"Summer Reads 3's".

In honor of my best friend Alysha, I decided to partake in her giveaway

http://myheartheartsbooks.blogspot.com/

RULES

In that post just tell me:

1. Three of your favorite books you've read so far this summer.

2. Three books you want to read.

3. Three summer reading goals that you want to achieve.

1. I want to read more genres of books

2. I want to start a reading challenge

3. I want to start a summer series book art project

Review: Losing It by Cora Carmack

 Summary:
Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, Bliss Edwards decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible - a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Review:
I went to a bookfair on campus and got the opportunity to sit in on Cora Carmack's book interview. I must say that it is nice to see such a young author who understands what it is like to be awkward. When I went to her book signing she was full of smiles and appreciation. Even though there were people waiting, I talked to her about how funny I thought she was and how it translates to her books.I even told her about how I am that awkward twenty two year old who had to grow up quickly. I told her how I am about to start grad school and how I want to combine my knowledge of psychology and criminal justice and go into forensic psychology. She laughed and told me that she would write a book about me and I could act in the movie about the book. She is literally a great person. A little birdie told me to embrace my awkward and I couldn't think of anything more perfect that was ever said to me. She also gave great advice to new adult writers which made me appreciate her even more. She isn't afraid to state her mind and I like that about her.


Losing it was my very first New Adult book that I read. Although it was a little too short and face paced I enjoyed it. All the awkward in this book was written to perfection. I for one could relate to the awkward interaction in this book because I am so socially awkward it hurts. Parts of the book had me laughing because I could imagine myself in that same situation. I mean when in doubt just say that you have to pick up your cat at the vet. what could possibly go wrong? Oh...yeah...you don't actually have a cat. Whoops.


This book stays true to the college scene and how someone in their twenties acts and I believe that is due to Cora being in her twenties as well.  She told us in her book interview that most new adult books focus on the romance factor and even though most romance stories are over the top, this one was funny and relatable therefore it wasn't overdone.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and meeting Cora Carmack. If you ever get a chance to go meet her please do you won't regret it.

Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Summary:
When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, who she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her archnemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she caused irreparable damage to the people around her—and to the one person who matters most?


Review:
I wanted to start off by saying that I am glad I entered that giveaway and got this book. After reading this book I just felt happy. Now I would understand how it could be compared to TFIOS but it isn't the same. The main difference for me was how honest and raw it was. What if you'd been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you? It is a story about second chances. A chance to live. A chance to love. A chance to finally stand up for what you believe is right. 

As some of you know I love romantic stories of love and how it came about but this book put a twist on that for me. Love does things to you that you might not understand. Murphy describes the struggle perfectly. 

All in all, I liked how true this book is to real life. Most people wait until they are faced with a 
hard decision to do the things they love to do. That is the honest truth. It also touches upon family 
struggles and how things can go from good to bad in seconds. Most importantly Murphy touches upon the reality of being in high school and how sometimes we are forced to grow up.

This book will slap you in the feels and toy with your emotions but you will be happy that you read it. Trust me. 

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Summary:
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:
WARNING. This book is addictive. I was hooked right from the beginning. Its not every day you pick up a book and it just sucks you in with every word. I mean come on, you just read the summary and immediately you want to know the story. Anyone who says differently, obviously doesn't get out much.This book was another recommendation from my best friend Lysh. I remember getting this book along with Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next door, and I literally finished all three books within a week and Alysha asked me how I am finding the time to do it (being that it was my last semester at college)....But when a good book is involved...you MAKE the time. Trust me.

The beginning of the book goes quickly, but I think that is a genius idea because it makes the reader pay attention and it keeps people wanting to know what happens next. I enjoyed how Mafi takes the time to paint a picture of her characters. Her description of the setting and her characters allowed me to grasp a better idea behind the madness of this dystopian society. Juliette's character is written to shear perfection. There are not enough words to describe the intensity of what goes on in her mind, but the way that Mafi captures her story and portrays it with the right amount of emotion is pure magic.

One thing that I wasn't prepared for was the writing style of Tahereh Mafi. Parts of the story were written as one very long train of thought, but her words are so down right captivating that you don't even realize that you were holding your breath through the whole thing. 

Adam. Oh Adam. Mafi's description of him literally had me sold from the beginning. Team Adam. Put a fork in it because I was done. I loved how protective he was of her and how he just wanted her to be safe. He could touch her! DUN DUN DUN. On the other hand, I had mixed emotions about Warner. I knew there was more to his story because no one is that ruthless no matter how much they want to think that they are. Every story needs a good villian. MUHAHAHA 

This book is one of my favorites and my only regret is that I didn't read it sooner than I did.

Review: Where the Stars Still Shine

Summary:
Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Review:
I don't think there is a more perfect gif to explain my thoughts about this book. You never get a better feeling than picking up a book and have it meet every single one of your expectations. Nothing is more fulfilling that that feeling. When I finished it I immediately thought, "pero...why is it over?" 

Let me just start off by saying that Trish Doller is a genius when she writes about teens. This is a story about betrayal with the right amount of a love mixed in. Ugh this book is shear perfection. I had the privilege of going on a trip with my friend to Tarpon Springs and every time I would read about those stores and scenery I could imagine myself being right there. On a more important notion, I love love love the concept behind this book. Callie was taken from her family and forced to live in constant fear but then she is thrown back into the life she once was a part of. 

I liked how the story starts and gives us an idea of what Callie's life was with her mom. It made me understand why Callie couldn't really get close to guys. I remember texting my friend saying that she doesn't know any better. That is what she grew up seeing and believed it was the only best way of handling the situation.

The best part of the book is her relationship with Alex. At first I thought "oh great another bad choice" but Alex started warming up on me. He was the one that pulled her back to reality. It was nice how Trish Doller portrayed both of their struggles. Don't get me wrong I love reading perfect love stories but what made me appreciate this one a little more is that no relationship is perfect. The obstacles that they both went through allowed them grow as characters. 

Alysha I thank  you for recommending this book to me. This books is honest, and it will slap you with all the feels but I love it. I would even dare to say that it is my favorite book. Only a few can compare to it. 

Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Summary:
     Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Review:
     Okay I might be the only idiot who read Lola and the Boy Next Door before I read this book. I was just so excited to start reading again (and actually having the time to do so) I really didn't look into it before I just picked it up and started reading. I blame my friend Alysha for that one ;) Jk I love her and she knows that. No wonder we have been friends for like a billion years now.               

We all like to think that we know a thing or two about falling in love. But it was refreshing to see a different outlook on young love. The humor, the setting, the tone in this book was ideal. But besides the point that it is a story about falling in love I feel that this book was more about Anna finding herself and testing the waters in regards to what she likes.  College was a scary place at first but after a couple of semesters and a few good friends you find yourself trying new things.

Perkins does a good job writing the dialogue between her characters. Its not forced or fake. It stays true to the younger generation and it was easy to read (for us old farts) and relate to. All in all, this book was funny, sweet and you dive head first into Perkin's sense of charm . Come on, what girl doesn't want to go to Paris and live out her dreams?

This book along with Lola and the Boy Next Door were my very first YA contemporary books that I read. And it made me question why I never read from this genre before. I must admit, I tried staying away from the corny love stories but I was glad I picked up this book and read it. It was cute in all the right ways. I am definitely not against reading YA contemporary books now that's for sure. 

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Summary:
          Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.


Review:
             Before this book I hardly read cute romance stories. Now I am a huge sucker for them. Don't get me wrong, most books these days focus on the romance part of the story that the ideal story is lost behind it all. I am glad that this one was different. I am not here to bash on a book or tell you how awful it is or give you a whole review on how it was perfect. I write honest reviews of what I liked about the book and how I could relate it to my own experiences.

             This book was a very easy read for me.  It isn't just a love story, it is a story about growing up and having to make hard decisions. We all have that moment in life where we are forced to do something that could ultimately change our lives for the good or the bad.  What made me love this book is that yes, it is cute and romantic but it puts into perspective that growing up isn't just some fairy tale. 
             Stephanie Perkins takes the time to develop her characters. She gives you their back story and guides you through their journey. She knows how to write about boys. We often read about Prince Charming and how he just comes and sweeps you off your feet. But we don't  really get a chance to read about boys who have to live in their twin sisters shadow and struggle with expressing themselves. I too lived in my sisters shadow and I hated it. It was nice to relate to a book and see yourself in the little things that make the book what it is.
              I adored this book and although it is cute and gushy and it has a lot of feels, its enjoyable. If you don't' believe me then read it for yourself.