Saturday, February 13, 2016

REVIEW: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

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Girl Online (Girl Online #1) by Zoe Sugg, Siobhan Curham (Ghostwriter)

3.5 stars.
It was kind of difficult to give this a star rating. I really like this book and I love Zoe. I am 20 years old, though, and I feel like I would have enjoyed the teen elements of this story a lot more when I was in junior high or beginning high school.

While reading, I found a few phrases and terms used in the dialogue kind of cringe worthy. I don't think anyone says "Rock God-tastic". There are a couple more things I found weird or off and I'll mention that in my booktalk review on my channel. I'm guessing this is because there were two authors, Zoe, and her ghostwriter, Siobhan Curham.

I also found throughout this story that it reminded me of Zoe and her personality, but I like the fact that a theme in the story is that even though many people put parts of their lives on the Internet, their followers still don't know them completely. I think that's one of the many things she wanted to put out there with this book, thinking of who is reading it. It's a great reminder for everyone on social media, no matter how old, to think before posting something that could possibly have a negative impact on someone else. This is very important since everyone is on social media!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I found it to be great for teenage readers, fans of Zoe or not. It tells a story teens would enjoy, full of cutesy friendship, relationships, and travel. It stays up to date with blogging and social media as well as giving readers an idea of what panic attacks and cyber bullying could feel like.

A video review will follow soon with more thoughts and some quote analyzing.

Friday, February 5, 2016

January Book Haul: Christmas, Birthday, & BookOutlet


I have another haul going up soon because I bought more books from BookOutlet!

- Channels Mentioned - 
Marisa: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJonasTwilight
Whitney: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhittyNovels
Christine: https://www.youtube.com/user/polandbananasBOOKS
Sasha: https://www.youtube.com/user/abookutopia
Sophie: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvXi3G1LQNB1kAt7pXr9VYA

The novella for THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE is called HAPPY AGAIN.
Not CARRY ON.

- Books Hauled -
I lost the footage of THE FOREST of HANDS and TEETH being hauled. Not sure what happened there.... : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3432478-the-forest-of-hands-and-teeth?from_search=true&search_version=service
CARRY ON: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23734628-carry-on
GIRL ONLINE ON TOUR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23208406-girl-online-on-tour
FANGIRL: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl?from_search=true&search_version=service
THE OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18143905-the-opposite-of-loneliness?from_search=true&search_version=service
THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790873-this-is-what-happy-looks-like?from_search=true&search_version=service
THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18295852-the-geography-of-you-and-me
LOVE, ROSIE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/147865.Love_Rosie?from_search=true&search_version=service
I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20820994-i-ll-give-you-the-sun?from_search=true&search_version=service
THE INFINITE SEA: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16131484-the-infinite-sea?from_search=true&search_version=service


Thanks for watching!

Buying a book? I get a small commission if you use my affiliate link: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=emily

Fandom merch made by me!: http://www.redbubble.com/people/thelovelybooks

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlewistho
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovelybooks_
Instagram: https://instagram.com/takingonmonsters
Instagram: https://instagram.com/_thelovelybooks
Tumblr: https://takingonmonsters.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez
Vine: https://vine.co/EmilyGamez

MUSIC: Cloud Patterns (YouTube Audio Library)

This is not a sponsored video, all opinions are my own, and I just really enjoy the products and/or stores I talk so positively about. :)

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Throwback Review: DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver

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(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
March 8, 2014

I have a video on my channel about the entire Delirium trilogy and my thoughts. I also have a Tumblr blog dedicated to this trilogy.

I picked this book up at Barnes & Noble not knowing exactly what it's about. I basically bought it because I had Before I Fall and I knew Lauren Oliver is an amazing author already.
I absolutely love this book and entire trilogy. Lauren has an original idea, she is such a skilled writer, and I read anything she writes. When I first started the book I wasn't sure if I would be as crazy about it as I am now. The characters are enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. It's great, so if you are wondering if you should read this trilogy, yes. Go read it.

So, the characters are fantastic. It has been said that Lena Haloway is an unlikable heroine, I didn't think that before I read that online. I always understood her in this book and I wasn't ever like, "Ugh, Lena, what are you doing?" I felt like what she would do is probably similar to what I would do. She lives in this world where people are at war with themselves. All love is forbidden and she is confused when she falls for Alex. Alex, on the other hand, I love Alex! He seems so perfect and he reads books and poetry.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.


Thursday, January 28, 2016

Favorite Books Read in 2015



Throwback Review: THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

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(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
August 24, 2014

I also filmed a BookTalk for this book over on my YouTube channel.

I knew this book was going to be really good, but I ended up enjoying it even more than I thought I would. Within the first few chapters I enjoyed the characters and felt sympathy for Mara. I also loved that this book is told from Mara's POV because she is going through PTSD and that is mixed with meeting new friends at a new school. She is being challenged throughout the first book in the series while she is trying to get better -- as normal as she can in order to live her life like other teenagers. 

Michelle Hodkin did a wonderful job writing as Mara. There were times when Mara lost track of time or thought something was a dream; I, as a reader, was held in suspense because if Mara didn't know, neither did I. 

I also really loved Noah Shaw and the relationship he has with Mara. I won't go far into that because I don't want to spoil anything, but I love them together. There are many more likable characters in this book; I could go on, but to put it simply, her friendships with her siblings and people she meets at school were seen as an important role in Mara's life as she goes through some major internal obstacles with PTSD and dealing with death.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Throwback Review: CHOPSTICKS by Jessica Anthony

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(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
March 25, 2015

I also filmed a BookTalk on my YouTube channel.

This has been on my to-read list for a year now and I finally picked it up at the library. It's a quick read, I read it in one sitting. It's kind of weird to say I read it because it is comprised of all photos and only some text in letters, notes/lists, IMs, and labels. 

First hearing about this book, I knew I had to check it out because it has so much art in it and Rodrigo Corral is great. The photography was gorgeous and the handwriting style over photos gave it a Tumblr-esque feel, which coming from me is a compliment. I enjoyed this overall and would love to go through it again because of how eye opening it was by the ending. I recommend this to all art lovers and readers who are interested in psychological stories.

Potential and definite spoilers, hidden just to be safe.
(view spoilers)

I love books that make me think, and this one made me think. It's still on my mind and I will never forget this story. So brilliant.
I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars, but I am more leaning towards "I loved it/amazing" than "I really liked it."

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Throwback Review: THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab

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(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
March 6, 2015

I also filmed a BookTalk for it on my YouTube channel.

I loved so many things about this book. The characters, the world, the pace of the story.... I enjoy Victoria Schwab's writing style; when I first started this book I felt as though I was stretching, that good feeling you have when you wake up and stretch. She has a gripping way of telling Mackenzie's story and it's through the eyes of the protagonist herself, a smart one, too.

I cannot wait to read The Unbound because I want to see the relationship between Mac and Wesley grow and even their characters as Keepers because they have so much potential. I also really loved the relationship between Mac and Roland. I need to read the next book very soon.


Monday, January 11, 2016

December Wrap-Up & January To Be Read // 2016 Reading Goals


So much in this single video! Wrap-ups, TBR, and 2016 goals.
Lettuce be friends on the Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez
I've also been more active on my blog!: emilygamez.blogspot.com

- Goodreads links to all books mentioned -
GIRL ONLINE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22510983-girl-online
COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown
MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17162156-miss-peregrine-s-home-for-peculiar-children
THE 5TH WAVE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave?from_search=true&search_version=service
THE UNBOUND: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13638131-the-unbound?from_search=true&search_version=service

Thanks for watching!

Buying a book? I get a small commission if you use my affiliate link: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=emily

Fandom merch made by me!: http://www.redbubble.com/people/thelovelybooks

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlewistho
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovelybooks_
Instagram: https://instagram.com/takingonmonsters
Instagram: https://instagram.com/_thelovelybooks
Tumblr: https://takingonmonsters.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez
Vine: https://vine.co/EmilyGamez

MUSIC: Space Walk (YouTube Audio Library)

This is not a sponsored video, all opinions are my own, and I just really enjoy the products and/or stores I talk so positively about. :)

Saturday, January 9, 2016

JOY of CHRISTMAS BOOK TAG ft. MarisaHerondaleCarstairs & TanookiJosh


We did videos on Marisa's and Josh's channels too!
Marisa's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJonasTwilight
Marisa's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarisaRamona
Josh's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TanookiJosh
Josh's Twitter: https://twitter.com/TanookiJosh

This tag was created by Novels and Nonsense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ4DZ0uEXnk

Thanks for watching!

Buying a book? I get a small commission if you use my affiliate link: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=emily

Fandom merch made by me!: http://www.redbubble.com/people/thelovelybooks



FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlewistho
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovelybooks_
Instagram: https://instagram.com/takingonmonsters
Instagram: https://instagram.com/_thelovelybooks
Tumblr: https://takingonmonsters.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez
Vine: https://vine.co/EmilyGamez

MUSIC: Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, and O Christmas Tree (YouTube Audio Library)

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Throwback Review: A WORK IN PROGRESS by Connor Franta

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(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
April 25, 2015

I also filmed a BookTalk for A WORK IN PROGRESS on my YouTube channel.

Connor Franta is a natural writer with some great stories to tell. I started this the day it arrived on my doorstep; from the beginning I was glued. I couldn't stop reading. I have never read a book this inspiring and relatable (not trying to reference his So Relatable video, it just happened.)

Connor shares his thoughts, childhood stories, and photography, his art, in this well-written memoir. It's a unique and enjoyable look into the life Connor Franta - more than a five minute YouTube video can tell you - where he tells stories about growing up, accepting himself, and making big decisions as an adult.

I read it three different days, one of my quicker reads lately. I can see myself going back to this to flip through and look for quotes and favorite photos in the future. This book has reminded me of so many things I need to remember in this Internet age, but one thing I take away from this work of art is that we all need to live in the now because "life doesn't wait."

BUY THE BOOK
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR: TWITTER | YOUTUBE