April Wrap Up

Can't believe its almost summer! I've become really busy this month because of tests and projects that are due soon, but I'll try to post more reviews! 

Read This Month

So far, I've been branching out more and reading books that are contemporary. More reviews to come!

Waiting on Wednesday #5

The Last Star (The Fifth Wave #3)

Author: Rick Yancey
Publish Date: May 17 2016

Goodreads Summary
We’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came. That’s always been true. The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart.

Master storyteller Rick Yancey invokes triumph, loss, and unrelenting action as the fate of the planet is decided in the conclusion to this epic series.

I'm still on the first book, though, I'm loving it so far and can't wait for the third book!

Stacking the Shelves #3

*Weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Since I've been pretty busy with school, studying for tests and finals, I decided to tone my book hoarding down a bit! 




Borrowed

Feature & Follow #2

 

*Feature & Follow is hosted by Alison of Alison Can Read and Parajunkee of Parajunkee's.

How did you come up with your blog title and address? Does it have a special meaning for you?

I'm not very creative when it comes to naming things, so I just thought of the first thing that came to my head, which was originally "Paper Book Lust." After a few more days, I decided to go with "Paper Selections!"

Feel free to leave links to your FF & I'll definitely follow back!

Waiting on Wednesday #4

The Heir (The Selection #4)

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author: Kiera Cass

Pages: 352

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Publisher: Harper Teen

Goodreads Summary

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

Yay, can't wait for this and the cover is super pretty! I love the Selection Series and Prince Maxon and America!

Review: Anna and the French Kiss

(Anna and the French Kiss #1)

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Pages: 372

Release Date: December 2, 2010

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Summary

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

My Thoughts

I loved this book! After reading this book, I decided to pick up on reading more contemporary books. Initially, I thought this book was gonna be really cheesy and sappy since the title has "French Kiss," but after seeing this book everywhere, I decided to give in and I'm really glad I read it! It was addicting to read and I finished it in one sitting.

This book was insanely adorable and it was a cute read! The story line was perfect and the writing style just flowed throughout the book; there were no dull moments. The book takes place in Paris after Anna's father ships her off to the School of America, where she befriends the extremely gorgeous, Étienne St. Clair.

I loved the dialogue and all the characters. Their friends played a major part in this book. They all had flaws and made mistakes, which made it seem realistic to me. Anna is sarcastic and funny.  I really liked her attitude throughout the book and she just seemed realistic to me. My favorite character in this book is Étienne St. Clair— a half-French, American with a British accent. He was incredibly sweet, smart, and swoon-worthy. He's described as short, but he's beautiful. I just kept GUSHING over him in this book!! Who wouldn't somebody like Étienne. Even his name is perfect to me!

I really enjoyed this book and like how the character's relationship progressed through it. Anna's and St. Clair's relationship was just perfect to me! This book made me want to be sent to a boarding school in Paris. I really recommend this book to readers! Don't just turn this book down because of the title or cover, like how I initially did!

Favorite Quote(s)

"Because I was right. For the two of us, home isn't a place. It's a person. And we're finally home."

Rating:★★★★★ (I LOVED IT!)

Stacking the Shelves #2

*Weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Hey everyone! After reading Anna and the French Kiss (I loved this book!), I decided to read more contemporary books!






Borrowed

So far I've read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Waiting on Wednesday #3

End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days #3)

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author: Susan Ee
Publish Date: May 12, 2015
Pages: Kindle 344 Pages
Publisher: Skyscape

Goodreads Summary
End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Ultimate angel-human OTP! I love Raffe and Penryn together, and I'm super excited for this book to be released! The cover looks amazing, and I'm hoping that those are Raffe's wings?!

Feature & Follow #1

*Feature & Follow is hosted by Alison of Alison Can Read and Parajunkee of Parajunkee's.

Have you ever read a book you thought you’d hate but loved? Or vice versa?

Yup! I thought I would love The Fault in Our Stars since it was super hyped and my sister actually recommended it to me. I didn't really cry in the end like most people, but I thought it was a good story to read!
 

 

Swoon Worthy Saturday #1 - Daemon Black

*Swoon Worthy Saturday is a weekly meme hosted by Hazel at Stay Bookish. where we present a character who has swept us off our feet!

Daemon Black is one of the main characters, and Katy's love, in the Lux series.

Gist

1. Over six feet tall with emerald eyes and dark wavy hair (GORGEOUS)
2. He comes off as a jerk at first, but he ends up being a sweetheart<3
3. He is protective of his sister and Katy
4. Snarky, witty, and sarcastic even in the worse situations
5. He risks everything to be with Katy, he even burned down Las Vegas for her

Quotable Moments

Obsidian
“I've always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect." His eyes searched mine intently, and for a moment we stood there toe to toe. "The ones who throw their beauty around, waste what they have? Their beauty is only passing. It's just a shell hiding nothing but shadows and emptiness.”  

Opal
"I could always give you a teaser. You bookish people love teasers, don't you?"
Onyx
"I love you, Katy. Always have. Always will."
Origin
"Do you think you can stop me? I'll burn down the whole world to save her."

Opposition
"Kat.” He uttered my name like it was some kind of prayer, and then he pressed a kiss against the skin behind my ear. “I broke every rule of my kind to heal you and keep you with me. I … burned down an entire city to keep you safe. I’ve killed for you. Did you think I’d forget what you mean to me? That anything in this world— in any world— would be stronger than my love for you?"

Throughout the series, Daemon Black seriously had me SWOONING. I just couldn't get enough Daemon throughout the series!!

Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

(To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1)

Author: Jenny Han
Pages: 288 Pages
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books

Summary
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

My Thoughts
This book left me with a "what did I just read" moment. I thought this book had a cute plot to it: Lara freaking out about her crushes finding out about her. As the story progressed, it became really dull and there was no point to it at all. It was also SUPER obvious who sent the letters and could have easily been avoidable.

I felt as if the characters were just unrealistic, especially the main character. Throughout the book, I just wanted to smack some sense into Lara Jean. She came off as childish, whiney and immature, acting more like a 10-year-old than a teenager. Her logic behind her decisions made me roll my eyes and just think "Ugh, seriously?" She never developed throughout the book, and just remained the same ditzy person until the end. The love triangle was really dull and was just wrong to me. Really, Lara? Liking your sister's ex-boyfriend?

Overall, this book was just pretty dull and there was nothing special going on.
Rating: ★

Waiting on Wednesday #2

The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3)

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author: Julie Kagawa
Publish Date: October 27, 2015
Pages: Hardcover 384

Goodreads SummaryThe Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all.

He killed me.

Then, I woke up.

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever.

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore. 

AHH! So excited but sad for the last installment. The Iron Fey series was the first Faery book I ever read. This is one of my favorite series! 

Review: My Fair Godmother

My Fair Godmother (My Fair Godmother #1)

Author: Janette Rallison & Cyril Laumonier
Pages: Hardcover 320
Release Date: January 6, 2009
Publisher: Walker Childrens

Summary
Finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!

After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight. Laughs abound in this clever fairy tale twist from a master of romantic comedy.  

My Thoughts

After looking through recommendations on Goodreads, I decided to pick up this book.  The plot seemed funny and I thought it was interesting to read about a disaster from a fairy godmother. First off, when I began to read the prologue chapters, I genuinely liked it. It was funny and had its witty moments. The prologue chapters were the only thing I liked about this book. After it, the story just went downhill. I felt as if the pacing became SUPER slow and just started dragging. There was no exciting moment, no surprising scenes, and no clever twists.

The characters were average, nothing special going on with the love interests with Savannah. Savannah did not appeal to me at all. She came off as ditzy, helpless, and whiney. Even though she tries to help get Tristan, she gets herself into situations which others have to rescue her. Her love interest was really dull. There was no development between the two other than rescuing each other and that they just liked each other.

I wouldn't recommend this to YA fans.

Rating: ★★  (more of a 1.5)

Stacking the Shelves #1

*Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Hey guys! This is my first "Stacking the Shelves" and I just wanted to share what books I accumulated over the week. It was Spring Break for me so I managed to read some books from my TBR pile. Hope you all have a good week!

Purchased

The 5th Wave
By Rick Yancey


















Borrowed

 Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
 Of Triton by Anna Banks










Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Review: Origin

Origin (Lux #4)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pages: 364
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Summary
Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?  

My Thoughts
First off, I LOVE this book AND the cover. I mean seriously, Daemon on that cover is just swoon-worthy.

After finishing this book, I just could not get over it. Origin begins where Opal left off: Daemon trying to find Katy. This book is filled with action scenes- there's NEVER a dull moment in the book. Along with it, there are these romantic Katy and Daemon moments that had me shipping them so hard. I love how Jennifer incorporated Daemon's point of view along with Katy's. You could really tell how much Daemon loves Katy and his point of view had me fangirling over them. He would sacrifice everything and do anything for her. Even in the bad situations, he remained snarky and sarcastic. I also loved Katy. Even after the events that happened, she remained strong throughout it.

 I would highly recommend this series! If you still have not read it, seriously go buy it and start reading it!

Rating: ★★★★★

Waiting on Wednesday #1

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publish Date: September 1, 2015
Pages: Hardcover 576

Goodreads Summary
Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.  

Yeeees! So excited for this to come out! Can't wait for Calaena to revisit the empire again.