Monday, February 27, 2017

Pocket Book Reviews {February 2016} + Before I Fall Giveaway

My reading game was on point this month! I read eight books and they were all very different and all very amazing (except for two, but they can't all be winners).

I'm writing this before Saturday because I have a lot going on this weekend, but the exciting thing happening on Saturday is that I'm going to an advanced screening of Before I Fall! The film, which comes out March 3rd, is based on the book by Lauren Oliver and stars Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, Logan Miller, and Jennifer Beals.

The book and movie have an interesting concept: after a deadly accident, a teenage girl wakes up every day on the same day a la Groundhog Dog in order to correct mistakes and prevent the accident. I haven't read the book yet, but I've heard great things about it, and I always like reading the book a movie is based on to see how different they are. Enter the giveaway below!

Wires & Nerve
(5 hearts)

Written by Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate; In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. 

YASSSSSS! So happy to be delving back into The Lunar Chronicles world!This graphic novel is a delight and has all the elements that I loved from the novels: ass-kicking moments, intrigue, humor, emotion, and great moments between the main characters. Despite the art only being in blue, black, and white, it's emotive and lovely and I was never once confused about what was going on. The art really comes alive as you read it!

I love that Iko is at the forefront of this story! It's told from her perspective and we get so much insight about what it's like to be her -- a unique android that can think and feel for itself. Despite her close friends, she still feels lonely and doesn't always fit in and is constantly told that she's a glitch. She funnels these emotions into being a bad ass girl who hunts down monsters wreaking havoc on Earth.

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Can You Keep A Secret?
(3 hearts)

Written by Sophie Kinsella; Meet Emma Corrigan, a woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets. Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.…Until Emma comes face-to-face with Jack Harper, the company's elusive CEO, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her.

This is a really enjoyable book! It's funny enough that I actually laughed out loud a few times, has a lot of entertaining coincidences throughout, and the characters are believable, if a bit annoying at times. It's easy to root for Emma because she's nice and awkward at times, she overthinks things, she's passive-aggressive, and she talks too much when she's nervous, which is how she gets into this whole situation in the first place.

The reason I brought this book down to 3 stars is because it felt like there was too much back and forth of this guy is a jerk, this guy isn't a jerk, this guy is a jerk. By the end, I wasn't sure whether to like him or not, and to be honest I don't. Jack is allowed to be a private person and have trust issues, but mostly he was just annoying. But I am glad Emma got her happy ending and that Jack finally learned to trust someone.

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The Hating Game
(5 hearts)

Written by Sally Thorne; Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down.

Words cannot describe how much I freaking love this book! Asjfudbajfirhrkx is a more accurate way to describe it. This book is downright hilarious, super steamy, and just so much fun to read. The sexual tension between Lucy and Joshua is--wow, is it hot in here?

Lucy is the funniest person -- the way she describes things and looks at the world made me laugh so much. She's charming and weird and a short girl just like I am, which made me really happy. Josh is a real heartthrob -- moody, intense, shy, and will do anything for Lucy. The way they bicker like an old married couple had me cracking up on every page.

I loved every word and I already want to read it again. If you haven't yet, go read it immediately.

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Everland
(3 hearts)

Written by Wendy Spinale; London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived the destruction and the outbreak of a deadly virus are children, among them sixteen-year-old Gwen Darling and her younger siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their days avoiding the deadly Marauders led by the cutthroat Captain Hook. Until one day when they grab Joanna. Gwen will stop at nothing to get her sister back, but as she sets out, she crosses paths with a daredevil named Pete. 

This was my first Peter Pan retelling and it is such a fascinating and dark take on the story.

So here are the things I liked: it's a dark, post-apocalyptic retelling with a side of steampunk, the virus aspect made things really interesting and I wasn't expecting it, and the plot takes you on an exciting ride.

Things I thought could use improvement: the characters feel like of bland, the dialogue is super melodramatic and cliche, and the pacing was fine but I feel like the story took place in too short of a time (only a day after meeting the Lost Boys and Gwen says she feels like a part of the family. Like, really?).

I did enjoy reading Everland, but those things hindered me from really, really liking it. But I'll probably read the next book in the series to see what happens next with the Lost Boys and crew.

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Lady Cop Makes Trouble (Kopp Sisters #2)
(4 hearts)

Written by Amy Stewart; Constance Kopp is one of the nation’s first deputy sheriffs. She's proven that she can’t be deterred, evaded, or outrun. But when the wiles of a German-speaking con man threaten her position and her hopes for this new life, and endanger the honorable Sheriff Heath, Constance may not be able to make things right. 

Constance Kopp is a bad ass! In the second installment, we get to see Constance as a deputy police officer and it's glorious. She goes after criminals without hesitation and is not afraid to get physical (as in pinning them to the ground to be handcuffed).

But as it's 1915, Constance deals with her fair share of sexism and I wanted to scream for her that women can do anything a man can do, but Constance doesn't let it faze her. Instead, she SHOWS that a woman can do anything a man can do (and sometimes do it better) by finding clues and hunting down criminals. If only all cops were like Constance! I really enjoyed this book and was happy to delve back into Constance's world. 

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The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes Mystery #2)
(4 hearts)

Written by Brittany Cavallaro; Charlotte isn’t the only Holmes with secrets, and the mood at her family’s Sussex estate is palpably tense. Then Charlotte’s beloved uncle Leander goes missing from the estate—after being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ringand the game is afoot once again.

The pace is a lot slower and the mystery kind of all over the place with this one, so I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, but what saved it for me were the relationships between the characters. The intense friendship between Charlotte and Jamie only got more intense in this book and I ship them so hard. They are two very complicated people, but I'm rooting for their romance all the same. Charlotte needs Jamie in her life, probably even more so than Sherlock needed John.

I'm so glad we finally got introduced to Milo and August. Milo feels very much like Mycroft in that he's involved in foreign affairs and is only concerned about himself. As for August, I'm glad he wasn't your typical Moriarty. I liked him right off the bat and I like the small friendship that developed between him and Jamie.

So the plot: to be honest, I wasn't as invested as I wanted to be. Leander is a cool uncle and I wanted Charlotte, Jamie, and crew to find him (and for them to figure out who poisoned her mom), but it didn't have the same rush and adrenaline as I hoped it would. Where was the excitement? Things picked up towards the end and I got into it, but the mystery mostly confused me. Guess I'm not as smart as Charlotte lol! Even at the end when things were being revealed I was still confused, but the VERY END was a total whoa! And in a good way!

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Denton Little's Deathdate
(5 hearts)

Written by Lance Rubin; Denton Little’s Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day on which they will die. For Denton, that’s in just two days—the day of his senior prom. Denton’s life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.

That was, without a doubt, the funniest book I've ever read! I can't remember laughing so much while reading a book! I actually laughed so hard I cried a few times. Denton Little is a hilarious character and he's such a teenage boy that it makes this whole book even funnier. He's smart and kind, but also just wants to have sex before his deathdate. I loved his awesome friendship with weird, loyal Paolo, who has some of the best jokes. It's really the characters that make this book shine because this story could be morbid, but because of Denton, Paolo, Millie, Veronica, Taryn, and Phil it's delightful.

The idea that everyone knows the day they die is interesting and Rubin did a great job of exploring what this would be like. It's a mix of being a relief and scary and strange, and still doesn't make dying any easier.

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Ms. Marvel, Vol. 6
(5 hearts)

Written by G. Willow Wilson; As war intensifies, tragedy strikes too close to home - and Ms. Marvel must choose between her heroes and her family. When friends become foes, Ms. Marvel struggles to put her life and Jersey City back together. Kamala will be forced to grow up fast and find her true place in the world. But will she be an international sensation...or a menace? 

This was absolutely fantastic! I think this was my favorite volume so far! This one was a real emotional punch to the gut and it also really makes you think. The whole predictive justice is an interesting idea -- and something that seems like a good idea at first -- until it's in action and until people are being called criminals before they commit crimes. And the whole thing with Bruno is heartbreaking!

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Enter to win the book Before I Fall and a poster signed by the cast!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Friday, February 24, 2017

Inspired By: February Reads

Talk about genre-hopping! I went from a graphic novel to a romance to mystery to a young adult comedy, and that's only four of the books I read this month. In case you're wondering, I would 100% recommend all of these books. 

After reading The Last of August, a Sherlock Holmes-inspired book, I'm curious: Who's your favorite sleuth? The first mysteries I read were Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books in middle school and then later I got into Sherlock Holmes. I like them both for different reasons, but Poirot was my first private detective.

Wires & Nerve
Wires & Nerve
Written by Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate; In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. 

Kick ass and take down hybrid wolf-men like Iko in an effortless ensemble: a red cardigan, a black blouse, black leggings, red scarf, wolf ring, and heavy boots. Or dress like the new Queen Cinder in a blue dress, a flower crown, a moon ring, and gold sneakers.

Add to Goodreads

The Hating Game
The Hating Game
Written by Sally Thorne; Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head, and Lucy refuses to back down. 

Dress like Lucy in a yellow shift dress, a red necklace, red lipstick, strawberry earrings, and black pumps. Or put on a Josh-inspired outfit: a baby blue blouse, trousers, a simple black watch, and blue heels. 

Add to Goodreads

The Last of August
The Last of August
Written by Brittany Cavallaro; Charlotte isn’t the only Holmes with secrets, and the mood at her family’s Sussex estate is palpably tense. Then Charlotte’s beloved uncle Leander goes missing from the estate—after being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ringand the game is afoot once again.

While walking down the streets of Berlin looking for clues, wear a very Charlotte outfit: a black dress, a long coat, a magnifying glass necklace, and black booties. Or instead dress like August in an olive jacket, a chambray top, black jeans, and beige boots. 

Add to Goodreads

Denton Little's Deathdate
Little Denton's Deathdate
Written by Lance Rubin; Denton Little’s Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day on which they will die. For Denton, that’s in just two days—the day of his senior prom. Denton’s life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.

Death is right around the corner for Denton, so he dresses casually in a plaid shirt, distressed jeans, skull ring, and red Converse. Or instead dress up for the senior prom in something purple (you'll get the joke if you've read the book): a purple floral dress, a purple watch, purple heels, and a gray hoodie.

Add to Goodreads

Have you read any of these books?

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Outfit: Pretty Plaid

Lately, I've been shopping less at conventional stores and more on Poshmark. I could say that I'm doing it because it's good for the Earth since buying used clothing means that it's being "recycled," but really it's because it's cheaper. Most of the people selling on this app are just regular girls trying to get rid of clothes and make some money, though there are a few "shops" that sell new clothes too. 

One new-to-me item I just got from Poshmark is this pretty plaid shirt! I like the exaggerated peplum, the colors, and how soft this shirt is. I'm convinced there's nothing better than wearing a soft shirt. It's like wearing a blanket all day! Do you shop on Poshmark?
Top: via Poshmark | Jeans: Hollister | Bag: Target
Boots: Amazon | Long Necklace: Primark

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Monday, February 20, 2017

Cozy Essentials Wishlist

I keep hearing the Danish word hygge, which is "a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special," and it's officially the way I want to live my life. I mean, I'm already a lazy bum, who pretty much only lounges on my bed reading or watching Netflix, but hygge takes it to a whole other level of comfort by appreciating the coziness. The Danish clearly know what's important in life.

Hygge gained popularity because of The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, so if you want to embrace the homebody life then this seems like a great place to start. Below are some cute cozy essentials that everyone clearly needs.
Cozy Essentials

Are you all about the cozy life?

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Friday, February 17, 2017

Review: Bite Beauty Lipstick

You know when you go to Sephora and just beeline for a certain brand? For me, one of those brands is Bite Beauty. I've loved their lipsticks for a few years now because they're so creamy, smell so good, last a long time, and come in a ton of colors. My first Bite lipstick was Vouray, a rosy pink, and the next was the 2014 Color of the Year in Radiant Orchard, so I was thrilled to get a box from Influenster with two Bite lipsticks in Honeycomb (a beige nude) and Whiskey (a rich mahogany with red) as well as two lip pencils (in 020 and 044) and a pencil sharpener.
What I like: the formula is fantastic, they're super creamy, they can be worn as a stain if you dab it on or as a true lipstick, they're very pigmented, and they smell amazing, like a subtle mix of mint and floral. The same goes for the lip pencils, which really helped when applying the dark color.

What I don't like: I'm just not in love with either of these colors on me. I personally don't like nude lipsticks, so the Honeycomb is a no, and I think the Whiskey is a little too brown and I was hoping for more of a berry color. I also have to warn you that Bite lipsticks are really drying when worn for long periods of time. Lip balm will be needed.

So while I love Bite Beauty lipstick and always want more of them, I just don't find these two colors particularly wearable for every day. I'm more of a pink and berry girl I tried mixing Vouray and Whiskey and it turns into the prettiest purple-berry color! Do you like Bite lipsticks?

**Bite Beauty products received from Influenster. All opinions are my own.**

Have you tried Bite Beauty lipstick?

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Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Outfit: Blue Stripes

After going through my closet two months ago, I decided to listen to some of the closet-cleaning blog posts I've read. These posts always mention putting clothes you're not sure you want to get rid into a bag and not looking at it for a few months. The goal of this is that if you don't think about the items within the bag after a month or two, then you should get rid of them. Any of the items you do miss, you can add them back into your closet. I got rid of all of the items except for one: this blue striped button up. It's a good way to "get rid of items" without getting rid of them because you just store them away for a month or two. Have you tried this method? 

I have to say, it was so nice wearing a sheer blouse in the middle of winter! It was nearly 60 degrees last week and I loved it! We got a little taste of spring and then, of course, it was snatched away the next day by a blizzard. Thanks, Mother Nature. 
Top: Old Navy (old) | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Amazon
Bag: Target | Necklace: gift (thanks, Avra!)

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Monday, February 13, 2017

Books For Bad Ass Gamers

Between computers, video games, and robots, it seems like technology is going to be our downfall, so you should probably turn your computer off right now and go live in the forest. I mean c'mon, Siri and Cortana are a little too snarky sometimes. I wonder what they're planning. *stares at iPhone with distrust*

If you like not only playing video games, but reading about them too, then these books are for you. I've only read Ready Player One, Armada, and In Real Life, so let me know if you've enjoyed any of these books. I hear Ready Player One is being turned into a movie and I can't wait!

P.S. -- HAPPY GALENTINE'S DAY!
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (young adult, sci-fi. dystopia)
Armada by Ernest Cline (young adult, sci-fi, aliens, romance)
In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang (graphic novel, young adult)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (young adult, sci-fi, aliens)
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (sci-fi, cyberpunk)
Stuck in the Game by Christopher Keene (young adult, sci-fi, adventure)
Erebos by Ursula Poznanski (young adult, sci-fi, thriller)
Reamde by Neal Stephenson (sci-fi, thriller)
Solarversia by Toby Downton (young adult, sci-fi)
CTRL ALT Revolt! by Nick Cole (sci-fi, post-apocalyptic)
Upload by Mark McClelland (sci-fi, romance)
For The Win by Cory Doctorow (young adult, dystopia, sci-fi, romance)

Which of these have you read?

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Friday, February 10, 2017

Inspired By: New February Books

I am so pumped for these books, you guys! I own so many unread books and yet I want to stop everything and read these books when they come out this month. They all sound fantastic; one is a workplace drama, one is a romance that touches on bullying, one is the final book in a bad ass fantasy series, and one is an honest look at what it's like to be black in America right now.

My Not So Perfect Life
My Not So Perfect Life
Written by Sophie Kinsella; Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world. New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella has written her most timely novel yet.

How cute is this cover?! Sophie Kinsella's books are so much fun to read and are a nice little break from reality. Add some color to your outfits by wearing a blue blouse, yellow skirt, red heels, red earrings, and floral phone case. Or throw on a ruffled green dress, gold belt, sparkly necklace, and pale pink heels.

Add to Goodreads

#famous
#famous
Written by Jilly Gagnon; Girl likes boy. Girl snaps photo and posts it online. Boy becomes insta-famous. And what starts out as an innocent photo turns into a whirlwind adventure that forces them both to question whether fame—and love—are worth the price…and changes both of their lives forever.

#famous sounds ridiculously cute! Get inspired by the cover by wearing a purple tee, white jeans, layered necklace, black and white watch, and gray sneakers. Or put on a green tunic, jeans, "the struggle is real" phone case, and booties.

Add to Goodreads

A Conjuring of Light
A Conjuring of Light
Written by V.E. Schwab; Londons fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire, and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes struggle.

I'M SO EXCITED! This is the third book in V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic series and I can't wait to read it. Dress like world-hopping Kell by wearing a white blouse, black jacket, black jeans, midnight blue stud earrings, and lace-up wedges. Or dress like bad ass Lila by throwing on a dark red tunic, leggings, black and red watch, gold rings, and black booties.

Add to Goodreads

The Hate U Give
The Hate U Give
Written by Angie Thomas; Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Angie Thomas’s searing debut about an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and unflinching honesty.

This book is a definite must-read for everyone in our generation! Stand up for what's right and be a voice for all people by dressing like the cover: a black and white baseball tee, jeans, "babe with the power" pin and "Black Lives Matter" pin, and red Converse. Or if you're marching wear a "Black Lives Matter" tee, red jeans, sunglasses, and awesome embroidered booties.

Add to Goodreads


Which of these books do you want to read?

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Outfit: Galentine's Day + Giveaway!

Galentine's Day AND Valentine's Day is all about pink, red, and burgundy, so of course the best outfit has all three! I added some flair in the form of three cute brooches: a wooden bow, a red rose, and a pin with the silhouette of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. And no bookish outfit is complete without a Wizard of Oz book clutch, amiright? 

On a totally random note: Is anyone else watching Riverdale? It's like a mix of Gossip Girl and Pretty Litle Liars and it's so intense and dark and melodramatic! My favorite thing is the awesome friendship between Betty and Veronica. Veronica is such a snarky bad ass and I love it. I've never read any Archie comics, but you don't need to watch this show. 
Sweater: Old Navy | Dress: Forever 21 | Belt: Primark 
Leggings: Old Navy | Bag: Book Vosk | Boots: Amazon

A group fabulous bloggers and I have a fun Valentine's Day giveaway for you!
We're giving away some super cute items! 
Thanks to the wonderful Monica  for putting this whole collab together!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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