{12 Days of Christmas} Books!

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long

This book is absolutely beautiful - I know that I appreciate looking at it (possibly) more than my preschoolers. It's a fun one to sing and see if they can remember the words, too - not to mention, it's a Christmas classic. 

I'll definitely be adding this one to my Christmas collection.

 

Santa Is Coming to Santa Cruz by Steve Smallman

This one is great! The words are personalized to fit a certain location (in this case, Santa Cruz) but they have them for many locations all over! This one is long so I would recommend it for older children aged 5-8. 

 

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean

Pete the Cat is always a preschool favorite, and this time of year, Pete saves Christmas! Santa is ill and cannot deliver gifts, so Pete takes care of the situation in a very silly and fun way. Very cute read.

 

The Night Before Christmas hardcover: The Classic Edition, The New York Times bestseller

by Clement C. Moore

This is a Christmas classic written almost 200 years ago! Crazy to think about, but I always remember curling up in my father's lap and listening to him read this every Christmas eve. It was one of my favorite traditions and I miss it terribly. This is probably my favorite Christmas poem/book ever.

What are some of your favorite Christmas books?

Tell me in a comment!

Merry Christmas!

xoxo

Book Review: Allegiant {The Divergent Trilogy}

Goodreads

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

*Spoiler Alert! This is the 3rd book in the trilogy, so there will be spoilers*

Synopsis: Tris Prior, formerly known as Beatrice, has had her life change forever. The society she was raised in consisted of five factions, but now those factions are shattered. They have been destroyed by power struggles and violence between the factionless and those who believe in the factions. She is offered a chance to learn what is outside of her city, to explore the world, Tris is ready. She hopes that beyond the fence, she and her boyfriend Tobias can create a new life together: she hopes that they can live without lies and painful memories.

However, the world beyond the fence is more alarming than the city she left behind. Truths come into light that change the lives of people she loves. Tris has to find a way to comprehend human nature, and herself, in this new world that is forcing Tris to make impossible choices about life, love, and allegiance. 

My Review: I honestly don't even know where to begin. This book has left me a little bit numb, although I was not entirely shocked by the way that it ended. I just wish it ended differently, but then it would not have been true to the character involved. Anywho, I really liked the way the book started, with the people who believe in the factions forming a group called the Allegiant who are suppose to go figure out the purpose of their city in the grand scheme of things. But once we got out into the world, there was a ton of other issues and everything got muddled together. Too many ideas for one book, in my opinion. 

The book also switched back and forth between Tris' and Tobias' perspectives, and I feel that it would have been more powerful just to use Tris' perspective until the end. A bunch of people were extremely upset about the ending, as was I, but I think that it makes perfect sense. The end fit with everything the character had done up to that point. It is heartbreaking, yes, and I won't lie: I bawled like a baby. But I can understand the character's motivation, and I believe that she would sacrifice herself in order to save others. 

Overall, I liked the idea of the city, was not fond of the outside world, and was devastated but understood the ending. 

My rating: 3.5/5

xoxo

Book Review: The Carrie Diaries

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Synopsis: Most people (in the U.S., at least) have heard of Sex and the City... And so, Carrie Bradshaw. This book tells Carrie's story before she moved to New York City to become THE Carrie Bradshaw. The book starts in Carrie's senior year in a small Connecticut town: Carrie and her friends are inseparable, at least, until Sebastian Kydd moves to town. He's older, a bad-boy, and intrigues Carrie right from the start. Their relationship is great, the one she has always wanted - but then a friend's betrayal has her questioning everything. Amid all of this, high school is coming to a close and it is time for Carrie to go after everything that she has always dreamt of.

My review: I was really young when Sex and the City first came out, so I haven't seen more than a few episodes, but when I knew that The Carrie Diaries was coming to the CW, I bought this book. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. It wasn't my favorite, but it was certainly a cute and even realistic coming-of-age story. I can see this matching the story of many young girls (as far as what happens to her in her high school). The internship in New York was a bit far-fetched to me, but perhaps that is because I live in California and nobody I knew received an internship in San Francisco until college. But as far as her friends, school, boyfriend issues, etc. goes, the book felt very real. It was a light read and it was open-ended; I want to read the sequel soon because I want to learn how Carrie develops into a young woman in NYC.

My rating: 3/5

xoxo 



Book Recommendation: The Fault in Our Stars

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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Synopsis: This is the story of sixteen-year-old Hazel Lancaster, whose days are numbered due to her lungs that "suck at being lungs." Although a tumor-shrinking miracle bought her a few more years, Hazel is not deluding herself with the idea that she will live a long and fulfilling life. But then, she meets Augustus Waters at a Cancer Kid Support Group. He is a gorgeous plot twist to what Hazel thought was an already finished story. She finds that her story is about to be completely rewritten. 

My review: Oh my goodness, tears. I bawled through half of the book, but it was such a wonderful read. Green also had a way to make you laugh while reading the book, even through the suffering. Hazel was a wonderful character; she was real. She was just a sixteen-year-old girl who did not know how to handle dealing with cancer and facing her own death. She was not depressing or bitchy about it, but she also was not going to sit and watch what little time she has left go by. At one of her Cancer Kid Support Group meetings, she is introduced to Augustus Waters, who calls her Hazel Grace, and steals her (and our, as the readers) heart with his wit and metaphors. Their love is one that felt authentic and true, and this book had me falling, too. It was stupendously written and really though, grab the tissues before reading.

Favorite Quotes:

"As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

"Maybe okay will be our always."

xoxo,

Caryn Elizabeth 

Book Recommendations: Divergent

Picture from Goodreads, Buy here: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior's world consists of a society divided. There are five factions: her own, Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intelligent) and Dauntless (the brave).  Now that Beatrice is sixteen, she and other teens her age must make a choice: to stay with the faction that raised them or to transfer factions. The choice cannot be undone, once it is made, Beatrice will have to spend the rest of her life devoted to one faction. For her, the choice is difficult: she wants to stay with her family, but she needs to be true to herself. Her choice will surprise everyone, including herself. 

After making her choice, Beatrice must go through a competitive initiation to prove she belongs in her faction of choice. After taking on the nickname of Tris, she and the other initiates must undergo very intense and difficult physical and psychological tests. Initiation is transforming them all, and Tris must figure out who she can trust in her new faction, including a romance with an intriguing yet infuriating boy. 

On top of all of this, Tris has a secret: one that could mean her death if anyone were to find out. But her secret may just be the key to saving her family and friends. 

Will it save them? Or destroy her?

My Review: I found this book as a post-Hunger-Games-Hangover-cure, and boy, am I happy that I did. The book started off a little bit slow, but hey, it was a 500-page book, so that is almost expected. It really turned around in the second half and there was a ton of action. Tris was not your average dystopian protagonist, (well, not entirely, she is a small, pretty girl, buuuut) she is also selfish, guarded, protective, and vindictive. Like, really vindictive! At one point in the book, she refuses to forgive someone who asks for forgiveness. That doesn't exactly show that she came from a faction of selfless people, now does it? But she also has her moments of selflessness, despite all of her selfishness. I like that she is multi-dimensional. She contradicts herself constantly. And for a sixteen-year-old in a world where you are forced to leave your family and pick a faction based on a character trait, I think that makes a lot of sense. The love-story is a little bit gag-worthy; I mean, they fall for each other really quickly and are really devoted, which did not seem realistic to me at all. But I do like them together, I think that they balance each other out well. And then in the second half, when the action truly gets started, I really couldn't put the book down. I finished the second half in one sitting. It was great.

My rating: 4/5

I'm currently re-reading Insurgent, the second book in the trilogy, and I cannot wait for Allegiant to come out on October 22nd!

xoxo

Book & Movie Review - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray goes out to Pandemonium club and witnesses a murder. It's a little hard to report the crime, though, when the body disappears into thin air and no one can see the three tattooed, teenage murderers. No one but Clary, that is. This was her first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors committed to ridding the Earth of demons. One of the Shadowhunters from the club is named Jace, who looks like an angel but is a total smart-ass. In less than 24 hours, her mother and Clary are attacked by a demon, and Clary is pulled entirely into the Shadowhunter world. There are mysteries surrounding Clary: What would a demon want with mundanes like Clary and her mother? Why does Clary all-of-a-sudden have the Sight?

The Shadowhunters want to know.

My Review: This book was great. I knew that I wanted to see the movie, so I had to finish the book before watching it. I really felt like I understood Clary, her emotions, etc. and I felt like I could relate to her easily. Jace came off as an ass but there is good reasoning for it, and I really love him as a character. The other Shadowhunters were a little rough around the edges, but when you go around slaying demons all day, it is to be expected. The story was really gripping, it drew me in, and I want to know more. I'm glad that this is a series because I don't think that I would be satisfied with just one book! 

My rating: 4/5

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie

My review: I truly enjoyed this movie. Sure, it didn't match up with the book in several parts, but for the most part, the movie stayed true to the book. Some of the lines were an exact match, which I always love hearing! Casting was great, although a bit too old, considering they were all suppose to be teenagers. Not one of the "teens" looked like they were under age 20. 

But anywho, the story progresses much more quickly in the movie, so if you haven't read the book, I can see that it would be difficult to understand what was going on. I took my mom out with me, and she was really confused at certain points. My main problem was that they gave away a major plot twist right before the actual plot twist! It was very discreet, apparently, because while I knew it was coming and was looking out for it, my mom missed them giving it away entirely. So at least there's that.
Overall, it could have been handled with a bit more care and explanation for those who have not read the books, and I hope they do a little better with City of Ashes, which I'm currently reading.
My rating: 3/5 
Would recommend, but read the book first!

xoxo

Book Review: Twenty Boy Summer

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Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Anna Reiley is getting out of town with her best friend forever, Frankie Perino, for a twenty-day-long trip to sunny California. Frankie thinks that the trip to Zanzibar Bay will make it the "Absolute Best Summer Ever" (A.B.S.E. for short). According to Frankie, if they meet at least one new guy a day, it is likely that she will find her first summer romance. Even though Anna agrees to the game, there is a secret Anna's been keeping from Frankie: she has already had her summer romance. A year ago, with Frankie's brother, Matt, right before he died last summer.

My review: For starters, let me just say that the cover art is absolutely perfect. It's rare that the cover fits so perfectly with the content of the book. Moving on, the beginning of the book totally grabbed me by the heart, and then broke it (my heart, that is). It really gets you involved, right from the beginning, making you feel like a part of the story. When the pace began to slow, I will still so emotionally invested in what was going to happen to Anna and Frankie that I had to get through the book. Anna's emotions and thoughts/memories about Matt were sad but made it so easy to relate to her. While the story was filled with sadness, there was also rebirth: a new beginning in California, meeting new boys, etc. It was hard to Anna to stomach at first but even after everything, I did not walk away from this book feeling sad. I felt hopeful, and that is something that I rather like in a book.

My rating: 4/5

xoxo

Book Review: The Pledge

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Synopsis: In a country called Ludania, language is the dividing factor of the classes. Someone in a lower class cannot look upon a member of a higher class while they are speaking in their own language, is punishable by death. This is where our protagonist, 17-year-old Charlaina "Charlie," who has a secret: she has the ability to comprehend the languages of all the classes. But then she meets a mysterious boy, named Max, who can speak a language that she has never heard before, and she almost exposes her secret. As she is drawn to Max, she becomes aware that she doesn't truly trust him, nor does she know where his loyalties lie. When things in her violent country grow worse, and more  information comes to light, we learn that Charlie may be the key to change in a country with a powerful, and deadly, regime. 

My review: This book was a fast read, but I was hooked so I really didn't put it down for a whole day! I found it easy to relate to Charlie, the main character, but I could see some people having issues relating to her. As a lover of languages, I was hoping to get a peek of some of the fictional languages described in the book (with translations!) but it was all written in "Englais," our English. However, I could see how adding the other languages could be unnecessary and make the book a tad lengthy. The plot was a bit slow to start, but it gave us time to get to know a bit about each character first, which I enjoyed. The best part of this book, though, was that we readers got an ending of sorts, despite the fact that it is a book in a series. NO CLIFFHANGER! It was actually kind of wonderful. All in all, this was a good read. 

My rating: 4/5

xoxo

Summer Reading: Under the Never Sky

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Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I have found a new book obsession: The Under the Never Sky series. I'm not kidding; I devoured the first two books in two days only to find that the next book won't be out until January. January! And so begins the waiting game. So anyway, during the first book, I was a little bit unsure. But I pushed myself through the one really awkward moment, and I was rewarded with a wonderful second half of the first book and an even better second book.
You can tell from the cover that there is romance involved, but I feel like this book is more than just the romance, which is always a big plus for me. I'm a romantic but if that's the only thing driving a story, it drives me insane. So that fact alone kept me enthralled. This book was classified as a Dystopian on Goodreads, but I feel that it leans more towards Sci-Fi (just giving you fair warning!). And so, without any (more) delay:

The Synopsis: Aria has always lived in Reverie, a protected dome, where she has access to the Realms, which can take her anywhere her heart desires. In the dome, and in the Realms, nothing can hurt her. She's safe. But the Realms aren't real. When her mother goes missing in the Real, Aria takes a risk to try to find her, and she pays: she is exiled to the outside, in the wastelands. Her chance of survival is slim to none, but then she meets an outsider. Perry's searching for a lost family member, too, and even though he's a savage, Aria knows her best chance at survival is to become his ally. They must face many things together, and despite reluctance on both sides, they are each other's best hope for finding the people they love.

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Since this is the second book in the series, I don't want to post the synopsis because it will give away the end of the first book. If you're one of those people who likes to know the ending before reading the book, feel free to click on the link above! So, I'll just get to how I felt about this book... It was, in Reverie-speak, "champ." I blasted through this in less than a day, and that's including work, so I am definitely going to be rereading. It was just so good and I wanted to know the ending so badly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

My rating: 4.5/5

Happy Reading! 

xoxo

Summer Reading

Who doesn't love lounging by the pool, or better yet, the ocean, with the sun shining bright overhead, book in hand? I certainly love that feeling; I wait for it all year long.
Here's some of my book recommendations for this summer:

Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

Synopsis: Four girls (named Celia, Bree, Sally, and April) are placed in the same dorm during their freshman year at a Northeastern liberal arts college. They're all quite different in personality and background, yet over the course of their four years in school, they struggle with adult life, learn lessons, and bond as a group. They reunite four years after graduation for Sally's wedding, and despite their growing differences, their devotion to one another is strong. However, one of the girls finds trouble and it is up to the other three to help her. 

My review: This book kept me up reading for days, despite the fact that I tried very hard to spread it out. The characters' stories each drew me in, and I felt as though I could be a part of this group. The situations these girls end up in are very realistic; this is a great read for college students and those entering adulthood. 

My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Synopsis: City-girl Corrinne's world is falling apart. Used to her extravagant life in New York City, she and her brother are sent to live with her grandparents in Texas, and Corrinne refuses to accept it. She will do whatever it takes to get her life back on the "right track:" going to boarding school, getting her credit cards back, and more. However, she's stuck in public school with a job shoveling manure. Will this city girl find a home in the country?

My review: It was a quick read, and one that I really enjoyed. The protagonist acted like a spoiled brat at first, but that was to be expected. She grew up quite a bit, though, and became a much more enjoyable protagonist. This book was sweet and a bit predictable, but sometimes that is just what you need. This is a perfect summer read. 

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Synopsis: In the fifth and final installment of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books, Tibby, Carmen, Lena, and Bridget are beginning their adult lives, and despite the fact that the Pants have been lost, their friendship continues on. The closeness that they once shared is missing, however, and it has affected each of the women greatly. Tibby reaches out to the others, sending them plane tickets for a reunion in Greece. That trip will change their lives forever, in the least expected way. 

My review: The Sisterhood has been a part of my life since middle school, but I feel that this book was written in such a way that even if you hadn't read the other books, you could grasp that these women shared a deep bond. Much has happened since the last installment, and the girls have grown up and apart. During what should have been a happy reunion in Greece, something entirely unexpected happens. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. But the end of this book, and the series, was worth all of it. 

My rating: 4/5 stars 

Happy reading, 

Caryn Elizabeth