Waiting on Wedensday: Red Queen

Today I'm linking up with Jill of Breaking the Spine for Waiting on Wednesday. I can't wait to read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
Expected Release: February 10th 2015
Good Reads

Summary:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of

those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Thoughts:

I have heard a lot of good things about Red Queen already and can't wait to finally get my hands on a copy when it comes out. It sounds like a unique and ordinal turn on classic class struggle novels. I am definitely excited see what the hype is all about this February. 

Book Review: Girl Online

Girl Online
Zoe Sugg
Format: eBook
Released: Nov. 2014
GoodReads

Summary:

I had no idea GirlOnline would take off the way it has - I can't believe I now have 5432 followers, thanks so much! - and the thought of opening up to you all about this is terrifying, but here goes...

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.

Review:

The book was definitely targeted for the younger end of the teen/ young adult audience. The whole book felt a little younger and childish than other teen books I have read. The story felt like your basic teen romantic comedy, it didn't feel like an original idea. Which is sad because the idea is definitely a unique twist on the classic hidden personality story. Overall, it was not great but still enjoyable and light.
The premise of a girl with a anonymous blog following has so much potential for an awesome story especially from a You Tuber with a successful blog and knows what it is like to actually blog. She then meet a beautiful boy while on vacation and things get even better. However it was not realised it the book. The plot was definitely mainly focused on Penny's awkward life and didn't really introduces us to Noah until the story was already far along. It didn't leave much time for thing s to fall apart and deal with the aftermath, making it feel rushed and superficial.
In terms of the character, there were a lot of points where I didn't like or empathize with Penny. It felt like all these things just sort of happen to her and then she finally starts to deal with when something else happens without her fully dealing with things. One aspect of penny that I loved were her blog posts that were interspersed throughout the book. They felt real and honest and I could see why she was supposed to have a substantial following. that just didn't translate to her off screen life. The secondary characters were cool and definitely saved the book in some places. I felt like they all had these untold stories that were left out. It made them feel very one sided and undeveloped. This was especially true with Elliot, Penny's best friend. I felt like he had this whole story going on in has life and that because it wasn't about penny it was barely talked about unless it was needed for Penny's plot. I think this is part of the reason I felt like Penny was in her own world and oblivious to the problems in other parts of her life. I also felt like some of Bella, the little girl from new york, was the perfect dose of cuteness and comic relief in the book. She was bubbly and fun. Yet she had those moment little kids have where they give perfect advice that is wise beyond their years.

Overall The book was just okay. The premise sounded really cool but the book ended up feeling average and done before. The main character was unique and likable on paper but annoying in the story. I'm not sure I'll read the next one in the series unless the plot seems great or it gets amazing reviews.

Waiting on Wedensday: Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage
By: Joy N. Hensley
Release Date: September 9th 2014
Good Reads

Summary:

Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.

At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

Thoughts:

I first heard about this book during tea time, a weekly livestream on youTube by Epic Reads. This book sounds really unique I have never seen a YA book about a girl in military school. I also love that Sam is breaking down gender barriers in such a unique way. i can't wait for this book to be released.

Stacking the Shelves (1)

Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme hosted Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves.

This week, a bunch of the holds I had at the library came in so I have a huge library haul.

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally I loved Stealing Parker and am excited to read another book by this author.
Taste Test by Kelly Fiore I love books that center around cooking.
Killer Instinct by S.E. Green This book has been on my TBR list for a while and the author has a great twitter.
Pointe by Brandy Colbert  I love a book about ballet and real life problems.
The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith I loved both the other books by this author and am excited to read this one.
Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl by Emily Pohl-Weary I don't tend to like werewolf books but this one sounds interesting.
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin I heard about this one on Tea Time on the Epic reads youTube.
Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon I love books that have techie/ hacker vibe so I'm excited to start this trilogy
Various Positions by Martha Schabas Similar to Point I love books about dancing/ dancers.

What books did you get this week? Have you read any of these?

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Today I'm linking up with Jill of Breaking the Spine for Waiting on Wednesday. I can't wait to read Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins.

Isla and the Happily Ever After
Stephanie Perkins
Expected Release: August 14th 2014
Good Reads

Summary:

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Thoughts:

I loved Anna and the French kiss when I read it. I can't wait for a new book from Stephanie Perkins. I really liked Josh in French kiss and can;t wait to see how his character develops in a new book. It also takes place in NYC and Paris two of my favorite cities, so that should be interesting to read about.

Book Review: Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret
Jennifer Echols
Format: hardback from library
Good Reads

Summary:

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

Review:

Dirty Little Secret has been on my to read list for a long time now. I finally found it at the library the last time I went and just had to get it even if I was already getting 3 books in addition to the countless others I had already checked out (I love the library). The story centers around Bailey an awesome fiddle player whose parents have banned from playing. However her Grandfather gets her a minor gig at a local mall. From there she gets re introduced to the music world that she used to love and lived in until a year before. Bailey’s life becomes compartmentalized between her family life and her music life. My initial reactions to the situation with here family was how could her parents choose the fame of one daughter over the other. Instead of negotiating for a way for Bailey to keep playing. I also thought that her sister was messed up for being okay with the situation and not talking to her sister, who was also her best friend. However, Bailey finds escape in the world of music where she can do the thing she truly loves. I loved watching her relationship with Sam develop as she spends more time with him. I also loved the other members of the band. While in the beginning  I found Charlotte to be a little possessive of Sam, even though they had broken up I still wanted her to succeed. I loved Ace, the Bassist, he was super down to earth but still provided the necessary reflection that the other characters needed. While sometimes the plot was a little predictable it was still enjoyable and unexpected at certain points. It was similar to other books to be comfortable. While still being different enough to keep me interested.
Overall, What I loved about the story was the unique idea of a fiddle player in Nashville. I also loved the believable and complex characters who had you on the edge of your seat hoping everything worked out in the end. I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romances or music stories. This book will definitely have me seeking out more books to read by Jennifer Echols.

Feature and Follow Friday: 8/1

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

Question: What is the biggest city you live near? Show us a postcard picture!

Answer:
San Francisco, CA!

I go to sf all the time during the summer for various festivals and sports games. I am a big fan of the giants baseball team. I try and go to at least three games a season.
I also love living in the area with all of the start ups and unique things happening in the area.