LOVE, ROSIE BOOK REVIEW

Title: Love, Rosie

Author: Cecilia Ahern

Published: April 15, 2014

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

                  

  Synopsis

Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until Alex gets the news that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light. Devastated, the two make plans for Rosie to apply to colleges in the U.S.

She gets into Boston University, Alex gets into Harvard, and everything is falling into place, when on the eve of her departure, Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant by a boy she'd gone out with while on the rebound from Alex.

Her dreams for college, Alex, and a glamorous career dashed, Rosie stays in Dublin to become a single mother, while Alex pursues a medical career and a new love in Boston. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel, structured as a series of clever e-mails, letters, notes, and a trail of missed opportunities, Alex and Rosie find out that fate isn't done with them yet.

     

READ MORE FOR THE ACTUAL REVIEW

Waiting On Wednesday: Eren by Simon P. Clark

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by BREAKING THE SPINE

which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

                                                   So my book for this week! *drum roll* here we go:

Title: Eren

Author: Simon P. Clark
Publisher: Constable & Robinson

Expected Publication Date: September 4, 2014

Purchase it here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble

TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE BOOK REVIEW

Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han [Twitter|Facebook]

Published: April 15, 2014

My Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars 

                  

  Synopsis

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

     

 READ MORE FOR THE ACTUAL REVIEW

AMELIA ANNE IS DEAD AND GONE BOOK REVIEW

Title: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

Author: Kate Rosenfield [Twitter|Facebook]

Published: July 5, 2012

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

An arresting un-coming-of-age story, from a breathtaking talent

Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life.

Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.

READ MORE FOR THE ACTUAL REVIEW

[MOVIE NEWS] If I Stay Official Movie Poster

Earlier this morning the movie page of the upcoming movie adaptation of If I Stay released an official movie poster, here it is!

Stunning isn't?

Photo Credits: (If I Stay Facebook Page)

[MOVIE NEWS] The DUFF Casting News: Casey, Toby and Wesley!

Earlier our very own Kody Keplinger; a YA author of the best selling book: The DUFF released the other casting of the upcoming movie adaptation of her book.

 Bianca Santos, whom you may have seen in The Fosters as Lexi, will be playing Casey, one of Bianca’s gorgeous best friends. I really like everything I’ve seen of Bianca so far, and I can’t wait to see how she, Mae Whitman, and Skyler Samuels will play off each other!

-Kody Keplinger

She's smoking hot! I know. I'm so excited to see how will she play Casey, since I really love her character in the book.

 Nick Eversman has joined the cast as Toby, Bianca’s crush. Nick will soon be playing Mick Jagger in the James Brown biopic Get On Up, which sounds pretty fantastic.

-Kody Keplinger

Well I think he fits the description of Toby in the book; the eyes, the smile. I got this feeling he will be great as Toby!

And now with Wesley Rush, tantanatanan!

Robbie Amell will be playing … Wesley! Ahhh! Robbie was most recently in The Tomorrow People, but I personally know him as Scooby from How I Met Your Mother. I love this casting. I think he’ll bring a lot to the role, and also – let’s be real – he’s very attractive. Who wouldn’t want to watch a movie with him as the leading man????

-Kody Keplinger

Yes! Robbie! He's great in The Tomorrow People, and he has this strong aura that Wesley has in the book, so let's wait and see on how will he portray the character.

So far, I really love the casting and all. I'm so thrilled to see the full movie!

Here's the synopsis of the movie from CBS Films:

“Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as ‘The DUFF’ (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends (Skylar Samuels & Bianca Santos).  Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher (Ken Jeong), she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby (Nick Eversman), and enlists Wesley (Robbie Amell), a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone’s DUFF. “

I know they changed some parts in the movie and added some few characters, but well it's too early to criticize it. I'm hoping that this movie will turn out good. 

About the book:

 Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

It's Not Summer Without You Book Review

Title: It's Not Summer Without You

Author: Jenny Hann [Twitter|Facebook]

Published: April 27, 2010

My Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach.

     

 Review

“How do you regret one of the best nights of your entire life? You don't. You remember every word, every look. Even when it hurts, you still remember.”

― Jenny Han

This is the sequel of The Summer I Turned Pretty and the second book from the trilogy. You know what, I really like this book more than the first one, I don’t know why but in this book it feels like everything was done neatly, and it feels like it has much more story than the first book.

Though at some points, I get irritated by Belly. She always thinks about herself and forgets that the whole world doesn’t revolve around her, and her ridiculous fantasy to Conrad (Just get over with it!) why can’t she notice that Jere is there for her.

And speaking of Jere, he has a point of view on this one! So when I read his chapter I was like “Whaaa” “wha!” Okay. I just love reading his point of view, I love how he is this cheerful person outside but in reality he’s one of those broken persons out there. I really wish for more of his POV in the last book.

And the love triangle in the first book became more intense here, but after reading this book, I know who I want Belly to end up with. I mean between the two brothers, I’m on Jere side because she treats Belly right not like Conrad who just keep on being a jerk.

Let’s go to Susannah’s death, wow just wow. I thought she would survive her cancer but she didn’t. I surely miss her presence in the book, because she’s like Belly’s second mom and maybe a best friend. And that few lines in the first chapter really broke me, Jenny Han! How can you do that? Don’t ever do such thing again. *insert sad emoticon*

There’s one more thing I’m annoyed about this book, it’s Taylor. Belly’s best friend. I don’t know if she’s a best friend or not because in the first book, Belly stated that she’s only a friend anymore, and now this. I’m so confused, and she really likes to talk and talk and talk of absurd things.  

To sum it all up, her sequel gotten more good and better, I am really hooked in this one! Looking forward to the last book!

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: Inland by Kat Rosenfield

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by BREAKING THE SPINE

which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

                                                   So my book for this week! *drum roll* here we go:

Title: Inland

Author: Kat Rosenfield [Twitter||Facebook]
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Expected Publication Date: June 12, 2014

Synopsis

The psychological labyrinth of a young woman’s insidious connection to the sea, from the Edgar Award nominated author of Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone.

Callie Morgan has long lived choked by the failure of her own lungs, the result of an elusive pulmonary illness that has plagued her since childhood. A childhood marked early by the drowning death of her mother—a death to which Callie was the sole witness. Her father has moved them inland, away from the memories of the California coast her mother loved so much and toward promises of recovery—and the escape of denial—in arid, landlocked air.

But after years of running away, the promise of a life-changing job for her father brings Callie and him back to the coast, to Florida, where Callie’s symptoms miraculously disappear. For once, life seems delightfully normal. But the ocean’s edge offers more than healing air … it holds a magnetic pull, drawing Callie closer and closer to the chilly, watery embrace that claimed her mother. Returned to the ocean, Callie comes of age and comes into a family destiny that holds generations of secrets and very few happy endings.

Oh my god! This book sounds interesting, I really want to read it right now! And that cover! I'm so into this kind of book.

WINGER BOOK REVIEW

Title: Winger

Author: Andrew Smith [Website]

Published: May 14, 2013

My Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

     

 Review

“You know, nothing ever goes back exactly the way it was. Things just expand and contract. Like the universe, like breathing. But you’ll never fill your lungs up with the same air twice.”

-Andrew Smith

The book follows the story of Ryan Dean West, a fourteen year old boy who is in his junior year, surprising isn’t? He’s the youngest student in their junior year since most of his classmates are mostly 16 year olds. And that’s one of the things that caught my attention to this book; I have so many questions in my mind before reading it. Then the other day, I convinced myself to read it.

I was really surprised on how this book ended; I never expected that, though halfway through the book I almost give it up, it seems like the story lost its direction but since I really want to know how it will end, I push that thought away and continue reading it.  But gladly after a few chapters, it became good again.

What I love about this book is the humour and the comic strip that Ryan Dean always draw in every chapter (he’s a great artist lol). And I just can’t take it whenever Ryan Dean creates a conversation in his head, it was goddamn hilarious! Also when he’s daydreaming fantasies on every hot girl he sees; which mostly all of the girls he encounter, well except for Mrs. Singer.  

This book is very entertaining since I always take a moment and laugh my ass off; the first paragraph of this book is one of the best first paragraphs of the books I’ve ever read. It was insane! If I was him, I will also do some silent prayer while my head is in a toilet.

And his friends, I wish I had some friends like him. They always crack jokes and get wasted but in a funny way. Oh, and because of this book, my interest in the Rugby sport grew eventually. I want to try it sometime, it sounds dauntless and fun!

His love story is quite odd but it’s funny as hell, however I don’t want to experience that in my life. Never in my wildest dreams.

And as I was saying, on the few chapters left, the story suddenly changed it course. I’m kind of shocked on how he ended it. I don’t want to be specific because it’s a spoiler, I highly recommend it especially if you’re a huge fan of contemporary novels. This book will strike you unexpectedly. All in all, this book is definitely a worth read! It taught me a huge lesson in my life.

PS.

I have good news about this book! It has a sequel and will be released next year! OH MY GOD. It has a title already; Stand-Off. sounds cool right? Let's just wait patiently for the cover. 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: The Cure for Dreaming By Cat Winters

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by BREAKING THE SPINE

which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

                                                   So my book for this week! *drum roll* here we go:

Title: The Cure for Dreaming

Author: Cat Winters
Publisher: Amulet Books

Expected Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Synopsis

Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls to be docile. It’s 1900 in Oregon, and Olivia’s father, concerned that she’s headed for trouble, convinces a stage mesmerist to try to hypnotize the rebellion out of her. But the hypnotist, an intriguing young man named Henri Reverie, gives her a terrible gift instead: she’s able to see people’s true natures, manifesting as visions of darkness and goodness, while also unable to speak her true thoughts out loud. These supernatural challenges only make Olivia more determined to speak her mind, and so she’s drawn into a dangerous relationship with the hypnotist and his mysterious motives, all while secretly fighting for the rights of women. Winters breathes new life into history once again with an atmospheric, vividly real story, including archival photos and art from the period throughout.

I'm thrilled to read this book! Oh and this book has a gorgeous cover actually.

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE BOOK REVIEW

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life

Author: Leila Sales [Twitter||Facebook]

Published: September 17, 2013

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together

     

 Review

“That’s the problem with life. You never get enough time to stare at your ceiling and try to figure out what's going on.”― Leila Sales

I can’t believe I’ve just read a book like this, I never thought a book like this exist (Good thing it does). I’m still in awe after finishing this book, yeah I know… I always say that. But really, this book is exceptional; I am book-struck with it, this is one of those books where it leaves you a big question to wonder about.

I just want to say thank you for my bro who posted his insight about this book on his timeline, if he hadn’t posted that insight maybe I will never know the existence of this book, thank you very much.  He even quoted a line from a book that sparked my interest in the book. And the fact that this book contains a lot of songs, I think this book will be my best friend for a while.

This book follows the story of Elise Dembowski’s as she staggers with her high school life alone. She’s the loser in the school and always been a joke to everyone else, well except to her parents. And when the first day of her sophomore year came, she decided to change herself, she tried things to be cool, blended with the popular ones, befriending to someone. But it didn’t turn out well, then that leads her to one scenario: She commits suicide.  

This is the second book I’ve read in summer that has a character with strong voice, I can connect with Elise’s story easily, maybe because we have few common things that we share; her love in music and her view in other people. Her words always get me all the time; they are profound.

Since I really love this book, I want to keep my review short because I want you (the one who is reading my review) to get a copy of this book and read it right now. I highly recommend it! Especially when you’re facing a hard time in life, I want you to read this, cherish every word of it and enjoy it. Miss Leila has written this book radiantly, I want to hug her right now. 

THE DUFF: DESIGNATED FAT FRIEND BOOK REVIEW

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Author: Kody Keplinger [Twitter||Facebook]

Published: September 7, 2010

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

       Review

“No matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually.”

― Kody Keplinger

I fell in love with this book slowly then all at once (sorry for that reference) but I cannot get over on how it turned out in the end! It feels like my entire inside feels just exploded. Okay, let’s get started. The Duff is set in a modern world where teenagers are being teenagers in high school. Just kidding, let’s start with the characters.

So let’s talk about Bianca, wow I have never been so in love with a character, I know she is fictional but damn! I really like Bianca and her wittiness. I love how she’s being straight to the point, and her voice in the book was written eloquently. She’s a strong and lovable character at the same, there’s even a time when I almost wished she’s my girlfriend. *sigh*

And her friends; Casey and Jessica, they are the bomb! Casey is this sisterly type friend where she will always be there whenever you need help, even at the middle of midnight. Then we have Jessica, this sweet girl who reminds me the most of Lisa from Awkward (The TV series I am obsessed right now) but much more smart and sensitive. They are the type of friends you want to hang out with.  

Then here comes Wesley Rush, the man-whore which Bianca really really hate, she hate him more than I hate school. Yes, he is the man-whore who is actually attractive and can make any girls swoon at any moment. And last but not the least Toby Tucker, Bianca’s long time crush. She sees him as this guy who is nearly perfect.  

The storyline flowed so nicely, I didn’t even spotted any dull moments here. Though at some point I got irritated on Bianca because she’s being a total bit*h to her friends, but still I understand her ‘cause she’s undergoing a hard time with her family.

I didn’t expect to be hooked so hard in this book. My experience on reading this book is crazy! Every single time I read a line from Wesley and Bianca’s conversation makes me want to jump off a cliff. And when I came across with this line:

"Wesley Rush doesn't chase girls, but I'm chasing you."

All of my feels broke down. What the actual heck right?  I’ve read a lot of stories like this but this one is different, it felt real to me. She did good on emphasizing the true meaning of being a teenager. Miss Kody has written this so well, so thank you so much.

ARC: FATAL BOOK REVIEW

Title: Fatal

Author: TA Brock [Twitter||Facebook]

Published: March 11, 2014

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

First love can be brutal. Sometimes it can be Fatal.

Grayson Patch hasn’t been human since he was seventeen years old… and that was nineteen years ago. When he rose from the dead, he had no memory of his former life. Grayson desperately wants to recapture his lost humanity. And he’s been told that there is one person in this world who can save him from his current fate before he begins to decompose. One person, whose life must be sacrificed for his.

Cori Abbott has a million things to worry about. She’s the new girl in a school that’s a fraction the size of her old one. Her antisocial tendencies are crippling her ability to make new friends. And then there’s the recent, sudden death of her father, the only man who ever understood her. The last thing Cori wants is the attention of a strange, withdrawn, and consistently angry guy who seems to hate her for no apparent reason. A guy she can’t stop thinking about.

Will Cori break through Grayson’s cold exterior and find the human within, the boy who can love and understand her like no other? Will Grayson sacrifice Cori to rid himself of his undead curse, even if it means losing her forever?

       Review

Wow. Just Wow.

*So I received a review copy of this book for an honest review.*

I don’t know; this book is really good! Since I’m a fan of zombies I gave it a shot, gladly I did not regret a single thing like Cori. I swear this is not your typical zombie story: where they always stutter and eat every living thing they see. It’s much more than that.

I really like what TA Brock done with her novel; she takes the Zombie thing to the next level. She even created different types of them. It was fun to read actually, the switching scenes between Grayson and Cori were done neatly. Oh and the character development here was done well also, especially with Cori; the shy and the-girl-who-push-people-away Cori became this brave and strong girl in the end. And the fact that Grayson and Cori are star crossed lovers (for me they are) really boozed up my hype to finish it until the last page.

Here comes the plot twist! I wasn’t that shocked on how it turned out, because Miss TA already foreshadowed it and my foreshadowing skill never betrayed me, so I guessed it and I’m not wrong. I really like the humor of Cori's friends, even though they are side characters, they don't turn out like one. They have a voice, not like any other books out there, they just throw us these characters and doesn't let us know them deeply. I was really happy when I finished the epilogue, I smell a sequel right there.

I think I need to end my review before I spoil something. So basically this book is a worth read! I recommend it to any YA fans out there to read it. This debut novel of hers is really memorable, wachha waiting for? read it now!

[Movie News] Mockingjay Part 1 Stills

TheHungerGamesExclusive.com recently released stills from the movie, here they are! By the way Julianne Moore looks stunning as coin.

Our very own director; Francis Lawrence.

Jeffrey Wright as Beetee

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch and Julianne Moore as Coin.

[TV Series News] The Flash - Extended Trailer

This is it! The extended trailer of the new tv series coming this fall; The Flash. I've been waiting for this for ages!