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May 31, 2014

MASSIVE CUMULATIVE BOOK HAUL!

Hey guys, it has been a very long time since we posted a book haul. I am sad to say that we have been neglecting our blogging duties because of our youtube channel.. BUT.. this is changing. I am trying to catch up to our book hauls which is why I am posting a March/April/May book haul which means it will be MASSIVE! So let's get started!

MARCH 
 Got a couple of review books from Harper Collins Canada as well as the cutest buttons ever. I was tweeting with Suman @HCCFrenzy and saying I have a ton of bookmarks but no buttons and she mentioned that people at HCC LOVE buttons and she will send some my way to start a collection! Aren't they pretty? I was also sent The Murder Complex, (Don't You) Forget About Me and 17 First Kisses, which I've all read and will review soon. Also got two finished copies of The Here and Now from Random House Canada. Farah reviewed it here. We also met up with Giselle @ BO-OK Nerd Canada and she passed a few books to us such as RELIC, Vanish, and The Gathering Storm. Thanks Giselle! and lastly, bought two copies of It's Not Summer Without You (one of our favorite trilogies) as well as Point of Retreat.

APRIL/MAY
 Before I get into the review books, I won Guy in Real Life from a twitter giveaway and it sounds awesome. Was sent You Only Live Once, Savage Drift, and Empower by Raincoast. I loved Empower so so much and it is a fantastic end to this series. Was also sent The Dark World by HarlequinTeen, also read it. The last two books were sent to me by Random House Canada and they are now one of my favorite reads of 2014. The Beautiful and the Cursed was perfect and so was The Lovely and the Lost. I loved them so so much!

The "We have the best bookish friends" section! All these books were given to us by some awesome blogger/booktuber friends. Split Second.. I have been lusting after that book for so long! I met most of these awesome people at the Jenny Han signing. Giselle @ BO-OK Nerd Canada gave me Split Second and Pivot Point, a personalized signed copy of Sea of Shadows and also a personalized signed copy of Dreams of Gods and Monsters. Brittany @ Story of my Reading Life gave me The Eternity Cure, 40 Things I Want To Tell You, and Bumped. Lynne @ Words of Mystery gave me Archetype, The Art of Lainey, Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things To Mend and Vengeance. Lastly, Shelly @ Read Sleep Repeat gave me Noggin. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH *GROUP HUG*

This book needs its own little section. I mentioned above that we went to the Jenny Han signing where we bought these books, a copy for Farah and I, and got them signed. I love Jenny Han so much! 

MAY
I met a summer student working in my lab who loves Manga so much and has a library of her own at home full of Manga so I asked if I can borrow some.. she ended up lending me THIRTEEN volumes of Fruit Basket. I've always wanted to read this Manga and only ever managed to reach volume 2 or something but now I have them with me and can binge read *fist bump*

That same summer student is a big Hayao Miyazaki fan and has decided that I must watch all his movies. She lent me these three for now. I have only seen Spirited Away before and truly loved it. I watched Howl's Moving Castle with a friend this weekend (May 23) and also really liked it. I can't wait to go through all his work and watch them all!


May 29, 2014

Review: The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

The Beautiful and the Cursed
Title: The Beautiful and the Cursed (The Dispossessed, #1)
Author: Page Morgan
Publisher:
 Doubleday Canada
Publication date: May 13, 2014

Genre(s): Young Adult (Historical/Paranormal/Fantasy)
Source: Publisher
Format: Finished Copy (Paperback)
Pages: 352
It was bizarre and inexplicable, and after it happened, Ingrid Waverly was forced to leave her life in London behind. She had to trade a world full of fancy dresses and society events for exile in gothic Paris with her mother and her younger sister, Gabby.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and disturbingly, the house rented by Ingrid's twin brother, Grayson, isn't a house at all. It's an abbey. A creepy, old abbey with a roof lined in stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And to top it all off, Grayson is missing.

Yet no one seems to be concerned about Grayson's whereabouts save for Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant who has some deep and dark secrets of his own.

There's one secret about the city that even Luc can't keep hidden, though: there's a murderer on the loose. And every day that Grayson is missing means there's less chance he's still alive.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn't dead--she can feel it deep in her soul--but she knows that he's in grave danger, and that it's up to her and Gabby to find him before all hope is lost.

And yet the path to him is more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
The Beautiful and the Cursed was BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, THRILLING, and just such a surprising and fantastic read. I don't generally read paranormal and usually tread lightly and warily when I do but The Beautiful and the Cursed destroyed that. It left me dizzy from all the excitement, plot twists, and just good writing. Good writing is so hard to find.. great ideas are abundant but it is finding a book that has both and I am so happy I requested this for review. I've been raving about this book (and its sequel) on twitter ever since I finished reading them. 
The plot line for this series is so unique and combine multiple genres, something that I've come to enjoy and appreciate when I find it in novels. The Beautiful and the Cursed combines the historical genre, where the book is set in 1900, a fantasy element with some powers that we are introduced to, as well as paranormal elements with the whole concept of gargoyles. I also believe this book has an adventure element, a mystery, as well as kick butt and fantastic characters. The writing is always exciting and I find myself hooked anywhere I continue with the book. It's truly hard for me to find books that are gripping during the whole storyline. 
A fantastic plot without good characters is always a shame right? You don't see that in here. I love, truly love, all of the characters. The main protagonist, Ingrid is the twin sister of Grayson who goes missing in paris. Ingrid also has a feisty younger sister named Gabby who is actually my favorite character. If you told me this at the beginning of the novel I would have laughed in your face but the character development of Gabby is enthralling to witness and see. Her love interest too *whistle*. Ingrid however is the one that is more entangled with the gargoyles because she is the main protagonist and this book also has a romantic line with a gargoyle. I was a bit wary of the paranormal creatures but Morgan incorporates that into the novel in such a fantastic way. She actually weaves all the elements perfectly and the threads all fit right in to create this addicting and thrilling novel and the start of a fabulous trilogy (trust me, since i've already read the sequel, The Lovely and the Lost. I ended up loving it even more than this!)

May 27, 2014

Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson


Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher:
 Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication date: May 6, 2014

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 449
The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um...
Right now, Morgan Matson is probably one of my favorite contemporary authors out there. I absolutely loved Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, and it was one of my all time favorite road trip books. When I heard about Since You've Been Gone, the synopsis immediately sold me, and I just couldn't wait to pick it up. This is a book about two best friends (yay), but here, one of them has left a note and suddenly disappeared. Emily, a quiet and shy girl, gets a letter from Sloane, her best friend, before Sloane suddenly disappears into nowhere. Emily is confused and upset at Sloane's sudden disappearance, especially since it's just the beginning of the summer holiday. Emily and Sloane had amazing plans for the summer, but Sloane's disappearance was not one of them. Sloane leaves Emily a TO-DO list, with some crazy things for her to complete. It's not the first time Emily received one of those from Sloane, and when she did, she never ever completed a list. This time though, Emily thinks that completing the list will lead her to finding Sloane. 
I'm a BIG list person. I love making lists, and I love seeing lists. Lists are just so exciting and fun for me, and when there's a book with a list in it, I will definitely end up enjoying it. The list Sloane made for Emily is pretty fun. Some of the stuff on the list, like "Penelope", are things that only Emily would understand.  Others, like "Go Skinny Dipping", are just random crazy things that Sloane knows Emily would never do. I just love how this list was able to change Emily in so many ways she wouldn't have without it. Despite Sloane's disappearance, there are flashbacks in the book that introduce Sloane to us, and let us understand her and know her more. Emily's character develops drastically throughout the book, and we meet so many other amazing characters that she becomes friends with. The romance in the book was also very interesting. Even though the book wasn't REALLY about the romance, I still enjoyed it a lot. 
I just really loved the adventures that were accompanied with every "number" on the list. It was exciting and funny and just a great adventure. I really enjoyed this book, and just like Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, it was a perfect contemporary. I also really loved the ending. I definitely did not expect the book to end that way, but again, it stayed true to how realistic the book is. Fans of Morgan Matson and contemporary in general, you will definitely enjoy this book to the max! It is a book full of friendship, heartbreak, love, and fun. I'm really excited to see what Morgan has for us in the future!

May 25, 2014

Review: Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols - FUN FUN FUN

Biggest Flirts (Superlatives, #1)
Title: Bigges Flirts (Superlatives, #1)
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publisher:
 Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication date: May 20, 2014

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 336
Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…
Biggest Flirts is just what I needed from Jennifer Echols. I had so much fun reading this book and I am so happy that this is part of a companion novel/trilogy. I've basically read almost all of Jennifer Echols's books and I have to say that ever since Such A Rush.. I haven't enjoyed any of her newer books until I read Biggest Flirts 
We have Tia here, who is a senior in high school and basically someone who lives in her own world. Her dad works nights and sleeps through the day and her older sisters moved out so she basically lives on her own. She's known as a party girl and that's what we witness in the opening chapters of the book. Tia partying hard, drinking, and hooking up with new guy Will. However Tia is more than that, and we get to find the little pieces of herself that she hides from everyone else as we read on. She's in the marching band and really takes it seriously however she hates taking responsibility of anything and tries to get away from any position that would give her any sort of responsibility. She is also very smart but always hides that by acting all flirty and hooking up with anyone. I felt sorry for her.. I really wanted to understand her and sometimes she frustrated me but at the same time I pitied her. Tia's family life is obviously a mess and I was very interested in finding out how she came to live like that with her father. 
I like the whole idea of the book, with each title being a different senior title. Tia along with Will get voted Biggest Flirts and that's after they hook up and then Will moves on and starts semi-dating someone else. Things got awkward fast and I found it hilarious that whenever Tia and Will are together they always end up close to each other or touching and everyone around them always screams "GET YOUR HANDS OFF EACH OTHER". I cracked up so much reading that. I know I mentioned this is a ton of fun, and it is, but this is more mature YA material than typical mature. Also, it isn't only fluff, we truly get invested and feel for Tia. I just wanted her to not hide herself and reach her full potential! I loved her two other girlfriends and I can't wait to read their own stories through books two and three. I definitely recommend Biggest Flirts to all the contemporary fans and if you still want convincing then check out my video review of it where I just gush gush and gush about how great it is. 
        
       Reviews of Jennifer's previous books:
        Such A Rush (all time favorite)
        Dirty Little Secret (2.5/5 stars)
        Love Story (4/5 stars)
        Levitating Las Vegas (2/5 stars)
        The One That I Want (4/5 stars)

May 22, 2014

Blog Tour: Secrets and Lies by Jacqueline Green


Title: Secrets and Lies
Author: Jacqueline Green 
Publisher: HBG Canada
Publication date: May 6th, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Thriller/Mystery) 
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 320

Can you keep a secret?
Tenley Reed and Sydney Morgan have never seen eye to eye -- until now. United by a common goal, they are determined to find out who was behind their friend's murder. Joined by Emerson Cunningham, a gorgeous but troubled teen model, the girls start their own investigation. But in the isolated beach town of Echo Bay, it's hard to know who's a friend and who's an enemy.
Secrets and Lies is the second book in the Truth or Dare series -- and will keep readers in suspense from beginning to end.
Secrets and Lies, the second book to the Truth or Dare trilogy, was a real roller coaster ride. The secrets and lies and mysteries and everything about it was great! Before starting this, I picked and Truth or are and tried to remember the characters and events, but I failed miserably. Lucky for me, Secrets and Lies did a great job in recapping everything, and I was able to remember and recognize who was who. As I started reading, Secrets and Lies started off from where Truth or Dare ended. As everyone might already know, I'm a big fan of mystery thrillers, and Secrets and Lies had it all, and more.
As I mentioned before, Secrets and Lies starts off from where the first book ended. We're back at Echo Bay, and the girls still haven't even gotten close to finding out who the murderer/darer is. This whole book revolves around the darer and the girls trying to solve the mystery. I loved that, and it was great to see that the book still stayed true to it's story and plot. All the characters we met in the first book come back here, and no new characters are introduced (boohoo), but I still found in interesting because there were a LOT of characters (it was even hard to keep track of them), and each one had their own diverse story.
I honestly think Secrets and Lies killed me more than Truth or Dare. For one, I definitely enjoyed it better. No chapter was boring, and every page was suspenseful and exciting to read. We got to learn more about the characters, and got to discover shocking secrets. As I finished this, I went crazy because I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!! I definitely cannot wait for the third book, and I'm really glad I got to pick this series up! I totally recommend this to any mystery/thriller fan out there looking for a fun and suspenseful read! 

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1) Was the Truth or Dare series inspired by anything/anyone? 

I’ve always been inspired by locations, and the Truth or Dare series was no exception. I drew a lot of inspiration from one of my favorite places in the world: Gloucester, MA. (I even borrowed their local beach, Good Harbor Beach, to create Echo Bay’s Great Harbor Beach!) Gloucester is a quaint, idyllic New England seaside town, the kind of place that brings to mind ice cream cones and lobster bakes and long, sunset strolls on the beach. I started to wonder what a place like Gloucester would be like if, under the surface, something evil was brewing. The Truth or Dare series takes place in Echo Bay, a North Shore town reminiscent of Gloucester--but there’s more to this town than meets the eye. Echo Baby is cursed with a long history of teenage deaths. Now, a dangerous game of truth or dare has established three high school girls as the town’s newest targets...

2) Where and when do you usually write? If you can provide pictures of your workspace that would be super cool! 

When I have a deadline to meet, I’ll write anytime and anywhere! But I find that my very best writing time is in the mornings (usually with a nice, sugary vanilla chai latte in hand). I often work in coffee shops, but I just set up a new workspace in my apartment, which I’m loving. It has a window! And room for my dog to keep me company while I write! (That’s her in the picture. She loves to rub in the fact that she gets to nap while I’m furiously working away on revisions.


3) Do you plan on writing a different genre in the near future? I do plan on writing a different genre in the near future. I am just now finishing up the last book in the Truth or Daretrilogy (AHHH! Crazy to be almost done!), and after that I plan to work on something brand new. It will still be YA (and will still have a bit of a mystery to it, because who can resist some mystery?) but I can promise it will also be really new and different, too. It’s like a blank canvas for me--which is really exciting!


May 19, 2014

Review: The Treatment by Suzanne Young


Title: The Treatment (The Program, #2)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: April 29th, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Sci-Fi/Dystopia) 
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 352

Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?
*spoiler if not have read The Program* 
The Program, the first book in this duology, was one of my all time favorite books. I read it in one day, and I just couldn't stop reading. The Treatment is the second, and final book in this duology. After I finished reading The Program, I immediatly wanted to get my hands on The Treatment. The Program ended in a way that is expected in any dystopian book, and I wasn't upset by that, but I really wanted to know what happened next in their journey! Sloane and James are now on the run, and when half of the country knows you are wanted and know how you look like, how do you manage to stay safe from The Program?
Sloane and James are probably really high up on the list of my favorite characters. I REALLY like them, and I feel like their "chemistry" is real. It's one of those relationships that are very mature, and seem like so much more than just a crush or whatnot. Sloane and James aside, this book started off really slow for me. I wanted more, and I felt like the book was just on pause. Yea, a few characters were introduced, a few things happened, but I just wanted to feel that THRILL that I felt whilst reading The Program. Also, that seems like a problem I always face reading dystopian books. The first in a series is always action packed and crazy, but then everything tones down later. I still kept on reading though, hoping and praying that the book would  get better. AND IT DID! IT DID AND IT WAS CRAZY! Oh boy. It went from 0 to 180 degrees, and my heart and the feels and *BREATHE*. 
I am REALLY so happy that this book did not disappoint me. This duology will forever remain in my heart, and is one of my favorite dystopian series out there. I will forever continue to recommend this book to friends and family. The ending broke my heart (in a good way) and I was SO sad to part ways with the amazing characters I met. Suzanne Young really did a fantastic job with these characters and this plot.