Sunday 28 September 2014

10 Books I enjoyed in 2014 so Far!

I was going to wait until the end of the year to post my favourites, but I've read so many amazing books this year so I wanted to make sure all of them were mentioned! Since a lot of books are going to be mentioned, the reasoning as to why I chose them will be short. (They're in no particular order)

1. The Lux Series by Jennifer. L. Armentrout
This is sort of cheating, but I just loved the series so much and couldn't pick just one! (Though if I did it would probably be Opposition) If you're looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read this is it! (4.75/5)
 
2. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
This was such an amazing conclusion to the series, and I loved how it wrapped up one series while simultaneously starting another. (4.5/5)
3. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
This book was AMAZING!!! Such a great end to this beautiful, magnificent trilogy! I read this so quickly, and was in tears by the end! I loved it and highly recommend it! Her books are beautifully written and funny at the same time! (5/5)
4. Perfect Lies by Kiersten White
This is the last book in the duology and I liked it so much better than the first. This book really made me appreciate Annie more as a character. I also love the way the book was written from two different points of view, and then they both came to the same point in the end! (4.8/5)
5. Cress by Marissa Meyer
This is the third book in the series, and they just keep getting better and better! I read this book while on vacation over March Break; I wouldn't leave the hotel room until I finished at least two chapters because I literally couldn't stop reading! It was non-stop action/adventure! (5/5)
6. The One by Kiera Cass
This is the third-but not final-book in the Selection series! I loved this so much! It was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it sure didn't disappoint! (5/5)
7. Unhinged by A.G. Howard
Ahhh! The Splintered series is my favourite series of all time and this book made it official! Who knew a sequel could be so FANTASTIC! This series is unique, fast paced, witty, entertaining, and all around fun! Highly, highly recommend! (5/5)
8. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
I only read this book because it was the Booksplosion book of the month. By the time I finished it I LOVED it! It was hilarious, but had an amazing plot! Can't wait for the sequel! (4.8/5)
9. To all the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
This was a great contemporary. I loved the writing and how there was a really strong family dynamic; and that's something that's excluded from most YA novels. (5/5)
10. Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
I love this trilogy so much, it's just so captivating and unique! All the books in this series are action-packed and just so well written! (5/5)
 
Like I said earlier, these are just ten of the many books I enjoyed throughout the year so far! I will post another entry at the end of the year where I discuss my ultimate top 10! Thanks for reading! ~Birdie





 


Sunday 14 September 2014

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
Published: Delacorte Books, November,13, 2012
Pages: 304
Source: Hardcover, purchased
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 3/5 (79%)

How I Felt: This book was just okay to me. There was nothing in particular that stood out and made this a GREAT book. This book had the same characteristics of every other contemporary, and just became tedious and annoying at times. The two main characters (love interests) both hated each other in the beginning, and then slowly throughout the story, both realized they like each other. But other characters got in the way, they had a huge fight, they denied their love for each other, and then on the last page they FINALLY  tell the other person they like them. This is often the case in most contemporary books, and usually I don't mind it too much, but the part that really annoys me is when the characters announce their love for each other on the last page and then we don't get to see them together. There were also a few minor things that got on my nerves like how Julia (protagonist) would always say: thankyouverymuch at the end of almost every sentence, this got to be annoying after a while. I also didn't enjoy how we never got to meet Phoebe or Julia's mom, especially since they both played huge rolls in Julia's life. I did really enjoy how this book was set in England and we got to learn a lot about the country and feel like we were really there. I also liked how there was a big focus of literature, like Shakespeare and Jane Austen. I don't think we got that much of a backstory on Julia's life, we only saw her in England where she was learning to become a new, more out-going person, but we never really got to see the Julia she was before the trip and that to me was a little disappointing. This book was focused on love, what it means to love, what it means to be loved, and what love is really all about, I really enjoyed this aspect of the book, and I really liked how Lauren wrote this aspect of the book. I don't have that much else to say about this book, really. It was good and a fairly quick read, I can't say I highly recommend it, but if you like contemporary you might enjoy this.
Favourite Quotes:
  • “I need to experience books, not just read them.”
  • “There's a difference between preferring books to parties and preferring sixteen cats to seeing the light of day.”
  • "There are perfect people, many of them, and it's up to you to grab one when you find each other in the random chaos of life and love.”
  • “Point is, maybe some people wouldn't want to be around me all day, but there are people out there who would. And they're smart and funny. And they like some of the same things I like and hate some of the things I hate, but they also introduce me to all kinds of new things. That's as close to 'meant to be' as I can imagine.”
  • “Someone once told me love isn’t perfect—or predictable.”
  • “When all along... well, what I was hoping you'd realize...'
    'My mystery guy was you,' I finish in a whisper."
  • “But things work out, you know? Even if it doesn't feel okay for a long time, or even if it feels like things will never be okay again, everything works out in the end.”
***Quotes taken from Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill and Goodreads.com***
*Info on book taken from Goodreads.com*

BirdiesBooks Update

Since school started again I've been really busy and had very little free time so I won't be posting as much during the next week or so, but I have a few reviews I still need to write so those will be coming soon! And thanks to everyone who's seen my blog, if you like it share it with your friends! You can contact me at birdiesbooks15@gmail.com. Thanks, happy reading!
-Birdie

Popular Posts