Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins

(5/5 stars)

This book sang the song of my people, no joke. I had heard so much praise about this book, which is what led me to pick it up (regardless of the cheesy title), and I can now join the fan club and cheer from rooftops about my love for Anna and the French Kiss.

What I liked: That is was scary relatable. How many of us have fallen for a person who is so completely unattainable? I've done it so much I've lost count. There were just so many times in this book where I felt like I was Anna because I've been in some of the same situations she was facing. Is he flirting or is he just really nice? Am I making this all up in my head? Been there, done that. But those aren't the only reasons I loved this book. The setting is phenomenal- I'm ready to pack my bags and head out to France this very instant. The entire voice of the book is charming and funny, and you really want to be Anna's best friend by the end of it. There are face palm moments, laugh out loud moments, and slam the book shut, did that just happen moments- all done with a light and quirky tone. Big fan. And I also really liked what the author did with the entire switching between Etienne and St. Clair symbolism. That was super cute.

What I didn't like: Dave. He really didn't have to be such a d-bag, I wouldn't have liked his character even if he was a decent guy (Anna/Etienne 5ever). And then I found myself frustrated with Etienne a lot, which was kind of the point... but still. His decision making stills aren't to be admired.

But what a great book! I can't stop talking about it to my poor roommate (sorry, Taylor), but it's one of those that I think everyone should read because they'll somehow be able to relate to it. It's a feel good book, full of warm fuzzies and joy. Read it, and love it as much as I do.

-Annie

Cinder, by Marissa Meyer

(4/5 stars)

I can tell you the very first time I realized I wanted to read this book. I was sitting in my Writing the Short Story class, fall semester of my junior year, and my professor had us reading the first chapters of books that were really successful. Two things about this book stood out to me right away and made me want to pick this book up: 1. Marissa Meyer wrote Cinder during NaNoWriMo and 2. Cyborg Cinderella. The second I read the first chapter, I was hooked... too bad it took me forever to actually get to the rest of it!

What I liked: Did I mention Cyborg Cinderella? Because it's probably the best thing ever. The world building is excellent, and the character interactions are extremely well done. Meyer does a great job at showing what it's like to feel so different from everyone else. Cinder is a cyborg in a world of humans who look down on other android-like forms. Not to mention there's a deadly plague infecting the world and Cinder is immune. The Sci-Fi feel in this book is awesome, and it really has all the aspects you can want in a Sci-Fi YA novel: hover cars, cyborgs/androids, plagues, moon people, etc. Overall, I'm really excited for the whole story arch as I continue to read this series. The first book was a good introduction, but I'm very much looking forward to what's going to happen next.

What I didn't like: To be completely honest, this book was a bit predictable. Like the second something was revealed (I don't want to spoil anything so I'm going to be vaguely tip-toeing) I knew immediately what it meant for the characters and how it was going to affect the plot. So that was disappointing. I just hope the other two books don't do that...

Regardless, I am definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next two books and you can bet that I'll be reading those as soon as I can get my hands on them!

-Annie

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, by Morgan Matson

(4/5 stars)

After reading this book, all I want to do is throw my things in a suitcase and go on an impromptu road trip across America. Anyone care to join? A big thank you to Lisa for the recommendation! 

What I liked: I really liked how fun this book was to read, and how I felt like I was on the adventure with Amy and Roger. I found myself relating to their trip a lot, especially since I had been to a lot of the places they visited. I couldn't help but smile when Amy described the beauty of Kentucky (one of the places I've lived) and it made me miss it so much. I also enjoyed seeing them eat their first meals at places like Sonic and Chick-fil-A -- I tend to forget how much of a Southern thing those places are. The relationship between Amy and Roger was organic and not forced at all, which I appreciated in a contemporary story like this one. They were friends first, and it casually grew into something more. The story also handled the concept of loss well- Amy's dad had just died a couple months before the story starts. The emotions were very real and raw. Her dad also reminded me a lot of  how my dad is (Elvis loving, obsessed with cutting his front lawn, etc) so maybe that's also part of why I was able to connect to those feelings- that relationship was very real as well.

What I didn't like: As much as I loved Roger, I was so completely over his wallowing for his ex-girlfriend. Dude, it's over, let it be done. But no, he had to drive to her house, after she had ignored all his calls, to confront her. That was dumb and annoying. But I guess it all led to good things regardless, so I can't be too mad.

I definitely enjoyed this book, and recommend it to fans of contemporary. It kind of goes into that category of "issue contemporary" (like TFIOS and Eleanor & Park), and even though I don't gravitate towards that genre first, I had a good time reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and had a crazy hard time putting it down!

-Annie

Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys

(3/5 stars)

I always love reading a good historical book, and this one had a special place in my heart because I bought it when I was in New Orleans (the books takes place in NOLA). It promised murder, scandal (the main character's mother is a prostitute), adventure, and all the magic of New Orleans in the 1950s. Out of the Easy was a fun, light read, but I really expected more of it.

What I liked: The setting is perfect. Sepetys captures the sights and sounds of New Orleans like no other, though I might be biased after my recent trip. But to me, it was so cool reading lines like "pulled to a stop on Conti Street" (where I stayed) and "down for the Sugar Bowl" (why I was there), though the visuals Sepetys painted were so well done I could have imagined it regardless. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters that showed up throughout the book. They were energetic and individualistic, and just plain fun. Unless you count the bad guys, who were, you know, bad. I loved Josie's motivation in the story, she was determined and stubborn which I always appreciate from a protagonist. But I have to be honest and say that my favorite characters were the ones that hardly had any time on the page- people like Charlotte and Cokie.

What I didn't like: That leads me to my feelings of Josie. She was straight up annoying at times, and, she was being too stubborn and wouldn't let anyone help her. There was a whole slew of people who cared for that girl, and I feel like she took them for granted. She continued to let her past define her, and wouldn't own up to it and let it mold her. I also didn't like how little the murder was in the plot. I was so excited to read about a murder in the French Quarter because it had so much potential- historical mystery, heck yes! But the murder took a back seat and it didn't even feel like a big deal. Disappointment. I wanted to know more about Cincinnati and his boss (who was mentioned a lot but never made an appearance- weird since he was like a super big deal, it could have added to the story).  And I would have liked to see Josie investigate more since she had such a stake in the murder or whatever.

I promise you, I did enjoy this book. It was just hard to like it so much or even love it when I had higher hopes. It's a fun read, and I didn't ever want to put it down- it definitely had me hooked. There were also some great lines in the book that made me stop and think and feel. If historical fiction is your genre, then I definitely recommend it!

-Annie

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan

(4.5/5 stars)

Not going to lie, when I picked up this book I was hesitant. This was the last John Green book that I hadn't read yet and I've been very split on his books. I loved TFIOS and Looking for Alaska, but I wasn't a super big fan of the others. But people said it was good, and Good Reads said it was good, so I kept my fingers crossed and dove right in. Now I want to hit myself with the book for being hesitant at all. Will Grayson, Will Grayson was fun and funny and made me cry at the end out of happiness! 

What I liked: Both Will Graysons were so unique, each with their own set of problems that didn't completely intertwine, with the exception of their relationships with Tiny Cooper. They were equally laugh-out-loud funny in their own way, and had the right amount of teen angst that fit their personalities. I also think the way they handled sexuality was done quite well. Green and Levithan didn't walk on eggshells, instead they treated it like any other situation. The sky is blue, the grass is green, Tiny Cooper and one of the Will Graysons is gay. It is what it is. I'd like to send a round of applause to Green and Levithan for the way they wrote such good, supportive parents. That's not something super common in YA fiction. Usually the parents aren't involved in stories, and if they are, they're kinda lame and sucky. But not these parents. Anne Grayson is awesome! She doesn't blink an eye when her son comes out, and is nothing but supportive there after. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson are good people that are always willing to help their son. 

The writing in this book is spectacular and the voices of the characters are spot-on. Yeah, Tiny got to be annoying at some times, but you still gotta love him and his determination to find love. That's what the book is all about, finding appreciation and acceptance.The final scene had me with a big smile on my face and tears forming in my eyes. It's a feel good book, and I couldn't ask for anything more!

What I didn't like: Sometimes, I got frustrated by the relationship between Tiny and Will (o.w.g.) because it seemed like 1) Tiny had no stake in the friendship and used Will as a convenience and 2) Will was way too passive about how he felt about their rocky friendship at points. I know his rules are to shut up and not care, but sometime you have to care and speak up (which he does eventually). I also didn't really understand why the other other Will Grayson had to apologize to Maura. Like, she was really crappy to him (times, um, a million) and I don't think he owed her anything. I get that it was for closure, but still, not every broken relationship brings closure. 

Now that I've finished reading all of John Green's books, I'm going to patiently twiddle my thumbs and pray for a new one. I'm also going to move on and read some more David Levithan because I really like his writing style! I'm so glad these authors teamed up and produced such a great book, it was such a joy to read! Oh, and DFTBA :)

-Annie

Crown of Midnight, by Sarah J Maas

(5/5 stars)

1. Sarah J Maas has done it again and I'm obsessed! 2. I really need to not read these books before I go to bed or else I'll have really strange dreams. Basically, this book led to more first pumping and yelling things like "Wait, what?!" and "Hell yes!" and "No! My heart!". Reading this was like being on an emotional roller coaster. A really fun emotional roller coaster. 

What I liked: You all know how I feel about the world. I still really want to live there. I also wouldn't mind a map of it to spread out and mark up. So the world is still all kinds of awesome. And then there's the fact that I couldn't read this book without having all the lights on in my room and a blanket to protect me (just in case). This book is scary! Scarier than the first and so much more fantastical, but we find out some great things (sorry for the vagueness) that really move the story along. The love triangle that was once a love triangle is no more, which I liked. She picked a boy (and my heart smiled), but still kept the other in her life, and then all hell broke loose. To say things get complicated would be an understatement. But the complicated is brilliant and crazy and heartbreaking, but I love it so freaking much! Also, if you didn't hate the king in the first, you'll absolutely loath him in this one! And you'll probably scream "Evil!" loudly... or maybe that was just me?

What I didn't like: There wasn't much I didn't like, just like the last one. There was a death that made me upset, but it was a catalyst to the story so it was justified. The only problem I had was with the magic and creatures. I had a bit of a tough time following what was what, but eventually, it all clicked in my brain. 

I loved this book, LOVED it. Almost more than the first. And I know I'll be constantly thinking about it until the next book comes out (considering that ending and all that). Oh well, I guess I can *try* to be patient. But in the mean time, I'll just keep having weird dreams about magic, faeries, and assassins, and I'm totally okay with that!

-Annie

Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas

(5/5 stars)

This book right here. This book right here, though. Books like this one remind me why I love to read and why I love to write. This book literally made me fist bump while reading it. Yes, I threw my fist into the air and screeched in victory. I'm not embarrassed about it. It happens. But let's talk about this book for a second:

What I liked: World building! What a beautiful creation Maas has given us. The world is so vivid and real, I almost have to remind myself that it doesn't exist. Along with the brilliant world comes multi-dimensional characters. Their complexity is the best, like I can't even explain my love for these characters. And did I mention the character development? Because that's done so well I want to sing songs of joy. Celaena is such a beast, can I be her? Yes, she's a deadly assassin and her reputation is well deserved, but yet she still is able to smile and laugh and bond with people. It's amazing. Sure, she's cocky (rightfully so), but she takes on each task with a fierce determination and preparation that you can't help but admire. I'm pretty sure that if I was stuck in a war prison for so long and then forced to compete in scary physical challenges, I'd be lying on the floor in fetal position. But what does Celaena do? She trains hard, and then when she has free time, she builds weapons and continues her training. And then there are the love interests, Chaol and Dorian. How do you pick? Here's the answer, you can't. Like, I don't even care if it's a love triangle, they're both written so well it doesn't matter. But this love triangle is a good example of the protagonist having to pick a path that goes with each love interest. I applaud that. Also, the bad guys are deliciously bad (like straight up evil), me gusta. 

What I didn't like: I thought that the tasks that Celaena was put through during the competition to become the King's Champion weren't as exciting as I wanted them to be. They were things like archery, and poison detection, and I would have liked to see more combat (though the final challenge was all that I wanted it to be and then some). I also found myself upset that Celaena thought Nehemia was involved in all the bad stuff. I wanted her to trust her friend more, but I understand why she had to be suspicious. Celaena is an assassin and comes from a world where trust isn't given freely. But I still wanted them to be besties without trust issues. 

But basically this book has become my everything. I really wish I had a physical copy of it (instead of it being on my e-reader) so that I could physically throw it at people and make them read it. A thousand thanks to everyone who recommended Throne of Glass to me, especially Rinn and Josie! And I probably have to thank my mom too, for dealing with me running downstairs every five minutes to update her on the plot, listening to my endless squeals, and for accepting my (forceful) recommendation. 

-Annie