Summer Wrap-Up Readthon! Update

This Readathon is hosted by Jennifer at Some Like It Paranormal and Jude at In Between!

I've officially been consumed by Olympic fever- I cannot get enough of the Games!
I've been avidly watching and following Team GB so much I've had little time for anything else- didn't put the dates of the readathon together with the Olympics otherwise I might have thought twice about signing up!

Progress So Far!

Loving these two! I've gotten back into my old habit of reading two books at once which I hope will help me reach my goal!  

Challenges!

 Cover Love Challenge ♥ hosted by Emily at Falling for YA

The challenge is simple- show the covers of one or more books released during the summer that you love!

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

This cover has  grew on me! It seemed random but after reading Second Chance Summer I realised how it cleverly incorpates so many key aspects of the book! Great summery cover.

Let me know how you're doing with the readathon!
Much Love
Lettie
xxx

Summer Wrap-Up Readathon! 4th August to 12th August 2012

 

This Readathon is hosted by Jennifer at Some Like It Paranormal  and Jude at In Between!

Details-

It will take place August 4th-August 12th. It will provide some motivation to finish up all the reading you were hoping to get done over the summer. You can read whatever you want and as much or little as you want. If you can only participate during a few days of the read-a-thon that is okay too.

Aim

Going on my last readathon I am aiming for six books!
I think this is a more realistic goal than last time :)

Books

This time I'm attempting slightly bigger books seeing as this is a longer readathon and the aim is to *finish* up planned summer reading so I've included a couple of my anticipated summer reads.

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
2. Starcrossed by Josephine  Angelini
3. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
5. Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
6. Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt

Two days to go!
Let me know if you're taking part and what you plan on reading!

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

They say be a good girl, get good grades, be popular.They know nothing about me. I can't remember the night that changed my life. The night I went from popular to loner freak. And my family are determined to keep it that way. They said therapy was supposed to help. They didn't expect Noah. Noah is the dangerous boy my parents warned me about. But the only one who'll listen. The only one who'll help me find the truth. I know every kiss, every promise, every touch is forbidden. But what if finding your destiny means breaking all the rules? A brave and powerful novel about loss, change and growing up, but most of all love.
I feel like this book has been all over the Blogsphere this summer so I was thrilled when I got my request accepted on NetGallery. I didn't realise it was almost 400 pages I could not put it down!
This book is everything you could ask for in a YA contemporary novel, a heroine you can connect to, a hot boy with depth, a unique yet familiar plot and utterly addictive!

What I loved:

• Echo- I loved her character although she frustrated me- I loved so much about her its hard to put it into words! She was such a tragic character at the beginning, she'd isolated herself and had a fragmented memory. I related to her need to please and her authority issues even if it was frustrating. I liked how she grew stronger in herself throughout the book, stood up to her father, began to question and started to live for herself not others. I thought she was inspirational in the way she dealt with the the truth at the end (without spoiling the ending) she managed to work towards resolving all her personal and emotional loose ends as well as realising that she wasn't fully 'healed'. In my opinion this was very realistic, a lot of books wrap up mental and emotional issues like Echo's in one book. It was refreshing to have Echo acknowledge that she still had work to do.
• Noah- He was my favourite! I loved his loyalty and devotion to his family. I admired how his experiences of foster care had changed his habits and degraded his belief in the system but he still kept his core values and ambition even if it was challenged by his devotion to his family. I found his situation so sad and frighteningly such a realistic one! I thought he was a highly compassionate person from his actions at his first foster home to his reaction to the way he treated Isaiah and Beth as family to Echo. Despite his reputation he really was a gentleman to his friend Beth and Echo. I genuinely think he was a perfect male lead flawed and troubled but reliable, compassionate and so suited to Echo! I loved his ending even though it was heart wrenching it was believable and happy.
• Lila- I thought she was a great best friend. She supported Echo no matter what even when Echo was despondent she. unlike the other 'friends', never wavered. She put aside her hesitance of Noah for Echo. I loved how she knew High School wasn't the be all and end all of her life and encouraged Echo to live her life for herself. Great best friend.
• Echo and Noah- Wow! Such perfect chemistry between them, they were drawn together unwillingly and by such traumatic circumstances but their relationship was still cute yet full of passion. I loved how they truly helped each other instead of one just 'saving' the other. I'm going to stop now before I gush too much!
• Dual viewpoints- I love dual viewpoints! They add so much more depth to the characters and the plot by giving you two different versions. I loved seeing Echo and Noah through each others eyes especially Noah's opinion of Echo as she was so negative towards herself it was good to see her in a different much more positive light.
• Plot- I really loved how the plot developed slowly building up to revelations for both Noah and Echo. The plot itself felt familiar but the themes and details were very unique. I liked how Katie McGarry added in mini twists and surprises throughout the book not just a big reveal at the end. It kept adding to the mystery and kept you interested
• Ending First time I've been pleasantly shocked in a long time. No spoilers but I loved how Katie McGarry slowly built up Echo's lost night and it still wasn't quite how I'd imagined which I loved. Noah got a surprisingly positive ending with a bright future which I was really happy about as I hadn't quite pieced together how he could get that!

What I didn't love as much:

• Luke- Echo's boyfriend from 'before'. I didn't dislike him as much as other people seemed too. I took him at face value for a jock guy who wanted to sleep with girls and party. I got the feeling that if Echo hadn't of experienced what she did they would still be together. Yes he could have been much more understanding and patient but so could a lot of high school boys. I didn't like him but I give him points for his honesty at the end!
• Echo's family- I tried to be nice to her Dad as he was suffering too and he redeemed himself a little at the end. However he was controlling, dismissive and at times completely unloving towards Echo. He really did seem to keep her at arms length  which got explained but I still didn't understand it! Ashley, her step mother, was just insensitive, oblivious and seemed a bit stupid. She did say she didn't know how to treat Echo but some of the things she said were just so insensitive.  I did feel for them as it was a uniquely difficult and awkward situation but at the same time they'd had months to cooperate with group therapy etc... Plus I thought their relationship was kinda inappropriate! I won't even mention her mother as I don't want to spoil anything but she was highly selfish and rude!
• Grace-  Awful friend! I got the impression she knew alot of Echo's 'story' but still refused to acknowledge her publicly in order to maintain her social standing. She was happy to force Echo in to a relationship with her ex irregardless of Echo's feelings as it made her 'able' to be 'public friends' with Echo. She also repeatedly mentioned that she felt Echo getting back to 'normal' aka socially acceptable was the most important thing. All in all a sadly typical 'popular' high school girl with a disgraceful lack of compassion for her 'friend'.

I loved it so much I'll be  impatiently waiting for Katie's next book- Dare You To which is Beth's story!
I cannot recommend this enough it is a beautifully written YA contemporary novel with very realistic characters and an engaging plot!


Let me know if you've read this or if you have any recommendations for me to read next!
Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

July Round Up!

New Monthly Feature which will round up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and  review my blogging! I will be posting it the last Monday of the the month :)
It is kind of an expansion (?) of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!


What I read in July!

What I Reviewed!
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Love of the Party by Lauren Barnholdt
Matched by Ally Condie
Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

As you can see this month I tried to post more reviews. The readathon really helped as I read a lot of books = more reviews!
I changed my review style to a What I Loved/What I didn't layout which I feel is better and have had positive feedback on. I would love more opinions!

Challenge Progress!

Dystopia 2012 Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour= Completed- Completion post!

Those Books I Should Have Read 2012 hosted by Reading With Martinis. = 4 out of 12!

What I hope to read in August!

1. Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth
4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
5. Under the Never Sky by Veronia Rossi 
6. Someone Else's Life by Katie Daley
7. Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
8. Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling
9. Ten Girl's to Watch by Charity Shumway
10. Starcrossed by Josephine Angeli

What I hope to achieve blog wise!

1. Post at least one review and one book non meme post a week.
2. Make strong progress on my challenges.
3. Take part in more 'activities' like readthons and read alongs.
4. Beat my total monthly posts of 17!

So that's been July- my first solid blog month!
Let me know how your July/week was!
Also if you like the idea of a monthly round up :)
Have a lovely week!

Much Love
Lettie
xxx

Challenge Complete! Dystopia 2012

Dystopia 2012 Challenge

hosted by Bookish Ardour

Objective: To embrace theYA Dystopia genre at last. Check out my pre challenge post here!

Aim
Asocial Level= 5 Books

Result!
Just under 6 weeks later I have fully embraced dystopia!
I've read-

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Matched by Ally Condie
5. The Selection by Kiera Cass

All five are set in a dystopian America and by women allowing me to achieve the extra challenges!
I loved this challenge- it was easy and led me to a new genre to enjoy.
I enjoyed all five of these books and I've got several other dystopia novels on my To Be Read list.
Overall a successful challenge!

What Next?
Don't think this counts officially but I will now attempt to achieve the level of Contagion which is 15 books!
So far I'm planning on-  

1. Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth
4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
5. Under the Never Sky by Veronia Rossi
6. Crossed by Ally Condie
7. Reached by Ally Condie

This time I'm giving myself to December as I've got double the amount of books to read and two other challenges to complete!


Thanks go to Bookish Ardour for hosting this challenge, I'm so glad I took part in it!

Let me know of any other must read dystopia novels I should add!

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

Monday Round Up!

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

Busy week again!- full of goodbyes, graduation fun and food festivals!
Another quick upload as it's my Mum's birthday!

Reviews Posted
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson- Finally read this one had to review it straight away!
Love of the Party by Lauren Barnholdt- Another of my readathon reads :)


Read!

Both of these were quick addictive reads!
I knew I'd love Second Chance Summer and The Selection really lived up to it's gorgeous cover.

Reading

I was all for waiting until August for this one and taking part in The Pushing The Limits Read-Along ... but then I discovered NetGallery.

I requested Pushing the Limits thinking as it is so popular I wouldn't get approved- I did!
I am loving it so far even though I have to read it off my phone screen.... Couldn't get it sent to my desktop kindle.
The most annoying thing is how it has no chapter separations as I use those to stop reading I find myself reading for ages and getting momentarily confused when the viewpoint switches!


To Be Read

I don't know! I'm trying to hold back some books such as Delirium, Glow and Across the Universe for the  Summer Wrap-Up Readathon and with half my books still in boxes I'm limited in choice... Maybe I'll go request some books on Netgallery instead!

 
Upcoming Reviews
Pre written a few- just need to figure out which to post first!

Upcoming Posts
Series Vs Stand Alones- The biggest casualty of blogger eating posts! This one is coming along slowly but surely!
Challenge Update post- If you check my Challenge page you will see I've completed one of them! Should of aimed higher :)

Let me know what you've been up to blog or life wise!
I will visit every link left but like last week it may not be today :)

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx
P.S If you are in the UK- take advantage and read outside who knows how long this weather will last!

Love of The Party by Lauren Barnholdt

One Party. Four Different Romances.
In FALLING HARD, Emily and Ashton couldn’t be more different. She’s quiet and sweet, he’s popular and outspoken. And when he flirts with her one night at the party she’s throwing, Emily knows she should stay away. It’s never a good idea to get involved with the hottest guy in school– you’re only setting yourself up for heartbreak.
But even though Ashton might come across as cool and confident, he can’t stop thinking about Emily. And by the end of the night, these two just might be falling hard…
In TELLING SECRETS, Brooke just wants to forget. About the weird stuff that’s going on with her family. About the fact that her best friend moved away right before their senior year. About the fact that lately, she hasn’t been able to feel much of anything.
And that’s what Aiden helps her to do -- forget. So what if he’s kind of… unavailable? Everyone needs a bad boy, right?
Ry just wants to be with Brooke. He had a chance a long time ago, and he’s been pining for her ever since. And when he sees her with Aiden, he decides that some things have been kept secret long enough...
In GETTING CLOSE, Gabriella is afraid. Afraid of what it means to be in love with Landon, afraid of what it means to let herself fall for another person so completely.
Landon knows Gabriella’s scared, and he’s not about to give up on her. But will he be able to convince her that they’re meant to be?
In KISSING PERFECT, Brynn is completely broken-hearted, and the only reason she’s even going to Emily Mulally’s stupid party is to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. So what if what she has planned is kind of sort of illegal? Aaron deserves it.
But when cute and popular Josh Noth catches her in the act, Brynn thinks she’s in trouble. Josh is a player, super popular, super hot, and known for being a little bit (read: a lot) of a kiss slut. So Brynn does her best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach, chalking it up to post-break-up craziness.
But Josh can’t stop thinking about Brynn. And suddenly, he doesn’t want to kiss any other girls. Ever. But will he be able to show her that he’s for real?

 

Wow this is awkward- I've repeatedly referred to this book as At The Party in all of my posts.... However I brought, downloaded and read Love of The Party. Whoops! Main difference is the inclusion of an extra novella!
I loved how short these were, made for a great quick fun read-  if I'd downloaded the kindle app on to my phone during the readathon I would have finished it before the end of readathon!
I love Lauren Barnholdt anyway so I knew I'd enjoy these! :)

What I loved-

• Pace- how all of these stories took place in the space of one story, they were quick but gave you all you needed!
• Viewpoints- I loved how all of them switched from girl to boy so you got both sides of the story.

Falling Hard

• Emma- I loved her character, how Lauren hinted at deeper issues with her mum and h
• Confusion- I loved all the misdirects, Emma's gay best friend, Ashton's drunk ex girlfriend and the fact the characters had never met before and were from different 'groups' all made for a brilliant story.

Telling Secrets

• Brooke- I think I'm partial to characters named Brooke anyway but I loved how she had such a profound realisation of the realities of her life. She was very realistic with her good girl persona and her bad boy thing.
• The whole story- I think this was my favourite storyline, it had drama, romance, bad boys and good best friends all you need!

Getting Close

• Gabriella and Landon- I loved this couple, they were all ready established and freshly broken up. I loved seeing how their perceptions and the truth were so different.
• Insight- It was interesting to see Brooke who was part of Gabriella's group through different eyes as it painted a sadder picture than Brooke had and gave insight in to their relationships.

Kissing Perfect

• Josh- Such a stereotype but with a twist! I liked how he helped Brynn and took her to Home Depot, where they had so much fun.
• Kaci- as a side character I liked her! I loved her 'invite me to the wedding' comment and the way she reacted to Josh and Brynn.

What I Didn't Love as Much

Falling Hard

• Haven- I felt a little bad for her but she wasn't very nice especially with the way she pursued Ashton.

Telling Secrets

• Trip- He does Ry the small favour of swapping shifts and expects Ry to write his essay for him, making sure to dumb himself down, at the party- rude!
• Aiden James- I was going to cut him some slack as Brooke did give him a free pass, but then I thought he never acknowledged her or listened to her or took her anyway= bad boy! 

Getting Close

• Julia - I couldn't believe this girl- sadly I'd seen versions of this girl at parties which is why I disliked her so much!

Kissing Perfect

• Aaron- Oh my gosh! This guy was such a horrible boyfriend- he was overly political, rude and self obsessed!

I picked up these four really good novellas for the bargain price of £2.54-Perfect for a quick read!

Let me know your thoughts!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx