Wishing on this Wednesday…

Wishlist Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Pen to Paper Blog (a bookish blog you should totally check out) sharing books that you absolutely can’t wait to add to your shelf!
This month has been full of some really amazing releases so far. Like, there’s so many I’m completely lost on where to start on which one I want MOST. Curses!
But I think what I’m wishing on the most is . . .

ABOUT THIS BOOK: In his follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Every Day, David Levithan, co-author of bestsellers Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

I actually won this early September courtesy of Random House’s Random Buzzers (though I have yet to receive it.) At first, while the story sounded absolutely adorable, I never really been interested in it. But somehow, I found myself navigating my way through a ton of David Levithan books lately (Nick and Nora’s Ultimate Playlist; Everyday; Will Grayson, Will Grayson etc. etc.) I didn’t really notice Two Boys Kissing was among them, and I somehow managed to completely brushed past it. I never actually read any direct LGBT books on my shelf, so I’m really ecstatic to add this on to my collection. Just the story itself and what it’s based on sounds inspiring and sweet-hearted, and I can’t wait to read either!

What’s on your wishlist this Wednesday? Love to here them. (: Share in comments? Thank you!

why not to get crazy about fanart (fan art features!)

Um. There absolutely NO reasons not to get crazy about fanart. It’s one thing to see a movie, it’s one thing to read a book, but it’s another seeing the thing you go bonkers over portrayed in a completely new light thanks to other’s mad artsy skills! So, here, I’m going to feature fanart of The Hunger Games and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell! (A little warning: Some of the pieces featured are mildly spoilerish if you never read the book.)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell!

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The Hunger Games by Suzane Collins!

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

book review: lola and the boy next door by stephanie perkins!

I loved Anna the French Kiss. For me, lately, it has been the epitome of YA contemporaryish romances. There’s Paris, there’s love, a hot (dare I say British?) boy—okay, okay you get the point. I never wanted that story to end because there just seemed to be so much more to tell between St. Clair and Anna (it was too cute to deny its adorableness!) So in the bookstore, as luck would have it, I saw Lola and the Boy Next Door and grabbed it up IMMEDIATELY. YES.
Can I be honest and say I wasn’t expecting to like this? (Honest fact: I grabbed it because the fact it was a Perkins novel. That’s it.) I wasn’t at all appealed by the storyline. I knew I’d hate myself for this, but I knew I’d be bound to compare the ohmygosh amazingness of Anna and St. Clair’s story to Lola and Cricket (plus, with ‘Anna’ being set in Paris, I was kind of more veered on that one.) Like, most people came up to me to actually point out the predictableness of the storyline within its title. (“Really, Brianna? Lola and the Boy Next Door? LOLA. AND THE BOY. NEXT DOOR. Seriously.”) But it’s Stephanie Perkins! And who am I to deny the temptation of having more romances and fictional hot boys to go gaga over? Mmf, not at all…

************

ABOUT THIS BOOK: In ‘Lola’ we’re welcomed into a new setting, all new characters (and old), and even more boy drama. Seventeen year old Lola Nolan is completely content with her life in Los Angeles. Well, almost that is. She has a hot rocker boyfriend, an amazing best friend, actually loving parents, and a chic (or rather eccentric?) collection of clothes. Um, so why is this almost perfect? Ugh. The Bell Twins, Calliope and Cricket, are back and moving in next door (again!)—just when Lola finally thought she could escape them for good. But Cricket’s somehow trying—actually wanting—to get back into Lola’s life again which not only sets a lot of boy drama, but Lola must finally learn to reconcile her feelings for the boy next door.
Like Anna, Lola is trying to come to terms with growing up and learning how to handle situations, and LOVE. Here’s the amazing thing about Stephanie Perkins novels: the characters. All her books (or at least, the ones I read so far) have an amazing sense of theatricalness to them to make them honestly endearing. (Which, is also why I’m wondering why no one opted for Anna and the French Kiss’s film rights?! Seriously!! It totally should be a movie.) Writing wise, it’s good but it’s simply the characters that really hold everything together. The dialogue, their descriptions, the—everything. I. Love. And I’m really trying hard not to gush!

MY REVIEW: More often than not, yes, I found myself comparing Lola and the Boy Next Door to Anna and the French Kiss. I didn’t really like Lola’s character much because of my own struggle to identify with her. Her fashion style is crazy (too much to describe honestly) and the avante-gardeness of her just made me feel . . . turned off for some reason? That didn’t really discourage me from reading, but there’s something about her style that irks me. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m just content with a cardigan, t-shirt and jeans but—she’s overall good. Sometimes, she comes across as a tad self-centered and teenagery, her decisions are really ill-thought, and at some point in the novel I was actually beginning to think all her problems were self-centered around Cricket but it isn’t just that. When you inspect the pieces of the story as a whole, you realize there’s way more to the story than that—therefore, making Stephanie Perkins novels the not-so-typical teenage romance.
Suffice to say, Lola can be either an amazingohmygosh character or that character you love to hate, you know? I had moments where I was super uber annoyed with her, a feeling I never even had for Anna. My ‘bone to pick’ with Lola is probably one of the things that discouraged me from giving it five stars. But there’s enough drama to keep interest, and YES, Perkins give us even more hot, dreamy boys to swoon over. Which I LOVED.
Cricket, Lola’s ex-crush, is given his fair share of development. I honestly don’t understand why Lola could hold so much resentment for him, because he seemed so genuine. Surely he’s not Etienne, he doesn’t exactly have British boy charm and humor but he’s Cricket. Innovative and certainly still charming, I think Cricket will find it’s way into the hearts of romance-lovers. It definitely has for me!
So is Lola and the French Kiss worth reading? It’s smartly written for a YA contemporary romance book. Needless to say, it’s not the best romance out there (and comparatively to Anna and the French Kiss: MEH!) but it’s great enough to keep readers interested, and you’ll definitely be on the edge of your seat wondering if Lola will ever get to wrap up her feelings and if The Thing between Cricket and Lola ever really gets reconciled. It’s savvy, it’s funny, and I definitely recommend if you were a fan of Anna and the French Kiss, or if you generally love YA romances! Another winner from Stephanie Perkins.

About the Author Well, hello! I'm Stephanie Perkins, and I write novels for teens (and for adults who aren't afraid to admit that teen books are awesome). I was born in South Carolina, raised in Arizona, attended universities in San Francisco and Atlanta, and now I live in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. My best friend is my husband Jarrod. Our house is almost a hundred years old, and every room is painted a different color of the rainbow. We share it with a cat named Mr. Tumnus. I've always worked with books—first as a bookseller, then as a librarian, and now as a novelist. On weekdays, you'll find me at my desk, typing away, downing cups of coffee and tea. On the weekend, you'll find me at the movies, waiting for the actors to kiss. I believe all novels and films should have more kissing. You can find Stephanie on her website here.

A fan-made trailer on “Anna and the French Kiss”

I also cannot wait for the last(?) book in the Anna and the French Kiss series! It’s sad to see the series finally coming to close. The last book, Isla and the Happily Ever After, following Isla (she made a little guest appearance in Anna and the French Kiss!) and Josh (Etienne’s best friend in the first book!) Are you excited for Isla and the Happily Ever After coming May 2014? Share your thoughts below!

Wanna add ‘Lola’ to your bookshelf? Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes and Nobles

Feature and Follow Friday!

I'm returning back with the fun meme Feature and Follow Friday hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkie! If you haven't checked out the meme, I strongly suggest you check it out here if you're a blogger here — it's a totally amazing way to connect with other awesome blogs, etc.

This week's question is:

Q: What book (or TV show or movie) have you not read that seemingly everyone else has?

SO MANY. I'm kind of slow on trends. But when it comes to TV shows, I don't really watch Pretty Little Liars (this is coming from a teen perspective). I know not everyone watches it, but majority of my friends have and all they do is fangirl about it. "WHO'S A?!"; "I WISH THEY'D JUST SAY WHO A IS?!" I never once touched the Pretty Little Liar series due to my own lack of interest, and I never really had much intent picking it up. 

Ugh, and don't get me started on Insurgent from the Divergent trilogy. With the third book coming out this month (less than 20 days, oh gosh; let's not forget the movie either) I really, seriously need to get my hands on the second book so I can get all caught up on the series — my friend is asking me to specifically read the series just so we could fangirl about it afterwards. And the last big one I've heard a ton talk about is things like Doctor Who, Supernatural . . . I have yet to get into any of those shows. I know I really need to, and not so much for the sake of getting into the trends, but those two shows always sort of grabbed my interest and I never gave myself the chance to watch it.

Actually, when I think about it, there are a lot of things I need to catch up on.

What about you? Link me to your post or comment below!

Waiting and Wishing On . . . Eleanor and Park!

Wishlist Wednesday is a meme hosted by Pen to Paper book blog, and Waiting on Wednesday is also another book meme hosted by Breaking the Spine! Both wonderful, fun memes you should totally check out—especially if you’re a blogger or if you’re looking to find a good book worth reading!

So this week, my pick is . . .

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell!

Eleanor and Park fanart on Simini Blocker's Tumblr!

I recently finished Fangirl, and added it to among my favorites. I. Love. That. Book. To death, seriously. Fangirl set me on some fangirlish kick (what’s worse? I actually started writing a fanfiction about it), and I knew just from reading it, there was no denying that Rainbow Rowell’s story touched my heart—and I need to read more of her stories. I’ve heard a lot of buzz about E&P prior to reading Fangirl (which, BTW, was a glimmering NY times bestseller and had a fanastical review written by JOHN GREEN!) And with it not being long after Banned Books Week, I stumbled upon the news that E&P was apparently labeled as “dangerously obscene” by parents at Minnesota Anoka-Hennepin High School. You can read the post here and The Toast provides reasons why a book like E&P demands to be read by teenagers.

That settles it. Okay, now I know I need to read it. And who am I to deny the charm of star-crossed misfitted romances? I love them, and E&P just sounds perfect.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Find Eleanor and Park @

Goodreads / Barnes and Nobles / Amazon

So I’m seriously aching for this book, so keeping my fingers crossed I’ll be able to read it! What are you waiting on this week? Link me to your post below and I'll be sure to check out your blog!

Fangirlish: To Be a Fangirl

Needless to say, Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl really had me thinking about what it really means to be a fangirl to begin with. Cath, the story's protagonist, is a total fangirl (she's even has the Simon Snow pillows to prove it.) So, I was compelled to write this piece on To Be a Fangirl. It isn't so much bookish talk but my writing, my thoughts, and what it really means to be a fangirl. Thoughts?


Admittedly, I am a total, complete, utter fangirl.

            Yes, I’ll get squeamish when a Sailor Moon re-run comes on. Hell, I’ll spazz when it’s a Harry Potter movie marathon—but it’s that, yet so much more, to earn the title of being the fangirl.

            Look up what a fangirl is, and you’ll be knocked for six by this definition: (n.) “a rabid breed of a human female who’s obsessed with a fictional character or actor.” (Well, gee, thanks Urban Dictionary!)

            So, let’s set the record straight.

            The sad truth is: not all of us have the money to exploit in the pleasures of being in a fandom. I might not have the latest Fault in Our Stars t-shirt, or the newest pack of Hunger Games trading cards, but it doesn’t at all discourage me from at least trying to fandomize myself. And, pathetically so. Even by the means of—(cringe!)—making my own costumes and fangirlish items.

            Point being is… we’re not all crazy. It isn’t so much having all the fandom’s exclusive content which makes you—or me—any more different than any other fan to be a fangirl. I’ll talk like the characters; I’ll memorize their lines in books, movies—everything. Rereading. Reading. Watching. Rewatching. It’s like a pattern.

            To me, that’s exactly what makes me a fangirl. Having all the sanity sucked right out of you. Yup, I can admit fandomization has driven me to insanity (as if you haven’t…) But it isn't just wearing a costume to a movie premiere  reblogging and reblogging that picture from your favorite fandom's Tumblr--well, that; yet so much more. It's waiting on your last breath to get that chance--that one chance--to embrace what you love once more, to read, to watch, to fall in love with it all over again.

You might not spend all your money on your fandom’s content, but the source material still manages to engross you and that, my friend, is A-OK. I’ll sleep with the books I fangirl over, I’ll keep reading, I’ll keep watching their movies.

It never gets old. When it does, it’ll be time to find a new fandom to immerse into. And if it doesn’t, needless to say, you are crazy.

And that’s okay.

What it means for you to be a fangirl prompt, 500 words or less. This was a short piece I wrote for Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl contest on Wattpad. (c) 2013

Sunday Post!

It's been a rather uneventful week at To The Moon and More to say the least. School--again--has pulled me away from blogging, reading, writing--everything, really. This year, I'm a junior in high school; not sure how it works for any other grading systems out of country, but junior year is a vital year for college applications. So, I'm super nervous about that but undoubtedly, I'm really happy to make time for Sunday postings. BTW, Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer!


What has been the buzz at To The Moon and More?

• Reviewed Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• Reviewed All I Need by Susane Colasanti
• What I'm waiting on this week
• Nominated for the Liebster award! *squee*
• Feature and Follow Friday
• Saturday's Stacking the Shelves

What's been the latest buzz at your blog? What books have you added to your haul?

Stacking the Shelves: Totally not a fangirl.

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by the lovely Tygna's Reviews  sharing all the latest books I've added to my shelf, review books, and well--a whole lotta books.

This week, I purchased two new books 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Legend by Marie Lu!

I actually finished Fangirl this week, and I read really huge chunks of it in one sitting because yes, I loved it. That much. I've been dying to get this book ever since I heard of it, and I finally had it... my biggest regret was going through it so fast. I wanted to cherish the book while I could and I didn't really want the story to end...

Please don't tell me I'm the only one who thought of Tumblr when they saw Fangirl?  

 Pff, anyhow. You should really read this book; my review on Rowell's Fangirl is here! Or you could read my fanfiction of it . . . here.

The second book I purchased at my school's book fair, Legend by Marie Lu. I've been wanting to read this for a while, and I think reading a science-fictiony book would be a definite refresher to what I've been reading right now (pattern: contemporary, contemporary, ROMANCE, contemporary, ROMANCE). I'm getting total Maze Runner vibes, Hunger Games vibes, Divergenty vibes from this book and I think it'll really appeal to dystopian lovers. I like it (so far)!

Overall, really looking forward the both of them!

What did you add to your shelves this week? 

Feature and Follow Friday: My Reading Nook Tour

This is my second time joining Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's lovely book meme Feature and Follow Friday. This week, I'll be sharing my favorite reading spots--so yay! My little reading nook *squee* I'm at my home, and living in a small town, there aren't too many of the coziest of reading places--especially considering we're on the brink of fall (and the Northeast isn't too kind when it comes to chillier seasons.) 

I don't have too many pictures to offer (sadly) and I know my place is super obvious but here it is... the library. Obvious, obvious, obvious. Doh! Of all places, that's what I picked. But I love the quietness of the library, because I can never seem to get it at home (siblings, family and all); the backyard isn't exactly quieting so I always retreated to the library when-- of course, in need of a good book and some quiet to clear my thoughts. Utter perfection. Not to mention, as a teen volunteer there they have an amazing teen selection-- which is another reason for me to love this place.

So, hi! What's your favorite reading nook? Have a FF post? Please share! 


With much love,
Bri♥

Liebster Award Nomination-- *squee*

So I was given the Liebster Blogger award. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but it sounds really exciting and now I'm really excited. Thank you so much to Jaz @ This Girl Reads A Lot for nominating me! My day has been suckish, and I know this week I have been neglectful to my blog due to being super busy with school but this has made me feel happy about my blog. I cannot stop yaying, aaah!

In return, I was asked to answer the following questions by Jaz:

1.Paperback or Hardcover? Why?
Paperback, totally. No hard feelings (no pun intended), I love hardcover books equally as much as I love me paperbacks but sometimes I'm just really reluctant to pay $20 for a hardcover when I can get it for half the amount in paperback AND have a flimsy, soft cover. It's a win win situation.

2.Favorite book to movie adaptation.
WHY DID YOU ASK ME THIS, JAZ?! 

3. Favorite time of day to read and why.
Nighttime. I cannot focus on reading any other time during the day, which is a mystery even to me. But something about it being late and quiet, actually having the time to enjoy my coffee and appreciate the words on the printed pages makes it all worthwhile.

4. Top five favorite fictional characters.
Curses. I have too many but, I'll do my best . . .

1. Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club (both the manga and anime) 

Tamaki might be a control freak, obsessive, spoiled, and seriously effed up in the head sometimes-- but he's endearing, and did you see his blonde hair?! Gorgeous. 

2. Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus always been among one of my favorite characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Just . . . how he is as a person and what he stands for is what I think makes him most admirable and amiable. A definite favorite.

3. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter

Sorry, I'm susceptible to liking ginger boys-- and Ron is no exception to this.

4. Isaac from TFiOS

Personally, I felt like Isaac was a severely underrated character. What ever happened to Isaac and Monica? Okay, when you finish this book you'll have a lot of questions-- but for a good part of the book, I felt like Isaac could've done so much more. I was unsure what to think of him at first, but the moment he read his eulogy, I think I liked hearing his dialogue. And a lot. (Natt Wolf is playing Isaac in The Fault in Our Stars movie!)

5. Magneto from X-Men

'Cause. Magneto.

'Nough said, he's a badass and did you see Michael Fassbender as Magneto in X-Men first class? I love the relationship he has with Charles.

5. Recommend three books.
*scavenges through bookshelf*
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Lost Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Pendragon Series by DJ Mchale (That counts as a book, right? Sort of.)

6. Name one book you couldn't put down and read in one sitting.
I actually never came close to reading a book in one sitting--my mind can never focus for that long. But most recently with Fangirl, I came to halfwayish through the book (and for me, that's close enough.)

7. Favorite fictional villian
Too, too many to count. But I really like good ol' Voldemort from The Harry Potter series as well as The Joker from Batman being among a few of my favorites.

8. Favorite snack.
I really like protein bars and Nature valley bars. Yup.

9. Why do you blog and when did you start blogging.
I blog because I have a lot of things to say. Or rather, I have something to say. I want to give honest thoughts and books and opinions and plus, I'm a major bibliophile and I needed somewhere to channel all my feels and fangirlish feelings somewhere, right? I started blogging August 31st of this year!

10. Favorite genre and why.
Contemporary. Fantasy. Romance. Action. Thriller. DAMN. This is too hard. I love every genre (except historical, sorry; oh and memoirs, I do not care for memoirs much) as long as it's a good book and I like it then it's my favorite genre. But essentially? Young adult. It's all I ever read.

*I will have my updated list with my blog nominations very soon.*

Book Review! Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Say what you want, but I have a hard time believing that you can't be a fangirl. There's a little squeaming, screaming, obsessing fangirl living inside of all of us - so mmmaybe I'd be most freaked out knowing you weren't a fangirl. And in my rage of fangirlish bookishness, I *finally* got my hands on Rainbow Rowell's latest novel, Fangirl. 

About Fangirl

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published: September 10th, 2013
Pages: 433
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult (Contemporary/Family Life/Romance)

Goodreads / Barnes and Nobles / Amazon

SUMMARY: Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

*****
My rating? ★★★★★ 

One word: LOVE.

It is safe to say that I am in love with Rainbow Rowell's writing. Crazy, I know. But I am truly in love with this book (which, would be perfectly suffice to say if I had not been fangirling and fangirling over this book to begin with-- but still. Not in a creepy way, I swear . . . Moving on--) I'm in love with Simon Snow, Levi, just the whole universe Rowell created in her world of words--everything. I love. It's just one of those books where I honestly, swear, wished, hoped that the story couldn't end. Rowell's Fangirl took my fangirl notch and set it in overdrive, and I don't think I ever can talk about this book without fangirling to begin with. Seriously. It definitely broke my boring book streak!

Cath loves Simon Snow (love being a *complete* understatement .  . .) She's starting her freshman year at college, and she can't quite seem to shake the past of the fandom of behind. She's got a hit fanfiction on the Simon Snowiverse, and now caught up in her studies, Cath can't quite shake off the past of the fandom behind her. Now on her own, Cath must come to terms to what she wants for herself, for her dad, for her future and most importantly: writing her own story.

Cath's been working on her fanfiction Carry On, Simon for a super long time. She prefers being alone, writing, eating protein bars, being a part of the whole Simon Snow fandom. It isn't so much because Cath is a loner, crazy (though sometimes, she convinces herself she is), but Cath is really socially awkward. That, being one of the many things I love about Cath's character. And it's really rare when I actually come to like the protagonist, but something about Cath was genuinely likable yet she still has her many flaws like any other teenage girl; she's weird, she's quirky, she's savvy--she knows how to write a damn good fanfiction, too. She's really relatable to book readers; I could relate to her easily. If anything, I never found a character I could relate to as much as Cath Avery.

Not only Cath, but the whole rainbow of colorful characters really brings some life to Fangirl in a way I hadn't been expecting. There's Levi--a farmboy with his never-ending smiles, his acre-long Widow's peak... *swoons* Let's not forget Cath's twin sister Wren (who totally breaks the barrier that all twins think alike, talk alike; Cath n' Wren ((see the pun on their name?)) totally don't), Cath's roommate Reagan, even Cath & Wren's dad-- point being, all characters are given their fair share of characterization, unique dialogue. They all connected together well, the quirky cast of different personalities blended so nicely sometimes even I felt myself smiling all wide like Levi.

I was sort of expecting a great chunk of the novel to be fangirling (self note: don't take the title so literal) but it didn't. In fact, the farther you go on in the book, you realize that it is a little fangirling, fanfiction, fandoms-- yet there's so, so much more to it. It's first loves, there's family, there's--ah, okay if I get too ahead of myself, I think I'll fangirl myself out with spoilers!

However, while there are moments when Fangirl can fall flat on its nose, there's always another string of action and excitement and romance that can just pull you back again, like a fish on a hook. I couldn't put Fangirl down, and I don't think there was ever a point where I wanted to. And considering it's genre, the amount of pages might seem a little daunting. 433 pages on contemporary fiction? Pluh-eese. But totally worth all the pages, because one way or another, Rainbow Rowell squeezes another story in there to keep the story reeling. There isn't so much a plot, but it felt more like real life; there's always something to keep you on your toes, and plots can't die by tying up the loose ends within a story. Or well . . . as real as fiction can be.

Fangirl is one of the first Rainbow Rowell books I've read, and I'm happy this is the one I started with. It has just enough romance, just enough drama, just enough characterization, charming dialogue, and sentiment to keep it going. After desperately awaiting to get Fangirl, I can easily say it was worth the wait--and from all the buzz I've seen on the blogesphere, worth the hype too. And nooo, you do not have to be a fangirl to give a Rainbow Rowell book a try. Fans of Harry Potter, fantasy novels, romance, fandoms, or contemporary books will definitely come to love Fangirl and Rowell's written charm. Definitely recommend!  ♥

*****

Also, did I mention Fangirl's quotes are totally quotable? And awesome? Well, they are. Loved this page in the book . . .

*****

Here's a preview of my Fangirl fanfiction . . . (click to enlarge)

What do you think? Will you be picking up Fangirl? Loved to hear your thoughts on the book!

Waiting on All The Boys I've Loved Before...

So posts for this week have been way, way slower than I expected because school has definitely been keeping on my toes (much to my displeasure...) which means I've been away from the blogging world for a little while. Grrr. But! I have been reading, and I recently gotten into Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl (last week, I was fangirling over getting it from my last Top Ten post) and I'm halfway through, loving it, and happy. Having a book, tea, and writing reviews is content enough but hopefully I'll have more reviews up soon, so fingers crossed!

 But this week, I'm ready to jump into among one my favorite memes hosted by Breaking the Spine, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY and Pen to Paper's Wishlist Wednesday...

There are actually a ton of books I'm waiting on or wanting to get. I can't be the only one who wishes books were so much more cheaper... and well, weren't published so frequently because all I want to do is get more and more (ah, the troubles of being a bookaholic, I suppose). Anyways, this week my pick is:

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Um, yes. Please. That is all I can really say.

Okay, not really. I love Jenny Han. I read the entire Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy this summer, and I loved the series so much-- so as soon as I heard the premise of this one, I really wanted to give it a read. Only: it comes out in April 2014. Sooo, why am I waiting on a book that comes out all the way in April? That, friends, is a mystery even I can't answer-- there's so many other books I want to read super badly-- but this one always captured my eye the most. There's romance, boy drama, and sounds really suspenseful-- so yeah, definitely reading this!

I'm also keeping my fingers crossed and wishing on getting Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. After finishing Anna and the French Kiss, I've been suspectible to the charm of Perkins's writing-- plus, there's just no way this French Kiss could just end. I have to know what happens to Etienne, to Anna-- oh wait. Lola. It's Lola. Isla's Happy After includes them, but either way, SUPER excited to get them (too bad Isla and the Happy Ever After is so far away from it's release... May 2014?!)

I'll be sure to check out your blog ASAP!

Book Review! All I Need by Susane Colasanti

About this book

The last night of summer is only the beginning. Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

I tried really hard to come to love this book, you have absolutely no idea. I've heard amazing things when it comes to Susane Colasanti books, so my hopes for reading All I Need were high. I don't have a problem with fluffy romance because I'm a big big fan of contemporary romance, I just wished this wasn't my first Susane Colasanti book I read because the experience I had reading this book was dreadful. Seriously, utterly, dreadful. Definitely not impressed with this book at all, and not too often do I say this. Oh my gosh...

So it isn't so much that the book was badly written, it was okay. Just okay. Some of the sentences were a little choppy and subpar to me, but overall, the writing was good. It was the matter of how the plot line (if you could even call it that) was executed so poorly to the point where it actually had me CRINGING.

There's a "show don't tell" rule when it comes to writing, and this book not only broke that rule, All I Need literally shattered it. Everything in this book was 'telling' and when you think about it, there was nothing much to show. Throughout the book, I felt like I didn't really get to know the characters--not even the narrators, Skye and Seth. There were potentially interesting characters, but the lack of characterization a lot of the characters were given just put a whole MEH factor to the book and made it way, way more boring than it needed to be. For one, Skye and her friends talked like high school cliches plucked right out of an After School special, and no one's personality just seemed to stand out. It was like the author was moreso explaining their personalities rather than having it shine through the writing and dialogue, which totally made my like for the book dwindle down even more.

Seth and Skye meet up on the beach in that instant, they decide they're soul mates. No, you heard me. Soul mates, and after one day?! I have read paranormal romances where the characters fall in love quickly, but All I Need is one of the first instances where I can actually say it takes the whole concept of insta-love to an extreme. OMG. They lose track of each other when they part ways back to school, and even if it seemed flipping impossible for them to find each other again--they do. It was predictable and this infuriated me because there were absolutely no surprises...

What we're given in All I Need isn't a plot. I wouldn't dare call it a plot because it doesn't necessarily even have an exposition. It's the fact that both narrators, Skye especially, spend practically the entire novel whining about how much they want each other. Skye: SETH SETH SETH. I want Seth. I know it sounds terrible for mocking Skye, but her wanting for Seth to be around her side constantly is not only annoying, creepy, but I think the sort of relationship Skye and Seth have is unhealthy. Obsessing much? Overly clingy and overbearing, and I didn't really find it too cute.

The characters just didn't feel... three dimensional. Maybe I would've liked them so much more and go "aww" for them, but I felt absolutely no connection to the characters. Nothing too technical. I felt nothing for the characters, and I think my apathy I had for them bothered me lots. What I'm wondering is: Okay. You're sixteen or whatever. Why are you so desperate to find your soul mate?! Maybe it's just me, but that's just weird--and not to mention an ill-pictured portrayal of teenage love or well, romance in general really.

Ultimately, it was disappointing. Some might come to enjoy All I Need's romantic fluffy sweetness and love, but it just didn't work out for me. It could make the perfect summer book with the airy feeling All I Need gives. But-- something about the style wasn't very pleasing, and completely missed the mark. And then I realized: nothing in this book really happened. It was a total fest of anti-climaticness, boring 2D characters-- disappointing overall. If you're really into the romance scene if you're into fluffy romances and instalove in the purest form, then maybe All I Need is your kind of book. But totally does not get a recommendation from me.

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