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.