Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Sun Is Also a Star By: Nicola Yoon

Daniel is on track to become a doctor, just as his parents want him to be. But is that really what he wants? Daniel is a poet, he likes to look at life as if everything happens for a reason. He likes having his hair long. He believes in love... On his last day of freedom before he becomes the perfect son his parents want, he intends to blow with the wind. Let fate take him where it may, and hope it knows what it is doing.

Image from Amazon
Natasha has bigger problems than worrying about love. Besides, she doesn't even believe in it. She believes in science: the things that can be proven with cold hard facts and data. She intends to spend her day desperately trying to prevent the inevitable, not meet a cute boy who is the polar opposite of everything she believes...

Daniel and Natasha do not plan on meeting one Autumn day in New York City. But when they do they set foot on an adventure of self discovery, acceptance, and love.

The main thing I liked about this book was that it tells more than just the main character's stories. It tells how Daniel's parents came from Korea, what is going through the mind of a security card that handles Natasha's things, and evan a brief history on African American hairstyles. It shows how much is going on in just one day for so many different people that you would never be able to just see.

The main thing I didn't like about this book was that it had to end! It was so good!

Overall I would give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

(This book was mentioned as a book to read if you are a Hufflepuff but I'm a Slytherin and I loved it!)

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Before I Fall By: Lauren Oliver

image from amazon
Samantha Kingston's life was good. She had a hot boyfriend, a group of close friends, and was one of the most popular girls in school. Until one night when she went to a party, and Sam's life changed forever, or, more specifically, ended.

Then she woke up. And it was the same day.

Throughout the course of this book, Sam relives the same day seven times. With each time she is forced to redo the day, she learns something new about herself, the people around her, and how everything she does has it's own effect on the world.

The main thing I liked about this book was how it looked at human nature. Sam must change and reinvent herself to better effect the people around her.

The main thing I disliked about this book was that there were a few parts that were a bit hard to follow. It wasn't that bad in this aspect though.

Eleanor & Park By: Rainbow Rowell

image from amazon
Eleanor hates her step-father Richie. He kicked her out of the house for a year, drinks too much, and forced them to move to a dinky house in Omaha without even a bathroom door. Now Eleanor must start at a new school where her strange clothes make her an outcast. She would hate everything about Omaha, if she never met Park.

Park doesn't fit in. Though he has lived in Omaha all his life, being half-Korean makes him the odd one out. His dad thinks he's a wimp and so does his kid brother. Park can't wait to get his driver's license and get out. But one day there's a new girl on the bus, and she sits with him.

Eleanor and Park don't even start as friends, but slowly they begin to care for eachother. This beautiful love story takes place in 1980's Omaha, Nebraska and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your lips and warmth to your heart.

The main thing that I liked about this book is that it's just a genuinely happy book. Of course it still had some intensity and parts to make you tear up, but for the most part, it was very happy.

The main thing I disliked about this book was that it ended. The ending itself was also very frustrating.

Overall I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

What book should you read based on your Hogwarts House?

 : I came across this article while spending my time absentmindedly scrolling through Pinterest. As a Slytherin, I have enjoyed the two books that I have read from this list (Heartless and Three Dark Crowns) and look forward to reading the third. I have also read one of the Ravenclaw books (Replica) and was satisfied with it. I hope this book can help you find your next great book. And finally, remember, draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.

click here for full article

Angelfall by: Susan Ee

Product Details
Angelfall


The apocalypse has settled on Earth. The Angels have come and the world is taken into their deadly grip. Death and destruction reign true as humanity slowly slips into darkness. What the world needs is a hero but that's not who Penryn is, she is just a daughter of man, a human girl trying to survive. If life wasn't hard enough before the apocalypse it might as ell be hell now (literally). Her schizophrenic mother crippled her sister when they were very young. A disability like that gets you killed now-a-days. How is Penryn supposed to protect little Paige from Angels and Demons if she can't protect her from their own mother? That's one of the many questions Penryn asks herself when Paige is stolen by Angels. SHe must team up with a wingless vengeful Angel named Rafe to save her sister, and maybe just maybe the world in the process. But will she get there in time.

Angelfall is a thrilling apocalyptic novel with twist and turns at every page. An amazing cliff-hanger end accompanied by the growing hunger and suspense for what follows keeps readers on their toes awaiting the next book. The way what we know about religion and pop culture blend together to make this wondrous tale is beyond me. It's a swirling storm of family, trust, and daring. A resistance novel mixed with magic and  a moral. Truly fantastic.

Gifted by: H. A. Swain


Product Details
Gifted

Throughout the book we see the government trying to dictate who the citizens are. They use special schooling and medical procedures to decide who will be a popstar, a scientist, a warehouse worker, and a big shot. Who a person naturally is and becomes isn’t allowed. Society gets to decide not the individual. That is why we see rebellions more commonly known as “brain activist”. These people are fighting for their right to think freely and be who they want to be, not who they're told to be.The whole population is conforming to one man's idea of a perfect society. In this “utopia” your own thoughts aren’t even yours. They are patented and sold by Chason Industries. Only certain select members of the elite are able to afford ASA’s that allow them to become gifted. Without these procedures you are not allowed to have a career in anything. The big shot corporate manager of Chason Industries controls all of society and this cannot continue. It’s time people stood up for themselves and showed the world that their brains aren’t just there for the taking.


This book is one of the better books I have read but lacks a certain crucial piece of a story. It has no falling action and very little conclusion. It seems that the climax is practically the ending. You have this extreme build up to a moment of pure suspense and then are just dropped right into the end. It is one of my extreme pet peeves and bothers me greatly. 3/5 stars.

The Slave Dancer: by Paula Fox

Image from Amazon.com
Jesse Bollier was heading down to get some groceries for his mother... but on the way, he was kidnapped! When the canvas bag is pulled off of his head, it is revealed that he is on a ship. Purvis, a crewman, tells Jesse that he'll be playing his fife for kings and princes, but the sick reality is that he's really on a slave ship, and that he has to play to make sure the slaves don't die.

I personally liked the book. By all means, it wasn't my favorite [I was kinda forced to read it...], but it was still good. It had an interesting plot, and I actually thought it was real for a while [it isn't, it's just historical fiction].

I had a few problems with it, one being that it was kinda hard to keep up with the characters and who was who and what their motive was... seriously, how did the guy who befriended Jesse turn into a total jerk?

Either way... it was kind of confusing, but overall a good book.
I give it 3.5/5 stars.
Image result for 3.5/5 stars