Send

- Patty Blount

"It's been five years since I clicked send. Four years since I got out of Juvie. Three months since I changed my name. Two minutes since I met Julie. A second to change my life." Taken from the back of the book.

This particular read isn't what I'd normally go for, as there isn't the right amount (or type) of angst in it for me, but it was an enjoyable and impactful story nonetheless.

It's about a young man and his rehabilitation to high school as well as his adjustment to a new state preceding his stay in Juvie. This young man (Daniel) is faced with the manifestation of his guilt over what got him sent away, the disappointment/anger of the people in his life, and a certain young lady (Julie) that for whatever reason cannot stand him. Let's not forget that he has managed to find himself to be the new interest of the school's bully on the first day of school.

Do I recommend this book for others? I can't say, if I'm being completely honest, though the story is an interesting one, the writing itself can be described as subpar in some areas. However, it also seems to make up for that where it matters most. Ultimately, the decision is yours and I do hope that you share your opinion with me if you do pick up this book, and remember to keep warm & read.

The Book of Living and Dying

- Natale Ghent

" Her heart pumped in her throat as he reached for her, his mouth swinging open and closed like the loosely hinged gate to a dark deadly garden. She tried to scream when his cold hand encircled her wrist, but could only game helplessly back at him, the darkness spilling from his lips and flooding into her brain. 'Please go away,' she whispered." - Taken from the book.

This is a story that I hold dear to my heart, about grieving and loss, and that has helped me through one of the hardest moments in my life. Natale Ghent is a Canadian author, I'd like to say that I've read more of her books, but if I'm being completely honest, none of her other novels have caught my attention quite like this one has.

Actually, I only really came across this book by chance, my high school library was throwing away old or damaged books, and because I was close to my librarian she gave me free reign over them before they were sent off to wherever books go to die, and out of all of the books that were there, this one with a missing cover and cracked spine was the one that I decided to pick up and take home with me.

At first glance this is a story about a sad girls life, her mother is negligent and depressed, her best friend isn't always the best influence, she's losing weight- fast, and to make matters worse, she's being haunted by a ghost like no other. Yet, somehow, the further in that you get with this read, the more you realize that the story isn't as sad as you originally thought, but instead much more tragic.

Then again, what better way to appreciate life, then to submerge yourself into a world of loss and death? This book came to me during a very emotional time in my life, and I hope that it arrives just in time for one of you. If you can't find it in stores, then you can find it online for purchase, and when you do, grab a blanket, make some tea, and keep warm & read.

The Raven Boys

-Maggie Stiefvater

" 'There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve, Blue. Either you're his true love,' Neeve said, 'or you killed him.' " -Taken from the book.

There's a reason why so many are obsessed with The Raven Cycle, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't help to make up the many. However, with a protagonist like Blue Sargent who works so hard to stand out, and when you're granted the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a bunch of teenagers who refuse to back down, there's no wonder why this book sucks so many in.

Right off the bat, the reader is thrust into this world of mystic and wonder; a house full of female psychics, a young girl who has the uncanny ability to make things 'louder', and how easy it was to get sucked in and fall in love with even the most unlovable and unrelatable of characters (Richard Campbell Gansey III) and his band of rich (and not so rich) misfits searching for a sleeping king. As you get the answers to one question, you have to take a breath to ask a couple more.

So, yes, overall this was an enjoyable read that has something in it for everyone, however, I would like to warn you that if you were to currently pick up the book for the first time and have a place (may that be big or small) in the booklr community, you'll be hard-pressed not to come by a few crucial spoilers.

Personally, I tend to make an attempt to stay away from books that have been greatly raved about through the booklr community, simply because a lot of the more popular booklrs seem to like a lot of the same sort of books, that I have very little interest in or have attempted to read and have not enjoyed, (Eleanor and Park, The Captive Prince, Cinder, etc.). However, I took a chance on this series during the most stressful point of my exams, and my only regret is that I didn't have anyone close by who has read the books as well.

As with any post on this blog, this is simply my opinion, and if your opinion differs, let me know, until then, grab a blanket, make some tea, and keep warm & read.

The Foxhole Court

-Nora Sakavic

"Neil Josten let his cigarette burn to the filter without taking a drag. He didn't want the nicotine; he wanted the acrid smoke that reminded him of his mother." Taken from the book.

I'm going to be honest and admit that I didn't have high hopes for this book. I heard whispers of it on tumblr, and paid no mind to them. However, the more I saw of Neil and Andrew on my dashboard, the more curious I became, so I looked the book up on my kindle.

The good news? The first one was free, and the second two of the series were under one dollar. The better news? The entire series can now be bought in their physical form as well, (also very reasonably priced).

The book wasn't what I expected, it was so much more. Reading The Foxhole Court was quite the rollercoaster ride. I cheered in excitement, shouted in frustration and even cried for the pain of those in the story. The emotional turmoil that I faced while reading was completely worth it, though. Hardly ever am I willing to lose sleep over anything, and yet I found myself staying awake until the earliest hours of the morning just to figure out what happens next.

Although Neil was the protagonist of this story, he wasn't always the hero which I thought to be humbling. He was a small kid with an attitude problem, who was better at starting fights than finishing them, and I suppose that is something that a lot of readers might be able to relate to, I know that I have.

Neil's story is worth figuring out, but what I enjoyed most was that the other characters weren't simply written off as supporting characters, they weren't placed in the world of TFC just to further Neil's plot (with the exception of Seth imo), they had equally as interesting backstories of their own. More importantly to me, however, was Sakavic's portrayal of her female characters, they weren't type-casted as "one of the boys", nor could they be considered to have been meek or mild, they were whole characters with depth to them. Sakavic's story was such a good one because her characters were human. Don't just take my word for it, read the book yourself, grab a blanket, make some tea, and keep warm & read.

Eleanor & Park

-Rainbow Rowell.

"But there was no one like Park at her old school. There was no one like Park anywhere..." "Park tried to remember the first time he saw her.... Now, he felt the fight rising up in his throat whenever he thought of people making fun of her." - Taken from the book.

First, let me begin by saying that I really wanted to like this book. I had a friend recommend it to me a few years ago when it was still a fresh and exciting read and, I was more than happy to figure out why someone would think I'd enjoy it, and as soon as I had my funds in order, I cashed out.

Like I said, I really wanted to like this book, but the truth is, I didn't. Was it a nice a book? Yeah, sure it was okay. However, I wouldn't go as far as to call it a good book. Maybe I'll try to read it again in the summer when life is easier and the magic in the air is more tranquil, but right now according to Kobo eBooks I'm only 26% through the book, and I've been reading it since November. If I'm being completely honest, I think the author's stereotypical way of describing/expressing her non-white characters was what really did me in. The other let downs in her novel were simply that, let downs. I was expecting a lot from this book, especially with the way that everyone has fallen in love with it and personally, I feel like it didn't exactly deliver.

That being said, there was a lot about the book that I have enjoyed. I like that even though life has essentially buried Eleanor 6ft under a pile of crap she doesn't let that stop her from being who she is. I mean, sure she's uncertain of herself, and the bullying (both inside and outside of school) is bound to take its toll on her eventually, but at the moment she's powering through. I can more than respect that. I also enjoyed that Park admitted (even if just to himself) that his snap judgements of Elanor were wrong and rude. I can respect the little ways that he stands up to his dad. After all, everyone loves an underdog, right? I just didn't find the book particularly enjoyable, but if you're seriously looking into this as a future read, don't let me discourage you from giving this a try, form your own opinions and tell me what you think. Grab a blanket, make some tea, and keep warm and read.

Kissing Kate.

- Lauren Myracle.

"Kate and Lisa were best friends. Then one night last summer at a drunken party, Kate leaned in to kiss Lissa, and Lissa kissed her back. Now Kate is pretending Lissa doesn't exist. Confused and alone, Lissa's left questioning everything she thought she knew about herself, and about life. But with the help of a new friend, Lissa is beginning to realize that sometimes falling in love with the wrong person is the only way to find your footing." - Taken from the back of the book.

I first read this book when I was in my early teens and dealing with my own sexuality. I'd like to think that I'm not the only person who has found or will find out more about themselves and self-acceptance throughout this read.

Kissing Kate is an LGBT read done right, it's a story that sadly, a lot of kids would find themselves being able to relate to. It reminds those who are questioning their sexualities that it is perfectly normal, and I've learned that that's exactly what some people need.

This book was more than just your typical coming of age story, though, it had just as much laughs as tears and has something in it for everybody to enjoy. Don't just take my word for it, though, pick up the book yourself, form your own opinions, grab a blanket, make some tea, and remember to keep warm and read.

[Please remember that from now until mid-April reviews will be posted twice a month instead of once per week.]

The Devouring.

- Simon Holt

"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body is here, but not your soul..." - Taken from the back of the book.

Those of you who follow the kwr tumblr know that The Devouring is one of my favourite YA/Horror books. This book is one of the (very few) books that have caused me to stay up later than I should, wondering if I am safe or not. The Devouring is my freezer book, you know that book that initially freaked you out so badly that you had to take advice from Joey Tribbiani and just shove it in the freezer? Yeah, this book was it for me, and I can honestly say that there is only one other book that has made me feel that way since.

Reggie Halloway is the MC of this read, equipped with a spunky sidekick, Simon and a (sometimes) adorable little brother that goes by the name of Henry. Reggie Halloway is a girl that wasn't afraid to cry, or face her fears or be a little vain at times.Reggie Halloway is the girl that gets tongue tied around her crush and scared when her dad yells too loud. She's the girl that misses her mum, but the best part is, the author made sure that his readers knew that that wasn't all she was. She was badass, and a little reckless, and most importantly she wasn't fearless.

The awesome scare factors put aside, as a young girl growing up in the 'vampire love interest'/ 'older guys are so cool' era, The Devouring was a nice break from it all. I love that the cover drew me in first. I love that it was creepy in all the right ways for all the right reasons. I love that I'm able to enjoy it just as much at age twenty as I was at age fifteen.


This a book that I wholeheartedly endorse, but maybe my views are a little bias so please make sure to pick up the book yourself, form your own opinions and let me know if you agree (or not), grab a blanket and some tea, and keep warm &read.

*This book is book one of a three-part series, The Devouring, Soulstice, and Fearscape.

[Please remember that from now until mid-April reviews will be posted twice a month instead of once per week.]