Stacking the Shelves with Sunday Post: and a *sadface*

This week, was a really sad week when it comes to my book haul pile. I didn't really buy anything, or borrow much,  or ask for books much which isn't too usual for me. I was really busy with school with week, so that definitely kept me on my toes. In spite of this, I at least do have a few exciting-ish books to share which I'm happy to start reading so-- yay!

Something borrowed . . . 

Won . . .

*sadface* It just hasn't been a good week for books for me but hopefully things will get better. So, finger crossed! Totally pumped for the mystery and science fictiony-ness from my two latest books to my haul. They both seem equally amazing, and after All I Need, I seriously need a refresher and a good read.

Also time for some bookish news, courtesy of the Caffeinated Book Reviewer! (which, by the way, you should be totally checking out her blog because it's amazing!) Eeyup, I'm talking about Sunday posts-- so, double yay!

So what has been the buzz on To The Moon and More this week?

Um, lots.

So last week, you missed . . .

• A review on Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• My top ten Fall TBRs at my Top Ten Tuesday
• Reviewed the awesomeness of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars
• Everyone now knows that I'm still waiting on Eye of Minds.
• Also, reviewed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
• Shared my childhood favorites with Friday Feature and Follow
• Reviewed Delirium by Lauren Oliver
• And lastly, gave a little mini movie review on Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and gave my bookish, and cinematic, thoughts!

Yeah, definitely a busy week-- probably the busiest I've ever been on this blog but I had a ton of things to say this week, and luckily, I have even more in store the next!

And lastly, I recently discovered a newest NEW book meme, at The Sirenic Codex (another equally amazing blog which you should check out!) Already swamped in memes, but I thought it definitely deserved a mention here. Check it out!

Coming soon to Moon and More...

Reviews on

and we're

on the set with...

(pssst... the Fault in Our Stars... Okay? And more book-to-movie adaption news on your bookish favorites!)

Okay... and well, so much more! Have to keep my lips sealed, can't spill too much, right?

Super excited to talk about these books + movies, and if you can't tell already, I am REALLY excited. 

I just want to thank everyone who took the time to visit my blog this week, followed, commented--everything. I appreciate it so much, and I always have more and store. In the meantime, time to go back to making a cup of tea and find another book to delve into!

From one reader to another

with much love,

Mini Movie Reviews! Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

So this is my first time doing movie reviews and I thought it'd be awesome to do some mini-reviews on my thoughts on book-to-movie adaptions. This week? Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters!

Disclaimer . . . First things first, I want to be honest and say I have not read the second book in the Percy Jackson series so I am maybe a teeny, teeny bit biased when it comes to my opinion. I actually have those two books on my shelf right now, which I really should get going to on reading but I just never really had the chance. With the movies recently released last month, I decided to give the movies a try and see if I like it. I've been trying to tell myself 'Never judge a book on its movie' mantra so many times, to actually make light of these movies and hopefully enjoy them too! Now let's see . . .

on Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Honestly, I was never that big of a Percy Jackson fan. I always thought Percy Jackson was--and still is--an amazing twist on Greek mythology from what I read in the first book, was just ultimately fun and fast-paced and just awesome overall. So I was really disappointed in the first movie's film which totally managed to miss out on plot points, character descriptions, etc. etc. I could go on and on for forever really, and most of the cons of The Lightning Thief pretty much outweighed the pros for me. With so many people complaining and enraged by how the first movie went, I think it was bound to have at least some improvements from its predecessor to at least impress its fanbase.

Oh and look! Annabeth's hair is actually blonde this time. So I at least give kudos to that.

There were some elements of the surprise which I loved. My friend did say some parts of it differed from the book, and we were going OMG practically the whole film at it's more climatic moments. Like the first Percy film, it was fast-paced and jumped into the action right away. In the instance of Sea of Monsters, I don't think it was as messily done to delve into the plot-line as much as the first either. The script was a little... off, and some parts just felt really disjointed to me. The special effects were impressive, and I always seemed to get a Harry Potter-esque vibe from Percy Jackson (Camp Half Blood v. Hogwarts? Hogwarts. Totally Hogwarts.) But something about Percy just never seemed to click as much as Harry's books did with me.

This Percy Jackson movie just... I didn't particularly care for it much. Maybe it could be the fact that I never read the second book, but as a standalone film it was not very good. The characters and plots felt done SO many times before. Nothing felt new or fresh. Fun, but really uninspired. But on the bright side, it is an improvement to the first book (I mean, at least they got Annabeth's hair right...) The plot, unlike Lightning Thief, was so much more tightly held together plot-wise. I felt like it was more episodic like HP movies and books, but I'm just unsure how to feel about this one. I don't like this one--though not as much dislike as the first--and while I knew I disliked Lightning Thief film (no harsh feelings towards the book though! Love the book!) I can't say what made me dislike this one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that, like Sea of Monsters, the directors and screen writers will continue to make improvements towards the script and characters as well, if not better, than the book series has. Fingers crossed for The Titan's Curse! 

Oh, and here's some Percy Jackson fan art for your viewing pleasure. I am totally not fangirling, I am not a fangirl... okay, yes. I'm fangirling. OMG LOOK AT PERCY.

Book Review! Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium Series #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: February 2012

Pages: 441

In Delirium, we’re thrust into this world where love is forbidden. In this society, it’s not only forbidden but it’s seen as a disease, called amor deliria nervosa (otherwise known as delirium). And because of this, a surgical procedure was created in order to cure it. Lena couldn’t have been more happier to receive the procedure, and always looked forward to what her life might be like past it, convinced that love was a horrible disease too. That is, until she meets Alex and does unthinkable: she falls in love.

I wasn’t sure whether to gag or be delighted-- because for some reason the whole Lena falling in love part, was just something I was expecting. I think it wasn’t so much that I was surprised by it, but I was surprised by the events which followed after. It had it’s moments, especially in its end: thrilling, exciting, and some super interesting characters (...and some hot guys *cough cough cough*)

Delirium had me on the edge of whether to read or not because-- well, for crying out loud, it’s a DYSTOPIAN. Maybe it’s me, but I felt like with the Hunger Games’s popularity there’s been a surge of them published in YA literature. I can’t help but compare the newly published books to Hunger Games because, as equally wonderful and exciting as the trilogy was, I couldn’t imagine there ever being a dystopian book that seemed to satisfy me as much as that one did. Other examples are probably, say, Divergent, The Giver... and I could probably go on, endlessly listing titles with dystopian/post-apocalyptic-themes. Each other definitely brings their different, savvy spin on the world and storytelling. Some don’t even make any sense, or are just waaaay too far-fetched for explanation but still maims my interest. I thought the reviews on Delirium were just too high to be true, but I was super excited to try.

I’ll be honest: it literally took me two times re-reading this book to actually go through the ENTIRE thing. I didn’t think it was bad, and I already had the preconceived notion that it wasn’t, because it’s Lauren Oliver writing it after all (and if you’ve read Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, you know she can write a damn good book.) And Delirium is written beautifully. The dialogue between characters was just too genuine and I could literally imagine myself, and the characters, because they were that amazingly characterized. Oliver just set the bar as an author even higher, and I can say I love this book. Just-- WOW.

The story does know how to drag out, which is something I can easily say what I dislike about it. The book could’ve moved along way faster than it did, and for a whopping 480 pages-- I wanted more story to it. Essentially, there are things happening but it feels longer than it needs to be with Lena’s constant indecisiveness. She could spend the longest time making a decision really, and probably that’s my biggest pet peeve with Lena. Come on... just make up your mind already!

Probably if it hadn’t been for the spectacular ending, nothing in particular would’ve stood out. It really did fail to keep my interest because of it’s slow pace, even as beautiful as Lauren Oliver’s words are. Sorry to say, but it did not grab me like most grabs me like dystopians, because of the lack of creativity in its setting. If there wasn’t the whole ‘love is disease’ thought processing, then Delirium could’ve and would’ve easily been a contemporary YA read rather than dystopian. I could be mistaken (and correct me if I’m wrong), but isn’t Delirium taking place in the future? Where’s the technology advancements? Hell, where’s the flying cars? (Joking, of course.) But really, that’s not important-- but it is something I ached for in this book, and hoped for there something really distinctive about this ‘new world’ Lena lives in.

Okay I admit, I was a bit confused by the backstory of the dystopian as a whole. Like I said, there are dystopians that simply just seem really far-fetched and Delirium is just is one of those books. Then there are well-written ones, just like this one, too. But what really keeps me on my toes in this book, is the fact that love is considered a disease. I would think with the unlikelihood of this ever happening, there would at least be somewhat-ish of a background given to why a society like this was created...? The gears aren’t quite turning when it comes to this, and I’m hoping at least for the sequel (Pandemonium) there’s further explanation.

And considering how much press Delirium received, I was expecting a strong female lead--as most dystopians these days seem to be following that trend--but Lena was ultimately a bland character. Her memories of her mother are heartfelt, but Lena just has such a... stodgy narrator and person as a whole to the extent where I’m dulled by her. She could’ve been more to her, especially considering she is the protagonist, and the “Why me? I’m so plain” attitude she seems to carry throughout the novel can be on the annoying side. But hey,  she isn’t perfect given her flaws, which is something I do like about her and I’m sure others will too.

But shh, don’t let me discourage you! Because Delirium is an amazing book, it really is. And trust me, you do not have to be a teen to love this book because I can imagine this appealing to adults, just as well as teens. I enjoyed it and it was a decent book. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it was my favorite book, because there were just things that bothered me a little too much about the book for me to simply ignore it. If you’re a reader who loves their books to grab at them from the start, then maybe I would rethink adding Delirium to your read list because it is slow-paced and you just have to wait to the end for it to really get heated.

Feature and Follow Friday: Childhood Favorites

I found another meme, guys! 

This time: Feature and Follow Friday hosted by two book blogs, Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. Today, I will be answering:

Q: What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are your favorites to read to them?

I can hardly remember most of the books I read when I was little, but I did know I enjoyed them... but I can pick out a few books from memory I think. When I was little, I was in love with Kevin Henkes books on his 'mouse series'. I always seemed to love everything he wrote but out of them all, I was just most fascinated by the story of Chrysanthemum. 

Not long after reading, it easily became one of my favorite books. Other Kevin Henkes books I really, really loved:

Argh, and Dr. Seuss! Absolutely loved his books too. When it came to Dr. Seuss, I don't think I ever had a particular favorite-- I just loved practically every single one of them. My favoritest among the favorites have to be The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Others I really loved...

What are your favorite picture books as a kid?

Book Review! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown

Publication date: January 2012 

Pages: 301
How many stars do I give? 3.5/5

Hadley Sullivan is having the worst day ever. She has to go to her father’s wedding and her to-be step mother, Charlotte, whom she’s never even met—in London! In JFK airports crowded waiting area, by Hadley meets the perfect guy. Oliver. He’s British, and he’s sitting in her row. When they lose each other in the chaos of the airport arriving in London, will fate bring them together once more?

Oh gosh. You’re probably thinking: Bri. You’re getting yourself into ANOTHER romance book?! But why? First: romance books are my flower and I’m their bee. So I couldn’t resist picking up The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, and also because I have a thing for romances with (hot) British guys. Weird, right? I picked it up on whim at a book fair, the story seemed captivating, and just seemed like a really fun, light read. Since between the time finishing ‘Probability’ and Anna and the French Kiss wasn’t that big of a gap, I couldn’t help but gape at the small similarities and compare the two…

For one: main character is a girl who is forced to be shipped off to the other half of the world when they don’t want to.

Two: the romantic interest is a British guy. An apparently hot British guy.

Three: both protagonists in both books have daddy problems. 

But still! While those three things are similar, don’t let it discourage. My point being—The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight will be a definite appeal to fans of Anna and the French Kiss or romantic contemporaries in general.

Something about this book being told in third person perspective made ‘Love at First Sight’ feel almost like a fairytale yet so… real. No, honestly. I was vaguely reminded of the movie What a Girl Wants as I read too, but this book felt far more genuine and earnest as I read. It’s one of those books where I can’t exactly say what made me love it so much, but I definitely know I wholeheartedly, hands-down enjoyed it. Loved it, even. The theme was fate and love and happiness was clearly present in the book, and even if the entire book was set over a frame of 24-hours, they were given an amazing amount of characterization considering.

At first, when I began reading, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t particularly care much for Hadley, and really, I didn’t feel much of a reason to. It doesn’t have a big, theatrical beginning but it starts with a small bang nonetheless. I wasn’t exactly compelled to continue reading, because I was almost certain that its beginning was going to drag out to some less-than-spectacular uneventful ending (which, unfortunately, has been the pattern for most of the books I’ve been reading recently…) But it wasn’t. In fact, when you reach the end, you realize it is just the beginning for these two lovelies. They just—clicked with dialogue for me which was a huge winning factor to liking it.

The dialogue was unbelievably fell into place in a way where even I hadn’t even expected. I did have moments where I did feel Oliver was slightly clichéd (is it me, or is it when American authors write books portraying attractive young British guys they all seem to have super similar, charming personalities? Just me?) but still managed to contrast nicely in the midst of other characters’ originality. The likelihood of the ending being predictable is really, really HIGH so while it closed amazingly, I was slightly dissatisfied by how it came to be rushed. I think it was the impulsiveness of Hadley’s character in its end which annoyed me most, and it was pretty hard to let things like that simply slide. The passiveness of Hadley was super hurried, too. I think I began to realize author Jennifer Smith was trying to tie up all the loose ends within the story, but the relationship between Hadley and her dad was all too swift for comfort. If I was Hadley, I don’t think I’d be nearly as submissive to the following situations—but then again, that’s just me.

The vacancy in the ending left such an openness to the possibilities to this couple, and I just wished there could’ve been an even grander story to tell. The plot is weak, but something about the characters in the building drama surrounding them easily fills up this absent plot. And overall? The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was really good. As I said, fans of Anna and the French Kiss would especially come to love it’s London setting and romance, or well, any romance fan might come to love this really—especially Oliver. In spite of the void of a plot, and maybe a few little things that irked me about the characters, this book is completely good and definitely worth the try if you’re into romance!

Where to find this book on...