REVIEW: Grace & Style by Grace Helbig

REVIEW: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

REVIEW: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

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.

Throwback Review: DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver

(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.

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MEETING LAUREN OLIVER (VLOG)
DELIRIUM PILOT REVIEW

Throwback Review: THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

(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.

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Throwback Review: CHOPSTICKS by Jessica Anthony

(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."

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Throwback Review: THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab

(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.

SPOILERS

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Throwback Review: A WORK IN PROGRESS by Connor Franta

(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."

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Throwback Review: THE ISOBEL JOURNAL by Isobel Harrop

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
July 25, 2014

*I got an eBook copy of this from NetGalley to read and to give an honest review.*

The concept of this book and how it was built is what got me interested in reading it. I can relate to Isobel a lot in that we are both 18 and artists, living in a place where nothing ever happens. Our relations made this a fun read, especially with all of the sketches and random facts. As I was reading, I wished I knew Isobel in real life because we share traits as well (art, literature). This journal is the epitome of the teenage mind: The boredom, interests, music, thoughts, moods, etc. 

Not only was this journal a fun, easy, read, it was also a quick read that I very much enjoyed.

Buy the book: Hardcover | Paperback
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Throwback Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by Cassandra Clare

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
April 15, 2014

This was the most perfect ending for this trilogy, I think. I was kind of afraid of finishing it because I didn't know what to expect! The Infernal Devices is definitely one of my favorite YA fantasy series because it's original, different, and clever. I don't know how Cassandra Clare does it! She is an amazing author and I am ready for the next Shadowhunter series. 

I was very immersed in the story line, the characters, the events taking place. I loved the character development (one of my favorite things in literature). From Clockwork Angel to Clockwork Princess, so much happens and it is evident that it affects them, they learn so much and it's just beautiful.

Picking this book up, I knew there would be tear shed. It's the finale of a fantastic series with these characters I feel I got to know in such a short amount of time since I read the first book. I went from shock, to laughing at the charm and wit of Will Herondale, to crying because I felt his pain.

I found myself crying because of this book a lot and I don't usually cry when I read books (i.e. Mockingjay . . . I know, but trust me, I have a heart). I think it's Cassie's writing, to be honest. She is insanely talented and creative and the last book I remember crying at was City of Lost Souls.
On the ending: (view spoiler)

5 out of 5 stars because this is probably my favorite finale to a book series so far.

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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

REVIEW: THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

FEUDS by Avery Hastings

My FEUDS playlist:

COLE:

1. Centuries by Fall Out Boy

2. Fake You Out by twenty one pilots 

3. Millions by Gerard Way

4. Hear Me by Imagine Dragons

5. Keep On Keeping On by Travie McCoy ft. Brendon Urie

DAVIS:

1. Lightweight by Demi Lovato

2. Human by Christina Perri

3. Come a Little Closer by Cage the Elephant

4. Sweet Despair by Cher Lloyd

5. Swingin Party by Lorde

6. Last Hope by Paramore

Favorite Dance Scenes:

Alex and Lena when they danced to no music (feels) in Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Jared and Melanie dancing in the rain in The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Damon and Elena at the Mystic Falls pageant (out of the many dances) in The Vampire Diaries

Barney and Robin at a friend’s wedding, stealing the show in How I Met Your Mother

ETERNAL NIGHT by Carina Adly MacKenzie

REVIEW:
Carina Adly MacKenzie doesn’t disappoint with Eternal Night, a wonderful story full of brilliant characters. This is a YA must read that grabs the reader from the start. With each chapter you get to meet new and interesting characters. A couple of my favorites are Weston and Nike. Both are realistic characters, Weston reminds me of myself because we both love social media and take advantage of it. While the story is centered around gods, this book is very modernized and there is slang and dialogue that you see teens use online everyday. If there were to be a sequel, I would definitely have to read it because I can’t imagine what will happen next! All in all, I recommend this Eternal Night to anyone looking for a fantasy that takes a brand new turn in YA lit. 

My Favorite Quotes:
" … problems only last until the drink that makes you forget them."
"Your song Manic Poetry is literally everything. Can we take a selfie?"
"They’ve got the privilege of living in an era when there are a thousand ways to be in touch, at all hours of the day, messages zinging through the airwaves all around them—and they’re just wasting it by turning off their phones?"

My dream movie casting:

AnnaSophia Robb as Lola

AnnaSophia would be amazing as Lola; the hair is perfect and she looks doll-like as inferred in the story.

Malese Jow as Nadia

I can picture Malese playing her very well because I’ve seen her in other shows.

Ian Somerhalder as Dean

When Dean was first described, I instantly thought of Ian. Mainly because of his character in The Vampire Diaries, but I can’t picture anyone else!

Josh Hutcherson as Weston

I didn’t think of Josh at first, but he would be amazing as Weston.

Emma Stone as Peitha

I love Emma in everything I’ve seen her in and I can so see her as Peitha; she’s an amazing actress.

Danielle Campbell as Nike

Danielle is awesome in The Originals and I picture Nike to look sort of like her.

Don't forget to follow me on my social media! I'll be back with more reviews soon!

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Let's Talk About: The Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver!

REVIEW: IF I STAY by Gayle Forman

REVIEW: WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart