STARRY EYES BLOG TOUR: Guest Post from author Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
(standalone)
Published: April 3, 2018 by Simon Pulse
MY REVIEW

Summary from Goodreads:
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

GUEST POST FROM JENN BENNETT

Lefty asked: If Zorie were writing a wilderness survival guide, what kind of stuff would she include in it?

Interesting question, because it’s something that’s touched on in Starry Eyes—only, not for Zorie. In the book, Zorie teases goth-boy Lennon about writing a backpacking book, which she imagines would be called Grim’s Super-Gothy Guide to the Dark Wilderness.

Lennon’s guide would contain:
· Gory facts about all the ways you can die in the wilderness

· Campfire ghost stories

· Stern warnings about how everyone must use bear vaults


Zorie’s guide would contain:
· Fill-in calendars, checklists, and color-coordinated tabs for planning your trip

· Star charts showing the constellations

· Stern warnings about how everyone must use bear vaults

I'm so glad Jenn could stop by the blog today! I literally love this book with all my heart and I hope everyone reads it. And personally, I wish Jenn would release Lennon's wilderness survival guide because I would read the HECK out of that. And y'all are gonna have to read the book if you wanna know why both characters are so adamant on using bear vaults because DRAMA! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenn Bennett is an award-winning author of young adult books, including: Alex, Approximately; The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (aka Night Owls in the U.K.); and Starry Eyes. She also writes romance and urban fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, and been included on Publishers Weekly Best Books annual list. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

Movie Review: It (2017)

Please note: This review was written months ago and previously published in my university's newspaper, The ArkaTech.


Oftentimes, the most exciting part of a movie is the hype surrounding it. Believe me, the anticipation I felt for Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of “It” (based off of Stephen King’s book of the same name) was delicious, but it paled in comparison to the reality of the film. “It” is equal parts thrilling, hilarious, and emotional. I would not mind seeing it a few more times, despite my college kid budget.

“It” follows a motley crew of pre-pubescent boys and one feisty girl (they’ve dubbed themselves the Losers Club) as they puzzle out the mysterious disappearances happening in their town. The closer they get to discovering the truth, the weirder things get. When one of the members of the Losers get captured by Pennywise the chilling clown, the rest of the team ventures down into the sewers on a rescue mission, confronting all their fears along the way.

The group dynamic between these kids is what makes this movie. Even if Pennywise were completely removed from the film, this would still be a solid flick because of these characters. There is never a shortage of ruthless one-liners, mustered courage, or camaraderie. Admittedly, some characters are more developed than others, but they each have their own distinct personalities and struggles. I was emotionally invested in each and every one of them. I wanted to hug them all and promise that nothing bad would ever happen to them again, and I’m so proud of how much they grow by the end of the movie.

While “It” is being marketed as a horror film, I wouldn’t describe it as particularly scary. There were a few moments that had me jumping in my seat, and, of course, Pennywise is a thing of nightmares. However, the true horror, in my opinion, lies in these kids’ personal lives—in humanity. “It” isn’t so much scary as it is absolutely riveting. I was eager to solve this puzzle alongside the Losers, and I was never able to predict what life had in store for them next. “It” did not lose my attention for a single second while I was watching and even long after the credits were done rolling.

I applaud any movie that can make me go from cackling to tearing up in a single scene, and “It” accomplished that feat many times in a mere 135 minutes. I will be talking about this movie for a long time, and I can hardly wait to see what kind of magic the sequel will bestow upon us.

5/5

Lefty's Lowdown: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
(standalone)
Published: April 3, 2018 by Simon Pulse
Source: I received an eARC of this novel through Netgalley. That has not affected any of the opinions stated in this review. Every thought is my own.

Summary from Goodreads:

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

This novel was everything I needed. Bennett's last novel Alex, Approximately, was one of the big contemporary titles last year, and while I really enjoyed it, I don't think I connected to it the same way other people did. It put Bennett on my radar, but I wouldn't list it among my favorite contemporary novels of all time. 

Starry Eyes, though. This novel gave me all the heart flutters and goofy grins I wanted from Alex, Approximately. I was in a hell of a reading slump when I cracked this baby open. I hadn't read anything for over a month, and I hadn't read anything that truly stole my heart since the beginning of January. But the moment I began Starry Eyes, I was hooked, wholeheartedly devoted to the story. 30 pages in I had already fallen head over heels with the love interest and had an unwavering smile plastered on my face. 

First and foremost, who doesn't love a good "trapped in the woods with the guy who broke my heart" trope? Because I do. I certainly do. You know the intensity is going to be through the roof and the sexual tension is going to be sizzling off the pages, which is absolutely true about this novel. And Zorie, the protagonist, has no idea why their friendship dissolved and how they started to hate each other, and it was a heck of a journey making these discoveries alongside her. 

So let's talk about the characters. Zorie is obsessed with planning things and ensuring that everything goes according to plan. Lennon, the dark brooding outcast with two moms who own a sex toy shop, is smart and full of surprises. I love them together and I love them separately. They both have some annoying traits, which I thought was excellent characterization on Bennett's part because she gives them annoying traits without making them annoying. They were both so well-developed and relatable. Even better, though, is that the secondary characters were well-developed, too. Some of them were absolute shitheads, and I'm so glad that's addressed, and some of them are rays of sunshine, like Lennon's moms, who persistently treat Zorie like family despite the feud with her father. 

The setting was really interesting too. I thoroughly enjoyed following Zorie and Lennon on their wilderness expedition. This novel kind of made me want to go on a long ass hike and become one with nature, which is quite the feat, considering I hate the outdoors and any sort of exertion. Anyway, I think some novels that have journeys like this can drag because there's a lot of description and focus on the journey itself, but Bennett finds a nice balance of journey, character development, and plot progression. Every scene has intrigue. 

I also think it's important to note that Bennett addresses, sometime subtly and sometime explicitly, some really important matters: safe sex, healthy sexual attitudes, consent, cheating, bigotry, toxic friendships, nontraditional families. It's good, friends. It's so, so good. 

I could not tear myself away from this novel. It's over 400 pages and I devoured it in one sitting. I stayed up until 7 am reading it. This is a solid read for contemporary lovers out there. One of my new favorites! 

5/5

Schoolyard Treasures #3

This is a feature I thought of in class, when I was supposed to be doing something that was not thinking of blog posts. Basically, since school started back up, I know I won't be doing much reading for pleasure, but, as an English major, I will be doing a ton of reading. I wanted to share with you all some of the new authors/stories/etc. I've read for a class and really enjoyed. I love that this gives me a space to talk about classic literature and short stories, which I usually don't talk about.

This past semester, I was in a graphic novels class, which I loved. For the first time in my college career I actually did pretty much all the reading for a class--and some of it I did in advance, which I can assure you has never happened before. 

I got to read a ton of interesting graphic novels and learn about a ton of interesting graphic novels that I want to read. But today I'm here to share with you my favorite graphic novel that I read for class, which I'd never even heard of before. 

Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
(standalone)
Published: February 8, 2011 by Vertigo (DC Comics)

Summary from Goodreads:What are the most important days of your life?

Meet Brás de Oliva Domingos. The miracle child of a world-famous Brazilian writer, Brás spends his days penning other people's obituaries and his nights dreaming of becoming a successful author himself—writing the end of other people's stories, while his own has barely begun.

But on the day that life begins, would he even notice? Does it start at 21 when he meets the girl of his dreams? Or at 11, when he has his first kiss? Is it later in his life when his first son is born? Or earlier when he might have found his voice as a writer?

Each day in Brás's life is like a page from a book. Each one reveals the people and things who have made him who he is: his mother and father, his child and his best friend, his first love and the love of his life. And like all great stories, each day has a twist he'll never see coming...

In Daytripper, the Eisner Award-winning twin brothers Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá tell a magical, mysterious and moving story about life itself—a hauntingly lyrical journey that uses the quiet moments to ask the big questions.

 This graphic novel has won some major awards and has been on the NYT bestsellers list, I'm pretty sure, so it's not like it's unknown or underrated or anything, but I've never heard of it before and I'm a little uncertain as to why. Maybe because it came out in 2011? I don't know.

Either way, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Not only is it beautiful, but it's an interesting, kinda mind-fucky story. If you're a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one. And if you're not a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one.

HAVE YOU READ DAYTRIPPER? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, DOES IT SOUND INTERESTING TO YOU?

Lefty's Lowdown: Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin

Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin

(standalone)
Published: June 27, 2017 by Flatiron
Source: I received an electronic galley for review from the publisher via Netgalley, but all opinions stated in this review are 100% my own..

Summary from Goodreads:
In the tradition of Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell, a big-hearted journey of furious friendship, crazy love, and unexpected hope after a teen's decision to end an unwanted pregnancy

“Troubled.” That’s seventeen-year-old Genesis according to her small New Jersey town. She finds refuge and stability in her relationship with her boyfriend, Peter—until he abandons her at a Planned Parenthood clinic during their appointment to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The betrayal causes Gen to question everything.

As Gen pushes herself forward to find her new identity without Peter, she must also confront her most painful memories. Through the lens of an ongoing four act play within the novel, the fantasy of their undying love unravels line by line, scene by scene. Digging deeper into her past while exploring the underground theater world of New York City, she rediscovers a long-forgotten dream. But it’s when Gen lets go of her history, the one she thinks she knows, that she’s finally able to embrace the complicated, chaotic true story of her life, and take center stage.

This powerfully immersive and format-crushing debut follows Gen from dorm rooms to diners to house parties to auditions—and ultimately, right into readers’ hearts.

 I was absolutely not prepared for this novel. It's one of those books that sounded interesting, so I requested it, but was not actually excited to read it. I should have been excited, though, because this book was fantastic! It had me hooked from the very beginning and I consumed it whole. It's emotional and complicated and angsty as heck. This is not a book you need to sleep on.

If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I love books that so fun stuff with formatting. And Aftercare Instructions does something I've personally never seen before in a book: The chapters alternate between standard formatting and playwright formatting. And boy did it work well! The sections that are standard formatting tell the Now story, following Gen as she tries to piece herself back together after her boyfriend Peter abandoned her while she was getting an abortion. The sections with the play formatting takes us back Before. When Gen and Peter's relationship first started to develop, and the two different sections collide to form one complex, heartbreaking narrative.

It was a strange experience, because as I was reading, I was falling in love with Past Peter, despite the knowledge that he did something really shitty to Gen Now. My feelings while reading this book were all over the place, because I wanted her to get back together with Peter but I also wanted her to move on with the cute, charming new guy she meets at a party. I got tangled up in Gen's life, and I felt like I was struggling and making decisions right alongside her. I really connected to her and experienced her growth with her.

Now, of course, this book deals with the subject of abortion, which is touchy for a lot of people. Personally, I admired the way Pipkin portrayed abortion as messy and complicated. It's not a simple choice that leaves you the second the fetus gets removed. But Pipkin also doesn't paint a portrait of someone's morals based on this decision alone.

This was such an edgy, emotional read, perfectly suited for those who like dark, heavier contemporary books. It got me thinking a lot and I sincerely hope that the people who need a book like this are able to find it.

My rating: 

5/5

Lefty's Lowdown: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
(standalone)
Published: February 14, 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (first published in Australia in 2010)
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 
Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

 I first read this book in 2012 and was abosoLUTELY BLOWN AWAY BY IT. This book made me fall in love with contemporary books, which is saying something since contemporary YA is my favorite genre. At te very end of 2016, I decided to give it another go, afraid that it wouldn't live up to what I remembered it being. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. BECAUSE THIS BOOK WAS JUST AS AMAZING THE SECOND TIME AROUND. Wowza. A stunning combination of gorgeous writing, interesting characters, and a night of adventure make for an utterly intoxicating contemporary read.

The prose in this novel is exceedingly lovely. Things are described in terms of colors and art. I don't want to guarantee that this it's unlike anything else you've ever read, but I'm fairly confident you've never read a book written quite like Graffiti Moon. It's vivid and fascinating and addictive. And I just ADORE the characters. Lucy and Ed are both interesting narrators, artistic and confused about what they want, though I think I was more into Ed's perspective. Both of these characters experience delightful growth. Their relationship is a hate-to-love type, and I am absolutely here for that, even if I wish there was a lil more kissing. The secondary characters are great, too. Jazz and Leo are so funny and they are actually good examples of friendship in YA, which is always a plus.

This review is kind of short simply because this is my second time reading the book, but don't let that make you think I don't love it BECAUSE I DO. I love this book a lot. It is one of my favorite contemporary books (and I read a lot of contemporary). It is beautiful and romantic. Do not sit this one out.

5/5 

Lefty's Lowdown: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Heartless by Marissa Meyer
(standalone)
Published: November 8, 2016 by Feiwel & Friends

Summary from Goodreads: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

 Okay, so, this was my first book of 2017 and MAN WAS IT KILLER. Maybe this is a bit premature, but I'm fairly certain that this is going to be one of my favorite books OF THE YEAR. I loved it, adored it, relished every second of it. Be prepared for a review full of SQUEES and CAPITAL LETTERS because I have lots of gushing to do about this book.

This is an origin story for the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. I'm not really the biggest Alice fan. I've never read the book and I've only seen the one movie with Johnny Depp. BUT THAT DIDN'T EVEN MATTER. Marissa Meyer uses the traditional Wonderland influences, but she creates a story all her own. Heartless is the story of Catherine, a girl with wide eyes and big dreams. A girl who is a victim to fate and social expectations and her own innocence. I enjoyed Cath's character a lot. I knew things weren't going to end well for her because she turns into the evil Queen of Hearts (tbh I know that this ISN'T canon but in my mind this book is totally canon and I'm forever going to look at the Queen of Hearts with this story in mind) but HOT DIGGITY DAMN IF I WASN'T ROOTING FOR HER. Like, I just wanted everything to work out for her. I wanted her to have her happy ending with her bakery and her best friend and JEST.

Jest jest jest. Of course we MUST talk about JESTTTTTT. Because I love him. Like, I reallllllllly love him. Book boyfriend AF. He is charming and sweet and witty and I LOVE HIM. It causes me physical pain to know that this is a standalone and therefore the only book we'll ever get with Jest. Of course, I can't forget about the other marvelous characters in this book, like Cheshire (he's a cat so of course I love him) and Hatta (aka the Mad Hatter) and Raven. These characters all brought so much to the table. Yes, they (aside from Raven) have Lewis Carroll's stamp on them, but Meyer made them something else, too. I could read about these characters all day every day.

I will say, nothing about this book came as much of a surprise. The bare bones of this story are pretty cliche, but, and I don't know how, Meyer makes this something special. And she ripped out my damn heart, too (the real reason it's called Heartless). I was wrecked by the end of this novel. And then I woke up the next morning still reeling from it. And then, writing this review I almost started crying again. It's so good, y'all. So frickly frackin' spectacular. I've officially hopped on the Marissa Meyer train and I can't wait to see where else it takes me.

I know that this review has basically been a heap of nonsensical gushing, but the bottom line is that Heartless has whimsy and heartbreak, beautiful characterization, and it throws in pieces of tales most people already know and love. So this book is A+ and I will love it until the day I die, basically.

5/5 will definitely read again

Lefty's Lowdown: My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows

My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows
(standalone)
Published: June 7, 2016 by HarperTeen
Source: I purchased this book.

Summary from Goodreads: 
The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England.

I was so afraid I'd hyped this book up to much for myself. This book was everywhere and people gushed about how funny it is and how much they loved it SO OF COURSE I WANTED TO READ IT. So i bought it. And I was almost too scared to read it because what if I didn't like it as much as I expected to? Well, I can assure you, friends, that was not the case. I absolutely adored this book! And the claims that everyone else was making were entirely correct: this book is funny, adorable, and downright magical. 

Thanks to the show Reign, I have become incredibly interested in this time period and all the royal shenanigans happening with the Eglish, French, and Scots. What I found really admirable about this story is that while the authors blatantly admit that they are re-writing history (and in the dedication they even apologize to England), it's still so easy to see that these writers know their historical shit. From describing the social etiquette to the little asides in which they explain certain things about the time period. 

Speaking of the asides, the narration of this book is 100% charming. In an almost Lemony Snicket kind of fashion, the narrators make their presence very known. I loved it. And the writing is just wonderful. It has so much voice and personality and it was utterly engrossing. 

Now for the characters: Jane is such a fascinating character. She loves books--like REALLY loves books, so you just know this is girl I can get behind. She is also stubborn and feisty and independent and kind. She was by far my favorite of the three protagonists. I could read about her forever, to be honest. Then we have Gifford (call him G), who is horse by day and man by night. I loved him almost as much as Jane, but not quite. While his family doesn't want anyone to know about his equestrian habits, he's also got a top-secret night time hobby--one so bad, he prefers people think he's dallying with a new woman every night so they don't figure out the truth. I just really fell in love with him, and I think he was a perfect match for Jane. Their relationship was so cute I one billion percent wanted more. And their banter with one another had me laughing out loud! Edward was my least favorite of the three narrators, but I still liked him well enough. I just wasn't as emotionally invested in his story as I was Jane and G. 

If you can't tell--I found this book to be incredible! I devoured it (not literally, because eating books is against Jane's rules). If you're tardy to the party like me and have yet to read this one, you should GET ON IT. It's addicting and humorous and exciting. And if you're worried about the historical aspect of it--fret no longer. You don't need to like or know anything about history to enjoy this book. This is one of my favorite books I've read this year. 

5/5 would recommend

61 (Non-Spoilery) Thoughts I Had While Re-Reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
(Delirium #1)
Published: February 3, 2011 by HarperCollins
Source: Received as a gift

Summary from 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.

 I first read this 5 years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Recently, I was reading some quotes from this novel and it was so beautiful I realized I needed to re-read this ASAP, especially now that time has passed, I've grown, I've experienced more, and learned more. I knew I'd still love it, so writing a review would be useless, so I decided to bless y'all with the thoughts I had while reading:

1. Goodness, Oliver's writing is gorgeous.
2. I like how much personality Hana has.
3. Haha, Mrs. Tiddle!
   
4. Looooove this quote!
5. I really appreciate these snippets before each chapter from texts from their world.
6. How are these descriptions so gorgeous????
   
7. Lol RT girl, RT!
8. Lol!! Lena's characterization right here is A+
   
9. OH MY GOSH, THERE'S THE QUOTE!!!!!!!!
10. ALEXXXX <3333 What a beautiful meeting <3
11. Interesting family dynamics.
12. Lena is such a real and relatable character.
13. Oooh, homosexuality briefly addressed—nice worldbuilding!
14. Wow, that's really really sad.
15. ALEXXXX!!
16. I can't imagine dealing with just girls all the time. '
17. Oh lord—not the good ol' “electrical shock” line.
18. This sounds like such a boring existence.
19. Girl, the whole world is NEVER on your side.
20. Woah, twisted biblical history!
21. What an accurate portrayal of graduation.
22. I can't even imagine having such a detached family.
23. I miss Alex when is he coming back?
24. Lol—changing the meaning of the 4^th of July. I love this subtle worldbuilding.
25. What happened to the constitution in this world?
26. I love how Oliver justifies the belief in the cure. It's actually believable.
27. I like how often Oliver compares the people in this society to animals.
28. Writing goals. Ugh. Perfect.
    
    
    
29. That hurts my heart.
30. How does Oliver balance such poetic writing with a believable teen voice?
31. YAY ALEX!! <33
    
32. I have the same reaction when it comes to flirting.
33. Girl, you are very wrong.
34. I love the symbolism!
35. My heart is beating so fast—the tension!
36. That actually hurts my heart.
37. Aww, little Gracie <3
38. It's so sad :(
39. Lena is so relatable!
40. Oh my gosh, these regulators are horrible. Not the dog!!
41. Hah! I'm not sure how Lauren manages to slip in humor, but she does.
42. OH SHIT!
43. AlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlexAlex <3
    
44. Nobody in the world has ever described attraction and lust this beautifully.
45. Oh wow that foreshadowing tho
46. Writing. So. Lovely.
47. Alex trusts Lena so much. Oh my gosh <3
48. I'M SWOONING.
49. This is the best chapter in all of literature!
50. Holy crap—my heart. It's starting to get emotional.
    
    
    
51. I love how honest and sincere Alex and Lena's relationship is!
52. OMGOMGOMGOMG I'M GONNA CRY
53. Oh shit.
54. That right there was such a big moment. Oliver really shows us the power of the cure right there.
    
    
    
55. Oh my gosh the writing is so gorgeous!!!
56. HECK YES GRACIE!
57. Oh gosh, I just love Alex so much.
58. Holy crap holy crap holycrapholycrapholycrap
59. NO
60. GO GO GO GO gogogogogogogogogog
61. NO

All in all, this book is still amazing incredible perfect lovely stunning. I'm still utterly in love with this piece of art and I'm so glad I allowed myself to experience it again. This was just the book I needed to read. This book influenced my writing heaps, and that reminder was absolutely welcome. If you've not read this book yet, I encourage you to do so. 

Even the second time around, I give this 5/5 (read: 284867390375646296/5)

P.S. - What do you think of this kind of post? Do you like it? Would you like to see more of these?

Lefty's Lowdown: And I Darken by Kiersten White

And I Darken by Kiersten White
(The Conquerors Saga #1)
Published: June 28, 2016 by Delacorte Press
Source: I received a eARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley. However, all opinions in this review are my own.

Summary from Goodreads: 
No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

 Woah. Just...woah. I've spent 3 days grappling with how I could ever put my feelings for this book into words. To be honest, I still don't quite know, but the world needs to know HOW INCREDIBLE this novel is.

And I Darken provided a delightfully unique reading experience. This novel takes place over the course of several years, and it is most like the kind of story you will not be able to read in one sitting because this book just has so much substance. It's a slow, delicious read that you just need to savor.

This is a historical reimagining of Vlad the Impaler--if he were a girl. Don't let the historical aspect stop you! I am the exact opposite of a history buff. I do not enjoy history and it is my worst subject (forever tainting my GPA). However, I was able to, for the most part, keep up with the politics and whatnot. I actually really enjoyed the historical details and attitudes.

My feelings for these characters are strange. It's told from two perspectives--Lada and Radu, who are sister and brother, but VASTLY different people. Lada is fierce and vicious while Radu is more tender and kind. I'm honestly not sure that I liked either of them? They are such complex, complicated characters. They both have major flaws and they both have traits I adore. I can't tell you whether or not I like them as people, but I know for a fact I understood them, and I enjoyed reading about them. Immensely. These are the types of characters I adore reading about. They're so painfully, disgustingly real, and I have mad respect for Kiersten White for painting such an accurate portrayal of humanity. I also love that Lada is not the typical beautiful, badass, charming YA woman that is constantly shoved in our faces. Lada is ugly, and she doesn't like people very much, and it's refreshing.

The romance in this novel is also so different and beautiful. I don't want to give too much away, but it's like Kiersten White took every complaint that book lovers have ever had about romance tropes and twisted them to create a romance that is enticing, complicated, and heart breaking. One thing I think is very important is the presence of homosexuality in this historical context. I have studied the role of sexuality in older literature a lot, but to see it in YA lit was a lot of fun.

If you can't tell, I thought this book was exceedingly excellent. The ending broke my heart, but also made me BEYOND excited for the sequel. Like, this is only the beginning, guys. I just know that the next books in this series are going to be mind-blowing. Too bad I'm going to have to wait a trillion years before getting my hands on the sequel.

Basically, the moral of this review is that if you don't read this book, I'll sic Lada the Impaler on you. And trust me, you don't want that.

5/5

Lefty's Lowdown: We Own the Night by Ashley Poston

We Own the Night by Ashley Poston
(Radio Hearts #2)
Pulished: June 28, 2016 by Bloomsbury Spark
Source: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. That's exactly what this review is: honest. My opinions have not been influenced in any way.

Summary from Goodreads:
"Happy midnight, my fellow Niteowls..."

As a candy store employee by day, and mysterious deejay "Niteowl" by night, eighteen-year-old Ingrid North is stuck between rock 'n roll and a hard place. She can't wait to get out of her tiny hometown of Steadfast, Nebraska (population three hundred and forty-seven) to chase her dreams, but small-town troubles keep getting in the way. She can't abandon her grandmother with Alzheimer's, or her best friend Micah--who she may or may not be in love with.

But for one hour each Saturday, she escapes all of that. On air, she isn't timid, ugly-sweater-wearing Ingrid North. She's the funny and daring Niteowl. Every boy's manic pixie dream girl. Fearless. And there is one caller in particular-- Dark and Brooding--whose raspy laugh and snarky humor is just sexy enough to take her mind off Micah. Not that she's in love with Micah or anything. Cause she's not.


As her grandmother slips further away and Micah begins dating a Mean-Girls-worthy nightmare, Ingrid runs to the mysterious Dark and Brooding as a disembodied voice to lean on, only to fall down a rabbit hole of punk rockstars, tabloid headlines, and kisses that taste like bubble tea. But the man behind the voice could be surprising in all the right, and wrong, ways.

And she just might find that her real life begins when Niteowl goes off the air.

I definitely didn't know what to expect going into this novel. I'm not sure why, but I just kinda thought it would be not-great, and I wasn't actually looking forward to reading it. But WOWZA BUDDY WAS I WRONG. I'm incredibly impressed by this novel. I loved every second of it! 

So, I had a tough time thinking up a rating of this book, because it isn't necessarily the most original story, and it's probably not a book that I'm going to constantly fangirl over and shove in people's hands. This is the type of book that is just so perfect in the moment. It was cute and fun, but it also dealt with some really meaningful subjects, and it had some touching moments. 

This novel follows Iggy, who received some bad news the end of her senior year of high school and distanced herself from her three best friends. However, that doesn't stop Iggy from being in love with one of those best friends--Micah. But then Iggy agrees to go to a party with her friends, and she sees Micah kissing another girl, and things just kinda go downhill from there as she struggles to unravel who and what she wants in life. I really liked Iggy. I didn't necessarily love her, but I found her to be good-intentioned and relatable. I was rooting for her a ton, and I really enjoyed watching her grow and figure herself out. 

As for her friends, I freaking adored LD. She was my favorite character in the book. She was such a good friend to Iggy, even when she didn't necessarily deserve it, and she was just so kickass. Billie, the "golden boy" best friend was adorable! I liked him a lot as well. I didn't like Micah, though. He was, scientifically speaking, a giant douche spoon (I'm pretty sure that was the point). Poston did a fantastic job of giving her side characters depth and fleshing out their character arcs. 

Now, I don't want to say too much, but this book deals with some serious stuff, like Alzheimer's, body image, homophobia, and death of a loved one. Poston handled those topics wonderfully. There were a couple points that I got really choked up, and I was on the verge of tears. 

Also, the radio aspect was really cool. I can't overlook that. 

All in all, this book was downright addicting! There wasn't a single point when I was reading that I felt bored, and that's something I've been struggling with a lot lately. By the end I was grinning like Cheshire cat, and I was actually rooting for the characters out loud (I kid you not, I sat up in my bed, placed a hand to my chest, and chanted, "Holy crap. HOLY CRAP. Yes, this is great! Yes!") This is a fantastic, feel-good summer book. 

P.S. - Even though this is the second book in a series, it is a standalone (it's a companion series). I didn't read the first one, but, obviously, that did not hinder my enjoyment of this novel. 

5/5

Lefty's Lowdown: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
(Me Before You #1)
Published: December 31, 2012 by Viking
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

 Me before this book: "It's fiiiine. I've seen the movie. I know what happens. I am emotionally prepared."

Me when I reach the last 30 pages of book: Full body sobbing, mascara smeared all over my face, the pile of crumpled, snotty tissues beside my bed grows at an alarming rate. 

You guys. YOU GUYS. I am obsessed with this book. I can not properly iterate my love for this book. It has consumed my entire being. That said, I am sorry if this review is an absolute mess.

I've decided to break the book down and discuss some of the most prominent aspects.

THE WRITING: I was hooked from the beginning. I can't really describe what makes the writing so great, because it's not especially poetic or anything, but it flows really well. Lou's voice was strong and engaging. I loved being in her head. Also, this book takes place in the UK, and, as a US resident, I found it really interesting to read from that perspective, with the dialect differences and whatnot.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS:  Will and Lou are EVERYTHING, you guys. Everything. They are both clever, and, deep down, beautifully kind. They are both wonderfully developed -- with their complicated lives and feelings -- and they experience different, but equally dynamic, growth. I was so incredibly invested in these characters and I am STILL invested in them. They will live in my heart forever and ever.

ROMANCE: Okay, what I find so incredible about this novel is that while it is about the romance, it's also just so much bigger than that. It's about these characters coming together and changing each other's lives, about finding happiness in unexpected places. Will and Lou were just unbelievably lovely together. They did everything to make each other happy. Lou was the only person Will could really talk to, and vice versa. Their relationship transcended the wheelchair and the dark feelings.

FAMILY: The family dynamics in this novel are so delightfully complex! Both Will and Lou have families who love them deeply, but are far from perfect. Their families could be mean and frustrating. They can ask too much. They can be selfish. But at the end of the day, the love is there, and that's so realistic. There were times when I really hated Lou's family especially, but times are tough for them, and they're not going to be all rainbows all the time.

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aside from the family, there are really only two secondary characters: Nathan--Will's nurse--and Patrick, Lou's boyfriend. Nathan was a good character, but not particularly special to me. I like how much he obviously cares about Will, though. Patrick on the other hand...Fucking Patrick. He was such a tool. I just, I couldn't deal with him. Of course, that's the point. But still. Screw Patrick.

I would not change anything about this book. It was stunning and poignant and emotional and everything I've ever needed. It's technically an adult book, but it reads a lot like a YA book. And I just think everyone in the entire world should read this novel and fall in love with it the way  I have.

5/5 (more like a gazillion/5)