A signed paperback copy of The Ruining by Anna Collomore

Yeah I am not afraid to admit that I went FULL nerd when I opened the package. Not to mention I almost tackled my brother when he tried to open it.

The struggle has always been real

Review: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Release Date: Ocotber 1st 2013
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Pages: 389 pages
Rating: ALL THE STARS

Summary:
Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he's never seemed to notice that Reena even exists until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated-and pregnant-Reena behind. 

After: Almost three years have passed, and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena's gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she's finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn't want anything to do with him, though she'd be lying if she said Sawyer's being back wasn't stirring something in her. After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

Review:
I don't even know where to begin with this review. This book is literally one of a kind. I want to thank my friend Lysh for giving me this suggestion. I have never read another story quite like this one. I remember reading the first chapter and thinking I don't want this book to ever end. I knew right from the beginning that this was a journey that I wanted to be a part of. The setting, the tone, the context, this book is just perfection. 

You don't fully realize how messed up you are until you find someone just as messed up as you are. These two characters were perfect for one another. They try to stay away from each other but they are so messed up they cannot see anyone or anything else but that person that is just like them. At first I didn't know how to feel about Sawyer, primarily I thought of him as a total douche but then I realized that he is as royally messed up as Reena is without him so in the end it all made sense.

You can't help but to wonder why they function before or after, but then you get to see this different side and then you are hit with the realization that after being so wrong every now and then they would get it right and it is those moments that make reading this story worth it.

I appreciate how Cotugno portrays the life of a teenage mother. It is so much different than those shows you see on tv. It isn't easy but at the same time its not the end of the world. Reena is a good mother to her child and she puts her daughters needs before her own and it makes you respect her. My mom does that til this day and after reading a story like this one it just makes you appreciate it even more. I think the best message you can get out of reading this book is that having a kid didn't stop Reena from living out her dream, because her child is not an excuse, her kid simply gave her enough reason to finally get out there and live out her dreams.

I loved every word of this book and I definitely recommend this book to everyone.

And with that,

Art: Klaus Mikaelson/Joseph Morgan

I love watching The Originals and The Vampire Diaries and I have gone to two conventions and have meet a lot of the actors. This portrait took me about 6 months to finish. I am my hardest critique. I had to capture his smirk just the right way and I kind of gave up on his nose at one point. I must have erased his nose a good 6 times. I remember irritating the crap out of my mom, asking her "mom is it straight. mom tell me its straight. ugh its not straight." Although my usual art pieces in high school are much darker and took me years to finish, I was proud of myself for starting this project light and adding the dark parts later. My art teacher would be so proud of me. He took away my darker art pencils at one point, to him I was "fearless" because I always started my projects with my darkest pencils. I left no room for error because at that point I had no choice. Art is my escape from reality and I just lose myself in the small intricate details that goes into each piece. This isn't my best work and lately I have lost my touch but I am proud of how it came out.

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Review: The Ruining by Anna Collomore

Release Date: February 7th 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary:
Annie Phillips is thrilled to leave her past behind and begin a shiny new life on Belvedere Island, as a nanny for the picture-perfect Cohen family. In no time at all, she falls in love with the Cohens, especially with Libby, the beautiful young matriarch of the family. Life is better than she ever imagined. She even finds romance with the boy next door. All too soon cracks appear in Annie's seemingly perfect world. She's blamed for mistakes she doesn't remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she's always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie's fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness, or is something sinister at play?

 Review:
Nothing is more rewarding than a book that meets every one of your expectations. At first I was transfixed on the picture on the cover but from the very first word till the last it was captivating to say the least. Once you start you cannot put it down. Trust me, I put it down once only to pick it up again. The Ruining is an intense and somewhat creepy thriller that takes you on a psychological ride through the depths and crevices of what it is like to be sane.

The author perfectly blends the intensity of

 a psychological turn with romance. In some stories the romance is so overwhelming but in The Ruining it is a nice touch to the insanity of it all.  The twists and turns keep you teetering and although you think you know what is going to happen, its not entirely what you think.

The never ending struggle between Libby and Annie was very well written. At times I could feel the tension and it just draws you in, making you want to turn the page and find out what happens next.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. Although the only problem that I encountered has to do with the ending. I won't ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it but I was strangely conflicted about how it ended. To me, the ending either seemed drawn out at times or completely rushed at other times. Anna Collomore does an incredible job in setting an atmosphere and tone throughout her book that just surrounds you and takes you down a spiraling road towards insanity. A definite recommendation to all.

Review: Empty by K.M Walton

Release Date: January 1st 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 256
Rating: 5/5
Summary:
            Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—gets all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles.

         Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of the heartbreak and name-calling stop?

Review:

 I have never related more to a book than I did to this one.  I remember reading the first fourteen pages and immediately I felt overwhelmed with emotion. The author not only balances good writing with room for analysis, she wrote a realistic book about bullying and how it can lead someone down a very dark, and empty road.

          The title for this book is perfection. No matter how many times you say it, the word itself just seems void and distant. But to Dell those five letters encompassed her entire life. As you read this story you can't help but feel frustrated because you want to help Dell, you want her to find her happiness, and you wait but it never comes. This is another aspect of Walton's writing that I couldn't help but fall in love with. She sets a clear boundary between fantasy and reality.

         This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster and in the end, the only emotion you will feel is empty. Proceed with caution and watch your step you are in for one hell of a ride. Definitely a recommendation to all.