First Trip to a Used Bookshop

When I was a kid my mom had a strict rule against buying used books because apparently paper stores a great deal of bacteria and considering I had a pretty bad dust allergy the rule made sense.

Now that I'm older and my allergy is under control one of my friends convinced me to explore our city a little and during our trip we came across this used bookshop and we decided to check it out.

I liked the overall feel of the store and the way all the books felt so loved but I definitely would like to see a more recent selection, I had a hard time finding something published after 1999.

Edgewater by Courtney Sheinmel Mini Review

Title: Edgewater 

Series: -

Author: Courtney Sheinmel

Date Published: September 8th 2015

Publisher: Abrams/Amulet

Lorrie Hollander used to be a rich girl, but now she's lost everything because of the secrets and lies of the people around her. It's been 12 years since Lorrie's mother skipped town and left Lorrie in the care of her unstable aunt Gigi. Together they live in a neglected, decrepit mansion called Edgewater, the eyesore in a town of extraordinary wealth and privilege. Then Charlie, the son of an esteemed senator, takes an interest in Lorrie, her shame for her family and lifestyle runs deep. But what she doesn't know is that Charlie's family is hiding something, too, and that their secrets are inextricably tied. Now Lorrie must confront the truth about her family--and everything she ever thought she knew about herself.

 I enjoyed seeing how many different types of relationships a person can have whether it's a person, an  animal or even an object. Seeing how Lorrie managed hers was incredibly interesting.

Showcasing how a person can have a mental illness and not realize it because it's attribute it to the person's personality;  is something that I think is pretty important. 

Final Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday: The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: The May Queen Murders

Series: -

Author: Sarah Jude

Date Published: May 3rd 2016 

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Stay on the roads. Don’t enter the woods. Never go out at night.

Those are the rules in Rowan’s Glen, a remote farming community in the Missouri Ozarks where Ivy Templeton’s family has lived for centuries. It’s an old-fashioned way of life, full of superstition and traditions, and sixteen-year-old Ivy loves it. The other kids at school may think the Glen kids are weird, but Ivy doesn’t care—she has her cousin Heather as her best friend. The two girls share everything with each other—or so Ivy thinks. When Heather goes missing after a May Day celebration, Ivy discovers that both her best friend and her beloved hometown are as full of secrets as the woods that surround them.

Why I'm waiting:

• Another title in my long list of mysteries that I wan to read this year.

Top Ten Bookworm Delights

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish.  Each week a new top ten list is posted, and to participate all you have to do is fill in YOUR top ten for the list.

This weeks topic:

Top Ten Bookworm Delights

1. Showing off my bookshelf: I love it when visitors stare at my shelves and are surprised to learnt that I've read or plan to read all those books.

2. The Merchandise  you can buy when your favorite book is turned to a movie.

3. Discovering new authors is amazing,y es I have my favorites but when you find a new person who makes you buy anything that they've written

4. When you meet someone that likes to read. Although my mom likes to read she only reads classics so when I fond someone I can discuss YA with in real life it's amazing.

5. Making lists of books I own. It feels like I'm making a small catalog when I add new books.

6. When you favorite author finally publishes that long awaited book and the wait was worth it.

7. Being that smug person that can ruin the movie to all the people who didn't read the book

8. When you guess the guilty party or plot twist I feel like I'm Sherlock Holmes.

9. Going out of the bookstore with a huge and heavy haul

10. MY favorite bookstore has a rewards program and it feels amazing when I can get free books with my rewards points.

Monday Book Recommendations: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Monday is the day I choose what new books I’m going to start reading but I have so many books in my To Read Pile that sometimes it’s hard to choose so I have decided that on Monday mornings I’ll recommend some  of  my favorite books.

Title:  Salt to the Sea

Series: -

Author: Ruta Sepetys 

Date Published: February 2nd 2016 

Publisher: Philomel Books

For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, international bestselling author Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in one another tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Told in alternating points of view, and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's #1 NYT bestseller Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff--the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

I learned a lot with this book, I honestly thought that the Titanic was the biggest shipwreck in history but now I know that it wasn't.

Stacking The Shelves (84)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends.

Bigger Haul than last week's, I'm finally catching up with this year's new releases. 

My Journal Collection

I love pretty journals and k since I was a little girl but most of the time they go unused because I love to just display them or line them up on my bed to take pretty pictures of them. Let me show of off my collection:

1. My zebra Journal cost $11 and I bought in a CVS and I'm currently using it to document my day, or at least I'm trying to since I can't seem to find the time to write in it.

2. My red art journal. I bought this a few year ago in a bookstore and it's sort of a scrapbook for me, the problem with this is journal is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist that is scared to ruin the pretty pages with my horrible ideas.

3. My double decker bus journal. I bought this one during my back to school shopping I honestly have no idea what I'm going to write/do with this one but it's just so pretty.

4. My new year, new me journal. I got this one form my parents during new years eve so I could document my life during 2016 but at the rate I'm going it probably won't be used until 2017

5. Keep calm and Carry on Journal and London underground set. These two came in a little package together and were a total impulse buy from my parents because they are well of my obsession for all things British.

This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin Review

Title: This Song Is (Not) for You

Series: -

Author: Laura Nowlin

Date Published: January 5th 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Ramona fell for Sam the moment she met him. It was like she had known him forever. He's one of the few constants in her life, and their friendship is just too important to risk for a kiss. Though she really wants to kiss him...

Sam loves Ramona, but he would never expect her to feel the same way-she's too quirky and cool for someone like him. Still, they complement each other perfectly, both as best friends and as a band.

Then they meet Tom. Tom makes music too, and he's the band's missing piece. The three quickly become inseparable. Except Ramona's falling in love with Tom. But she hasn't fallen out of love with Sam either. How can she be true to her feelings without breaking up the band?

"Educators and librarians looking for fast-moving, interesting plots, in-depth characters, and meaningful themes need to add this one to their shelves."-VOYA praise for If He Had Been with Me" 

So this book didn't have much of a plot it was sort of a glimpse into the lives of three pretentious teens. I totally agreed with Emmalyn with the way two of the characters were so busy judging and trying to be different that they ended up being the cliche's they wanted to avoid.

I also don't find the way the adults reacted to the news of the three way relationship realistic, especially when the characters mentioned that the parents are pretty traditional.

Overall I wanted to strangle two of the three point of view characters and I didn't care 

Final Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday: Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title:  Warrior Witch 

Series:The Malediction Trilogy #3

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Date Published:  May 3rd 2016 

Publisher: Angry Robot

The thrilling conclusion to the breakout Malediction Trilogy by Goodreads Choice finalist Danielle L. Jensen.

Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.

As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.

But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined. 

Why I'm waiting:

• I've had a love hate relationship with this series,  so I'm a bit nervous to see how this is going to end.

Top Ten Books That Will Make You Laugh

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish.  Each week a new top ten list is posted, and to participate all you have to do is fill in YOUR top ten for the list.

This week's topic:

Top Ten Books That Will Make You Laugh  

I really don't read any sort of books specifically written to make me laugh most of the books I read tend to have a few moments or two that did make me chuckle

1. Harry Potter Series

2. Percy Jackson Series

3. Shopaholic series

4. Devil wears Prada

Monday Book Recommendations: Underwater by Marisa Reichardt

Monday is the day I choose what new books I’m going to start reading but I have so many books in my To Read Pile that sometimes it’s hard to choose so I have decided that on Monday mornings I’ll recommend some  of  my favorite books.

Title:  Underwater 

Series: -

Author: Marisa Reichardt

Date Published:  January 12th 2016

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Morgan didn't mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive-first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then, herself. 

But Morgan can't move on. She can't even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she's underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school. 

When it seems Morgan can't hold her breath any longer, a new boy moves in next door. Evan reminds her of the salty ocean air and the rush she used to get from swimming. He might be just what she needs to help her reconnect with the world outside. 

Underwater is a powerful, hopeful debut novel about redemption, recovery, and finding the strength it takes to face your past and move on.

The Problem I've Faced with books dealing with depression is that the characters feel like a very whiny person but in this case I connected a lot with Morgan and her struggle was incredibly real.

Weekly Recap April 11th-April 17th

Monday Book Recommendations:

Arrows by Melissa Gorzelanczyk

Top Ten Tuesday:

Books Every New Readers Should Read

Waiting on Wednesday:

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

Reviews:

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

On the Blog:

Five Reasons to Visit Mexico City

Stacking The Shelves (83)

Stacking The Shelves (83)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends.

So I've been having a bit of a reading slump lately so I gave myself a week off from reading and buying books but  a couple did arrive this week.

Five Reasons to Visit Mexico City

1)It's the New York Times #1 city to visit in 2016!

2)The food is awesome, it's even a world heritage. I have to warn you if you do try it go easy some  of the classic dishes can be hard on the stomach.

3)Plenty of cheap museums. Most of the museums are pretty inexpensive compared to the ones I've been to in the states just don't forget the free days are not applicable to foreigners

4)Although traffic is hectic out public transportation is incredibly cheap the most expensive bus ride will cost you six pesos (feel free to do the currency exchange) Cabs can get expensive  but they usually start at 8.50 pesos.

5)I live there:) I'm a born and raised city child, that can be a tour guide plus my dad is an archeologist so if you want to know about pre-hispanic cultures he'll be happy to tell you.

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake Review

Title: There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake 

Series: -

Author: Nick Lake 

Date Published: January 6th 2015 

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

In four hours, Shelby Jane Cooper will be struck by a car.

Shortly after, she and her mother will leave the hospital and set out on a winding journey toward the Grand Canyon.

All Shelby knows is that they’re running from dangers only her mother understands. And the further they travel, the more Shelby questions everything about her past—and her current reality. Forced to take advantage of the kindness of unsuspecting travelers, Shelby grapples with what’s real, what isn’t, and who she can trust . . . if anybody.

Award-winning author Nick Lake proves his skills as a master storyteller in this heart-pounding new novel. This emotionally charged thrill ride leads to a shocking ending that will have readers flipping back to the beginning.

Things I liked:

-At first i was pretty weirded out by the use of italics but after I got the explanation of why the book is written that way it made it more interesting.

Things I didn't like:

-This is not a flaw of the book itself just a personal preference. After reading this book the first thing I said to myself was to avoid magical realism I just don't enjoy it.

-Shelby's lack of empathy toward her birth parents really surprised me. I obviously didn't expect her to love them instantly but I did expect her to understand why they were trying so hard to get her to like them. For someone that wanted to be understood so much she didn't give other people the same courtesy.

Final Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday: The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: The Darkest Corners

Series: -

Author: Kara Thomas

Date Published: April 19th 2016 

Publisher: Delacorte

The Darkest Corners is a psychological thriller about the lies little girls tell, and the deadly truths those lies become.
    There are ghosts around every corner in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Tessa left when she was nine and has been trying ever since not to think about it after what happened there that last summer. Memories of things so dark will burn themselves into your mind if you let them.
    Callie never left. She moved to another house, so she doesn’t have to walk those same halls, but then Callie always was the stronger one. She can handle staring into the faces of her demons—and if she parties hard enough, maybe one day they’ll disappear for good.
    Tessa and Callie have never talked about what they saw that night. After the trial, Callie drifted and Tessa moved, and childhood friends just have a way of losing touch.
    But ever since she left, Tessa has had questions. Things have never quite added up. And now she has to go back to Fayette—to Wyatt Stokes, sitting on death row; to Lori Cawley, Callie’s dead cousin; and to the one other person who may be hiding the truth.
    Only the closer Tessa gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer—and this time, it won’t be so easy to run away.

Why I'm waiting:

• My love for thrillers is still going strong so I see no reason to keep wanting more.