Saturday 31 January 2015

January'15 Wrap Up!

Hey guys, a month has passed, and January has went to February, so it's time to wrap up what I have read and share it with you guys.
So at the last week of December, I picked up My True Love Gave To Me and I only started a few pages. So in the month of January I continued reading it and I only finished it the last day of the first week. It was a really fun read and I actually liked it. I gave it 4/5 stars and if you would like to see a review of this book, check out here: My True Love Gave To Me Review

Next, I then picked up The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, the third book in the Mara Dyer trilogy. This book was just so crazily creepy, yet at the same time it was just so good! I really like the writing style of this book and has been in love with this trilogy since I first read it. I just really love it so much, you might not even get it. This book just really suck me into the world, and slowly tore me apart piece, by piece!! :'( Definitely worth 5/5 stars. If you want to read my review on this book, then click this: The Retribution of Mara Dyer Review 
(DO NOT CLICK SHOW SPOILER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK!)
(THE OTHER PARTS ARE SPOILER FREE!)

So on the last week of January, I picked up Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins and this book is just so fast-paced! I finished it on the second last day of January. :P I really love the plot and the characters, and this book is just such a really fun read with all the comedy and actions packed into this book! I really enjoyed this book so much and I can't wait to get my hands on Miss Mayhem, the second book! Although I hated the cliff-hangar at the end. If you would like to read my review, you can check it out here: Rebel Belle Review This is spoiler-free. Totally 5/5 stars for this book, even more if I could! This book is just so good!!!

So I have pretty much stick to my TBR pile for this month, except I didn't get to read Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout. At least I managed to read three books this month, despite how busy I was in school! :D Yay me! 

Sunday 11 January 2015

My True Love Gave To Me Review

I just finished reading My True Love Gave To Me written by 12 different authors and it was all edited by Stephanie Perkins. This is a book with twelve short stories all about winter romances. If this still doesn't make you want to read it, I don't know what will.

I will be giving a rating for each and every short story and let you know what I think about them.

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, I didn't feel like I was really connected with the character. I was also really confused at the start of the story since I didn't realize that there was a timing given to each and every event for this story, which made me read the first few pages for about 3 times before I finally noticed the timing and was able to get to understand the characters.
To be honest, I didn't think this whole plot was very realistic, and how can Mags even tolerate Noel being such a playboy. However, the ending was just really so sweet! Ship them in the end though!

2. The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link
4/5 stars for this story. I admit this story was really kind of confusing at the start, however as I continued reading, I actually slowly understand the plot, which makes me like this story more than from the start. I didn't like the ending as much as I would have liked it to be, but I still enjoyed it even though it was a bittersweet ending.

3. Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena
3.5/5 stars for this one. I actually enjoyed this story more than what I expected. The problem I had with this story is that I couldn't relate very well to the main character, Shy. I wasn't able to understand the way he thinks and his actions. Like why couldn't he explain the whole situation to Haley instead of lying to her about everything. I also didn't like how this story was about cheating, which makes me think differently about the characters, and didn't like them a lot. However, in the end, the way everything turns out makes me enjoy this short story better, but still not one of my favorite story.

4. Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
I actually liked this story a lot! Although at first when I saw the title, I was thinking that this wouldn't be a great story based on the title, I was actually surprised to find myself enjoying this story and liking it. I have always like Jenny Han's writing style and this was no surprise as well. I give this story 4.5/5 stars. If you are wondering if I liked this story, then why didn't I give it 5 stars, it's because I wasn't able to fully connect with the characters. It felt like something was missing and the story ended so abruptly, leaving me so surprised yet so confused. I really wanted to see what the main character, Natalie, will do in the end.

5. It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
Once again, I was so not interested in this story because of the title. And it actually blew me away when I finished reading it. To be honest, it really is true that Stephanie Perkins is the queen of writing the setting, making you feel like you are there communicating with the characters. I really loved this book, so much, that it was one of favorite story, so I am giving it 5/5 stars. No surprise there. I really wanted to read more of this short story, I loved the characters so much. Both main characters were just so relate able, making you think that it was happening to you right that instant. Which once again brings me back to the point that Stephanie Perkins is just really great at writing the setting, which is a really huge bonus point to make you fall in love with the characters and the plot. Just such a wonderful read, making me fall right into a holiday mood after I finished reading it. One word to summarize this short story, perfection.

6. Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
I was really taken aback when I found out the main character's lover is actually a guy, and our main character here is also a guy. Get what I'm trying to say? However, I really liked how David Levithan brings the aspect of gay love, to let other people to relate better with this story. Although I do like that, I didn't like the plot. It was quite confusing at some point like why would the main character being so kind and acted as a Santa for the sake of his boyfriend's younger sister to once again believe Santa, got scolded by his boyfriend's sister. Why, just why would she do that? This whole story just leaves me having unanswered questions, making me so frustrated and so confused. So I'm only giving this 2.5/5 stars. Wonderful idea, but bad plot.

7. Krampuslauf by Holly Black
Hmm, I really have a hard time rating this short story. I really enjoyed this story and I also love the characters so much, but it felt like it lacked of something when I was reading it. I liked the concept of how you have to believe in something in order for it to happen. I will be giving this book 4/5 stars even though I really liked this book, but then at first I was really confused with the weird terms such as 'Krampus' and the way they looked. But other than that, I really enjoyed this story more than I thought I would, especially with Joachim, the really hot guy. XD

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by  Gayle Forman
So this book pretty much sums up about me doing those stupid things without thinking so I can understand what the main character meant. I also liked the plot of this story and how the characters met each other  as well as their humor. I also liked that they tried understanding each other more before they went further with their relationship. So I am definitely giving this story 4/5 stars, but it felt weird at some point but I'm not sure what was missing.

9. Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
To be honest, this story was really confusing. I didn't understand what the plot was as well as the religious concept until I finished reading this short story, which makes me kind of unable to understand the characters and connect with them more. It was kind of disappointing but still it was quite an enjoyable read. I actually like how the characters were kind of rebellious in their own way but really, they were just kind of annoying some times but I am still okay with them. So I am giving this story a rating of 2.5/5 stars.

10. Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White 
I was so amazed by the writing style of Kiersten White, although it was kind of confusing at the start about the main character's family. But halfway through, I understood it and the feeling just came crashing on me and wow, I actually liked this story so much! I really connected with the main character, and this story came with a bonus point too, the hot guy. XD I will be giving this book 4.5/5 stars, because the ending was sort of confusing and I thought that it could have been better.

11. Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
4/5 stars for this short story. I actually quite like this book, although it was really weird at the start as I wasn't sure whose perspective I was reading in. Also, I didn't like how unrealistic the ending was, but I do like the characters and their romance. Although it wasn't the fluffy romance type of story, still it was kind of cute and I actually liked it.

12. The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Wow, just wow! This story was really deep and yet, I love it! Remember how I told you guys I wasn't able to connect with Laini Taylor's writing style and didn't enjoy her books as much as other readers? Well this story is an exception. I loved this story so so much! However, at the start of the story, I was really confused and I wasn't able to connect with the characters at all. Even as I read halfway through the story, I only understood Neve, the main character, and the others were just really confusing. I also like how the story was in duo point of view between Neve and the Dreamer. However, I find it quite confusing when it suddenly change the point of view. Perhaps that is why I didn't like her books as the change of point of view wasn't clear enough. However this story was really just so wonderful. It sucked me right into the world of this story as it goes on and until the end, I just sat there, not knowing what to do as I was just so in awe with it. Though the ending was actually kind of confusing, I actually like the romance of the characters and I am giving this book 4.5/5 stars. I would have loved to give it full stars, but I thought it could have been better with all the dislikes that I mentioned.

Overall for this book, I am giving it 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed myself reading this book and although there are some books that I didn't give a high rating, there are definitely more books which I actually enjoyed and loved more than I expected to.

(If you like romance, short stories, contemporary and fantasy, this is the right book for you to pick up)

Thursday 8 January 2015

January'15 TBR

So for this month's TBR, I am not going to go all out, instead, I am going to keep it simple and not too challenging for myself to accomplish. (Well, I think it will still be really difficult to complete since I am kind of busy this month)

But nonetheless, I am going to let you guys know what I am intending to be reading this month. So I am only going to be reading 3 books and they are being brought forward from last month's TBR since I wasn't able to complete it.

So the first book I am going to be reading will be My True Love Gave To Me and I am actually already half through it while I am writing this. I am really enjoying this book and if you didn't know, this book is actually written by twelve different authors and it is compiled together, edited by Stephanie Perkins.
I will be putting up a review and let you guys know what I think of each short stories and I am actually keeping track of my rating and my thoughts for each short story every time I finished one story. So stay tuned for that which is coming your way soon.

Next, I really want to read Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
 I really want to know how this whole series will end, especially when the fourth book, Origin, ended off with a cliff-hangar. Although I am getting a little sad that this series will be coming to an end, I'm not exactly ready for that to happen! >_<


And last but not least, if I do manage to read Opposition, I want to at least start reading Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins.

I have been dying to read this since it was published and many people have been saying how great this book is! Excited to read this! :D

Here's a picture:



December'14 Wrap Up

So December has ended, time for another wrap up. I was in a reading slump on the last week of December and could not even pick up any books. I tried reading a book, stopped at 10 pages in, picked another book, stopped at 5 pages. This is just so bad! But I will just let you guys know what I have read this month.

So very sadly, I wasn't able to read all the books that I wanted to read in December, I only read 3 books. And here is my wrap up!

On the first week of December, I finished reading Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins. I gave it 5/5 stars!

Review:
Sometimes I just don't get how Kaiden is thinking. He can be really frustrating at some point but you just can't help but fall head over heels for him... 
I liked how the plot went in this book and how the characters developed and getting to know each other better and these just makes the book so much more interesting, understand better and love the characters much more. 
the ending was just so heartbreaking for me and I didn't like it... 
Kaiden and Anna should be together, OTP for life. but their situations and their father just prevent them being together and it was just so frustrating seeing them trying to struggle. their love is just so cute but heartbreaking... 
I don't really ship Anna and Kopano together though, I get that Kopano is a really good guy, but sometimes he just doesn't give off the vibe that he wants Anna, but just a mutual feeling like he is just treating her as a friend sometimes. 
Overall i enjoyed reading this book so much and I give it 5/5 stars.


Next, I picked up Made for You by Melissa Marr, but sadly, I only managed to finish reading it on the third week! D: I gave this book a 4.5/5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but there are some spoilers in my review, so do check it out on my Goodreads! 
Click this for my review : Made For You Review  BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE READ IT!

If you haven't click this to read my non-spoiler review! Non-spoiler Made for You Review

On the last week of December, I picked up an audiobook and finished it on the same week! And this audiobook is.... The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer! I'm giving it 5/5 stars!
If you didn't know, this is the novella to the third book, Eclipse, in the Twilight Saga.

My thoughts:
I actually wasn't able to remember clearly everything that happened in Eclipse, especially when I did not re-read Eclipse for about 3 years. I wasn't even able to remember who Bree was until I searched her up on the internet!
I actually really like this book, reading Bree's perspective and how everything happened which links to Eclipse.
I read this as an audiobook which I think affects my opinion a little bit because I wasn't able to get into the whole situation that was happening, it was confusing sometimes but still I really enjoyed it.
I actually wanted to give it 4.5 stars as I wasn't able to connect to the characters only until doing some research on each of the characters, but the ending really got me, when Bree made me realize what had happened to Diego. 

I hated the Volturi from when I first started reading Twilight, but after knowing what they did, I really want to kill them!!! I really like how Bree uses Edward's talent by telling him what exactly really happen since he has the ability to read other people's life, it was just so cool! 
Overall I really enjoyed this book and makes me change my whole perspective of Eclipse once again.

Sunday 4 January 2015

All year round 2015 TBR!

A new year, a new TBR to read for the whole year! And maybe also a new year resolution.

So this will be all the books that I really hope I can be able to get through in the year of 2015. And do take note that I did say year and not month, as this will be all that I am reading in 2015 and maybe only reading something else once I finally get through all of the books in my TBR pile of the year.

For this TBR, I will basically be reading all the books that I have not yet read and have been sitting on my bookshelf for ages! So this year, I want to read all of the unread books which is a total of 33 books! Woooo, so many books!

So I will be having my O levels this year, so maybe I won't be able to read all of it this month since it would be a really busy and stressful year!

Okay, so this is what I will be doing. I will let you guys know what's my TBR, but I will only be giving you a more detailed information on my monthly TBR posts which will be coming soon!

Are you guys ready for the horror? ;) hehes

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
(shocked? Just wanted to read it this year so I can watch the movie and still remember about the details)

2. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
(Yes, I know what I will be waiting for to happen in this book. Let's just get this trilogy done with quickly so I won't have a bad heart ache.)

3. Four by Veronica Roth
(pretty excited for this one!)

4. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
(Yes, I may be trying to kill myself here with all the pain, torture and all the heart aches)

5. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

6. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

7. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

8. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

9. The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

10. Clockwork Angel manga/ graphic novel by Cassandra Clare

11. Clockwork Princess manga/ graphic novel by Cassandra Clare
(yes, I still haven't gotten around to get my Clockwork Prince manga/ graphic novel)

(seeing the theme yet? If you haven't look more closely ^^ )

12. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

13. Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

14. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

15. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

16. Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

17. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
(yes, surprise surprise, I haven't read THG yet. Which is why I am getting around to it now, aren't I?)

18. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

19. Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
(yes, I still haven't finish reading it because at that time I was really busy and didn't have time to enjoy this book, so I am just waiting to find a day to read it with peace and joy)

21. Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K. Rowling

22. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling
(I also know what I will be expecting for these series, and yes, what could be the worse reading all the sad heartbreaking series this year?)

24. The Assassins's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

25. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

26. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

27. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
(Hopefully I will be able to read it in time when the fourth book comes out)

28. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

29. Fallen by Lauren Kate

30. Fab Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Vol.1 by Louise Rennison

31. Fab Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Vol.3 by Louise Rennison

32.Fab Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Vol.5 by Louise Rennison
(Yeah, I know, I am missing volume 2 and 4, but I just can't find it in any stores...)

33.The Rising by Will Hill
(This is the second book of the Department 19 series)

Let me show you a picture of ALL the books here now! :D



( I decided to put two pictures of it because it is clearer this way and also the books won't appear to be too small)

All right, that is all for this post. I hope you guys have some plans to what you will be reading next year! Another post will be up soon, so stay tuned! Muacks! XD