June 2019 Wrap-Up

June went by soooo fast! I read ten books this month, which isn't bad but isn't my best either.

The Passage by Justin Cronin - It started out promising but ended up falling flat. I wouldn't recommend this. My rating: ★★

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon - Similar to The Passage, The Bone Season wasn't my cup of tea. I loved The Priory of the Orange Tree, and I was disappointed with this book. I found it to be another mediocre novel in the endless sea of YA fantasy. My rating: ★★

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox - It's an entertaining, average read. The Witch of Willow Hall isn't something I'd encourage others to rush to buy, but it's something I enjoyed reading while in between books. My rating: ★★★

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters - I LOVED the premise of The Raven's Tale, and the author crafts a creepy, dark atmosphere that is awesome. I DNF due to getting bored while reading. My rating: ★★

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - A fantastic, mind-bending psychological thriller! Definitely recommend for those looking for a thrilling read! My rating: ★★★★★

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds - It's ultimately cute, but I didn't feel like the characters made a real connection. My rating: ★★★

The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars #1) by Rob Thomas - I loved the television series, so I just had to pick this up. I was worried it'd suck, but it didn't! It was entertaining and fun. My rating: ★★★★

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli - Sooo cute and funny and charming. I loved this book! My rating: ★★★★★

Becoming by Michelle Obama - I'm giving audiobooks another try, so I checked out this from my digital library. It's well-written and excellent! My rating: ★★★★★

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan - I wasn't sure I'd like this but I ended up loving it. It has a real depth to it. My rating: ★★★★★

What did you read in June? Let me know in the comments!

I Love Lists Friday / Favorite Non-Fiction

For today's I Love Lists Friday, I'm going to talk about my favorite non-fiction reads. I read more fiction than non-fiction, but I always enjoy a good non-fiction read.

What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha

It's the story of a badass, intelligent, fearless doctor named Mona Hanna-Attisha, who uncovered the Flint water crisis and worked tirelessly towards exposing it and finding a solution. Highly recommended! What The Eyes Don't See on Goodreads.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

During World War I, scientists discovered radium and this toxic element was used on watches. Women workers were unknowingly endangered and suffered severe medical conditions. It's a shocking, almost unbelievable story. The Radium Girls on Goodreads.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

You wouldn't think a non-fiction account of a luxury ocean liner sinking in 1915 would be interesting, but Erik Larson crafts a brilliant read on the sinking of the Lusitania. Dead Wake on Goodreads.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The cells of a poor Southern tobacco farmer are taken without her knowledge; these cells are the first "immortal" human cells grown in culture that are still alive today - 60 years after Henrietta Lacks's (HeLa) death. These cells lead to advances in gene mapping, cancer and vaccines and a multi-million industry. Henrietta's family didn't learn about this until 20 years later and never received a single cent. This story is really interesting! The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on Goodreads.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo 

Annawadi is a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury motels near the Mumbai airport. I honestly can't remember what all the book is about, but I believes it follows the lives of those in the settlement. I remember it's an excellent read! Behind the Beautiful Forevers on Goodreads.

What are some of your favorite non-fiction reads?

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

What If It's Us 

By Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
Published: HarperTeen, 2018
Pages: 438
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Amazon, Goodreads

I drink him in: rumpled hair, brown eyes, shiny, tear-streaked cheeks. "I love you," I say. "I'm really glad the universe made us happen."

"Arthur, the universe just got the ball rolling," he says. "We made us happen."

About the book

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it's that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben things the universe needs to mind its own business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn't be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend's things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can't quite nail a first date.. or a second date... or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work... and Ben doesn't try hard enough?

What if life really isn't like a Broadway show? But what if it is?

Review

What If It's Us is a cute, funny read centered around the budding romance between two young men in New York. I REALLY enjoyed this one!

I was so happy to find an LGBTQ featuring romance between two guys. In the story, characters's different sexualities are normal; there is, however, a scene in which a passerby on the subway makes homophobic comments which shows readers that while the LGBTQ community is becoming normalized, progress still needs to be made.

The characters were my favorite part of the novel. Arthur is a short, Jewish kid from a well-off family while Ben is a tall, Puerto Rican from a struggling family. The characters are so relatable and have a lot of substance. I loved the modern references - especially all the Dear Evan Hansen-ness! The dialogue is great; it's full of awkwardness and is exactly what my friends and I would say.

To me, What If It's Us shows the reader the importance of hope. Hope and faith in the universe and in yourself that you can control your life and your future.

The ending is fantastic and very realistic. I can't say anything else without spoiling the storyline, but it's not too over-the-top that wouldn't really happen or depressing.

RATING (out of five puppies)

WWW Wednesdays (6/26/19)

In this weekly meme, I will answer three questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish?

What do you think you'll read next?

This meme is held by samannelizabeth.wordpress.com. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit with other participants and see what others are reading.

What are you currently reading?

Becoming by Michelle Obama - I've been giving audiobooks another chance and listening to Michelle Obama's memoir. I'm really enjoying it... it's taking me a long time, though, because the audiobook is 19 hours long.

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera - I'm more than half way through it and it's sooo cute. I can't help but feel there's going to be a HUGE twist, so I'm looking forward to finishing it!

What did you recently finish?

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars #1) by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham - Having been a huge Veronica Mars fan growing up, I just HAD to read this book! It's a fun, entertaining read. The Thousand Dollar Tan Line on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★★

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson - I DNF about 276 pages into the novel. I hated the characters and the way they interacted. I felt like there was a lack of connection

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm almost done with Unbecoming and just got the audiobook for Girl, Wash Your Face downloaded, so I'll be listening to that next. I borrowed Girls of Paper and Fire from the library, and I purchased City of Girls over the weekend.

Top Ten Tuesday / Summer 2019 TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is Books on My Summer 2019 TBR. (And yes, I realize how the majority of the titles have the word "girl" in it, lol). Let's get to it!

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

I bought City of Girls over the weekend, and I can't wait to dive into it. It's a love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s.

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated is the memoir of Tara Westover, who grew up without a formal education and worked towards getting one and finding out what education really means. I almost purchased this over the weekend, too, but decided to wait for the library's copy.

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

I've been hearing so much about this book and seeing it everywhere! I have a hold on it at my local library, so I'm hoping to read it this summer.

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

I have this book checked out from the library, so I'll definitely be reading it within the next week or so.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

I've been hearing a lot of good reviews, so obviously this is on my TBR!

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

The premise sounds really interesting - an adult novel about a young woman who gets a second chance to attend an Ivy league on full ride but filled with mysteries and paranormal activities - so I put this on my Summer TBR right away.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but as soon as I saw this cover I automatically added Wilder Girls to my TBR. The plot also sounds creepy and interesting, which is an added plus.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

I've read the description, but I'm not sure I understand entirely what the book's about... I see it everywhere, though, and mixed reviews so I'm planning on picking it up anyway.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Miracle Creek has had glowing reviews, so I'm definitely picking it up soon.

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding

I've heard Little Darlings is a dark, creepy read about a mother who believes her infant twins have been switched with other babies... so it's on my list!

I Love Lists Friday / My Favorite Thrillers

Hey, guys! It's finally the weekend! I love making lists, so I'm going to try a new initiative I'm (tentatively) calling I Love Lists Friday. This week I'm going to share my favorite thrillers. Let me know in the comments below your favorite thrillers!

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Night Film is one of those books that leave you up in the middle of the night wondering what in the actual fuck is really going on in life. It's a true world wind of a novel. It's about a disgraced journalist who investigates the death of Ashley Cordova, the daughter of a reclusive horror film director. The book is eerie and leaves you feeling unsettled. Night Film on Goodreads.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I'm sure the majority of you will have read - or at least know the plot of Gone Girl - so I won't bother with summarizing the storyline. Gone Girl is full of twists and turns and took me for a real surprise at the end. Gone Girl on Goodreads.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Into the Darkest Corner follows young, pretty Catherine who meets Lee Brightman, a gorgeous, charismatic man. Catherine learns that things are too good to be true when she discovers what Lee really is: a monster. It's a gripping psychological thriller. Into the Darkest Corner on Goodreads.

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

The Last Policeman centers on Detective Hank Place, an officer working in a crumbling economy in the months leading up to the impact of an asteroid. While also an addicting thriller/mystery read, the book makes you wonder what is life worth and what we would really do if our days were numbered. It's a great read, along with the sequel. The Last Policeman on Goodreads.

For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt

A husband and wife learn their son was molested by a trusted adult, devise a plot of revenge: murder. This isn't the greatest novel of all time, but it's entertaining and leaves quite a shock at the end. For Better and Worse on Goodreads.

WWW Wednesday (6/19/19)

In this weekly meme, I will answer three questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish?

What do you think you'll read next?

This meme is held by samannelizabeth.wordpress.com. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit with other participants and see what others are reading.

What are you currently reading?

I'm currently reading The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, it's a Veronica Mars mystery. I love the TV show and the movie, so I'm looking forward to this!

What did you recently finish?

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters - There's a great dark, creepy, Gothic atmosphere in this novel, but I ended up DNF'ing. I ended up getting bored. The Raven's Tale on Goodreads. My rating: ★★

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - An excellent psychological thriller! I definitely recommend. The Silent Patient on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★★★

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds - An interesting story with quirky characters, but I didn't feel like relationships had much substance. I also felt disappointed at the end. Opposite of Always on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm not sure what I'm reading next, but here are some books I'm considering.

Ten Top Tuesday / Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is my most anticipated releases of the second half of 2019. I haven't been paying attention to new releases so I had to Google 2019 releases. I'll mention the ones I'm actually excited about first and then the releases that I'll be interested in picking up.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood - The Testaments is the sequel to the Handmaid's Tale; it picks up 15 years when Offred stepped into the unknown. It's coming out September 10.

The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of Air #3) by Holly Black - I love this series, so I'm super excited for the next installment! It hits shelves November 19.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware - A live-in nanny accepts a position with a family near the Scottish Highlands... but then a child dies and she's in prison for murder. Told through letters written to her lawyer, she struggles to explain what really happened. It comes out September 5.

The Institute by Stephen King - I'm a fan of Stephen King and while I've yet to read many of his books, I do want to read this one! It's about children with special powers who get kidnapped and held against their will. It comes out September 10.

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood - I loved All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, so I'm looking forward to reading more of Greenwood's work. It hits shelves August 20.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - I really enjoyed the atmosphere of The Night Circus, and The Starless Sea promises to be as magical and mysterious as Morgenstern's first novel. It's a love story set in an underground world containing pirates, painters, liars, lovers, etc. It comes out November 5.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power - I've been waiting to read this for a while! It's about a school that has been put under quarantine following an outbreak of a horrible disease. I'm looking forward to this horror read. It comes out July 9.

Reputation by Sara Shepard - Basically a close-knit college town goes ape shit when an email hack exposes secrets and scandals. Told from multiple view points, it's full of twists and shocking reveals... just the kind of thing I like ;) It hits shelves December 3.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell - The Family Upstairs is a psychological thriller centered around a seemingly nice family that moves in for the weekend... but then things turn dark very quickly. It comes out August 8.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - It's a mystery/thriller surrounding a man who has multiple wives. I'm not entirely sure what it's about, but it sounds intriguing. Comes out December 30.

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Opposite of Always

By Justin A. Reynolds
Published: HarperCollins, 2019
Pages: 464
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Amazon, Goodreads

Don't be afraid. Take chances. And when those don't work out, take more.

About the book

Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.

He almost made valedictorian. He almost made varsity. He almost got the girl.

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he's falling - hard. Soon she's meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack's curse of almost is finally over.

But this love story is... complicated. It is almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate's death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate's there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn't sure if he's losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate's death, he'll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he's willing to do - and let go - to save the people he loves.

Review

Opposite of Always is a cute, entertaining read about a teen who falls in love, only for his girlfriend to die then him being transported back in time to the moment they first met.

Jack is charming and quirky, but I felt like his character was the only character in the book with any substance. I felt like I couldn't immerse into this world, like I couldn't really picture Jillian, Franny or Kate as my friends.

I also couldn't feel the connection between Jack and Kate. I could feel the love Jack had for her but I felt that he was just suddenly head-over-heels in love with him; the interactions they had didn't really have significance or add import to their relationship.

The Ground Hog Day concept was interested, but I ended up feeling disappointed by the ending. This book just wasn't my cup of tea.

I still give Opposite of Always three puppies because it's a fast, easy read that's a good way to pass the time. If that's the type of read you're looking for, then I'd recommend this book. If not, then you can give it a pass.

RATING (out of five puppies)