The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 348
Publication: November 1st, 2016
Source: Library Copy
Genre: Contemporary
Amazon | Goodreads | Book Depository 

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story. Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us. The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

So this book was not the book I was expecting it to be. I heard a lot about it and quite a few individuals had an issue with the whole concept of insta-love. Usually, I would agree; however, for some reason it worked in this novel and I really enjoyed the fact that Natasha and Daniel fell in love over the course of a day. The aspect of this book that made it so different it terms of “insta-love” from other books that I read was Natasha’s level of skepticism. I have found that typically the female lead of these stories end up swooning over the guy that is characterized as the male lead. Natasha was the complete opposite. She was determined to prove that love is an exact science and because of that it goes as easily as it comes. Because of this, it was up to Daniel to get her to see the world through a set of different lenses. Honestly, I found their love story to be romantic. It’s not completely realistic, but I do believe that there are people who find and feel strong connections to individuals that they have just met.

Another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was all the cultural references. Half of my family is from Jamaica, so I definitely related to Natasha and her family especially her father’s desire to come to the United States to live out the American dream. Like Natasha and Daniel, sometimes I find it hard to live out the “requirements” of the heritage and culture of my family while still attempting to conform to certain ideals and traditions of American families. It can be hard and frustrating so watching Daniel and Natasha work out their inner turmoil related to their American experiences was extremely interesting.

Outside of the amazing character development, Yoon’s writing was phenomenal. I was not a huge fan of Everything, Everything, but this book was AMAZING. Her writing flowed and it was beautiful and unique. Not only did she write a story that addressed culture and immigration, but it also created a new way to look at love and she did a crazy amazing job making everyone connected. The ending wasn’t perfect. It wasn't knit into a neat little package where everything worked out for Daniel and Natasha. I LOVED that. I’m not saying that I hate perfect endings; however, I appreciate realistic endings and this one was real all the way to the end. Time and distance are a real factor when it comes to love and I definitely could appreciate that.

I really appreciated everything about this book. It was carefully planned out and written and I can tell that is her second book. It’s so beautiful and definitely delves into the philosophy associated with love. If you haven’t read this book definitely give it a chance. It is fascinating, beautiful, and just completely and utterly amazing.

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Mini Comic Book Review: Gotham Academy Second Semester Vol. 1

   Series: Gotham Academy Second Semester

   # of Pages: 144 

   Publication: July 2017 

   Source: Library Copy 

   Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

When you're Gotham Academy student Olive Silverlock, winter holidays can be a drag. Luckily, when a new student shows up at Gotham Academy to keep her company while the other students are away, Olive finds what could be a brand new friend...or a whole lot of trouble. And when Maps, Kyle, Colton, Pomeline and the rest of the students of Gotham's #1 prep school return for a new semester, the adventures are twice as mysterious and twice as dangerous!

I should start by saying that it was great to be back in the world of Gotham Academy. I was hesitant in reading this volume because the third volume of the last story arc was such a mess. The story was jumbled and the artwork did not flow. I was truly disappointed as I loved the first couple of volumes. This volume definitely got the story back on track and I feel the artwork was on a different and more complete level. I really enjoyed every single aspect of this installment. The ending itself was a cliff-hanger which ultimately made me anxious for the next volume. This introduction of a new story offered great insight to Olive's line of heritage. With that being said, if you haven't read Gotham Academy I would definitely recommend it. It has a spooky atmosphere and gives the reader an interesting insight to another part of the DC world of characters. If you're interested in where to start/begin with this series I will list the order of the series below. Overall this was a great journey into the world of Olive and her friends. I can't wait to see what the next volume has to offer as I have heard it is the last in the series. 

Books in the Series (They are in reading order)

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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Goodreads | Amazon 

Published: September 2011
# of Pages: 216
Source: Library Copy

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

This book...oh my goodness...this book! I wish I could even find the words to describe how amazing this book was. Let me start off by saying that there are two specific elements that make this book amazing: the writing and the way that Ness handles the entire concept of death and grieving. I've read a lot of books that contained a character or characters dying or in risk of dying; however, none of them have handled it with the grace that is found within this book. 

What's ironic about writing this review is that I don't want to say much for the simple fact that experiencing this book without any prior knowledge makes it that much more amazing. I knew prior to reading it that people found it amazing in many different ways, but I didn't know why. Going through this book and understanding it's uniqueness and beauty for myself made it a breath taking experience. 

I've never been an individual that understands or knows how to handle the concept of grief. I haven't lost anyone close to me yet, but I know just like everyone else that my time to experience that magnitude of grief is coming soon. What Ness conveyed through Conor's experiences is that when tragedy comes it's okay to be angry. I think a lot of times we, as human beings, think that when tragedy occurs we must be sad; however, Ness allows the reader to understand that anger is understandable; it's rational. In fact, I believe that he attempts to tell us that anger is a part of the process of grieving. Most of all, Conor learns that it's okay go through all of these emotions and thoughts no matter how difficult or bad they may seem. 

In part of the novel, the monster discusses the dichotomy of thoughts in a human being (this was my favorite part of the novel). He states that humans often have simultaneous thoughts and feelings that are relatively conflicting. Although we may believe that we are bad individuals for having bad thoughts or wishes, the monster makes it clear that it is not our thoughts that define us, but our actions. It's all about what we decided to act on which makes the human mind so complex. I thought that this small bit of information was so beautifully written and so true. 

Overall, I thought that this was a phenomenal book and I completely and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is one of the first books that has received a 5 star rating from me this year and I don't give those out too willingly. I don't read many books that bring tears to my eyes, but this book (I was sobbing like a baby) was a completely different story. If you are looking for an emotional read, but also one that is well-written then I would definitely recommend this book! 

P.S. I will be watching the movie soon! : ) 

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The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Publication: 2015

# of Pages: 388

Source: Purchased Copy, Books-A-Million

Favorite Quotes:

• "My soul sees its equal in you." 
• "Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky." 
• "You honestly expect me to breathe in a world without air?" 
• "You have a beautiful laugh. Like the promise of tomorrow." 
• "I love you, a thousand times over. And I will never apologize for it." 

Goodreads Summary/Blurb:

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Korasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzads' dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determine not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all. 

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets? 

My Review/Thoughts:

This book...I wish I could even begin to find the right words to describe it. First, if you are a fan of re-tellings and books that re-imagine classic stories then this is definitely the book to check out. The most beautiful aspect of this book was strength of the main character Shahrzad. To take on the task of killing a king after he has murdered every single woman that has harked his doorstep is truly enchanting. I'm clearly a big fan of strong female characters. It was not only her courage, but her determination to avenge a wrong that had been committed against her best friend that set the tone of the novel. It is also understandable that Ahdieh gave Shazi a softer side, a side that ended up falling for the very man that killed her best friend. The combination of her soft and more intense personas made Shazi more human and easier to relate to. Shazi illustrates that all is not what it seems on the outside. Sometimes one has to dig a little deeper to get the whole picture. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this novel was the inclusion of magical elements. Magical elements that seemed to control both the fate of the Khalid and Shazi. However, I did hope for a stronger development of these magical elements; maybe an explanation of where they come from. I'm assuming that this information will be further developed in the future novels. It was almost as if certain characters were able to harness these special powers; however, readers were not privileged in knowing and understanding their purpose or origins. 

Lastly one major concept that brings the novel together is it's reflection of the classic tale One Thousand and One Nights. Ahdieh does a beautiful job of incorporating the traditional Middle Eastern culture into the novel. It exposes readers to concepts and terms they typically would not be familiar with. The reader has a broader cultural experience which is not always guaranteed in young adult fiction. Along with the development of the characters and the various magical element, this part of the novel gives the overall story a beautiful and enriching experience rewarding to all readers. 

Rating: 4/5 Stars

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More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Publication: 2015

# of Pages: 293

Source: Library

Favorite Quotes:

• "Sometimes pain is so unmanageable that the idea of spending another day with it seems impossible. Other times pain acts as a compass to help you through the messier tunnels of growing up. But pain can only help you find happiness if you remember it."
• "The boy with no direction taught me something unforgettable: happiness comes again if you let it."
• "I've become this happiness scavenger who picks away at the ugliness of the world, because if there's happiness tucked away in my tragedies, I'll find it no matter what. If the blind can find joy in music, and the deaf can discover it with colors, I will do my best to always find the sun in the darkness because my life isn't one sad ending--it's a series of endless happy beginnings. 
• "I have to push ahead with people who don't take the easy way out, who love me enough to stay alive even when life sucks."
• "We all make mistakes...but it's also a step in the right direction. If nothing else it's a step away from the wrong one."

Goodreads Summary/Blurb: "In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again--but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile shaped scare on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely. 

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is. 

Why does happiness have to be so hard?"

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My Review/Thoughts: 

What if I told you you could erase every bad memory in you life? Would you take my offer? Adam Silvera tests the boundaries of human memory and pain in his debut novel More Happy Than Not. In this beautifully written and captivating novel, the reader is introduced to the complex character of Aaron, a young man learning the meaning of happiness. 

What proves to be most interesting about the development of this novel is Silvera's discussion of pain and memory. Quite often when we experience pain or traumatic events we attempt to disregard it to maintain a certain level of happiness. Silvera utilizes his book and his characters to teach us that not only is pain inevitable, but if we can work through our pain and see the beauty of  the life we've been given we ultimately become resilient and find more happiness than not. It is only when we fight who we are and refuse to face our fears and pain do we truly become unhappy. You can't spend your life running. 

For his first novel, Silvera truly captures how humans weigh and define the purpose of their lives, how they find happiness, and how they cope when happiness is no where to be found. I was positively surprised at the depth of knowledge Silvera exposed to his readers. He proves more than capable of illustrating one's appreciation for sexuality, mental illness, acceptance, betrayal, love, friendship, and last but certainly not least an understanding of the human heart and strength to persevere. I truly feel as though I could go on and on about the sheer beauty of this novel; however, it is best that readers discover this for themselves. Pick up this book and take a journey with the main character Aaron as he discovers himself and you just might find yourself reflecting and understanding that when life becomes difficult and challenging it is okay to be more happy than not. 

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Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Publication: 2013

# of Pages: 368

Source: Audiobook from Local Library

Summary: "Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it---not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank---letters with large red sums she can't bear to read---and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something...just a little something...

Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life---and the lives of those around her---forever."

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Rebecca Bloomwood is hands down one of the most hilarious characters I have encountered in a long time. Her ability to take any common situation and turn it into a circus act gave the book true character and grace. What's most interesting about the context of this novel is Kinsella's art of characterizing what most human beings, regardless of age, struggle with: finances. Although Becky's level of indiscretions in terms of finances is more on the extreme end of the spectrum, the overall theme of learning to appropriately distribute funds is one I was able to relate to. I can't even begin to count the number of times in which I have had to remind myself that book purchases have to wait until all necessary finances are taken care of.

Unfortunately, Becky's inability to correctly appropriate her finances also proved to be a nuisance. There were situations in which Becky could have easily rectified her behavior and told the truth about certain situations; however, she chose to continue to wallow in her lies and debt and then continuously wondered how and why she obtained certain results. At some points in the book I was rooting for Becky and in others I wanted to give her some stern, unfiltered advice. To be honest, it was Becky's humor that saved a lot of pitfalls I found within the text.

Although I did find issues with the development of Becky's character, Confessions of a Shopaholic proved to be a quick and entertaining contemporary read. It was filled with quirky and humorous passages, great life lessons, and an overall decent story line. If you are looking for a quick and easy read centered around contemporary chick-lit this is an excellent choice. I would also recommend listening to this book on audio-book. The narrator does a wonderful job embodying and fulfilling the role of Rebecca.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Author Spotlight: J.K. Rowling

Every Monday I will be spotlighting or highlighting some of my favorite authors. This will be a "Author Spotlight" series. For the first in the series I will be spotlighting one of my favorite authors of all time: J.K. Rowling.

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Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman by Jenn Sadai

Publication: February 2014

# of pages: 103

Source: Amazon Kindle E-Book

Goodreads Publisher's Blurb: "Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman follows the author on her journey from a drug-addicted theif who felt trapped in an abusive relationship to a confident and capable marathon-runner. It is filled with intense drama, troubled romance, and all sorts of dirty little secrets."

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My Thoughts/Review:

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

Sadai's novel is not one of YA contemporary romance or fantasy flowered with magical powers, alternative worlds, and perfect endings. It is an awe-inspiring, break-taking introduction to what most adults spend their lives running away from; and that thing is what we like to call reality. I'm not one for allowing myself to become emotionally entwined in writing reviews. I typically keep them clear, straight-forward, and lanced with objectives. However, I can not resist the temptation in stating that Sadai's story, with some variation, reflected my life and thought process just three weeks ago. No, I have not experienced the brutality that is so closely aligned with a physically abusive relationship; however, the lack of self-esteem/self-worth resonated so close to home.

It is not just my own personal experience that makes Sadai's novel a true gem. She offers each and every reader a life lesson about letting go of the past, taking responsibility and accountability for one's actions, and last, but not least understanding the value of one's life. Through her story, told in such simplicity, but depth, Sadai has the ability to make readers truly reflect and take into account their life's purpose. Her writing is, in more ways than one, therapeutic. She hasn't simply conscripted her confessional for readers like myself, but also for her own sense of consciousness, a way to forgive herself and those that may have disappointed her. While many may argue that her writing is developed in too many facts and lacks enough emotion, it is in these facts that she faces the truth. Too many of us hide behind colorful language and excuses instead of facing the truth for what it is, understanding that what is done is done and the only step to make after is to forgive and move forward. I admire the strength and courage in any individual that recognizes and lives by this concept.

Proving that her story has so much to offer, Sadai has truly fulfilled her dream of becoming a published author. I truly hope to see more from her in the future. While her book is laiden with cliches (she does state this in the novel), it is in these same statements that myself, Sadai, and so many others have finally found peace, courage, strength, and self-worth. Positive attitudes reap positive lives.

Thank you Sadai.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

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The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Page

Published: HaperCollins, 2015

# of Pages: 293 

Source: Books-A-Million, Purchased Copy

Goodreads Blurb/Summary: To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman's heart, steal the Scarecrow's brain, take the Lion's courage, and then Dorothy must die...

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and the mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy's only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she's only just scratched the surface of Oz's past--and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust--and who is really Wicked?" 

"In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestsellingDorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

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My Thoughts/Review: Ladies and gentleman, Danielle Paige has done it once again! In her second installment of the Dorothy Must Die series, Paige beautifully and successfully continues the story of Amy's descent into the twisted and dark world of Oz. What's truly unique and captivating about this book is Paige's ability to give the reader further insight to the internal struggle and battle of our main character Amy. 

In the first novel, the reader is given the opportunity to perceive Amy as this young, naive, and quite frequently bullied teenage girl who is thrown into a power struggle between what we originally thought was good vs. evil. However, through the pages of The Wicked Will Rise we see a new found confidence and power in Amy, a power, ironically, that has the ability to both build and destroy her as a character.  As Amy tries to rectify the "mistakes" made in this last novel she must truly decide her own fate, identity, and gain a pinch of faith in who she is and who she will become. 

Paige's writing has a sense of fluidity about it that always seems to catch my attention. She utilizes words to create a sense of imagery that places the reader in the world of her characters. In this novel she truly captures Amy's struggles with her identity. While reading, I, like Amy, felt the beckoning issue of what it feels like to have so much power, yet fall so closely between doing what's considered to be right and what's considered to be wrong. Even the brief dialogue between Princess Ozma (who may not be as lost as we think) and Amy warranted a greater sense of meaning. It is not easy for an author to convey so much depth and meaning when so little is said and Paige beautifully accomplishes this task. 

The plot of the book was relatively slow at first and took some time to catch my attention especially since the first novel moved at such a quick pace; however, I think Paige wanted to utilize this novel to build towards a greater and more in-depth finale. This novel was less about action and more so about self-discovery and the dangers hidden in the power and beauty of OZ. The ending truly was a twist that was greatly unexpected, one that I had no power to see coming. With a cliff hanger that left me at the edge of my seat, Paige once again reminded me that nothing is ever as it seems in the beautiful land of Oz. 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

If you're interested check out my video review of her first novel Dorthy Must Die below: 

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