Stacking the Shelves #19: November 30

Sunday 30 November 2014 8 comments


This Week's Headlines:

    Hello, hello! First of all, I just wanted to wish all of my American friends (and others) a Happy Thanksgiving (or a belated one)! I'm thankful for all of you!

     ASDFGHIKLASDFGHIKL. Before I spread my fantastic book news, lemme talk about my week here. I'm so excited to say that I have an interview with a fellow author friend of mine coming up on Monday with a review of her debut novel! (I won't be spreading anything else, hehe.) I've always dreamt of interviewing an author!

     What else? Hm. I really feel like I need to head to the theatres as soon as possible because there's so many films that I'm so excited to see! Fury, Gone Girl, UGH! Time is just the inapplicable thing that ruins it all, haha.

My Book Haul: 


     No physical copies this week, but that totally doesn't stop me from freaking out and squealing to the max! (Click on covers for Goodreads links)


           I AM SO HAPPY TO SAY THAT I'VE BEEN GRANTED A COPY OF THIS GORGEOUS PRETTY! *squeals and cries* After reading The Winner's Curse, I was so obsessed and I've been agonizingly waiting for this gorgeous sequel. And then the cover was released, and I cried even more!


          So this is another one that I've heard many great things about, and mostly about its fantastic writing and captivation. I'm always looking for unique contemporaries, and I feel like this is it.

Thank you so much Text Publishing and Bloomsbury Publishing for these copies!

What are your newest additions this week? Have you read these two?

TMI by Patty Blount Review

Saturday 29 November 2014 0 comments

TMI, by Patty Blount
Published By: Sourcebooks Fire on August 6, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback Edition
Source: Bought
My Rating: 

Best friends don’t lie. Best friends don’t ditch you for a guy. Best friends don’t post your deepest, darkest secrets online.
Bailey’s falling head-over-high-heels for Ryder West, a mysterious gamer she met online. A guy she’s never met in person. Her best friend, Meg, doesn’t trust smooth-talking Ryder. He’s just a picture-less profile.
When Bailey starts blowing Meg off to spend more virtual quality time with her new crush, Meg decides it’s time to prove Ryder’s a phony.
But one stupid little secret posted online turns into a friendship-destroying feud to answer the question: Who is Ryder West?
   TMI was one of those books that you feel like you'll instantly want to read when you spot it in the bookstore. Even by looking at its cover, you'll be able to tell what it's about, but even by looking at that, it automatically pops into your head that this is a unique story.


     I'm really proud of this book for impressing me. But before you start thinking, "Why is she saying that it impressed her if she only gave it three stars?" let me tell you that it was a good book, not to get you thinking twice or doubting me, or anything like that.

     If you read between the lines, you'll find that this is a book about friendship, but it's absolutely more broken down and messed up, compared to something like Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, let's say. And these two friends? They're imperfect as well and they try to create so much drama—it was overly exaggerated.

       TMI got to the point, quickly. This all began when Simon broke up with Bailey, and she got pissed. Meg, her best friend, was there for her and Bailey went on to going online and trying to get ideas for her video game idea. Through her blog, she meets someone named Ryder West, and they click instantly. Bailey seems to find that Ryder's the only one who can understand her fully, and they both love the same hobbies. But what happens when things go too fast and you start spilling secrets and they end up all over the place? You don't have time for everyone in the world, right? What if your best friend needs you the most but you push them away too fast?
       
    Shit happens in life. What do you honestly expect? I believe that fate is the ruler of everything,a and that everything happens for a reason, cheesy or not. But really, how far can things go? These characters were so annoying, I was about to let this book go to a DNF by page 100. But instead, I kept on going because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Without that mystery in between, I'd probably be giving this book a 1 star rating.

       Fights happen there and there, but this was awfully to much for anyone to handle. One minute, the situation's simple, and the next, everything's messed up and the apologizing begins but soon after, everything goes back to the way it originally was. 


       I saw this mystery forming in my head before I began the novel. I made some assumptions and predictions on what would happen when I passed the midway point through the book. I actually had no idea what was happening, and what was going to happen for that matter.

       As I finished reading, I realized that this story is so possible. Many stories like this and thousands of times worse than this happen daily and all over the world. Patty Blount made Meg's story so believable and wonderful at the same time—I felt like I was living it and watching it from a bird's eye view.

    I must say other than the horrible characters, this book had the potential to become a hit and impress the whole world. The romance was simply gracious and everything I wanted to become. It fit in with the story, and at the same time, it didn't take over the concept, either. Either give this a shot or not, you'll either be missing out on the works of a good story or you'll go on with your life.

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes ARC Review

Friday 28 November 2014


Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes
Published By: HarperTeen on March 24 2015
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery/Murder/Thriller
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
My Rating: 

It all starts with one little lie… Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell lies to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts a business providing forged permission slips and cover stories for the students of Vista Palisades High. Liars, Inc. they call it. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer. Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

I've had this eARC for a little while now, and after reading The Art of Lainey and becoming so overly attached, excited, and fangirled-up, I decided that it was time to read my first ARC of 2015 before all of you losers go out and buy this. (Just kidding, I love you all and I wish I can share.)

Before reading, I'd take a definite note if I were you: This is completely different than The Art of Lainey. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. I picked up my Kindle and began reading, lurking for a chick-lit contemporary, but what I got was something that would totally come out of a mystery/thriller movie that would hit the box office big time. Liars, Inc. wasn't what I expected, but it totally sold my expectations to the big guys. I fucking loved it.

            "My whole life went from simple to complicated because of one little lie. I'm ready for things to be easy again."

First things first, let's give a first round of applause for a male protagonist. We hardly get those, and the lacking is a pain in the butt for all of us who are looking for something different. Max was hot, sexy, kick-ass, and perfectly fitted for his role. He did it even better than James Bond.

If I close my eyes, I can honestly picture this scenario happening in a movie. Max and his two best friends, Pavarti (who is also his girlfriend) and Preston create a lying-based opportunity called Liars, Inc. where they sell lies to their classmates and sort of make money out of it. They're always looking for trouble, and this is their chance. When Preston goes missing, Pavarti and Max think it's a joke, since he supposedly said that he was going to go out to see a thirty-five year old woman who he met while playing poker online. Everything's cool, until Max covers up for him so there won't be a hassle. But as things turn for the worst, the FBI are onto something, and they're soon after Max. With Pavarti's major help, Max goes into hiding and prays for the best. The FBI now believe that Max is the murderer of Preston, and clues and evidence are popping around, and everything seems to lead to him, but it's obviously not.


When looking through everything, this totally can seem like such a sad story, and it is. Max broke my heart—no, he shattered it with his words and thoughts. Stokes has yet created another powerful protagonist who's story you must read from start to finish in one sitting, because it's freakishly explosive and gorgeous. Did I mention that I absolutely adored the concept? :p I cried, people, I TEARED UP.

"But do I love her back? Maybe. I hate seeing her in pain. I want her to be happy. Is that enough? I don't know. Can you ever really know? Trust doesn't come easily to me, and if I stay together with Parvati we'll have to rebuild it almost from scratch."

 I started the book, began to love it, and then I even adored it through the end. When Paula writes a story, you're unable to forget about any of the events. Everything's replaying over and over in my head, and I'm gushing and freaking out because what happened to Max was creepy, thrilling and unbelievable. This is not a chick-lit story, this is a dark, creepier side of the mind of Paula, fantastic and precious author of my favourite books.

           

 When looking back at my reading experience, that is true. The real truth behind everything and what happened to Preston was mentally insane, but in a good way I guess? The good way as in the plot and intriguing me. I had no idea what was going to happen by the end, and I must say that I was awfully surprised with the way the ending sorted out being. I thought that I knew what was going to happen, and then I ended up being so, so wrong that my mind is still blown with freakish writing powers.
           
Max was sexy, smart, and sweet at the same time. He was the risk-taker, and for those who he loved and cared about, he was willing to do the impossible and unstoppable. That's honestly who we're all looking for in a fictional boyfriend. Guess who's mine? HE AND MICAH SHOULD BE BEST BUDDIES BECAUSE THEY SUIT EACH OTHER PERFECTLY UGHHHH! Why must Paula Stokes write about such hot guys?

As I began the book, I had no idea that Pavarti would end up being a main character, but she did. She was very much like Max in so many ways, and it brought me chills as she tried to help her boyfriend and then looking at all of the trouble that she brought herself into by the end, we all realize that she didn't have to, but she did.







             
Man, there is no sunshine in this book. Looking back, I feel like it was all black and white, deep and a dark thriller. Beware of crazy panic attacks, screaming and crazy feels. This was a roller coaster ride ridden a thousand times, minus the barfing. This is easily going to be mine and your favourite read of 2015. Man, I can't believe that I'm typing that year up. ;)

           

The Retribution of A Thousand Lives Lived... (Just Kidding)

Thursday 27 November 2014 2 comments

A Thousand Lives Lived Then... To Now


        Everyone's blog has gone through some sort of transformation... Right? I mean, your blog doesn't look exactly the same now as it did when you made it, unless you have some superpowers that made you a master of blogging when you were probably considered a "Blogger newbie." 

         As I look back onto the way I used to do things around on this blog, I gag. I literally gag because I was such a failure compared to my organization and masterful skills today. It's hilarious as well because I was so lost. But, I did it on my own, so I guess I should give myself a pat on the back for that.



         Ugh, I sadly don't have any photos of how A Thousand Lives Lived look back in the day, *_* (March 14, 2013), but I can tell you that it was hideous. I used the sampler templates that they have on here and I thought I was doing the maximum. I was such a noob that I didn't discover real book review blogs until the fall of 2013? I spent more than half a year thinking that I knew what I was doing with my lazy self. And then I met so many blogger friends who have inspired me to be the best blogger that I can be, even though this is an obsessive hobby of mine that I will never possibly let go.

          So originally, this blog was called That Girl With Her Nose in a Book. Sure, it's cute and all, but way too long. How are people simply going to remember my blog's name if it's *sits and counts* 8 words?! That's pure catastrophe. 

          I guess it stayed that way for a couple of months, until I read George R.R. Martin's quote about readers living thousands of lives and BAM this name came, and it stuck. I wouldn't have had it any other way. 



           At the time, I was as intrigued in the blogosphere as I am now. I began blogging for my personal self and because a family friend of mine who's also an author encouraged me to do it since she knew I loved reading and writing. Since then, I believe that that was all of my personal history. 

            I struggled at times. I told myself that it was too much work to maintain a blog and that my review writing wasn't that good anyways and there's literally no point. But I kept going because I thought, "What else am I going to do with my life without reading and blogging?" It's honestly worthless. Blogging has given me a whole new and different outlook and insight on things that I never saw before. I truly believe that I've gotten smarter, wiser, and my skills have broaden. I probably never even sprung one of my typing finger muscles before blogging, haha.

           And I met so many of you! But don't worry, this post isn't leading up to some big news or anything, the reason why I came up with this idea was because I've gotten a new, organized look on the blog that I've been needing for ages. It's finally here! I feel like I can do anything, and there's so many new aspects that I am able to focus on now that everything's perfect. And I did this all on my own, except actually making the template. My brain is still fizzling out html. coding. 

            So what's next for me?


            I think that from here on out, I'm going to focus on my viewers. I need to interact with you more, find more of you, and do different things. I want you to enjoy coming to my blog, and not just for gaining comments or anything like that. 

I'm so ready for the future of my babbling and reading.


The Art of Lainey, by Paula Stokes Review

Wednesday 26 November 2014 8 comments


The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
Published By: HarperTeen on May 20, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback Edition
Source: Bought
My Rating: 


Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.
And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.
What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?


         This past summer, I headed off to the bookstore, and came back with a book that changed my life forever. Now, you must be thinking that this sounds like the most cliché situation that I could possibly be put in, but I'm telling you—it changed my life. You want to change my life and make me even happier? Hand me a book that Paula Stokes wrote. She's honestly my new and most favourite author. Her words hit you hard and they impact you.

          Looking back at my reaction of this story and Lainey's quirkiness, I was so inspired. This book wasn't an one-time event that comes and goes. This was a story that will tend to stay with you forever because it's just so damn real and if I look outside my window, I can see Lainey and Micah falling in love. This was one of the most realest contemporaries I've ever read, and probably the best book I've read this year. It's on my TOP TEN, people. If you know me, I have thousands of favourites. 5 star ratings come and go, but this book zapped me out of my depressing 3 star-state.

          "Why do you care?" He glances over. "You afraid of me now?" "No," I say quickly. And it's true. Even if he carries a switchblade and pretends to be badass, he doesn't seem much different from the kid I knew in fifth grade. "I'm just trying to... get to know you again."

         

          That's what this book did to my heart. NO, not set it on fire, but think of the fire-crackling sound. That warmth, that beauty, yeah that's it. I'm still left without words because this book poisoned me with love. It was like looking outside your window and looking at the first snowfall of the season, which I actually am doing at the moment. It was a whole new experience, and I officially have lived another experience with a bunch of gorgeous and memorable characters.

           As you begin reading this book, you'll probably be thinking that this is your average contemporary story. Well, IT'S NOT. Lainey Mitchell is living the perfect life—she has awesome friends, a mega-hot boyfriend, and is super-popular and gets invited to the best parties around. And then, everything falls apart when her boyfriend, Jason, breaks up with her. She is unbelieved, and wants him back. But the way she tries to get him back creates a war, and this is something crazily crazy. Teaming up with Micah, the guy who works at her parents coffee shop (did I mention that he's completely gothic and has piercings?) she pretends to date Micah so she can get Jason back, and Micah can get his old girlfriend back as well. But what happens when the unthinkable and impossible happens? Lainey and Micah fall in love instead? But of course that leads to not thinking straight and everyone not knowing what they really want in the end.

            This was straight up the cutest story that I've ever read. I must admit, I was a little late onto reading it, and now I feel guilty for not picking it up sooner, and finding out about Paula's amazing writing even sooner. The buzz is correct, the general public is correct! And I'm very happy to say that my expectations were correct, but they were still blown off the wall because it was even better than what I expected. Can't I give this a thousand star rating instead?

              I wish that I was able to finish this book in one sitting. But I began it late and I had school the next day and had to study, so it turned into a three-day period. But as I continued reading this book during the three days, I devoured it slowly, more slowly than I would've ever imagined. Everything flowed together perfectly, and I found that this was the way a true and real love story was supposed to be written. Not any other way. Paula Stokes can easily become the next Jane Austen or Shakespeare, she mastered it so easily, at least it seemed that way.

             
COME ON MICAH


        ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH ILOVEMICAH

       Micah was perfect. He is easily the hottest YA male character in contemporary history. UGH COME TO ME. I love him so much and am totally jealous of Lainey, but hey, she totally deserves him and his gorgeousness.

       "You're like this punk-rock baker," I say, shaking my head. "What's wrong with that?" "A bit of a contradiction, don't you think?" I wipe the sweat from my forehead, running my hand over my hair to tame the flyaways. I can feel it starting to frizz. Micah looks hard at me for a moment as we reach the cars. The sun catches his hazel eyes, reflecting ribbons of green and gold through the warm summer air. "Most people are."

        I guess you've probably got enough of me talking. But the important catch here about Lainey and Micah is that they're total opposites—but they match and are perfect for each other. Their romance and love was beyond expectations, and it was slow and devouring, unlike many other stories I've read in the past. Romeo and Juliet definitely have competition, I must announce.

       
         I got everything I wanted and more from this book. When I finished reading, I sat there like an idiot, smiling and praising myself for choosing to read this. The plot was gorgeous, the idea was gorgeous, MICAH was gorgeous, and the art that Lainey provided for us was witty, hilarious, and true. By the end, you will feel like you've witnessed a true work of art.

Top Ten Tuesday #17: Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

Tuesday 25 November 2014 8 comments


-Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme where readers exchange their opinions
and needs through bookish lists with 10 choices. Created by Broke and Bookish.-

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR


           I honestly hate doing these TTT posts, mainly because I always disappoint myself when coming to the end of the season. I then realize that I've barely gotten to a few of the ones that I promised myself that I'd read for the autumn. Anywho... Let's just do this and I'll end up hoping that I'll be pleased. Hmm.


  1.      Wolfsbane, by Andrea Cremer (click on the cover for the Goodreads page!)

             *sighs* I read the first book, Nightshade, in FEBRUARY. Almost a year ago. *dies* I can't believe that this one and the last book in the trilogy have been sitting in my bookshelf for that long. I LOVED THE FIRST BOOK. 

     2.      Sky on Fire, by Emmy Laybourne 


               This is another one that I've been eagerly wanting to read since I also read it in February. Monument 14 was actually one of the best books that I've read this year, and Emmy Laybourne performed true dystopia excellence. I also have the third and final novel, Savage Drift from the library!

        3.     Crewel, by Gennifer Albin


                 I received this last year as a gift for Christmas, since I wanted it so badly and would throw a fit (okay, not literally) if I didn't get it. And now, it's just sitting in my shelf. I LOVE DYSTOPIAS, AND I ALWAYS NEED MORE DYSTOPIAN.

           4.       White Space, by Ilsa J. Bick


                 Matrix? I'M IN. Honestly, I've been searching for something science-fiction with a unique premise that doesn't have to do with saving the world. And I feel like I've got this right before my hands. Plus, this book is huge which is another goodie. :)

             5.         House of Ivy & Sorrow, by Natalie Whipple


              This book actually is getting a lot of low ratings, but I'm staying confident. I've never given Natalie's books a try, so I'm ready to begin with this one. In fact, I was ready a long time ago. I know I don't have to repeat it, you already know my lame excuse. xD

            6.          Dark Metropolis, by Jaclyn Dolamore


          
              I've gotten an eARC of this pretty around the time when it was released and then I heard amazing things on how it's the next The Walking Dead. I WANT TO BE PART OF THE CLUB. 

             7.             Emergent, by Rachel Cohn


               I know I'm getting to this one, obviously. Beta was fantastic and everything I was looking for from when I read the summary. No surprise that this will be another hit and a gorgeous event that will bring me to tears.

              8.               Beware the Wild, by Natalie C. Parker


                   
                Something about this book's title has been intriguing me from the beginning. I really don't know why I want to read this so badly, haha. Fantasy is probably the new "thing" for me.

           9.               Minders, by Michele Jaffe


                  I got this one from the library and the fact that its premise is so questioned and answered makes me so captivated. I just love the fact that it's getting me excited, LOL.

          10.                Avalon, by Mindee Arnett


                  I just love the fact that I'm fangirling about dystopias and science-fiction through every book here, haha. Okay, the second book is coming out soon, and there's so much buzz on how this book can easily be the best and most popular read of 2014. So why me, Michelle, why am I just sitting here like a lame loser watching all of you fangirl? *shoots self*

        What are the books you must read this coming winter?