Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Publication: April 2010

Publisher: Speak

Pages: 262

Goodreads Rating: 3.99

"On a day that started like any other,

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving." (Goodreads)

If I Stay was a wonderful book. The story focuses on Mia, her close knit family and her swoon-worthy boyfriend, Adam. The way the story is written it flashes back and forth between the past and the present. In the present, Mia and her family are involved in a horrible accident. Somehow Mia has an outer-body experience, and she can walk around and see how everyone is reacting to her family's accident while her body is in a medically induced coma. Her flashbacks of the past were my favorite part of the story. I loved her parents so much. They were awesome. I admired them so much. Adam was also a huge part of her flashbacks. We were able to learn about their relationship through them. He was my favorite character in the book. He was a phenomenal boyfriend to Mia. I was so relieved whenever I discovered that their relationship was healthy and stable. Often times in YA we are bombarded with dysfunctional teenage romances that will never work, but Mia and Adam were a breath of fresh air. I had to hold back tears a few times. From the start this story steals your heart and you will not get it back until you finish the last page.

There is a movie coming out based on this book on August 22. It stars Chloe Grace Mortez. You guys should check out the trailer. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER : )  I think I will try to do a book to movie adaption review. What do you guys think?

My rating of If I Stay:

Until next time,
Bre

June Wrap Up & July TBR:

I can't believe June is already over. I set myself a goal to read 6 books this month, but I only read 5. I'm still happy with what I read. So let's get started : )

Wrap Up:
# of books in April/May: 5
 Read in 2014: 19

Challenges:
Books over 400 pages in June: 2
Books over 400 pages in 2014: 6
Classics: 0
Diverse Authors in June: 0
Diverse Authors in 2014: 2

The Sound of Us 

By Ashley Poston

Published December 2013

Goodreads Rating: 3.96

Pages 202 (ebook)

I decided to buy this on my Kindle because I was craving some contemporary, and it was only $1.99. The Sound of Us follows the story of a young girl named Junie who is a rocker chick. Her best friend is obsessed with Roman Holiday, a popular pop band. Junie hates Roman Holiday because it is constantly played on the radio and she feels like there is no meaning to their songs. I bet you can guess what happens. That's right she meets the lead singer (in a very embarrassing way btw) and she starts dating him.  There is a side story going on with Junie's family. Junie's father passed away, and he owned a bar that she has now taken over. I really loved this side of the story because it added a lot to Junie's character. I did not have any expectations for this book, but I really liked it. Overall, I gave The Sound of Us...

 

 Kissing Doorknobs 

By Terry Spencer Hesser

Published March 1998

Goodreads Rating: 3.84

149 pages

My friend at work gave me this book to read, and I'm so glad she did. I loved it. I have read a few books that deal with realistic issues like some of Ellen Hopkins books, but I have never read one about OCD. I like that Terry Spencer Hesser took a chance and wrote about a sensitive topic. Tara Sullivan struggled all throughout childhood, but something triggered her OCD when she was eleven. One day she heard the saying "If you step on a crack, you'll break your mama's back." From that day on, she couldn't go anywhere with out counting the cracks in the sidewalk to make sure she never stepped on a crack. Her rituals got out of control. Tara would pray constantly, she had to walk up the stairs backwards, separate her meals on her plate, and she had to kiss her fingers then put them on the doorknob over and over again before she could answer/go out the door. This book really opens your eyes to the real struggle of OCD. I rated Kissing Doorknobs....

 

 The Fear Trials

By Lindsay Cummings

Published in May 2014

Goodreads Rating: 4.37

100 pages (ebook)

The Fear Trials is a prequel novella to a new YA series called The Murder Complex. I really enjoyed this novella. It is about a girl named Meadow who is training to compete in The Fear Trials, which if she wins she will be able to leave her houseboat without her parents by her side. In this world, the birth rate is lower than the death rate. At night tons of people die and no one knows why. This novella was awesome. I need The Murder Complex right now. I rated this novella

 

The Program 

By Suzanne Young

Published April 2013

Goodreads Rating: 4.06

pages 405

I already posted a review on this book. CLICK HERE to check it out. I gave The Program....

 

Dorothy Must Die 

By Danielle Paige

Published in April 2014

Goodreads Rating: 3.84

Pages 464

UUUGGHHHH!! I was very disappointed with this book. First of all, it took me forever to read. I put it down so many times because it was too slow. I think I just had my expectations too high. My main problem with the book is that the back of the dust jacket says "Your Mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's Courage. And then Dorothy must die. Only you can make Oz a free land again." Please tell me why NONE of this happens in this book. I understand it is going to be a series, but dang. Paige could have at least made Amy (the main character) do one of those things. I liked the last 100 pages of the book the most. I will continue this series just to find out what happens, but it was a let down. I gave Dorothy Must Die a ...

 July TBR:

I am currently Reading Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover. It is book 2 in the Slammed Trilogy. I am in love with Will and Layken. I will probably finish it tomorrow.

I want to try to read at least six books again this month. I want to get a little ahead of my reading challenge. I have currently completed 19 out of 40 books. 

I will be reading The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider for my book club. 

I also want to read: 

 What did you read in June? What are you planning on reading in July?

Until next time,

Bre

 

The Disney Princess Book Tag:

This tag was created by Turtle Sympathy on Youtube. CLICK HERE to watch his original video. This tag consist of 12 questions and 4 bonus questions. Let's get started : )

Questions/Prompts: Pick a book that represents each princess.

1. Anna and Elsa—A book involving siblings.

 Sloane and her brother Brady were very close. He died before the book started, but we constantly reminisce with Sloane. He had a huge influence on her and her decisions all throughout the novel.

2. Rapunzel—A book that made you emotional.
 Slammed by Colleen Hoover made me cry like a big, fat baby. This book makes you feel all the feels. If you like contemporary, you need to pick this book up. Amazeballs : )

3. Merida—A book featuring a female warrior.

Katniss is a badass. She will forever be my favorite.

4. Tiana—A book that features realistic struggles.

I really enjoyed this book, but it was a little too realistic for me. When I read I like to get away and escape the day to day problems, this book dealt with all types of everyday issues. 

5. Belle—A literary book or classic.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of my favorite classics. I feel like I could picture Belle reading this story. 

 6. Pocahontas—A nature-themed book or book by a naturalist.

The boys in this novel are stranded on an island. How much more nature can you get?

7. Jasmine—A book about the desire to be free.

 In Cassia's world, the government choose who you marry. She gets matched to a childhood friend, but she falls in love with someone else. She wants to be free, so she can marry her true love.

8. Mulan—A book featuring war or battles.

 I have not finished this book, but I am far enough to know that there is a war about to happen. I love the T.V. series. It is so amazing.

9. Ariel—A book featuring curiosity or learning.

Ellen is happily married to Andy. One day, Ellen runs into her old boyfriend, Leo. Ellen then starts to wonder what life would have been like if she stayed with Leo. Let's just say Ellen gets pretty curious. 

  10. Cinderella—A book featuring manual labor.

The Help is one of my favorite books of all time. I love Aibileen, Minnie & Skeeter so much. I need to re-read this soon. 

11. Sleeping Beauty—A book featuring sleep.

Every day A wakes up in a different body. This book is like nothing I have ever read before. A is not a boy or a girl, A is a spirit that travels to a new body at night. A lives in their body for one day then travels to the next one. What happens when A meets a girl and falls in love? You will have to read it to find out.

12. Snow White—A book featuring one of the seven deadly sins.

Dorothy is extremely greedy in this novel. Dorothy takes over Oz, and makes everyone miserable. She takes everyone's magic and keeps it for herself. Amy, the other girl from Kansas, magically appears in Oz. Her mission is to take out the Lion, the Tin-Man, the Scarecrow, and finally she must kill Dorothy to save Oz.

  

Bonus Princesses

 13. Meg—A book featuring Greek mythology.

I actually have NOT read this series. I started the Lighting Thief, but for some reason put it down. 

 14. Alice—A book featuring nonsense or a book featuring unusual other worlds.

Count Olaf is full of surprises and extremely ridiculous.  

  

15. Maid Marian—A book with a canine.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is told from the perspective of a dog named Enzo. I loved this story. It was a tear-jerker for sure. 

16. Nala—A book with a feline.

Professor McGonagall is the only cat that comes to mind. 

This was super fun. I hope you enjoyed it : )

Until next time, 

Bre

June Book Haul & First Line Feature:

(Click on titles to go to each book's Goodreads page)

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

This is an adult fantasy book described as "one part Ocean's Eleven and one part Robin Hood." I have heard awesome things about this series. 

"Locke Lamora's rule of thumb was this: a good confidence game took three months to plan, three weeks to rehearse, and three seconds to win or lose the victim's trust forever."-Scott Lynch

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

This is another adult fantasy book. I have heard that it is up there with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with a school setting like Harry Potter. I am trying to venture out of my comfort zone and try some other genres. 

"It was felling night, and the usual crowd had gathered at the Waystone Inn." - Patrick Rothfuss

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

This book is about a witch bounty hunter that is sexy and extremely dangerous. She chases after all types of creatures of the night. A book about a kick ass female heroin count me in. 

"I stood in the shadows of a deserted shop front across from The Blood and Brew Pub, trying not to be obvious as I tugged my black leather pants back up where they belonged." - Kim Harrison

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

I'm collecting all of Sarah Dessen's books. I have read almost all of them, but this is one that I haven't read yet. I don't know too much about this one other than the main character is struggling with trying to fit in. I have enjoyed all of Sarah's books. They are just light fuffy reads, perfect for summer. (With the exception of Dreamland..it is a darker one)

"My name is Nicole Sparks." - Sarah Dessen

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

This is book 2 of the Mara Dyer Trilogy. I loved book 1. I have a review of it. CLICK HERE to read my thoughts on it. 

Crank by Ellen Hopkins 

I loved Burned by Ellen Hopkins, and I decided that I needed to read more by her. Not to mention one of my friends lloooovveeess anything Ellen Hopkins and recommends her to me any chance she gets. Crank is about a young girl who struggles with her addiction to crystal meth. 

"Life was good before I met the monster." -Ellen Hopkins

The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells

One of my favorite books is The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard is based of this book. I figured that since I really enjoyed that story maybe I should attempt the original. I also have challenged myself to read more classics. 

"I do not propose to add anything to what has already been written concerning the loss of the Lady Vain." -H.G. Wells

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 

I found this ARC (advanced reader's copy) at Goodwill, so I had to have it. This book has been described as Criminal Minds for young adults. 

"The hours were bad." -Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 

Perfect.Summer.Read. Anna is a high school senior who gets sent to a boarding school in Paris. She doesn't want to leave behind her friends and family for a whole school yet. I'm sure you can only imagine what happens. She meets new friends and a very swoon worthy boy named Etienne St. Clair. I really enjoyed this book. 

"Here is everything I know about France: Madeline and Amelie and Moulin Rouge." -Stephanie Perkins

Dead in the Family & Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

These are book 9 and book 10 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series. I love True Blood, so I decided to read the books. I have all of them up to book 10 now. I have read book 1, and I loved it. If you guys are interested in a vampire story with a southern twang definitely check this series out.

Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser

I was given this book by a friend. I really enjoyed it. Kissing Doorknobs is about a young girl struggling with OCD. It really opened my eyes to the everyday struggles people with OCD have to go through. It was an awesome story. 

"Step on a crack, break your mom's back!" -Terry Spencer Hesser

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I want to read this before the movie comes out. I found it at the Goodwill, so I thought it was the perfect time to pick it up. I have no idea what this book is about. 

"It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened." -Lois Lowry

The Elite by Kiera Cass
This is book 2 in The Selection Series. I can't wait to see what happens next. I have a book review on The Selection. CLICK HERE to check it out.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

This is the companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss. I would recommend you read Anna before you read Lola. Lola is a fashion designer who lives in San Francesco who has a thing for her neighbor. It is super adorable. Once again, this is a perfect summer read. Guys please pick up this series. The third book is coming out in August, and I can't wait.  

  

What books did you buy this month?

Until next time,

Bre

Book Review:

The Program by Suzanne Young

Published in 2013

 By Simon and Schuster  

Pages 405

Goodreads Rating: 4.06

My Rating:

"When suicide becomes a worldwide epidemic, the only known cure is The Program, a treatment in which painful memories are erased, a fate worse than death to seventeen-year-old Sloane, who knows that The Program will steal memories of her dead brother and boyfriend."

The Program is a dystopian novel that has a heavy focus on love. I was surprised with the amount of character focus and the lack of world-building. With that being said, I did enjoy this book. I enjoyed Sloane as a narrator because she is strong. A lot of things have happened to her, but she keeps going. Her boyfriend, James, is always there for her. When she is upset, she confines in him. In their world, teenagers have to suppress almost all of their emotions. If they are sad or act depressed, their parents can call The Program to have them taken away to be treated. The Program wipes away all of their memories, so they will no longer be depressed. This sounds all fine and dandy, but they can erase eveything. The doctors at The Program drug the teenagers and get them to tell them anything. This is necessary for the second set of pills they force them to take because these pills attack the memories that cause the patient any pain. I enjoyed the characters and the plot of The Program. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I believe that people who don't normally like dystopian would still enjoy it.

SPOLIERS:

If you haven't read The Program then STOP and come back after you read it. 

There were quite a few predictable moments in the story. For example, Miller's death. I knew it was coming, but it was still so sad. Young did a great job making us love Miller, and then replacing our love for Miller with hate for The Program. Another example, Realm being a part of The Program. He was just too good to be true. I enjoyed reading his parts of the story. I still shipped James and Sloane, but I enjoyed Realm. He was the only person in the story was did not seem confused. He was just a fresh breathe of air. 

            Did anyone else want to punch Sloane's parents in the face? Her mom was so annoying. I understand that she was terrified to lose her daughter, but damn. Let Sloane morn. She has to put on this big fake front at school, so let her come home and let it out. People are killing themselves left and right. How else is she supposed to act? Sloane's dad was just bleh. I was he would have stood up to his wife. 

                  It really bothered me how James started talking to Sloane right off the bat after The Program. Out of all the people in the school, he is automatically interested in her. Of course I wanted it to happen but it seemed too unrealistic for me. It also seemed weird to me how they could skip class so easily. If they were just labeled as a serious threat to themselves and they have to go to a special school to be monitored, I would think they would be watched more closely. 

I'm excited to start The Treatment. I need to know what happens to everyone. With that ending, I need book two ASAP. What did you think about the book? 

Until next time,

Bre

Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 “Naked" Book Covers is this week's topic. Although I do love beautiful dust jackets, a beautiful book cover is the best. I love when the publishing company adds a special something under the dust jacket. Lainey at Ginger Reads Lainey  created this weekly meme.  Full list of Wednesday-ers. Here are my top 5 that I own. Enjoy!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The Program by Suzanne Young

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

What are some of your favourite "naked" book covers?

Until next time,

Bre

May Wrap Up & June TBR:

Happy 1st day of June. I'm excited to share what I have read during the month of May with you guys. Let's get started : )

First off I read 1 book in April. It was Twilight Graphic Novel Volume 2. I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads. I loved the artwork. It was just a nice refresher of the series.

Wrap Up:
# of books in April/May: 4
Read in 2014: 14 books

Challenges:
Books over 400 pages in May: 0
Books over 400 pages in 2014: 4
Classics: 0
Diverse Authors in April/May: 1
Diverse Authors in 2014: 2

The first book I finished in May was:

Of Poseidon 

By Anna Banks

Published May 2012

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Rating: 4.09

Of Poseidon is the first book in a young adult series about mermaids. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have never read a mermaid book before, so I was not expecting much. It follows the story of a young girl named Emma and Galen, a merman. It was a great adventure. I loved all of the world building. I feel like I'm a mermaids pro now. I would definitely recommend it. I'm currently reading the sequel, Of Triton. 

Lola and the Boy Next Door

By Stephanie Perkins

Published September 2011

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Rating: 3.98

Lola and the Boy Next Door is a companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss. I really liked this book. Lola is a spunky character who design clothes. She has a neighbour named Cricket Bell. He is a year older and super cute. I bet you can guess what happens. This book is the perfect summer read. Stephanie Perkins knows how to add everyday issues into her books, and I love how realistic her writing is. For example, Lola's mom didn't want her, so she was raised by her gay uncle and his partner. I just love everything about this book. 

Slammed

By Colleen Hoover

Published September 2012

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Rating: 4.3t

You guys this book!! It was phenomenal. Don't let the cover scare you off, please read it. I went into the book blind, and I think you should too. I will say it's a romance but it also has a heavy family message as well. I ended up crying like a baby while I was reading it. I never cry while I read but man THE FEELS. 

June TBR:

I'm currently reading :

And 

I will also be reading The Program by Suzanne Young with my book club. 

I want to read 6 books this month so fingers crossed. 

Until next time, 

Bre