BEFORE I FALL

By: Lauren Oliver

RATING: 4 STARS

READ ME ON GOODREADS

I am actually pretty surprised I enjoyed this novel because I just have been avoiding all YA. I have had this book on my shelf for YEARS, and I am so happy I got around to it because it was most definitely worth it. I started listening to the audio book, and I couldn't stop listening to it. It hooked me really early on, and it just kept me on my toes.

The main character Samantha, was a typical high school senior. She was part of the popular crowd, thriving on the acceptance from her group of friends and others as well. She started out quite selfish and quite naive, but I am proud to say she had lots of development, which I can appreciate.

One of my favorite characters is Juliet. She was such a strong character that high school brought down to her knees. She was strong , loyal, kind, understanding, and yet she had a best friend who didn't give a flying fuck about her. I couldn't believe it! Her best friend ( we all know who this bitch was ! ) bullied her for YEARS, and made horrible rumors about her, to draw people away from her own flaws and insecurities but was it really worth it? You had an amazing friend, one who was supportive, thoughtful, was there for you with the hell of your family and past. The bullying in this book was so accurate and especially with the "why". Alot of bullies act out on others, when its really themselves that they hate and are scared of. 

I would have liked a HEA, but I guess with the title of this book that was a hopeless cause. I thought the ending was done marvelous, and I appreciated the way the way Sam grew up each day that re-winded. She learned first hand, how each of her actions affected the ones around her and learned how to make better choices as a human being. Every day we live is a gift, and we should use the time we have to spread goodness in the world and try to always be a better person and bring happiness to those around us, strangers or close friends.  Instead of caring what others think about us, especially ones who don't matter.

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino

WISH YOU WERE HERE

RENEE CARLINO 

RATING: 5/5 STARS

                               READ ME ON GOODREADS



I have never read a book by Renee before, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't realize how amazing her writing was, and the depth that she brings to her characters. One of my good friends kept talking about her and how great she is, but I didn't really give her a chance. I feel like such a fool, missing out on the poetry she wrote. She writes very eloquently and her passages are so beautiful, that I was putting page flags all over the place, so I could go back and read them over and over again. 

I am not the biggest fan of love triangles, but in this story it was done so beautifully with such amazing people, that I actually loved every second of it. The love chemistry between Adam and Charlotte was incredible, I could feel the connection from the first moment they laid eyes on each other. I thought Adam was just looking for a fling, and things weren't adding up about him but boy was I in for a surprise.  Seth was just a dreamboat, but I have to say Adam was just pure goodness wrapped up in the most perfect package. 

I loved how strong and confident all three main characters were: Charlotte, Adam, and Seth. They each had their good and part parts of their personality, but they were all part of a bigger story. The side characters Helen , Charles (CHUCKY-----okay I admit, I kept thinking about the stupid scary doll! Sue me, its Halloween ! ) , and Roddy. I loved their dynamic attitudes, bringing a new level to side characters and not judging because you never know what people are thinking and how they can change when the time is right. 

I appreciated the ending, and how Charlotte changed as a person. She became more confident and learning to really live life. She grew up so much from knowing Adam and having him in her life, that she changed into a much better version of herself. I think we can all learn from her, and live life to the absolute fullest because you never know what is to happen. 

The Reading Quest

Read at Midnight's #Reading Quest:


This is a reading adventure based on an RPG video game quest. In this challenge, you will be going on an adventure to conquer your TBR pile through a series of stages. You will be able to gain experience and level up on your character of choice.

 It is taking place between August 13th - September 10th. This readathon is ending days before my birthday, a perfect way to welcome the new year in, I'm super duper excited. Let's read ALL THE BOOKS !!

Here are the different paths to choose from:

 Look how cute and adorable CW's art is. 

I have chosen the Mage path, then will continue down the Knight, then Bard, and finally Rogue ( God willing, if there is still time), while completing the side quests along the way. 

Class: Mage-- Level 1 

EXP: 10

HP: 32

- Social Media Interactions: 2 

Quests:

Mage Path: 

1. A book with a one-word title: Fangirl

2. A book that contains magic: Blood of Olympus

3. A book based on mythology: House of Hades

4. A book set in a different world: The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

5. The first book in a series: Breathe

Knight Path: 

1. A book with a verb in its title: Rock + Release

2. A book with a weapon on its cover: Saga Vol. 7

3. A book with a red cover: Red Rising

4. A book that has a movie adaptation: The D.U.F.F

Bard Path: 

1. A fairy-tale retelling: A Court of Thorns and Roses

2. A book cover with striking typography: Atheists Who Kneel and Pray

3. A book translated from another language: Emerald Green

4. A banned book: A Light in the Attic

Rogue Path: 

1. A book cover with a partially obscured face: Dominic

2. A book with <500 ratings on Goodreads: Legally Mine

3. A book published by a small press: Scarred

Side Quests: 

1. Potions (A book concocted by 2+ authors): Let it Snow

2. Multiplayer (A buddy read):  Unclaimed

3. Grind (A book with 500+ pages): Gemina

4. Time Warp (A book set in either the past or the future): Sapphire Blue

5. Open World (Read whatever you want): King

6. Respawn (Read a book you previously DNF): The Last Sacrifice

7. Expansion (Read a short story): FOUR

8. Mini Game (Read a novella collection): All Revved Up

9. Animal Companion (Book referencing an animal in the title): A Dog's Journey

 Experience Points

• All characters will start off with 10 experience points (EXP)
• Each book ( any format, including physical, ebook, or audiobook) that is completed will add another +10 EXP. Exceptions are Graphic Novels, which will give +5 EXP 
• The exception is for books written by marginalized authors. These books will earn your character bonus EXP, you will gain +20 EXP for every book completed for the quest board.  
• Adventurers who complete their character's quest BEFORE the challenge period will earn a +50 EXP. You will earn an additional +30 EXP for any additional character quest you complete after that. 
• Your character will level up every +50 EXP (nobody needs all those math equations). They will all start at Level 1. 

                                                                     Health Points

• All characters will start off with 10 health points (HP)
• Every 10 pages you read during the Quest will give you +1 HP. The exception are graphic novels, which will give you +1 HP every 20 pages. 
• Tweeting on #TheReadingQuest hashtag ( with meaningful tweets about your current read, roleplay with your current character, or book recommendations) will earn you +1 HP each. You can have a MAXIMUM of +20 HP from social media interactions. 
• Photos of your #TheReadingQuest books or TBR pile will earn you +1 HP each. This contributes towards the maximum of +20 HP from social media interactions mentioned above.
• We will catalog the points at the end via a master post, and find out who The Quest Champion is. This requires all participants interested in the prizes to link up in the Masterpost at the conclusion of the Quest. 

Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All

 Synopsis: 

    The visionary entrepreneur and author of the New York Times best-seller Do You! delivers a powerful guide to true abundance. Russell Simmons knows firsthand that wealth is rooted in much more than the stock market. True wealth has more to do with what's in your heart than what's in your wallet. Using this knowledge, Simmons became one of America's shrewdest entrepreneurs, achieving a level of success that most investors only dream about. No matter how much material gain he accumulated, he never stopped lending a hand to those less fortunate.

      In Rich Inside and Out, Simmons uses his rare blend of spiritual savvy and street-smart wisdom to offer a new definition of wealth and share timeless principles for developing an unshakable sense of self that can weather any financial storm. As Simmons says, "Happy can make you money, but money can't make you happy."In straight-talking inspiring chapters, Simmons provides unforgettable true stories from his own road to riches, delving into the principles and practices that have kept him energized and focused.

      Whether we're in the boardroom or on a yoga mat, Simmons says, we have to be able to listen to our inner voices. Finding our unique potential, we can make the right moves, ruled not by money but by the joy of conscientious living and giving. With these philosophies and more, Simmons brings us a stimulus package of consciousness that will never run dry, backed by the power of the higher self.

 GOODREADS

Rating: 4 stars

      I'm not quite sure what I was expecting when I was first introduced to this novel. I heard very mixed things about this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Russell knows what he is talking about, that's for sure. I have to say, he is a very good motivational speaker without sounding too preachy. During the process of reading this book, or in my case listening to the audio book, I have been motivated to follow some of his teachings.

      He talks about giving as much as you can, without expecting a monetary result. It's not something I'm quite used to but it is something I want to experience. I am aiming to want to pay it forward more and more. I also have been craving medication, which before this book I wouldn't have been given it a second thought. It is very inspirational. The idea of getting into a blissful moment with God ( he's not Christian, but this still resonated with me) is something I have been looking for without knowing it. I am not very good at slowing the moment down, and maybe that's why I rush through life never stopping to smell the roses. Yoga I haven't really tried, except once in my life. Now if I can get even 1% calmer and relaxed in my daily life, its worth it to give it a try.

     This book is something that will benefit you, no matter what your religion or beliefs or even what state you are in life. This is a very motivational and inspiring story about how to better yourself, and how you can achieve a better version of the person you are meant to be. I feel so much happier having read this book, it is such a spirit lifter. It will definitely make you feel like you can achieve anything in life, if you focus, give your time without accepting anything in return, and just breathing and being relaxed without stress.





  

Return to The Isle of the Lost

Synopsis:

There’s no place like home.

 Especially if HOME is the infamous Isle of the Lost.

      But when they receive a mysterious invitation to return to the Isle, Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay can’t help feeling comfortable in their old hood—and their old ways. Not everything is how they left it, though, and when they discover a dark mystery at the Isle’s core, they’ll have to combine all of their talents in order to save the kingdom.       
                                             

     Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay haven’t exactly turned their villainous noses up at the comforts of Auradon after spending their childhoods banished on the Isle. After all, meeting princes and starring on the Tourney team aren’t nearly as terrible as Mal and her friends once thought they would be. 

                                                               Rating: 3.5 Stars

       This story happens after the movie "Descendants".  It is a continuation from the prequel and from the movie as well. It happens after the movie, once they are already settled into the good city of Auradon. I loved the characters as much as I did, the first time around.  They were young but they are brave and you could tell there was goodness in their hearts, no matter how bad their parents were. That idea of nature/nurture is embedded into the storyline, and I appreciate how well it is done especially towards the end of the book. You can see some characters like Mal and Evie have good in their hearts, while others are too tainted by their parents to know any better. The friendships that were also done in the story, were very intricate and strong.  I loved the relationship between Evie and Mal, they sure did an 180 from the first novel to now.

      It was a good storyline and definitely kept me engaged the entire time. I will definitely be picking up the next in the series, it was a bit of a cliffhanger. The writing was pretty good, not the best poetic writing out there I will admit.

      I enjoyed that this story was more about the adventure and going back to the Isle of the Lost, and not so much about the romantic relationships between the villains and the heroes of Auradon. I like the idea of anti-heroes and what that represents. The part of the story that had me intrigued the most I think, would have to be the weaving through of the Catacombs. It was a little foreshadowing because you could see where it was going next. I didn't quite understand, why some found the artifacts and others didn't. Also I liked how Mal fit right in, in both worlds but how much she really has changed since she was last at the Isle of the Lost.  

     I enjoyed myself while reading this story, but nothing was that amazing and stood out for me. I will recommend it and I will definitely be picking up the next book. The cliffhanger at the end was enough to want to make me continue.

THE SELECTION SERIES

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Amazing series, as a whole. I fell in love with these books, completly amazing.

The Books included were : The Selection, The Elite, and The One.

SPOILERS:::::::BE WARNED:::::

It's been a few days since I've finished this series, and that is because I needed some time to think and process the whole world that I dived right into. I finished all 3 books within a matter of 2 days, thats how much i inhaled these stories. There were so easy to read, and extremly addicting. I loved it , even though the main protaginst wasn't that "smart" at times, i still rooted for her until the very end , when I was almost kind of proud of her. Almost I say again, because she still isnt the most decision based person. If i could tell America one thing it would be to NOT PROCRASTINATE. TELL EVERYONE WHAT YOU WANT TO TELL THEM, WAITING IS WHAT CAUSED DRAMA. Then maybe, shes one of those girls that like drama.. . Huh maybe I don't like her that much lol.

Ooops, offtrack! Lol, anyhow I have the ebook versions of the whole series, but now I know I NEED AND CRAVE the hardcover copies. I was researching on the news and I saw something about America and a singer, and I freaked out. I was like "what, she's real !!!! lOL yes"..... I am official obessed lol :)The choices she had to make in this book, werent the smartest but I did understand where she was coming from. I am soooo happy to say that she grew in her character , and turned into a grown woman who is capable of doing great things with her prince at her side.One of my favorite characters ended up dying , and I was NOT expecting that. CELESTE!!

Who knew I would love her, she wasn't who I thought she was. But of course, everytime that ends up happening they have to "disapper"...grrr. Although....Lucy and Aspen.....AWWE :) Now thats an adorable couple, too cute and perfect together :) They seem like the younger couple while America and Maxon are the older one, which I'm not sure why because in reality America has some growing up to do and I would gladly read more about it. Now one more thing that I have to point out that I absolutely adored was Maxon, he loved America from the beginning and gave her the time she needed. Now I understand he made some mistakes but so did she, they were the same in so many ways its hard to see them not being together. They would have been 5s together and I would have loved them just as much :)
I could go on and on :) Best Series I have read so far :)

Divergent And Insurgent

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Going into this series, I just wanted to know what all the hype was about. I didn't realize how much I would love it. I read both books in 2 days, and I marathon-ed them. They were amazing. It had an okay plot, but that's not what captivated me.
What I really loved was : First, the details were quite  intriguing. Second, the character development was amazing, and third  the romance was there but it was realistic especially in the dystopian society that the author drew up. I fell in love with Tris and Four, they are the cutest couple. They complement each other, and they have a chemistry that draws you in. Tris's character developed more than any in the book. Going from calm collected and somewhat shy to confident almost leader of the brave is quite a change, that I'm jealous of.
Another thing I really enjoyed , was the twists and turns of the plot. It had you guessing and it made me want to read more to find out . I am so psyched for the third, its crazy. The end of the second book was mind blowing.