God, what am I even talking about?!

Anyway, these past couple months I bought all the books because I could. Book Outlet was having a Boxing Day sale (we don’t even do that in the USA) so I managed to pick up ten books for like thirty dollars. Yeah! And then the other books were picked up here and there.

Lair of Dreams / Pretty Crooked / Rebel Angels / Another Little Piece / Storm / Don’t Turn Around / Perfect Ruin / You and Me and Him / The Bone Season / Salvage / Graffiti Moon / Landline / The Paradox of Vertical Flight / I Capture the Castle / Bunheads / Ashes to Ashes / Operation Red Jericho / The Amazing Book is Not on Fire

I think for this whole photo of books I paid probably eighty dollars, give or take. $80?!?!!? But legit for this many books that’s amazing. Now the goal is to not let them sit on my TBR. Also to find space to put them. I’m being a good girl and getting rid of some books that I’ll probably not get to in the next year and I’m gonna rearrange my bookshelves too… Because I can.

Have a good day!!!

It’s interesting though, because as I started to read the last book I realized I can’t even remember the other books in any type of detail. Watching the show will bring a lot of it back… but there’s still a lot of things that I’m gonna be like, “wow, I don’t even remember that.” It’ll be like experiencing the story for the first time all over again.

I love that! I’ve always said that sometimes I like to see adaptations (movies, shows, etc) before I read their books because reading the book will add that much more to the world and it will be awesome. But there’s something to be said about the bad memory/time bumper pairing. Read a book, wait a couple years, watch a show like its new because your memory is bad? That may sound bad from a medical standpoint, but it sounds awesome from a fan girl standpoint.

I have to admit that I’m so excited after this realization. Obviously I remember core details, but all the emotions I felt while I was reading the books have mostly been forgotten. Oops. But yay! I get to have the feels again!!

It’s like going back to your favorite movie after a long absence. Or at least I hope so! What do you think?

P.S. Shoutout to City of Bones. I’m so in love with that casting and am still sad the movie franchise didn’t last.

I DO MISS YOU GUYS THOUGH! I miss reading and posting on the blog and talking to all you, because I really did and do love it all. I would be lying if I said I was going to come back any time soon, though. I can’t really get myself to read. I have the desire, but I haven’t finished a book in months. I know. And then writing a review seems like it would be mega challenging after having trouble just getting myself to read. I don’t know.

I bought a few books a week or so ago!

I bought Saint Anything because it’s Sarah Dessen (love!), Me and Earl and the Dying Girl mostly just because, and A Game of Thrones because it was on sale (haha). I was thinking about taking them back because they seem like extravagant purchases since I’m not even actively reading, but whatever. I want them and I’ve shared that I bought them now so I have to keep them. Hehehe.

Anyway, I was thinking about maybe trying to ease myself back into reading. Like a book a month or something for as long as it takes, and then start reading more as I feel like it, so don’t be surprised if I start posting on here asking what I should read or, like, putting heavy emphasis on a single book for a long time. PLEEEEEEASE be patient with me for a while longer.

As always, I love you guys. Harass me to talk and stuff so this blog will be constantly on my mind. Haha.

Oh also! Add me on Xbox One if you have one! —–> cleesuh

Number of Books You Read: 71 (manga included)
Number of Re-Reads: 1
Genre You Read The Most From: Manga, probably. I didn’t read very many novels.

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?
Just One Year was really good. Girl of Nightmares and A Monster Calls were also great.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
We Were Liars and Dear Killer. They weren’t /bad/, but I didn’t like them as much as I was hoping I would.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?
I don’t think anything really blew my mind. Dangerous Girls was probably the most surprising, but that’s stretching it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?
Not really anything. Boo!

5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?
I started Under the Never Sky. I liked it, but I still haven’t read the last book. Oops! I also read the entire Boys Over Flowers manga. I feel like that was a feat. Haha.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?
I read my first Patrick Ness book this year and it was super good.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
I don’t actually have too much of a “comfort zone”. I don’t even know how to answer this. XD

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Rain by Amanda Sun. I really like this series. More more more!

9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
I aaactually don’t re-read too often. I feel like I don’t have the time.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

11. Most memorable character of 2014?
Honestly, I’m reading Clockwork Princess right now and all I can think about it Jem, Will, and Tessa.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?
Am I the only one that doesn’t pay too much attention to the way things are written? Or at least I don’t store it in my brain forever.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?
I don’t know if it was life-changing, but A Monster Calls was just so good.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?
Mmm, My Life Next Door might be good for this question. It was on my TBR for AGES.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?
[MIGHT STOP BEING LAZY AND ADD SOMETHING HERE LATER]

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
(only novels are included in this)
Shortest: Weetzie Bat, 113 pages – Longest: City of Lost Souls, 535 pages

17. Book That Shocked You The Most
I wasn’t shocked, but I was pretty confused by Dangerous Girls.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Oh wow. I just realized I don’t actually have one. Oh no! Maybe it’s just Willem and Allyson 5ever.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Roar and anyone else in Under the Never Sky.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Just One Year! And Girl of Nightmares was really good too.

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
Dangerous Girls, without a doubt. (Oh wait, I just realized it said BEST book and this one really wouldn’t be my choice, but it’s the only one I read because of other people. Oh well.)

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?
Oh my god, like all of them. I have found again my love for Will and Jem.

23. Best 2014 debut you read?
I’m not sure I read any debuts.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
I feel like a slacker. I don’t even really pay attention to world building. I’m sure I feel it while I’m reading, but I’m always getting bored when places are being described and everything.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Hyperbole and a Half!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?
I don’t really remember either of them, but I know Not a Drop to Drink and All the Truth That’s In Me both made me cry.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Mm, there weren’t any.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
A Monster Calls did that for me. Oh man.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?
Two Boys Kissing was told in a way I had never read before. It was good.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Just One Year. Always, always so close. I wanted to scream sometimes. Hahaha.

~~~SKIPPING THE BLOGGING SECTION BECAUSE I WAS A HORRIBLE BLOGGER IN 2014~~~

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?
The Cure for Dreaming. I’m sorry, Cat Winters! I love you~

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?
I actually don’t have any idea what’s going on in the bookish community lately. I’m excited to see what’s up with Cassandra Clare’s new series, though. AND SAINT ANYTHING. I LOVE YOU, SARAH DESSEN!!

3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
See Part 1 of above answer. Oops.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?
I’m so ready for Lair of Dreams, the sequel to The Diviners. GIMMIE GIMMIE!

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?
Actually read/blog, maybe? Sigh.

6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
N/A – I haven’t read anything.

I haven’t posted on this blog for what feels like ages. I haven’t finished a book in what feels like ages. I hardly read at all anymore and it really brings me down. I got a job a couple months ago, and it takes so much of my energy from me. I work and I sleep. That’s it. At least that’s how it feels to me. Also, a big chunk of my free time is going to learning Korean, though that is suffering too.

This isn’t some type of intentions post or anything. I just wanted to say hello and that I miss you guys. I’m hoping that maybe in the new year I will be able to start doing the things I love again. Posting on this blog, reading, keeping up with you guys… Until then, I’m sorry! I loooooove you!

Oh, I almost forgot! I’m slowly filling out the 2014 end of the year survey, so look out for that.

Reviews Posted:

 

Born of Deception (Born of Illusion #2) by Teri Brown
Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Other Things Worth Noting:
Moonlight: talking about reading habits and blog changes

Books Read:

Born of Deception (Born of Illusion #2) by Teri Brown
Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell
Goblins Attack (The Spiderwick Chronicles #2 part 1 of 3) by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi***
Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

***I literally just copied and pasted this because it’s just a random book that was laying around while I was bored. I don’t know things. Haha.

Personal Things:

I was going to come on here and write a bunch on this post, but I don’t want to anymore because my fingers hurt. Today was my first day at my new job. I work flow, so we open boxes and put things on shelves for the whole shift. Anyway, my fingers are basically separating at the tips. Like, the skin is coming apart from the nail and it hurts. Hahaha. More fun from work: within five or ten minutes I fell. I know. I know. Anyway, I sprained my foot but I just kept working because, like, I’m not gonna whine. Luckily no one saw it. XD

What else happened this month? I have no idea. I can’t even think. I haven’t done a wrap-up since March (WOAH), so maybe I’m out of practice. Hahaha. Remind me to share some music next time. I’m too lazy this time. XD

Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp
Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith
The Quiet Girl by Peter Hoeg
Eona by Alison Goodman
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater

So… The four books on the top of the stack are some of the books my sister was getting rid of and I snatched up. I’m actually not sure if I’m going to keep a couple of them, but yay. I was just trying to get rid of books, but oh well.

In that vein: I bought the bottommost books as a reward for getting rid of almost forty books from my collection. I know it seems kinda ridiculous to reward myself with books, but I figure two books that I’ll actually read is way better than forty I would most likely never touch. I bought these ones used and I’m pretty pleased. I’m interested in the story behind The Scorpio Races, though. That book is all bent to hell and, like, how did that happen??? I don’t even know. I don’t mean the pages either. I mean the whole book… covers and all. I was like what? But I don’t mind. The book is good to read still.

Helloooo everyone! How are you?

So I have no idea what I’m going to write in this post. I just felt the need to talk to you guys because, like, why not? I like you. I like chatting with you.

In case you haven’t noticed, 2014 has been a really bad reading year for me. Like, so bad. Honestly, this slump started in October of 2013 or something like that. It’s insane. But anyway, I feel like it gets better when I stop saying to myself, “You should be reading,” It’s such a simple change, but it helps a lot. And the same goes for blogging. I stopped making myself feel like I should be blogging and it has made me want to do it more. I don’t know if you guys realize how much of a relief this is to me. For a while I thought I was going to end up closing shop. But, nah.

Something I’ve noticed though: I’m being way tougher on books now. Like, when did this happen? And is it always going to be this way? I guess when you’re reading a smaller amount of books you expect them to be better. I don’t know. Has anyone else experienced a change in their reading tastes/habits like this?

Anyway, I said in an earlier post that I wanted to change my blog design in an effort to “revamp” my blog and make it feel like it’s mine again. Right? If you’re looking at this you’re probably already looking at the new design. I take no credit for it because I did nothing to it. *claps* I wasn’t trying to choose something cool or cute or anything. I just craved change…. So hopefully you don’t hate it. XD

So yeah. Bye bye to the other design!! I know how I am. I’ll eventually miss the old one, so I may return to it sometime in the future, but until then…

Please embrace the change!

I hope you guys are having a good day. Let me know what’s up with you! ♡♡

P.S. That title has nothing to with the post. It’s just the name of the song I’m listening to. Snaps for Onew.

Title: Dear Killer
Author: Katherine Ewell
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Source/Format: Library / Hardcover, 359 pages
Opening Sentence: “Rule one. Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.”
Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon

Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
Rule Two—Be careful.
Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.
Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.
Rule Five—The letters are the law.

Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.

But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.

Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe.

Well, my dears, I have to admit I’m rather torn over this book. Dear Killer is a novel I was excited for from the moment I heard about it. I was watching Tea Time when they showed it and immediately went to Goodreads like OMGOMGOMG.

The thing is, I’m not sure if I particularly liked this novel. On the one hand I thought the story was unlike anything else I’ve read and that made it special. Before this one, I hadn’t crossed any YA books that had a straight up serial killer as the main character. Let alone a female serial killer. It seems almost a taboo topic in YA. That was the main thing that drew me in, and if I’m being real? That idea is still my favorite part about it.

Now onto the other hand… There was something off about the way the story was presented. For a lot of the time I was entertained, but in the back of my mind there was still the thought that it could have been done differently. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong, but around halfway through the book I started to get bored. When I had about 100 pages left to read I started questioning if I should even finish it. I did finish the book and it was good, but I still feel lukewarm about it. The story started to feel redundant after a while and the main character stupid. I’m trying not to hold this against the book though, because it’s sort of seems like it was done on purpose.

Anyway, it seems as though my own expectations about the novel are what ultimately made me like it less than I could have. It’s like this novel had a lot of hype–in my mind, at least–that basically ruined the reading experience for me. I had a very hard time reading the story and not thinking that I had expected it would be better or different or [ENTER ADJECTIVE HERE].

That being said, Dear Killer wasn’t a bad story or a bad book in general. I know a lot of people would really enjoy it, but if you pick it up I advise you not to go in with too many expectations. Those expectations will ruin it for you. Try to keep a clean-ish slate and an open mind.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

http://youtu.be/-6b_y2zjqpQ

Books Mentioned:
Sway by Kat Spears
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Rooms by Lauren Oliver
The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Much Loved by Mark Nixon
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness