book Archives - Page 6 of 8 - A Bookie's Books

New Year, New Blog

Hey there fellow bloggers!

It has been a LONG time since I have done an update blog.

But I just want to help ring in the new year with you all. I had a bland year on this blog in 2018. I had taken this time to study, work, and be social. I hardly read a thing. I have books that I am still reading from 2017 on my nightstand. All in all it just wasn’t the best year for me literature wise.

I believe I pulled through in the end by reading quite a few books but only because they were required from school. But I did finish a book that was not an assignment. I read to All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han and let me just say, it was amazing. I think it was one of the only books I actually read this year.

But now for the serious stuff. I am going to be on this blog more. I know I said that last year after the break I took a year ago, then flung myself into another huge long break, but this time I am here. I am all in. I am ready. I am going to become the Rory Gilmore of reading and read everything in sight. I have also decided that I need this blog to not be a chore. I want to make the blog more appealing and it cannot be appealing if I am writing things I do not want to write. So, I am not going to write a review on every book I read anymore. While this is a book blog and normally people review the books they read, I am sure the review about Sense and Sensibility or To Kill a Mockingbird is not needed. I am sure more entertaining novels such as new releases and book tags while be better hits. And while I started this blog not to become popular, I do not want it to be boring to myself. I remember how motivated I was to write reviews about the hottest release and to participate in the weekly book memes. But I began to focus to much on the book reviews for books that weren’t needed like my A Seperate Peace review that I got rather bored. They were just books for school that I am sure almost EVERYONE has read because they had to. So what was the point?

But, I wrote them and I hated them. I hated forcing myself to write terrible posts and to try and discuss a book I hardly remembered. I remembered the feeling I had when I finished Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas at 11 o’clock at night and rushed to my computer to write out all of my feelings about the book. I wanted to feel that rush again but I couldn’t find it when I was struggling to finish the other posts first. So now I am here to say that is over. I am going to start a new system where instead of making a review, I will simply add the name of the book into my Review ToC and add a star count to the end. That will be all and that will make me happy.

I also changed the theme of my page but of course that is subject to change all the time. I love messing around with new themes and new colors all the time, but this time I really like this one. I think I will keep it for awhile just until I get sick of it.

Anyways, let us talk about something not blog related, my life. Quick overview of my life so far. I am nearing the end of my last year of high school. Senior year has been extremely fun and rewarding. I am awaiting news from my dream university and I will update you guys on that when it comes. I also have been obsessing about the college, looking up dorms, fee schedules, etc. I also have a new puppy in the house. She is very cute but not quite potty trained so that is kind of gross. But, that is my families duties.

I have big plans and big changes coming this year. It will be exciting!

I am excited for this New Year. It comes with many new adventures and lots of hard work. I am ready for everything that is going to come my way.

Happy New Year everyone!

To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1

Published Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 355

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.” -Goodreads

Review:

Dear Peter,

Hi you do not know me but I love you. I have now read the book and seen the movie and I am your soulmate. Will you marry me?

-Kat

Okay, that was my letter. Short but to the point, right?

Alrighty then craziness aside, how freaking adorable was this story. I mean first lets start with the look of the book. Cute and appealing. Great model for the front. (Yes I judge books by their cover very throughly)

Then Lara Jean was such a role model. I need to start dressing, acting, and eating like her. I really wanna try those Korean smoothies she is always talking about so if anyone knows where to get them, slide that info! Lara is such a clever character and I love the diversity of the book. I love the way her culture is brought out into the book and is expressed in the movie (also this review will be about both he review and the movie) which made me happy. She is the perfect person. I just wish she had been less stubborn because so much less drama would have happened, and oh wait, I love drama so why would I care? Haha, I don’t. I do thought think she should have been less stubborn because my poor Peter bear wanted her so desperately but she was so in her head that she just did not get it.

Now onto Peter. He is likes the world’s favorite idiot. Like he really did not handle everything perfectly but his hair was gorgeous while doing it. He should have let Get go the minute she dumped him and realized who his true love was, (ME) Lara Jean! But instead he creates a fake relationship so he can have basically both the girls. But alas that is such a dumb jock move. It is a good thing he was a dream boat or I would not have understood why Lara Jean put up with that from him.

I think Kitty is my spirit animal. She was so spritely and I loved her sass. She did a bad thing by sending out those private letter but in the end it all worked out just fine.

I did not really like Margot at all. She just kind of seemed so matter-of-fact and followed her mother’s rules way too seriously. Now, Josh and her were never meant to be and that is clear to see y his confusion on his feelings with Lara Jean but she shouldn’t have just dumped him. What Lara Jean finds out about them later in the novel does not constitute a reason for her to break up with him. Even though her mother did ask her not to go to college with a boyfriend. It just seems cruel to have broken Josh’s heart, then be able to escape to Scotland while he is stuck living next to Margot’s family.

The plot of the story was cute. There was not any huge action except for the big fallout near the end. Basically, the story just consisted of Peter and Lara Jean fighting then making up. Fighting then making up. Over and over again in this “fake” relationship. And Lara Jean being very stupid about many things.

But I loved the ridiculousness of this book and it went really well. I loved the movie to. I loved the cinematography. I thought both were really good. I cannot wait to read the next one!

Thanks for reading!

-Kat

P.S I hope you guys liked my A1 gif usage. I wanted to include some very nice moments of Peter and Lara Jean.

Star Rating: 4.7

The Vagina Monologues

Author: Eve Ensler, Gloria Steinem (Foreword)

Published May 3rd 2001 by Virago Press Ltd.

Genre: Feminism, Nonfiction, Drama

Pages: 185

“I decided to talk to women about their vaginas, to do vagina interviews, which became vagina monologues…At first women were reluctant to talk. They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn’t stop them. Women secretly love to talk about their vaginas. They get very excited, mainly because no one’s ever asked them before.” -Goodreads

Review:

A book of feminism and glory.

I loved the vagina talk. It was very empowering and the friend I read it with agreed with me.

It is an important book. It is important to hear these women’s stories and to understand the depths of the women’s body.

I wish I could go see this performed. It would be quite entertaining to see.

I am reading this growing up in a non-“down there” era but still with some struggles with people embracing the word and I think this book does well to try and make vagina not seem like such a “nasty”word.

I thought the stories were really nice and sort of inspiring. They mostly discussed how they viewed their vaginas and others and showed people journey through vagina discovery.

This blog is really short and I am sorry about that but I do not have much to say. The book is short which means a short blog. Especially one where I believe everyone should read it and see the amazing stories. I don’t want to give away anything to much. I want people to experience the book for themselves.

Anyways, thank you for reading. Let me know down below if you have read it an your opinions on it.

Star Rating: 4.5

TOP TEN TUESDAY-September 19th

“Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish…Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer.” –Top Ten Tuesday

Topic: Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

So I am not gonna be doing ten because I dont know what I want to read just yet so here is my list of five books I want to read:

The Diabolic by S.J Kincaid

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

I don’t really know if I will read all of them by the end of fall this year. I want to read them. They all are sitting on my shelf waiting for a very long time. I want to read them so bad and I have been trying but I also have all these other books. Anyways I will find away to do it.

Anyways thank you for reading! Comment below about what your favorite book is out of this list.

TOP TEN TUESDAY-September 12th

Topic: Ten Books I Loved During The First Year I Started My Blog

So I just finished my first year I started blogging so this isn’t that hard and that is why I chose this topic.

The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Doon by Carie Corp & Lorie Langdon

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K Rowling & John Tiffany & Jack Thorne
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas (even though I shouted out the entire series but I love this one so much)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Okay guys I did it. I hate doing these lists because it takes forever but at the same time I really enjoy them because they are simple and I can reflect on stuff.

Anyways thanks for reading this. I didn’t link the book’s Goodreads because I am very lazy. I want to tag the pages so you can put them on your to-read list but I just aint feeling it today.

Thanks for reading!

Have you read any of these? What is your favorite on this list?

End of Hiatus/September Preview

Hello readers,

I am back and better than ever (I hope).

My six month long hiatus is over and let me just say, it feels good to be back. I am super excited to be back and writing again. The break sucked and I couldn’t wait to get back to the blog.

I first wanna start this off with saying hello to all my new followers. I saw I gained a few even though I wasn’t on the blog anymore so welcome.

Next, I have huge things planned for this blog. Starting next Monday I shall be posting every weekday, allowing myself some time on the weekends to write. I will try as hard as I can to get 1-2 book reviews out. I think since I already have over ten reviews in my drafts right now there will be no problem doing so. I also want to post more tags and discussion blog posts so stayed tuned to that.

I cannot wait to get back onto the blog. It will be so much more organized with regular posts unlike back in my first six months of doing this.

Anyways now for my September preview:

So now that I am back I am going to keep a calendar of blog posts that I shall be posting. I have mostly gotten all the blogs for this month done except for three. I am sorry if those don’t go up on the days that they said they were. I am not very good at writing discussion posts but I am trying them out this month. Anyways here you go:

As you can see I have a busy schedule ahead of me but thankfully those posts are all done except for three.

Reading goal:

3 books

I want to read at least three books this month. It is gonna be hard but I have recently come across audio books and started to enjoy them so my car rides shall be better.

The books on my TBR are:

A Work in Progress by Connor Franta

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

A Court of Thorns and Roses

As I write this blog, I am listening to A Work in Progress. It is already so good. I am gonna get these little reading goals finished. All the other goals I had were never finished. So this time I am trying to do this better. NONSTOP READING!!!!!!!!!

I am excited to start this blogging journey again. I hope you guys enjoy what I am gonna put out for you this month and for all the months to come.

Thank you for reading!

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is where every Friday you turn to page 56 in a book or 56% on your e-reader and then post a line or lines that intrigue you. It is hosted by Freda’s Voice.

My book for this week is The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon.

The line from the 56th page that I am picking is:

“Would-Be Casanova Shakes Cute Girls Hand, Offers Her Home Loan with Reasonable interest Rate”

This is super funny. It is when Natasha and Daniel first meet and he is wearing a suit and shakes her hand when they introduce themselves. He gives himself this newspaper headline because he is ridiculing himself over his awkward greeting.

Read this book. I don’t care if you don’t want to. READ IT. It will change your life I swear it. That is all the promo I will be doing for this book. But seriously read it.

Guys go participate in the Friday 56 and go leave your link down below cause I want to check them out!

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly Hop hosted by Billy @ Ramblings Of A Coffee Addicted Writer. Every week there is a new question/prompt to write about.

This weeks question is:

When you start reading a novel, do you prefer to be plunged right into the action, or do you prefer a slower, more descriptive introduction to the plot and characters?

This is such a hard question. I don’t really know honestly. I think a little of both. I love being introduced to the character but if you wait to long the story can get quite boring but if you plunge to fast into the action I feel very lost and not like I can feel for the characters as much. I think when you develop the characters people can be more involved in the story because they are involved with characters. You get to relate to a character which can give a personal feeling into the novel. You can hate a character where all you want is that character to have all bad things happen to it. You can also develop an interest into the book. If you dont have an interest in the character I dont know how you are gonna have have an interest in the book. I cant like characters if I dont know them and I cant give a good review about a book if it is terribly negative about the characters. Characters are a major part of the story so you need to develop them.

That being said, plot is a major part of the story. You cant have a slow drawn out plot. I usually critique novels for slow pacing in the beginning. I dont like when I am 100 pages in and I am still learning new things about the character. But I also dont like being ten pages in and being thrown into someone else being thrown into a time passage without really knowing who the character is and only how their mom is (#shade). Slow stories and no character development is not all right. I have to have both of these things so the answer to this question is that I need them both. With out both or only having one you will get at least .5 less stars than you would if you did have both. If you dont develop the characters and you never plunged me right into the plot until page 300 then well you have no book you just have a really long exposition.

I hope that made sense. I guess my answer would be leaning towards more character development but it has to have action within 300 pages or at least some rising conflict and interesting things happening.

What do you guys think? What do you guys prefer more?

February Wrap-UP

Well well well

It is the end of the month and guess who didn’t finish their reading goals BUT made a very gallant effort.

This girl…

Yes sadly another Wrap-up where I dont finish the book I said to read AND the amount I said I would read.

Books I read:

So my goal was 4 and I read three. I wanted to read the three books I read and Forever Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon but obviously that didn’t happen. I didn’t want to rush and I wanted to enjoy the book, not finish it is two days. So these are the books I read:

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Books I bought:

Guess what! I actually kept it to a low number instead of buying 15 like last month. I bought 2 books which I wish it was only one but I had 30 dollars on a gift cards and I wanted free shipping from B&N. Along with that I also bought a cool book quote thing and a Fault in Our Stars bookmark which I shall put down below because why not. I bought:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

PS I Still Love You

The other Items I bought were:

Open A Book Box Sign 8 x 5

John Green The Fault In Our Stars Infinities – Premier Bookmark

I am not the biggest fan of TFIOS but I needed a dollar more to make it free shipping so…

This Month on the Blog:

The post from this month are:

I feel really accomplished because I am trying to do one blog every day and I did it so far since Thursday.

Now it is the time to wrap up my wrap-up. I want to thank you for reading this blog. I want to thanks you for liking it (you should do it so I am not thanking you for nothing). I also would like to thank you for commenting (same as the last parenthesis).

What books did you read? What books did you buy? What were some of your best posts? Leave a link to your own monthly wrap-up in my comments.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. You post what you read last week what you are currently reading and what is up next.

I am super excited to be participating. I have decided that I want to post almost every day so I am participating in all the meme’s I can do. I thought this one was going to be super fun so let’s give it a whirl!