More Happy Than Not, Review! *small spoiler*

Hey Everyone!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

I started reading More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera on a recommendation from my sister.  Have you ever read a book that you cannot stop thinking about?  This is how I feel with this one.  I started it Friday - with the intentions of finishing it on Saturday.  (That did not happen).  Monday night, I finally got to the point where I COULD NOT put it down!!  I really wanted to stay up and finish it, but alas, I had to go to bed for work the next day.

I just finished the book and I would like to be honest with y'all.  Is that OK?  I feel so emotionally screwed by this book; and, it's in a good way!

My favorite paragraph in this whole book is in Part 3; Chapter 13 on page 270.  "Sometimes pain is so unmanageable that the idea of spending another day with it seems impossible.  Other times pain acts as a compass to help you get through the messier tunnels of growing up.  But the pain can only help you find happiness if you can remember it.'

Everyone experiences pain at some point in their lives.  Whether it be the death in the family or loosing your job.  It's remembering to grow from that pain and try to find the happiness you had before that pain.

This book focuses on more than trying to be happy.  It touches on sex, orientation, suicide and self harm.  At the end of the day, no matter if you are gay, straight, bi, purple, black, yellow, green - we all need to find our own happiness.  I cried out at the part of this book where Aaron gets beat up by his friends.  How can "friends" treat one of their own that way?  In a perfect world we would all be accepting of other people; but, this isn't a perfect world and this book hits that.   

Please read this one if you have not already.

**Emily**

P.S.  Even in the little details this book was amazing, with the little page breaks being smiley faces or frowning faces during the bad parts.



Bonnie's Booktube-A-Thon Choices

Hello! It has been a busy week for me! So, I thought while I had a little bit of time today I had ought to get to making this post. I decided, that even though I am not a booktuber, I would participate in the Booktube-A-Thon as well. 

I am sure that I will not complete all of these books in the seven days. Mostly because three days out of the week I work over 12 hours a day. But I am hoping, that I will keep this list as my TBR and finish up any that I don't during the week. So, here is the list.

1. Read a book with blue on the cover.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Picking this one was pretty difficult for me. Hunting for a book with blue on the cover was a pretty easy task for me. It seems pretty much all of the books I own have some sort of blue on the cover. I may have some kind of subconscious obsession with blue. I don't think I have ever heard anything bad about this book. I can't wait to read it. 

2. Read a book that the author shares the first initial of your last name.

Hey look, more blue!

 

  Confess by Colleen Hoover

I have a few of Colleen Hoover's books waiting to be read. This is another one that I have heard so much about and I mean, I own it, let's read it already!

3. Read someone else's favorite.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

This one was difficult for me to find. I was having trouble finding out from people what their favorite books are. Some had too many to choose from, I didn't already own it, or I had already read it. My niece read this book and really enjoyed it. She said it may not be her favorite ever, but she recommends it. So, I am just going to have to go with this. I was waiting to read it this summer anyway, so why not now? 

4. Read the last book you acquired. 

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I am currently working on White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L Armentrout. Well, I will be once I finish this post. My hope is that I will love it the way so many others have and keep it going with this one next week. Therefore, this one is slightly iffy. 

5. Read a book without letting it go.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

I believe I have already confessed that this is one I have not actually read. I am really hoping that if I can't let it go, I will be forced to read it all. I have sat down to read it so many times and I just get sidetracked. I really do want to actually read these books. I do not understand what my problem is here.

6. Book you really want to read. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Still a cover with blue on it! It may be a tiny amount, but it is there. Do you see what I mean about the blue?

I was so excited to get this in a Loot Crate awhile back. I am not sure why I haven't gotten around to it. So many books, so little time! With Armada just coming out I had really better get to this one.

7. Read seven books.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I picked this one for several reason. Yes, one reason was there is no blue! Yay for having a book without blue on the cover! The biggest reasons for picking this one are that, book three is going to be coming out September 22nd, and I have two books to read by then. I better get started. Also, its another one I have heard so many wonderful things about. I don't understand why it is still sitting there waiting to be read. 

Like I said before, I really doubt I will get this all read in the week. I am going to do my best to get every one that I possibly can completed though. I will also be trying to, at least, complete the ones I missed in the next week or so. Then I can at least say that I did, indeed, read all of the seven books I set out to read.

Let me know what you guys think or what your lists are!

Good luck to all of those participating next week!

Thanks for reading.

~~~~~Bonnie

Book Tube-A-Thon 2015!

Hey Guys!

Hope you are having a stellar day!  

For today's post I'm going to be writing about the Book Tube-A-Thon that is happening Aug 3rd to Aug 9th.  I just found out this was a thing this morning, so I immediately decided I need to participate.  This is highly ambitious of me because I've been in a reading slump for the past few weeks.  *Fingers Crossed* I can complete most of the challenges.

1) Read a book with blue on it.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

I have read most of the Shopaholic series and loved it.  Sophie's writing is easy and intriguing all at the same time.  This book is about attorney Samantha Sweeting, who does the unthinkable at her job. She ends up working at a big house where she doesn't even know the basics.  This books sounds like it will be a good story; so, I'm excited to read this one.

2) Read a book where the author shares the first initial of your last name.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

I don't know a whole lot about this one but it is one my husband keeps telling me to read; so, I feel like this is the best opportunity.  Just looking at the description it says ' A reluctant conscript drafted into an elite military unit, Private William Mandella, has been propelled through space and time to fight in the distant thousand-year conflict.'  Sounds pretty good to me!

3) Read someone else's favorite / 4) Read the last book you acquired

The Martian by Andy Weir

I asked my sister what her favorite was and she gave me a laundry list.  She finally decided on I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson; but, I couldn't find that at the book store.  I tweeted a book tuber, Lindsey Rey, and asked her what her favorite was & she said this one.  I've seen this book a lot lately and it's been in the back of my head that I need to read it; so, I picked it up.  (Hence why it's under two categories - literally bought it this morning).  This one is about Mark Watney who became one of the first people to walk on Mars and now he'll be the first one to die there.  

5) Read a book without letting go of it

Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

This one is kind of a short one, so that is why I choose it.  This is going to be tricky to accomplish, but, I think I could ready this one on the last day of the challenge.  This one is about Rick Deckard who is a bounty hunter and is looking for the renegade replicants who are his prey.  It's one my husband has said I need to read; so I thought this was the perfect choice for this challenge.

6) Read a book you really want to read 

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

This one I keep staring at on my shelf and saying to myself "I REALLY need to read that'.  So, again I thought this was perfect for this challenge.  I've read one other Rainbow Rowell book and that was Fangirl.  I LOVED IT!  This one is about Georgie McCool and she is married to Neal.  Something is wrong in the marriage and she ends up finding a way to communicate with Neal in the past.  It sounded like a mature story and one I could get into.

7) Read seven books

Talon by Julie Kagawa

This one is borrowed from my sister who told me I need to read it.  I am loving her Iron Fey series.   The only brother and sister, Ember and Dante Hill, known to dragonkind.  Ember wants to live the teen experience and struggles to accept her future.  She and her brother are being hunted by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragonslayers.  You can't go wrong in my book with dragons.

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

This one is about a 13 year old boy who does really well in school & a 14 year old girl who is the It Girl in her class.  His dad ends up moving in with her mom.  He's happier about it than she is.  I'm excited to read this one.  When I read the description at Barnes & Noble I thought it would be a really cute story to read.

So there you have it - those are my challenges!  Let me know in the comments if you are participating and what you are reading.  I would love to know! 

**Emily**

Books to Re-read

So, I was gonna post today about what my bookish pet peeves are. But I have had a change of heart and decided on books I would like to re-read. Mostly because right now I am really wanting to re-read the Cit of Bones by Cassandra Clare. 

I am not one to normally re-read my books. I read them once and then they sit on the shelf looking pretty, while collecting dust. Of course other than when I decide things need to be rearranged. Which I probably ought to do here soon. 

Here is my list currently of books I would like to re-read.

1. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

As I said above I want me some shadowhunter action. I cannot wait until March or whenever Lady Midnight finally comes out. I love this world and I am so glad that Cassandra Clare is continuing to write stories in this wonderful world she has created.

2. The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Same as the last one here. I love this world! Thoguh, I must say that in my opinion, I enjoyed The Infernal Devices so much more. For me that has to do mostly with, of course, Will Herondale and the time period. 

3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins 

With the release of the final movie coming up fast I would like to re-read this series before seeing that last movie. Mostly because I was super excited to find out that Gwendoline Christie is in this movie. I love her in GoT and can't wait to see her in this movie. However, while speaking with a friend about it, I could not for the life remember who Commander Lyme was in the book. My friend proceeded to look at me like I was an idiot. So, for that, I must re-read and re-learn what happens in these books. Then maybe I will marathon the movies!

4. Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

This is my guilty pleasure here. I read this in my late 20's and I honestly felt like they were ones I should not be reading. I didn't read many young adult books at the time. Well really, I don't think I read any young adult. I mean, I was almost 30, why would I want to read something for a young adult??? I was totally and completely wrong! Upon my teenage (at the time) nieces insistence I read the first book. It was one of the best books I had read in a long time back then. She now, so many years later, thinks I am crazy because I have not read them again yet.  

Pretty short list I have here I know. Like I said I am not really one to read a book for the second time. I am pretty sure I have probably never done it in my life. Possibly in my younger years reading Goosebumps, but that is too far away to try and remember if I did or not. 

Some of you may wonder why I don't have Harry Potter or even maybe Percy Jackson on this list and well I have never read them. I just feel horrible about this! It has been years since I have seen any Harry Potter movie but I just can't seem to read the books. I have them with the hopes that I will one day finish them. I have also only read the first Percy Jackson book. I loved it! But I am working on collecting the rest of them so I can get them all read for the first time at least.

Let me know if there are any books you would like to re-read or if there are any that you like to read over and over.

Thanks for reading!

~~~~~Bonnie

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

"I'm more happy than not.
Don't forget me."

I loved this book. If it wasn't for having to take of the family and chores (boo being an adult); I would have read it in one sitting and not in one day. The emotions in this book! It took me back to being a teen, not really a place I want to go. But it was so very easy to relate to that way. This was not sad in the way that something like TFIOS was. There were no massive amounts of tears but so moving all the same.

Everything we go through in life makes us who we are today. The good, the bad, the ugly! (Couldn't resist saying that! Lol) We learn from it, we grow, we learn to love ourselves. Never forget what makes you, you. Find your happiness.

If you have read this book or maybe want to, leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!

~~~~~Bonnie

The Sorceress by Michael Scott

Really not sure what to say about this book. I loved it and I love the series as a whole so far. I really enjoy reading books that have bits of truth in them. I also really love reading books that have bits of mythology in them, of any kind. Myths and legends have always fascinated me and I love reading about them.

I could go more in depth with this book, but being the third book in a series I really don't want to give too much away. Get to meet new immortals though and that is always fun! I enjoying seeing who Michael Scott has decided to turn into an immortal.

From my last review you know I had hit some what of a slump in my reading. My sister, Emily, suggested I get this book read. She loved it so much. So I started reading it and I just never wanted to put it down. I had to of course, things like work got in the way of my reading.

If you have read this book or series let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks for reading!


~~~~~Bonnie

Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt!

Hey Everyone!

Hope your day is going well.

I recently posted a video on YouTube as a new adventure!  (As if the blog wasn't enough).  Here is the link, if you would like to watch my video. https://youtu.be/uKXigUD-kZw

I thought I would recap what my video was.  The main idea is to scavenge your bookshelves to find a book for each category.  It's a tag that was created by Sarah (TheLibraryofSarah) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLibra... It appears she has put the video on private, but I wanted to give credit where credit is due!

Let's get started!

1) Find an author's name or title with the letter Z in it.

     The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz.

  I liked this book.  I did hit a slump towards the end, where they were going thru the obstacles to get where they needed to be.  It was one of those "just get there already" moments.  It was refreshing to have another point of view with the evil side; and I liked that it was most of the evil from the Disney movies.  I.e. Jafar, Maleficent, The Evil Queen, etc... Not sure if I will watch the movie.

2) Find a classic.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Alice in Wonderland is one of my all time favorites.  I love everything weird because of this book.  I love that being weird or "not normal" is OK. 

3) Find a book with a key on it 

The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly

I thought this one would give me trouble.  As it turns out it was quite easy.  I don't know if you can see in this photo; but, there are actually 3 keys on this book.  I don't know much about this one.  My sister recommended it too me when I went on vacation last year and I still haven't picked it up.  Hopefully soon I can get to it!

4)Find something on your bookshelf that's not a book

I have a handful of stuff that are not books on my bookshelves.  I picked Harley Quinn because well, it's Harley Quinn!  I love anything to do with Harley Quinn. 

5) Find the oldest book on your shelf 

You can't tell but this is Where the Side Walk Ends by Shel Silverstein. 

For this one I wasn't sure if it was, the oldest publication on your shelf or oldest book in your collection.  I went with oldest book in my collection (which is technically my sisters' but it's been in my possession for the last 10 or so years).  This book has been in the family since '91.  It's dog eared to pieces and it's so old the binding has broken. 

6) Find a book with a girl on the cover

The Selection by Kiera Cass.

I stared at my shelves for a good 7 minutes before I realized I had more for this category than I thought.  This book I enjoyed but I'm not sure if I'll finish the series.  There was nothing to really grab me in this one. 

7) Find a book with a boy on the cover

 

Clean by Alex Hughes

This was a recommendation from my husband.  He really enjoyed it; so, I guess I had to read it.  I liked it.  I have a hard time visualizing with Sci-Fi so it took me a little bit to get thru it; but overall not bad.  I read the second one too and that one took a little longer.  Not sure if I'll finish out the series.

8) Find a book that has an animal in it

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

I have no idea if this has anything to do with a bird in it; but. I figured it was on the cover so it worked.  I know this book has to do with magicians but I have not read it.  It is a beast of a book so, it may be one I start in January to read thru the year. 

9) Find a book with a male protagonist

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

This was another recommendation from my husband because it is one of his favorites.  I read it the same year the movie came out in 2013.  I started this one as an audio book and picked up the physical book about halfway thru.  It was fantastic!  I would definitely add it to my re-read pile.

10) Find a book with only words on it

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I have no idea what this book is about.  Husband said I should read it; but, again it's a beast.  It is only 90% words on the cover but I figured that was good enough.  Took me 10 minutes to realize that was a man/statue face at the top.

11) Find a book with gold lettering

Blythewood by Carol Goodman

I recommended this one to my sister because I saw it on the shelf and said "Here read this".  She wasn't sure if she will finish out the series so she gave it back to me.  Another one where I'm not too sure what it's about but it sounded good at the time.

12) Find a diary (true or false)

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I wasn't sure if I would have one for this category and then I started to think about this book.  It is written in a diary format so I think it fits.  I'm only about halfway thru this one (not sure why I haven't finished it yet).  I saw the movie and it inspired me to read the book. 

13) Find a book written by someone with a common name (like Smith)

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I went with Brown because it is pretty common.  I know a few people with the last name. 

14) Find a book that has a close up of something on it

Between Shades Of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Not sure what this one is about but that is definitely a close up of an eye.  I think I saw the cover and thought this is pretty I'll read this. 

15) Find a book on your shelf that takes place in the earliest time period

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

I believe this is the earliest time period that I have.  I know this one was either before or during the French Revolution.  (It's been a while since I've read it). 

16) Find a hardcover book without a dust jacket

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

I don't know if you can really tell with the photo I took but it is missing the dust jacket.  I have no idea where it has gone.  I have a bad habit of removing them when I'm trying to read (let's be honest they get in the way) and then loosing them along the way!  I loved this book!  I think my husband was surprised I finished it so quickly - I could NOT put it down. 

17) Find a teal/turquoise colored book

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

Again, not sure if you can tell but this book is a tealish color.  In some lights it looks blue.  I am in LOVE with this series.  I, sometimes, have a hard time with all the different points of view but it's not too bad.  I highly recommend this series if you have not read it already.

18) Find a book with stars on it

Torn by Amanda Hocking

I'm not sure if they are start but do you see all the twinkle dots.  I feel like those would be stars.  This is the second book in the Trylle series and it has been a long time since I've read them. 

19) Find a non YA book

Dreamcatcher by Stephen King

I picked this one up because I haven't read a Stephen King novel in a while.  The last one I read was Running Man and that was 3 years ago.  I used to read Stephen King and ever since I got back into reading it's been all YA.  I'd like to get a more diverse group of reading material.

20) Find the longest book you own

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I feel like this is the third longest book I own.  The Historian & Jonathan Strange are close contenders for number one but I used them in other categories.  This is another book that my husband keeps saying I need to read.  I don't think he has seen my To Read list that's 100 pages long.  

21) Find the shortest book you own.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?  Philip K. Dick (filmed as Blade Runner)

Another recommendation from my husband.  I have seen the movie Blade Runner and I thought it was good. 

That's all I have.  I may have missed a category from the video I did (looking back I think I did).  Let me know in the comments if you have some cool books that would fit in any of these categories.

**Emily**

Books I Want to Read Before 2016

I have so many books on my selves that I have not read, I think right now there are something like 110 just waiting. This is not including the probably another 100 and some that I have in ebook format. Thanks Bookbub! There have been so many books lately that I have heard such wonderful things about that I am dying to read. They are books I maybe bought months ago that are now just hanging out on my shelf. So, I thought I would try to come up with some that I would like to finish before the end of the year.


1. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

I have been reading this book for two plus years now. It is time I just bite the bullet and finish it. I absolutely love this series from Diana Gabaldon and there is nothing wrong with this book. I just seem to be having more trouble focusing on this one than the others. I keep just picking it up when I am in the mood. I read some of it and then set it down until I am up for more.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses By Sarah J Maas

After reading The Throne of Glass I want to read this book so much more. I have of course heard nothing but great things about this book. But I almost feel like I need to read more from the Throne of Glass series before picking this one up. Maybe, hopefully this is something I can over come and just read this already!


3. The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I have heard for a really long time how wonderful Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing is, that I just need to read this. That's really all I have to say about this one.... I just need to get into it already.



4. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Really I only need to read the last two of these books. I read the first one back in March, I think. I have never been one to just marathon a series. I don't know what it is but I just like a break in between worlds I guess. Seriously though, I think it has been long enough and I should read the second one at least now.

5. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Another book I have heard such wonderful things about. Why is it still just sitting there waiting to be read? With the second book in the series out now I really need to get to this one. I hope I can get them both read by the end of the year. I really don't know why I haven't read this yet.

6. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I have flipped through this book so many times just looking at the pictures. I love the pictures but I really should read the book so that I know what goes a long with them. I just hope it isn't too creepy. I am a big scaredy cat, even after reading all those Goosebumps and Stephen Kings book in my junior high and high school years.



7. The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

This set of books has been recommended to me several times over the years and I have actually started it a few times. I have trouble getting passed the beginning of book one, but I have not yet let that differ me from reading them. I want to read them. I just need to get passed those first few chapters. I even tried to listen to it on audio book a few times. I find I lose focus easily when listening to the narrator. So many people love these books, I will read them. No matter what!

8. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Another book that I have heard great things about. I saved this one for last because I have actually started reading this. I hope to be done with it by the end of the day. Then I will feel as though I have accomplished something off this list.


I am not one for making things like resolutions at the beginning of the year. I mean let's face it, I am pretty sure they are something that I will do great with and then fail after a few months. So why even really bother with. I do however enjoy setting goals when it comes to books. Hopefully the goal of reading these books by the end of this year will be met. If not I know that I will at least keep reading and someday they all will have been read.

Are there any books out there that should be on this list? Some that maybe you think I should complete by the end of the year? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!


~~~~~Bonnie