Yearning to Read

Blurb Reveal: The Color Project

2016-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

....GUYS I HAVE BIG NEWS FOR YOU.

I've been absent recently because of this big news. I announced on Twitter, so some of you might have seen it, but if not I'm so excited to finally share it with you...

The news? I'm getting published in the fall next year! *throws confetti everywhere*

I'm going a non-traditional route, but it's not technically self publishing. My books will be available on Barnes and Noble and The Book Depository websites, and Amazon, and I might be able to get it into some stores. I'm very excited about starting small - I've been able to choose who I work with, and it's the best. Plus I have the amazing support of a mighty group of friends. They are working tirelessly to promote this book and I can't wait to get it into everyone's hands.

Now, what is this book about, you might be asking. Well, I'm here to tell you: I'm finally releasing the official back-cover blurb, and I'm SO EXCITED. So without further ado, here is the blurb for The Color Project:

Bernice Aurora Wescott has one thing she doesn't want anyone to know: her name. That is, until Bee meets Levi, the local golden boy who runs a charity organization called The Color Project.

Levi is not at all shy about attempting to guess Bee’s real name; his persistence is one of the many reasons why Bee falls for him. But while Levi is everything she never knew she needed, giving up her name would feel like a stamp on forever. And that terrifies her.

When unexpected news of an illness in the family drains Bee's summer of everything bright, she is pushed to the breaking point. Losing herself in The Color Project—a world of weddings, funerals, cancer patients, and hopeful families that the charity funds—is no longer enough. Bee must hold up the weight of her family, but to do that, she needs Levi. She’ll have to give up her name and let him in completely or lose the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

For fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson, THE COLOR PROJECT is a story about the three great loves of life—family, friendship, and romance—and the bonds that withstand tragedy.

I'm so so excited to share this book with you guys. It's such a heart-book, something I needed to write, and now it's ready to give to the world. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me to write it.

You can add the book to Goodreads (!!! SO OFFICIAL OMG) and I'm hoping it'll be available to preorder - with a cover and everything - in April. The official release date has yet to be decided, but it'll be sometime October or November.

Add The Color Project to your Goodreads TBR:

I have a newsletter now, too! If you want to be involved in early/exclusive reveals, definitely consider signing up.

And look! I have an official bio!

Now...before I start rambling about all the things of the future.....I'm off to write some more! Lots of love and hugs to you all!

Interview and Cover Reveal: Audrey Greathouse, author of THE NEVERLAND WARS

2016-08-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm doing something I haven't done in a while: hosting an interview! I'm so happy to have the lovely Audrey Greathouse on the blog today. She wrote THE NEVERLAND WARS, a retelling of PETER PAN, and its sequel, which you will hear about more below...

Welcome to Yearning to Read, Audrey!

1. To start off, can you give us five fun facts about yourself?

I've done a polysomnogram before.
I got my start as an author dealing self-published books out of my high school locker.
Aside from novels, I also write and host murder mystery parties for some of my oldest friends. This year will be our seventh annual party!
I'm huge fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and used to be in a shadow cast.
I organized my high school's senior prank—a frozen flash mob that had all seen the school's basilisk. We wore our graduation/WIZARDING robes, wrote on the bathroom mirrors, draped a stuffed snake over the stalls, and hid a recording of "moaning myrtle" that played on loop.

2. What are your favorite things about the original Peter Pan story?

Hands down, Peter and Wendy's friendship. They are incredibly sweet together, and in a beautiful way that I think often gets lost in relationships as we get older. They clearly share this tremendous bond and play father and mother to each other while they pretend the lost boys are their children, but it is all in this really platonic, friendly way. Too few people and stories put value on intimate friendships. Sometimes someone feels like your other half or the greatest emotional influence in your life even though you're “just” friends. That said, I'm a huge fan of fairies and flying. Swings were always my favorite at the playground, and lots of days I still daydream about flying away.

3. Every writer has a favorite part of the process: outlining, drafting, editing, procrastinating, etc. What's yours?

That's a tough question! Few things compete with drafting when you're in the zone, but outlining really is my favorite part...which is why I spend so much more time on it than anything else! I like to produce really clean first drafts, and mull over an idea for months or years before I even start writing it. Once the idea stops changing in my head, that's when I know I'm ready to put it on paper. I had the idea for The Neverland Wars and wrote out a broad outline for the series in the fall of 2010...I didn't start drafting it until three years later!

4. Who is your favorite character you've created? Who would you choose as a best friend?

Those are two very different questions! Lasiandra and the mermaids are my favorite characters, but I think they'd make pretty dangerous friends. I still don't know if I should trust them or not. If I had to pick a best friend, I'd want Jay. He's got a level head on his shoulders and is pretty laid back...something I've always looked for in a friend, because I'm so high-strung! Jay is a jack of all trades and very comfortable inhabiting middle grounds, unlike Gwen. I think that confidence and self-assured nature is an admirable trait, especially in young/new adults who have so much else going on in our heads.

5. I know from personal experience that writers pour themselves into their characters to make them come alive. How are you like your main character Gwen? Which character in THE NEVERLAND WARS are you most like?

Gwen and I share a lot of aesthetic similarities. I wore a lot of weird dresses I got from thrift stores as a teenager, and never bothered with make-up. I feel like there's a few girls who buck the trends and genuinely don't care at every school, so I wanted to write that as close to my own honest experience as I could, so those other girls would be able to connect with Gwen. I'm definitely more like Gwen than any other character in The Neverland Wars. Key differences include that I'm not nearly as good at oral storytelling, have a rowdy little brother instead of a sister, and am not nearly as conflicted.

6. Would you want to live forever in Neverland? Or would you want to stay on earth and live one lifetime?

I'd head to Neverland in an instant. A tropical paradise where time doesn't exist sounds like the perfect cure for the anxiety-blob that is adulthood. I was acutely aware of this even as a kid, and spent years leaving my window open at night, hoping Peter Pan might come for me. There's a lot to recommend adulthood and a lot of fun in it, but you have to work so much harder to stay present and survive in it. Sign me up for the next flight to the mermaid's lagoon. I love Gwen, but if she thinks she might want to grow up after all...I think she's nuts.

7. How has being published changed your life?

It's introduced a completely new type crushing existential doubt into my life, which I've been trying to fill by becoming a workaholic, hahahaha. Neverland is looking as nice as ever. I was twelve when I drafted my first book, and I've wanted to be a writer ever since. I didn't really expect it to manifest this soon, and now there's this strange sense of “what now?” After all, what do you do once you've reached your life goal? It's been hard figuring out how to balance the marketing/publishing aspects of my career and everything else in my life. It's funny... I didn't think being published was something I would have to learn how to enjoy! Now that I am learning, though, it really is the best feeling.

8. If James Barrie were alive.....is there anything you'd want to tell or ask him? Would you want him to read THE NEVERLAND WARS?

Oh goodness, I'd be way too embarrassed for him to read The Neverland Wars. The book focuses on teenage years instead of grade school years, and addresses so many issues I think are unique to modern life and the culture that has been born out of the technological advancements of this century. Not to mention that my writing is crumbs and crackers compared to his literary vision.

I really don't think I'd have anything to ask him, either. He left behind a beautiful story that in so many ways speaks for itself. I'd be curious to hear about the Davies boys, though, and just how much the real Peter, Michael, and George resembled the characters he created for his play and novel.

I don't know about you guys, but I absolutely adore Audrey's answers. Here are the cover and blurb for THE NEVERLAND WARS (book 1), which sounds totally awesome! (I didn't have time to read it before the interview but it's at the very top of my list.)

Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.

However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.

She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

If you want to read this (come on, you know you do!) it's available right now - for only 4 more days - for $.99!

You can find THE NEVERLAND WARS for purchase on Amazon and add it to your TBR here on Goodreads. You can also join Audrey (and hopefully me!) on Twitter to discuss TNW and the sequel, THE PIPER'S PRICE...

Speaking of THE PIPER'S PRICE....are you guys ready to see this gorgeous cover?? I think you are.

Peter is plotting his retaliation against the latest bombing. Neverland needs an army, and Peter Pan is certain children will join him once they know what is at stake. The lost boys and girls are planning an invasion in suburbia to recruit, but in order to deliver their message, they will need the help of an old and dangerous associate—the infamous Pied Piper.
Hunting him down will require a spy in in the real world, and Gwen soon finds herself in charge of locating the Piper and cutting an uncertain deal with him. She isn't sure if Peter trusts her that much, or if he's just trying to keep her away from him in Neverland. Are they friends, or just allies? But Peter might not even matter now that she's nearly home and meeting with Jay again.
The Piper isn't the only one hiding from the adults' war on magic though, and when Gwen goes back to reality, she'll have to confront one of Peter's oldest friends… and one of his earliest enemies.

UM, HELLO THERE GORGEOUS. I need this pretty purple in my life. (The cover links to its Goodreads page.) It releases in February of 2017. I can't wait to read it already...

Thanks for stopping by and reading. Give Audrey some comment love below and definitely follow her on Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook while you're at it. She's awesome!

Review: The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

2016-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

This book is a little piece of home for me.

Which is funny, considering it takes place halfway across the country and doesn't really have much to do with my life. After all, I haven't had visions of Grandmother every morning, when she tells me cryptic things and stories about creation and magic.

But books aren't beloved because they're all about what has happened to you. They're beloved because soul. Because that place inside of you that resonates so deeply with an idea or statement or Truth or kind of love, even if you haven't experienced the plot firsthand. Even if you don't battle dragons (or ride them) or fall in love with the boy next door or go to school abroad. You just...connect.

That's what TLTSTW is to me.

Of course, that being said, there were little things in it that relate to me and my life: I'm an INFJ and so is Nat, and her dad reminded me so much of my own dad. These facts only made the book more dear to me. And definitely added to what tethers my soul to this book.

And I'm serious when I say I loved everything about it.

First off: EMILY HENRY'S WRITING IS A GIFT FROM GOD. That is all I can even say about it because ????? What are words, even????
The plot is glorious and complicated and crazy. It blew my mind. You might have to read the last pages two times but that's only because they're brilliant and a;lksdjf;laskdjf;lkasjdf *fangirling overload*
The story is incredible, about sacrifice and all kinds of love and magic in the little things and mystery in the big things and believing even when it's hard and living your life for love. DO YOU NEED ANY OTHER REASON TO READ THIS BOOK???
And the characters....oh they were delightful. They were rich and easy to relate to, and there were so many realistic hardships woven into the magic that I couldn't help but feel for everyone, even when some people made terrible mistakes.
The romance went a little fast for me at first, but because of the magic and amazing character development, I was able to let it slide easily. And their chemistry was SO STRONG. Like, yes please. Give me Beau. I want him. I love him. LET ME LOVE HIM.

So, if you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend you do that. Buy it at Barnes and Noble or Amazon or The Book Depository and cry over its perfection like I did. If this review resonates with you, and you like magical realism and strange happenings and hot summer nostalgia, then you will love the book. I promise. And if you're not sold yet (or even if you are), go follow Emily on Twitter because she rocks and you will not regret her wit and humor.

SYNOPSIS

Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves.

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start... until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

Emily Henry’s stunning debut novel is Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife, and perfectly captures those bittersweet months after high school, when we dream not only of the future, but of all the roads and paths we’ve left untaken.

CONTENT

Some brief, strong language and kissing. Recommended 15+

Review: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

2016-07-07T01:18:00.004-07:00

Buckle up, you guys, because this review is about to get deep. Why? This Savage Song is deep. Like. THIS BOOK. Oh wow, seriously, it is gorgeous. I've loved Victoria Schwab for a while, liked her for even longer, and I'm so happy to be a part of pushing her books on everyone else, because they are just so beautiful.

Now, before I get to the good stuff, I did have a few issues. The beginning, while entirely enjoyable, is a little confusing. I'm not the only one who felt this way, either, according to a few of my friends who also read ARCs. There was a lot going on but not a whole lot of information to fill in the gaps. The characters, who were great independently, had choppy interactions with family members and friends. A lot of things went unsaid that I felt needed to be said. My biggest problem with this is that thought never changed. Usually when an author withholds information from you, they're doing it for a really really excellent reason. But I felt like all of these things could have at least been hinted at earlier in the novel to give some clarity, and then further discussed later.

EVEN SO

Once I got passed the 200 page mark, a lot of things fell into place. And I loved what I read. A 3-star beginning suddenly veered into a 5-star ending, and for me that's the difference between "forgettable" and "incredible". Which is a big deal for me, personally. But this book really caught me and MADE ME FEEL DEEPLY. POWERFULLY.

There are so many themes in this book. Love, loyalty, true friendship - among other things. Oh, and THERE IS NO ROMANCE, which gives page time to all the other stuff we don't get as often as romance. Not that romance isn't amazing - I'm obviously a sucker for all kinds of love stories and I obsess over book boyfriends - but it is nice to see the focus on things that are equally important. Especially in a world of monsters. Especially where your brother, sister, father, mother, sibling, best friend could turn on you, could become a thing, a creature, you don't recognize.

Everything happening led up to an epic ending, with so much running and fear and terrifying life-threatening encounters. These characters were stripped down to their bare selves and forced to confront the ugly, and it was really really beautiful. Harsh, like the dystopian world they live in, but wow. It was what made me love the book as much as I did at the end.

And the involvement of music. You guys. My heart broke a little over how much I loved that. August's character arc and his connection to music really dug deep for me.

So yes, I liked the action and adventure and world building and the monster system Schwab created and the politics. It was all utterly fascinating. But all that took a backseat when I really felt a powerful connection between the characters, and I felt their trials on a personal level. Their hardships were mine; their scars were mine; their futures were mine. And that's what makes this book so excellent and so very worthy of reading.

To conclude, if you haven't bought a copy yet, I recommend you do so immediately. Read this book, and love it, and make sure you thank Victoria for writing it. She deserves all the love.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Wordery

SYNOPSIS

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

CONTENT

Some brief, strong language. Recommended 13+

Mini Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway

2016-03-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I read this book, but I honestly keep thinking back to it and how cute it was! I loved Maggie the whole time. Her voice was so distinct and adorable and easy to relate to. She was awkward and normal and I just adored that about her. She was also smart....and smart girls in fiction are my kind of girls!

So there was mystery and intrigue, and it was all well done...but there was romance, too! (And we all know I'm a romance lover.) It was all so cute and happy and squeal-y. I remember there was one scene were I kind of rolled my eyes (I don't even remember what it was at this point, so it must have been relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things) but for the most part I was swooning!

I genuinely enjoyed this book and the spy action it brought to my life, so I will definitely be continuing on to the second book, GOING ROGUE. I also adore Robin. I met her at a Sarah J Maas event two years ago and she was such a dream to talk to! Very encouraging and lovely. I highly recommend reading her books if you want something light and funny and sweet.

SYNOPSIS

Which is more dangerous: being an international spy... or surviving high school?

Maggie Silver has never minded her unusual life. Cracking safes for the world's premier spy organization and traveling the world with her insanely cool parents definitely beat high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. (If it's three digits, why bother locking it at all?)

But when Maggie and her parents are sent to New York City for her first solo assignment, her world is transformed. Suddenly, she's attending a private school with hundreds of "mean girl" wannabes, trying to avoid the temptation to hack the school's elementary security system, and working to befriend the aggravatingly cute son of a potential national security threat... all while trying not to blow her cover.

From the hilarious and poignant author of Audrey, Wait! comes a fast-paced caper that proves that even the world's greatest spies don't have a mission plan for love.

CONTENT

Totally clean!

CELEBRATE 500 GIVEAWAY (INT)

2016-02-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

GUYS GUESS WHAT

YEARNING TO READ NOW HAS 500 GFC FOLLOWERS

AND 1,000 TWITTER FOLLOWERS

THIS IS SUCH EXCEPTIONAL NEWS AND I JUST

*FLAILS*

*RUNS AROUND*

*FLAILS SOME MORE*

So of course because I love you guys so much, I want to host a giveaway. There will be two winners, and each will get to choose a 2016 release from Amazon or TBD. Giveaway is INT!

Two rules:
1. You must be 13+ to enter
and
2. You must follow Yearning to Read via GFC or email. I will be checking so make sure to choose one or both of the options in the Rafflecopter form below!

Ready for this, dudes?? Look at all these books that you could possibly win (and even more than this)!!! (These are just some of my favorite covers of the year so far. Aren't they delicious??)

So go on, my pretties, and enter the lovely giveaway! I love you all!!

XOXO

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2016-02-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

This review isn't going to be very long (...I say as I start it; I might be lying) because I feel like that would be a waste of words. This book is....everything. So much of it is me. The same way so much of TRC is me. I feel like I have a certain soul connection with everything Maggie writes, in a way that breaks me into tiny little pieces.

THE SCORPIO RACES is melancholy. It is slow-moving and tense. (Like the Trojan War happening in a pool of molasses, okay?) It's beautiful, in an aching, desperate sort of way. In a way that shouts into the void, "I exist." It reminds me of running in the rain, and daydreaming, and feeling like the world's going to end unless I do something right this second.

It is a weird book, too. Horses that come out of the water and eat people -- yeah, basically unheard of. Thanks, Welsh mythology, the thing I never knew I needed until Maggie's books existed. It was right up my alley with its weird, making me so very happy that it exists.

It had the most delightful slow-burn romance that sat on the back-burner for almost the whole book (AND YET STILL MANAGED TO BE SO INTENSE AND EMOTIONAL???) and the characters were delightful. Sean was moody and passionate, and Puck was wild and passionate. That passion, growing between them for the things they both loved, drew me in instantly and made me love them. Good or bad characters make or break a book for me, and these made the book. 100%.

So, do I think you should read THE SCORPIO RACES? I'm not entirely sure, actually. It is weird, like I said. And I don't think it's for everyone (whereas I would actually throw all of Maggie's other books at literally everyone). But if for one second you think, based on the descriptions above, that you would enjoy this book in the slightest.....do it. Do it right now. Buy it this instant. Go to your library and rent it. Get an ebook. DO THE THING. Because it is a mighty book, and it deserves to be read by those who will love and appreciate it. It's a soul-book, you know? I hope it impacts you as powerfully as it impacted me.

So what about you? Have you read THE SCORPIO RACES? I can't wait to hear all your thoughts in the comments!

(And yeah...so much for a short review. HA!)

SYNOPSIS

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

CONTENT

Clean!

Mini Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

2016-02-12T01:31:00.000-08:00

JUST LISTEN is my most recent Dessen read. I've now read everything except for her two latest releases (so excited for both)! I have LOVED Dessen since I read KEEPING THE MOON, probably 4 or 5 years ago. Since then, she has given me warmth and laughter and tears and love, unconditionally. JUST LISTEN was no exception.

This book is written in Dessen's excellent style and with Annabel's distinct voice.
The characters are SO LOVELY in this book. While I always love Dessen, I don't always love her characters. (Like, as friends. I wouldn't always have sleepovers with her MCs, if you know what I mean?) But Annabel was so sweet and even though she had a lot of issues to work through, I loved her.
OWEN. HE WAS SO DELIGHTFUL AND WEIRD AND EXACTLY MY KIND OF BOOK BOY. If you read this book just for Owen, I will not blame you/shame you. Do it now.
MUSIC. SO much talk of music it is unbelievably wonderful.
Car washes. DID YOU KNOW THAT CAR WASHES ARE MAGICAL?! I mean, I always loved car washes before this book, but then. THEN. There is a moment in a car wash in this book and it is DIVINE.

In the end, this book is a totally fun and adorable read that everyone should pick up.

Have you read JUST LISTEN? What were your favorite things about it? What's your favorite Dessen novel? Let's chat!

SYNOPSIS

Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.

This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.

Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

CONTENT

Clean! (Maybe some brief, minor cursing? Not enough to raise any flags.)

Waiting On Wednesday - THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE

2016-02-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

SOOOO this book comes out in, like, a week, so I won't have to wsit long for it. BUT. I really am so so so so excited for it. Cait @ Paper Fury wrote this really excellent review for it and it just...got me very excited. Persian and Chinese MCs! Pocket dragons! Adventure! Maps! Time travel! All things I want/need/desire.

So GIVE IT HERE. COME AT ME. I'M READY.

SUMMARY

It was the kind of August day that hinted at monsoons, and the year was 1774, though not for very much longer.

Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times - although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix's father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix's existence rather dangerously in question...

Nix has grown used to her father's obsession, but only because she's convinced it can't work. But then a map falls into her father's lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it's that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever.

What are YOU waiting for this fine Wednesday?!

Top Ten Tuesday: ALL THE OTPs

2016-02-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Today, in honor of Valentine's Day, I'm here to talk to you about the top ten couples I've shipped while reading some of my favorite romances. Get ready - lots of feels ahead! These are not in a particular order, except the bottom three are my favorites.

Me right now thinking about all the people I'm going to mention in this post. HERE GOES.

(Click on the couples' names to go to their Goodreads pages.)

~ Jemma and Ryder ~
These two soooo surprised me. I was really sure I would love their wonderful amazing book, but I wasn't sure how in love with them I'd fall. BUT I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE THEY LITERALLY BLEW MY MIND WITH THEIR CHEMISTRY.

~ Tarver and Lilac ~

KILL ME NOW. These two ruined me for eternity. Their love was so mighty amidst INSANITY and I just....they give me all the feels. Tarrrrveeeerrrrrrrr.

~ Mac and Barrons ~

Didn't think you'd get away from me yelling about these two, did you? THEY ARE SO FREAKING AMAZING.

~ Noah and Mara ~

HHHNNNNGGG THESE TWO. Their romance is epic and steamy and angsty and passionate and makes me weak in the knees. I am actually overdue for a trilogy reread. Anyone want to join me before The Shaw Confessions start coming out next year?

~ Warner and Juliette ~

ACK OKAY. NO ONE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS. I hated Warner so so so so freakin' much until Ignite Me, and then suddenly he and Juliette were the world to me. Read the series. You won't regret it.

~ Ren and Kelsey ~

If you know anything about me, it's that I LOVE THE TIGER SAGA. Colleen Houck made me forget everything except her series existed. The romance was the stuff of legends. THE DRAGONS! THE STARS! THE CASTLES! EVERYTHING! but the romance oh gosh my heart my poor mini muffin heart. HALP!

~ Lena and Alex ~

Is it Throwback Thursday? Because we're going way way back with these two. They are still one of my favorite literary couples to date. Alex still blows my mind, and Lena's growth as a character still makes me so so emotional. AND THE ENDING OF DELIRIUM. I still read this book every year. I've read it 5 times now. No regrets. Their romance is exceptional and perfect.

~ Lola and Cricket ~

I'm going to say two things here.

1. Lola is 100% me in almost every way possible.

2. Cricket is the conglomeration of everything I find attractive in a man.

Basically Stephanie Perkins wrote me into a romance with my dream man in my favorite city, and so, basically, just, yes. SO MUCH YES.

~ Tessa and Will ~

THE INFERNAL DEVICES trilogy ruins me daily. Like, it melts me into a puddle of mush and goo every time I so much as think about it, or the books happen to cross my vision as I pass by my bookshelf. TESSA AND WILL'S RELATIONSHIP IS SO SO SO SO SO SO EMOTIONAL AND WONDERFUL. They gave me every feel imaginable. The only couple so far that's been able to top them is.....

~ Gansey and Blue ~

And all I've got to say about them is #nope. I will be ruined forever, come April. There is no hope for me. I'm planning my funeral and making sure all my loved ones can make it. They're going to have a special book burning afterward, too: Everyone brings a copy of all 4 books of The Raven Cycle and throws them into the burning abyss. (Yes, this is how my favorite OTP makes me feel. No, I totally don't need therapy. No, you shouldn't be worried for your safety. Yes, you should probably warn Maggie that I am coming for her.)
Also these are my favorite books in the world, so if you haven't read them yet and for some strange reason you want to make me happy, read them. Read them now.

That's it this week! What OTPs are you guys shipping right now? Link me up or leave a comment!

XOXO

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

2016-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, confession time: I really despise McGarry's covers. I don't say this lightly, either. To me, they are not appealing in any way, just cheesy and overdone. I still researched her books because people were in love with them, but the hype...the covers...I was just turned off to them.

So when I picked up PUSHING THE LIMITS a few months ago, finally ready to give it a go, I was certain I was going to either love it or hate it. I even told my reading buddy Cassie this, and she just laughed at me. "Just watch, your opinions are going to be right in the middle," she said.

I swear she jinxed me.

It's hard, because most of the time, 3 star books are the ones I forget about. I almost want to say I "dislike" them more than 2 star books because at least 2 star books made me feel something. 3 star books are usually the ones that lose me, make me feel literally no emotions at all, and that pisses me off. I WANT TO FEEL SOMETHING, OKAY?!

So, while I did give this book a 3 star rating, I also did enjoy it, and it did make me feel emotions. When I was caught up in the moment, I felt a lot for these characters and their situations.

But that's exactly the problem - I wasn't always caught up in the moment. This book was sometimes very cheesy for me. (ME?! THINKING SOMETHING'S CHEESY AND NOT LIKING IT?! I know, it was weird, okay? I love cheese for the most part, but this was too much.) It was also choppy. Very choppy. The characters swung back and forth on a trapeze of development. One second they were making progress, working toward a goal, and then suddenly they'd swing the other way and I was left, like, "Hey, wait, this goes against everything we just uncovered/talked about in the last chapter!"

It's one thing for a character to have a relapse, okay. I get that. I actually like that and think it's realistic. But it's something else entirely for it to feel like the author forgot about the progress her characters were making and write the next chapter oblivious to it. (Editors, why aren't you catching this stuff?!?!) For those of us born in the 90's, who watched shows on VHS: Imagine that you're rewatching your favorite TV episode (Buffy???!) that you taped on VHS, when suddenly - GASP! Halfway through, at your favorite scene, you discover your dad taped over it with a news story he wanted to watch later. RUDE! you think, and then you cry, and feel confused, and angry, and write your dad a 1,000 word letter about checking the VHS tapes before taping over them.

Hurts, doesn't it? Well, this is what reading PUSHING THE LIMITS felt like to me. One second I was in the groove and the next...wait, what?!

Now, I'm not sure how popular this opinion is, because I know these books are wildly loved and fangirled over and that's awesome. I'm just not sure I completely understand? Because if all of McGarry's books are like that, I will be sorely disappointed in the people who read and love this genre. Come on, you guys. We can do better than this. Romance can be fulfilling and shmexy and lovely and angsty and have a reasonably smooth plot/development/etc.

Also, I was really disappointed that Noah wasn't really actually a bad boy. Like, he had this persona....but again with the choppiness: one second he was trying to be all badass and smokin' hot and using and etc etc, but then the next he was a sweet little angel butterfly. I just wish this had been presented differently? I really don't mind the sweet little angel butterfly hiding behind a bad boy persona....but you need to make sure readers know this is what's happening, and not try to force the bad boy persona into eternity.

In the end, however, I did enjoy PTL. It wasn't anything special to me, or shocking, or new, or amazing, or WOW HOLY MAMA. But it was enjoyable, and I will hopefully get to DARE YOU TO and NOWHERE BUT HERE this year. Maybe I'll have better luck then?

Anyway, what did my amazing fellow readers think of PTL?? Did anyone else have the same experience I did? I want to hear all your thoughts in the comments!

SYNOPSIS

So wrong for each other …and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again,

CONTENT

Kissing and touching, but Echo wants to wait to have sex, so it goes no further. There's a decent of drinking/smoking/drugs. Some brief cursing.

Reading Rally (3)

2016-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

All right, all right. I know I slacked off last week and didn't post an RR. I wasn't getting much done due to my insane work schedule so I didn't bother posting the same thing over and over again.

This week, however, we have something different. Last week I finally finished Iced by Moning, and THE LOVE THAT SPLIT THE WORLD BY EMILY HENRY WHICH YOU SHOULD GO BUY RIGHT NOW THIS VERY SECOND GO GO GO WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE?! (Review to come, okay.)

This week, I'm hoping to be equally successful in my readings.

I still need to finish rereading the series so I can get to Feverborn. (That will probably happen next week. Considering it only takes me a day to read these books, I should be able to make some progress. Hopefully.)

Truthwitch!!! Finally reading it, and so far (25 pages in) I'm so so charmed and intrigued and just...yes. This is what I've been needing. I'm sure I'll be posting a review for this one soon as well! And I'm so so excited to meet Susan on the 19th at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. She told me she expects a hug from me and, like, OKAY YES I'M FANGIRLING. I've been dying to meet her for years, since I've met Sarah Maas so many times and you know how she raves about her love for Susan. *insert heart eyes over writer friends* (But basically, if you live near the area, you should totally come! It's been a long time since I was at an event, so...Yay!)

I might possibly read something else, too, but what...I have no idea. I'm leaving that up to my mood. Although, I can say I've been in the mood for awesome romance lately. I'm thinking Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren might do the trick? I've never read any of their books and this one looks like something I'd totally be into...and I bought it for super cheap last month...so....we shall see!

What are you guys reading this week? Any awesome book dates planned? Any days off to lay around in bed/on the couch/in a hammock and just read?

XOXOXO

Reading Rally (2)

2016-01-24T21:49:00.001-08:00

So, last week was insane.

My kitchen was finally finished, which meant I had to actually clean the house. Ew.

Book club was at my house the day after my kitchen was finished, so that meant I had to clean fast.

I also had to finish the book club book. It was incredible and I hope to write a review.

But all this means.....I didn't have as much time as I thought/wanted. It means I finished only one book: THE CRANE WIFE.

So this week, aside from editing my own novel, is dedicated to re-reading the rest of the Fever series I have left (3 books) and starting FEVERBORN. I'm also eyeing THE LOVE THAT SPLIT THE WORLD, which releases Tuesday, which I might just swallow whole.

And as always....because I'm still not reading as fast as I'd like...

What are you guys reading this week? Did you reach yor goals last week? Let me know in the comments!

XOXO

Reading Rally (1)

2016-01-17T00:56:00.000-08:00

Here it is, you guys. I'm doing it.

Blogging.

I'm starting the year off with a simple post to tell you all what I'm reading this week. I have to keep it simple (for now at least) because I hardly have time. Between (trying) to read and being in the middle of a crap-ton of edits, as well as working full time....oh my word my life is wild.

Anyway. Ready? Ready.

I'm rereading the Fever series in anticipation for Tuesday's release. I probably won't get to read Feverborn until next week BUT IT WON'T STOP ME FROM TRYING.

This was my pick for bookclub this month. I started it last week and now I have to finish by Saturday. *superspeeds ahead*

As always. I meed to pick up the pace because I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUUUUCH. And the show. And everything about the story/characters.

Okay - for now, that's it. I'll check back in next week for an update! For now, I'm off to schedule some mini-reviews and possibly some TTT posts. Eeeep! I'm excited to be back!

Let me know in the comments - what are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of the books on my TBR?

XOXO

The problem is....

2015-11-19T11:36:00.001-08:00

If I remembered to schedule posts, this blog would be a hoppin' place.

GUYS I'M FAILING MISERABLY.

I want to review books so badly. After NaMoWrMo I need to sit my butt down and write like 17 reviews and 20 TTTs and 28173182 Waiting on Wednesdays.

But for now: Take a look at my writing blog: SIERRA AND THE QUEST TO WRITE EVERYTHING at www.sierraabrams.com

Follow and say hi, if you like.

Will be back with more....eventually! I miss writing reviews!

Xoxo

Review and GIVEAWAY: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (#1)

2015-10-02T00:50:00.001-07:00

Hiiii okay so I know my review is late. By, like, 6 months. But I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to RAVE about how GOSH DARN BEAUTIFUL THIS BOOK IS.

I am basically crying over it every single day. Every time I look at it on my shelf, I go into nostalgic mode and day dream about Tam and Feyre and Lucien and basically just weep over the perfection that is this book.

THIS. BOOK.

You all know how much I love Sarah, right? Well, if you don't, you should look here and here and here. I freaking adore her. She's the best kind of person - in person and on paper and in writing and in story and just...I love her. And apparently she can do no wrong, because ACOTAR was just as beautiful as I hoped. Actually, more.

Feyra is kind of amazing. And by kind of I mean A LOT AMAZING. She rocked my socks off. Her character, the ways she was brave and the ways she faltered, and OMG the fact that she couldn't read... Everything about her set up an excellent story. I mean, she was the story. She drove it. That's how I like my characters, and that's how Sarah writes them, so obviously we get along very well.

I loved Tam and Lucien equally for different reasons. TAMLIN YOU BEAUTIFUL BEASTIE. I adored Tam and his gorgeousness and his quiet side and his ferocious sexy side. And then Lucien was just a BLAST. His eyes, his hair - everything about him was a magnet. There are two scenes in particular that I'm thinking about... One, when Lucien shouts something very important at the last second during a very intense moment (you know the one) and a certain kiss of Tam's at the end that involves smeared tattoos (also, you know the one). Both were key to the story and character development, and I think they are in, like, my top five favorite moments in the book. Period.

Anyway. I'm so excited to see where Sarah's going with this trilogy, because SO MUCH IS HAPPENING and yet, even still, it was such a satisfying ending?

ALSO, THAT CLIMAX, THOUGH. BASICALLY THE LAST 1/3 OF THE BOOK WAS JUST A MASSIVE STORM OF CRAZY. AND IT WAS THE COOLEST CRAZY I EVER DID SEE.

More than anything I want to know what THE HELL is up with Rhys. He terrifies me. I am not attracted to him in any way whatsoever, but he does intrigue me. Mostly he just scares me, though. I don't want him to come between Feyre and Tam. GO AWAY YOU BLACK SNAKE, YOU.

*ahem* And that is all. (Otherwise I will start raving about all the spoilers and you definitely don't want that.) BASICALLY - if you haven't read this yet, you are obviously not living your life right. Now, shoo! Make haste to the nearest bookstore!

Actually, because I'm so nice, I'm just going to do a Giveaway.

ENDS FRIDAY THE 29TH, OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. MUST BE 13 OR OLDER TO ENTER. HAVE FUN. ETC. GO GO GO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SYNOPSIS

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

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

CONTENT

The sexy times in this book are strong and intense and *phew*. There is one sex scene and several very sensual scenes/implications. I do not categorize this book as YA at allllll. It's definitely NA. I would just barely give it to my 18-year-old sister, who doesn't like content in the books she reads if she can help it. So just beware when you read it.

News!

2015-08-09T15:26:00.002-07:00

Everyonnnneeee -

I have a lot of new things coming! I'm finally starting an author/writing blog! HUZZAH FOR ME! I figured it would be good to have everything together and awesome and wonderful sooooo I linked this blog to my author domain. www.yearningtoread.com is now yearningtoread.sierraabrams.com!

I will be back with more updates and reviews and pictures from China soon. Thanks for bearing with me while I fix everything up! I might be getting a new design for YTR, too, because I want everything to match with the theme I'm going with. We shall see!!

XOXO

I'll be back soon....

2015-08-03T21:20:00.001-07:00

.....because I was in CHINA! My parents just adopted a sweeeeet little blind boy from Beijing and we all got to go pick him up! The trip was incredible and we are all just IN LOVE with our little brother/son, Ming Tian (Timmy).

I'm recovering now, and have 3 long days of work ahead of me, but next week hopefully I will have some new reviews for you all!!

I will post pictures soon....until then... ❤️❤️❤️

Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

2015-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Soooooooooo let me tell you something about this book. IT WAS AMAZING. IT WAS ROMANTIC. IT WAS FABULOUSLY STUBBORN. IT WAS INTENSE. IT HAD ME SWOONING. IT HAD ME SCARED. IT MADE ME FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS.

I don't think you understand. Sometimes, every once in a while, I'll read about a book that just clicks with my brain. I'll see the blurb and think, Yes, yes this. I must have this. And then I buy it and read it and it's as glorious as I imagined it would be. This book was exaaaaaaaaactly that for me. 100%. Hands down one of my favorite books and favorite romances.

This was basically my face when I saw the blurb. Just FYI. Except I can never be as fab as RDJ, but that's another post entirely.

Anyway. When I saw it was Romeo and Juliet in reverse, I flipped. I don't like Romeo and Juliet at ALL (unless it's presented as a cautionary tale, and not a romance, because it is NOT A ROMANCE - *ahem*). But somehow this made sense. This is the way to go, obviously. The Bard got it wrong; Cook got it right. (Sorry, again, I'm off track.) I ordered it immediately, and when it came in the mail I started it the next day.

I read it in 3 hours.

LET'S TALK CHARACTERS. You all know I'm a character driven reader/writer. I can't stand books that lack great characters, even if the plot is awesome. If I don't have a reason to root for the people I'm reading about, that's a bad thing.

In any case, our heroine, Jemma, is fabulous. She rocks. She spunky and fun and totally her own person. She doesn't do things right all the time but she knows what she wants: to break the mold and go to film school in New York. I feel like a lot of times authors make their level-headed girl characters emotionally constipated - but not Kristi Cook! Jemma loves her family and feels deeply, while still keeping her head. I loved that about her; she inspired me.

And Ryder. RYYYYYYYYYYDDDDDDEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR.

Someone please get me a Ryder. PLEASE. I need him in my life. He was as equally dimensional as Jemma, totally his own person, and SO SO good for Jemma. I loved how he related to her, even when they were arguing. I mean, what can I say - especially when they were arguing! The tension! The friction! THE BUILDUP! It was all so intense.

Now, let's get to the story now. I was sooooo surprised - this book had a lot more to it than I was expecting. I thought maybe the hurricane would be a small portion of the book, but noooo. It was a huge part and was actually freakin' scary to read about. (I live on the west coast and have never experienced any sort of storms like that.)

And then there was the actual romance. Oh my gosh, it had me falling hard. I was soooo surprised. I mean, I love romance soooooooooo much but even this one had me falling harder than I usually do. It was stunning. The connection between them was raw and real and based things other than physical attraction...although there was that, too. Gosh darn it, Ryder was gorgeous, how could there not be?!

Okay, creepy eyebrow-waggle gifs aside.....I loved this book. I loved Ryder and Jemma and the beautiful southern setting. I loved the hurricane (*shudders*) and the way their relationship built on itself and the way they fell in love so beautifully and seamlessly. I JUST LOVED IT OKAY?! I'm actually surprised it has 3.79 average star rating on Goodreads? I don't know...I feel like it should be higher. I highly recommend it to romance junkies and also to people who just like a good story - I sincerely hope you all love it as much as I did!

SYNOPSIS

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.

CONTENT

Some brief strong cussing and some heavy making out.

Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab (#1)

2015-06-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

This. Book. Was. Insane.

I loved it. It didn't quite make 5 stars for me (you'll see why below) but it was an incredible read, and one I can't wait to dive into again.

The characters. GUYS. I'm 100% a character driven reader, and these characters were mineminemineMINE from the start. Kell is ~~sexy as hell~~ a gorgeous example of a well-written male MC. Totally three dimensional, completely lovable, and still human. He doesn't do everything "perfect" and "heroic" at every turn, and it worked only to make me love him more. And can we just talk about that coat? YES PLEASE. I want it.

And let's talk about my favorite character, Rhy. RHY. RHYYYYYYY. Let me love you, Rhy. This young man is just....a delightful person to read about. I love the characters who give off a frivolous air but actually feel really deeply and passionately underneath. Rhy was so fun and flirtatious and hilarious....and yet his bond with Kell was so incredible and immediately made me yell out BROOOMMMAAANNNNCCE!!!! I couldn't control my love for him the entire book. Plus, my favorite twist in the story revolves around their brotherhood, soooo....I am one happy chica.

Lila is awesome as well, although my least favorite of the three characters. I typically don't fall in love with her type of character (think Dani O'Malley from the Fever series, but older). However, I did enjoy her POV and everything she brought to the table.

My favorite aspect of the story (aside from Rhy and Kell and their bromance) was the Dane twins. Scary. As. Hell. I was in love with the atmosphere they gave to the story, and the conflict they brought, and *screeches in agony*.

BUT. They also presented some problems for me.

Let's talk about climaxes, and deux ex machina. I DO NOT WANT CONTRIVED ENDINGS, PLEASE. I HATE THEM. I DESPISE THEM. I also hate when characters I loooooove (whether villains or heroes) are terminated (whether killed or removed from the equation) way earlier than I would like. Something like this happened with the Dane twins (I'm trying to be discreet and non-spoilery here) at the end and I was left...just....so unsatisfied. Like, what?! That's it?! I wanted SO MUCH MORE from these incredibly powerful magicians, and I felt like their potential was wasted. I was actually so confused and disappointed that I missed something important that happened right after the climax, and had to have another reader explain it to me.

Also (although this is a minor complaint) I would have liked a little bit more clarity on the magic system and how everything works. BUT. I have hope more of that will come with the next book.

So, that's my beef. While I was really disappointed with that one aspect of the ending, I have hope that the rest of the series will be as epic as the first 90% of ADSOM. A Gathering of Shadows really cannot come out fast enough!

What about you? Have you read ADSOM? What did you think of the characters, and of that ending?

SYNOPSIS

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

CONTENT

Actually, fairly clean. Some sexual references (Rhy is bisexual) but it's all handled tactfully and I would recommend this book to older teens. It is rather dark, however, so that is something to be considered.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My TBR For Summer 2015

2015-06-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

A meme hosted by the lovely Broke and Bookish!

Oh my goodness. SUMMER TBR! YESSSS! Click on each picture to go to the book's Goodreads page.

What about you guys? Have you read any of these books? Leave me your links in the comments!

10 Ways "Mad Max: Fury Road" Could Have Been A Lesser Movie

2015-06-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have now seen this movie three times in the theaters.

I've done this with only one other movie, Man of Steel, my favorite movie on the planet. Mad Max now ranks at #3 on my favorite movies list. (Interstellar is #2....do you see a trend of science fiction?) After so much soaking in, and deciding that this movie was the least preachy but most beautifully-done themes movie I've ever seen, I was inspired to write this post.

Because really. There are a lot of ways this movie could have gone wrong, but George Miller literally did everything right. Not only was it incredibly aesthetically pleasing, and filled with Oscar-worthy performances (I'VE NEVER LOVED CHARLIZE THERON SO MUCH), and told with such exquisite detail that broke my heart......but the truth in the story, the redemption, was developed with such feeling that it is hard to miss.

Don't let me bore you with my rant, though. Here are 10 Ways "Mad Mad: Fury Road" Could Have Been A Lesser Movie.

#10. It could have lingered too long/spelled things out for us.
You know what I'm sick of? People spelling out problems in the world and blaring them obnoxiously in people's ears, as if that will get them to listen and change. Preachy movies irritate the crap out of me. I call "The Lorax" A Political Musical. Please, let the children watch a fun movie about goofy trees and grumpy old creatures and cute little boys without going all "SAVE THE TREES" on them. I think they know this alreadys - they live in the 21st century, after all.
You know what brings change? Truth. The truth of a situation will always trump everything else if it is shown. Actions speak louder than words, right? Right?! Well. Mad Max's actions certainly spoke loudly, without being shoved down my throat and forced into my mind like a foghorn at 5 a.m. (I am not a morning person. Do not wake me from my precious slumber.)

#9. It could have had All Kick-Ass Female Characters With Katniss Attitudes.
Please don't hear this wrong. I adore Katniss, but she needs to stay in her box. Women are amazing, because of one reason that encompasses all reasons: We're all different. Don't...just don't tell me that in order to be strong I need to be Physically Capable and Stoic and Emotionally Constipated. I say, screw that. I'm strong in ways that my sister (whether by blood or by choice) isn't, and she's strong in ways that I'm not. We help each other, you know? We balance each other out. The women in this movie are amazing. AMAZING. They blew my mind. They were feminine and sometimes delicate and each strong in her own way (whether with fighting or weapons or engines or cunning) - and they all played their part. No woman meant something more or less than the next. They were who they were and it meant everything to me. Furiosa is a freakin' queen. Emotional, desperate, willing, strong, tough, kind of scary, tenacious, dedicated, beautiful. Don't get me started. Don't let me start tearing up. I will.

#8. Max could have been both meaner, or nicer, than he was.
Max is such a great character. He's tortured and has gone through hell and back, but he doesn't give up for anything. They could have taken it either way: Make him mean, because he's crazy and doesn't want to deal with people's crap - or make him nice, because we want our sort-of-insane MC to be likable. No no no no. No. Max is what he is: a little crazy, totally wonderful, utterly dedicated. Because he's a naturally developed character that is grounded in humanity, it didn't matter if he was nice or mean...it mattered that he was Max. Period. I was trying to imagine the movie with either a more destructive and devil-may-care Max, and then a more "I want to save everyone because I'm a sad person and love everything" Max. Both would have been dumb and stupid. Both would have been annoying tropes.

#7. They could have glorified/Hollywood-ized Tom Hardy and his body.
Let me set the record straight: I have two eyes that work perfectly well (with the help of corrective lenses, but still) and are more than capable of seeing the gorgeous manliness that is Tom Hardy. Please, it is incredibly hard to miss those lips. (In fact, his lips are the first thing my own dear mother commented on when I mentioned this point to her on our way out of the theater.) So don't get me started. Thank the Lord in Heaven above that Tom Hardy exists on this earth.
But.
We all know he's gorgeous. We don't need the slow-motion, lingering, Thor-like shots of his 6-pack and rigid back muscles and vein-riddled arms and smoldering eyes and....are you still here? Still listening? Goooood.
*ahem*
What we need are solid action sequences that focus on the brutality of the world and the strength of one man. Not exactly physical strength (although there is that, and it is shown perfectly without half-nakedness, thank you very much), but also strength of character.
(This point applies to the women, too!)

#6. It could have been Just Another Dystopian: Perfect people, perfect world, perfect perfect perfect ready to be shattered.
I love dystopia. I mean, I'm kind of tired of it, some aspects at least. But, man, there are some great stories out there. You know what this move did? It showed the already shattered, the brokenness of humanity, in its ugliest forms. And I reveled in that. Sure, it's great to see the "perfect" society of Divergent, with all the pretty people and nice buildings and weapons and sidewalks and gardens. But what was even more powerful to me? Seeing the destruction, and the madness, and the ugliness, and the lengths human beings will go to survive and gain redemption. (Once again: Truth, people. It works.)

#5. Piggy-backing on #6: It could have asked dumb questions like "Are you sure I can give him my blood? What if we're not the same blood type?"
This one might be a personal, petty thing, but...
Excuse me, this is the apocalypse we're talking about here. You're all dying of radiation poisoning (tumors and fevers and missing limbs and sores and bad air). If someone else's blood is going to save your life for the time being, please, take it. I was worried the whole time that this was going to become an issue. For some reason, the idea of that irked me. And then it never happened and I was so relieved. I mean, they mentioned the blood types....but it doesn't make it a big deal, or a huge plot point. Again, I don't know why this would have bothered me... I suppose it just was such a small worry in comparison to the rest of the things going on in the movie? Yes. That's it. Similarly, there were a lot of other things throughout that I was like "Any other movie, and they'd make this a big deal..." and then, nope, they left it out, because it wasn't important.

#4. There could have been useless girl drama.
THANK THE LOOOORD. These girls had their moments of disagreement, but they were brief. You know why? They trusted each other. They didn't need to fight and argue and add useless drama to the story because they were sisters, best friends, ready to kill for each other and also die for each other. I mean, to a certain extent that is drama, but it's not useless - it's the kind of drama that's worth spending your time on. Just sayin'.

#3. Max could have told Furiosa his name toward the beginning of the movie.
I am just so so so so so happy this was not the case. It pleased me beyond almost anything else that these two grew to respect each other......without words, without background. They didn't need to know each other's names to see that they had one goal and they could work together well to accomplish it. Who needs names when a person's soul is bared to you?

#2. Nux and Capable could have said "I love you" or something equally ridiculous.
Actually, any number of the characters could have told each other how they felt. This movie had the passion and magnitude to hold a plethora of emotional monologues.
BUT. We didn't need that. Remember what I said above about showing things rather than telling? Well, this applies here, more than anywhere else. Whether dealing with romantic feelings, or friendship, or just plain respect (see #3) - no one needed to hear any of it because we could see it so plainly. It was like they plastered it onto my eyeballs, it was so clear. I didn't need fluff or or explanations. I just needed gestures and expression. And that's what I got. And it was gorgeous.

#1. Furiosa and Max could have had a romance.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Let me just say: There was enough fiery chemistry between these two to make something happen. (Not exactly "romantic" fiery, but screen chemistry nonetheless; they have to have that to make a good movie, right?) It's Hollywood. They can do whatever they want. They can throw sexual tension at us and make us beg for more. Right? Right?
Well, maybe some of us.
But this movie wasn't about that. The possibility of a romance was something that I was uncertain about from the beginning. Obviously, their paths were going to cross, but I wasn't sure how I felt about romance blossoming in a movie like this. Especially between leads, because that would take time and energy that I didn't want to devote. I wanted crazy, and action, and brutality, and explosions, and cars, and more brutality. I wanted excellent character development and a reason to keep watching, a reason to get invested, that wasn't romance.
(For once, my romance-loving brain wanted something non-romancey.)
So, yes, I was given everything I ever wanted from this movie, and they kept the romance out. Maybe there would be room for it in another Mad Max movie in the future. Maybe I wouldn't mind it so much if Furiosa came back and she and Max had some tender moments (or maybe that's not them...more like intense/weird moments?) and that something between them, that mutual respect that so inspired me, developed into something a little deeper. Sure, that'd actually be really nice. But it wasn't for today, it wasn't for this movie, this plot. And that, my friends, is the #1 reason why this movie gained the high ground, and stayed there, and won all the Sierra-loves-this-movie-and-here's-why awards.

What did you all think of this movie? Did you enjoy it? Do you agree with the points I lined up? Give me all your comments!

Waiting On Wednesday (4)

2015-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is hosted by Breaking the Spine, who you should totally check out.

This week's post is for....

SOUNDLESS (#1)

Richelle Mead

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

I am honestly a HUGE fan of Mead. Not for Vampire Academy, but for Bloodlines. I'm super interested in this one because my family is about to adopt a little boy from China, and I've been keeping my eye out for all the Chinese culture/mythology I possibly can. Super stoked to read this one - I've already preordered it!

What are YOU waiting for this Wednesday?

Happy Birthday, Yearning to Read!

2015-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today is this lovely blog's 5th birthday. This post isn't for any reason in particular, just to say thank you all for your continued love and support of YTR over the years!

Be sure to check out my giveaway - $30 INT of books!

XOXOXO to everyone!

Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

2015-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

In my mind there are different levels of a good book: Kind of good, really good, solid good, really really really really really really reaaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyy good, and great. The fourth option is the hardest because it's literally one teeny-tiny, eeeeeeensey-weensey step below great... Like, not quite great.

That was this book for me.

Let me start out by saying that I really did enjoy myself. I read it quickly and adored the writing and the characters. I 100% recommend it to someone wanting a fairly light (actually, surprisingly light) contemporary with a very slow-burn romance and lots of laughter.

Paige was an awesome character. Most important thing: this girl made me laugh so hard. Her narrative was so enjoyable and genuinely witty. On top of that, she was endearingly flawed and adorable and a sweetheart, and I wanted her to overcome her fears and prejudices (she was veerrrryyy prejudiced about certain things) and be the amazing young woman I knew she was capable of being. Her story was interesting and unique, and the side characters were amazing, and the struggles were all real. Max was an incredible character and I was rooting for him from the beginning. Like, I seriously love reading about the good boys, the "boy next door" archetype, the loyal and adorable ones.

My favorite scene in the book was the closet scene (if you've read it, you'll know what I'm talking about) because MAX. He made me laugh so hard, and everything was so unexpected, and the feelings started to get super real then. I totally swooned over him because duh NERD BOYS WIN EVERYTHING FOREVER. Plus, I was on the edge of my seat until the VERY LAST FEW PAGES because of things Paige was dealing with on her own. It was really intense and I just wanted them to beeeeee together alreadddyyyyyy. *cries forever*

However, there were things I didn't love so much. For one, Paige's prejudices, as mentioned before. She's really kind of judgy about "nerds" or "geeks" - basically, me and my people. I mean, I understand (sort of) that high school is about rank and acceptance, etc etc. But really? You're around these amazing nerdy people and you're still saying things that are actually kind of jerky and rude? Paige wasn't a naturally rude person, so it almost didn't make sense. It got to a point where I felt like it was overdone. So what if Max wears a Firefly shirt... Maybe Ryan can make fun of his cousin's nerdiness (in an endearing way), but when Paige kept doing it, even when she started to fall for Max, it became annoying and unrealistic. It was even more unrealistic that while all that was going on, she was also suppressing that side of herself that likes words and reading and watching science fiction and analyzing things. Why is that so bad? Is that really how most teenagers act/feel? I was so disconnected with her on that aspect because...really?! I was never like that and I will never understand...not to that degree, at least.

There were so many aspects of Paige's unique struggle that I loved, but the one thing that bothered me is that it wasn't explained until late into the book why Paige was still mourning her 3-month-boyfriend's death an entire year later...when she hadn't even really known him that well and wasn't super emotionally attached. I was a bit confused the whole time. I've lost people in my life, so don't hear insensitivity, because I truly understand grief. But it also felt like a whole year was rather...long, for knowing someone that length of time, etc. Maybe if it had only been six months or something, that might have felt more realistic. All I know is that by the time I reached the actual explanation toward the end of the book, I was like, "Dang, I wish I would have known this 200 pages ago...her grief and hesitation and burden would have made soooo much more sense!"

So there you have it. I loved so much of it, but the things that bothered me were just enough to knock it down a star. Even still, I highly recommend this to people who want a solid summer fun read that will make you swoon and smile and laugh and feel the feels!

SYNOPSIS

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

CONTENT

Really clean. Had some brief sexual jokes and maybe some minor curse words buuuut...I was really impressed with how clean it was. It didn't need anything over-the-top or gritty to be enjoyable.

Yearning to Read

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Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord