Bout of Books 11.0 Read-A-Thon

Hello my fellow readers! It's time for yet another read-a-thon. And specifically, the Bout of Books 11.0 Read-a-Thon. Want some more info? Well, here ya go:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the  Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

This is basically my announcement: hey, I'm joining! I'm super excited because I love read-a-thons. However, I doubt I'll be able to read too much.  School starts the Monday after this read-a-thon ends. I plan on reading three books at least but hopefully more! I'm thinking of this as an "end-of-summer-read-whatever-you-want-to -before -hell-starts" sort of read-a-thon. I will possibly read: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (I have to, it's for school!), Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo, and The Selection by Kira Cass. Also, I hesitantly will make a video on my Youtube Channel by tomorrow (fingers crossed I'll remember to). 


Happy reading! 

Book Review | Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Ah, yes, another contemporary! Oh, sue me. I love a good contemporary and this summer, I've been picking up so many amazing ones. This review is going to be on Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson.

Summary: 

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um...


I really enjoyed this book. I read it due to the hype on Booktube (per usual). And I was glad I did. This book is a great tale of summer adventure. It's full of crazy stuff (like skinny dipping, hello!) and amazing new friends. At first, in the beginning, it had a slow start to it but towards the middle the story really picked up. I loved how Emily grew as a character, experiencing life without Sloane for the first time. And I really rooted for her (especially with Frank *wink wink*). This book makes me wish I had a list-making best friend who left me! Hah, no, I'm only joking. But I really did love this book.

Overall, I gave this book a 4.5/10 stars and a 9/10. Anyone wanting a summer adventure should definitely give this book a shot.

Thanks for reading my blurb! Happy reading to you lovely bookworms (:

Book Review | Wonder by R.J. Palacio

As of late, I've read so many phenomenal books. Therefore, I of course must do many book reviews! I apologize, I've been slacking. One of those phenomenal books I've read is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.

Summary: 

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.



I absolutely adored this book. This book is filled with so many good stuff. It is so well written and all of the voices of the characters are so true to them. Wonder is an amazing tale that really opens your eyes to the reality of this sort of situation that kids like August face (no pun intended). August is a strong young boy who overcomes adversity with such determination and I was simply blown away by his character. I also really enjoyed the other characters and their points of view. By the way, I also loved the different points of view in the book. Honestly, Wonder is beautiful and so stunning. It's so touching and heartwarming and of course, you simply gotta root for Auggie 'til the end.

Overall, I gave this book a whopping 5/5 stars and therefore a 10/10. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Thanks for reading (:

Book Review | Shatter Me

Hyped is the word for this book. Hyped and utterly poetic to the point of redundancy. What book is this you might ask? This book, recently read, is Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

Summary:

I have a curse
I have a gift

I am a monster
I'm more than human

My touch is lethal
My touch is power
I am their weapon
I will fight back

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has


changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.


I really enjoyed this book. However, I expected much more due to the fact it's hyped up so much. Besides the expectation, I really liked it. Yes, the poetic writing grated on me towards the end and during some points. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. I liked the plot and concept of the story. I found it fascinating. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of Juliette, I liked Kenji, James, and occasionally Adam. Unlike many others, Warner didn't bother me all that much. I plan on doing a video review on my YouTube channel, so I won't go into depth.

Overall, I liked this book a lot and awarded it a 3.5/5 stars and 8.8/10. I'd definitely recommend this book to someone.

Thanks for reading! I hope you think about checking this book out if you haven't already.

Weekend Reads #1

Like most, I've got quite a few books to read. And this weekend, I plan on getting some books read because I'm out of town for the time being. Anyway, these are the books I plan on reading.

First, I picked up Fly On the Wall by E. Lockhart. Not only was I curious to see what this stories was about, but also I really enjoyed We Were Liars. Therefore, I thought this would be a great read and I was right. I finished it as of 20 minutes ago. It was a quick and easy read, but I liked it. It was very amusing and fun.

Next, I plan on picking up Love & Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan. I heard so many good things about this book. Some of which are that it's funny and a light read. I'm also in the mood for more contemporaries so I thought it'd be a good time to read it.

Lastly, I want to read Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Yes, this long awaited book is finally in my hands. I'm so excited to read this book at last. I heard amazing things about this book and this series in general. I plan on doing a review on this book when I finish also. But ahh, the excitement is real!

I hope you all have a great weekend and happy reading!

Book Review | My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

A contemporary book... What a surprise! And I read it because of Booktube. Another surprise! Ah, but let's get down to business (to defeat the Hannnnn! Did they send me daughters when I asked for sonsss? [Mulan sing-along everyone!] {oh my gosh I need to stop}). I recently read My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

Summary: 

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another. 

I loved this book. I swear I say that about everything... But really. It's not as cute and lighthearted as Lola & The Boy Next Door. However, I did enjoy it almost as much. I loved the relationship between Jase and Samantha. I also really loved Jase as well as the entire Garrett family. It's sort of slow, not as a quick of a read as I wanted it to be, but I still got through it quickly. I also enjoyed the plot line which is more intricate than Lola & The Boy Next Door which made me want to keep reading. 

Overall, I rate this book a solid 4/5 stars and 9/10. I know I give a lot of high ratings but what can I say, I'm easily pleased and happy especially with good contemporary books like this one. 

I hope you give this book a shot if you're interested. Thanks for reading!

Book Review | Lola & The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Contemporaries, contemporaries, and yet, more contemporaries! Lately, it's all I've been reading (I blame City of Heavenly Fire). But don't get me wrong, I love a good contemporary book.
Due to popular opinion, I decided to pick up Lola & The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Yes, yes, I know it's the so-called second book in this "series". However, I simply wasn't in the mood to read Anna & The French Kiss.

Summary: 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I really enjoyed this book. I especially love the characters. Lola is such a fun and refreshing female protagonist. Of course she does have her moments, but overall I loved her. But really though, my favorite character is obviously Cricket Bell. WHO DOESN'T LOVE CRICKET BELL? He's adorable and so wonderful. Man, I wish he was my boyfriend. This book is so cute and has it's funny moments. It's just ahhh so lovely. 
All in all, I give this book a 4.3/5 stars and a 9.2/10. 

Thank you for reading! I hope you check this book out. 

#ShitIHaveTooManyBooks Read-A-Thon!

Lately, there have been numerous read-a-thons. As you know, I participated in the Bout of Books 10.0 Read-a-Thon. Recently (well Monday or Sunday) actually, Regan, a booktuber from PeruseProject, announced a read-a-thon of her own. It's called "Regan Has Too Many Books in Her TBR" Read-A-Thon. This Read-A-Thon actually started this Monday so it's technically over in three days. But anyway, I decided to post about it now! Here's her video announcement.
Basically, this read-a-thon, according to Regan herself, is just a read-a-thon to get books off of your TBR list. But for me, I used this read-a-thon to re-read The Mortal Instruments series. (City of Heavenly Fire in FOUR DAYS!)
So far, I've read City of Bones during (that was during Bout of Books) and City of Ashes. Now, I'm in the midst of reading City of Glass. I plan on finishing it this weekend. I highly doubt I'll finish re-reading the entire series before CoHF. Nonetheless, I love re-reading these books and getting back into the Shadowhunter world.
I hope you're reading is going well, regardless of what you're reading!

Bout of Books 10.0 | Update Day 6!

Oh man, this is quite the late entry. Hello to whoever reads my blog! I was not able to update my progress for Day 6 on the actual day of Day 6... but here I am nonetheless! I made a good amount of progress on Day 6. As you know, I began reading The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. I didn't make a significant amount of progress reading it. I mean, I like it. I love the characters and the story is great and all, but I simply couldn't get into it. I guess I was still in the contemporary mood.
But then, I began another read-a-thon! Oh, would you look at that? I'm being an overachiever! No, but seriously. I heard about the #MAYFORMI (May for Mortal Instruments) Read-A-Thon hosted by Miranda and Gary (more information here). It's basically a read-a-thon for The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. Like most of those participating in it, we're doing it in preparation for City of Heavenly Fire! So much excitement!
I will admit, I started really late in the game. There are only eight days left until City of Heavenly Fire and it's pretty much crunch time. So I decided to multi-task and begin #MAYFORMI at the same time of Bout of Books. Therefore, I stopped The Darkest Minds because I couldn't get into it though I definitely plan on continuing it! I like it, but I'm just not into it right now.
So on Day 6, I began reading City of Bones. Ah, I couldn't believe how much I've missed the Shadowhunter world. And I'm really getting into it again. I love the familiarity of the first book and it's just a great feeling to re-read this book again. It makes me feel so happy and ah, I guess I'm falling in love with the series all over again!
All in all, I definitely did not stick to my TBR list! But I am very happy with my reading progress. If you're participating in this read-a-thon, I hope you progress is swell! Today is the last day of the read-a-thon so I hope you'll finish strong in this last stretch!

Happy reading (:

Bout of Books 10.0 | Update Day 5!

We're nearing the end of this Bout of Books 10.0 Read-A-Thon. Slowly, but surely, the end is near! I'm actually very satisfied with my progress. Of course, I might not be on par with the other super-star read-a-thonners (not knocking them or anything, they're amazing honestly). But I achieved a lot.
Like I said, so far I have finished The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith and Alienated by Marissa Landers. Now then on Day 4 I had started Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton. This wasn't originally on my TBR list, but I was just feelin' the contemporary ya know? Around 1AM on Day 5, I finished Fifteenth Summer. I thought it was cute and very, very fluffy. It was awkardly adorable, I must say. Like always, more about this in my wrap-up, but I liked it. It's not my favorite but I related a lot to it because the main character, Chelsea, is fifteen like I am.
Today on Day 5, I began reading The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. I'm on page 75 but I'm really liking it so far. I heard great things about it which is why I'm so excited to dive into this.
If you're participating in the read-a-thon, I hope you're doing quite well! I'm really enjoying doing this read-a-thon. I'm thinking about doing more, they're really fun actually.

Happy reading (:

Bout of Books 10.0 | Update Day 4!

I'm glad to say, I finally got somewhere with this Read-A-Thon! Towards the end of Day 3, I finished The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith. Ah! I loved it so much. It was such a light and fluffy little contemporary read that filled me with happiness... Oh, too corny? Whoops! Of course, I'll talk more about in my wrap-up, but I gave it a 4/5 stars on Goodreads. I honestly enjoyed it. I loved the meaning behind it and the characters. 

Therefore, I wanted to continue reading some more contemporary. It wasn't on my original TBR list, but I decided I wanted to continue to read more contemporary and to satisfy that, I picked up The Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton on Day 4. It takes place in the summer and obviously involves some romance! It wouldn't be summer without it, am I right? So far, I'm only on page 50 but I'm enjoying it so far. 

All in all, I'm pretty proud of myself for finishing two books as of now! I think that's a good accomplishment considering I only read a quarter of a book during a normal week.... Oops? I'm sure I'll speed through The Fifteenth Summer because it is short and a contemporary which I usually read quite quickly. Fingers crossed that I can get into the nitty gritty stuff of my TBR list before crunch time! (i.e. The Darkest Minds but mostly The Maze Runner...) 

I hope if you're participating in the read-a-thon, all is going well! 

Happy reading (: 

Bout of Books 10.0 | Update Day 3!

Hello readers and others (?). As you know, I'm participating in the Bout of Books 10.0 Read-A-Thon. Whoopee! I'm still very excited and pumped for it. However, I'm off to a slow start. Very disappointing, huh? But hey, I have school and I'm a busy person. Day 1 of the Read-A-Thon, I read about 80 pages of Alienated by Melissa Landers. I simply could not get into the story. And then in Day 2 of the Read-a-Thon, I ended up finishing Alienated. Huzzah! It was quite an accomplishment I must say for me.
Despite my slight detachment from the story, I liked Alienated although not as much as I thought I would. I'll definitely talk about it more in my Bout of Books Wrap-Up. I'll just say I was slightly disappointed in it because of the hype. Also, now I know aliens and sci-fi aren't my cup of tea.
At the end of Day 2, I started The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith. It's a contemporary novel about a girl named Lucy who meets a guy named Owen in an elevator and it takes off from there.... Hopefully I'll be able to finish it soon! I love Jennifer E. Smith's work and hopefully I'll like this one too.
I'm really not making any significant progress in this read-a-thon thing.... Anyway I hope for anyone that's participating, you're doing a better than I am!

Thanks for reading!

Bout of Books 10.0 Read-A-Thon

Everyone loves a good Read-a-Thon, right? And there has just been a craze lately with all of these read-a-thons popping up everywhere. So of course, I decided to join one. I've decided to participate in the Bout of Books 10.0 Read-A-Thon. Here's some information about it:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Honestly, this decision was quite spontaneous. I simply saw someone do a TBR video about this read-a-thon and I decided to hope on board! I cannot wait to begin my very first read-a-thon. Hopefully, I will have a video about the books I want to read during the read-a-thon on my Youtube channel soon. But I most likely want to read at least hesitantly four books (possibly The Maze Runner by James Dashner, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith, Alienated by Melissa Landers, and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken). 

Happy reading! 

(Here is a link to my TBR video!)

Book Review | Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This book was slightly different from what I usually read. It's a mix of a sci-fi type of genre along with a dash of dystopian and fantasy. Like many other books I have been reading lately, I was recommended to read this by Booktube: Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

Summary: 
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future


I honestly love this book a lot more than I thought I would. The idea of Cinder as a cyborg, at first, kind of turned me off. But now that I've read it, going in with mild expectations, I really enjoyed it. I loved Cinder's character and the world that Marissa Meyer created. And I especially loved Prince Kai (ahhh the feels!). I may or may not do a video review of this book (I may just do a series review). Anyway, I enjoyed how the author stuck to the story of Cinderella, but simultaneously, she completed re-created and made it much more interesting in my opinion.
Overall, I very much enjoyed Cinder. I cannot wait to continue the series! (There is Scarlet, Cress, and soon to come- Winter.) I give this book a 4.7/5 and a 9.2/10. 

Thank you for reading and I definitely hope you check this book out!

Book Review | Just One Day by Gayle Forman

I honestly love contemporary novels and lately, I've been looking for some to read. On booktube, I came across a ton of people expressing their profound love for this book: Just One Day by Gayle Forman.

Summary: 

Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life.

 
A book about love, heartbreak, travel, identity, and the “accidents” of fate, Just One Day shows us how sometimes in order to get found, you first have to get lost. . . and how often the people we are seeking are much closer than we know.
  The first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon

So of course, I had to check it out myself! And I ended up liking it....a lot. I loved the lessons that this book taught me (very "quote worthy" as I like to say) and the adventure that Allyson had. I really enjoyed the mystery that was Willem and how Allyson was so immersed in his mystery and everything she made him up to be. Allyson too was an interesting character. I loved how she developed and grew throughout the course of the novel.

BUT THE END OH GOSH THE END! *HEY THIS MIGHT BE A SPOILER*

I hated how it just left you hanging. I suppose it was a sufficient ending but I wanted closure! I can't help it, man, I'm only human. 

Overall, I give this book a 4/5 stars and an 8.9/10. Just One Year is the companion novel, by the way, and Just One Night is being released soon from what I hear which will answer all of those dangling questions! Hooray! 

Thank you for reading and I hope you check this book out! 

Welcome to My Blog

Hi. My name is Kellie. Welcome to my blog! In my blog, I will be talking about my favorite books and the like. Mostly, I will be talking about books. I will be reviewing them and the such.


Thanks for reading. Kellie.