"They're your parents. They're meant to love you *because*. Never *in spite*."

Though it's my least favorite Ness novel so far, "Release" is interesting, relatable, and has a lot of great points about sexuality, religion, friendship, and love. Just...try to get past the weird ghosty parts?

"You don't have to think about doing the right thing. If you're for the right thing, then you do it without thinking."
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I'm not a big autobiography reader, but part 1 of Maya Angelou's life story is a huge eye-opener to the prejudice against black people a decade ago and how that prejudice is clearly still around today.
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The book moves pretty slowly, but there are interesting aspects that makes the book worth reading. ⭐3.5/5⭐

My first audiobook was ridiculously disappointing. This zombie novel is mostly boring, super racist, and annoying. The only good parts are when zombies are eating people, because those scenes are really well written.

Other than that, don't waste your time... This has been on my TBR since 2013; so glad to get it off there. Definitely not wasting my time on the sequels.

Anyone else have panic attacks getting lost in an Ikea? 🙋 Well, this book takes that fear to a whole new level... Something creepy is happening at night in this Ohio Ikea knockoff store, but it's not due to vandalizing kids---it's actually something far worse.

Don't read this in the middle of the night like I did... It goes from boring to some-lady-just-gouged-out-her-eyes creepy. Definitely a fun, unique take on the haunted house trope.
#horror

Finally finished the Southern Reach trilogy 🎉🎈🎆 Haven't read a series in a long time, but it felt good.

If you're looking for all your burning Area X questions to be answered, this book isn't for you. But you'd be stupid not to finish this amazing series.

If you've never wanted an RPG-style "Hamlet," why are we friends? ?

Absolutely adore this choose-your-own-adventure re-imagining of my favorite Shakespeare play. With over 100 different outcomes and the choice of playing as Hamlet, Ophelia, or King Hamlet (yes, as a ghost!), this book offers endless hours of fun.

All the fun of a "Hamlet" RPG without turning on your Xbox ?

"Authority" delves into Area X from outside the border, at the Southern Reach HQ. The new director, who goes by Control, learns about the history of Area X and the mysteries surrounding it. What he doesn't realize is that he's running out of time, and he's nowhere near any kind of answer.

The sequel to "Annihilation" is a slow going journey, but it's worth it to have some questions finally answered. Onward to book 3...

"Idaho" is misplaced in the mystery genre---rather, it is a sad story about how a gruesome murder and an unsolved disappearance affect various lives in Idaho. The "why" of it all is never truly revealed, and it leaves a disappointing feeling after 300+ pages.

The writing is nice and the story is interesting, but if you go into it (like I did) expecting a mystery, you will be let down (like I was).

Four women---a surveyor, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a biologist---are tasked with exploring, mapping, and gaining intel on Area X, a mysterious stretch of land full of strange mysteries and absent of any civilization. Area X changes everything these women knew about the world, and about themselves.

One of the best books I've read in a while. Love love love it. Can't wait to read the next two!!!!

I love treating myself 📑❤📑

"The Book of Joan" is a dystopian re-telling of the Joan of Arc story. The novel flashes back and forth between a wartorn Earth and its few survivors, and a safe haven floating above the planet where the rich have devolved into pale white, hairless, sexless beings.

Where it lacks in worldbuilding and plot, it somewhat makes up in poetic writing and gut-wrenching sympathy towards the characters. ToB read number 3 complete.

3.5/5 stars

Tournament of Books book #3 was a success! "Dear Cyborgs" is unlike any other book you've read. It's got a unique structure with alternating chapters between parallel universes (or maybe past and future?) and a team of superheroes detailing their covert missions but also drinking lemonade and pondering existence in a very "Republic"-esque way. It's weird and confusing, but amazing.
Check out my full review here: lyssamariereads.wordpress.com

Wow. My first DNF of the year and actually my first DNF in a long time. My co-worker lent it to me because she loved it. It's been on my TBR. Well, it just wasn't for me. It read more like a blog than a novel and just seemed boring. It was just about random, silly instances in her life. I dunno. I related on one level because I understand having a mental illness and all, but at the same time, it just didn't interest me.

I thought this was just going to be a silly book about women making cartoons. I was wrong. My heart has been ripped out and I feel like I've lost a close friend. What a journey! You need to check out this books. I'm definitely fighting for this in the Tournament of Books this year...

Check out my full review here: lyssamariereads.wordpress.com

Ending 2017 on a positive note!!! Thanks to Epic Reads for this ARC of Maureen Johnson‘s upcoming mystery/suspense. And it‘s like 2 mysteries for the price of 1—a kidnapping/murder mystery in 1936 alternating with the present-day murder of a young YouTube star. Definitely a promising new YA series set at a boarding school for the gifted. I love it! Bye 2017 👋 Get this book in 2018!

Love dogs? Puns? History? If so, I highly recommend this re-imagining of American history, detailing the birth of our nation and summarizing the 45 presidents as dogs. Yes, you read that correctly: dogs. And it is as witty as it is enjoyable. Every president is given a dog breed and their name is blended with that dog! Beginning with George Welshington and concluding with Dobernald J. Dump, this is one book you won‘t want to miss! Factual AND fun!

Gaiman is forever one of my favorite writers. He brings his usual unique voice and feelings of mysticism and wonder to “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” a memory story filled with monsters, but also friends. If you love fantasies and dark fairytale-esque stories, this one is for you 👌
And check it out: my very own ocean, though it is frozen this time of year.

As I‘m at the laundromat with my nose in this book, hoping no one will look at or speak to me.

The good: Ralph‘s character arc, Simon, coming-of-age story, conversation on humanity and rules/authority, the writing, the last 50 pages.
The bad: No plane crash scene, Simon, slow, the first 150 pages.

Thank you, that is all...

3/5 stars

Check out my full review here: https://lyssamariereads.wordpress.com/2017/12/09/lord-of-the-flies-book-review/

“He wanted to explain how people were never quite what you thought they were.”

Happy November, guys! I‘m kicking this month off with a review of John Green‘s long-awaited novel about a missing billionaire and a 16-year-old girl named Aza who struggles with her mental illness. Her thought spirals and invasive thoughts may be invisible to everyone else, but they‘re all Aza can think about, see, and hear. This book is as gripping as it is real. You truly feel Ada‘s anxiety page after page. Check out my book review in my blog!

Happy spooktober, everyone! And happy reading 📖🎃

Anyone else?
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#turtlesallthewaydown #johngreen #quotes #yalit

What starts out as a simple childhood story about the creepy recluse next door, steadily turns into a legal case calling into question racism, gender roles, social status, and the human condition. A classic novel that‘s as timeless as the lessons it teaches. So glad I finally picked up this novel! Find my full review at https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/to-kill-a-mockingbird-book-....
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#harperlee #classics #historicfic

Seen the movie? Forget it.
This novel is as heartbreaking as it is honest. Told in alternating POVs, “My Sister‘s Keeper” details how illness affects everyone involved, not just the afflicted. Picoult creates real characters, engaging dialogue, and a story that will bring you to tears.
Find my full review here: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/my-sisters-keeper-book-revi....
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#mysisterskeeper #jodipicoult #contemporary

No no no no no... While most people in the world read this in school, I did not. I read it here and now, of my own volition, because it's a classic and I'm an English major and I had to. I pretty much hated this book. I wanted to DNF it so bad. I understand why it's taught in school, but wow, I do not like Hawthorne. No thanks, never again ✌️At least I can say I read it!
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#notworthabookreview #worstof2017 #classics #nope

"Ready Player One" is a gamer's paradise. This sci-fi adventure novel takes you on a nerdtastic journey through '80s movies, TV and, more importantly, video games. We follow Wade as he spends all his time in a virtual reality MMO, trying to find the supergenius creator's hidden Easter Egg. Talk about a nerdgasm. Read my full review: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/ready-player-one-book-revie....
#sciencefiction #yalit #games

Want to read 350+ pages through the lens of a 5-year-old product of rape? Yes? Then this book is for you! But it wasn't for me. The story was slow and the only unique aspect was the POV and that bit only annoyed me. I had high hopes for this book and was let down. Check out my full review: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/room-book-review/.
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#emmadonoghue #room #realisticfic #adultfic #contemporary #letdown

There's no other way I'd want to spend my Sunday -- except maybe reading a different book. Not sure how I'm feeling about this one, guys.

A whirlwind of a story about two lovelorn teens, an out-of-control space war, a deadly crazy-virus, and an AI gone rogue. What more could you want? A cross between Star Wars and Dead Space, this is the perfect book introducing us to The Illuminae Files series. It's told through a variety of documents, IMs, emails, and more. Check it out, along with my full review: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/illuminae-book-review/.

This book is gorgeous. It's like a novel, poem, play, and piece of artwork all at once.

Sylvia Plath's only novel serves as a semi-autobiographic glance into Esther Greenwood's journey through depression. Through nonlinear storytelling, we follow Esther from college, to New York, back home again, and finally a mental asylum. This is one heartbreaking novel you won't want to put down. Check out my full review here: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/08/20/the-bell-jar-book-review/
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#depression #feminism #classics

"I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am."

"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days."

A fantastical story where the princess falls in love not with the prince, but with another princess. Denna and Mare's love is not written on paper, but in the stars. Though a lack of character development and worldbuilding hinder this story, the romance between the two princesses and the mysterious murders will keep you reading. Check out my full review here: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/of-fire-and-stars-book-revi...

Current View

A brilliant, philosophical story about a future world where "I" does not exist. We are one, and individuality is a sin. Reminiscent of Yevgeny Zamtatin's "We," "Anthem" is a quick but powerful read. Check out my full review here: https://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/anthem-book-review/.
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#aynrand #anthem #classics #philosophy #dystopian

A haunting origin story about the Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland." You know how it's going to end--tragically, of course--but you can't stop reading it. Check out my full review here: http://theultimatebookgeek.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/heartless-book-review/.
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#heartless #marissameyer #aliceinwonderland #yalit #fantasy #retelling

#heartless #marissameyer #aliceinwonderland #queenofhearts #yalit #retelling #fantasy

So, I read an ARC of this. And it was so, so bad. First of all, the narrator isn't flushed out enough, isn't relatable, and I just couldn't connect with her at all. Or any of the characters, for that matter. 0 emotional connection with this book that's about an awful, horrible, emotional topic. Also, the mystery aspect is too easy to solve. And the writing was not good -- very amateur. The dialogue was way off. Everything about this was way off.

Everyone compares this to "The Fault in Our Stars" and they need to stop. It's similar on the surface, but very different. It's a decent book about a sick kid. It's sad and it's heartwarming. The plot is ok, the characters are all right... It's basically a physical representation of a sigh.
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Trigger Warning ⚠️ If you have anxiety or a panic disorder, be wary while reading this. I have anxiety and related to this book on a deep level, so it made me quite anxious while reading. It is a great book, though. There's tons of stuff in here to help graduating seniors of both high school and college. It's a wild ride and it's so good. A very relatable poetry memoir.
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1. Wine 🍷
2. Neither -- I buy based on the synopsis! 📚
3. Beach 🏖 Fewer bugs, more sunlight
4. Realistic novels 📖 I used to love fantasy, but these days I enjoy the opposite
5. Mr. Darcy 👰🤵

#bookishwouldyourather @Kalalalatja

Filled with sharp wit and endearing sarcasm, this contemporary YA novel appeals to fans of John Green and Ned Vizzini. The narrator was brilliant and a great character overall. Interesting story and surprising ending.
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This contemporary YA tackles a myriad of mental illnesses in a great, heartbreaking story. It's a bit of a slow read, but it packs a punch at the end. This book made me cry, and that makes a for a good book!
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Stylized as a children's book, this story jam-packed with metaphors, lessons, and tears. Love love love this book!
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Perfect for anyone 1) Interested in writing, 2) In college, 3) A fan of fanfiction, or 4) A combination of the three. Rainbow Rowell has the ability to write a compelling story and completely absorb her readers.
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Wish I had a copy of this 😭😭😭 I love Rainbow Rowell and everything she writes!!!
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It has its faults, but "Dark Inside" is crazy action-packed adventure worth reading. The story was captivating and unique. A great YA dystopia for post-apocalyptic lovers!
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The cover is probably my favorite part of this novel 😂 It's a decent thriller -- the premise was interesting but it was definitely lacking an enticing delivery. The main character was kind of obnoxious, and the mystery wasn't that mysterious. I don't know, despite all its shortcomings, it's not too bad.
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