The Reading Addict

Trailer for the New Romeo and Juliet Film (2013)

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Words cannot describe how excited I am for this movie. As much as I ridicule these two star-crossed lovers, a part of my heart will always love their heartbreaking tale. Not to mention Douglas Booth is gorgeous, and this film has an all around amazing cast.

"Give me my Romeo;
and, when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars,
and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night."

*withers on the floor and melts into a pathetic puddle of nothingness*

I've probably watched this trailer a dozen times now. Who else is excited for this timeless tragedy?

A Reader's Review of The Great Gatsby Movie (2013)

2013-05-11T13:53:00.000-05:00

The Music:
The movie's soundtrack is incredible. Every song fits the scene perfectly. Many complained that the music was much too modern for a movie set in the '20s, but I loved how the producers mixed in old tunes with the pulsing beats of new, 21st century music. In a way, the blend of the two eras highlighted the timeless essence of the story. It brought the story to life in a whole new way.

The Casting:
Leonardo DiCaprio became Gatsby. I honestly couldn't have picked a more perfect man to play the elusive, captivating millionaire. Maguire did an excellent job of playing the outsider, watching the world move around him. Everyone was wonderful, from Tom to Daisy.

The Effects/Settings:
I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. The scenery, vivid colors, and incredible costumes
captured my attention immediately. Gatsby's home and parties were absolutely breathtaking. WHY was I not born in this era? I can't get enough of it.

The Plot:
The movie follows the book very closely. I was happy to see that there were very few deviations from the original story.

Honestly, nothing about the film itself stood out to me. The one thing I will complain about are the wannabe hipsters that populate every theater. Just because this book was assigned reading in school doesn't mean that every high schooler out there should pretend to love it. If one more person claims to love this story when they haven't even heard of the book, I'm going to scream.

I loved the movie. I was enchanted by the beauty and insanity of the twenties. I fell in love with the characters all over again. The accuracy and effects were impressive, and the cinematography will capture even the most reluctant movie-goer's attention. I'll definitely be watching this one more than once.

Go see it. Now, old sport.

E-Readers vs Hard Copies - The Verdict of an Avid Reader

2013-04-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

For the longest time, no one hated the concept of reading novels on an electronic reader more than I did. I'm what you'd probably call a classic reader: I need the feel of pages between my fingers, the smell of a freshly printed book. I balked at the idea of doing away with such an integral part of my reading experience.

Then sites such as Netgalley and Edelweiss came along. These websites allow reviewers to apply for review copies electronically. Of course I wanted to hop on board immediately. My hands were itching to obtain so many available ARCs.

More and more authors have begun to reach out to bloggers via electronic sources. In fact, some books are not even being printed as hard copies. By not giving into the electronic wave of reading, I was missing out on potential favorites and best-sellers.

As a reviewer and a self-proclaimed bibliophile, I pride myself on being able to keep up with the newest and hottest releases in young adult literature. However, as electronic readers have grown in popularity, I have found myself on the outside. I began to feel disconnected, and I wondered what I was missing out on.

I received my first Kindle as a Christmas gift this past year. And now I'm in love.

I know, I know, I never thought I'd say this either, but my Kindle has opened so many new doors for me as a reader and a reviewer. Authors can now send me review copies of their novels in a cost-effective and timely manner. I can purchase electronic books on Amazon and receive them within a matter of seconds, often at a lower cost.

Don't get me wrong: I will always adore hard copies. I will continue to add to my physical bookshelves, and I will purchase all of my favorites in paperback or hardcover form. However, I am no longer against the world of electronic novels. If anything, I have begun to embrace the advancement. I now appreciate the ease and efficiency of the process, and I believe it has helped me to become a more avid and dedicated reader/reviewer.

I'd highly recommend any of Amazon's electronic readers, from the Kindle Fire to the older versions. It will revolutionize your reading experience.

Bloggers and Authors: Win a Free Month of Advertising on The Reading Addict

2013-04-28T15:13:00.000-05:00

Over the next few months, The Reading Addict will be hosting ads for other book bloggers and authors. A new post relating the details on pricing for these ads will be up within the next week!

As a trial, I will be offering a free month of ad space on my blog to one lucky author or blogger. To apply for this ad space, simply fill out the form below!

Details on the Ad Space:
-The ad will be placed in the sidebar
-The ad will be uploaded on May 1st and run until June 1st
-The ad will be linked to whichever site you request, as long as I have approved it
-If you are pleased with the ad's results, you will be able to purchase more ad time after the first free month
-I am willing to create an ad for you or you may send me your own artwork

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to leave a comment or email me at readingaddictreviews@gmail.com

Form for entry

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

2013-04-13T18:02:00.004-05:00

Title: The Gathering

Series: The Darkness Rising Trilogy
Book #: One

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Release Date: April 12, 2011

Source: Local Library

My Rating:

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

In The Gathering , New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong brings all the supernatural thrills from her wildly successful Darkest Powers series to Darkness Rising, her scorching hot new trilogy. (taken from goodreads.com)

As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's The Darkest Powers series, I was sure that I'd enjoy her newest series. However, I have to say that I wasn't nearly as impressed with this story as I was with Armstrong's first three books.

I tried to make myself love The Gathering. I just couldn't get into it. I always managed to find something else to do rather than sit down and finish it. That's never a good sign. In fact, I would say that this book is the reason I've been in a reading rut lately.

The characters never drew me in. Sure, Maya is witty and strong-headed, but she's also a bit bland. I never really rooted for her. The same could be said for her love interest, Rafe. He's your classic bad boy with a hidden soft side. Not much to gush over there. The other smaller characters were equally uninteresting. To be honest, I probably won't remember any of their names after a couple more days. That's how forgettable I felt they were.

The story just took too long to really begin. I was bored. Even when the action finally picked up, I found myself thinking of all the other books I could be reading instead. Armstrong keeps hinting at all the huge mysteries the island holds, but most of the book revolves around Maya stumbling around in the woods with her hot boy toy.

I would still consider myself a fan of Armstrong, but I don't think I'll be picking up the next books in this series. I highly recommend The Darkest Powers series, but The Darkness Rising series (or at least the first book) is lacking, if you ask me.

“I want you to have big dreams, big goals. I want you to strive to achieve them. But I don't want to see you beating yourself up every time you make a mistake.”

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

2013-04-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Augustus Waters (The Fault in Our Stars)

Jace Wayland (The Mortal Instruments)

Jared Howe (The Host)

Noah Shaw (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer)

Etienne St. Claire (Anna and the French Kiss)

William Herondale (The Infernal Devices)

Aaron Warner (Unravel Me)

Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)

Chase Jennings (Article 5)

Roger Sullivan (Amy and Roger's Epic Detour)

Who are you guys crushing on?

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

2013-04-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Pivot Point

Series: Pivot Point Series
Book #: One

Author: Kasie West

Release Date: February 12, 2013

Source: For Review

My Rating:

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without. (taken from goodreads.com)

This one sat on my tbr pile for quite some time. I'm not really sure why, seeing as I was desperate to get my hands on it before it was published. Now I wonder why.

Pivot Point is based on a concept I've never thought about before. If you could see the outcome of two different choices, two different paths, how would that affect your life? It's mind-boggling to think about. At first, I was a bit confused by the story. The chapters alternate between Addie's two potential futures. One takes place in her Paranorm society while the other occurs in the outside world where we normal folk reside. It didn't take me long to figure this out, and once I did, it was fascinating.

Addie is such an enjoyable character to read about. She's convicted, and even though she has her typical, teenage-girl moments of insecurity, she is very comfortable with herself. It was wonderfully refreshing to read about a girl who was fine with choosing her favorite books over popularity contests and football games. As the girl who skipped more than a few social events to stay locked in her room with novels, I easily related to Addie's more introverted side. She manages to reveal how "cool" being a nerd can be.

The love triangle in this book isn't surrounded by your typical romantic tension. Addie isn't choosing between two hot boys- she's choosing between two lives, two versions of herself. I appreciated the twist on what could have easily been a stereotypical YA romance. As the story progresses, things get even more intense. I had no idea what Addie would choose.

West's writing is easy to immerse yourself in, and I was never bored. It was a nice break from the heavier books I've been reading lately. Despite her paranormal abilities, Addie is a relatable character, and West's creative storytelling captured my attention immediately.

Overall, Pivot Point is an impressive debut filled with interesting mysteries and lovable characters. I'd highly recommend it to any YA lovers.

"It was hard when I knew I was about to be flooded with memories of a life I hadn't lived yet. Really, two lives I hadn't lived yet."

Hot New YA Sequel Covers

2013-03-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

Check out these brand new sequel covers. And maybe drool a little. And, if you're like me, realize that you desperately need more money for all of the fantastic books that are hitting the shelves in 2013.

Stacking the Shelves 3/23 - 3/30

2013-03-30T23:32:00.000-05:00

"Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.

This means you can include books you can buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library,

review books, gifts, and of course eBooks!" - Tynga's Reviews

From the Library:

I tried to walk past the teen section without stopping. I really did.

But I didn't.

Because I'm a hopeless cause.

Bought:

Those John Green books? Yeah. They're signed.

Needless to say they have been placed in a spot of honor on my bookshelf.

Where I shall stare at them every time I walk in.

For Review:

What did you guys get?

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

2013-03-29T01:28:00.002-05:00

Title: Clockwork Princess

Series: The Infernal Devices Trilogy
Book #: Three

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Source: Bought

My Rating:

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa.

And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. (taken from goodreads.com)

When this gorgeous book arrived on my doorstep, I was torn between two urges. Part of me wanted to immediately devour every word while the other part told me to pace myself. Not only is this the conclusion to the Infernal Devices Trilogy, but it is also the only new Cassandra Clare book I will read for months. I needed to savor every detail.

So, everyone knows the main question this book needs to answer: who will Tessa end up with? Will she choose to be with the passionate, brooding Will? Or will she stay with her loving, sweet Jem? Fans across the blogosphere speculated as to how Clare could whip up a happy ending for everyone. Although I'm a pretty strong Team Will supporter, I couldn't imagine Tessa breaking Jem's heart. I had no idea how Clare could end the series in a way that would satisfy me.

Now, I'm having a truly tough time discussing the novel without revealing any spoilers. Let's just say I think most fans will be surprised by the twists Clare throws at them. Be prepared to have your heart torn clean in two. The relationships between each and every character will have you dying on the inside, if you're as invested in this series as I am.

As I've said so many times before, I adore Cassandra Clare. The woman is a genius. Her characters are some of my favorite fictional people of all time. They are honest, witty, and wonderful to read about. I can never get enough of her writing, whether it's making me laugh uncontrollably or suppress the urge to gasp out loud.

The epilogue, my god, the epilogue. I cannot even put my emotions into coherent sentences. I'm trying my very best not to spew fan-girly nonsense all over this review, but it's difficult to contain such sobs/squeals. Few books have ever made me teary eyed, but I came this close to shedding a few tears over the powerful, moving ending. Trust me, that's a big deal. I had to sit back for a full 24 hours before I could even consider writing a review. Even now, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about everything. I kind of think it was the best ending Clare could have decided upon, but a huge part of my heart is still screaming "NOOOOO BUT *insert name of a boy who shall not be named here*."

Gosh, my heart was just a big, tangled, emotional wreck.

I only had one little problem with this book. I would share it with you guys, but I don't want to spoil anything. I lost a little respect for two of the main characters, and even now I can't get over how much I disliked that one scene.

Still, Clockwork Princess is an amazing conclusion to a fantastic series. I can't believe it's over. After waiting months and months for this final installment, I felt like it was finished too quickly. I will treasure these characters for years to come, and I will always have fond memories of this heart-breaking series. If you've been reluctant to pick up these books, do so now. I promise you won't regret it.

“You endure what is unbearable, and you bear it. That is all.”