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!