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!

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

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♥

Book Talk: SUSAN COLASANTI BOOKS. ARGH.

BOOKS. I love talking about them, and could probably ramble on and on about them forevers but I want to take a time off from reviewing to talk about books in general and my thoughts on well, Susan Colasanti books. Specifically, All I Need.

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'm reading All I Need, and I am having a super hard time getting through it. Maybe it's just me? I've heard generally positive things about Susane Colasanti books, maybe I pulled my hopes way, way too far beyond my needs. I did notice All I Need get mixed reviews which made me wary to reading it, but I needed a fresh contemporary romance and I thought maybe All I Need would be just that. Maybe my judgement was a little off...

Okay, first things first: this isn't a review. I was actually planning to review All I Need but I am literally so dissatisfied with it that I kind of waned off on finishing it (which lately, rarely ever happens to me.) So it's sort of a review?-- but mostly me talking about it, and well, your replies in the comments!

If you've seen my recent haul, then you know I am a big, big fan of reading contemporary YA books, romance, all that jazz. Susane Colasanti was compared to the Sarah Dessen--one of my favorite contemporary authors--so I was like "Hey, maybe I should give her a try". When I went to the library, as soon as I saw a Susane Colasanti book, I grabbed it-- I totally disregarded the title.

THIS ROMANCE. Arghhh, my brain. Not that it was badly written, because it really isn't. It was actually nicely written, and I like the style of it... it's just how the romance was executed was super, super poor. I didn't think insta-love was possible in contemporary fiction because I RARELY find it comparatively towards the paranormal-romance genre, but yet, there it was. Skye and Seth weren't given a climactic romance. Nothing to wait over the edge of your seat for, and their instant connection was just unbelievably unrealistic. I mean, they kissed in a matter of a couple pages in the first flipping chapter so talk about being rushed.

Totally did not  have one of these moments as I read...

Am I biased for thinking this before I even finished reading? Sort of, in a way. Yes. All I Need probably can potentially get better, but the clicheness of this book blew my freaking mind in its beginning so much I'm not even sure if I want to finish. I've read contemporary romance reads, like Anna and the French Kiss most recently and while it had it's predictable moments it was done in such a unique, fun away (and then there's it being France and all but that's a totally different story...) which is why I loved it so much. My mind is like 

right now while reading this, and I know it shouldn't. Just... WHY.

Okay, maybe this book isn't for me. Everyone has their different tastes in books and I am not lovin' it. Have you read All I Need by Susan Colasanti? What are your thoughts on it? Book recommendations  Let me know in comments! Big thanks. :)