Nonrated Book Review: Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

Title: Girl, Interrupted

Author: Susanna Kaysen

Pages: 168

Publisher: Vintage Books

Year Published 1993

First Line: “People ask, How did you get in there?”

“In 1967, after a session with a psychiatrist she’d never seen before, eighteen-year-old Susanna Kaysen was put in a taxi and sent to McLean Hospital. She spent most of the next two years on the ward for teenage girls in psychiatric hospital as renowned for its famous clientele- Sylvia Plath, Robert Lowell, James Taylor, and Ray Charles- as for its progressive method of treating those who could afford its sanctuary.

Kaysen’s memoir encompasses horror and razor-edged perception while providing vivid portraits of her fellow patients and their keepers. It is a brilliant evocation of a ‘parallel universe’ set within the kaleidoscopically shifting landscape of the last sixties. Girl, Interrupted is a clear-sighted, unflinching document that gives lasting and specific dimension to our definitions of sane and insane, mental illness and recovery.”

Unrated Book Review

I’ve written a book review like this once before, As this book is a memoir of someone’s real story, I shouldn’t be rating their life. At least that’s how I feel about it. This novel deals with a lot of stigma about mental health and the idea of being crazy. I did feel like Susanna Kaysen did a remarkable job of explaining her illness, her journey and finally her stance on mental health. It is said that mental health is something that few recognize as true health from day to day. We use words like crazy, nuts, insane, etc without thinking about how we are affecting those around us. After reading this moving memoir I felt like I understood so much more about mental illness.

THANK YOU SUSANNA KAYSEN FOR FINDING THE STRENGTH TO BE MORE THAN A STEREOTYPE!

­­♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 41

“Was everyone seeing this stuff and acting like they weren’t? Was insanity just a matter of dropping the act?”

♥Pg. 53

“There were no takers for peppermint, chocolate was a big flavour. For spring they had a new flavour, peach melba. I ordered that.

‘You gonna want nuts on these?’ the new boy asked.

We looked at one another: Should we say it? The nurses held their breath. Outside, the birds were singing.

‘I don’t think we need them,’ said Georgina.”

♥Pg. 151

“If my diagnosis had been bipolar illness, for instance, the reaction to me and this story would be slightly different. That’s a chemical problem, you’d say to yourself, manic depressionLithium, all that I would be blameless, somehow. And what about schizophrenia- that would send a chill up your spine. After all, that’s real insanity.”

♥Final Line: “The girl at her music sits in another sort of light, the fitful, overcast light of life, by which we see ourselves and others only imperfectly, and seldom.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

My Favorite Books from 2013

For those who read often, you know that I don't read many brand new books. But I thought I would make a list of books that I read this book year that I loved. 
So let's start this!
1. Street Pharm by Allison Van Diepen 
This book was written in 2006. See I told you, not a new book reader. This was an awesome novel filled with harsh realities and I found it so hard to put it down. I'd suggest it for teens everywhere really. 
2. You Against Me by Jenny Downham
I loved this book. The second book I'd ever read by Jenny Downham and I couldn't stop the feels. If you like the feels, read it!
3. Eve by Anna Carey
I didn't realize it was so long ago that I started this series and now I'm about to end it. I loved this book and was just getting into my YA apocalyptic book phase (it's continued for a while now).
4. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
An amazing read for anyone who wants to sees a fantasy world and the future of all prisons. Seriously, fantastic.
5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Used a whole box of tissues for this one! Looking for a good thinking book?? This is a great one as long as you don't mind feeling the feels. 
6. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
The last book in the Hush, Hush series and one of the best last books I've read, especially since I'm usually the girl who hates to see a series. 
7. Looking for Alaska by John Green
First book I've ever read by John Green and certainly not the last.
8. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
This is one of those odd books that has a different way of writing and looking at it the first time I thought I would hate it and then BAM I zoomed through it in a week. Amazing!
9. The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor
This book helped me through a really tough time in my life and gave me hope for the future. A book for any girl going through a breakup. 
10. Stella Stands Alone by A. LaFaye
A great historical book about slavery that really hits readers hard.
11. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson
A thriller, page turner. If you're bored in the afternoon this is a great one to pick it up. Warning adult content. 
12. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
One of my favorites books from 2013. A hard hitting message by a unique narrator. 
13. Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
An amazing first book about the what ifs of the world ending. Action packed and twists and turns. 
14. Red Glove by Holly Black
This was the second book in the curseworkers series and it was when I really started to love the world Holly Black had created. It isn't really futuristic rather its a different dimension sort of deal.
15. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
I don't usually read adult books, but this one I couldn't pass up. I read it and got caught up in the story line, the characters and the mystery of it all! If you want a page turner, check it out.
16. Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate
I liked this book way better than any other of the Fallen books. It definitely gives an insight to all the characters while keeping it interesting. 
17. Until It Hurts to Stop by Jennifer R. Hubbard 
I actually won this book from goodreads, a give away put on by the author herself (shoutout). Anyways, it was moving, and teaches an amazing lesson. Anyone in middle school or high school should read it.
18. Rise by Anna Carey
I really loved this book! I just finished it this past month after reading the rest of the series. I would certainly reread them! Awesome! Check it out if you like post apocalyptic, sci-fi or fantasy. 

Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Fearless by Francine Pascal

Title: Fearless
Author: Francine Pascala
Series: Fearless (Book #1)

Pages: 189

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Year Published: 1999

First Line: “Losers with no imagination say that if you start a new school, there has to be a first day.”

“Fearless introduces us to Gaia Moore, a girl born without the gene for fear. Gaia's mother was murdered, and her father, Tom Moore, a famous covert antiterrorist mastermind, is in hiding. Now 17 years old, Gaia is living in New York City with Tom's CIA friend, George, and his wife, Ella. Gaia is a prime target for terrorists and is in constant danger, but she is trained in all forms of combat so she can defend herself. Like Buffy and Xena, Gaia Moore is a force.
But she is also a high school student, trying to be like everyone else. As her friendships develop, we see that Gaia is in many ways a typical teen -- when she's not busy getting herself into and out of dangerous situations, righting wrongs, avenging hurts, and solving mysteries.”

My Rating: 4/5

This book was a good read. Not to deep or anything, but enjoyable. It’s one of those books that makes you want to read the next one, but not to the point where you feel the need to pick it up immediately. As I was reading this book I found that this book would make a really good movie or television show, because as I visualized what was happening it played through my mind like a show. I didn’t have trouble imagining anything, but there isn’t a lot of in depth detail. I did like the idea of this book.  It was exciting and a really interesting concept.

THANKS FRANCINE PASCAL FOR MAKING A GIRL SUPERHERO WHO WE CAN RELATE TO!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Fearless by Francine Pascal

I liked this book mainly because it featured a really strong female character. There’s nothing I like more than a female who isn’t afraid to take a stand, or to fight for what she believes in. And let’s face the fact that New York is a great setting for Gaia. Crime rates, and a charming setting compliments her character.

♥Characters♥

♥Gaia: Gaia is the ultimate main character. Literally fearless and out to make the world a better place made it not only an interesting story, but definitely something I’ve never read about before. I do like that she is naïve and inexperienced in the world of high school. It makes her more like the rest of us.  I do love that she’s just blunt with everyone.

♥Ed: I think it’s interesting that he goes after Gaia because she isn’t overly nice to him. Actually in the beginning she is straight up rude, but I can understand how he just wants to feel normal. I was surprised that he dated Heather, did not see that twist coming. I didn’t think he would be that superficial. But maybe his accident changed him. Hopefully he opens up about it later.

♥George: We don’t know much about him except that he was friends with her father, I do wonder how he became her house mate though. Why was she sent to him?

♥Ella: We have a bad a** over here. I knew she was a flirt for a reason but maybe she’s teaming up with Gaia’s father to train her in real world situations. My jaw was on the floor when she shot Marco, did not see that coming at all. She’s a character I’m interested in learning more about in the next book.

♥Sam: Ok he seems really dreamy, but also kind of a jerk. If you don’t feel something for the girl that your with, why are you still with her? I don’t think cheating is right and he has such strong feelings for Gaia, so it’s probably time to let Heather go, but the fact that she almost died a few days ago doesn’t quite set up a good setting for that kind of talk.

♥Heather: I think she’s a brat. She treats people like junk. I know that she had the right to mad at Gaia in the coffee shop, but at the party, the park and finally the hospital? She had no right to be so rude. The thing that got me is I imagine that she will bring up the fact that Gaia didn’t warn her for as long as she can.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 86

“Some friends of his from high school used to rate a girl’s attractiveness by what was known as the fire hose test. If the girl’s looks were all about makeup and hair and clothes, she’d look like crap if you shot a fire hose directly in her face from point-blank range. A genuinely pretty girl would still look good.”

♥Pg.  95

“’It’s a cool name ,’ she said.

‘You could marry me if you asked really nicely,’ he proposed.”

♥Final Line♥: “She was so tired of that girl.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Rise by Anna Carey

Title: Rise

Author: Anna Carey

Series: Eve (Book #3)

Pages: 310

Publisher: Harper

Year Published: 2013

First Line: “Charles rested his hand firmly on my back as we spun once, then again around the conservatory, the guests watching.”

“How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?

When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the happy, patriotic princess of The New America- and the blushing bride of her father’s top adviser- Eve’s whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb’s memory, and the revolution he started.

Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King’s court, she plots to take down The New America beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she’s called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion- killing her father?

In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey’s epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.”

My Rating: 5/5

This has been a tremendous series. One that teaches and makes the reader wonder about the future. The never ending what ifs that come with a future based novel make them such a fun read. Especially one filled with such great characters and concepts. The ideas in this book are fantastic and very well carried out. Thoughts are fully explained but not to the point where a reader gets bored. I have loved reading these books and this final one has finally given me just what I wanted. It is truly a 5. Anna Carey does an amazing job with her main character, making her relatable but not predictable, which I think for authors is a tricky task.  So thumbs up Anna Carey!

THANK YOU ANNA CAREY FOR ONE OF THE BEST SERIES I’VE EVER READ! SERIOUSLY!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Rise by Anna Carey

Thank goodness I get to write a spoiler for this book! I just had so much trouble keeping out spoilers in the book review. Ahh! Sorry for the craziness. So anyways, I big thank you to Anna Carey for writing such awesome books, this series has been amazing and I’m sorry to have it end so soon.  But oh what an ending it was! I loved the whole idea of this book. The last book that ended, ended on such a suspenseful note. And this book just answered so many questions from the past. Especially just in the idea of the setting changing and our main character growing up so much. Not so much in age, but maturity.

♥Characters♥

♥Eve: Mentioned above how much Eve has changed. She has finally come into her own and started to realize just how much of what the School taught her is a lie and that you can’t just go all willy nilly (ya I used it) trusting everyone. Especially in such hard times. My heart broke when I read that she was pregnant (guess that confirms exactly what her and Caleb got up to in that plane). I think it was one of those moments where anyone whose gotten into this series freaked the frick out. I didn’t think she would actually kill The King but when she finally did. Woah I was stunned, whoever makes the excuse that pregnant women shouldn’t do this or that in their condition should read some of this book. A great main character.

♥Charles: I think he is a really important character to include. In Once I thought he was just a rude rich boy, but he turned out to be more than that. Although by the end I think he realized that him and Eve would never be a happy couple that didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. He also protected her multiple times. First with her pregnancy and then when she was caught with Moss. I guess you could say he grew on me.

♥The King: This guy has some major issues. Maybe the fact that he thinks he is saving all these people has gone to his head, but he deserved what he got. He might have loved Eve’s mother, but he didn’t have a good way of showing that love. He also seemed to feel the need to have things sent back to a different time. A time way before the plague when there were the many classes. Hopefully things run better now.

♥Clara: Another character that grew on me. She didn’t turn out to be stuck up, more stuck in a position she didn’t want to be in. I can’t imagine having your childhood sweetheart ripped from you and given to your cousin who just arrived from the wild. That thought really helped me understand some of her past character traits. But by the time they hit the dugout, she’s just another victim of the King in my eyes.

♥Beatrice: A sweet lady who helped Eve so much. Although she was the reason that Caleb got caught originally. I loved her and think that she would make a good mother to the girls from the School who know nothing but Teachers. Nothing of love.

♥Pip: I cried when she died. It was just another person that didn’t need to die at the kings hand. Indirectly sure, but still his fault none the less. And to have to spend her last days feeling like she wasn’t good enough for anything other than breeding… She deserved so much more.

♥Ruby: I think that she will be a good mother, although she didn’t have a choice about becoming one. She seems more the mothering type than Pip. You can see that in the way that she cares for Benny and Silas.

♥Moss: I didn’t see his death coming, but it was a necessary plot twist for sure.

♥Arden: I can see her being an awesome, kick-a** rebel leader, not sure if the role of president will be quite right for her, but who knows. She certainly would have a fresh take on things.

♥Caleb: I knew he couldn’t be dead! Ha!

♥Moment to Remember♥

♥Pg. 225

“I’d read when you missed someone you became them, that you did things to fill the space they’d left you so you wouldn’t feel so alone.”

♥Final Line: “‘I’m his wife.’”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Update

So if you've been following this blog closely, you'll realize that a few of the books on the Currently Reading and Coming Up Next side bar have been changed. I do have an explanation. 
I'm hitting a pretty busy time of the year, not to mention life in general. I don't have the time to read 600+ page books at the moment, so I'm going to try to keep to books under 400 pages for a while so I can post reviews and spoilers more frequently.
Hopefully this doesn't annoy anyone too much.
Thanks for being patient with me.
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Over by Anna Carey

Title: Once

Author: Anna Carey

Series: Eve (Book #2)

Pages: 354

Publisher: Harper

Year Published: 2012

First Line: “I started over the rocks, clutching a knife in one hand.”

“When you’re being hunted who can you trust?

For the first time since escaping from her School, Eve can finally sleep soundly. She is living in Califia, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America in the year 2041. But she was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at Califia’s gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out in the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand. Trapped inside the city walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past- and must confront the harsh reality of her future.

In this breathless sequel to Eve, Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.”

My Rating: 4/5

This review has been a long time coming, I read Eve in February of this year and had been meaning to see if I could find the rest of the trilogy and in my last book splurge I found and purchased them. This book is a great sequel to the first taking place about a month after the end of the first book. I think that this book while it was a good book, it just didn’t live up to my expectations. There were plot twists and good ideas, but the events were oddly planned out and didn’t run as smoothly as I would have liked.

On the good side of things, characters expanding were great and seeing so many other parts of the post-plague America really struck it home for me. I would recommend this read for anyone who is interested in apocalyptic reads, or futuristic. Probably around the age of 15+.

THANK YOU ANNA CAREY SHOWING A REVOLUTION IN FULL SWING!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Once by Anna Carey

I have been meaning to do with review for a long time and tadah it’s finally happening! Once is the sequel to Eve by Anna Carey. I was happy to find that this book started out in Califia and that it didn’t stay there. It wasn’t a very exciting place it seems, though I would have liked to know more about the other escapees. It’s a pretty important spot and not one readers got to learn that much about. I did like reconnecting with some of the characters from the main book, and revisiting the school, it was a really touching part of the book. No lie, there were tears over here.

♥Characters♥:

♥Eve: She’s grown out of her naïve, little girl phase and is starting to see how the world is now. I was so sad for her when she got to Califia and found out they planned on just trading her in anyways. What happened to human decency? Isn’t that what the trails about? I did think that the news she was the King’s daughter was horrifying news for her. After witnessing what happened to her peers because of him, being related to him would be horrifying, sickening really. My favourite part would have to be the moment of happiness with Caleb in that plane. There is nothing quite like falling asleep with someone you love there beside you. In the end, I think that she’ll be a great help to the resistance if she can be a good enough actress to sneak past her fathers eyes.

♥Arden: I love her, she has spunk and even though she barely made it to Califia she was ready to fight again for Eve and she did, the best she possibly could. Sad times where had when I read that they took her back to the school and put her in the birthing program (that makes it sound so scientific, but wasn’t sure how else to say it). She should have been brought to the city as well. She would have made waves. Not to mention she lost the first thing she’s loved since well ever as far as we are to know. Poor Heddy.

♥The King: I don’t understand how he’s still in power. I imagine mainly because these people just want something to believe in and he’s there, telling them everything will be ok, like a mother after a bad dream. All in all, the Outlands in his great city sound worse than the outside, but people aren’t allowed out so how would they know if things have gotten better since the last time they were outside. The fact that he just explains away the schools and the labour camps is another thing. Jerk!

♥Caleb: He is such a sweetheart. He believe in true love, that much is obvious. I don’t think that he is really dead, but it’s possible. The New America is filled with violence. So why not kill off anyone who gets in the way.

♥Ruby and Pip: We didn’t really know them all that well, but as readers our hearts go out to them all the same. Being used and abused is no way to live, but they have no choice, they are imprisoned. Hopefully they escape with Arden.

♥Charles: He doesn’t seem like a bad person, but I wonder if the only reason he’s marrying her is for the power trip. Could you blame him? King is a pretty good title and everyone else here seems to be greedy and just go for what they want so why not join the club. Hopefully things go according to plan.

♥Moss: This was a big shock for me. I just sat there and reread the sentence over and over! Great job Anna Carey. I do hope this character knows what he’s doing and doesn’t screw everything up. There is too much on the line for that.

♥Beatrice: Hopefully she finds her daughter, but I have a feeling that the King will not let that happen.

♥Moment to Remember♥

♥Pg. 160

“’It wasn’t a date,’ I said, an edge to my voice. I remembered that term from School; the Teachers had referred to it as part of the courtship period. They told us men sometimes acted like gentleman before revealing their true intentions.”

♥Final Line: “The ceremony was about to begin.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Until It Hurts to Stop by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Title: Until It Hurts To Stop

Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard

Pages: 246

Publisher: Viking

Year Published: 2013

First Line: “My friend Nick reaches across the cafeteria table and drops a knife into my hand. ‘Happy birthday, Maggie.’”

“When you can’t trust anyone, how can you ever feel safe?

In seventh grade, Maggie Camden was the class outcast. Every day, the other girls tripped her, pinched her, trapped her in the bathroom, told her she would be better off dead. Four years have passed since then, and Maggie’s tormentors seem to have moved on. The ringleader of them all, Raleigh Barringer, even moved out of town. But Maggie has never stopped watching for attacks, and every laugh still sounds like it’s at her expense.

The only time Maggie feels at peace is when she’s hiking up in the mountains with her best friend, Nick. Lately, though there’s a new sort of tension between the two of them- a tension both dangerous and delicious. But how can Maggie expect anything more out of Nick when all she’s ever been told is tat she’s ugly, she’s pathetic, she’s unworthy of love? And how can she ever feel safe, now that Raleigh Barringer is suddenly0terrifyingly- back in town?”

My Rating: 5/5

I haven’t read a book that touched me this much in while and I loved it. This book was a giveaway from Goodreads, the user being Jennifer, as in Jennifer R. Hubbard. I was impressed and must say that a book that surrounds the aftermath of bullying isn’t common, or at least I haven’t found one yet. And I doubt there will be one that can hold a candle to this one. I loved the story line, setting and mainly the characters.

As someone who has been bullied in the past (haven’t we all) I felt in sync with Maggie. Until someone has picked on you, I’m not sure you understand what one mean/rude sentence can do to someone’s self esteem. I think this is a book that all teenagers need to read, because it is obvious that the bullying problem isn’t getting any better. In fact, it might be getting worse (damn the internet for introducing the cowardly bully). So that this book should be able to reach out to all different kinds of kids in itself is amazing.

THANK YOU JENNIFER R. HUBBARD FOR SHOWING THAT BULLYING DOESN’T STICK WITH A PERSON FOR THE MOMENT, IT’S THERE FOR LIFE! (Oh and the book itself!)

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Until It Hurts to Stop by Jennifer R. Hubbard

I really loved this book. Although it’s a shorter read it is filled with emotion and truth about bullying. Bullying may have changed forms, but its still obviously around and nothing seems to be getting through to kids, if you ask me it’s getting worse, not better. I think that this novel proves a really good point. That point being that when you bully someone, it may only last for a minute to you, but you’re changing that person’s life. They will never trust simply, or be comfortable in their own skin. I think that girls have only gotten crueller. We say things about each other without thinking about how what we’re saying might affect that person. To use it may be every day gossip, but it could be the last straw for somebody else.

On that note lets get to another important part of this book,

♥Characters♥

♥Maggie: I know a lot of people might see this main character as paranoid. But imagine just for one moment that you are locked in a bathroom, not allowed to get out until you say loudly for a recording that you wash your hair in the toilet, and then have that passed around a school where everyone already seems to have it out for you. Not to mention, being told you should go kill yourself. Tell me you wouldn’t be worried about what those around you are laughing and whispering about.

There is my rant. And while I wish that Maggie had just stayed with Nick the first time, I understand why she didn’t. She had been told so many times that she was ugly, she was believing it. I know that feeling and it’s awful. But in the end everything worked out.

I also felt awful when she was sort of ignoring Sylvie, and no it wasn’t fair, but she learnt a lesson didn’t she? Isn’t that enough? May I add that when she stood up to Raleigh I felt like I was cheering her on in the background.

Lastly, I like the idea of hiking/mountain climbing. It kinda makes everything feel different. I know even a walk out in the fresh air sometimes is enough to clear your mind, so why not this. And oh that Mushroom Guide. So unique!

♥Nick: Funny, sweet an able to bring Maggie out of her shell? Let’s ring the victory bell shall we? I loved Nick because he challenged Maggie to more than she thought she could possibly ever accomplish and bam they were climbing mountains, even though I imagine he was afraid to he was able to prove the point that a challenge can be overcome. I was upset that he thought that Maggie was playing head games, but the way he explains it closer to the end of the book makes sense how he could see it that way. Anyways, boo Vanessa!

♥Sylvie: I felt awful that Sylvie had such a tough relationship. It’s hard enough to be different in high school, but I think she pulls it off well. I hope that she’s able to recover and that she taught Maggie to listen.

♥Nick’s Father (Dr. Cleary): He’s as big of a bully as Raleigh was, more so because as a father he is supposed to love his son, but no he just goes right on verbally abusing to make himself feel like the genius. I hate people like this.

♥Raleigh: Although we do hear a lot about the past Raleigh we don’t know a lot about what she’s like 4 years later. I think that she was a snotty bully who thought obviously threatened by Maggie. That’s my explanation anyways. She had no reason to tell someone they’re better of dead, but she did and for that reason she will always be a bully in my mind. Even when she trips over Maggie in the hallway she doesn’t have the decency to say “sorry” or “whoops, my bad”. No one has an excuse to act this way.

♥Vanessa: Cause calling Maggie a b***h is gonna win back your boyfriend. You were the one who sided with someone who was putting him down. Own up to what you did too.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 29

“It’s hard for me to imagine it working smoothly, the two of us sliding into each other’s arms like some movie couple. The way we’re sitting, we’d probably bump elbows, get tangled up in the map. And then there are our legs: What would we do with them?”

♥Pg. 52

“Usually, the only who touches my hair is the girl down at The Mane Event, who always asks, ‘When’s the lat time you had this cut?’ in a tone implying I’ve dragged my head through a swamp before presenting it to her.”

♥Pg. 89

“Well, if he’s determined to go, I’m not going to sit home preparing fo my solitary future of having tea parties for my ten cats.”

♥Pg. 95

“The worst thing Raleigh and the other girls did was to plant that lump of coal inside me, the shame of believing I was the wrong one, wrong in every way. After all, there must be something wrong with me or why else would they be picking on me?”

♥Pg. 97

“He gets up to hunt for something to eat, and trips over some books he piled behind his chair, knocking them across the floor. He says, ‘For my next trick, I’ll use my athletic skill to scale Crystal Mountain.’”

♥Pg. 239

“’Maggie.’ But instead of saying more, he wraps his arms around me.

 I bury my face in his shirt.

 ‘Your heart’s beating,’ I say. Maybe the most senseless piece of conversation ever, but it’s all I can think of: The rhythm beneath my ear.”

♥Final Line: “As if I have a right to be here.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Twitter Account Launch

Okay, so I'm really slow with picking up on things, but it was suggested to me lately that twitter would be an interesting addition to this blog and so bam, there we have it. I had opened an account before and never had much use for it, but now it can be devoted to this blog :)
Follow me @sweetgirlsidny 

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

A Thank You!

So this may not be what you expected, but to bad so sad. I'm writing this post to thank Goodreads for an awesome give away. A while ago I entered a few giveaways and ended up winning Until It Hurts To Stop by Jennifer R. Hubbard (ps. the next book on the reading list). 
So thanks once again :)




Hope to have a review out soon.
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Title: Rapture

Author: Lauren Kate

Series: FALLEN (Book #4)

Pages: 259

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2012

First Line: “First there was silence-“

“The sky is dark with wings . . . .
Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.
Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.
For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.
In the fight for Luce, who will win?
The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.”

My Rating: 3.5/5

I know there are a lot of FALLEN fans and I don’t want to offend anyone, but this book just didn’t do it for me. Interesting thing was that I guessed in the first book what the plot twist was etc. So why did I even bother reading the other books? Because what if I was wrong and Lauren Kate was playing on my emotions, guess what? She wasn’t. I was really disappointed and had trouble working my way through this book in the first place.

I can say some good things about this book, and so I will. I really loved that we got to experience different sides of Luce, her experiences in book #3 certainly reshaped her character and I liked that. I also liked seeing some of the other characters having a bigger role. And finally the ending was what made me change my ending from a 2.5 to a 3.5. I liked it. It was how this series needed to end.

THANK YOU LAUREN KATE FOR AN EPIC LOVE WITHOUT ANY BOUNDARIES!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Okay so surprise surprise, I didn’t like this book very much. I really try not to be hard on books, but honesty is the best policy? Right? So here we go.

I think that this was a badly written book series. There are so many things that Lauren Kate could have done and bam there was just nothing. I suspected from the beginning that Luce was an angel (spoiler, duh, unless you’ve already guessed in which case *gives a cyber high five). Seriously, where is there a plot twist? Oh right at the end? Just when I’m about to rate this book a 2.5 you put in something I liked, awesome.

As well I think that while Luce has developed, I found myself wanting to slap her, a lot! Almost to the point where I was thinking, hmmm wonder how she remembers to breath. Wow that was mean, sorry guys, but if you’re in the same boat you get my drift.

I won’t lie, I liked the end, but nothing Lauren Kate did turned my review around on a dime. It just wasn’t a good one. But seriously, the end, the best part.

Main reason why this book upset me, I read five books to confirm what I already guessed halfway through book #1.

♥Characters♥:

♥ Luce: I was happy that Luce developed so much, but I was getting so frustrated with her. It seemed so obvious to me that she was an angel, and even when it got to the point where she had her wings, her just asking if she was bleeding made me madder. Smarten up Luce! I was surprised that she had been in love with Lucifer before, but the ending for me was the best part, the idea that they got a chance to live as mortals on earth and try a normal life was touching. Thank god something was. Ps. Killing people for rituals, not cool Dee.

♥Daniel: I still love him, but… I don’t understand his thing for Luce, in the end yes, but the rest of the time he must be so frustrating.

♥Cam: I still love Cam, he’s a demon so now I’m  questioning his involvement in everything, and where was he at the end? I wanted to hear his sarcastically dark comments. Come back to me Cam. (And I’ve lost it)

♥Dee:  Kinda crazy, but in a good way. I wasn’t really surprised that she was the desired thing, and I was disappointed that she had to die, why couldn’t they just drain her blood and let her be happy. Although she was probably in a world where she could dream of her love. What do you guys think? Okay with or sad about her death?

♥Lucifer: It was interesting to see him betrayed as someone with more emotion than just rage. Seeing that he had truly loved and lost was interesting, but since he just shows up and spys on Luce all the sadness is lost and it turns creepy. But you know what they say, the heart wants what the heart can’t have. That is what they say right?

♥Gabbe: This part really hit me when she died. Especially when she was the holiest of the fallen. I did think Molly’s death was sad as well, but we didn’t know her as well.

♥Miles and Shelby:  I hate that they were rewarded for going through all those Announcers by the angels basically saying, “Okay kiddies back to school with you two.” But at the end, *sigh* real romance. Happy we got to say goodbye to them as readers.

♥The Outcasts:  Just YAY! That is all.

♥Moments to remember♥

♥Pg.  30

“’Time is faltering in preparation for the rewriting itself.’

 ‘Like the way your computer freezes up more and more frequently before the hard drive crashed and erases your twenty-page term paper?’ Miles said. Everyone looked at him in befuddlement. ‘What?’ he said. ‘Angels and demons don’t do homework?’”

♥Pg. 24

“’You try falling for nine days through multiple dimensions and trillions of miles, landing on your face, breaking your wings, rolling around concussed for who knows how long, wandering the desert for decades looking for any clue as to who or what or where you are- and then talk to me about the old memorizer.’”

♥Pg. 123

“’You mean she’s not Miss Sophia?’

 ‘Sophia Bliss?’ The woman looked as if she’d just bitten into something sour. ‘That bitch is still around? I was sure someone would have put her out of her misery by now.’”

♥Pg.  250

“’Have you met the crazy coin-toss guy in the laundry room?’

‘Luce.’ Nora squinted. ‘When I run out of underwear, I buy new underwear. I am hopping to make it to Thanksgiving without having to do laundry. Are you ready? Soccer boys are waiting, hoping to score. We are their goal, but we must remind them they can’t use their hands.’”

♥Final Line: “Then the angels, the demon, and the Nephilim flew off to distant corners of the sky, leaving a moment’s brilliant flash of light behind them, as below, Luce and Daniel fell in love for the first- and the last- time.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Title: Eragon

Author: Christopher Paolini

Series: Inheritance (Book #1)

Pages: 730

Publisher: Laurel-Leaf

Year Published: 2002

First Line: ‘Wind howled through the night, carry a scent that would change the world.”

“What was once your life is now your legend.

 When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.”

My Rating: 4/5

It’s been so long since I’ve posted a Book Review and a Spoiler. So I’m happy to finally be able to give you one on this tremendous first novel in the Inheritance series. I had read this book a few years ago, way before I started the blog, and now it’s time to give it a review. I really loved the way that Christopher Paolini wrote a fantasy story for young adults and uses such an interesting main character. I feel like when I usually pick up a fantasy book, I can’t relate to the main character, but this book is the opposite. As well, the ideas that he mixes with mythology are really interesting and well executed. I loved that so many personalities were able to develop. It gave the story a lot of depth.

The only reason I couldn’t make this book a five is because sometimes it just got overwhelmingly wordy. To many long explanations that at times were hard to get through. But all in all, I would suggest this book to lovers of fantasy and those who are open to interpretations of mythical creatures.

THANK YOU CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI FOR MAKING ME WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SWORD FIGHT!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Let’s start this off right. Hi, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post a honest to God Spoiler in forever, but in my defense 730 pages is a lot to read while going to work at the same time, all the same thanks for your patience.

Now into what’s important, the book! I really loved this book. I feel like Christopher Paolini did a tremendous job of taking a fantasy book to the next level by incorporating dragons, elves, dwarves,  Shades and so many other mythical creatures. I was interested by the Urgals and Ra’zac the most though because those are two things that you don’t hear everywhere (ok, I’ve never heard anything about them in any other book, every). They make fighting evil so much more interesting, because you don’t really know what they are or what they’re capable.

I also really enjoyed the fact that we, as readers, are like Eragon. We learn things as he does.

Mainly I love the idea of how they fight in fantasy books, swords and magic are pretty cool and then throw in a bow and arrow, jaw dropping.

♥Characters:♥

♥Eragon: Might as well start with who this book is named after. Eragon starts off as a poor farm and turns into part of a legend. I loved that in the beginning he is so naïve about the world around him, the government included. And then through his adventures with Brom he begins to realize that there are so many things he didn’t know back home. I was devastated with Eragon lost Brom. I think Brom had become a father figure to him and had helped him to develop so much. At least he was given a proper burial. That was really important.

I was also shocked when he got captured by the Empire, but I guess this gives time for the author to introduce the good to the evil. I thought it was a good way for us to learn more about the Shade and how much power he has in the government itself. The fact that he knows hardly anything about his parents will probably have a big role in the rest of the series.

Lastly, I loved how the Varden accepted him (except the Twins) and that he didn’t share Murtagh’s secret. He was a hero to them and I can only imagine that this will continue now that he has killed Durza. I wonder how his feelings for Arya will develop as well. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

♥Saphira: She is an awesome character in this book. Not animal like at all. She really has a wise humanish personality about her and I loved that. That she could communicate and give advice made her and Eragon seem like a better team. They are an awesome duo and I hope that she has a chance to save her brethren from Galbatorix.

♥Brom: I loved this guy. He was hard on Eragon at times, but only when necessary. The picture I get in my head of them sparring is quite humorous and it makes so much more sense when we learn that Brom was a Rider. The fact that he knows so much about them also makes sense after this discovery. I cried when he died, I won’t lie to you. It was heartbreaking.

♥Murtagh: It is pretty interesting that he finds them the way he does. And then that he just goes with Eragon without a doubt. I was really suspicious of this first, but then I realized that he had his reasons for not going to Varden. But they seem to have accepted him a lot more by the end.  I do think he has something else hidden though. Hopefully he’s not a mole.

♥Durza: He’s just an interesting character. The idea that the only way to kill him is through the heart is also fascinating. Hopefully there aren’t to many more of them for the empire to team up with.

♥Angella: She’s an interesting character. I wonder how she is powerful enough to just be let into the Varden. Perhaps another rider that escaped Galbatorix? Guess we’ll learn and see.

♥ The Twins: I think we all know that these guys aren’t with the Varden for a good reason. Maybe they’re not even with them at all, just spying. Because if they have as much power as it would appear, why are they with the losing side? They don’t even seem like good people, what would they earn with the fall of the Empire anyways? These are the questions I ponder at night (sometimes).

♥Arya:  I think that Eragon has a crush on this lurvely lady. But would that even be accepted within the elf community. Hope to see in the next book.

THERE ARE OTHER IMPORTANT CHARACTERS, BUT I WASN’T SURE WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THEM, AND IF I INCLUDED ONE THEY WOULD HAVE ALL NEEDED TO BE LISTED.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 79

“’All the Riders were stronger of body, keener of mind, and truer of sight than normal men. Along with this,  a human Rider would slowly acquire pointed ears, though they were never as prominent as an elf’s.’

 Eragon had to stop his hand from reaching up to feel the tips of his ears.”

♥Pg. 217

“’This is your training.’

 Eragon looked back at him, confused. ‘I don’t understand.’

 ‘Of course you don’t,’ Brom said impatiently. ‘That’s why I’m teaching you and not the other way around.’”

♥Pg. 228

“’Think about it: you can communicate with any sentient being, though the contact may not be very clear. You could spend the entire day listening to a birds thoughts or understanding how an earthworm feels during a rainstorm. But I’ve never found birds very interesting. I suggest cats; they have unusual personalities.”

♥Pg. 280

“’You’ll enjoy it. There is much you can learn from books and scrolls,’ said Jeod. He gestured at the walls. These books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.’”

♥Pg. 424

“’Since I don’t know your friend, I have to ask: Will he tell anyone?’

 Murtagh gave a strained laugh. ‘If you had met him, that wouldn’t need answering. His mouth is loosely hinged and hangs open all the time, vomiting whatever happens to be in his mind. The question isn’t whether he will tell people, but whom he will tell.’”

♥Pg. 674

“Engaged in a fiery dance, their bodies were linked and separated by the flashing blades. At times they nearly touched, taut skin only a hair’s breadth away, but then momentum would whirl them apart, and they would withdraw for a second, only to join again. Their sinuous forms wove together like twisting ropes of windblown smoke.”

♥Final line: “I will come.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo