Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Pages: 338
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Ramblings: I don't know whether I liked Anna and the French Kiss or Lola and the Boy Next Door better... they both blew my mind! Stephanie Perkins quickly became one of my favorite authors and I'm sooo ready to read what she has in store for us next!

Characters: Before I talk about Lola, I want to explain how ecstatic I was to find out that Anna and St. Claire are minor characters in this book! It was a shock--a very, very GOOD shock--that made my feelings for this book grow by the minute. Lola. Lola is such a smart girl, but sometimes she made me so angry! *Spoiler.. Sort Of* I just wanted her to dump her boyfriend and date Cricket! Everyone knew they liked each other!! *Spoiler Over* As much as I loved Lola (especially her costumes!!!) sometimes I wanted to slap some sense into her!

Plot: I think everyone has dreamed of falling in love with "the boy next door"--I know I have! Unfortunately, to my left is an adorable old couple, and to my right are girls in elementary school. I absolutely adored the plot and just the overall feel of the book. Who doesn't love a good romance??

Overall: I just keep falling in love all over again every time I think about this book.I especially loved the last sentence of the book (DON'T READ AHEAD!!) It really completes the book and left me with a sense of awe and a giddiness. Read this book!!!


Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Love: 4 Hearts (Look at "Cricket's" bracelets & the star on his hand!!)

In My Mailbox 19

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.
This week I went to St. Joseph, Michigan for the day and OH MY GOODNESS it is gorgeous! It is such a quaint, little town. I'm going to live there someday :) But, there was a cute little bookstore that surprisingly had teen books! (usually I can only find adult literature). I didn't have much money, so I only bought one book, but it's a book I've been dying to read and I'm super excited to start!

The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller

What did you get in your mailbox this week?? Have a great week!

Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions (#3 Katie Weldon Series) by Robin Jones Gunn

288 Pages

As graduation approaches, Katie Weldon is pretty sure she's ready for the word "engaged" to describe her relationship with Rick. But Eli seems to always be right there when she needs support. Rick is everything Katie's ever dreamed of, offering her stability and love. Eli, on the other hand, brings adventure, spontaneity, and a wild love of God.

Katie wonders if she's ready to be serious with any guy. Maybe God wants her to seriously commit to him first, whether her future is all planned out or as spontaneous as her impromptu life has been so far. On thing she knows for sure: With God alongside her, the coming attractions are bound to be a surprise.

The third book in the Katie Weldon series reunites the Christy Miller gang as Katie learns to trust God with her coming attractions.

Ramblings: The best and worst feeling in the world: When you read the last sentence of the last book in a series that you absolutely love and the two characters not supposed to be together originally are and they are setting off on a new adventure and you are just dying and praying and hoping and wishing for the author to write more books. This book? This feelings times 10!

Characters: I really don't want to give anything away for other people interested in or currently reading the Christy Miller/Katie Weldon books, so I'm not quite sure what to say. Katie is still just as amazing, but my feelings for Rick drop in this book. On the other hand, my feelings for Eli rise A LOT. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Eli!!! :) And you will all love him too.

Plot: Senior year in college is probably tough (I wouldn't know!). Katie does a fabulous job juggling her overboard life. Spontaneity is pretty huge in this book (especially the end!) and really big in Katie's life in general.  It's something I'm trying to work on, and I'm trying to let do and let God lead my through everything. These books have really opened my eyes!

Overall: *Spoiler* To: Robin Jones Gunn. Please make a new series of Katie & Eli's adventures in Africa!!!! I love your books and they are soo inspirational, thanks a bunch!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Cover Love: 2 Hearts

Top Ten Tuesday -- Halloween Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish every Tuesday! This week's top ten is:

• THE TOP TEN PERFECT BOOKS TO READ AROUND HALLOWEEN

My list:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Shiver by Maggie Stievfater
3. Fallen by Gwen Hayes
4. Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collings
5. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
6. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
7. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells by Rose Pressey
8. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
9. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
10. Anything by Edgar Allen Poe

What are the books on your top ten list? 

And what are you going to be for Halloween? Will you be trick-or-treating or passing out candy? :)

Oh a Whim

On a Whim (#2 Katie Weldon Series) by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 293
Ever since high school, Katie Weldon has wondered what it would be like to be Rick Doyle's girlfriend. As a college senior she's about to find out.
In the swirl of Katie's upgraded dating life, she receives an unexplained bouquet, an unexpected call from her mother, an unprecedented girls' night out with Christy, and an unhappy moment when her beloved car takes its last wheeze.
Rick's new roommate, Eli, complicates things by inviting Katie to see a meteor shower. Under a canopy of stars Katie grasps a new view of the universe--out there as well as up close. As if she had nothing else to do, on a whim, she singlehandedly starts a fund-raising campaign for clean water for Africa.
With Rick caught up in plans for the future, how will Katie navigate her way through the remainder of her college career with no money, no transportation, and no idea what God is up to?

Ramblings: Oooh my goodness. You all are probably tired of my raving about this series. BUT I JUST CAN'T STOP!! I swear if I could I would walk up to every girl on this planet and hand the the first Christy Miller volume and say, "This will change your life. seriously. read this!"

Characters: Katie is such a great girl! She really thinks of others before herself and always tries to do the right thing--even if it doesn't go quite as planned. I know God made me just as I am and I love Him for that, but Katie is the kind of girl I hope to become someday. Even though her life is crazy she just won't stop helping others--even if they are all the way in Africa!

Plot: As the series continues Katie falls more in love with Rick and is pretty much loving life. Getting Eli and more involved in this plot was marvelous and I'm so excited to see more of them in the last book! The plot moves pretty quickly and honestly, I couldn't put it down! And oh my goodness. The ending! Let me tell you: I did not see that coming!

Overall: This series will change your life. Seriously. Go read it!

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Love: 5 Hearts

In My Mailbox 18

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. This week was my library book sale so I bought tons of books there! (Too many too post up here!)


But I also bought from B&N:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

The Death Cure by James Dashner

What did you get in your mailbox this week??

:)

The Death Cure

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

Ramblings: I haven't wanted the next book in a series as vigorously as I've waited for this one.. probably since Mockingjay released! The story behind The Maze Runner Trilogy is one that I will never forget and I'm super excited to share my thoughts on the finale!

Characters: The gang is back! Thomas, Minho, and Newt, along with Aris and Teresa, & Brenda and Jorge. But, I character I was excited to meet again was Gally. Although absent from the second book he is ever-present in this one. I loved hearing about his past and times he spent in the Wicked headquarters. And I guess I should talk about Thomas a bit too, huh? He is a pretty cool kid! Determined to overcome Wicked and survive, he really carries this story through to the very lat word.

Plot: Ahh this plot started out so wonderfully and has really never let me down. Through the twists and turns that seem to come around every corner since the first book, Dashner did a great job of  keeping the pace of the book moving. This final book is all about who you can trust: whether it be Wicked, The Right Arm, or even your closest friends. Oh yeah, and about surviving the flare.

Overall: I highly highly highly recommend this book (and series!) to anyone and everyone looking for a great, new & unique, suspenseful & mysterious sci-fi adventure. You will fall in love with the series and the characters! Oh yeah, and the language! The other day I caught myself saying "shuck it" !!

Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Love: 2 Hearts (Although the cover is amazingly cool, there is no snow!)

Rebecca's Heart

Rebecca's Heart by Lisa Harris

Pages: 170
REBECCA'S HEART IS OPEN TO LOVE. . . .
But she discovers she's about to make the biggest mistake of her life. To avoid such a mistake, she cancels her plans and moves to Boston. There she takes a position as a seamstress in a furniture shop where she hopes to mend her broken heart.
Luke Hutton longs to build ships for a living but is set to sail one last time before he can make his dreams come true. He stops by the furniture shop on an errand for his mother and falls at once for the dark-haired beauty who works there. 
Can Rebecca and Luke find a way to share the secrets that keep them from true happiness? Will Rebecca trust her heart to God, as well as Luke?

Ramblings: One of my very best friends, Victoria, gave me this book along with a few other books for my birthday. They were originally her great-aunt's mother's and she has just passed them down through her family until her great aunt gave them to her. I just feel so special and loved that Victoria tried to share them with me!

The Characters: This was a pretty quick read, but the story inside was one that I would love to read again and again. Rebecca struggles through heart break and questions God about the way her life is going. I just adored Rebecca and her journey with God. She is a very strong young woman, and she really guarded her heart which at times could be frustrating to me. I just wanted her to melt into Luke's arms and live happily ever after! (Of course that wouldn't make for the best story, but I would have enjoyed it!)

The Plot: I've really enjoyed reading a Christian love story that isn't the Christy Miller stories. (Not that those  aren't amazing, because they most definitely are!) The book is told in Rebecca's point of view and Luke's point of view, so I knew what they were thinking but they didn't know what the other was thinking. There were quite a few twists and turns in this book that I most certainly did not see coming, and that made the book very interesting and it kept me turning the pages.

Overall: I just adored this book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a love story and a chance to connect with God. This was just a wonderful book and I can't wait to read the other books in the HEARTSONG collection.

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Cover Love: 2 Hearts

In My Mailbox 17

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Every Sunday you can show the books you received this week. This week I went on a little Robin Jones Gunn shopping spree (:

Christy Miller's Diary by Robin Jones Gunn

Christy & Todd The College Years by Robin Jones Gunn

Christy Miller & Sierra Jensen: Departures by Robin Jones Gunn

The Katie Weldon Series:

Peculiar Treasures by Robin Jones Gunn

On a Whim by Robin Jones Gunn

Coming Attractions by Robin Jones Gunn

The Sierra Jensen Series:

Volume One: Only You Sierra, In Your Dreams, & Don't You Wish by Robin Jones Gunn

Volume Two:  Close Your Eyes, Without a Doubt, & With This Ring by Robin Jones Gunn

Volume Three: Open Your Heart, Time Will Tell, & Now Picture This by Robin Jones Gunn

Volume Four: Hold On Tight, Closer Than Ever, & Take My Hand by Robin Jones Gunn

What did you get in your mailbox this week?? 

:)

BTT: Odd

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme every Thursday. This week's question is:

What's the oddest book you've ever read? Did you like it? Hate it? Did it make you think?

My Answer: Hmm I would say the oddest book (well series) I've ever read is The Mysterious Bennedict Society. And yeah, I enjoyed it, although I never got around to reading the other books in the series. It made me think, a lot actually, because there were puzzles in the book and riddles. The other book I was thinking of is The Name of this Book is Secret. And if you've read that, you know what I mean. It's kind of a long the same lines as the Bennedict Society, and I never read the other books in that series either!

What is the oddest book you've ever read??

Peculiar Treasures

Peculiar Treasures (Katie Weldon #1) by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 241
Book #1 in the Katie Weldon Series picks up just minutes after the end of Christy and Todd: The College Years. Katie catches more than the bouquet at Todd and Christy’s wedding. She catches a case of senioritis, which she’s working hard to stave off, in addition to unexpected changes that keep her off balance. But one thing that’s not changing is her relationship with Rick. They’re living in the slow lane, and Katie wonders what will it take to convince him to make the eagerly anticipated lane change that will speed up the progress of their relationship.

Ramblings: This is a book I stayed up half the night reading because I could not put it down. Need I say more?
I probably don't have to, but I'm going to anyway!

The Characters: I'm used to reading the Christy Miller Collection, so I'm used to Christy's point of view, not Katie's. But I have to say it was wonderful to finally have the chance to read from Katie's point of view. She is so smart and has such a strong-willed personality. It was amazing to watch from her view, her journey with God. In case you are wondering, yes Christy is still in this book and she is still her charming self! (Oh yeah, and dreamy Todd is there too!) Rick. Ahhhh what to say about Rick? He has changed so much since I first met him in the 2nd Christy book, and I have to say I love him the most right now. He is finally close to God and he is patient and sweet and just such a gentleman.

The Plot: Still in college, Katie is starting her senior year at Rancho Corona university. But I love the new twist that this year she gets to be an adviser. She is in charge of (mostly) freshman girls and it was amazing to see her help the girls and get to know the girls. My favorite part of the plot though, was the Peculiar Treasures Wall in their hallway. It was absolutely wonderful!
Here is the verse that Katie & Christy's friendship is based upon throughout every book:
"Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine." -Exodus 19:5 AKJV


Overall: Of course I am stunned again by how amazing and gripping Gunn's novels are. I'm just so excited that she decided to continue the series from Katie's point of view. I hope that she never stops writing about this group!

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Love: 4 Hearts

Musing Monday 12

Musing Monday is hosted by Should Be Reading. This week's musing asks:

What are you excited about reading?

My Answer: I am soo excited because in eight days, The Death Cure by James Dashner comes out! It is the third book in the Maze Runner trilogy and I am just dying to finish the series and find out what happens to all of them. This is one book I've been waiting months for, and it's finally here!

What are you excited about reading?
Comment and leave a blog address and I'll follow back!

The Top 100 Teen Books

I found this list at Read This Instead, and I decided to share it with all of you! Apparently this list originated in Sweden (According to Penelope at The Reader Fever who searched for the original list!) So, I've gone through this list and bolded the books I've read. Once you read through the list you can post it on your sight and see which books you've read!
So, here it is!

Alex Finn – Beastly --Saw the movie

Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones

Ally Carter – Callagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)

Ally Condie – Matched (1, 2)

Alyson Noel – The Immortals  (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills

Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4) - the movie also

Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)

Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)

Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)

Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)

Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)

Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3, 4)

Christopher Paolini  - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)

Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)

Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)

Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3) - I saw the movie

Ellen Hopkins – Impulse

Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply

Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)

Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere

Gail Carson Levine – Fairest

Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2) --October 11: The Death Cure #3!

James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why

Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4) - I also saw the movie

Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 

John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -and I saw the movie

John Green – An Abundance of Katherines

John Green – Looking for Alaska

John Green – Paper Towns

Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)

Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)

Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)

Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2) 

Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)

Lemony Snicket -  Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) 

Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)

Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)

Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

M.T. Anderson – Feed

Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)

Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)

Markus Zusak  - The Book Thief

Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger

Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Mary Ting – Crossroads

Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)

Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)

Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) - I saw the movies

Meg Rosoff – How I live now

Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)

Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road

Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Michael Grant – Gone  (1, 2, 3, 4)

Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion

Neal Shusterman – Unwind

Neil Gaiman – Coraline - I saw the movie

Neil Gaiman – Stardust - I saw the movie

Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 )

Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)

Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist --On TBR list!

Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks

S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)

Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip

Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride

Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key

Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever

Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Scott Westerfeld  - Leviathan (1, 2, 3)

Scott Westerfeld  - Uglies (1, 2, 3)

Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days

Shannon Hale – Princess Academy

Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)

Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)

Stephanie Meyer – The Host

Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)

Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees

Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3) *One of my all-time fav series!*

Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)

Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)

Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)

Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

I've Read: 27 (and then I've seen a few others on this list as movies)

Hmmm maybe I should add a few more of these to my TBR list!

How many books on this list have you read?? If you repost, leave the linky in my comment box!

Delirium

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Pages: 441
Ninety-Five days, and then I'll be safe. 
I wonder whether 

the procedure will hurt.

I want to get it over with.

It's hard to be patient. 
                It's hard not to be afraid 
               while I'm still uncured, 

though so far the 

deliria hasn't touched me yet.

Still, I worry.

     They say that in the old days, 
love drove people to madness. 
         The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills
you both when you have it 

and when you don't.

Aaah! Mimi, you were right, I am squealing!! I have like 3000 different emotions running through me! The main few being: Heart-brokenness, anger, shock, and frustration. (Symptoms of the Deleria??) Yes, because I am in love with this book!

The characters: I'm keeping it short and sweet (or trying to). Lena: at first a goodie-goodie that annoyed me, but turned out to be a pretty amazing, un-average girl. Alex: Dreamy! I just loved his personality, his poetry, even his rebellious side. Hana: Funny, gorgeous, and she really was a great best friend.

The plot: Wonderful, unique, suspenseful, brilliant, beautiful. Aaah! I don't even know how to describe how I feel about this book. I love the fact that they think love is a disease! In a way, I guess it is, but it's a good disease. Like Lena said in the book, it changes your view of things because it makes everything more beautiful! <3

Overall: I clearly adored this book. It was very captivating; I literally read 350 pages of it today. I don't know why this book sat on my bookshelf for two months before I decided to pick it up and read it. All I know is, the day Pandemonium comes out, I am buying it and all I'll be doing all day is reading!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Love: 2 Hearts