dee and everyone she met, which kept me so interested and helped to keep my attention throughout the entire novel. I really couldn't put it down. Even the executioners were interesting, like Prince Slycer.</li>
<li><b>It was creepy! </b>It was sort of a cross between a thriller and a dystopian, so there were definitely some parts that were creepier than I thought they would've been. I've also never been able to thoroughly enjoy thrillers that have a slight mystery to them, like #murdertrending does. Yet, I couldn't see the plot twist coming in this one which I definitely loved! It was a nice surprise for me. </li>
<li><b>THE ENDING. </b>I obviously don't want to go into it, but you'll be surprised!!</li>
<li><b>This would so easily make a great movie. </b>I picture it like <i>The Purge</i>, but on a whole new level. </li>
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<b>what i disliked</b></div>
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<li><b>It's not part of a series but I wish it was! </b>I want to know what else is going to happen in this world that McNeil created!</li>
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Krystiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06793987066964047092noreply@blogger.com2