This is quite late, being that we’re almost done with April, and I’m just now getting around to writing about March’s classic, but…oh well? Hopefully I’ll have April’s post up before May 20th! lol
March’s Book:
Check it out on Goodreads
Originally Published: 1949
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Synopsis: The year 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell’s prophetic, nightmarish vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is timelier than ever. 1984 is still the great modern classic of “negative utopia” -a startlingly original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is completely convincing, from the first sentence to the last four words. No one can deny the novel’s hold on the imaginations of whole generations, or the power of its admonitions -a power that seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time.
WHEN I Discovered This Classic
I don’t remember an exact time, but I’m sure I’ve known about it since at least 7th or 8th grade.
WHY I Chose To Read It
1984 is one of my sister’s absolute favorite books, so she’s been wanting me to read it for a while. Plus, I usually enjoy dystopian novels, so I thought it was time I give it a try!
WHAT Makes It A Classic
This novel is very thought-provoking, and does an amazing job depicting a world where not only freedom of speech is banned, but even freedom of thought.
WHAT I Thought Of This Classic
I really enjoyed 1984 more than I expected to. Classic literature is usually not my go-to genre (which is why I’m doing this challenge in the first place), and a lot of times I tend to find classics a bit dry. This book, however, was really interesting. I had no idea how this book was going to turn out, or what was going to happen next. It’s very well written, and it amazes me how Orwell had the government and world in this book so detailed and planned out. The characters felt a bit flat to me, however, I’m not certain if that was intentional or not. In a world where someone does not even truly have the ability to completely form free thought, are they even able to be a fully fleshed out individual? I’m not sure…
One particular thing in this novel really stood out to me. In the book, Oceania is constantly at war with Eurasia or Eastasia. Big Brother constantly switches which one they are fighting against, but acts as if they have always been fighting the same country, and yet everyone just goes along with it. This book does a really good job of showing the dangers of conformity. It’s a good reminder for everyone to think for themselves, and to not just go along with what someone says.
The only thing I didn’t particularly like was the ending. It’s not that it didn’t fit with the story, but it almost felt…anticlimactic to me. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say I would have liked for the ending to have a little more.
WILL It Stay A Classic
As long as thought is still free, and people can still think for themselves, I have no doubt this book will remain a classic for a long time to come.
WHO I’d Recommend It To
I would recommend 1984 to anybody who is interested in thought-provoking literature. This book really holds a warning that is still is just as relevant, if not more so today. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dystopian novels, especially those who are interested in reading more classic literature.
Summary
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
What I Thought
I want to start by saying that I read this book because of the hype. There is so much hype surrounding A Court of Thorns and Roses right now! Like, so much! Everybody seems to just love this book. Because of that, I think I set my expectations too high, because while I did enjoy it, this book just was not the phenomenal read I was expecting.
A Court of Thorns and Roses is a very loosely based retellings of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed reading the parallels between the two tales, as well as the differences between them.
Another thing I loved were the characters. Sarah J. Maas really created some incredible characters. I especially loved the relationship between Feyre and Tamlin. Although, I have to say, my favorite character would probably have to be Nesta. She had so much depth, and I hope she plays a greater role in book 2.
I felt like, aside from the beginning, the first half of story was a bit slow. It wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I really started to feel invested in the story and its characters. This was disappointing for me, because the first couple of chapters really made me fall into the story, but then it just stopped for a while for me.
The ending though, was very good! I did not expect it to go that way at all, and that’s all I’ll say.
Overall, I did enjoy A Court of Thorns and Roses, and I do plan on reading the sequel, I just didn’t love it as much as everyone else seemed to. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood for a fantasy book?
Today is Top Ten Tuesday – A weekly bookish list created by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s topic is:
Ten Books Every New YA Bookworm Should Read
This list is for anyone new to YA, or is interested in trying out the YA genre.
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is so beautifully written, and heartbreaking, and I absolutely love it! I also really like how it shows another side of WWII that isn’t shown as often in literature.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is another heartbreaking book that is oh so good. This isn’t your typical cancer book too, which is nice.
- I know Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is often a controversial series, but there is a reason it became a bestseller. No, this definitely isn’t the most well-written, highly intellectual book series ever written, but I do not think that was Stephenie Meyer’s intention ever. Twilight is, however, a fun, easy series, and it helped many people discover and re-discover their love of reading.
- Sarah Dessen’s books are always so good! She is often considered the queen of YA contemporary novels, and for a very good reason. Just Listen is one of my personal favorites, but honestly, all her books are very good.
- If you are on your way to becoming a YA bookworm, you’ve got to read The Hunger Games! It’s written in a way that is fairly basic, which makes it a fast read, but it has such heavy topics, it will really make you stop and think.
- This book will break your heart and after you’ve read it. You won’t be able to stop thinking of it for weeks!
- A Great and Terrible Beauty is so under appreciated! This is a very unique trilogy and I’m so in love with this series.
- All of Meg Cabot’s books are so, so good. She manages to write hilarious stories, and yet they can still be mysterious and intense. I decided to feature the 1-800-Where-R-U series, just because I feel like they are some her lesser known books, and they definitely need more love!
- The Peculiar Children series is one of my favorites! They’re very unique and filled with adventure. Plus, the movie is coming out Sept. 30, so who knows? This might just become the next big thing!
- When I first heard about Shiver, I was hesitant to read it. I thought it was going to be a typical YA paranormal romance, but it’s not. I really enjoyed this series and its take on werewolves.
I hope you enjoyed this! Let me know about your Top Ten Tuesday in the comments! 🙂
Thank you so much to both Celine Reads and Bookshelves and Biros for tagging me and thinking of me! I apologize for taking so long to write this!
Rules:
- Show the award on your blog
- Thank the person who has nominated you
- Share 7 different facts about yourself
- Nominate 15 different blogs of your choice
- Link your nominees to let them know of your choice
Okay, so here we go!
- I absolutely love Matilda by Roald Dahl, as well as the movie! It’s one of my absolute favorite books and movie. Honestly, everything about it is just so great; it’s funny, clever, a little crazy, and I just love!
- I love pizza, and I can pretty much promise you that I eat pizza way more than the average person. I only like cheese though!
- Ballet is one of my favorite things.
- I love all things Nancy Drew, and I’m addicted to the computer games!
- I don’t like soda or any carbonated beverages. Chocolate milk is where it’s at!
- Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe are probably my favorite book couple ever! They are just so absolutely perfect for each other.
- I’m currently 6 books behind on my Goodreads Challenge for this year, so I guess that means I need to read more!
Thanks so much for reading this! I tag:
- Rattle the Stars
- Bookidote
- Kourtni Reads
- Adoptabookaus
- What’s She Reading
- It’s a Bookish Thing13
- Wonderfilled Reads
- Chocolatenwaffles
- Pucks and Paperbacks
- From Library with Love
- Nerdy Wolf Reads
- Rachael Reads
- Anybody else who is reading this and wants to do it!
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature started by Breaking the Spine, that puts the spotlight on upcoming releases!
Today’s pick is:
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Releasing May 3rd, 2016!
Andie had it all planned out.
When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.
Important internship? Check.
Amazing friends? Check.
Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)
But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.
Because here’s the thing – if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.
And where’s the fun in that?
I really, really enjoyed Since You’ve Been Gone, and I have heard nothing but good things about Morgan Matson’s other books as well. The Unexpected Everything sounds like it is going to be just as good! It looks like it is going to be one of the perfect summer reads, and I am very eagerly anticipating to read this book in the sunshine. 🙂
Today is Top Ten Tuesday – A weekly bookish list created by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s topic is:
Ten Bookish People You Should Follow on Instagram
I’ve only been a part of the “Bookstagram” community for a little under two months now, so I’m still quite new. However, in that time, I’ve discovered some absolutely lovely accounts! In no particular order, here are just some gorgeous accounts:
goingbacktomyloveofreading
Her account is so lovely, and she is a just as sweet, and lovely person! Her pictures are always so cute! Plus, Goingbacktomyloveofreading was one of the first people to follow me and tag me, and she has just been super kind and welcoming!
celinereads
I love Celine’s account! Her pictures are always so bright and cheerful, and I love it! Her blog is also just as lovely.
ursula_uriarte
I discovered this account before I even had a bookstagram, and I absolutely loved it then, and I absolutely love it now! Her pictures are always so flawless! Scrolling through her account makes me want to read instantly!
abi.s_cupboard
This account is so, so adorable! Each picture is perfectly set up, and I am just in love with every single one of her pictures!
theblitheringbookster
Theblitheringbookster’s account has such a classic feel, and I love it! Her pictures are always so beautiful!
jmstorinbooks
Jessica is so sweet! I love her account and her pictures so much, and she owns the absolute best socks! She’s also releasing a book, which is on my TBR, super, super soon!
26lettersrearranged
Emma’s account is so, so lovely! I always look forward to seeing her posts and hearing about what she is currently reading!
adoptabookaus
I absolutely adore this account, as well as her blog! She has such quality content. Plus, Casey is always so kind and friendly!
hagridshouse
Hannah’s pictures are always absolutely gorgeous! I always enjoy her account, and the kind of content she makes. I enjoy her blog, also!
pearlreads
I always enjoy Pearl’s account too! Her pictures are always so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing! She’s a fellow blogger as well, and she’s just as talented at that too.
Seriously, I could have listed so many other amazing accounts. It was so hard picking just 10! I can only hope to have an account half as good as these ones, and so many others, someday. 🙂
Summary
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck…
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
What I Thought
Wow. Let me just say, I read If I Stay weeks ago, and I still think about this book. There are just some books that leave you breathless and never wanting it to end. If I Stay is one of those books.
The struggle Mia goes through on deciding to stay alive, or to die and be with her family feels so real. Mia had a promising career ahead of her, and if she stayed she would still have the support of her grandparents and other relatives, and her best friend and boyfriend. However, Mia had an amazing relationship with her parents and little brother. To live without them, one would think it would be unbearable. Would staying alive without them be worth it? Honestly, I didn’t know what Mia would decide.
This book is told in alternating times. Mia tells about what is happening now, but she also looks back and remembers her past. I loved reading about Mia’s past. From when she first started playing the cello, to when she first met Adam, and all her other memories as well. Those look-backs really made me feel something more for all the characters, and really helped me get to know Mia better, and why she should or shouldn’t stay.
Something that I really liked about this book was Mia’s relationship with her grandpa. Honestly, I think I almost liked their relationship better than the one Mia had with her boyfriend, Adam. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Adam and Mia and their relationship, I just felt like the relationship she shares with her grandpa was so special. I also really liked that Mia actually liked her family. So many times, the protagonist of a book is constantly rolling her eyes at her family, or hates her family, or is just so beyond them. That wasn’t the case for Mia. Even though they weren’t necessarily always interested in the same things (She loved the cello, and classical music, while her parents were rockers), she actually enjoyed spending time with them and being with them, and that was really sweet.
Overall, this book was so, so good! The only thing I actually didn’t care for was the language. There was quite a bit of cursing, and while I can see why it was added, I just feel like it was a bit unnecessary. However, that is my personal preference. I just don’t care for cursing. If I didn’t have a problem with it, then this book would have been absolutely perfect!
Also, one last thing. I have no idea why people compare this book to Twilight. Adam and Mia are in a relationship and Bella and Edward are in one as well, and one of them is sort of dead (Edward being a vampire, Mia being in a coma), that is where the similarities end. I wouldn’t even consider them in the same YA genre. So, just throwing that out there!
PS: You’re going to need tissues reading this one!! 😉
Review originally written Sept. 2013.
March was not a very good reading month for me. Basically, I’ve been in a reading slump since the end of February! Because of that, I only read two books this month.
BOOKS READ
– A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall \\⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Wink Poppy Midnight by April Tucholke \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– I am almost done with 1984 by George Orwell though (ideally, I’d like to finish it tonight), and I’m about halfway through A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
BOOKS REVIEWED
The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick \\⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wink Poppy Midnight by April Tucholke \\⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover \\⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall \\⭐️⭐️⭐️
CLASSIC READ
My classic of the month, as part of the 2016 Classics Challenge was:
– 1984 by George Orwell
Click here to read my thoughts about it!
BOOK HAUL
This may not have been my best month for reading, but I did buy some really great books this month!
First, I got Confessions: The Private School Murders by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro at Barnes and Noble. 
Then, I went to my library’s spring book sale, and came home with a whole stack of books.
From top to bottom: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, 3 Willows by Ann Brashares, How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn, Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
I also got the beautiful Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo for my birthday that was Tuesday!
Plus, I received a free review ebook for Wink Poppy Midnight! 
Well, that just about wraps up my March! What did you read this month? What do you plan on reading next month? And, any book suggestions to get me out of this reading slump?! Let me know! 😊
Summary
The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out. But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship.
Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together….
What I Thought
This book was super cute! I love how Sandy Hall took the typical rom-com/chick-lit formula, and made it unique. A Little Something Different is told from 14 (yes, 14!!) different points of view, and none of them are from the main characters.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. It added an extra layer to what normally would have been secondary characters, or in some cases, nothing but a background character mentioned in passing. For me personally, I loved the baristas’ and the waitress’s points of view, because I can be nosey like that (haha! 😜), and I thought the squirrel’s point of view was so cute. Honestly, the only point of view I wasn’t as fond of was the bench’s point of view. The bench just came off as kind of creepy to me.
This book takes place over an entire school year, and I loved watching Lea and Gabe’s relationship grow over that time span. I loved how everybody had a part in their relationship. Honestly, I have no complaints about this book, that I can think of, whatsoever. Because of this, you may be surprised to hear that I’m only giving this book 3 stars. Let me explain though. This book is like cotton candy. It’s sweet, delicious, and oh-so-fun, but not much else is there. This book does not have a lot of substance, and that’s ok, it’s not meant to, just like cotton candy.
Overall though, if you’re looking for a super cute, funny, and a light, easy read, then A Little Something Different is the book for you!
Today is Top Ten Tuesday – A weekly bookish list created by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s topic is:
Top Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven’t Talked About Enough/In A While
Being that I’ve only had this blog for a little over a month now, I haven’t had the chance to to talk about a lot of the books I really love, so this should be an easy list for me…So, here we go!
First up on my list is:
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak became an instant favorite for me when I first read it two years ago! It is so beautifully written, and while it is heartbreaking at times, this book is still filled with such hope. I highly recommend this book to everybody.
Second on the list is:
- The entire Princess Diaries series is so much fun! Basically, I could have put all of Meg Cabot’s books on here, because I am in love with her writing, but I’ll just include this one today. I’m about halfway through the series now, and I have absolutely adored each book I’ve read so far. It’s nothing like the movie, but that’s OK. I feel like The Princess Diaries is one of those rare instances where the book series is great, but the movies are equally great, even though they are both so different!
Next up:
- I feel like The Dreamhouse Kings series is so underrated! These books are mysterious, magical, and action-packed. Plus, the chapters are short, so you just fly right through the book without even realizing how much you’ve read.
After that:
- This series does not get the amount of love that it deserves! Uglies came out before the big YA dystopian craze. Everyone always talks about The Hunger Games, and I’m just over in the corner waving my Uglies series around like, “Um…hello? What about Uglies?? It came out first!” This series was just so good! I really loved it!! I admit the last book in the series was not quite as good, but it was an extra book (Rightfully named Extras…hahah) written later, so I can excuse that.
I’m still waiting for that Uglies movie that will, unfortunately, probably never happen…
Then:
- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is another lovely book that I adore, that I don’t really talk about ever. It’s just a nice little book, and it really makes you think about the way we need to treat people. This is an easy read, but very high quality, and I would recommend this book to everybody, too!
Sixth on my list is:
- I absolutely love this book and the entire series! It’s one of my absolute favorites. I cannot wait for the movie coming out Sept. 30, and while I know it’s going to be different from the books, I hope it still does justice for this series. Otherwise I will be very upset. Depending on my mood that day, I may cry. haha 🙂
Up next:
- This was such a fun series! Nobody I know has ever read the Sweet Seasons series, but I really enjoyed them. There’s a book for each season too, which was a lot of fun to read the books during the corresponding seasons.
After that:
- I have not read the final book in the Matched trilogy yet, but I really enjoyed the first two books. This is a very fun series, and I personally, really enjoyed this one, because it’s not always quite as intense as other dystopians.
Ninth on my list:
- Honestly, I absolutely love all of Sarah Dessen’s books! She is the queen of YA contemporary. Of all her books that I have read so far, I think Just Listen is my favorite.
And lastly on my list is:
- This was such a heartfelt, moving novel! I read Tell The Wolves I’m Home over a year ago, and I still think about it.
That’s it for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday! What’s on your list? Let me know!
the calico books 