How I became the library's biggest fan

"Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card"

(sorry, I just had to)

I'd never really been a big fan of libraries, and I don't really know why. Growing up in Poland, Ohio,  we had one of the most beautiful libraries I had ever been to (look it up and you'll understand) but after we moved, I completely changed my ideas about borrowed books. My mother blames the Poland library for setting an impossible standard for any library I would ever visit in the future. But truth be told, I became a book snob. I'm not proud of it. If I was going to read a book, I wanted to own it. Since I'm a big believer in re-reading books, this always made sense to me. I also had a misconstructed idea of used books- they seemed icky and old and I couldn't be bothered with them. Basically, younger me was dumb. Really dumb.

Last week, one of my professors and I had a discussion about the public library here where I go to school. She was telling me how she goes every two weeks and checks out twenty books- something that sounded super appealing to me. She also told me that they have a program where, since I attend the university but am from out of state, I can use my student ID to sign up for a library card. So what did I do? Well, this past weekend I booked (pun intended) it to the library to get me a library card! 

My professor was right! I could use my ID to get a card and check out up to sixty books. Sixty books! Woah! Basically, once I was all signed up and ready to browse, I went a big crazy. I grabbed as many books as my small arms could carry... until I found the bags and began to stuff those. Our library has a great selection, especially of YA books. And they have pretty new titles. I'm literally kicking myself for not going in sooner, especially since it's my last semester of senior year. Imagine all the books I could have been reading! 

Library books are the best! They're free, and if you really like the book, you can always go buy it. If you don't finish all your books, all you have to do is go back and re-check them out. It's a great system and I'm so upset that it took me this long to figure it out. But, you can definitely bet that I'll be a lifelong fan of public libraries!

Here are the books I got:

-Anastasia Forever- by Joy Preble

-Shroud of Sorrow- by Tommy Donbavand

-Blood Promise- by Richelle Mead

-This Is What Happy Looks Like- by Jennifer E. Smith

-Cinder- by Marissa Meyer

-Anna and the French Kiss- by Stephanie Perkins

-The Diviners- by Libba Bray

-The Scorpio Races- by Maggie Stiefvater

-The Selection- by Kiera Cass

So go sign up for a library card if you don't have one. I'm pretty sure most university towns will let you sign up with a student ID so make sure to do that. Also, if you already have a library card, take full advantage of it. Make it your best friend. And then enjoy all the books you get to read!

Next week, I'll be reading and reviewing Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (synopsis from Good Reads):

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever

-Annie

Star Cursed, by Jessica Spotswood

(4.5 stars/5)

(and another beautiful cover! Like, the person who picks out these covers should get a gold star!)

So remember that one time when I raved like crazy about the first book in the Cahill Witch Chronicles, Born Wicked? Well, I'm going to do it again, y'all! Sometimes, when it comes to trilogies, the second book is left in the dust. Either it's not written as well, or it doesn't move the story along, or it's just plain boring. This is the opposite of that situation. Dare I say, I might have even liked Star Cursed more than the first book in the series? 

What I liked: I'm all about this story, and this book furthered it like no other. I loved being able to see the Sisterhood in action, and throughout the book, I felt as hesitant as Cate did about who to trust. You can feel the tension boiling as sister loyalties are tested and the end of the century creeps near. One of them won't survive it, and though I have my hunch, it really could be anyone. Star Cursed intensified my love for Tess and my distrust of Maura. It also made me feel for Cate every step of the way. She's grown into herself more and she's finally able to make decisions about crucial things by the end. Cate's become more independent, she's becoming a woman, and I couldn't help but to internally (and outwardly) cheer for her. Don't even get me started on the end! Something happens (as if I'm going to tell you!) that transforms Cate in the last three or so pages, and it's so well done I think I got goosebumps! 

What I didn't like: I know I mentioned how I loved the end, but there was a little part of the end that I didn't like. That's mostly because it caused my little shipper heart to break into pieces and cry a little ocean of tears. No big deal. I also really would have liked to see more of Rilla because I think her relationship with Cate could be something beautiful- fingers crossed for more of that in the third book. 

Okay, now, we have a long time before Sister's Fate, the last book in the series, comes out (due date August 14, 2014 according to Amazon- that might have broken my heart a little bit too!). But we must be patient, because it's totally going to be worth the wait, I can feel it! Also, read this book! Read this book, read this book, and feel the feelings!

-Annie

Upcoming Releases, 2014

This is going to be such a great year for books, I can feel it in my bones! Just thinking about all the awesome new releases is exciting! Basically, writing this post is like the best thing ever right now! 2014 will be full of awesome sequels, epic final chapters, and great stand-alones , and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Here are a couple that I'm looking forward to this year:

-We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart- May 13, 2014

This book looks SO good, and considering how Contemporary Romance is a new thing in YA right now, I'm super excited to read this one!

-City of Heavenly Fire, by Cassandra Clare- May 27, 2014

WE FINALLY HAVE A COVER AND I LOVE IT!!! And I've heard that at least 6 characters who we know by name are not going to survive... get your theories out now, kids!

-The Retribution of Mara Dyer, by Michelle Hodkin - June 10, 2014

With the way things ended in the last book, I find it shocking that I'm still breathing and able to wait until June. This series has caused an unhealthy habit of mine: any time I pick one of them up, I literally cannot put it down (like I've cancelled plans with friends to stay home and read... though they didn't know the reason... until now...). This means that if anyone wants to hang out on June 10, I'm going to have to say "no" right now.

-Sister's Fate, by Jessica Spotswood- August 14, 2014

You all know how dangerously obsessed I am with this series. The last book also ended on a cliff hanger that needs to be solved, like, right now. I need this book like I need air. Enough said.

-The Infinite Sea, by Rick Yancey- September 16, 2014

So there's no cover for this one, but it doesn't stop my need for this book. The 5th Wave has a special place in my heart because it's the first book I ever reviewed here, and I cannot wait for the sequel!

-Unmade, by Sarah Rees Brennan- September 23, 2014

No cover for this one either but it's probably my number one most anticipated book of this year! This series has my favorite plots, my favorite characters, basically, my favorite everything!

-The Naturals 2, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- expected November 2014

No cover or name yet, but this book is up high on my list of books I'm looking forward to! I absolutely loved The Naturals and the characters are great. I can't wait to see where their next case takes them!

-Throne of Glass 3, by Sarah J. Maas- Expected in 2014

WE GET A NAME TOMORROW AND I'M SO EXCITED!!! AND YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED TOO!


So, what books in 2014 are you looking forward to most? In the meantime, let's pretend to patiently wait but actually freak out with anticipation together. We can totally do that, right?

For next week, I'm reviewing Star Cursed, by Jessica Spotswood (review from Good Reads):

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

-Annie

P.s. The Giveaway is officially over and a winner has been chosen! Thank you so much to all who entered. This has been lots of fun, I'll have to do another one soon!

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell

(4/5 stars)

But it can't just end like that can it? Can it? There's a lot to be said about Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park, as there should be. It's an extremely popular YA book. It even won in the Young Adult Fiction Category in Good Read's Best Books of 2013 awards, and I was so excited to finally read it (thanks, mom!)! But like I said, I have a lot to say about this book.

What I liked: The story is so beautiful, innocent, honest, and pure. Rowell crafted her characters with great thought and care- Park and Eleanor were just so real. The writing was spectacular. It captured what it really means to be in love for the first time, and everything that goes with it. And then there's Eleanor's story, her abusive home life and difficulty at school dealing with bullies. Rowell did a great job writing this, I'm pretty sure I was constantly brought to tears whenever Eleanor cried. Park is her escape from reality, he's her person, and I don't think he really know how much he saved her from the darkness. There was one quote that I absolutely loved. It was when Eleanor was finally working out how to explain to Park her feelings for him. She says, "I... think I live for you. I don't think I even breathe when we're not together... I'm not even mine anymore, I'm yours"(pg 111). That feeling. That feeling right there is why this book is such a winning book. Can't you just feel those words? Don't they get under your skin and float through your bloodstream?

What I didn't like: There were some parts that were slow, painfully slow, and I wanted it to pick up desperately. And I had some problems with the ending *hides behind the couch before anyone can come yell at me*. I feel like it was an open ending, which I'm not a big fan of, and I wanted to know what happened next. Like the book was already so long, why couldn't we get a concrete resolution? I craved closure, and not the closure that Rowell provided.

All that being said, it's still a beautiful book that'll make you think and reminisce and fall in love all over again. There's something to be said about a book that can capture your heart like Eleanor & Park does, and that alone is reason enough to love it.

-Annie

P.S. Don't forget that my Book Depository giveaway is still going on until next week! Make sure to enter!

New Year Book Giveaway!

Happy New Year, everyone! In honor of the start of 2014, I'm going to do a book giveaway! I'm excited, so you should get excited too. So what's the dealio with the giveaway? Well, that's simple. Basically, I'm going to pick one winner who will receive the book of their choosing from the Book Depository (as long as it's available, and let's be reasonable people- I'm not buying you a $50 book...). Please make sure you're comfortable giving me your information if you win.

The Giveaway is going to last until January 15th (that's two weeks from yesterday), and I'll announce the winner in the next blog post after that.

Next week, I'll be reviewing Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell (synopsis from Good Reads).

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

-Annie

Enter the Giveaway here:



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weaver, by Katherine Arandez

(3/5 stars)

This book came to me from the author herself, so that's pretty nifty! Katherine contacted me through Tumblr and asked if I could do an honest review of her book, so of course I said yes. Weaver is Katherine's first published novel, and it is also the first book in her series: The Kervanian Chronicles. 

What I liked: The background in this book is completely on lock. There's backstory on backstory and lots of interesting information about the world that she built and the Kervanians themselves. I loved how knowledgeable Kate was about her family history- it wasn't one of those books where everything is new and almost annoyingly so. Kate has to explain everything to her brothers and that's how the audience learns about the world, too. That's really well done. I also really liked the time period it was set in, humans get to mix with dinosaurs which is totally, completely awesome! It was an entertaining read, that's for sure.

What I didn't like: I don't want to say it, but I'm going to say it: there needed to be more editing. There were grammar mistakes and plot holes that made it hard to get through at times. Sometimes the writing was stiff and the phrase "show not tell" (the writer's mantra) kept coming to mind. 

Not to say this book wasn't good, it was, but there's room for growth. Katherine has a lot of potential as an author, and I think that she's definitely someone to watch out for in the future.

-Annie

Authors of 2013

Well, another year has come and gone, but boy was it a good year for YA books! Some of my favorite books have come out of 2013, which makes me only a million times more excited for what next year is going to bring. Obviously, we would be nowhere without the amazing authors behind these books, so as this year is finishing up, I've decided to celebrate some of my favorite authors of 2013. Let's have a round of applause for them!

So, without further ado, here are Books, A Novel Idea's Authors of 2013!

-Veronica Roth
When you can take a risk like she did and it pays off so well, you definitely earn a spot on the Authors of 2013 list! Not only did Veronica finish her best-selling series this year, but the Divergent trilogy really went out with a bang (no pun intended). She's an amazing writer, and I can't wait to see what's ahead for her. Also, every time I remember that Divergent the movie comes out in 2014, I can't help but squeal in excitement.

-Rainbow Rowell
So she published two books in 2013, and not only that, but they were all everyone could talk about this year! Now, I've only read Fangirl, but that alone made me love Rainbow with all my heart. And Eleanor and Park is on my Christmas list/to be read list so I'll get to that hopefully soon. Did I mention that Fangirl (her second novel) was the very first book in the Tumblr book club? Super big deal!

-John Green
Okay, so John didn't exactly have anything published this year but I still feel like this was the Year of John Green. To me, it seemed like he was everywhere (and I really wouldn't have it any other way). This was the year The Fault in Our Stars was made into a movie to be released next year, ergo, this year should go down in history. Oh, and the poster was released yesterday so feel free to freak out with me about it!

(raise you hand if you cried when you saw this! *raises both hands and a foot*)

Also, the Vlogbrothers were up to so much this year, I can't even sum it up in one post! Including Project for Awesome which just ended yesterday and raised money for charity. Gotta love the Green brothers!

-J.K. Rowling
Yes, her new book wasn't a YA book or anything, but girlfriend managed to publish a book without ANY OF US KNOWING.Why do I feel like MI6 was somehow involved in that? So she gets a thousand props for being able to pull that off AND because her book was fantastic (so I've heard from multiple reliable sources- it's also on my TBR list).

-Maureen Johnson
If you do not follow this woman on Twitter, then we can't be friends. But for real. I feel like all I do is respond to or retweet her tweets, but because the woman is hysterical. And she has a super cute puppy named Zelda. Oh and she's written one of my favorite series (aka my go to recommendation), The Shades of London series, and 2013 was the year that the second book came out. I mighta kinda sorta threw the book across the room after reading it, and I won't be the same until the next book comes out (fingers crossed that it's in 2014!).

Honorable Mentions:
-Sarah Rees Brennan- because of this awesome article and because this was the year I discovered The Lynburn Legacy series and fell in love.
-Cassandra Clare- because this is the year that Clockwork Princess came out and City of Bones was made a movie and was awesome and perfect so yeah.

So now, for next week, the day after Christmas, I will be reading and reviewing Weaver by Katherine Arandez (synopsis from her website).

As a sorceress of Kervanian descent, Kate Merin's reality has always been a bit more than the average human's. But her life is turned upside down when she and her two brothers, Albert and Micheal, stumble across a portal in the woods which transports them back to 465 BH (Late Cretaceous era). There, they find the earth inhabited by their ancestors, the Kervanians, a race originally from the far-off moon of Kervanis. 

The three siblings must now team up with their predecessors in their quest to return home. Along the way, they face magic they never knew existed, brave dangers they never imagined, and discover things about themselves and their family that they never could have guessed. 

Kate soon learns, however, that there were far greater forces than an old, faulty Portal working to send them back to the Cretaceous period, and that she and her family have been chosen to play a great role in a vast plan orchestrated by an extremely powerful being. The only question is: Will Kate survive long enough to fulfill her destiny while caught in the middle of a war spanning countless millenia and several universes?


-Annie