Thursday, November 13, 2014

Top Five Wednesday: Favorite Couples (Contains some Spoilers)

Okay. So this is a day late. But better than late than never, right?

Choosing only five couples is ridiculously difficult. I love fake couples. I have more OTP's than I can count. When a couple I like finally gets together, I literally victory dance around my room...

My favorite couples also change on a regular basis. But heres who I'm loving at the moment.












5. Percy/Annabeth from Percy Jackson and the Olympians & The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan: I've loved Annabeth and Percy from the beginning. Watching them grow throughout the books is one of the things I love most about both series. I will ship them until the end of time.
















4. Alice and Cole from the White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter: I love these two together. They're both  sassy, spunky, stubborn little messes that I adore. I love the way they check each other throughout the whole book. They balance each other so well and I can't wait to see how they grow throughout the rest of the series.













3. David and Jess from Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton: I just finished this book yesterday and I'm a bit obsessed with these two. Especially David. He is without a doubt the cutest thing in history. I love that he and Jess are both amazing characters on their own, as are most of these fine people, but become even better as a couple. Each of them are strong, smart, and brave as well vulnerable, raw, and flawed. They bring out the best in each other and I really need the second book to be out. Like now.












2. Lola and Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins: I couldn't make a list about couples without mentioning one of Stephanie Perkins'. I love all of her books, and choosing just one was difficult, that being said, Lola is my favorite book of hers. I love Lola as a character so much, that whoever she was with would be on the list with her. The fact that boy is Cricket is just the sprinkles on top. The two of them are wonderful together. They support each others dreams, and love each others quirks. They understand each other so well and except the good with the bad. It also helps that I'm a sucker for a lost love comes back story.









1. Celaena and Chaol from The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas: Even though these two didn't get together until Crown of Midnight I've shipped them since they first met. I love the way they challenge each other. They make each other stronger and would do anything for the other. When they danced; I died a little, when they finally got together; I had to set the book down so I didn't destroy it while I fangirled all over my room. When their romance was...errr...put on a temporary hold, I screamed so loud my Mom came rushing into the room to see I was being murdered. I still haven't read the third book, so I'm not sure how it continues, but for the sake of my little fangirl heart I'm just going to keep believing that they'll live happily ever after.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Getting Back In The Swing Of Things

Hey everybody, so as most of you know I was in Kansas for a week for the birth of my nephew. I've been doing my best to get back into the swing of things here on the internet as well as in real life. It's going slower than I would have hoped, but I think I'm finally getting into my routine again.

I finished Frostbite, the second book in the Vampire Academy series, a couple of days ago and it was pretty good. I wasn't as into as the first book but as far as sequels go it wasn't terrible. I only have a couple of issues with it. One thing I had a problem with in the first book as well, is the narrative. I'm not a huge fan of first person POV's and even though I like Rose as a character, I get really sick of being in her head all the time. Don't get me wrong, she's a badass, but I find Rose a bit whiny and as much I love some good teenage angst; that's pretty much all you get from her. It takes me a few chapters to get past it. The other problem I had was the end battle. It felt super rushed to me. We spent an annoying amount of time on Rose's melodramatic boy problems but we couldn't spend a few more pages on the only real action we get in the book? That being said, I did appreciate how a certain characters death was handled. It hurt me. A lot. But I think it was important for Rose's development. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

Now I'm re-reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief as part of the Percy Jackson read-a-long over on goodreads. I always miss Percy, his sass is some of my favorite. It's been four or five years since I first read the series and I'm really looking forward to getting to know it again.

I also started Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter. I'm only a couple of chapters in but I'm really enjoying it so far. Unlike in VA, I'm really digging the first person POV. Alice is a great character, she's snarky and I like the backstory we get from her right off the bat. I can't wait to get back to it and I think I'm gonna love it.

Friday, October 31, 2014

A Baby Ruined My Readathon

So, my brother had a baby. I was supposed to be doing the readathon but instead I drove to Kansas and helped them finish setting up before they induced labor last night. I was there through the whole thing, and for those of you who don't know; birth is petrifying and kinda gross. But despite the horrors, I now have an adorable nephew.

But as another negative result I've fallen behind all over the internet. I had every intention of keeping up with everything, but plans fall through. I just got swept up with everything happening here. I'm not really sorry about it. As much as I love the online book community, family still takes priority. And even though I'm sad I haven't gotten to read and its been ridiculously stressful, holding my nephew made it all worth it.

He also looks a little bit like an alien.

I'll get back to the internet soon, I promise. But until then, it's probably good for me to spend some time in the real world. I hear it's good for me.

Thanks for being patient and until next time, have a great life!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

#72HourReadathon

Hey guys! So Sam, from Samantha's Books and I will be hosting a readathon starting at midnight on the 27 of October and ending at midnight on the 30th. I'm really excited to be a part of this and can't wait to see how many books I can get through in 3 days. I go over more of the details in a video that should be up in a couple of hours, and I'll post the link once its there.

I hope you'll all join us! Here's a link to the goodreads page:
Readathon Page

Friday, October 24, 2014

Mary: The Summoning by: Hillary Monahan

Okay guys, this book was freaking creepy. It's about a group of four friends who summon Bloody Mary who in turn starts to haunt our main female, Shauna. Even though it's based off of an urban legend I'm sure we're all familiar with it still managed to feel like a new story. The mythology behind Mary was a version I haven't heard before and petrified me.

I love urban legends, horror movies, and all things creepy so this book was right up my alley. I ended up giving it 4/5 stars over on goodreads for several reasons. I loved the characters, the group of girls reminded me so much of my group of friends from high school that I almost called them to make sure they were okay. I liked that the friendships weren't perfect but were filled with loyalty. And when (SPOILER ALERT) Anna gets killed I cried a bit. Though, I do cry at books all the time...

I also loved the writing, it got to the point but still painted a clear picture and was full of detail. It had me completely hooked. I started the book this afternoon and despite a small trip to the bookshop  I couldn't put it down.

The main reason I loved this book is that it legitimately managed to creep me out. I have to go wash my face but I'm petrified that Mary will be there when I look up. Bloody Mary has always been a story that gets under my skin. I have no idea why but it's the only one that really does freak me out. But it is Halloween month, so some scary was in order. And Hillary Monahan did such an amazing job at getting the scare across. Her style of writing is perfect for a horror novel, the fast pace makes everything feel so intense. It was the horror work I've been longing for. That being said, I'm definitely going to go read a more mellow book next.

So, if you're looking for that perfect, Halloween, scare the crap out of yourself read, this book is for you. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to go cover my mirrors and other shiny surfaces.

Have a good life.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

New Video On IvAnReads

Hey guys! So earlier today I discovered that one of my new books had been mutilated. In an attempt to cope with the trauma and blind rage that followed I made a video rampaging about it. Here's a link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f66lA2ufaAc&feature=youtu.be

Friday, October 17, 2014

My Brain is a Snail This Month

Guys, I'm not sure what's wrong with me. Even though I think I'm out of my slump, my reading has been super slow. I normally finish a book in about two days, but this is day four on a relatively fast moving book and I'm starting to get a bit annoyed with my nonexistent attention span. I just want to read all of the books but as soon as I start I get antsy. It needs to stop or I may snap. This could be it guys, the thing that drives me over the edge. Who knows?

Have a good life.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Hyperbole and a Half by: Allie Brosh

                                          Summary:
Allie Brosh started a blog back in 2009 called Hyperbole and a Half and after a ton of success on the internet decided, along with other people, that she should make a book. The book has a lot of the amazing stories from her blog and a handful of new ones to go with them. Brosh takes us through awkward situations from her past using humor and sarcasm.

My Thoughts:
I first fell in love with Hyperbole and a Half my junior year of high school after my friend Sam showed it to me while we avoided doing work in Newspaper. I've been meaning to pick up this book since it came out but either couldn't find it or got distracted by other books in the shop. Going in I definitely had high expectations for the book, and they were not only met but surpassed. I loved everything about it. The stories she chose from her blog were some of my favorites and the new ones were just as funny. But one thing I loved is that even though she approached certain topics in the book, like depression, with humor she didn't make a joke out of it. Her bit on depression was really well done, and the way she described it humanized it in a way I think will help people understand the disorder. 

This book is without a doubt a 5/5 stars for me, I'm so happy to have finally gotten my hands on it. 



Review: Unnatural Creatures- stories selected by: Neil Gaiman

Summary:
Unnatural Creatures is a collection of short stories all about different kinds of creatures you would never find in the Natural History Museum. It's full of brilliant pieces about monsters and myths from some amazing authors like Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, E. Nesbit, and several others.



My Thoughts:
I loved this book. I gave it a 5/5 stars over on goodreads. I thought the stories in it were absolutely brilliant. They were all so well written, and creative that it blows my mind a little bit. I credit this book with pulling me out of my reading slump because it was just really fun to read. I love monsters and the monsters in this book, while familiar, were still really unique and I love the way the authors made them their own. None of it felt old or worn out even though a lot of the creatures are popular, like werewolves. 

It was a perfect pick for this time of year. If you like Grimm; you'll love this collection. It's definitely worth checking out.

Till next time, have a good life!

I Need Help

Guys, I just went and bought ten more books. Is there a hotline I can call to help me gain some semblance of self control? I would post another haul post, but I'm ashamed. Completely ashamed. I'm supposed to be saving money to go see the birth of my brothers first born but instead I keep buying all of the books.

They're good books though.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

It's Finally Over!

Like I said in one of my older post, I've spent this month (so far) in a reading slump. It's been terrible. In fact, I haven't read a single page in days...

BUT IT'S FINALLY OVER! I've actually read the majority of Unnatural Creatures today, and plan on finishing it before the night it over. It's absolutely amazing, and there will be a full review here for it in a day or so.

I just wanted to say announce the good news somewhere...

Till next time, have a good life!

New Shelf

So yesterday I finally caved and bought a third bookshelf. I now have a wall of books. A wall. Granted, my shelves happen to share that wall with the door, but other than the door, it's all books and makes me extremely happy. The only problem now is that the three shelves are already almost full, I have a serious book buying problem, and I have no idea where I could fit a fourth shelf in my room. I suppose I could just rearrange my room when the room when the time comes. And who really needs a dresser?

Anyways, in case you're curious, I get my shelves from Wal-Mart because they're relatively cheap but not completely terrible. I do have to put a different backing on them, though. In the box you get this little cardboard backing which are completely useless at supporting your shelf. So I just run over to Lowe's or Home Depot and have them cut a piece of plywood out for me. I also spray paint the backs because it's a really fun way to make the shelf a bit more unique.


Have some (kinda awful) photos of the beauty,:






Saturday, October 11, 2014

Random Book Haul

Hey guys! I spent the Saturday out shopping with my Mom and we ended up at a couple of book stores. Normally, my mother lectures me about the obscene amount of money I spend on books but today I was buying the rest of a series she's started so it was a nice break from the usual lecture. I love buying books. I know that libraries exist. In fact, I go to mine once a week or so. But theres something about getting a new book that pushes me out of bed for work in the morning.

Any ways, here are the lovely books I got:

1. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh- I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I know its been out for a while, but every time I was at a shop it was either sold out or simply slipped my mind. I loved this blog in high school and the book is just as funny.
 

2. Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan- I saw a preview of this on goodreads and had to go get it. It seems so creepy which is perfect for the Halloween month.


3-4. Alice in Zombieland and Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter- I love Alice in Wonderland and I love zombies so grabbing the first two books in the series was a no brainer. I'll most likely grab the third once it's released in paperback so it'll match the other two.


5. The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black- So...I already own this book. I read it last month and completely loved it. Normally I wouldn't get another copy of a book I already have unless I need it in either paperback or hard cover to match a set. But this book is signed! Clare and Black are two of my favorite authors and I couldn't leave a signed copy of their book in the store.


6. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson- I have yet to start the Mistborn series, but my Mom has read the first two books so I figured I'd go ahead and grab the third so she could read on. I do plan on getting to the series eventually, but I just haven't felt like diving into such a dense series. One day, though.


7. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare- I loved the first three books in this series. The only reason I didn't grab the fourth one earlier is because I wanted the first three to be a trilogy. I felt like it ended really well and I wasn't sure if I wanted to risk that. But I've been missing the Shadowhunter world. I got the 5th and 6th books off of the book depository but for some reason the fourth one didn't ship out, so I just grabbed it from my local book shop.


8-10. The Assassin's Blade, Crown of Midnight, & Heir of Fire by: Sarah J. Maas- I loved Throne of Glass. After reading it last month I couldn't wait to grab the rest of the series (that's been released). Also, can we take a moment to appreciate how beautiful Assassin's Blade is? I'm completely in love with the cover.


11. The Young Elites by Marie Lu- I'm really looking forward to this book, it sounds amazing. And who doesn't want more super powers in their lives?




Well, that's all I got this time around. I'm really happy with the books I found and can't wait to read them. Now I have to go building my third book shelf...

Until next time, have a nice life!





Thursday, October 9, 2014

Uh-Oh

Guys, I think I'm in a reading slump. Which is kinda hard for me to admit right off the bat, but it's happening. I read a lot last month, and I think  I may have fried my brain a bit. I'm just not as excited to pick either of the books I'm reading up as I normally would be. But there could be other reasons, right? Maybe it's not a dreaded slump but something else?

I think that's actually true. I'm currently reading the Fellowship of the Ring, and even though I love J.R.R. Tolkien's writing I'm just not sucked into the story. I do love the story, however,  it's one of my favorite movies of all time. But I think that's making it harder to read. There are so many books and stories I want to get to that I haven't felt the urge to re-read anything in ages. Even though I've never read the book before it still feels like a re-read because I know the characters and the plot so well from the movies. But I'm determined to read the series so I can feel like a true fan. It won't be back to back or fast though.

The other book I'm reading is called Unnatural Creatures, which is a bunch of short stories written by various authors selected and partially written by Neil Gaiman. I actually really like the stories, they're so well written, brilliant, and entertaining. But the problem with such short stories is that I'm not invested in any characters and therefor not as drawn back to the book. It's still really good though and I fully intend to finish it.

I suppose another issue is Netflix. I've recently learned to love Numbers and it's been sucking up a ton of my time. They also put the second season of the Following up, so that hasn't helped either. Seriously, if you haven't seen that show you really should go check it out, it's absolutely brilliant and there are a ton of literary themes throughout.

Well, no matter what the reason for my reading slump the only thing a person can really do is wait it out. I know that if I try and force myself to read for hours like I normally do, I'll just get bitter about the books and make this slump thing even worse. So here's to hoping for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for reading and until next time, have a good life!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

How Do You Start?

I find that starting things is always the hardest part. Over on my BookTube channel I usually just say, "Hello everyone, and welcome to IvAnReads," but I'm not sure if that will work on a blog. Either way, Welcome! I'm really excited to have another place to talk all about the books I love, and I'm glad you're here.

I love books. Truly and deeply love them. I recently made the decision to go ahead and pursue my dream of making that love of books into a career. Now that I've switched to an English major I can't wait for classes to start. I'm hoping to become an author one day, but in case that doesn't work out I'll be going into publishing. There's something really exciting about the idea of being part of creating a book. Of designing it, promoting it, and helping make an authors work come to life. It seems really fun.

What to expect out of this blog:
Reviews
Tags
Reading Updates
Random Rambling
and
The Occasional Cat Picture

I hope to see you all again, so until next time have a great life!