Noel نوال 's bookshelf: 2013 en-US Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:43:35 -0700 60 Noel نوال 's bookshelf: 2013 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Hatchet (Brian's Saga, #1) 69936 LOST

Brian Robertson, sole passenger on a Cessna 406, is on his way to visit his father when the tiny bush plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present, Brian finds himself completely alone.

Challenged by his fear and despair -- and plagued with the weight of a dreadful secret he's been keeping since his parent's divorce -- brian must tame his inner demons in order to survive. It will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed.]]> 189 Gary Paulsen 1416936467 Noel نوال 5 2013, favorites, 2024, reread Such a comfort read for me that I will always come back to. Been in a bit of a reading slump for a while and unable to stick with one book and finish it. 'Hatchet' and the Brian saga is helping me through it.

2013 Review:
In the fourth grade my teacher decided that she wanted to have 'reading time' with us at the end of the day for at least 20 minutes if we finished our work on time. Looking back now I think that it may have been kind of a way to bribe us to work hard and behave in class. The first day of reading time my favorite teacher I've ever had the privilege to be taught by pulled out Hatchet and told us it was one of her favorite books to read as a teenager back in the eighties. Of course many jokes from classmates ensued. Those twenty minutes at the end of everyday were so magical for me and really sparked my appreciation for the written word.

Hatchet is a story about survival and the strength and greatness of the human spirit. Brian is a character I think many people can relate to. While reading this book you can't help but wonder what you would do if put into Brian's shoes. Would you have been smart enough to think of that? Would you do the same thing if in such a desperate situation? Would you give up or keep going no matter how hard it got? In the beginning of the story Brian is traveling to go visit his father since his parents have recently divorced. I actually began reading this book on the airplane that was taking me to my dad's since I'm kind of in the same boat as Brian.

It's obvious that Gary Paulsen had done a lot of research to write this book, and after the story he talks about how he put himself through forced-falls and left stranded in the woods to fend for himself. That just goes to show how passionate he was about getting into the right mindset to write Hatchet, and I have a great appreciation for writers that will put themselves in their characters shoes so that they can get the emotions and feelings spot-on.

Hatchet is just as amazing to me now as it was back in the fourth grade, almost over ten years later. It's no wonder it's an American classic, it gets your imagination running wild. My wonderful fourth grade teacher only got to read half of the second book to us by the time school was out, and I found out there are five books in the saga. I'm definitely going to continue reading Brian's story in The River.]]> 3.79 1987 Hatchet (Brian's Saga, #1)
author: Gary Paulsen
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1987
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/22
date added: 2024/10/22
shelves: 2013, favorites, 2024, reread
review:
2024 Review:
Such a comfort read for me that I will always come back to. Been in a bit of a reading slump for a while and unable to stick with one book and finish it. 'Hatchet' and the Brian saga is helping me through it.

2013 Review:
In the fourth grade my teacher decided that she wanted to have 'reading time' with us at the end of the day for at least 20 minutes if we finished our work on time. Looking back now I think that it may have been kind of a way to bribe us to work hard and behave in class. The first day of reading time my favorite teacher I've ever had the privilege to be taught by pulled out Hatchet and told us it was one of her favorite books to read as a teenager back in the eighties. Of course many jokes from classmates ensued. Those twenty minutes at the end of everyday were so magical for me and really sparked my appreciation for the written word.

Hatchet is a story about survival and the strength and greatness of the human spirit. Brian is a character I think many people can relate to. While reading this book you can't help but wonder what you would do if put into Brian's shoes. Would you have been smart enough to think of that? Would you do the same thing if in such a desperate situation? Would you give up or keep going no matter how hard it got? In the beginning of the story Brian is traveling to go visit his father since his parents have recently divorced. I actually began reading this book on the airplane that was taking me to my dad's since I'm kind of in the same boat as Brian.

It's obvious that Gary Paulsen had done a lot of research to write this book, and after the story he talks about how he put himself through forced-falls and left stranded in the woods to fend for himself. That just goes to show how passionate he was about getting into the right mindset to write Hatchet, and I have a great appreciation for writers that will put themselves in their characters shoes so that they can get the emotions and feelings spot-on.

Hatchet is just as amazing to me now as it was back in the fourth grade, almost over ten years later. It's no wonder it's an American classic, it gets your imagination running wild. My wonderful fourth grade teacher only got to read half of the second book to us by the time school was out, and I found out there are five books in the saga. I'm definitely going to continue reading Brian's story in The River.
]]> <![CDATA[Magic of the Moonlight (Full Moon, #2)]]> 10551290 Beware of a bite under a full moon�
it will complicate your love life.

Celeste has more to worry about than a secret romance with a hot guy from the wrong side of town. That guy, Brandon, is a werewolf. With gossip and hostility swirling at school, it’s time to find a cure for his nocturnal condition, and perhaps the one person who can help is his scientist father. But what if a “cure� makes things worse and Brandon becomes a werewolf full time? And with rumors circulating that there are werewolves in Legend’s Run, is it possible that there is another among their classmates?

To keep Brandon’s secret safe, Celeste must hide her relationship with him from her best friends, but with the Moonlight Ball approaching, she must make a choice. Her dream is to go with her one true love—Brandon. But once the sun goes down, the clouds separate, and the full moon appears, could she really walk into the dance on the arm of a werewolf?


In this installment of the sumptuously romantic Full Moon series, Celeste faces her fears and her friends and finds out whether she’s strong enough to stand up for herself and her one true love.]]> 229 Ellen Schreiber Noel نوال 4 2013, werewolves
This book wasn't as great as the first one though, at times it felt like it was dragging on and had a lot of repetition. One of Celeste's best friends Ivy really got on my nerves at several parts of the book but that just goes to show that Ellen is really good a characterization because she makes them so believable. But it was still a good book nonetheless, I've had a lot of stress from things that have been going on lately so it was nice to unwind to Magic of the Moonlight at the end of the day.

In my experience I've learned authors generally tend to write about things they know or have experienced within their own lives. In different books that Ellen has written she has a reoccurring theme of towns being split into two sides (Uptowners and Downtowners, Eastsiders and Westsiders) which always has me wondering if she had dealt with something like that in her own hometown growing up. I'm really excited to read the last of the Full Moon series, Full Moon Kisses as soon as I can get my hands on it. One of my favorite things about Ellen's writing in book series is the way she does cliffhangers; something terrible could be going on and things are out of control but she always leaves the readers with a sweet moment between the main characters/couple.
]]> 4.03 2011 Magic of the Moonlight (Full Moon, #2)
author: Ellen Schreiber
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2013/01/03
date added: 2021/07/26
shelves: 2013, werewolves
review:
Perhaps I'm biased because Ellen Schreiber is one of my all-time favorite authors but I really liked this book. Her stories are always light-hearted but filled with adventure at every turn. She did a great job creating the world of werewolves in the Full Moon series just like she did in the Vampire Kisses series.

This book wasn't as great as the first one though, at times it felt like it was dragging on and had a lot of repetition. One of Celeste's best friends Ivy really got on my nerves at several parts of the book but that just goes to show that Ellen is really good a characterization because she makes them so believable. But it was still a good book nonetheless, I've had a lot of stress from things that have been going on lately so it was nice to unwind to Magic of the Moonlight at the end of the day.

In my experience I've learned authors generally tend to write about things they know or have experienced within their own lives. In different books that Ellen has written she has a reoccurring theme of towns being split into two sides (Uptowners and Downtowners, Eastsiders and Westsiders) which always has me wondering if she had dealt with something like that in her own hometown growing up. I'm really excited to read the last of the Full Moon series, Full Moon Kisses as soon as I can get my hands on it. One of my favorite things about Ellen's writing in book series is the way she does cliffhangers; something terrible could be going on and things are out of control but she always leaves the readers with a sweet moment between the main characters/couple.

]]> <![CDATA[Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy, #4)]]> 13130275 For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…]]> 354 Jennifer Estep 0758281463 Noel نوال 5

Previous 2013 Review:
OH MY GOSH. I can't even figure out the right words to say just how awesome this fourth book in the Mythos Academy series was. I fear I'm going to sound redundant with this review by saying what I seem to say in every Mythos Academy series book review. Jennifer Estep has outdone herself. Every single book in the series is better than the last and has you wanting more. Crimson Frost was brilliantly written and Estep put so much thought into the intricate webbing of the plot. WOW.

The action was as intense as ever and I was constantly on my toes, enjoying the thrill the entire read. I really like Gwen as a character, she's starting to seem more like a friend than a literary character in my one of my favorite novel series. She's a strong heroine that any teenage girl could look up to. I'm not a teenager anymore but I kind of look up to her, as odd as that may sound. I love the budding relationship between Logan and Gwen, throughout all the battles and drama that goes on in their world they still manage to strengthen their bond.

There were a number of new characters introduced in Crimson Frost, and Alexei has grown on me. I won't give away any spoilers but I really liked him and the awkward "relationship" that he and Gwen had. Crimson Frost was filled with a lot of jaw dropping moments with twists and turns in the plot. So many unexpected things were thrown at the reader that were so shocking and mind-blowing. Bravo Jennifer Estep. I haven't read any of her other books aside from the Mythos Academy series but her writing style is becoming a favorite of mine.

The cliff-hanger at the end of Crimson Frost is probably the best of the series. I am dying to get my hands on Midnight Frost when it comes out in August. All I can say is if you guys haven't started reading the Mythos Academy series, you're missing out.]]> 4.14 2012 Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy, #4)
author: Jennifer Estep
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/19
date added: 2020/08/19
shelves: 2013, favorites, greek-mythology, magic-witches, 2020, reread
review:
This was the last book I read of the series back in 2013 and I remember how excited I was with the cliffhanger and added suspenseful drama at the end of the book. Crimson Frost is definitely one of my favorites of the series so far due to the character development of Gwen and new characters that get introduced that flesh out the world more and more. Logan, as ever, is still one of my favorites in this series. I'm really excited for the next two installments and I believe 1 side novella since I have never read any of them it will all be brand new.


Previous 2013 Review:
OH MY GOSH. I can't even figure out the right words to say just how awesome this fourth book in the Mythos Academy series was. I fear I'm going to sound redundant with this review by saying what I seem to say in every Mythos Academy series book review. Jennifer Estep has outdone herself. Every single book in the series is better than the last and has you wanting more. Crimson Frost was brilliantly written and Estep put so much thought into the intricate webbing of the plot. WOW.

The action was as intense as ever and I was constantly on my toes, enjoying the thrill the entire read. I really like Gwen as a character, she's starting to seem more like a friend than a literary character in my one of my favorite novel series. She's a strong heroine that any teenage girl could look up to. I'm not a teenager anymore but I kind of look up to her, as odd as that may sound. I love the budding relationship between Logan and Gwen, throughout all the battles and drama that goes on in their world they still manage to strengthen their bond.

There were a number of new characters introduced in Crimson Frost, and Alexei has grown on me. I won't give away any spoilers but I really liked him and the awkward "relationship" that he and Gwen had. Crimson Frost was filled with a lot of jaw dropping moments with twists and turns in the plot. So many unexpected things were thrown at the reader that were so shocking and mind-blowing. Bravo Jennifer Estep. I haven't read any of her other books aside from the Mythos Academy series but her writing style is becoming a favorite of mine.

The cliff-hanger at the end of Crimson Frost is probably the best of the series. I am dying to get my hands on Midnight Frost when it comes out in August. All I can say is if you guys haven't started reading the Mythos Academy series, you're missing out.
]]> <![CDATA[Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3)]]> 11022222
Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects--and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I'm also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can't use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me--and I'm in for the fight of my life.]]> 336 Jennifer Estep 0758280033 Noel نوال 5
2013 review:
Usually when you read book series that consist of a ton of books the story seems to drag on and on or get duller and duller with every new segment of the series. But that is certainly not the case for the third installment of the Mythos Academy series Dark Frost. Jennifer did such an amazing job at this book and had me on my toes for a majority of the story. Gwen no longer seems like just a character but a real person that I can connect with, and I love it.

Dark Frost was equal parts funny, romantic, witty, and super action-packed. I feel like every time I read the next book in the series I think to myself "This is my favorite book in the series!" and only repeat the process when I read the next book.

I love Estep's humor and the characters she's created within the world of Mythos academy are so lovable, every time I pick up the book it's like I'm greeting old friends.

Very few times have I read a book that left me so happy and elated when I finished reading it. But even though Dark Frost had a super steep cliffhanger I was grinning from ear-to-ear when I closed the book shut. Mythos Academy has easily become one of my favorite book series EVER. I'm super excited for the next installment to the series to continue the story of Gwen, irresistible Logan, and her friends. Even though I'm anticipating what's going to happen next because of the intensity of what happened in Dark Frost I think I'm going to wait a while before I read Crimson Frost to let everything sink in, including my whacked-out emotions that seem to be flying all over the place.

Congratulations Jennifer Estep, if I wasn't hooked before I certainly am now.]]> 4.09 2012 Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, #3)
author: Jennifer Estep
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2020/07/23
date added: 2020/07/23
shelves: 2013, favorites, greek-mythology, magic-witches, 2020, reread
review:
I have quickly become engrossed in this world again, and I'm loving it. Gwen has done some growing up in this book and I'm glad for it, especially in regards to how judgemental she was with other girls in the precious books. I'm already halfway done with the series in just this last week alone. It's been a long time since I flew through a book series like this. It's much needed with all of the impending stress in my life right now. Can't wait for the next book!

2013 review:
Usually when you read book series that consist of a ton of books the story seems to drag on and on or get duller and duller with every new segment of the series. But that is certainly not the case for the third installment of the Mythos Academy series Dark Frost. Jennifer did such an amazing job at this book and had me on my toes for a majority of the story. Gwen no longer seems like just a character but a real person that I can connect with, and I love it.

Dark Frost was equal parts funny, romantic, witty, and super action-packed. I feel like every time I read the next book in the series I think to myself "This is my favorite book in the series!" and only repeat the process when I read the next book.

I love Estep's humor and the characters she's created within the world of Mythos academy are so lovable, every time I pick up the book it's like I'm greeting old friends.

Very few times have I read a book that left me so happy and elated when I finished reading it. But even though Dark Frost had a super steep cliffhanger I was grinning from ear-to-ear when I closed the book shut. Mythos Academy has easily become one of my favorite book series EVER. I'm super excited for the next installment to the series to continue the story of Gwen, irresistible Logan, and her friends. Even though I'm anticipating what's going to happen next because of the intensity of what happened in Dark Frost I think I'm going to wait a while before I read Crimson Frost to let everything sink in, including my whacked-out emotions that seem to be flying all over the place.

Congratulations Jennifer Estep, if I wasn't hooked before I certainly am now.
]]> <![CDATA[Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy, #2)]]> 10421530 337 Jennifer Estep 0758266944 Noel نوال 4



2013 Review:
As soon as I finished reading the cliff hanger Estep left us with in the first book of the Mythos Academy series Touch of Frost I wanted to read the sequel ASAP. I was not let down. Estep has a really cool way of writing and I love her witty humor laced throughout the book. Just when scenes get super intense and you're leaning forward in your seat she throws in a joke to lighten the mood ever-so-slightly.

The Mythos Academy series has become an instant favorite of mine, it's so original and strays from the stereotypical vampire/boarding school/werewolf/paranormal/normal girl isn't so normal after all novels out there. I've always been intrigued by Greek mythology and these books give a huge taste of it.

Kiss of Frost is probably my favorite book of the two I've read so far, however I wasn't really ecstatic in the beginning when there wasn't so much Logan action going on. But all of the action and blush-worthy moments at the end were worth the Logan-less scenes in the beginning. This book was action packed and Estep did a wonderful job with the characterization of a newly introduced character in this book. I was genuinely creeped out at some parts because of how well she wrote it. I'm super excited to read the next installment to the series to find out what happens next in the adventure.]]> 4.03 2011 Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy, #2)
author: Jennifer Estep
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2020/07/18
date added: 2020/07/18
shelves: 2013, favorites, greek-mythology, magic-witches, 2020, reread
review:
This was my favorite book of the series I think back when I read the first few books, and I remember why now. Crazy events that take place in this book began to come back to me as the story progressed. Estep really started to build the world and expand it beyond the school which I loved. More characters showed up, familiar characters developed more, magical creatures arrived, and the suspense increased. Rereading this book reminded me why I loved this series so much, and why I loved Logan Quinn the irresistibly lovable Spartan. Still some slut-shaming going on in this book, but it seems like it was dying down and potentially going to stop. It literally is my only qualm while rereading this series. I really hope so, because I love this series. It's cute and I really love Gwenn's psychometry touch magic and the world this story takes place in. I believe I only read up until book 3 so things are getting really exciting.




2013 Review:
As soon as I finished reading the cliff hanger Estep left us with in the first book of the Mythos Academy series Touch of Frost I wanted to read the sequel ASAP. I was not let down. Estep has a really cool way of writing and I love her witty humor laced throughout the book. Just when scenes get super intense and you're leaning forward in your seat she throws in a joke to lighten the mood ever-so-slightly.

The Mythos Academy series has become an instant favorite of mine, it's so original and strays from the stereotypical vampire/boarding school/werewolf/paranormal/normal girl isn't so normal after all novels out there. I've always been intrigued by Greek mythology and these books give a huge taste of it.

Kiss of Frost is probably my favorite book of the two I've read so far, however I wasn't really ecstatic in the beginning when there wasn't so much Logan action going on. But all of the action and blush-worthy moments at the end were worth the Logan-less scenes in the beginning. This book was action packed and Estep did a wonderful job with the characterization of a newly introduced character in this book. I was genuinely creeped out at some parts because of how well she wrote it. I'm super excited to read the next installment to the series to find out what happens next in the adventure.
]]> <![CDATA[City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)]]> 256683
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...]]> 485 Cassandra Clare 1416914285 Noel نوال 4 The movie adaptation was really great, and I'm still deciding whether or not I like the show. Magnus Bane is also a huge favorite of mine, a badass wizard with style for days. I'm excited that I'll really only be rereading the first few books and then everything else (all of thr spin off series and the rest of this one) will all be brand new.

2013 Review:
Awesome! City of Bones is a great start to the Mortal Instruments series. It's jam-packed with action, demon-fighting, sarcasm, romance, suspense, drama, and everything else you could want in a paranormal YA book. Cassandra Clare has a unique writing style that's very different from other young adult writers, but different in a good way. Eloquent is the word that comes to mind when I think of her writing style. Clare's writing is so vivid and descriptive I didn't get lost once during any of the fight scenes. Some of the fight scenes I've read in other books had me lost in the middle of it because of the authors' writing styles. Cassandra, however, managed to write out the fight scenes perfectly.
I liked Jace right from the get-go. He's a smart-mouth and has endearing qualities I won't mention to prevent spoilers. You know how sometimes you read a novel and you really like a character? Maybe you and that character wouldn't get along very well in real life because your personalities would clash but you still enjoy reading scenes they're in. I smiled whenever Jace made an entrance because regardless of what was going on you could always rely on his smart-mouth to lighten up a situation a bit. He actually really reminded me of the character Loki from Amanda Hocking's Trylle trilogy.
At the beginning of the book I already knew what team I was rooting for in the little love triangle going on in City of Bones. However, as the plot progressed...things happened. I won't tell you what things happened, if you want to know you'll have to read the book yourself. The falling action leading to the conclusion of the book left me so confused. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about what happened, I think I'm still in shock and processing all of the information. I'm angry and sad for sure.
I'm still on the same team I was on at the beginning but I need to read more of the series to make sure my theories are true. I recommend City of Bones to anyone looking for a good summer read now that schools are coming to an end in time for summer fun.]]> 4.08 2007 City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/16
date added: 2020/05/16
shelves: 2013, favorites, magic-witches, 2020, reread, vampire
review:
I first read this book back in 2013 and now re-reading it I remember why I had fallen in love with Cassandra Clare's world. I fell off after the 3rd book I think just because of school and everything else happening. Jace still cracks me up; I really love and have thr biggest soft spot for snarky, witty smartasses.
The movie adaptation was really great, and I'm still deciding whether or not I like the show. Magnus Bane is also a huge favorite of mine, a badass wizard with style for days. I'm excited that I'll really only be rereading the first few books and then everything else (all of thr spin off series and the rest of this one) will all be brand new.

2013 Review:
Awesome! City of Bones is a great start to the Mortal Instruments series. It's jam-packed with action, demon-fighting, sarcasm, romance, suspense, drama, and everything else you could want in a paranormal YA book. Cassandra Clare has a unique writing style that's very different from other young adult writers, but different in a good way. Eloquent is the word that comes to mind when I think of her writing style. Clare's writing is so vivid and descriptive I didn't get lost once during any of the fight scenes. Some of the fight scenes I've read in other books had me lost in the middle of it because of the authors' writing styles. Cassandra, however, managed to write out the fight scenes perfectly.
I liked Jace right from the get-go. He's a smart-mouth and has endearing qualities I won't mention to prevent spoilers. You know how sometimes you read a novel and you really like a character? Maybe you and that character wouldn't get along very well in real life because your personalities would clash but you still enjoy reading scenes they're in. I smiled whenever Jace made an entrance because regardless of what was going on you could always rely on his smart-mouth to lighten up a situation a bit. He actually really reminded me of the character Loki from Amanda Hocking's Trylle trilogy.
At the beginning of the book I already knew what team I was rooting for in the little love triangle going on in City of Bones. However, as the plot progressed...things happened. I won't tell you what things happened, if you want to know you'll have to read the book yourself. The falling action leading to the conclusion of the book left me so confused. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about what happened, I think I'm still in shock and processing all of the information. I'm angry and sad for sure.
I'm still on the same team I was on at the beginning but I need to read more of the series to make sure my theories are true. I recommend City of Bones to anyone looking for a good summer read now that schools are coming to an end in time for summer fun.
]]> Every Day (Every Day, #1) 13262783 Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone A wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.]]> 322 David Levithan 0307931889 Noel نوال 5 2013, favorites, lgbtq Every Day made me cry, seriously cry, at a particular part that hit really close to home. David Levithan captured some pretty deep emotions within this book so perfectly I felt like he knew me so personally, it was so beautiful to read those words and know that someone understands.
A was such a relate-able character. I loved A, although A didn't have a gender I seemed to perceive him as a boy. I don't know why, but that's just the vibe that I got off of the character. A was very real, he had flaws and quirks and was in love with a girl.
Rhiannon and A's love story is different than any other love story I've read. This book makes you wonder and think about love from an entirely different perspective. Sure, we all say 'love is blind' all the time. Plenty of people do mean it when the say it, however, just how blind would you let love be?
I recently had a fall-out with a guy and was feeling kind of down in the dumps about love, relationships, and all that jazz. Of course I didn't think it was the end of the world, but Every Day helped me ask myself an important question. "What if I were to show up in a different body every day, would they still love me?" It was a thought provoking concept and I loved it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance, a good read, out-of-the-box thinking, or a tear jerker. I seriously hope David will consider doing a sequel for this book, because I don't think my heart can handle this kind of wrenching.]]> 3.91 2012 Every Day (Every Day, #1)
author: David Levithan
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2013/04/13
date added: 2020/02/17
shelves: 2013, favorites, lgbtq
review:
I don't think I could begin to describe how much I loved this book. The very concept of a person inhabiting different people's bodies, a new body each day, intrigued me right from the start. Every Day is a wonderful work of human connection and perspective. Imagine waking up in a different body every day unaware of what skin color you have, what your gender is, what you look like, or what your name is for the day.
Every Day made me cry, seriously cry, at a particular part that hit really close to home. David Levithan captured some pretty deep emotions within this book so perfectly I felt like he knew me so personally, it was so beautiful to read those words and know that someone understands.
A was such a relate-able character. I loved A, although A didn't have a gender I seemed to perceive him as a boy. I don't know why, but that's just the vibe that I got off of the character. A was very real, he had flaws and quirks and was in love with a girl.
Rhiannon and A's love story is different than any other love story I've read. This book makes you wonder and think about love from an entirely different perspective. Sure, we all say 'love is blind' all the time. Plenty of people do mean it when the say it, however, just how blind would you let love be?
I recently had a fall-out with a guy and was feeling kind of down in the dumps about love, relationships, and all that jazz. Of course I didn't think it was the end of the world, but Every Day helped me ask myself an important question. "What if I were to show up in a different body every day, would they still love me?" It was a thought provoking concept and I loved it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance, a good read, out-of-the-box thinking, or a tear jerker. I seriously hope David will consider doing a sequel for this book, because I don't think my heart can handle this kind of wrenching.
]]> <![CDATA[The Perks of Being a Wallflower]]> 22628 offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see
what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being A WALLFLOWER

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that the perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

(back cover)]]> 213 Stephen Chbosky Noel نوال 2 2013, lgbtq It was like Chbosky was trying to squeeze as much heavy subject material as possible into this little book. Like he was trying to make The Perks Of Being A Wallflower really heavy but in the end it just turned the book into a drag to read. Drugs, sex, rape, child molestation, underage drinking, homosexuality, and pretty much anything else considered as 'heavy subject material' will most likely be found within the covers of this tiny novel. Normally, I don't mind reading books with heavy subject material but this book ...to be quite frank, was ridiculous to me because of the fact that it was touching all of these subjects all at once and not concentrating very long on any of them for a long enough period of time. Basically the best metaphor I can think of for this book would be this; The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is much like a glass of water with a drop put in it of a bunch of different colors of dye, there are so many different dye colors going on it just turns a slightly murky color.
The only things about Charlie that I could relate to were the feeling of not belonging anywhere and the depression/anxiety. Back in my freshman year of high school, much like Charlie, my depression and anxiety were at an all time high due to a number of things. Chbosky did a good job capturing depression like an ever-present darkness that follows you and consumes you at any given moment, and how it's so hard to try and escape it because it disables you to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I can count on my hand the number of moments in the book that I actually did like. Another thing that really annoyed me about this book was the fact that someone, some character, was crying on almost every page. You can't flip a page without seeing 'he cried' or 'she cried' or 'I cried'. It's somewhat understandable that Charlie cries a lot due to certain aspects of the novel that I won't disclose to prevent spoilers, but even then this book gives Charlie the emotional range of a cucumber. He's either feeling a bittersweet kind of happy or he's crying. Most of the time in this book he's crying.
Even though I don't have very many good things to say about this book I will say that the movie was really good and I really enjoyed it. As both a movie and book lover I think it's really sad when a movie adaptation is either way better than the book or is so terrible it's a disgrace to the book. In the case of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower it's the first case. All I know is that I didn't enjoy this book enough to not read another one of Stephen Chbosky's books, that's for sure.]]> 4.24 1999 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
author: Stephen Chbosky
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.24
book published: 1999
rating: 2
read at: 2013/07/14
date added: 2020/02/17
shelves: 2013, lgbtq
review:
I'm not even entirely sure where to begin with this book. Though this book was only 213 pages it took me over a week to read it. That's not a good thing. I was really looking forward to reading this book because of everyone raving about it so much. I'm an avid tumblr user and for the longest time you could not scroll down your dashboard without encountering a quote or picture from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower movie. When movie adaptations are made from books I try to read the book first before watching the movie. This was a case where I actually saw the movie first but I'm glad I did because if I had read the book first I would not have even thought about watching the movie afterwards.
It was like Chbosky was trying to squeeze as much heavy subject material as possible into this little book. Like he was trying to make The Perks Of Being A Wallflower really heavy but in the end it just turned the book into a drag to read. Drugs, sex, rape, child molestation, underage drinking, homosexuality, and pretty much anything else considered as 'heavy subject material' will most likely be found within the covers of this tiny novel. Normally, I don't mind reading books with heavy subject material but this book ...to be quite frank, was ridiculous to me because of the fact that it was touching all of these subjects all at once and not concentrating very long on any of them for a long enough period of time. Basically the best metaphor I can think of for this book would be this; The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is much like a glass of water with a drop put in it of a bunch of different colors of dye, there are so many different dye colors going on it just turns a slightly murky color.
The only things about Charlie that I could relate to were the feeling of not belonging anywhere and the depression/anxiety. Back in my freshman year of high school, much like Charlie, my depression and anxiety were at an all time high due to a number of things. Chbosky did a good job capturing depression like an ever-present darkness that follows you and consumes you at any given moment, and how it's so hard to try and escape it because it disables you to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I can count on my hand the number of moments in the book that I actually did like. Another thing that really annoyed me about this book was the fact that someone, some character, was crying on almost every page. You can't flip a page without seeing 'he cried' or 'she cried' or 'I cried'. It's somewhat understandable that Charlie cries a lot due to certain aspects of the novel that I won't disclose to prevent spoilers, but even then this book gives Charlie the emotional range of a cucumber. He's either feeling a bittersweet kind of happy or he's crying. Most of the time in this book he's crying.
Even though I don't have very many good things to say about this book I will say that the movie was really good and I really enjoyed it. As both a movie and book lover I think it's really sad when a movie adaptation is either way better than the book or is so terrible it's a disgrace to the book. In the case of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower it's the first case. All I know is that I didn't enjoy this book enough to not read another one of Stephen Chbosky's books, that's for sure.
]]> <![CDATA[Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1)]]> 530848
Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.]]> 182 Heather Brewer 0525478116 Noel نوال 3 2013, vampire
Vlad is a really like-able character, and since I'm always rooting for the underdog, he was no exception. Even though he's a middle schooler I didn't get bored while reading the book, in fact in kind of took me back to the days of eighth grade. It may leave you nostalgic.

Eighth Grade Bites is a really cute book, and if you're looking for a light read or a book for your vampire-loving kid, niece, cousin, next door neighbor then I'd really recommend this book. I think I want to sink my fangs into the next book in the series Ninth Grade Slays to see what happens to sweet little Vlad.
]]> 3.94 2007 Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1)
author: Heather Brewer
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 2013/04/02
date added: 2018/11/13
shelves: 2013, vampire
review:
My youngest sister had the entire Vladimir Chronicles series on her shelf just sitting there so I decided that I'd give the first book a shot. Eighth Grade Bites was a really cute book. I think it may have been intended for a younger audience since the writing at times seems very simple.

Vlad is a really like-able character, and since I'm always rooting for the underdog, he was no exception. Even though he's a middle schooler I didn't get bored while reading the book, in fact in kind of took me back to the days of eighth grade. It may leave you nostalgic.

Eighth Grade Bites is a really cute book, and if you're looking for a light read or a book for your vampire-loving kid, niece, cousin, next door neighbor then I'd really recommend this book. I think I want to sink my fangs into the next book in the series Ninth Grade Slays to see what happens to sweet little Vlad.

]]> The Kindness of Strangers 15655 393 Katrina Kittle 0060564784 Noel نوال 5 2013 Right off the bat you need to know that The Kindness of Strangers deals with really heavy subject-material including sexual abuse, incest, and child pornography. The synopsis of the book doesn't hint about what the 'big secret' Sarah discovers is and I had no idea what I was in for when I began to read the book. I had been under the impression that this book may have dealt with abuse and drug use but that wasn't what I discovered.
There were times when reading this book that I felt sick and disturbed by the content and had to put the book down. In the beginning it was hard for me to pick the book up again but I felt like I owed it to poor Jordan to read his story. It sounds weird; owing a fictional character something, but Katrina Kittle has an amazing gift for storytelling and her characterization was impeccable. Jordan felt as real to me as a friend. The book was told in third-person perspective of three of the characters; Sarah, Jordan, and Nate. She did a fantastic job voicing each of the characters you never would have known that they were all written by one person.
This book brought tears to my eyes numerous times and broke my heart. Though this book deals with really bad things it's a really good book written with compassion and poise.
If I would have known that The Kindness of Strangers was about sexual abuse, child pornography, and incest I probably would not have picked it up off of the shelf and given it a second thought. But I am glad I did. Kittle brought to light that there are so many false stereotypes regarding sexual abuse and pedophiles that most of us have it entirely all wrong. We usually think of a 40-something year old white male with a creepy mustache when we think of pedophiles, but they can be 'normal' people too and often are. I never would have imagined that there are parents that sexually assault their children, but tragically that is the case for some children all across the globe. But it isn't an issue we should turn a blind eye toward just because it's hard subject-material. Silence is the heaviest form of oppression for children that are sexually abused and we as adults should look out for children and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
This book will teach you that tragedy can tear one family apart and pull another together. ]]> 4.02 2006 The Kindness of Strangers
author: Katrina Kittle
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2013/05/29
date added: 2018/11/13
shelves: 2013
review:
Every year I try to read books that make me grow by teaching me, enlightening me, and opening my eyes to things I have never thought about before. That includes reading books that make me uncomfortable. I try to read one book a year that makes me uncomfortable because if we don't step out of our comfort zones how can we ever grow? The Kindness of Strangers makes all of the uncomfortable books I have ever read seem like child's play compared to it.
Right off the bat you need to know that The Kindness of Strangers deals with really heavy subject-material including sexual abuse, incest, and child pornography. The synopsis of the book doesn't hint about what the 'big secret' Sarah discovers is and I had no idea what I was in for when I began to read the book. I had been under the impression that this book may have dealt with abuse and drug use but that wasn't what I discovered.
There were times when reading this book that I felt sick and disturbed by the content and had to put the book down. In the beginning it was hard for me to pick the book up again but I felt like I owed it to poor Jordan to read his story. It sounds weird; owing a fictional character something, but Katrina Kittle has an amazing gift for storytelling and her characterization was impeccable. Jordan felt as real to me as a friend. The book was told in third-person perspective of three of the characters; Sarah, Jordan, and Nate. She did a fantastic job voicing each of the characters you never would have known that they were all written by one person.
This book brought tears to my eyes numerous times and broke my heart. Though this book deals with really bad things it's a really good book written with compassion and poise.
If I would have known that The Kindness of Strangers was about sexual abuse, child pornography, and incest I probably would not have picked it up off of the shelf and given it a second thought. But I am glad I did. Kittle brought to light that there are so many false stereotypes regarding sexual abuse and pedophiles that most of us have it entirely all wrong. We usually think of a 40-something year old white male with a creepy mustache when we think of pedophiles, but they can be 'normal' people too and often are. I never would have imagined that there are parents that sexually assault their children, but tragically that is the case for some children all across the globe. But it isn't an issue we should turn a blind eye toward just because it's hard subject-material. Silence is the heaviest form of oppression for children that are sexually abused and we as adults should look out for children and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
This book will teach you that tragedy can tear one family apart and pull another together.
]]> Safekeeping 13493462
Exhausted; her phone dead; her credit cards worthless: Radley starts walking.]]> 304 Karen Hesse 1250011345 Noel نوال 3 2013, dystopian Safekeeping is a story about taking initiative among uncertainty, survival, and the selflessness of taking care of your loved ones amid tragedy by putting their needs before your own. Radley was a character conjured with depth. Her thoughts and behaviors were ideal for a teenager being put into the situation she was put into, and not once did I feel like the author -an adult- was trying too hard to sound like a teenager. Hesse succeeded in making Radley real, flawed, and like-able.
This novel was definitely thought-provoking in making you wonder what you would do if you were put into the same situation. Personally, I probably would have done the exact same things as Radley. Compared to other dystopian novels out there, Safekeeping was the most plausible- in the way that it's much more likely for the United States president to be assassinated than for a zombie apocalypse or an invasion of cyborg mummies to occur. I enjoyed this book and would gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a light read. The beautiful photographs dispersed throughout the novel really brought the vivid journey to life.
]]> 3.55 2012 Safekeeping
author: Karen Hesse
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2013/10/10
date added: 2014/03/26
shelves: 2013, dystopian
review:
With the peak of the dystopian young adult book genre in full swing a lot of authors have followed a trend to appeal to the masses. Many of the stories have a young female protagonist going against some form of societal oppression whilst dealing with the overly-cliche love triangle-riddled plot-line. Safekeeping is not like that. Karen Hesse did a wonderful job going against the current and writing her own original dystopian novel.
Safekeeping is a story about taking initiative among uncertainty, survival, and the selflessness of taking care of your loved ones amid tragedy by putting their needs before your own. Radley was a character conjured with depth. Her thoughts and behaviors were ideal for a teenager being put into the situation she was put into, and not once did I feel like the author -an adult- was trying too hard to sound like a teenager. Hesse succeeded in making Radley real, flawed, and like-able.
This novel was definitely thought-provoking in making you wonder what you would do if you were put into the same situation. Personally, I probably would have done the exact same things as Radley. Compared to other dystopian novels out there, Safekeeping was the most plausible- in the way that it's much more likely for the United States president to be assassinated than for a zombie apocalypse or an invasion of cyborg mummies to occur. I enjoyed this book and would gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a light read. The beautiful photographs dispersed throughout the novel really brought the vivid journey to life.

]]> <![CDATA[The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, #1)]]> 12736516 The greatest superpower of all isn't to be part spider, part man, or to cast magic spells–the greatest power is the power to create.

Daniel X has that power.

AND A DEADLY SECRET
Daniel's secret abilities–like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to re-create himself in any shape he chooses–have helped him survive. But Daniel doesn't have a normal life. He is the protector of Earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond anyone's imagining.

NOW THE FATE OF THE WORLD RESTS ON DANIEL X
From the day that his parents were brutally murdered before his very eyes, Daniel has used his unique gifts to hunt down their assassin. Finally, with the help of The List, bequeathed to him in his parents' dying breath, he is closing in on the killer.

Now, on his own, he vows to carry out his father's mission–and to take vengeance in the process.]]> James Patterson Noel نوال 3 2013 James Patterson has a really cute way of writing that has such a nostalgic feeling to it, not to mention his sense of humor, though some may consider corny, is pretty funny. Daniel X was no exception.
I really liked Michael Ledwidge's narration of the book. He had really cool accents and voices he made to differenctiate between characters.
Daniel X is a story about survival, humanity, and fighting with all you have to defeat evil. A few things about Daniel X are very cliche (but I enjoy some cliches hence why I like Patterson's writing) and fun. This book was definitely written for kids around the 6-8th grade level. It was a cute story and defintely made me laugh a few times. Maybe one day I might read the next book in the series.]]> 3.15 2007 The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, #1)
author: James Patterson
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.15
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 2013/07/22
date added: 2013/12/24
shelves: 2013
review:
After the first two weeks of Vet school I realized that I wasn't able to read as much as I wanted to. Reading is very important to me so I decided that since I had an hour of commute time to and from school every day I'd get an audiobook to listen to on the way to school and on the way home. It was such a good idea!
James Patterson has a really cute way of writing that has such a nostalgic feeling to it, not to mention his sense of humor, though some may consider corny, is pretty funny. Daniel X was no exception.
I really liked Michael Ledwidge's narration of the book. He had really cool accents and voices he made to differenctiate between characters.
Daniel X is a story about survival, humanity, and fighting with all you have to defeat evil. A few things about Daniel X are very cliche (but I enjoy some cliches hence why I like Patterson's writing) and fun. This book was definitely written for kids around the 6-8th grade level. It was a cute story and defintely made me laugh a few times. Maybe one day I might read the next book in the series.
]]> <![CDATA[City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)]]> 1582996 Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE]
ACE #1

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go � especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil � and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings � and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.]]> 453 Cassandra Clare 1416914293 Noel نوال 5 After the first book I was pretty shell-shocked from a major plot-twist (though between you and me, I don't believe it at all) but City of Ashes helped me get over that drastic turn of events (well, sort of). This is one of those book series that gets you wanting more and the books don't get worse as you continue on through the series, actually it's just the opposite. The Mortal Instruments series has easily become one of my favorite book series.
City of Ashes was packed with action from cover-to-cover and filled with a hefty dose of suspenseful drama, just the way I like it. Jace is as charming as ever; his sarcastic mouth is something you could never get bored of. This book was filled with a couple of plot-twists that made me put the book down in shock, it's that good. After being left with a huge cliffhanger I'm excited to see what Clare has in store in City of Glass. If you haven't started reading the Mortal Instruments series, what are you waiting for?]]> 4.12 2008 City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2013/05/21
date added: 2013/05/21
shelves: 2013, favorites, magic-witches
review:
Engrossing. I am seriously hooked on the Mortal Instruments series. Cassandra Clare's City of Ashes is a masterpiece, I'm in love with her writing style. The sequel to the Mortal Instruments series was no disappointment. I enjoyed reading more of Clary and the gang's story unfolding, and about Valentine's impending uprising.
After the first book I was pretty shell-shocked from a major plot-twist (though between you and me, I don't believe it at all) but City of Ashes helped me get over that drastic turn of events (well, sort of). This is one of those book series that gets you wanting more and the books don't get worse as you continue on through the series, actually it's just the opposite. The Mortal Instruments series has easily become one of my favorite book series.
City of Ashes was packed with action from cover-to-cover and filled with a hefty dose of suspenseful drama, just the way I like it. Jace is as charming as ever; his sarcastic mouth is something you could never get bored of. This book was filled with a couple of plot-twists that made me put the book down in shock, it's that good. After being left with a huge cliffhanger I'm excited to see what Clare has in store in City of Glass. If you haven't started reading the Mortal Instruments series, what are you waiting for?
]]> Don't Breathe a Word 6625698
From asthma, from her parents, and from her boyfriend, Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out. She can take his cruel words, his tender words . . . until the night they go too far.

To escape, Joy sacrifices her suburban life to find the one who offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. He introduces her to a world of fierce loyalty, to its rules of survival, and to love—a world she won’t easily let go.

Set against the backdrop of the streets of Seattle, Holly Cupala’s power­ful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the secrets we keep, and the ways to redemption. But above all, it is an unflinching story about the extraordinary lengths one girl will go to discover her own strength.]]> 299 Holly Cupala 0061766690 Noel نوال 4 2013 The characterization of this book was spot-on. Cupala did a fabulous job making the characters so real and the emotions so raw. There were moments that I was so into the book I felt just as helpless as the characters or just as relieved as they felt when things got better.
Creed was by far my favorite character in the whole book, he was charming, funny, sweet, selfless, and flawed enough to be real. Don't Breathe a Word was such an in-depth view into the lives of homeless teens in Seattle. The emotions were raw and it really opened my eyes to a few things. I try to be immensely grateful for everything that I've been blessed with in my life, but this book reminded me that there are even smaller simple things that we take for granted. When it comes to food I analyze it (It's a very bad habit) because I'm kind of a germ-a-phobe, but this book made me realize I'm so lucky to eat off of a plate and not out of a gross dumpster. I really liked this book and I'd recommend it to anyone that likes reading from perspectives different from your average young adult fiction characters, or if you like reading unusual love stories. It's the little things that matter the most, don't take them for granted because they could be gone in a heartbeat.]]> 3.87 2012 Don't Breathe a Word
author: Holly Cupala
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2013/04/30
date added: 2013/04/30
shelves: 2013
review:
I actually really liked this book. When I first began reading Don't Breathe a Word I wanted to stop reading it after a few chapters because the main character Joy seemed to whine a lot. Though she kind of was entitled to considering what she was going through, however, it did get on my nerves after a while. I didn't really know that this book was about abuse until halfway through the book. If you are wary of books with abuse or just don't like reading them period then this book may not be for you.
The characterization of this book was spot-on. Cupala did a fabulous job making the characters so real and the emotions so raw. There were moments that I was so into the book I felt just as helpless as the characters or just as relieved as they felt when things got better.
Creed was by far my favorite character in the whole book, he was charming, funny, sweet, selfless, and flawed enough to be real. Don't Breathe a Word was such an in-depth view into the lives of homeless teens in Seattle. The emotions were raw and it really opened my eyes to a few things. I try to be immensely grateful for everything that I've been blessed with in my life, but this book reminded me that there are even smaller simple things that we take for granted. When it comes to food I analyze it (It's a very bad habit) because I'm kind of a germ-a-phobe, but this book made me realize I'm so lucky to eat off of a plate and not out of a gross dumpster. I really liked this book and I'd recommend it to anyone that likes reading from perspectives different from your average young adult fiction characters, or if you like reading unusual love stories. It's the little things that matter the most, don't take them for granted because they could be gone in a heartbeat.
]]> <![CDATA[Sharing Sam (Love Stories For Young Adults, #2)]]> 871120
Alison Chapman has always believed she’d fall in love hard. And she does—with Sam Cody, a new guy with a gorgeous face and brooding eyes, a guy who’s impossible to resist. When Sam asks her to the Valentine’s Day dance, Alison is elated . . . until she finds out that her best friend, Isabella Cates-Lopez, has fallen for Sam, too . . . until she finds out that Isabella is dying. Now Alison wants Isabella’s last days to be her happiest ever—even if she and Sam have to hide their love. Even if, by sharing Sam, Alison risks losing him forever.]]> 160 Katherine Applegate 0385731353 Noel نوال 3 2013 Sharing Sam is a book about the sacrifices you make for friendship and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love. This was a really cute book, not only was it pretty short (as opposed to the 400+ page books I normally read) at 155 pages but it was a light read to. Light in the writing sense, not the subject.
Some parts of the book felt really rushed, like the author really didn't want to go into detail about everything that happened so she summed it up in a few sentences and moved on to another scene. I wish that this book could have been more detailed and lengthened, but Sharing Sam seems like it was intended to be simple and straight to the point. It may have been written for a younger audience but I think it's a book that anyone could enjoy.
Sharing Sam makes you want to be the best friend you could possibly be. ]]> 3.98 1995 Sharing Sam (Love Stories For Young Adults, #2)
author: Katherine Applegate
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.98
book published: 1995
rating: 3
read at: 2013/04/17
date added: 2013/04/17
shelves: 2013
review:
Sharing Sam is definitely different from the books that I usually read. When I first read the synopsis I thought 'what the heck? she shares the guy she likes with her best friend?' and almost put it back on the shelf. But something made me want to give this book a chance, that little nudging feeling that tells you 'don't be so hasty with this book'.
Sharing Sam is a book about the sacrifices you make for friendship and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love. This was a really cute book, not only was it pretty short (as opposed to the 400+ page books I normally read) at 155 pages but it was a light read to. Light in the writing sense, not the subject.
Some parts of the book felt really rushed, like the author really didn't want to go into detail about everything that happened so she summed it up in a few sentences and moved on to another scene. I wish that this book could have been more detailed and lengthened, but Sharing Sam seems like it was intended to be simple and straight to the point. It may have been written for a younger audience but I think it's a book that anyone could enjoy.
Sharing Sam makes you want to be the best friend you could possibly be.
]]> Delirium (Delirium, #1) 11614718 There is an alternate cover edition for this ISBN13 here.

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn't about to make the same mistake.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the "Wilds" who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?]]> 441 Lauren Oliver 0061726834 Noel نوال 4 2013, dystopian
While I was reading this book I myself began falling for someone and couldn't help but think "I'm showing signs of amor deliria nervosa."

It was such a wonderful book, the characters were real, even the zombie-like cured ones. Alex and Gracie would have to be my favorite characters in this book, they just captured my heart right from the start. The entire idea of a world without love is just so unfathomable, I could never imagine a world without it. Where parents wouldn't love their children, and people wouldn't love their pets or friends or significant others. I'm really excited to read Pandemonium after that blood-pumping cliffhanger. I don't want to say too much about this book in order to not spoil anything for future readers. All I will say is that if you haven't read Delirium yet, what are you waiting for?
]]> 3.94 2011 Delirium (Delirium, #1)
author: Lauren Oliver
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2013/03/20
date added: 2013/03/20
shelves: 2013, dystopian
review:
I really enjoyed this book. Delirium is a breath of fresh air in the dystopian genre. The concept is so original and unique I was hooked from the moment I read the synopsis on the back of the cover.

While I was reading this book I myself began falling for someone and couldn't help but think "I'm showing signs of amor deliria nervosa."

It was such a wonderful book, the characters were real, even the zombie-like cured ones. Alex and Gracie would have to be my favorite characters in this book, they just captured my heart right from the start. The entire idea of a world without love is just so unfathomable, I could never imagine a world without it. Where parents wouldn't love their children, and people wouldn't love their pets or friends or significant others. I'm really excited to read Pandemonium after that blood-pumping cliffhanger. I don't want to say too much about this book in order to not spoil anything for future readers. All I will say is that if you haven't read Delirium yet, what are you waiting for?

]]> The Fault in Our Stars 11870085
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.]]> 313 John Green Noel نوال 5 2013, favorites ~Augustus Waters (The Fault In Our Stars, John Green)



Augustus pretty much spot-on summed up how my thoughts are right now. I'm going to attempt to explain how I feel and what I think about this book, but it probably wouldn't do it justice. The Fault In Our Stars was a beautiful, astonishing, magnificent, wondrous-and any other adjective that could best describe how awesome this book was-book.

I have fallen in love with John Green's writing, and this book is the best I've read by him by far. The Fault In Our Stars has instantly become a favorite of mine that I will definitely be rereading over and over again, which is saying something considering that I NEVER reread books (with the exception of Harry Potter of course).

The characters were so lively, likable, and so real. Gus was definitely my favorite character in the novel, I loved his humor and charismatic personality, and best of all his determination to leave an imprint in the world. Isaac was adorable and such a sweetheart.

Most of the time when I read funny scenes in books I laugh, but not a real laugh, more like blowing air through my nose with a small smile on my face. However, TFIOS had me laughing out loud and chuckling numerous times.

Having lost so many people I've loved to cancer this book hit pretty close to home. TFIOS really showed how the person with cancer isn't the only one affected, sometimes it's almost like everyone you love gets the disease too. Finally a cancer book that's not really a cancer book.

I could really relate to Gus, so many times in my life I felt that I'm not living a life that will be worth remembering or one that will go down in history. But TFIOS, just as other books by John Green, taught me a valuable lesson. It doesn't matter if strangers remember you 100 years from now, what matters is that you loved and left love scars on people. Maybe your story will die with them, but the love you had is infinite. My many loved ones that lost their battles to cancer probably won't ever have biographies or memoirs written about them, but the marks they've left on me were not and are not temporary.

Thank you John Green, for opening my eyes to something I never really realized, yet again.
]]> 4.13 2012 The Fault in Our Stars
author: John Green
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2013/03/07
date added: 2013/03/07
shelves: 2013, favorites
review:
"My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations"
~Augustus Waters (The Fault In Our Stars, John Green)



Augustus pretty much spot-on summed up how my thoughts are right now. I'm going to attempt to explain how I feel and what I think about this book, but it probably wouldn't do it justice. The Fault In Our Stars was a beautiful, astonishing, magnificent, wondrous-and any other adjective that could best describe how awesome this book was-book.

I have fallen in love with John Green's writing, and this book is the best I've read by him by far. The Fault In Our Stars has instantly become a favorite of mine that I will definitely be rereading over and over again, which is saying something considering that I NEVER reread books (with the exception of Harry Potter of course).

The characters were so lively, likable, and so real. Gus was definitely my favorite character in the novel, I loved his humor and charismatic personality, and best of all his determination to leave an imprint in the world. Isaac was adorable and such a sweetheart.

Most of the time when I read funny scenes in books I laugh, but not a real laugh, more like blowing air through my nose with a small smile on my face. However, TFIOS had me laughing out loud and chuckling numerous times.

Having lost so many people I've loved to cancer this book hit pretty close to home. TFIOS really showed how the person with cancer isn't the only one affected, sometimes it's almost like everyone you love gets the disease too. Finally a cancer book that's not really a cancer book.

I could really relate to Gus, so many times in my life I felt that I'm not living a life that will be worth remembering or one that will go down in history. But TFIOS, just as other books by John Green, taught me a valuable lesson. It doesn't matter if strangers remember you 100 years from now, what matters is that you loved and left love scars on people. Maybe your story will die with them, but the love you had is infinite. My many loved ones that lost their battles to cancer probably won't ever have biographies or memoirs written about them, but the marks they've left on me were not and are not temporary.

Thank you John Green, for opening my eyes to something I never really realized, yet again.

]]> Firelight (Firelight, #1) 6448470 A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

]]> 323 Sophie Jordan 0061935085 Noel نوال 3 2013
This book was so-so. At times I liked the book and was interested in the plot and characters, but at other times it was dull. The rising action of the book fell right into your run-of-the-mill YA fiction paranormal romance novel. It was almost as if I was reading a remixed version of Twilight; the plot grew unoriginal.

Jacinda goes to a new school, falls for the boy that all the girls swoon over but can't have, and he falls for her when he would fall for no one else before. Around that area of the plot I was really annoyed, because with the unique concept of this book (dragons, and shape-shifting humans) it could have been more original.

The relationship between Jacinda and her sister Tamra, however, was something I was interested in. It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my younger sister; not perfect, rocky more often than stable, and in that aspect I could relate to Jacinda.

Plot was something else I had a bit of a problem with. Some scenes would drag on and on with sometimes dull and boring dialogues and scenarios. While on the other hand, towards the last third of the book everything was happening so fast. Throughout Firelight scenes seemed to jump at wrong parts in the novel while droning on in others.

I had really expected more of Firelight, maybe I had gotten my hopes up too high for this book, but it wasn't bad. I'm thinking about reading the next book in the Firelight series, because who knows maybe it might be a lot better. I hope so with that cliff-hanger.
]]> 3.85 2010 Firelight (Firelight, #1)
author: Sophie Jordan
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2013/03/04
date added: 2013/03/04
shelves: 2013
review:
In all honesty this book did not cut out to be as great as I thought it would be. When I had first read the synopsis for Firelight over a year ago I was beyond excited, not only because it sounded like a really cool unique YA paranormal romance, but also because it was about dragons. Who doesn't like dragons?

This book was so-so. At times I liked the book and was interested in the plot and characters, but at other times it was dull. The rising action of the book fell right into your run-of-the-mill YA fiction paranormal romance novel. It was almost as if I was reading a remixed version of Twilight; the plot grew unoriginal.

Jacinda goes to a new school, falls for the boy that all the girls swoon over but can't have, and he falls for her when he would fall for no one else before. Around that area of the plot I was really annoyed, because with the unique concept of this book (dragons, and shape-shifting humans) it could have been more original.

The relationship between Jacinda and her sister Tamra, however, was something I was interested in. It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my younger sister; not perfect, rocky more often than stable, and in that aspect I could relate to Jacinda.

Plot was something else I had a bit of a problem with. Some scenes would drag on and on with sometimes dull and boring dialogues and scenarios. While on the other hand, towards the last third of the book everything was happening so fast. Throughout Firelight scenes seemed to jump at wrong parts in the novel while droning on in others.

I had really expected more of Firelight, maybe I had gotten my hopes up too high for this book, but it wasn't bad. I'm thinking about reading the next book in the Firelight series, because who knows maybe it might be a lot better. I hope so with that cliff-hanger.

]]> You Are So Cursed! 1631084 208 Naomi Nash 0843953101 Noel نوال 4 2013, magic-witches
Though this book is intended for a younger audience (around 13 and up) I think it has some important lessons and morals to teach people. Like how wrong it is to judge someone by the way they look (Never judge a book by it's cover), or how you should never ditch your friends over a guy/girl you'd potentially date, or trying to be someone your not in order to impress someone.

The relationship between Gio and Vick was really cute. Vick was a tough, smart-mouthed girl with something always up her sleeve (no pun intended...or maybe it was), and Gio is this adorable dorky guy. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read to make you smile, roll your eyes while smiling, and laugh. I would definitely like to read the next book in the series by Naomi Nash I Am So Jinxed! to read more about Gio and Vick's relationship.
]]> 3.30 2004 You Are So Cursed!
author: Naomi Nash
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.30
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2013/02/21
date added: 2013/02/22
shelves: 2013, magic-witches
review:
It's been a long time since I've read a book under 300 pages, let alone less than 200. I read You Are So Cursed! in a day, and it was beyond refreshing to read something short and lighthearted without having to think too much. You Are So Cursed! was really cute, albeit cliche and corny, but I loved it nonetheless. I'm a pretty big cheese ball, so maybe that's why.

Though this book is intended for a younger audience (around 13 and up) I think it has some important lessons and morals to teach people. Like how wrong it is to judge someone by the way they look (Never judge a book by it's cover), or how you should never ditch your friends over a guy/girl you'd potentially date, or trying to be someone your not in order to impress someone.

The relationship between Gio and Vick was really cute. Vick was a tough, smart-mouthed girl with something always up her sleeve (no pun intended...or maybe it was), and Gio is this adorable dorky guy. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read to make you smile, roll your eyes while smiling, and laugh. I would definitely like to read the next book in the series by Naomi Nash I Am So Jinxed! to read more about Gio and Vick's relationship.

]]> Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2) 7791997
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.]]> 427 Becca Fitzpatrick 1416989439 Noel نوال 3 2013
However, near the third-quarter point of the book things picked up and there was some action to keep my interest piqued. Fitzpatrick did a good job with the intense action scenes and had me freaking out alongside Nora, which was pretty cool.

Fitzpatrick definitely sprinkled a lot of jaw-dropping moments in this book, and made my eyes widen in shock several times.

The newest addition to the Hush Hush character line-up, Scott Parnell, isn't half-bad. I liked his seemingly-obnoxious attitude and his sarcastic debonair. I really liked the relationship between Scott and Nora, for the most part, because he brought out Nora's tough side and she could remain cool and in control when she was around him. Now after reading Crescendo I might be swaying a bit towards team Scott, before you throw your tomatoes remember I said might. Maybe after I read the next two books I might change my mind...maybe. We'll just have to see what happens.
]]> 3.99 2010 Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2)
author: Becca Fitzpatrick
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2013/02/20
date added: 2013/02/20
shelves: 2013
review:
To be completely and utterly honest this book was ...alright to me. I'm not a die-hard fan of this book series but don't get me wrong it's not terrible. This book was a lot better than the first, in my opinion, but there were some parts near the beginning that just dragged on and the momentum of the story seemed lost.

However, near the third-quarter point of the book things picked up and there was some action to keep my interest piqued. Fitzpatrick did a good job with the intense action scenes and had me freaking out alongside Nora, which was pretty cool.

Fitzpatrick definitely sprinkled a lot of jaw-dropping moments in this book, and made my eyes widen in shock several times.

The newest addition to the Hush Hush character line-up, Scott Parnell, isn't half-bad. I liked his seemingly-obnoxious attitude and his sarcastic debonair. I really liked the relationship between Scott and Nora, for the most part, because he brought out Nora's tough side and she could remain cool and in control when she was around him. Now after reading Crescendo I might be swaying a bit towards team Scott, before you throw your tomatoes remember I said might. Maybe after I read the next two books I might change my mind...maybe. We'll just have to see what happens.

]]> <![CDATA[The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner, #2)]]> 7631105 Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.
Ìý
Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.
Ìý
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
Ìý
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Ìý
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.
Ìý
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers� destruction—and they’re determined to survive.]]> 362 James Dashner 0385738757 Noel نوال 5 2013, dystopian
After reading this sequel in the trilogy I've come to the conclusion that Minho is by far my favorite character. He's spunky and smart mouthed and he had a lot of highlighted moments in this book. I had instantly liked Minho the moment he showed up in The Maze Runner but The Scorch Trials really added depth to his character.

Dashner did a good job of keeping us on our toes in The Scorch Trials but there was a lot of confusion towards the end of the book leading up to the inevitable cliff hanger. I'm super excited to read the next book, more excited than I was after reading The Maze Runner, I really want to know the truth behind it all (almost as much as the Gladers themselves). Klunk it, I'm too impatient to wait to get my hands on The Death Cure, and not to mention the prequel to the entire Maze Runner series, The Kill Order.
]]> 3.90 2010 The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner, #2)
author: James Dashner
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2013/01/31
date added: 2013/01/31
shelves: 2013, dystopian
review:
This second installment to the Maze Runner series was pretty intense. The Scorch Trials was super action-packed and suspenseful, there was never a dull moment. There were a lot of crazy things going on throughout the story, the boys had more of an adventure in this book than the last one if that's even possible. A lot of new characters were introduced in The Scorch Trials, and without giving away any spoilers they're pretty memorable. However, I now very much dislike a particular character very much (not mentioning any names).

After reading this sequel in the trilogy I've come to the conclusion that Minho is by far my favorite character. He's spunky and smart mouthed and he had a lot of highlighted moments in this book. I had instantly liked Minho the moment he showed up in The Maze Runner but The Scorch Trials really added depth to his character.

Dashner did a good job of keeping us on our toes in The Scorch Trials but there was a lot of confusion towards the end of the book leading up to the inevitable cliff hanger. I'm super excited to read the next book, more excited than I was after reading The Maze Runner, I really want to know the truth behind it all (almost as much as the Gladers themselves). Klunk it, I'm too impatient to wait to get my hands on The Death Cure, and not to mention the prequel to the entire Maze Runner series, The Kill Order.

]]> <![CDATA[Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2)]]> 7137775
When Alex arranges for Carlos to live with his former professor and his family to keep him from being sent to jail, Carlos feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.

As the danger grows for Carlos, he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him. But is he willing to endanger their safety for a chance at the kind of life he's never even dreamed possible?]]> 336 Simone Elkeles 0802720854 Noel نوال 5 2013
Carlos was hilarious, and I loved his cockiness that would get him into heaps of trouble. Kiara was really cool, she was down-to-earth, not into social cliques and appearances like a majority of the rest of the student body at her high school, and she was always willing to go head to head with Carlos. I loved their relationship, it was challenging, raw, funny, quirky, and down right cute.

The Perfect Chemistry series isn't exactly an on-going series, meaning that it isn't necessary to read them in order because each book revolves around the love story of each Fuentes brother. I honestly like Rules of Attraction way better than the first book, though Perfect Chemistry was pretty good. I enjoyed bieng able to see continuing bits and pieces of Brittany and Alex's relationship woven in and out of the story, keeping them alive

I'm stoked to read the next installment to the Perfect Chemistry series, Chemical Reaction, to read about Luis's love. If you can say anything about the Fuentes brothers it would be that they've got spunk and they know it.
]]> 4.18 2010 Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2)
author: Simone Elkeles
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2013/01/23
date added: 2013/01/23
shelves: 2013
review:
The moment I saw Rules of Attraction, the second book in the Perfect Chemistry series, I got super giddy. You know that saying? The one that states that sequels are never as good as the first book, well that saying doesn't apply to Rules of Attraction. This book was so good, you could tell Simone owned the story-telling in this second installment to the series.

Carlos was hilarious, and I loved his cockiness that would get him into heaps of trouble. Kiara was really cool, she was down-to-earth, not into social cliques and appearances like a majority of the rest of the student body at her high school, and she was always willing to go head to head with Carlos. I loved their relationship, it was challenging, raw, funny, quirky, and down right cute.

The Perfect Chemistry series isn't exactly an on-going series, meaning that it isn't necessary to read them in order because each book revolves around the love story of each Fuentes brother. I honestly like Rules of Attraction way better than the first book, though Perfect Chemistry was pretty good. I enjoyed bieng able to see continuing bits and pieces of Brittany and Alex's relationship woven in and out of the story, keeping them alive

I'm stoked to read the next installment to the Perfect Chemistry series, Chemical Reaction, to read about Luis's love. If you can say anything about the Fuentes brothers it would be that they've got spunk and they know it.

]]> Forgotten 9415951
I remember what I'll wear tomorrow, and an argument that won't happen until this afternoon. But I don't know what I ate for dinner last night. I get by with the help of notes, my mom and my best friend Jamie, and the system works...

Until now. Everything's falling apart. Jamie's going off the rails. My mom is lying to me. And I can't see the boy I adore in my future.

But today, I love him. And I never want to forget how much...]]> 304 Cat Patrick 0316094617 Noel نوال 4 2013
The relationship between London and Luke was so real and true. They both had faults and quirks, and even though their love was rocky at times Patrick did a good job of making their budding-romance believable. Luke was such a down-to-earth guy and lovable, seeming like your average Joe, but there's just an allure to him that would make any girl wish to have one of him for their very own.

Forgotten had me staying up all night trying to read the whole thing because of how addicting it is. It draws you in from the very first page and has you wanting more until you read the very last words. Full of suspense, mystery, romance, drama, and tons of humor Forgotten is a tale you won't soon forget.
]]> 3.78 2011 Forgotten
author: Cat Patrick
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2013/01/21
date added: 2013/01/21
shelves: 2013
review:
This was one of those books that I had never heard of prior to picking it up off of the library shelf. But boy am I glad I did. Forgotten is such a wonderful story and the entire concept of the novel is very original. The idea of only being able to remember what happens in the future and forgetting the past is what drew me to the novel after reading the synopsis. It makes you wonder what a life with a flip-turned memory would be like. Imagine not being able to remember you're dating a hunky guy and get to relive 'love at first sight' every single day.

The relationship between London and Luke was so real and true. They both had faults and quirks, and even though their love was rocky at times Patrick did a good job of making their budding-romance believable. Luke was such a down-to-earth guy and lovable, seeming like your average Joe, but there's just an allure to him that would make any girl wish to have one of him for their very own.

Forgotten had me staying up all night trying to read the whole thing because of how addicting it is. It draws you in from the very first page and has you wanting more until you read the very last words. Full of suspense, mystery, romance, drama, and tons of humor Forgotten is a tale you won't soon forget.

]]> Awaken (Awaken, #1) 8665876
Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.]]> 309 Katie Kacvinsky 0547371489 Noel نوال 5 2013, dystopian, favorites
The entire concept for this book is absolutely brilliant, a dystopian world that we can actually relate to as our world grows more and more technology dependant and digital everyday. Right from the very first page I was hooked and stayed hooked to the very end. Not once did I have to force myself to read, the opposite really because I would keep reading when I had a lot of important things I should have been doing.

The relationship between Justin and Maddie was so cute and I loved the budding romance that was building between them. At times I found myself getting frustrated that Justin wouldn't kiss her already! But nonetheless the frustrations felt toward Justin only added to the allure and suspense of the novel. The thing about the world Katie created in Awaken is that it's entirely possible of happening to us. Digital School is the enemy in this book because they're responsible for the 'everything must be digital' wave that swept the nation. It was a result of school shootings and bombings that were happening left and right and people no longer trusted each other and enclosed themselves in digital cocoons.

It made me sad when I read that book because when I thought about all of the shootings that have been happening in schools recently and the tragedy that happened at a movie theater here in my home town last summer realized it was like the book. A lot of people are beginning to not trust each other, parents are taking their kids out of real schools and doing homeschooling or online schooling just like what happened in the book. This book definitely is thought provoking and is kind of enlightening about our condition as we grow more dependent on technology. I really recommend this book to anyone, it's a fantastic read, has a cute romance, and it makes you think while being very relate-able.
]]> 3.90 2011 Awaken (Awaken, #1)
author: Katie Kacvinsky
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2013/01/11
date added: 2013/01/12
shelves: 2013, dystopian, favorites
review:
I had never even heard of this book before I saw it on the 'NEW' shelf at my local library. But I read the synopsis and got really excited because it was about something I would want to read about. All of my friends and some family are super tech savvy and carry numerous gadgets around and are constantly texting or updating social networking sites. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite and they all call me "old-school for that."

The entire concept for this book is absolutely brilliant, a dystopian world that we can actually relate to as our world grows more and more technology dependant and digital everyday. Right from the very first page I was hooked and stayed hooked to the very end. Not once did I have to force myself to read, the opposite really because I would keep reading when I had a lot of important things I should have been doing.

The relationship between Justin and Maddie was so cute and I loved the budding romance that was building between them. At times I found myself getting frustrated that Justin wouldn't kiss her already! But nonetheless the frustrations felt toward Justin only added to the allure and suspense of the novel. The thing about the world Katie created in Awaken is that it's entirely possible of happening to us. Digital School is the enemy in this book because they're responsible for the 'everything must be digital' wave that swept the nation. It was a result of school shootings and bombings that were happening left and right and people no longer trusted each other and enclosed themselves in digital cocoons.

It made me sad when I read that book because when I thought about all of the shootings that have been happening in schools recently and the tragedy that happened at a movie theater here in my home town last summer realized it was like the book. A lot of people are beginning to not trust each other, parents are taking their kids out of real schools and doing homeschooling or online schooling just like what happened in the book. This book definitely is thought provoking and is kind of enlightening about our condition as we grow more dependent on technology. I really recommend this book to anyone, it's a fantastic read, has a cute romance, and it makes you think while being very relate-able.

]]> Looking for Alaska 99561 Before. Miles “Pudge� Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps� even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .
After. Nothing is ever the same.]]> 221 John Green 1435249151 Noel نوال 4 2013
There were lots of underlying themes of religion, life and death, what happens to us after we die, and finding a purpose for our existence. It definitely gave me a lot to think about at times.

What I really enjoyed about the book was Pudge's references to famous last words throughout the novel as a way to relate to what he was going through. It was really clever and a unique way of storytelling. I didn't love this book but I did really like it. Without giving any spoilers, the message and moral of the story was really powerful.

My favorite last words would probably have to be the ones said by my childhood hero Steve Irwin. "Don't worry, they usually don't swim backwards." They weren't witty or dark humored but they say a lot about how unexpected life can be. Steve was an animal expert and he hadn't expected to get stung by a sting ray.
]]> 3.97 2005 Looking for Alaska
author: John Green
name: Noel نوال
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2013/01/08
date added: 2013/01/08
shelves: 2013
review:
This book had been on my to-read shelf for a few years. Several people had recommended it to me in real life and on the Internet saying that I would love it. I was really excited once I got my hands on this book and decided to read away hoping that the countless people that recommended it would be right about me loving it. Truth be told, I kind of had a hate/love relationship with this book in the beginning. Some parts felt really slow and dull for me and I had to force myself to keep reading on while other parts had really peaked my interest like prank scenes. If I hadn't read on I probably wouldn't have liked the book, but it wasn't until I read the last page that I actually liked it.

There were lots of underlying themes of religion, life and death, what happens to us after we die, and finding a purpose for our existence. It definitely gave me a lot to think about at times.

What I really enjoyed about the book was Pudge's references to famous last words throughout the novel as a way to relate to what he was going through. It was really clever and a unique way of storytelling. I didn't love this book but I did really like it. Without giving any spoilers, the message and moral of the story was really powerful.

My favorite last words would probably have to be the ones said by my childhood hero Steve Irwin. "Don't worry, they usually don't swim backwards." They weren't witty or dark humored but they say a lot about how unexpected life can be. Steve was an animal expert and he hadn't expected to get stung by a sting ray.

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