The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 12

A book you used to love but don’t anymore

I think for this one I will go with Twilight. I read it before it got popular and enjoyed it well enough. It wasn't my favourite but as more and more people went fangirl over it, I lost interest. It isn't as good as everyone seems to think. Now it just drives me nuts. Also, The Series of Unfortunate Events. I had that faze.

~ Kelsey

I used to be obsessed with Walk Two Moons by Shaorn Creech (I think that's what it's called - I checked, it is). I still like it, but I'm not nearly as obsessed. 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 11

A book you hated

This question is not at all Christmasy. I call for a redo on this question list!!
I hated Anna Karenina. The names confused the heck out of me. There were like four stories all happening at the same time and I didn't care about most of them. Plus, the book was freakishly long. I hated that novel. I never finished it even though Kristen and I were going to make a contest out of it.

~ Kelsey 

If I say Harry Potter will there be spells cast? And if so, what kind of spells will be cast? Just kidding guys, I didn't hate that one.

I did, however, hate Looking For Alaska. 

Don't even get me started. 

- Kristen

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 10

Favorite classic book

This is an easy one. Dracula. It kept me interested for the whole novel even though it was super long. I found it fairly easy to imagine what the author was explaining and the story she was telling. I guess it helps that so many movies and TV shows have come from this novel. I could have been influenced.

~ Kelsey

Catcher in the Rye counts, right?

- Kristen

The Longest Ride

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 398
Rating: 10 out of 10

Summary (GoodestReads and longest summary): Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

My Thoughts: Guys...I love this novel. I love it. Also, I loved it. Did I happen to mention that I loved it? I'm sorry but I really, really did.

This novel made me feel all kinds of crazy emotions. It made me cry, laugh, and, worst of all, this novel made me smile. I mean, it really made me smile. I smiled like an idiot while I was reading this novel. I'm sure people were judging me while I read at school. Then there was the crying, urg the crying...

As much as I feel like this novel was perfect (exaggeration), I feel like we didn't learn all that much about Sophia. Looking back, I guess we did but compared to what we learned about Luke, it was nothing. We learned so much more about Luke. We were told what drove him, why he made choices, what he cared about. In this way, it was almost as if he was more of a main character. It was told from three(ish) perspectives. It was complicated though because Ira's point of view was told first person but Sophia's and Luke's parts were both told third person. It's didn't really bother me; I only noticed in passing. 

Also...I'm in love with Luke but he could be really stupid sometimes. I don't understand why he would be so crazy. Didn't he realize that he was hurting his mom more than anything else would have? urg! Boys are so stupid!

Ira and Ruth were like the couple from Up. Cry some more there.

I loved how it all came together in the end. I sort of figured out what was going to happen in the end before it came but I still really enjoyed it when the time came. I was impressed with the planning that must have gone into making this novel. I mean, I'm sure it didn't require more planning than any other novel I've read but, while reading it, it felt like it did. It all tied together perfectly and amazingly and I was so pleased with it all.

This novel was a quick, easy, interesting read. I didn't put it down until I was finished. I already have plans to read it again.

This is definitely one of my favourite novels and, for certain, it is my favourite Nicholas Sparks novel. I think this book was interesting in both the story that was told and the way it was told. 

To whom would I recommend this novel? Everyone. Read it.

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 09

A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving


I think I'll have to go with the Diviners by Libba Bray. I read other books of her's and liked them but this one was a weird story line, was set in a weird time period, and was fricken huge. I was certain that I would get bored as soon as I started but after the first chapter I was into it. I was interesting in the characters and though the plot was at times confusing I liked it. It was a challenge and it was big but I liked it. The visuals were brilliant. I can see myself reading it again.

~ Kelsey

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm dfkjsafkdsljgsafkljasfkljsfldsfjdslkfjdsfkdskjfgsfdgjdfkjasdhasljdkjasflksajfsalfjkasfklsafjsakf (i'm going to do this till I get an answer) kjsfsalkfsjafkasljflskjfa 
OKAY I GOT IT! (After a gander at my Goodreads list, but shh) 

Flawed by Kate Avelynn
Holy amazeballs is all I can say

- Kristen 

Hemlock

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Format: eBook
Pages: 404
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (a bite of Goodreads): Mackenzie Dobson's life has been turned upside down since she vowed to hunt her best friend Amy's killer: a white werewolf. Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country, and bloodlust is not easy to control. But it soon becomes clear that dangerous secrets are lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, Mac's hometown—and she is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her in grave danger.

My Thoughts: It took me quite a long time to get into this novel. I don't remember reading the summary because I don't think I would have read this novel if I had read the back. Werewolves just aren't really my thing, most times. Anyway, it mysteriously ended up on my list so I read it. I enjoyed it once I got into it and got past my eReader screwing it up. 

I liked Mac but I felt like she was a bit bipolar. Also, I wish the novel would have talked about the fact that she was seeing her dead friend because that's very strange and probably not healthy. I feel like that should have played a larger part in this novel. It probably would have been good for her to maybe tell someone that it was happening...

I'm tired of love triangles. My love life sucks and I no longer believe that this happens. If it does it's only with "those" people. If this is the case, I vote that they no longer happen. It was especially confusing in this novel because it was sort of the reason for a lot of things happening but you don't figure that out by the end but then it gets even more confusing. BUT TO MAKE IT WORSE, it's also not the reason for it happening. I feel like it might have been just to move the novel along but I didn't agree with it's use here. There are a million other things that could have moved the novel or built up the characters. I don't like how it was done in this novel. It was tired and made me tired and the motivations for everything were so convoluted that I ended up with a headache.

Love Kyle but he too is bipolar. Of course he would beat himself up and do things before calling them a mistake. I don't like the stunt he pulled at the end. It's very...New Moon. Blah.

I wanted to constantly punch Jason in the face. I think I was supposed to feel bad for him but I didn't. Grow up. Learn to deal. Life's tough. You screwed up. She screwed up. Everything went wrong but move on. A high school student with an alcohol problem is not an uber normal thing to have, especially in novels, and it didn't work to do anything but make me hate him.

I think it could have been so much more. If there is a second one, I won't be buying it but this one was an okay read right before exams, I guess.

Basically: Werewolves aren't really my thing. This novel is fine once you get into it. It was an easy read and I ended up enjoying it but I didn't really like the ending. I guess if you like paranormal novels than you will enjoy this novel.

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 08

Most overrated book

Twilight and series, easy. I read all the books before they were a big deal. I own them all and have  read them all more than once, I won't lie to you. I've also seen all of the movies but come on people! This is not the best book I've ever read. It's not as good as the hoards of screaming teenage girls claim. I mean, they dragged and the author wrote to please the readers instead of writing the story. She let what people wanted dictate what would happen and how it would end. It was so anti-climactic (Granted the last movie did a very good job or trying to make it better). Also, talk about an unhealthy relationship, laying in the woods because he left you. Stop being stupid, you're world did not end because he broke up with you. It was probably for the best anyway, Bella. But, like I said, I read them all and even waited in line for them.

~ Kelsey

Can I mention a book I haven't completed? If so, I pick 50 Shades of Grey. 
Like Jesus, I don't want to read about bloody tampons okay?! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK!?

- Kristen

Losing Hope (Hopeless #2)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Colleen Hoover
Format: eBook
Pages: 321
Rating: 6 out of 10

A Summary (cause Goodreads loves us): In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

Kelsey's review of HOPELESS

Kristen's review of HOPELESS

What I think about this one: I read Hopeless and loved it. I though I would like this one too and I did but I had a few issues with it.

First, I thought that as a whole the novel went too fast. I understand that, yes, we read Hopeless before this one so it is assumed that we know what is happening. I didn't have a problem with that. I feel like maybe this novel should have been treated more as a separate novel instead of just a bonus extra for Hopeless. There should have been enough material to make this a full book. It would have been a good full book but as it was, I don't know, it wasn't my favourite. I think more could have been done from his point of view.

Also, I wanted to know more about how he felt. Holder went through a lot and some of the emotion was shown but a lot of it was lost in the speed of the rest of the novel. The novel felt like it was only three days not a year and some that it was. I'm okay with the falling in love happening fast because that's the fun of reading novels. 

I don't really like male point of views. I don't relate to them well and I feel like, when they are written by a woman author, they are romanticized. I just want an honest view into the narrators mind.

All of these small problems added together created a big problem for me. Luckily, I still cared about the characters and was able to remember who everyone was. It was a fast and easy read which I enjoyed. It was a cute little book, full of emotion, that won't take too long to fall into. It was alright.

So basically: I liked that it was easy. It helped that I remembered the characters but it went too fast and I don't particularly enjoy male point of views. If you read Hopeless than you should read this novel but you cannot read Losing Hope without first reading Hopeless!

Wait For You

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)
Format: eBook
Pages: 332
Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (never tired of waiting for Goodreads): Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

What I think: I should warn you, there be some sex in this there book. It made me slightly uncomfortable to be reading this book while in class. I was constantly worrying about Kristen sitting next to me. She has this tendency to read from the books that I'm reading but she reads it out loud. It would have been the worst kind of embarrassing. Thanks Kristen for not doing the thing.

I felt so bad for Avery (but love the unique name). She was so brave. I also felt some really bad second hand embarrassment at times. I don't want all the bad stuff that happened to Avery but I really want one of him...like now. He was perfect. He was so caring and sassy. I loved the sarcasm and that he never gave up on her but that he was always respectful and just wanted her to be happy. Cam just wanted her to be herself and to feel loved and taken care of. I want someone to take care of me.

Did I mention that I love turtles and that turtles were involved in this novel. HOWEVER, if some guy is going to get me a turtle he better freaking be prepared to clean up after the damn thing because I babysat a turtle for a friend once and not only did it smell but it was a lot of work. This experiences means that this part of the novel loses all romantic value.

I was sad that I was a small step ahead of the novel as I went. I still loved it.

I wish that I had some things that I could talk about. I wish I could say that I hated something than rant about that for a while. I wish there was something that I could violently and mercilessly tear down but, alas, there is nothing of the sort to be found in this novel. Other than the surprise sexual content (not that I minded...shhhhh, don't tell my mother), this book was brilliantly perfect. Even the names were unique.

Oh! One last thing, there is swearing in this novel which usually bothers me because it's almost always done wrong. In this case, it was done perfectly. It was just how people speak. It didn't read as awkward or uncomfortable. It read as the speech of normal college students and I loved that. Sometimes no swearing is just as awkward as swearing but in this case it was perfect.

I think I may have found a new favourite writer (she says as she begins the search for every book ever written by this author).

To End: I loved, loved, loved this novel. I will be rereading it for sure. It was cute, quick, easy, and adorable. It is a great love story. I would recommend. Kristen...urg, I don't want to say it, has some good taste.

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 07

Most underrated book

I think that maybe for me the most underrated book I've read is Wither by Lauren DeStefano. Before I read it, I was told by a friend that it sucked but it actually sucked me in (dirty!) instead. I waited a long time before I finally broke down and read it. I ended up with the whole series even going as far as to buy them while on vacation. I'm not saying it is the best book I ever read or my favourite series but it did stand out to me. It got me hooked on Lauren DeStefano. I really enjoyed this novel even though it apparently "sucked". I guess I missed the sucking part.

~ Kelsey

Easy peasy lemon squeezey. A fellow blogger/author had sent me a book a while ago that I'm absolutely obsessed with. Persistence of Vision by Liesel K Hill.

It was amazing. I can't say enough good things about it.

- Kristen

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. 

HAPPY CATCHING FIRE DAY! 

In honour of Catching Fire being released today, I'm going to do a 30 day challenge that a friend has sent me, all in one day! Yay! There will be spoilers. 

DAY 1: Your favourite character 
Katniss is such a boring answer, but she's my faaaaaaaaaaaaavourite!

DAY 2: Your least favourite character 
.... it might be a certain Hawthrone whose name starts with a G. OR a certain dictator whose last name starts with a S. I should probably go with the latter, but boy oh boy does the boy with the G name scramble my eggs. Or Peeta's mom.

DAY 3: A character you hate that everyone loves
I don't know! I can't think of anyone! I'VE BEEN SITTING ON THIS QUESTION FOR DAYS!

DAY 4: A character that you love that everyone hates
Snow, but I promise I haven't lost my marbles. Without Snow, there just wouldn't be a story, that makes him pretty important!

DAY 5: Your favourite fight/battle scene
Probably the entire ending scene of Catching Fire. That counts, right?

DAY 6: A scene that made you laugh
Finnick and the sugar cubeeee!

DAY 7: A scene that made you cry
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAGS. 

DAY 8: The character you are most like
Oh God, I don't know. YOU tell ME.

DAY 9: Your favourite quote
"Fire burns brighter in the darkness"

DAY 10: Peeta or Gale?
Mr. Peeta Mellark.

DAY 11: Something you hate about the series?
That people forget how chilling it actually is. (This is a movie hate but it stands; when people wanted Cato and Clove/Glimmer to get together. The whole reason Peeta and Katniss made it out was because they were the ONLY ONES WHO HAD EVER PLAYED THAT DYNAMIC. STOP ROMANTICIZING EVERYTHING PEOPLE, WOULD YA?! THEY ARE FIGHTING TO THE DEATH NOT FIGHTING FOR THE V).

DAY 12: A character you wish hadn't died?
Rue. Mags. Finnick. All of them. 

DAY 13: A character you wish had died?
I don't really wish that any characters would have died, probably because so many did.

DAY 14: Your favourite tribute (not Katniss or Peeta) 
Finnick!

DAY 15: Your least favourite tribute (not Katniss or Peeta) 
Brutus!

DAY 16: A question you wish had been answered
Probably more at the end of Mockingjay.

DAY 17: The worst death 
Rue. Definitely Rue.

DAY 18: A song that reminds you of the series 
No Light, No Light by Florence and the Machine

DAY 19: Your favourite pairing 
Peeta and Katniss.

DAY 20: Your least favourite pairing
Finnick and Annie. But that's not true, I just want Finnick for myself. Can I say Peeta's parents, because his family story is just so sad.

DAY 21: A pairing you don't get 
Haymitch and Effie. Effie is literally the embodiment of everything Haymitch hates. Also, Cato/Clove/Glimmer.

DAY 22: Your favourite book of the trilogy 
Sometimes I say The Hunger Games, because that's where it all started. Sometimes I say Catching Fire. Most days I say Mockingjay. Today I'm going to say CATCHING FIRE!

DAY 23: Your favourite secondary character
Does Finnick count? Johanna maybe?

DAY 24: Your least favourite secondary character
Enorbia.

DAY 25: Your dream cast
I can't answer this! All original dream casting went out the window after I saw the first one.

DAY 26: Your favourite scene in THG 
The berries. I should have seen it comin, but I didn't.

DAY 27: Your favourite scene in CF 
The beeeeeeeeeach scene!

DAY 28: Your favourite scene in MJ 
When Peeta comes back, it was one of those what the F&*! moments.

DAY 29: Your favourite thing about the entire series
That Suzanne Collins didn't shy away from death, especially in Mockingjay. It's a war, and she stayed true to that.

DAY 30: A book/series you would recommend 
Hmm. I'd say Delirium by Lauren Oliver but I'm still mad at Requiem's ending. Divergent is such a boring answer. 

Making Faces

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amy Harmon
Format: eBook
Pages: 405
Rating: 6 out of 10 (I'm being harsh lately)

Summary (from the face of Goodreads): Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

Thoughts: I heard this was like Beauty and the Beast. I think that however said that lied. I didn't really think that it was much like Beauty and the Beast at all. I mean there were some similarities but none that make it stand out as some kind of story based off of it. The similarities were no more than any random book off the shelf. I was excited then torn down. I feel like my thinking it was Beauty and the Beast made me want to love it. I feel like I tried too hard and I may have even let that thinking get to me and stop me from realizing how good this book really was. It makes me sad.

Don't get me wrong. I did really like this book. I enjoyed that characters enough. It was an easy to read and understand story. It was even kind of cute. It was cute but also horribly predictable. I didn't like that I consistently saw where the story was going but I don't think that's how it should be. I think I should be a little surprised because that's half the fun. Maybe I'm too good at noticing foreshadowing. It's too bad that isn't what being an English major consists of or maybe I would have done a lot better. Alas, I digress...

There is a random love letter in the middle of the story from Jesse...I'm still not really sure where that came in. It just confused me a little bit so I didn't think too much about it.

I felt horrible for Rita but saw Bailey as the predictable, loving, helper, fixer friend. It's kind of an archetype. It made me sad but also really happy at the same time. He was great. He was a great friend and super smart. I love that he was insightful. I love that the other character realized what he was and how important he was. I felt the end to his part of the story-line went way too quickly. I think it maybe should have had a bit more story meat.

I am soooooooo tired of girls who think they are ugly getting the guy of their dreams. I'm tired of girls that don't think they are pretty but are actually beautiful. Just once, can the girl just be ugly? Just once, let her be ugly but let it not matter. Let the guy talk about how much he loved her for her. Don't even mention what she looks like. Don't mention her body images. I understand that it is realistic but please, for the love of God, can we care less about what the main character looks like. I'm not sure how we can accomplish this, I just want it done, okay? Thanks.

I thought that the ending for this novel was sufficient but that's the best I can say about it. That's actually kind of harsh. I think that it fairly wrapped everything up. I do, however, feel like there were two ending and that kind of bothered me. I was reading the last chapter thinking it was the epilogue but then I got to the epilogue and it was just weird. I wasn't sure how to take that. One book should only mean one ending.

So: It was quick, easy, painless ( just kidding, that's a bit of a lie ), and insightful. I love how Fern views the world. I love how good friends they all become. I love how it ended because everything was wrapped up and completed. I could see reading this again. Would recommend to those looking for a love story with some action and emotion. 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 06

A book that makes you sad

This one is too easy for me. It's the Fault in Our Stars. I cried...in the car...with people present. I feel like Kristen will choose this book also so I'll add a backup. Some Nicholas Sparks books make me sad. One made me cry on an airplane once. That was embarrassing. Apparently a lot of books make me sad...

~ Kelsey

Answer stealer alert answer stealer alert! 

- Kristen 

Angelfall

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Susan Ee
Format: eBook
Pages: 283
Rating: 5 out of 10

Summary (from the wings of Goodreads): It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

So: There is no book on Earth that has taken my longer to finish that I actually finished. I started this novel with great intentions and I was doing really well. I made it about 75% of the way when I just lost interest. I thought losing interest would be like a heart attack but it wasn't. It wasn't fast or sudden. The interest was simply gone. It was horrible sad. At first I thought it was going well, had a good pace and everything but it got suddenly very boring so I quit. I finally picked it up yesterday and finished it in less than thirty minutes. I suppose that if we ignore the five months I put the book down for then it ends up being a rather quick read through.

I did love the main character though. Well, I loved Raffe a great deal more. He was a weird sort of protective. She was kind of really direct and task oriented. Which brings me to how angry I am with the half solution of one of the problems within this novel. How can she be okay with the character changes in one specific character. Ohmygosh spoilers are coming, I can feel them I must be stopped! I feel, to end this discussion, that if I were Penryn I would have been a lot more upset.

Speaking of upset, like ew on the people eating and the wing ripping and tearing and sewing and stuff of the like. It's pretty nast-tastic. I do not like the thing. I wished for it to end. I am not a fan of turning people into gross creatures...grotesque creatures. All I've got is ewy...

The end though. It was some kind of end. It was like an end but not an end? I don't know. It wrapped up but didn't? This is super difficult without spoiling anything. I feel like it could have ended at a better part though I do understand why it ended when it did. I suppose it could have been hard to find a better place to stop. 

I really like the concept of angels but I'm not so sure about the execution. Maybe the next one will be better. I'm sure Kristen will read it and tell me all about how I have to read it. Speaking of Kristen, her review is here.

Closing: It took me too long to read this book because it couldn't hold my interest even with how much I loved the two main characters. I'm not sure if I will be reading the next book in the series. It's kind of a war, dystopian type deal if you are into that.

John Green on Mental Floss

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 05

A book that makes you happy

I think for this one I will have to go with Florence by Ciye Cho. I'm sure the point of the novel wasn't to make me happy and there is dark parts. It's not all rainbows and unicorns (actually neither of those things are in this novel or series just so we are clear). I did however love the underwater world. I thought it was beautiful. I stayed up reading them because they were a perfect get away. I even remember the characters showing up in some dreams (nothing weird I promise you!). I fell for the authors tricks and plot twists but I was even fine with that because I still loved the outcomes for both novels in this series. I would read these books again just for the great feeling of escape from the real world (not that this world doesn't seem like it could be real). The visual that this book provided the reader was incredible.

~ Kelsey

If I answer The Hunger Games again there will be two problems. 1) You will all probably suggest I get my head examined if I say THG is my favourite happy novel (but I mean, baby everlark days and feels!) 2) Kelsey will probably (and by probably I mean certainly), without a doubt, give me a black eye. So, back to the drawing board for me. Okay. My favourite happy novel is probably Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. It's just so cute and romantic and full of France! 

No Great Mischief

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Alistair MacLeod
Format: Paperback
Pages: 296
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Using Goodreads): Alexander MacDonald guides us through his family’s mythic past as he recollects the heroic stories of his people: loggers, miners, drinkers, adventurers; men forever in exile, forever linked to their clan. There is the legendary patriarch who left the Scottish Highlands in 1779 and resettled in “the land of trees,” where his descendents became a separate Nova Scotia clan. There is the team of brothers and cousins, expert miners in demand around the world for their dangerous skills. And there is Alexander and his twin sister, who have left Cape Breton and prospered, yet are haunted by the past. Elegiac, hypnotic, by turns joyful and sad, No Great Mischief is a spellbinding story of family, loyalty, exile, and of the blood ties that bind us, generations later, to the land from which our ancestors came.

My Thoughts Here: I thought this book was, at times, very hard to follow. It is sometimes a story told within a story. It consists of flashbacks with a reflection on how it affects the present day. I had to really pay attention to make sure that I didn't think the past was the present or vise versa. Some parts of the novel seemed to drag on while others went by in a flash. Focus was necessary for sure. 

The novel was full of great visuals. In fact, the novel starts in a place I am familiar with and I was instantly transported there. I could see what he saw. I love that it takes place in Canada, not many novel do. I love that it started near my home even more. 

There was a problem with names though. Calum is the brother but also the name of the great-great-grandfather or something like that. Plus, there are three Alexanders. There isn't just two, there are three. I understand that it was supposed to build some connection between them and to point to the family relations (we studied this novel in my Canadian Literature class...luckily, I almost failed the essay and feel it's now necessary for you to suffer with me...). Family is a huge part of this novel, I understand but maybe it could have been easier to figure out without all the similar names.

In some parts of this novel, I found it awkwardly inappropriate. Inappropriate is one thing but the phrasing of it and the words chosen made it super awkward to read. I was uncomfortable at parts. I mean nothing is super detailed or horrible or anything, just awkward.

Also, ew on the ripping out of teeth but I love that he became an orthodontist because of it. 

In Conclusion: I was lucky enough to meet the writer who used to teach at my university and came in to talk about this novel. He was pretty entertaining as a person and kind of funny. I even got my copy signed, be jealous. Also, like I said above, I love that this took place in Canada. I think it is similar is ways to perks of being a wallflower (a stretch) and to Looking for Alaska (still a stretch). I'm not sure who to recommend this novel too. Maybe you'll want to look into it though. Then again, had I not been forced to read it for class, I probably would not have read it at all. I'll leave it up to you.

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My Rating: 6 out of 10

So, yeah. Had to read this for class. It was okay, I didn't give up on it so you know, that's a good thing! 

I really liked that I could picture everything because finally, a book from home about home! 

- Kristen 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 04

Favorite book of your favorite series

My favourite book in my favourite series is Fragments. That was a mouthful! Fragments was my favourite in the Partials series because I already knew the characters and their motivations, for the most part, so all I had to do was follow along with the story and let it take me wherever it was going. I already cared about the characters and their hopes and dreams. That made the story almost real for me. I had to find out what was going to happen. I wanted to figure it out. I felt that the book ended far too soon, even though it was super long and probably shouldn't have been any longer. The answer is Fragments for sure.

~ Kelsey

Sometimes I'll say my favourite book is The Hunger Games, sometimes I'll say Catching Fire and sometimes I'll say Mockingjay. Most days though, I say Mockingjay. Today, however, I'm feeling Catching Fire. (Probably because the movie is so soon and footage and everlark feels and ahhhhhhhh!) 

- Kristen 

Bones of the Lost

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Kathy Reichs
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (GoodReads love): When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of two-lane highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. The girl’s body shows signs of foul play. Inside her purse police find the ID card of a prominent local businessman, John-Henry Story, who died in a horrific flea market fire months earlier. Was the girl an illegal immigrant turning tricks? Was she murdered?

The medical examiner has also asked Tempe to examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran named Dominick Rockett stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Could there be some connection between the trafficking of antiquities and the trafficking of humans?

As the case deepens, Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the Army. Meanwhile, Katy’s father Pete is frustrated by Tempe’s reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe soon finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that extends all the way from South America, to Afghanistan, and right to the center of Charlotte.

Thoughts: Let me start by saying how much I love Tempe...a lot. How can you not love her? Sure, sometimes she is a little bit stupid and goes where she shouldn't but she cares so much about people. I love how hard she fought for the murder victim in this novel. I was also surprised to find how much the one cop cared in the end; it seemed like he didn't care for most of the novel.

I'm glad that the novels seemingly three story lines all ended up back together though it would never happen like this is real life. The conspiracy might exist like it did but what are the chances that she would get all the pieces and be able to put them together like she did.

One of my favourite things about Kathy Riechs novels is that the science is more realistic then it is on TV. Things don't happen fast. This novel has large time gaps in it almost as proof. 

But what's up with Pete? Also, I want more Ryan. Plus, Katy is crazy to just enlist like that but I guess that all that matters is that she is happy.

I wish that the novel would specifically say that she told the cops where she went when she runs off because she runs off all the time and it kind of makes me want to punch Tempe in the face. Like, call the police first or something if you can't get a hold of someone specific. Fine, run around risking your life if you want. I understand that the whole reason is to build suspense and to add action, and it does do that but seriously...

I like that she traveled during the novel. Kathy Reichs often travels to do her work so it stands that Tempe would to. I love that element of realism. I think it really adds some sense of movement to the novel too. She doesn't just sit in one spot. Plus, it's kind of exciting.

Final Thoughts: In all honestly, I will probably continue to buy Kathy Reichs no matter what happens. She could write another 16 novels and I would be more than happy to wait at Chapters on the release date. I'm hooked and will always be hooked. Maybe that makes my opinion on the matter a little bit bias so if you don't believe me than maybe you should go out and buy the book. If not this book than one of her many others. I have them all and they are beautiful. Tell me what you think, I could be blinded by my constant fangirling!

P.S. Sorry I've been MIA, school is sucking the life out of me this year. Hopefully, I'm back now but no promises! Love you all, lovely people.

P.P.S. If Kathy Reichs or anyone that works with her is out there, SEND ME THE NEXT BOOK!! Pleeeeeease.

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 03

Your favourite series

My favourite series is (This is really difficult. I mean, I really like a certain series in the moment but then looking back I can always find a fault with it. I mean there are so many series too: Chemical Garden, City of Bones, Divergent, The Hunger Games, Matched, Delirium, etc, and those are just in the last like year. This is tooooooooooo hard!!!) Partials by Dan Wells (Thanks Kristen) (you be welcome). It's full of adventure, twists, turns, and even love. There is a cause and a war and fighting for life and, of course, an almost apocalypse. I cannot wait for March to get the next book in the series! I plan on rereading it as soon as I get Partials back from Kristen (cough cough) (was that a hint?). If anyone knows Mr. Wells, get him to send me the booooooook!! 

~ Kelsey

All my answers are The Hunger Games! This is too easy, I want my money back! 

- Kristen 

Defiance

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: C J Redwine
Pages: 403
Format: Paperback 
My Rating: 7 out of 10


Summary (you so great, Goodreads): While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

My Thoughts: I really, really enjoyed this story. A lot. I liked the setting, I liked the plot, I liked the story line, I liked the characters. Understatement, I loved most the characters. Words of wisdom though; don't get too attached. There's death, there's violence. It's a dystopia mixed with romance and a heavy dose of a strong lead character. I think that C J Redwine writes beautifully, and I was completely immersed in her world. At first, I really enjoyed the alternating perspectives, but as the book went on, it almost felt tedious. Sometimes I felt Logan's thoughts were a little too romanticized (I understand obligations and moral duties, but how far are you really going to go for someone you haven't spoken to in two years, especially when being blown up is an option?). But I got over that quickly enough, and dived right back in.

Technically speaking, the only "major" problem I had with this love story was the romance aspect of it. I love me a good romance, don't get me wrong. And I absolutely love that it didn't morph into a cheesy love triangle. It was a good old boy and girl falling in love with no interference (okay, besides the interference of the town leader, better known as dictator dickwad in my books). Excuse my outburst. Anyways, the problem I had was that the relationship just kind of happened. It happened before the books got started, but not really. I mean, she had a crush and he didn't. They hadn't spoken. Now they are, and we see that oh my gosh, he really did like her. And oh my gosh, how convenient, she still really likes him too! So one day, without really saying anything (other than I love you) they were together. Ish. Or are they? I'm not really totally 100% sure. I read somewhere the author said that she wasn't sure if they were going to be together, and I think that kind of seeped into the book. Enough of that though. 

That cover though! Seriously, that's part of the reason I bought this. It's so pretty, I just wanna look at it all the time! 

Final Thoughts: Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 02

A book that you’ve read more than 3 times

A book I've read more than three times is Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. I enjoy all of Sarah Dessen's novels but this book is one of my favourites. I love the tie back to music. I also love Owen even though he was a little different, he really cared for Annabel. I understood her situation and cared for her almost right away. For me, all of Sarah Dessen's novels are multiple reads, they all stand out to me. Just Listen is a perfect multiple read.

~ Kelsey

I was with Kelsey when she set up this question, and let's just say, I instantly yelled The Hunger Games series. She had to hm and ha, but me, I got it. So there's that. I've read them all like 14 times. And, you know what, it's about time I read them again. It's been a while. See ya on the flip side! 

- Kristen 

Follow Friday

Ahhh, hello old feature friend! It's been too long. 

What are some of your favorite magazines?

Hmm, I'm afraid my answer is going to be terribly boring. I don't read magazines. At all. Which is untrue, but, I only read magazines in certain settings. For example, the hair dressers and the airport. And when I do pick up a magazine, it's always a trash magazine. Usually People or US! or something like that. Sorry my answer couldn't be better, but really, I don't normally go near them! 

 - Kristen 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 01

(We have decided to do a challenge. Wish us luck for it will be a daunting quest that will require bravery and stamina and strength and endurance and focus and...basically we are lazy and weak. Here goes nothing!)

Best book you read last year

Best book I read last year? I can hardly remember what I read this summer! I think I'll have to go with (this seems longer ago than it should but) Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It was an incredibly moving book. I wanted the Clay to find out the reasons Hannah died but at the same time I was hurting for Hannah and Clay. It was horrible how she felt and it was horrible that she put him on the list of reasons. It was also horrible to make him suffer listening to all the reasons. This book really makes you think, granted, it does it while jumping on your heart and ripping it to shreds. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher was the best book I read in 2012.

~Kelsey


Hmm.... Ahh.... Uh.... Mmmm..... now this is a head scratcher. When was last year again? I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday... which is a lie because I totally can because it was turkey day... Favourite book last year... (I'm having fun with the ellipses today) was probably Divergent, and that's really only because this is the only one I can think of. I'm in class, and should probably take some notes, so I'll make sure my next answer is super fantastic, not just fantastic. 

- Kristen

PostApoc

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Liz Worth 
Pages: 184
Format: Paperback (sent my JKSCommuncations) 
My Rating: 10 out of 10

------ This was sent to us by the publisher for a fair and honest review ----- 

Summary (thanks GR): Sole survivor of a suicide pact, Ang has fallen into an underground music scene obsessed with the idea of the end of the world. But when the end finally does come, Ang and her friends don't find the liberation they expected. Instead, those still alive are starving, strung out and struggling to survive in a world that no longer makes sense. As Ang navigates the world's final days, her emotional and physical instability mix with growing uncertainty and she begins to distrust her perception in a place where nothing can ever be trusted for what it seems to be. Bleak and haunting, "PostApoc" blends poetry and punk rock, surrealism and stark imagery to tell the story of a girl wavering at the edge of her sanity.

My Thoughts: Holy crap. Where do I even start with this one? The cover? The writing? The story? All of the above might be too daunting a task to do at once, so I'll start with the cover. Oh. My. God. How creepy/haunting/beautiful is that cover?! Seriously though, it's perfect for the story. It sets the mood perfectly. And that title? That title is perfect, it has so many different meanings and connections within the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so you're just going to have to read it yourself! (Trust me, you should be doing that anyways.) The writing is definitely, without a doubt, hands down my favourite part of the story. It's written beautifully. There are no words to describe how beautiful the prose in this story is. There were times where I would just re-read certain parts because of how beautifully it was written. It definitely inspired me to get writing, and it takes quite the novel to make me wanna do that lately. The story was so unique and so engrossing. It was dark and beautiful and twisted and I've already re-read it just so I could really appreciate it. I loved this novel, and I promise you, you will too. 

Final Thoughts: Go, go go! 
P.S for the playlist click HERE

THIS WILL BE RELEASED OCTOBER 15th, DON'T MISS OUT!