My Summer Reading List 2016

1. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #2)

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

2. Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until Alex gets the news that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light. Devastated, the two make plans for Rosie to apply to colleges in the U.S. 

She gets into Boston University, Alex gets into Harvard, and everything is falling into place, when on the eve of her departure, Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant by a boy she'd gone out with while on the rebound from Alex. 

3. Just One Day+ Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life.

4. Cress by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #3)

In the third installment of the Lunar chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her net screens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

5. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

             6. The Raven Boys+ The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater                            (The Raven Cycle #1, #2)

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them--until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her.

7. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (AAITA #1)

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. 
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do. 
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

8. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (ToG #3)

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

9. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (ACOTAR #2)

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

10. Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain

The art of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was all about his private life, but written in a code as obscure as T.S. Eliot's. Now Charles Cross has cracked the code in the definitive biography Heavier Than Heaven, an all-access pass to Cobain's heart and mind. It reveals many secrets, thanks to 400-plus interviews, and even quotes Cobain's diaries and suicide notes and reveals an unreleased Nirvana masterpiece. At last we know how he created, how lies helped him die, how his family and love life entwined his art--plus, what the heck "Smells Like Teen Spirit" really means. 

What book are you planning to read this summer? :)

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

"There's no story," I say. "I saw you one day, and I just knew."

STEPHANIE PERKINS NEEDS TO WRITE STORIES FOR EVER. Because they are just PERFECT.

Isla and the Happily Ever After brings the trilogy full circle. The story is once again mainly set at the School of America in Paris and the Paris scenery is just as wonderful as it was in Anna and the French Kiss. However, the book isn’t fully set in Paris. There is a little side trip to Barcelona as well as some time spent in New York City. Stephanie Perkins’ books may just be contemporary romances but the setting always makes things interesting. 

During the first half of the book I was slightly disappointed because everything was just too cliche and they fell in love so fast, I expected more from Stephanie Perkins... But then, she did it like she always does! THIS WOMAN IS A QUEEN!!! She manages to have control over my emotions with her perfect characters and writing, this book was no exception!

What an emotional roller coaster this series has taken me on! I'm crying and I'm hiccuping. and i can't see through the tears. OH. MY .GOD.

You know how Voldermort had 7 Horcruxes? Well that's how i feel about books. Kind of. Its like there are parts of me,of my soul out there, and the more books i read,the better are the chances to find my Horcruxes. This book,this trilogy was that for me. I found a Horcruxe

Maybe the romance moved a little too fast but then I remembered that for the other two books we had to wait until the end for the couple to kiss I get together or etcetera and I was more than okay with it. 

The cameos from Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket were minor but perfect. I expected a bit more of them than I actually got but I was actually okay with that. Their parts in the story were absolutely wonderful. Isla and the Happily Ever After tied things up for all three of the couples and I couldn’t have asked for more from Stephanie Perkins. The brief glimpses of Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket definitely left me with a smile on my face.

I really do think these books have to be some of my favourites and I recommend them to all! Yes, they can be cringy and cliche but wHAT IS NOT TO LIKE ABOUT THAT??? Especially when it is done so well!!

Overall, Isla and the Happily Ever After could not have been better. It’s the perfect ending to this trilogy and it left me eager to read whatever Stephanie Perkins writes next.

*hugs these books tightly for eternity*

Amazon

Goodreads

Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

“When it's right, it's simple.” 

Lola is a really cute story: she is a quirky, raised by gay parents, unique teenage girl.

When her first crush and ex-neighbor, Cricket, reappears on her doorstep after two years, things get complicated because Lola already has a boyfriend, Max, five years older than her, much more experienced.

As Cricket slowly worms his was back into her life - and into her heart - Lola will have to learn how to be honest with herself - and she will learn it the hard way.

 As much as I loved Anna and the French Kiss , Lola was better on nearly every level because it felt real. Anna was by no means a fairy tale without the struggle of realism, but there were some elements that took it to daydream level. Paris. Beautiful, charming British boy. The big, dramatic (incredibly swoontastic) ending.

Lola is different. They aren't in Paris, and Cricket isn't a dashing, gorgeous Brit. He's just a normal boy. A normal, awkward, amazingly sweet boy who I can't even find words to describe. (Except for, you know, those...)

Lola and Cricket had me smiling like an absolute dork the entire time. There is no way I could have read this book in public because I swear I was making some laugh-at-me faces. I just adore Perkins' style of delivering a slow building romance that blends perfectly with the flow of the entire story. As a reader, you can't help but fall into the storyline and ultimately resist the coming of the final chapters. It's the type of book you want to continue for endless chapters.

 The main character, who would normally annoy the hell out of me with her obsession with clothes, glitter, tiaras, has a very relatable voice. Reading Lola and the Boy Next Door was an infinitely relaxing experience. This book is filled to the brim with cuteness - cute boys, cute families, cute locations and cute crushes. Perkins' special gift is bringing back the memories of young love and excitements and heartaches that come with it. 

Lola and the Boy Next Door is everything first love should be--painful, awkward, desperate, tender and so, so sweet. 

Realizing this isn’t a coherent review but rather a gush-fest about my book crush, I’ll stop now and just tell you that Perkins fans and YA Contemporary readers are going to enjoy this little gem to the tenth degree.

       

  AMAZON: Lola And The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Anna And the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” 

We follow the story of a young American girl named Anna who gets sent away to Paris to study, she is torn away from her friends and family and is thrust into a new culture that is so far from her own. Although at first Anna struggles, she makes friends at her new school and one in particular takes her fancy; Etienne St Clair, a young man whom Anna can't help but fall for. The only problem is that St Clair has a girlfriend and Anna is tied up in relationship back in America. When feelings begin to arise within them we see the highs and lows of being a teenager in love and how even the most trivial of things can cause your world to come tumbling down

Don't pull out your torches and pitch forks, but I just thought this one was OK. It had its really cute moments, but this is another case where I feel the romance was drawn out way too much.  

It's basically 400 pages of two people who don't want to acknowledge that they've fallen in love.Anna could have easily been 70-100 pages less to make the point it was trying to make

I expected what Stephanie Perkins gave us: a beautiful setting, atypical characters, smooth writing and a satisfying final payoff. We see Etienne and Anna get together because that's what we've been waiting for, and Perkins made us wait for it. She knew we'd love this couple, because she knew the story she was telling had enough meat to make us care. 

I liked it I liked it even that Anna was a spoiled assface that complained about going to a rich fancy school in Paris and all she talks about are boys. Even that St. Clair's only sort of characterization is that he's really good-looking, so little that the author had to make drama happen in the family to make him more interesting.

The writing style was so clear, wonderful, and easy to read. The dialogue and events were so amazingly fun and very believable (with just the right amount of cheese). I've never been to Paris, but from the information I found, the research was well done.

Does it live up to the hype? Not really, but if you're looking for a cute contemporary read, then this book does that well. This book is extremely over-hyped and I know a lot of people who consider this their favorite contemporary. I liked this book, don't get me wrong, but it is not the best contemporary book I've ever read. I wish I could have liked it                                                                                                       more, but it got too complain-y/hectic/unrealistic in the end.

AMAZON: Anna And the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

The Ultimate Harry Potter Tag

Hello guys! I don't know if you know, but March was for me more like a Harry Potter Month, because I decided to start read the Harry Potter series. And I absolutely love it. I have no idea what I've been doing my whole life but now, here I am, talking more about my new favourite series of all time. Hope you enjoy and let me know down bellow your favourite Harry Potter book. :)

1) Favourite book?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2) Least favourite book?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

3) Favourite movie?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I even enjoyed some of the scenes in the movie more than in the book. I don't who directed it and who wrote the script but holy... These guys are geniuses!!

4) Least favourite movie?
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I found this one very not similar to the book and lot of characters were missing, even that in my opinion they were too important

5) Favourite quote?
"You will stay with me?"
"Until the very end."

6) Favourite Weasley?
Fred or George. Never can decide.

7) Favourite female character?
Professor McGonagall. Do I have to say more?

"It is true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"
"Yes."
"You called her a liar?"
"Yes."
"You told her He Who Must Not Be Names is back?
"Yes."
"Have a biscuit, Potter."

8) Favourite villain.
Bellatrix Lestrange

9) Favourite male character?
Sirius Black. To the moon and back. I love him more than anything and it hurts. It still hurts so much that I can't even. 

10) Favourite professor?
Professor Lupin. I mean, also McGonagall, but Lupin..? Oh man..

11) Would you rather A) wash Snape’s hair or B) spend a day listening to Lockhart rant about himself?

Is it even a question? Of course I would wash Snape's hair!

12) Would you rather duel A) an elated Bellatrix or B) and angry Molly?

Did you see the last time someone crossed Molly? No one knows exactly what happened to her. So yes, I would definitely choose Bellatrix.

13) Would you rather travel to Hogwarts via A) Hogwarts Express or B) Flying Car?

There is no option against the Hogwarts Express

14) Would you rather A) Kiss Voldemort or B) give Umbridge a bubble bath?

There is no chance to can get me near to Umbridge. This woman scares the crap out of me

15) Would you rather A) ride a Hippogriff or B) ride a Firebolt?

*bow to the Hippogriff*

16) Is there a character you felt differently about in the movies?

Ginny Weasly and maybe Malfoy little bit. I think that he was much more meaner in the movies.

17) Is there a movie you preferred to the book?

Not exactly. Like I said, in DH2 were many scenes that I enjoyed more, but there is nothing better than the books were.

18) Richard Harris or Michael Gambon as Dumbledore?

Both. Richard's face was for me more warmhearted but Michael's looks more..well, I would say smarter, that he knows what he's doing..

19) Your top thing (person or event) that wasn’t in the movie that you wanted there the most?
That was not in the book and also not in the movie bu deleted scene where Draco throws Harry his wand. 
But the scene that was in the books and wasn't in the movie is from Deathly Hallows part 2 when Harry gives Kreacher the necklace because that was the time when their "relationship" changed 360°

20) If you could remake any of the Harry Potter movies which would it be?
The Goblet of Fire or The Half Blood Prince

21 Which house was your first gut feeling you’d be a part of?
Gryffindor. I could never be Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. And still Slytherin? There was a chance, but somehow I felt more like a gryffindor.

22) Which house were you actually sorted into on Pottermore?
Gryffindor. I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me.

23) Which class would be your favourite
Charms or also (obviously) the defence against the dark arts

24) Which spell do you think would be most useful to learn?
Accio. I'd never have to move again.

25) Which character do you think you’d instantly become friends with?
Luna Lovegood. I'm just as sane as she is

26) If you could own one of the three Hallows, which would it be?
The Invisibility cloak. I'd never have to do my makeup anymore.

27) Is there any aspect of the books you’d want to change?
NO TO REMIONE. YES TO DRAMIONE. 

28) Favourite Marauder?
I honestly can’t choose between the three (no warmtail please)

29) If you could bring one character back to life, which would it be?
Even if I can't imagine George without Fred, I have to say Sirius, because I think that Harry lost too many people in his life and so when he met Sirius he finally could tell he has a real family. That's the thing that hurts the most about their relationship. When they looks at each other, they both were hoping to see James. 

30) Hallows or Horcruxes?
Why become immortal when I can just become the Master of Death?

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

“Some mistakes... Just have greater consequences than others. But you don't have to let the result of one mistake be the thing that defines you. You, Clark, have the choice not to let that happen.” 

I need a hug. In fact, can someone just hold me for a week? I think I am just gonna curl up in a ball and keep sobbing now.

I know this book is very well-loved and well-known so I won't make my review super long but I just have to add to the hype by saying, in my book, it deserves all the praise it gets.

This novel is about Louisa Clark ( Lou for short ) a 26 year old woman living an ordinary life. She works at The Buttered Bun cafe, she has a boyfriend of 6 years, named Patrick, she lives at home with her parents, sister Treena and Treena's son Thomas and her granddad. She is content. 
Then without warning, her boss closes the cafe, leaving her without a job and without a way to contribute financially to the household. She comes across a job offer for care and companionship for a 35 year old quadriplegic man. She is hired on.

The man is Will Traynor.

I adored their relationship so much. Moyes really knows how to write fun, witty characters who the reader immediately falls in love with. I read this book in less than a day - the quickest I've read a book in who knows how long - and it crushed me when I finished it.The cool thing is that the book is not in the least preachy. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, the author has created two witty and quirky characters who are very lovable and complex and who I wanted to read more about. It kept me turning those pages—fast.

Good characters, good dialogue, and a good, well-paced plot make this novel such a “goodread.” The author keeps you guessing till the end, and I was so pulled in. It’s an emotional ride. I can’t wait to read her other books, at least one of which has won awards. I’m not surprised. Highly recommend.

And despite what some reviews say, this is not a romance novel. There is romance in it, found in unlikely circumstances, but this is not a light and fluffy chic lit read.

What an important, heart wrenching book. I don't know if I'll ever get over it.

 

Amazon: Me Before You

MOVIE STARRING EMILIA CLARCK AND SAM CLAFLIN!!