Review: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Author: Jandy Nelson

Publisher: Dial Books
Number of Pages: 371

Synopsis:

 "Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else—an even more unpredictable new force in her life. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world.
This radiant novel from the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once."

So, we got an ARC of this book awhile back, but I just now got to it and it  was SO good. I picked it up and once I read the first chapter I was immediately hooked. The chapters are set up in a way that in the early years when the twins, Noah and Jude, were only 13 or 14 the story is told by Noah. But, then the story alternates so that the next chapter picks up three years later and is narrated by Jude. I've read this type of book before, but I think this book executed the whole "before and after" sequence incredibly well. It really kept the twins in their own separate worlds while still keeping their stories interconnected.

The best thing about it was that in the earlier years narrated by Noah you can see how different the twins personalities really are, but once you begin to read Jude's chapters three years later you begin to realize that the twins have actually swapped personalities. I thought that was just so cool and interesting I loved reading how the twins evolved and the difficulties they had to endure. Also, since the chapters alternated there were a lot of missing pieces, so I think the suspense that created really kept the story going.

My favorite character was definitely Noah, and I think the main reason for that was that he was the first person we got to read about so I connected with him first instead of Jude. And while I still fell in love with Jude, I felt like I kept waiting for Noah's chapter because I loved his personality and story so much more. 

Overall, I loved this book and its now one of my favorite and the best book I've read so far this year. I definitely recommend it to everyone! 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Welcome to the 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon!

I am so psyched to be participating in the 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! One of my goals this year was to interact more with the book blogging community and I feel like this is definitely a good push.

For those of you who don't know what the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon is, it is a two day event (February 21-22) where a bunch of bloggers will be spreading love. This can be through going to visit a bunch of blogs and commenting, participating in a Twitter chat, etc. Throughout the two days there are going to be events like those along with mini challenges, so prepare for the posts!

So to start off I just wanted to let you guys know a little more about me!

1. What’s your name?

My name is Harman K. I do have a lot of authors and readers call me Little Bookworm though! :D

2. Where in the world are you blogging from?

I'm blogging for Buffalo, New York, which is in the United States.

3. How did you get into blogging in the first place?

I started blogging because I discovered the BookTube community on Youtube and wasn't allowed to start my own channel. Around that same time I found book blogging and I thought this was still a great way to share my love of books. I still hope to one day begin a YouTube channel but blogging will always be with me.

4. How did you come up with your blog name?

I really don't even remember. It was about two years ago...wow. I think it had to do with everyone calling me a Bookworm, not to mention I'm kind of short. It all kind of fit in the end, and my sister approved :)

5. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog? 

What do I read the most? New Adult romances. I'm in that place in my life where I don't get a lot of time to read all the heavy stuff so NA is kind of fast. I review YA the most though, especially contemporaries. I don't know why there is a difference,

6. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews?

At the moment it is mostly just reviews because I don't have all that much time but I tend to do a lot of cover reveals and blog tours too. 

7. Best blogging experience so far?

Oh lord...I think my best blogging experience so far would have to be the chance to beta read for someone. I haven't mentioned it yet but you all will hear about it soon (hopefully!). She's still in the very early stages but the book is amazing!

8. Favorite thing about the blogging community?

How nice everyone is. Sure we all have our occasional snarky sides come out but for the most part everyone is just so kind and loves books.

9. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2015!

5. Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott
4. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
3. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
2. Winter by Marissa Meyer
1. The Heir by Kiera Cass
10. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read?

Hands down any series by Elizabeth Reyes. Most of her books are self-published but she is one of my favorite authors. She's sweet and has the most amazing, creative mind. I would recommend starting with The Moreno Brothers since that was her first series. You can really see the improvement in her writing and all the effort and heart she puts into every single word, character, and piece of plot. Eli is just one of those authors I thank every day to have the honor to know. Guys, you really need to go check out her stuff, I guarantee you'll love it. :D
11. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF?

America Singer from The Selection series. BEST GIRL EVER.
A book boy that would just be my friend? That's hard but I think I would have to go with Cage York from the Sea Breeze series by Abbi Glines. 

12. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests?

Netflix and YouTube. My Netflix addiction is mostly fueled by How I Met Your Mother, Friends, and Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D. Get on it people. 

As for YouTube, well...you guys will be getting a post soon about that :D.

13. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for?

I love shopping for sneakers, not shoes, sneakers. I might have a Nike addiction but oh well.

I'm also going through the transition where I'm really starting to develop my own style and so my wardrobe is acquiring a few new pieces. :)

14.At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song – and it’s your song. What song would be playing?

Oh lord, this is constantly changing. Right now while I'm writing this post it is Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding and the Fifty Shades remix of Crazy in Love by Beyonce (no, I don't like Fifty Shades but the album is amazing). 

15.Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/TV show, or a film/TV show you want turned into a book.

So remember way back when there were talks about The Selection becoming a TV show? Yeah, that still needs to happen. I almost cried when I found out they scrapped the pilot. 

Drop a comment telling me a little about yourself and your blog's website or Goodreads profile!

[Adult] Mini Reviews: Catching Liam & Unwrapping Liam by Gennifer Albin

Author: Gennifer Albin 

Publisher: Self-Published 

Number of Pages: 380

Synopsis:

"Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint.Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart."

This is Gennifer Albin's first NA book if I can remember and the first time she published it, she published it under the name of Sophia Bleu. It was an enjoyable, light read if you are looking for something short and not too heavy.

Her writing was pretty good for the most part but there were times where I thought the writing could have been better, and more thought out. It got better as the book went on though.

The character's in this book are pretty cute. Throughout the novel I felt that Jillian was a bit too stubborn at times, it felt kind of forced and unnatural but otherwise she was a good character. I felt the same about Liam, with Jillian's stubborn and tough attitude I felt that he was taking too much shit from her at times. Of course we all want a guy who will deal with us but I don't know any guy who wouldn't get frustrated or angry like Liam didn't. The characters in this book just seemed a bit too good to be true.

The premise of this book was really cute and that made up for some of the faults so I ended up with a smile on my face.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars!

Author: Gennifer Albin
Publisher: Self-Published
Number of Pages: 37

Synopsis:

"Jillian Nichols and Liam McAvoy finally got their happily ever after, but Christmas with Jillian's parents strains their new relationship.Will they ever get a minute alone?Will Tara ever accept her daughter isn't broken?And what will happen when Jillian finally unwraps Liam's Christmas present?The holidays have never been so steamy.This is a novella that follows up with Jillian and Liam" 

This is the most adorable little story! It's very short compared to some novellas but I still loved reading a little more about these characters! They are still dealing with Jill's mom but she's just looking after her daughter...while having a stick up her ass. 

Either way I really enjoyed this book and it's something I would say take the time to read. It's short and you get a little more insight into the relationship between Jill and her parents. The end was definitely adorable has all holy hell...this whole book was pretty much a cuddly book. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars!

Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott Excerpt & Giveaway!

By Victoria Scott

Release Date: February 24 2015

Synopsis:

"What would you do to save someone you love?
In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.
But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?
The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win. "

I swallow and stare at him in the dark, my entire body itching to feel his touch. When I see the anticipation in his stance, the way he looks at me as if I’m both infuriating and appealing — it makes me feel powerful. But when he takes a step in my direction, that power plummets to some place untouchable. Now I’m a seventeen-year-old girl again, standing in the shadows with someone who feels like he’s lived three lives to my one.

“Come with me,” he orders.

There’s no room for refusal, and I don’t want there to be. He takes my hand to help me step over sleeping bodies, both human and Pandora. When I stumble, he leans over and sweeps beneath my knees. I’m brought into his arms with the same ease I may use to curl a rabbit to my chest. But I’m not such an innocent, silent creature. 

I’ve got spirit and fire in spades. Though, right now, as he carries me to the single back bedroom, I have neither. I’m somebody else now. I’m Tella Holloway, Boston girl turned Montana transplant, sitting on the edge of her bed, awaiting her very first date with the boy who makes her parents uneasy. A boy who doesn’t speak nearly enough, but when he does, this girl stops and listens. In my mind’s eye, I’m wearing the silver-sequined dress that’s hibernated in my closet far too long. I feel beautiful and confident, and who cares if he said we’re going to the lake at night? I want to glimpse the look on his face when he sees me. I envision how his entire face will light up as if it’s lit from within. How his full lips will part slightly and his cold blue eyes will soften.

Guy sets me on my feet, and I gaze up at him.

Oh yes. Right there. That’s the look I imagined.

© 2015 Victoria Scott.  From Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott, published by Scholastic Inc.  All rights reserved.

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January Wrap Up & February Read Goals

Hey guys! So January was a lot better than I expected it to be. I read more than I was expecting and I finally feel like I am easing out of those HUGE reading slump. 

Here are the books I read in January:
Falling Away by Penelope Douglas (Review)
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (Review & Giveaway)
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire
Play With Me by Anna Katmore (Review)
Crush by Lacey Weatherford (Review)

DNF:
Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton (Review)

February is the month of love! I don't really have any cheesy romance books that I am planning on reading but I left room to read some of those if I have the chance! 

February TBR:

Harman's TBR List

      

    

Harleen's TBR (She wanted to share her input in this post too!)

               

Currently Reading

   

                                             Harman                                 Harleen

What are you planning on reading in February?

January Mini & DNF Reviews

Hey everyone I am going to start writing mini reviews and DNF (did-not-finish) reviews so I can keep up with reviews. I also have a tendency to not review books that I didn't really enjoy or didn't finish. I know that a lot of you are expecting reviews of less then stellar books and you deserve my opinion.

DNF Reviews:


Author: Arwen Elys Dayton
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 448

Synopsis:

"Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.

Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her."

I'm not really a fan of high fantasy...well, I don't read high fantasy at all for the most part because I just don't enjoy it. I don't mind watching high fantasy movies or TV series but books I just can't read them. I recieved Seeker for review and there was a lot of promoting going on for it so I decided to give it a chance. 

It reinforced my thoughts on high fantasy, I don't enjoy it. The love triangle in this story was also a bit creepy. It was a huge turn off and I just couldn't deal with it. The beginning is very vague about practically everything and therefore it didn't keep my interest.


Mini Reviews:

Author: Anna Katmore
Publisher: Self-Published
Number of Pages: 238

Synopsis:

"What if you had to do the one thing you hated most to get the guy you loved to notice you?
Ryan Hunter’s parties are legend. And tonight she’s going to be there.
Lisa Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten kindle reverse from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl. And worse, she’s a soccer player. Fighting for the attention Lisa craves, she’s just a hairbreadth away from making a very stupid decision. But when extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, she’s prepared to play ball to get her man.
The tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after the selection party she wakes up in the worst place possible—in the arms of the captain of the soccer team. The hottest guy in school… Ryan Hunter."

This book was so cheesy!! There are times where I would definitely be all over a cheesy YA romance but this was just not the moment for it. I have to say that when I'm in  cheesy mood I will definitely be picking up Ryan's POV, Ryan Hunter (way to be creative!), but I just couldn't deal with all the freaking cheese! It was pretty predictable and cliched but there moments where it was quite cute and original.  

If you are look for a quick and easy read then pick this up. I started and finished this right before I bed so it could be something you read in between books.

**Just wanted to let you know that this is a free read on Amazon! You can click here to be taken to the page. 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

   

Author: Lacey Weatherford
Publisher: Moonstruck Media
Number of Pages: 332

Synopsis:

"Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.
Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn’t want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other. 
As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship."

This book was really adorable! The story was really sweet and I loved the characters. My only problem with it was that the overall writing was a bit undeveloped and the plot could have used a little more substance to it. The characters were so cute. Cami is such a cool, sweet girl and Hunter...well, he's just Hunter. This story would have been amazing if it weren't for the underdeveloped writing. This story was also somewhat predictable but the ending was a shocker and I've definitely been persuaded to read the rest of the series.

**Just wanted to let you know that this is a free read on Amazon! You can click here to be taken to the page. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars!