Cinder: Marissa Meyer

Cinder is a Cinderella retelling of sorts. The twist Cinder is a cyborg mechanic in a post world war 4 world. Cinder was injured at some point in the past and the only way to save her was turning her into a cyborg, then she was adopted, but her adoptive dad died. So now she lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters.  She meets Prince Kai when he brings his android to be fixed, and they fall in love for a happily ever after. The end. Just kidding but there is a little chemistry happening. Before anything can happen between Cinder and Prince Kai the moon people and the horrible disease Letumosis must be dealt with for the safety of New Beijing.

I have looked at this book a million times but something always kept me from reading it. I do not know what it was but I am glad I finally ignored it because I love this book. This was my first book from Marissa Meyer, and she is a wonderful writer. Cinder isn’t my usual type of book but Marissa’s style and unusual story kept me entertained enough to enjoy the book. 

Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale so I was a little skeptical to see a cybog retelling but Cinder is really her own person. Marissa Meyer put a lot of Cinderella into Cinder but still managed to give her her own story. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book with it being so far out of my normal comfort zone. Cinder lives up to the hype around her and I cannot wait to see what happen with the rest of the books.

4/5

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda: Becky Albertalli

What to say about this book? I love everything about it. I want to be Simon’s best friend. This book is just so real, I knew it would be good but I did not expect to love it so much!

Simon is gay, and is fairly comfortable with being gay even though he isn’t out yet.  He starts an email relationship with Blue who is also gay but isn’t as comfortable with that fact yet as Simon is. One day this relationship is compromised, and a blackmail situation begins because Simon doesn’t want to out or lose Blue. The blackmail situation actually leads Simon to being comfortable enough to come out to his family and friends. Most of them accept him but a few problems do arise, but that really is to be expected. Blue and Simon continue their relationship through it all.

Simon brings about some great points in his story. Why is it automatic that the world is straight? Why doesn’t everyone have to declare their sexuality when they are at that point in their lives? Homosexual, straight, bisexual, asexual it shouldn’t matter.

I had a couple guesses about who Blue was but I can honestly say I didn’t see the truth coming. Everyone I thought was wrong, but I am ok with that because the surprise was amazing. Now I just need more Simon/Blue stories. So get to work Becky! 

This book just makes me so happy!!

5/5

Bookstore Bucketlist

I live way out in the middle of no where so there are no bookstores close by. I have to drive at least 1.5 hours sometimes more to reach any kind of bookstore. Horrible I know!! Confession time: I have only ever been to a Books-a-Million and a Barnes and Nobel! *hides* There is a used store I love where my school is so maybe that will save me. *crosses fingers*
Because my major lack of bookstores I decided to share my bucketlist of independent and other bookstores I hope to visit in my lifetime. Many thanks to my Twitter people that helped me add to this list! And not what you are all here for:
 
1) Little Shop of Stories Decatur, GA

2) Flyleaf Chapel Hill, NC

3) Half Price Books Multiple Locations

4) Parnassus Nashville, TN

5) Malaprops Asheville, NC

6) Joseph Beth Booksellers Multiple Locations

7) Andersons Multiple Illinois Locations
 
8) Blue Bicycle Books Charleston, SC

9) Blue Willow Bookshop Houston, TX

10) Emerald Isle Books Emerald Isle, NC

Wish me luck on completely this bucketlist in my lifetime! Feel free to share any other stores you think I should add to this list!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for the World

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week it is top ten books that would be on my syllabus if I taught a class. I chose to "teach" a class about books the world needs.
These are all books I think would make this world a better place if everyone would read them. These books all have lessons to teach and I personally have learned from each and every one of them. Some I can relate to extremely well some help me understand others better. I hope you take the time to check some out if you haven't before. Enjoy!

1)Faking Normal: Courtney C. Stevens

2) Luna: Julie Ann Peters

3) None of the Above: I.W. Gregorio

4) Tuesdays With Morrie: Mitch Albom

5) Before I Fall: Lauren Oliver

6) This Song Will Save Your Life: Leila Sales

7) Wintergirls: Laurie Halse Anderson

8) Hate List: Jennifer Brown

9) Nineteen Minutes: Jodi Picoult

10) Say What You Will: Cammie McGovern

Feel free to share your opinions would love to know what you think about my choices. What would you add?

Author Bucket List

Living where I do not many authors make tour stops anywhere near me. So unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to meet any of these awesome people we call authors. I hope to remedy this in the coming years since I am becoming more active in the bookish community. Which leads to my Author Bucket List! The following is a list of my top authors I would love beyond words to meet. I would be ecstatic to meet any author of course but these are the top of my list.

1) Lurlene McDaniel

2) Sarah Dessen

3) Meg Cabot

4) Becky Albertalli

5) Veronica Roth

6) Courtney C. Stevens

7) Aisha Saeed

8) Janet Evanovich

9) Jennifer Echols

10) Ally Carter

11) Kiera Cass

Who knows if I will ever accomplish this list but life goal that I will! I have no idea what will happen when I meet these wonderfully awesomely amazing heroes of mine but I'm sure it will be interesting to watch. A major fangirl moment!!

 

 

Wish me luck!!

More Happy Than Not: Adam Silvera

I read MHTN via Audible audio. I loved this book! I cannot wait to do a reread in the physical form. More Happy Than Not is the story of Aaron Soto and his journey to accept himself. In Aaron’s neighborhood a new company called Leteo that claims they can manipulate a person’s memories to make them forget whatever they need too. Aaron is leading the normal life of a teenage boy in a semi poor city neighborhood; he has a group of friends, a girlfriend, and a part-time job. One day Aaron meets Thomas, they become quick friends which changes Aaron’s life, or so he thinks. Aaron’s time with Thomas makes him realize he is gay, and this is where Aaron thinks his life falls apart. He begins to want a Leteo procedure.

That is all I will tell you about the story line. This is where I was shocked by things I didn’t see coming. I knew what this book was about when I started it but apparently I didn’t know as much as I thought I did because I was a little confused for a bit. Messing with people’s minds is a very tricky thing so the subject matter of this book is very interesting.  This book is something to think about, it would be very intriguing to see what people would do if Leteo was a real thing. Adam is an amazing writer; I find it very hard to believe that this is his debut. I am amazed that the topics in this book are done in such a way at times you don’t really realize what is happening until it is over. Then you are just there like “well that cool, I like that, hhmmmm who knew, good point”. That is when I know I have read a great book. My only problem with this book is the language. I know it is fitting for the characters but I could do with a few less F-bombs. It may not have been that bad if I wasn’t using audio, in a physical book I can skip over them.

So what would you do if Leteo was real? Would you forget something from your past or does your past just make you stronger?

4.5/5 Just because the language.

Mosquitoland: David Arnold

I read this one via Audible audio and I think that was the problem for me. I should have read this in the physical form for my first read.

Mosquitoland tells the story of Mim and her journey to get back to her mom. Her father and new stepmom up and moved the family to Mississippi where Mim hates it. She overhears her dad and stepmom talking about her mom being sick she decides to run away to be with her mom. On her journey Mim meets a wide variety of people that help build her story, and help her understand life in a new way.

I will admit I didn’t really understand this book at first. The more I read the deeper I got into the story and saw what David Arnold was trying to say. Mim’s family had a history of mental illness, and her father is afraid Mim will fall into that hole so he tries to prevent it. Mim’s journey to her mom and her journal letters it Iz help her did thru the fog her medication puts her in until she understands life better. I will hand it to Mim though she does a great job of staying true to herself no matter what the situation she is thrown into in her life.

I may update this review/rating when and if I ever read a physical copy of Mosquitoland so check back.

3/4