Book Review: Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

Title: Anatomy of a Misfit

Author: Andrea Portes

Pages: 336

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Published: September 2nd 2014 by HarperTeen

Source:  Self Purchased

Synopsis: 

Outside, Anika Dragomir is all lip gloss and blond hair - the third most popular girl in school. Inside, she's a freak: a mix of dark thoughts, diabolical plots, and, if local chatter is to be believed, vampire DNA (after all, her father is Romanian). But she keeps it under wraps to maintain her social position. One step out of line and Becky Vilhauer, first most popular girl in school, will make her life hell.

Review:

I picked this book up on an ABSOLUTE whim, I was stuck in town for another few hours with nothing to read and decided I’ll just go buy a book, and I did. I chose this book, because the cover is gorgeous, but the thing that originally drew me in was the title. I think growing up and being a teenager you either think of yourself as a misfit or are labelled one.

The opening dedication/author's note, made me decide that this book was going to provide feels, and it did. But not the way I thought it was going to.

There are so many underlying factors that are bad and horrible about this book, that can't really be excused. But I guess since I have never lived nor been to Nebraska I cannot really say what it is like there. But what I now know, is that is a racist sexist state among other things.

This book follows Anika who is a 15 year old girl who is often referred to as an immigrant. Anika is the third most popular girl in school, and that is where she will stay (as she cannot become more popular than she already is, though she can always lose her popularity as is frequently mentioned throughout the novel).

The main thing, I think to keep in perspective with this book is that this is the brain of a 15 year old girl, who most likely has completely different priorities than you do/ or did. Anika is what I’d call self-prioritised, if something is going to risk her popularity she’ll either stop it, conceal it, or say her mum made her do it etc.

Back to the novel. The book opens on a short chapter that is repeated yet altered and elongated throughout the whole novel. It starts with ‘Peddling fast fast fast, this is the moment.’ And you as a reader are thinking WHAT is “this” moment, because you know that this chapter is taking place in the book’s future (a giveaway of this fact, is that the font is italicised), and as the book unfolds and you get more of this future moments snippets, you may realise the direction they are taking or maybe not. I found for me, that these chapters shaped my perception on Anika’s character, because she is clearly trying to reach for something that matters deeply to her and yet is just out of her reach.

For me I really liked the writing style because it did really sound like a fifteen year olds brain and I really appreciated all the likes in there haha. And I do like this book, but there are things that I just don’t like about this book. (Which I won’t get into, since I don’t want to spoil anything).

Personally I think this was a brilliantly chosen book title, because when you think misfit, you don’t automatically think popular. Because misfits have been stereotyped to certain groups of people and sometimes it just doesn’t click that people aren’t always their exteriors.

Anatomy of a Misfit, to me is the dissection of a girl who may seem “popular” from the outside, but contains various layers within, some not as pretty as others. I think it really embodies the fact that everyone isn’t who they seem, and if you only pay close attention or care enough to remove cleverly thought out pieces/layers you will find the actual person.

I am giving this book three and a half stars (it would be more, but alas spoilery reasons). I think it is a great book for discovering the varying types of misfits. And I just enjoyed this book.

One of my favourite parts can be found page 256 of the international edition:

He makes no sense. It’s like he switched gears in like two seconds. Without warning. Like he turned from Prince Charming into a wet noodle.

This part really highlighted to me how not nice some guys are, especially when there are other much worthy boys in the book. *cough* I am not telling you who, go read it!!

PS: My book cover is pealing, like the cover is peeling off, as if it were paint. Is it meant to do this harperteen? 

Rating: ★★★ 3.5 stars

Top 5 Wednesday (one day late, oops)

Top 5 Wednesday is created and run by Mindy and Lainey and can be found here.

This weeks topic is TERRIBLE COVERS.

Please please please remember these are my PERSONAL opinions! For this I am only going to use editions of books I own or have read! (these are also in no particular order).




1. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. I just don't understand nor like this cover, after loving the uglies cover, I was pretty shocked to pick this up next. This cover is bland, I personally don't think it matches the series very well. Plus I do not like the colour tones they used.




2. Lick by Kylie Scott. I laughed when I saw this cover. It just doesn't have that total New Adult romancey feel to me. Good thing it was on ale at Kobo otherwise I wouldn't have found my guilty pleasure NA series. But back to the cover, yeah I guess you could say this "looks" like the male character, but really it doesn't. This guy does not look like he is some highly sought over rock star to me.




3. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles. This is just a hideous cover. After how the previous book ended, I really don't appreciate this cover ONE BIT. Plus that is not a nice shot, it makes this almost "kiss" look gross and awkward, plus I really have no clue why they used a lake as a background..




4. Sprout by Dale Peck. I get that the colour green suits the book (since the guy has like green hair). BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT FONT AT ALL. This cover had SO much potential from the cover. The font also looks like someone photoshopped it from somewhere else. I just think this book deserves a better cover, that is this.





5. The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo (AKA: Shadow and Bone). I firstly want to say ALINA'S HAIR IS BROWN. LET ME REPEAT. B-R-O-W-N! I understand the whole "cape" going on, but I think they should have chosen a better colour palette (personally). I actually don't mind this cover, and I believe the only reason its on this list is because of the title.


Have a lovely day :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

I decided that I would start participating in these challenges (even though I am starting a day late:S)

These challenges are created by Broke and Bookish and can be found HERE. 

September 30th: Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read (because difficult of book, subject matter, because it was cringeworthy-- however you want to interpret)

LETS BEGIN! (in no particular order):

1: Dirty Little Secret - Jennifer Echols. I found this book difficult to read because of the main male love interest, and the protagonists family (who were just horrible to her). It was written well, I just did not like like the plot or the characters and this made it difficult for me to read. 

2. September Girls - Bennett Madison. I think the main thing that made this book hard to read was how females are written within it. They are all blonde, big boobs big butts skinny everywhere else, and you can't forget to mention that they are all called ho's. 

3. The Gathering - Isobelle Carmody. This was just SO HARD to read. I think it was because I was fourteen, and there was animal torture among other things. This is also the first book I remember crying over. I was so upset, and it is why I will never be able to read another of her books because this destroyed me completely (even though Isobelle is an amazing author). Sorry.

4. Stolen - Lucy Christopher. This was just a really confronting topic, it was crazy and insane but something that is 100% plausible. And that is why I found it difficult to read, because what would I have done in Gemma's shoes?

5. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho. This book is so short, but yet it took me half a year to read. Call me lazy, but I found this book difficult to read and so I would read like 5 pages and would then put it down for another month. In the end I thought it was an enlightening book, but one that was incredibly tough to read. 

6. From Ashes - Molly McAdams. This book. Just no. Read my review if you want to know more. But if there was a book i'd want to drown this would be it.

7. Such a Pretty Girl - Laura Wiess. I think this book, made me realise the police/family/etc aren't always there to help you. And that sucks, and this book sucked (because of the events that occur within it). And when you realise that, that is a pretty painful thing to know.

8. The Burn Journals - Brent Runyon. This memoir was crushing. It was a very fast read, but it was painful to read, yet important to read at the same time. 

9. Life After Death - Damien Echols. I think if I was put on death row for a crime I didn't commit, I may have taken a different route than what Damien took. This book was an eye opener, and sad because it would have been so hard to live more years on death row than you had outside of prison.

10. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger. The first time I read this, it was for school, I was 16, and me and Holden were not two peas in a pod to put it lightly. Therefore it took me a while to read this tiny book. But the older I got, Holden grew on me, and this is now a novel I can appreciate, while still thinking the protagonist complains too much, haha.


So that is it, for my first top ten tuesday, and again sorry its late. 
Have a lovely day :)

September Book Haul

So September is my month of birthday, and I therefore got HEAPS of books.

I got quite a few from my book friends on tumblr, which was so lovely, since I had NO idea.

Books I got as gifts:

• Ruby Red
• Sapphire Blue
• Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
• Masquerade 
• Stardust
• This Song Will Save Your Life
• Stolen
• Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
• Solitaire
• The Knife of Never Letting Go
• The Ask and the Answer
• Monsters of Men

Books I bought and why:

• Since You've Been Gone: I've been wanting to read this book since I started hearing people talk about it, and I can NOT wait to start reading it. 
• The Rapunzel Dilemma: I read the companion novel The Cinderella Moment and enjoyed it, so I wanted to give this one a go also!
• Heir of Fire: Because I own all the other books, and love them 
• A Little Something Different: I was stuck in town for four hours with nothing to read, so I bought this book on a whim (it was an okay read)
• Lux (Beginnings, Consequences, Opposition): I'd been seeing these on tumblr for AGES, and I found out they were being rerelased with these new covers (and bound together), so I decided why not, and I enjoyed them (review to come)
• Anatomy of a Misfit: I bought this because of the title and the cover, the dedication also drew me in. It was also an okay read (review to come)
• Noggin: I saw this at a bookstore, and HAD to buy it, because it has this cover (vibrant blue and yellow = to die for), and it was an amazing book (review to come)
• The Infinite Sea: I bought this because bookworld were having a sale and I own the 5th wave (which I haven't read yet), so I can't wait to get around to these books!
• A Monster Calls: Because I love Patrick Ness, and I wanted to own all of his books, haha.

I think that is all I can really say about my bookhaul, what did you get? 

Book Review: Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

Title: Falling Into Place

Author: Amy Zhang

Pages: 304

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Published: September 9th 2014 by Greenwillow Books

Source:  EPub ARC from Publisher, now own

Synopsis: 

On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road. 

Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher.

Review:

I received this arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

How do you write a book review for a book you loved? It is tough, let me tell you. 

I really liked how the book opened on Newton's laws, that was an interesting touch! 

I really loved this book, I believe it will be one of my favourites of the year. 

This book tells the story of the day Liz Emerson tries to die. The way the book was written and told was really interesting, as you never knew who the narrator was until the very end. 

The characters within this book, are people you would not always tend to like, but the way they are written and the way their back stories are told, brings a new light and depth to them, that you can't help feeling the emotions they feel. 

I think this is a very important book to read, because the way it deals with the issues raised within it, was well done (I personally thought so anyway). 

I read this book in one sitting, because wow do those pages fly, it was just so engaging. 

Ten Positives:

1. The way this book is told. The narration is lovely.

2. The snapshots. I found these really interesting. 

3. Chapter 2's title: How to save a corpse. I just really enjoyed and loved this title.

4. Liam. He just wormed his way into my heart and made me feel things.

5. Who the narrator is.

6. The writing, it was just so beautifully written. And was just such a lovely read. 

7. I like how the further into the book you got, the more you understood the actions of the characters, as well as their personalities. 

8. That a certain dickhead male got punched in the face. That made me so happy. 

9. Liz. I really liked how complex of a character she was. Turning each page, was like watching a petal unfold from a blooming flower. 

10. The book as a whole. I just loved it. 


Overall this was just an amazing book, and I am so very glad that I read it.

My favourite quote, which can be found on page 259: The worst part of being forgotten, I think, is watching.

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Review: Since Forever Ago by Olivia Besse

Title: Since Forever Ago

Author: Olivia Besse

Pages: 316

Genre: New Adult (Contemporary, Romance)

Published: May 13th 2014 by Wunderland Press

Source:  EPub ARC from Publisher

Synopsis: 

Fresh off the heels of a devastating breakup, Riley Benson is a mess. But with her ingenious plan to become a ball-busting heartbreaker herself, she’s pretty sure she’ll survive. After all, what better way is there to get revenge than to move on?

Riley’s determined to become the perfect bachelorette—she’s going to drink like a bro, belch like a beast and swear so much that she’ll make even the most seasoned sailors blush. After all, those are the qualities that every guy’s secretly looking for…. aren’t they?

Max Fletcher is in love with the girl who gave him chicken pox and his first broken leg. When his best friend seems to finally be out of the picture, he can’t help but want to keep Riley all to himself. And, after coaching her with the very best of the very worst love advice, it seems as if he might actually get what he's wanted after all those years. But just as the two come to the realization that they're actually kind of perfect for each other, along comes a secret that threatens to tear them apart.

Review:

I received this arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Okay first thing about this book. I know these are young adults (early twenties), I am a young adult myself, but personally I do not think this excuses what these characters did, one bit. 

I am kind of at a loss as to how to write this review, because I feel very very conflicted about this novel. Because while I did not enjoy this story, I will say, that the author created realistic characters, though she forgot to counterbalance the "badness/realness" of the characters created. 

Five Negatives:

1. The fact that the friendzone was even mentioned. The friendzone is a concept, that I HATE, because a girl owes you NOTHING just because you are friends. This was actually mentioned on page 20, I believe and I almost stopped reading there.

2. The fact that both boyfriends in this book, cheated on their girlfriends. I feel this painted EVERY guy in a bad light. Because not every guy cheats, and sometimes it is the girls. 

3. The way Max manipulates Riley. How does he even think this is an okay thing to do. If you like her, TELL HER, don't manipulate her, when she is down. That is disgusting behaviour. I am not even going to start on the other thing you did. 

4. Riley. Where do I start. The fact that you let your boyfriend control what you wore, LIKE REALLY? WHY? The next fact, you let yourself be manipulated by someone you trusted, who thought he was entitled to you. The way you treated your friends, and thought about other girls. I am not elaborating any further. 

5. THAT RILEY AND MAX ENDED UP TOGETHER IN THE END. JUST NO. 

Five Positives:

1. How horrible these character were. It was like everybody you never wanted to like all rolled into a book, where they did stupid things. 

2. The fact that Riley dumped Noah after they got back together (which should have NEVER HAPPENED). 

3. That Riley's friends would take no shit from her, after her and Noah broke up. AND after Riley and Max had a fight. I liked their friendship (I just wish they were nicer to each other as a whole). 

4. I enjoyed the writing style, I found it very easy to read and zip through. It was a fast read. 

5. The fact that Evan reads girls magazines. Even if it is for ulterior motives, I like the fact that he is trying to at least understand girls on a deeper level. 


Basically I found this a really quick read, but it was one I did not enjoy. I'm sorry.

P.S: There is no such thing as a slutty name. That was a horrible thing to even think Riley. 

Rating: ★

Book Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Pages: 357

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Published: July 1st 2014 by Scholastic Press

Source:  Self Purchased 

Synopsis: 

A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy. 

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

Review: Contains spoilers to previous books

Where do I even start? Even though I only read this series this year, I was SO excited to know there was more Cole and Isabel to come cause really I just can't resist them. 

I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing, world building, character creating and I just love maggie, she is pretty great (one of my favourite authors).

I should actually review this now, sorry. 

The story revolves around Cole and Isabel and take place after the events in Forever, its also set in California, which you should know if you've read Forever. 

This book was more contemporary than "paranormal", which I was actually really okay with, cause Cole was hardly ever a werewolf (it just would have been nice if we went into the curing topic, since it was stated that both Grace and Sam were human and going to college).

I really really enjoyed this book greatly, the romance was cute and interesting, and Cole. 

I really liked how Cole and Isabel's relationship expanded and became more intricate. I really liked certain scenes in this book.

AND THE START AND END OF THIS BOOK :S

AND LEON. Man what a marvelous character. 

AND ISABEL I AM PROUD OF YOU. 

Basically read all the books, because it is Maggie Stiefvater how could you not read her work? 

4.9 stars, because I WANT more.

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: We Were Liars

Author: E. Lockhart

Pages: 225

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Published: Published 2014 by Allen & Unwin

Source:  Self Purchased

Synopsis: 

A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island.

A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.

A group of four friends - the Liars - whose friendship turns destructive.

A revolution. An accident. A secret.

Lies upon lies.

True love.

The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense that will leave you reeling.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

'We Were Liars is heartbreaking, witty, beautiful and disturbing. E. Lockhart's best book to date.' JUSTINE LARBALESTIER

'A haunting tale about how families live within their own mythologies. Sad, wonderful, and real.' SCOTT WESTERFELD

Review:

How does one write a review for a book that is terribly easy to spoil? 

We Were Liars, is a book i'd heard about for a few months, especially on booktube. It sounded intriguing, from what you can know about this book, so I was more than willing to give this book a try. 

And can I tell you that am I happy I did. That plot twist was all:
dkgbjdrx,h gdktfnxg ifgmh, and the book had me all over the place in terms of emotions and feelings. 

The book follows the Liars, a group of teenagers nicknamed this for reasons. They are; Cadence Sinclair (narrator), Mirren & Johnny Sinclair and Gat Patil (a family friend of sorts). The book follows the events that take place every summer on a privately owned island (the old timer viewed grandfather owns it). On the fifteenth visit/summer on the island an event happens, that shapes all future summers. 

This book contains so many twists and turns you will want to read it in one sitting (I did anyway). 

The book is best to be read, with knowing nothing about it, or as little as possible, it is either a hit or miss book (one I found a hit), that will keep your emotions all tangled up.

All in all if this book doesn't emotionally destroy you, it will shock you.

Rating: ★★★★

Book Review: The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester

Title: The Cinderella Moment

Author: Jennifer Kloester

Pages: 304

Genre: Contemporary, Retelling, Romance

Published: July 24th 2013 by Penguin Aus.

Source:  Free from PenguinTeenAUS event

Synopsis: 

A love of fashion.

A couture competition.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance . . . 

Angel Moncoeur has always wanted to be a fashion designer, but without money or connections, it's going to be a challenge. When an opportunity to leave her home in New York and head to Paris appears, Angel grabs it – even if it means masquerading as her best friend Lily. That can't be too hard, can it?

But faking things doesn't come easy for Angel, so when she falls in love with her very own Prince Charming and he thinks she's someone else, things start to get complicated.

Angel needs to stop her secrets unravelling if she wants to live happily ever after . . .

From exciting talent Jennifer Kloester comes this fabulous story about high society, mistaken identity, love, betrayal, friendship – and great clothes.

Review:

First thing: WHY WASN'T THIS LONGER? I NEEDED MORE OF A RESOLUTION!

This story follows Angel (Angelique), who wants to be a fashion designer but has no connections or money. Angel lives with her mother who is a cook for the de Tourney's. 

Lily is the only child of Philip de Tourney and Angel's best friend. When Lily is offered a one in a lifetime opportunity to attend a summer acting school she grabs it. But how is that to be, when Lily is meant to be in Paris visiting her Grandmama for two weeks? 

This is where Angel comes in. After much convincing she is off to Paris in Lily's place. 

Over the two weeks we meet many characters one being Nick. 

And that is all I'm going to say.

What I liked: 
I liked the idea of this book, it was well thought out, but not executed as amazingly as it could have been. 

Nick. Yeah, what can I say, I have a thing for fictional male characters haha. But really he was sweet and lovely. 

I also really liked the Grandmama. She was lovely, and had IMPECCABLE fashion sense. 

I also liked how this was a retelling of Cinderella, that was a little unusual (for reasons).


What I didn't like:
How easily Nick and Angel developed feelings, and in their words love for each other. It was insta love, which was fine. But it was a little too much too soon. 

Angel at times. I felt that at parts she had a few screws missing, but than a little later, she'd be smart again. 

Other characters, they seemed flat or 2D. They were entertaining, but I felt though they were well developed, we didn't explore them enough, or get to see their full character arc. 

The pacing, it felt off. At times it was nicely paced, and towards the end it felt, "OH MAN, I HAVE TO FIT THE COMPLETE END AND RESOLUTION INTO 30 PAGES", yeah I did not really enjoy that. And I really really wish there was another 30-50 pages to this story (because it was really short). 

Another thing, the book was only 300 pages, but it contained A LOT of dialogue, which was fine, but I felt there should have been more descriptions within the book as well... 

Overall:
I enjoyed this. But I didn't love it. I did really want more, and yes I will read the companion novel in hopes that we will get to see more of this story in it (hopefully). 

I liked the spin and take on the cinderella fairytale. 

I liked the fashion within it. I liked the characters though they weren't that 'deep'. 

I liked the ending, though I wish it wasn't the ending and that it had another 30 pages AT LEAST.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes fashion, or guys haha.

Rating: ★★★