The Silver Linings Playbook

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Matthew Quick
Pages: 289
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): Meet Pat Peoples. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure him a happy ending—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat’s now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he’s being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he’s being haunted by Kenny G!


My Thoughts: I'm sure that I'm not the only one who picked this up because I heard it was going to a movie. I'm awfully glad that I did! Matthew Quick effectively and tastefully ventures through the mind of Pat Peoples. With how sensitive people are to mental illness, this is quite the daunting task. However, Matthew Quick does it tastefully and without apology. Everything about this book screams at you to keep reading, and the plot drives you forward. Trust me, I didn't want to put this down even for a second. And I didn't. I loved Tiffany - so complicated, yet so obviously a God sent to Pat. I absolutely loved how Matthew Quick portrayed the family life, and how much he focused on how crucial they were to Pat. The relationship that Pat has with his brother Jake made me "awwwwww" a lot more than once! This is an exceptional read, and I encourage everyone to check it out! 

Final Thoughts: Give this a whirl! Especially if you like Perks of Being a Wallflower, or The Catcher in the Rye. You won't regret it. It's tasteful, and heartfelt, and definitely a breath of fresh air!

Movie vs. Book Thoughts: I'll admit to you, and only you, that I saw the movie before I read the book. I had every intention on reading the book first, but I ordered it online, and you never know how long those things can take! I'll also admit that I was really excited to see it because the previews looked great so Kels and I did go on opening day.... sue me! Back to the point though, if you're going to compare the book to the movie, I think you'll be disappointed. Standing alone, both are amazing pieces of work. The movie was heartfelt and remained true to the core of the story, but there were a lot of differences. One of the biggest being the portrayal of Pat's father, Patrick. In the movie, he's much more involved, and not as hostile, even though Patrick being who he was was so crucial to the book. The whole reason for the dance competition is different. In my opinion, both the movie and the book are great, and I recommend watching/reading both. 
Comparing the Book to the Movie, I'd rate it: 5/10
Appreciating the Movie as a separate entity: 9/10 
So I guess it just depends on what you're going in expecting with the show. Don't let this pass you by!  

Kelsey's Thoughts (on the movie): I loved it so much. When Kristen and I went to see it , we both kept having mini-freak-outs. I think I almost had a heart attack then died of happiness then had another heart attach. It was some of the best acting that I have seen in a long time. I believe that both Cooper and Lawrence should and will be recognized for it. It was great. I definitely recommend going to see the movie. I have the book on order so I'll probably let you know how that goes.

Stolen

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lucy Christopher
Pages: 301
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (where would we be without you, Goodreads?): It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.

This is my story.

A letter from nowhere. 

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back? 

The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

My Thoughts: I think it's fair to say, that this is an extremely mind boggling read. I read it cover cover, and quite literally did not know how I thought it would end. Moreover, I couldn't figure out how I wanted  it to end. The whole book is written as a letter to Gemma's kidnapper. I thought that they way Lucy Christopher described everything made the book come alive, and as I have never experienced a place quite like the outback, it made it a lot easier to follow. It's one of those stories with a driving plot that made it near impossible to even think about putting it down. The beginning started a little slow for me, and the end almost seemed rushed, but you can't have everything. It's not a particularly long story, and I think it's definitely worth your time to check out! 

Final Thoughts: Bizarre but consuming! 

Reviewer: Kelsey
Rating: 7 out of 10

My Thoughts: (I need to pay more attention because I've read this too!) I really liked this story. At first I just thought it was original (I'm a sucker for originality). Then I thought that Gemma was a bit crazy. I liked that this story was in the form of a letter. I had never read anything in that format before so I liked that it was different. I too read it very quickly. It was an easy read but you also need to find out how it ends. I agree with Kristen that the novel lacked a bit of balance. The beginning was slow but once the pace picked up, it really picked up. 

Final Thoughts: I made Kristen buy it, now you should!

Beautiful Disaster

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Jamie McGuire 
Pages: 437 (give or take)
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads, you da best!): Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Thoughts: I quite literally just finished this book, and I wanted to write this while the ideas were still fresh in my mind! I was so excited when I finally got this in the mail, because I've seen so so so many good things being said about this book. So, when I was finished, I was thrilled when everything I had heard lived up to the book completely! I loved the characters, especially Travis. Move over Edward Cullen, I'll take Travis Maddox instead. Though he does occasionally get a little crazy, (he is a fighter after all!) he redeems himself, and Jamie McGuire makes you feel so strongly for all the characters involved. I loved how Abby was developed and I love that secondary characters aren't forgotten about half way though the story. That happens way too often, and I like to know what's happening with everyone! I literally couldn't put this down though. There were some inconsistencies that drove me a little bonkers, but it was easy to look over in the grand scheme of things. (For example, sometimes I'd think they're in class, but suddenly they're back to the apartment. So you just kinda missed the walk.) I got it yesterday, and started reading it before I went to bed. I should have known that I would literally have to force myself to put it down! Even once I had, I had to employ some serious self control to not get right  back into and figure out what happens! I dreamt about the book, I can't stop thinking about the book, and I cannot wait until the companion (Walking Disaster) is dropped in April! 

Final Thoughts: I had read a few reviews that said Jamie McGuire glorified an obsessive relationship, but I disagree! I think this was written tastefully, and it left me wanting more.  I really enjoyed this book! I anxiously await the day I can get my hands on Walking Disaster! Do yourself a favor, and pick this up.... now!

Pandemonium (Delirium #2)

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 375
Format: Hardcover (paperback & ebook available)
My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars 




SPOILERS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T YET READ THE FIRST ONE. (you really need to get on that. This means you, Kelsey.) 

Summary (Thankya Goodreads!): I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, 

pushing aside thoughts of Alex,

pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,

push,

push,

push,

like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.

But the old Lena is dead too.

I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence,

behind a wall of smoke and flame. 

My Thoughts: Umm.... a book haven't left me speechless in what seems like such a long time. I have no words for this novel, which is ironic as I'm sitting here trying to review it. I'm almost mad at myself for not hearing about this book earlier. Okay, I've collected myself. Let's really get into this review. 

I tore through this book, cover to cover, in one sitting. Do you know how often a sequel is better than the first book? Never, okay rarely. But Lauren Oliver has accomplished that. This book left me flabbergasted, antsy and desperate for the next one. The way that Lauren Oliver has strung this together is genius, literally. It's unlike any book I've read before. It goes from "Now" to "Then", and though that may sound as though it has potential to get confusing, it really doesn't. This book could break my heart, fill me with this unprecedented anger at a character, and leave me smiling like a goof all at the same time. Lauren Oliver has gotten me to love Lena, admire her even. Lauren Oliver has a knack for getting inside what would be an eighteen year olds head (my age, mind you), and presenting a totally believable mind set. The writing is perfect, that you can quote me on. 

Final Thoughts: I tried to avoid spoilers as much as possible, despite the big red sign at the top. I neeeeeeeeed the next book. Lauren Oliver has created such a gripping novel, that this story won't be leaving my mind for a long, long time. If you're reading this, go out and buy Delirium. But pick this one up while you're out, you're going to need it. Trust me.  

Reviewer: Kelsey
Rating: 9 out of 10

My Thoughts: I loved this book! It was a great follow up to Delirium and I loved how it was laid out. I'm glad it went back and fourth between "Then" and "Now". It was a fantastic way to explain everything without over loading the reader and expecting them to remember every single important detail. It doesn't get complicated like one would believe, thank God. Like Kristen, I think I have fallen in love with Lena and all that she stands for. She is incredibly strong and knows what she wants. She knows what's right and I admire that. I fell in love with some of the new character and, though it caused me some pain, I'm glad I did. Sadly, I saw the end coming. Luckily, I was still happy to read it and it still killed a small piece of me. I'm not sure how I feel about it (no fault to Lena...). I'm sure there might be some debate between Kristen and I...

Final Thoughts: You're wasting time. Go buy it.

Follow Friday

It's that time again! 

Q: Are you thankful for a fellow blogger? Tell us about him or her.

First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American followers! 

To be quite honest, we're just getting back into the swing of things, and I haven't chatted with many other bloggers, but there are a few that religiously read!  I wish I had a better answer! 

- Kristen 

Happy Thanksgiving! I think I have antisocial personality disorder. Not really but I am a bit of an introvert. Does Kristen count? I like her...
-Kelsey

Delirium

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 441
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (thank you, Goodreads): Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

My Thoughts: This book is aces. Seriously, this is a great read! It's one of those books where you literally have to know what happens next. I finished it within the span of a few hours, and I sincerely thank everyone who told me to read this book first! It's so interesting to watch Lena's transformation. She goes from this true believer of the cure, to this rebel. She's such an intriguing character. And than Hana, can I just say that I love Hana. She's a rebel until she needs to be, and to see Lena and Hana foil each other is pure genius on Oliver's part. This book kept me awake, and I love how original this book feels in a world where vampires and werewolves are quite dominant. Give this book a go, you won't be disappointed. I sure as hell wasn't! 

Final Thoughts: All I think I need to say is, I've already placed my order for the next book. Read this, now. 



Reviewer: Kelsey
Rating: 8 out of 10

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. Kristen told me that I had to read it. She was right. It was super original. There were so many twists and turns that I stayed interested in the plot and in the characters. Lena was not a flat character, thank God. I felt for her. In fact, I felt for the whole world. You can ask Kristen, I just kept saying that the world was crazy and asking who would do this. As the story progresses though, I begin to understand. Of course there are things in my life that I wouldn't kill to remember. It's interesting to think about what the world could become. Lauren Oliver was brilliant to keep the world close to what it is now. I didn't have to fight to understand what new technology was, what a strange word meant, or what caused the world to do something. The motivation was the same as ours is now. 

Final Thoughts: Kristen gave me the second book which I am hanging in front of my face as a prize to finish a certain classic that is killing me slowly. Trust me when I say that I'm rushing through the classic to get to the second. Apparently, it's even better. Now, what are you waiting for? Go read it!

Blue Smoke and Murder

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Elizabeth Lowell
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 404
Rating: mhmm...urg...gr... 6.5 out of 10

Summary (thank you Goodreads): Jill Breck was just doing her job as a river guide when she saved the life of Lane Faroe, son of two of St. Kilda Consulting's premier operators. But when a string of ominous events--including a mysterious fire that kills her great-aunt and a furor in the Western art world raised by a dozen Breck family paintings--culminates in a threat to her life, Jill reluctantly calls in a favor.

Zach Balfour works part-time as a consultant for St. Kilda. His expertise is gathering and analyzing information from unlikely and often dangerous sources. Though he's got the skills to be a highly effective bodyguard, being a bullet catcher isn't his preferred way to spend time.

Protecting Jill will take him into familiar territory--among a strange, savagely competitive bunch of collectors who'll do anything to stay at the top. But Jill is in deeper waters than she's ever known; as she soon discovers, the perils of running wild rivers are tame compared with the hidden dangers in the high-stakes game of art collecting.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel. It was hard to rate because I'm not quite sure if I would read it again though I would recommend it to some. I guess this was the fourth in a set, not series, but I didn't really noticed. A few things can be assumed about other characters so that it is not important to read the others. I did enjoy the characters though I felt that more attention was given to the story line and explaining the world of art (which was good since I lack in that area) but little was given to explaining why Zach and Jill became so close so quickly. I can get over that though since the action was decent and I felt an insane need to find out what happened to them in the end. I love finding out how people get out of sticky situations or how they survive things. I am a fan of the classic fighting-won't-give-up character. This story has those.

Final thoughts: Some parts of the writing were rough. I laughed a few times at some lines in both a good way and a bad way. I found one mistake (I like that. It makes it more real to me somehow.) but it didn't hurt anything. I loved the characters. I'm glad they were smart and believed in the truth instead of only caring about themselves and revenge. It is a romance novel though so keep that in mind if you are on here looking for YA. I really did like it!

Switched

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Paperback (Series book)
Pages: 318
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

My thoughts: I need to start by saying that I accidentally read the second and third books in this series before reading the first one which kind of confused me. Luckily, they are good enough to pick up on the second and still be able to understand. I don't really recommend this, however, and definitely not for the third book!

I really enjoyed the idea behind this story. Let's say that I'm a fan of awesome, super, magic powers. The characters were relate-able (not all the cool magic stuff but who they were as people and the fact that Wendy was in denial). Finn made me a bit mad but he is better explained towards the end of the first novel and in more detail in the second. Thank God! My favourite part might be that the character, for the most part, had redeeming qualities to make up for their weaknesses. 

What I didn't like was how certain words were too often repeated. Sometimes the same word would be in the paragraph four or five times. You can get past it by putting yourself deep into the novel. After a time you stop noticing them. This is a small error and I just attribute it to the age of the writer. 

Final Insights: I love that the author is younger. Being a young writer myself, it gives me some hope for my own work. This causes me to want to support the writer. Point for self-publishing. 

I really enjoyed all three of these books. This is truly a story that you can get lost in and characters that you can fall in love with. I could even understand the motivation for the bad guys! I would definitely recommend this novel.

<---Book two                                     Book three --->

Stacking the Shelves [3]

This is getting embarrassing. My list, again, hasn't changed much since the first time I've posted. BUTTTTTTTTT, I have ordered about 9 books.... so, I'll post those this week! This is hosted by Tynga's Reviews, so you should hop on over and take part in this too!

Here goes my list of books I have coming in the mail!

1. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (received, review up later today)
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (received, reviewed a while back)
3. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
4. Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
5. Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
6. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire 

The rest are Christmas gifts, so, that's my list! What's yours?

- Kristen

I guess I'll post what I have coming in the mail too!

   1. Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell (exception to the in the mail theme)

   2. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Second in series)

   3. A Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

   4. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo

   5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver (because Kristen is making me!)

   6. The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks (I think I ordered about three of his books. I enjoy them and they are easy reads.)

I'll leave it at six though I have a about 10 on their way and countless others on my shelves in my room. Seriously, I have a shelf and a drawer of to-read books. It's killing me but I have to little time! Sorry everyone.
-Kelsey 

Follow Friday!

Can't believe it's already Friday again. Where are my days going!?

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book?

Hmm........ would any of you judge me if I told you that I've been sitting here thinking about this question for a good fifteen minutes? Oh my... I can't think of a single one that's not already a book! This is embarrassing. Maybe Kelsey can think of one....

What are yours?!

- Kristen 

Oh sure! Put it on me! I guess I have to go with Pirates of the Caribbean but only because I'm watching it right now and I'm not sure it's a book. Most movies are books first, why such a hard question?!
~Kelsey

Shiver

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Format: Paperback (Series novel)
Pages: 390
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (Love you Goodreads!): For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel. While reading, I wasn't even aware of how long it is but I read it in less than a day. It was great. Nothing was over-explained, which drives me crazy. There was space for your own interpretations and room to grow to love the characters in their own ways. I was glad that the book let me think for myself for a while before giving me the answers.

The down side? The text was in blue. In my copy, it was dark enough in most places to think it was black but certain pages threw me. It was not enough for me to put the book down but books two and three have green and red text, respectively, which may be hard for some people to read. I know it drives Kristen crazy. I was also kind of sad that we didn't get more at the end but, after thinking on it, it might be good that we didn't. I want to read the next one because of that. I guess, I have to admit, that it was a good place to end the story (only because it is continued into another novel). One last minus, at first, I found it hard to believe that she would just fall in love with Sam but I suppose that they were already close so I decided to push on. In the end it was alright and didn't bother me that much.

To close: I over all enjoyed this novel. Like I said, I read it in under a day. I even ignored my midterm and didn't study so I could finish it. It left me with that amazing book high that we all read for. I will be buying the next book!

Stacking the Shelves [2]

With midterms and school, I can't believe that it's time to do this again!

Seeing as my list hasn't changed much since last week, I thought I'd take pictures to change it up a bit. 

City of Bones and City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

I've heard so many good things about this series, so I'm excited to jump into it!
"When Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in NYC, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings..."

XVI by Julia Karr 

A friend, who absolutely positively never reads, recommended this to me. So, I'm excited to get started!

"Some girls can't wait to be sixteen, to be legal. Nina is not one of them. Even though she has no choice in the matter, she knows that so long as her life continues as normal, everything will be okay..."

The Host by Stephanie Meyer 

Because who hasn't heard of this book? ;)

"Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged..."

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia 

Everyone's going crazy over this book it seems, I'm excited to give it a go! 

"... In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything."

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore 

Now, don't throw tomatoes at me, but I saw the movie first... *ducks* I know, I know... But I'm reading now!

"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live amoung you - but we are not you. We have powers you dream of having. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books - but we are real." 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 

Because after reading Delirium by her, I needed to get my hands on another book! (Book two to Delirium is in the mail)

"Friday, February 12th, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. "

After by Amy Efaw 

I've had this for a while, I kinda forgot about it !

"Before it all, Devon was a good student, a good athlete, an all-around good girl. But then IT happened - the thing that was so horrible.... that Devon simply chose to not admit it to anyone, even herself." 

The Maze Runner by James Dashner 

I admit, I've been working on this one for a while. But I'm determined! 

"When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty."

Blood Red Road by Moira Young 

I've had this one for a while too, I was a little turned off by the spelling - but I'll continue!

"I cain't speak. Cain't breathe. Lugh's gone. Gone. My golden heart is gone. I kneel in the dust. The tears roll down my face. An a hard red rain starts to fall." 

So there we have it! My list. 

~ I have two more coming in the mail - The Great Gatsby and the second to the Delirium series. 

Any suggestions on what to read next?

Follow Friday!

My gosh, it feels so foreign to be doing this again! Weird! And of course, Kelsey is out of town, so I'm fielding this one by myself. But, if you're new, this is essentially "Follow Friday", and it is put on by this lovely blog. Check it out!

Q: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, retellings or pulled-to-publish fanfic?

I feel almost bad answering this. It drives me nuts when this happens. I don't know why, but it just makes me want to pull my hair out. Though, that's a tad on the dramatic side. I'm a firm believer in following your own ideas. Create an unique world, your own world essentially. Don't monopolize on someones success! At least, in my opinion.

- Kristen

Stacking the Shelves [1]

Tygna's Reviews hosts this little shindig, and I thought I'd take part of it because let's be real, it looks rad. 

Books to Read: 

So, I've been completely and utterly behind in reading and it's a little shameful. Don't judge the size of this list! ;)

1.) Delirium by Lauren Oliver 

2.) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

3.) I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

4.) The Host by Stephanie Meyer 

5.) XVI by Julia Karr 

6.) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I guess writing these out make it seem less daunting, but if I'm being real, I'm going to read the whole series to all of them. (Minus The Host)  So, I shouldn't completely delude myself. 

Any suggestions on which to read next/ thoughts if you've read any?!

Divergent

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 487

Format: Paperback 

My Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (thank you, Goodreads): In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts: I figured it was about damn time I jumped into the whole point of the blog, which is reviewing, so why not start off with this popular little masterpiece? Everyone, and I mean everyone, is currently going crazy over this trilogy. Desperately awaiting the last to be released (speaking of which, when does that happen?) and I can completely and totally relate! I'll admit, I was hesitant to even read Divergent like I always am when about to read a popular novel, but I'm glad I did! It's a great story, and the way that Roth stitches things together is superb. I was skeptical of Four at first, but hot damn, I'd have never guessed that coming out of this novel, I'd be in love with a number for a name. The characters are so complex, and so compelling it just pushes you forward into reading this book. Pretty sure I finished it within the span of a few hours. 

It's by no means a hard read, and being the die hard Hunger Games fan I am, I did find some similarities. So, if you're a fan of THG series, pick this up, for sure. I loved Tris' strength, and I loved her motivation. She was so real as cheesy as that may sound. But I could relate to her in impossible ways, which is interesting as I've never been in any remotely similar situation... so I guess that's a tribute to Roth's writing. This was a really solid read, but something kept me from giving it a ten. Don't let that stop you though! 

Final Thoughts: This was great, seriously great! Give it a go, I promise you won't be disappointed. 

(Sorry if this seems, I don't know... rough? It's been a while since I've read it, but I really wanted to review something!) 

I'm feeling like quite a jerk not posting as much as I'd like to. I suppose I have two excuses for this: (1) I've been busy, which seems weak and like a line. (2) I just have nothing interesting to say, which is true and completely not a line.

But, alas, I am here attempting a post. I was surfing the web, and came across NaNo, which I'm sure (most?) some of you know of already, so this is just for all those writers out there.

NaNo is a November challenge to finish a novel, and I wasn't going to participate but I think I've changed my mind. So start with me, it's only the second day of November! We've got plenty of time to kick ass with our words!

Here is where to sign up.

- Kristen