The Re-Read Challenge

I’m joining “The 2015 Re-Read Challenge”

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Re-Read Challenge

After some debating for some time, I’ve decided to join The 2015 Re-Read Challenge! One of the reasons I decided to join this reading challenge is that I want to re-read a lot of my favorite books this year. When I first started being an avid reader, I was the person that vowed never to re-read a book because ain’t nobody got time for that. But as time passed I’ve change my stance on that. I truly have.

If you would like to join myself and many others on this year-long challenge click here and it will take you the information and sign up page!

THE CHALLENGE

I’m planning to re-read anywhere between 10 to 20 books. I don’t want to set an exact amount because I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but I think having a ballpark figure is good enough.

Some of the books I’m planning to re-read are:

  • Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
  • Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Okcler
  • The Lux Series, starting with Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry
  • What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
  • and a few others…

That’s about it! If you too are doing the re-read challenge, please let me know! I would to see which books you think are worthy of being read more than once!

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New Year, New Look!

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The Talking Bookworm has a new look.

As this site enters its third year, I decided it was time for The Talking (Blogging) Bookworm to have a new look! What do you guys think? Is it okay on your eyes? I love the simple look, but I did want some color on it, hence the pinkish tones throughout. Please let me know what you guys think. Thank you to every single one of you for following me and reading my reviews. You guys are awesome!

Other

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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I was nominated not once, but twice! Woo! Tags Galore! Thank you Emma (Miss Print) and Kayla (The Thousand Lives) for tagging me! Let’s begin!

The rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site
  • Put the award logo on your blog
  • Answer the ten questions they’ve set you
  • Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer
  • Nominate ten people

Emma’s Questions:

  1. Favorite book of all time (top five if you can’t narrow it down)?
    1. EMMA! Ugh fine. You’re going to make me work here… If I Stay, Twenty Boy Summer, Crash Into You, Anna and the French Kiss, Maybe Someday…
  2. Best thing about being a blogger?
    1. Being able to talk about the books!
  3. Worst thing about being a blogger?
    1. Keeping up with all the new books. SO MANY NEW BOOKS. *cries*
  4. How many books do you read a week (month if it’s easier to parse)?
    1. I’d say I average about 4-5 books a month (Although I’ve already read 4 this year in less than two weeks, so it really depends on my mood and free time)
  5. Where do you do most of your reading?
    1. My sofa or bed.
  6. How many books are on your to read list right now?
    1. Too many to count.
  7. What’s one goal for your blogging life in 2015?
    1. To collaborate more with other bloggers, and so far I think I’m doing it!
  8. What 2015 release are you most excited to read?
    1. The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead cause ADRIAN. *melts*
  9. If you could change the ending of one book, which would it be and why?
    1. Boundless by Cynthia Hand. Why? BECAUSE CHRISTIAN GOT THE SHORT END OF THE STICK AND ITS NOT FAIR.
  10. Open spot to share another bookish fact about yourself of your choice!
    1. Many people know me as the contemporary queen, but my senior year in high school all I read were paranormal and conspiracy stories. I was so into vampires. I even had a Team Edward shirt. *shudders*

Kayla’s Questions:

  1. If you could only own (library is still available) ONE book for the rest of your life, which would it be?
    1. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. I know. I know. I even shocked myself. O_O
  2. Imagine you have $50 to the bookstore of your choice – what would your order look like?
    1. All Fall Down, Crown of Midnight, Vanishing Girls, and The Start of Me and You. BOOM!
  3. What movie would you love to read as a novel?
    1. All 3 Iron Man movies! I know they are comic books, but I want it in books form too.
  4. You have one trope that will be included in the rest of the books you read: what is it?
    1. It’s only 7:45 am Kayla. I haven’t drank coffee yet. This takes too much brain power. I shall not answer it. lol
  5. What is one book you absolutely WILL NOT read, no matter what people say, and why?
    1. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Why? I hate horror/scary stories. I get nightmares easily.
  6. You can only pick one 2015 release to read this year: which one would it be??
    1. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
  7. What book would you reread right now if you could?
    1. Maybe Someday and I am. LOL
  8. If this were a well-ordered universe, which character would be brought to life and be your best friend?
    1. ADRIAN IVASHKOV
  9. What’s the best book to movie or book to tv show you’ve seen?
    1. If I Stay is a recent one for me. But if I want to be like everyone else, The Hunger Games is up there.
  10. And because I liked Cynthia’s question, answer #1 from my questions!
    1. I hope you mean this question… What is one book/series that you really wish were a movie, and who should play the main character?
    2. My answer is: The Bloodline Series and I want Leighton Meester to play Sydney. I know she doesn’t have blonde hair and she can always dye it, but dude like I remember her as Blair in GG and she has that badass-ness to her that she could totally be Sydney. That was easy. 🙂

You have been Nominated!

Andi @ Andi ABC’s

Alison @ Hardcovers and Heroines

Margarida @ The Fault In Our Words

(Can’t nominate ten people because I don’t have ten people to nominate. Also, if you have already been nominated… SORRY!)

My Questions:

1. Which book to movie adaptation would you love for it to be re-done?

2.  What was your favorite debut novel of 2014?

3. Which book are you most anticipating in 2015?

4. If you were given all-expense paid trip to one of the biggest libraries in the world (ex: Stockholm Library in Sweden), which would you pick? Why?

5. Are you for or against e-readers?

6. What is your most anticipated sequel for 2015?

7. What are you currently reading right now? Any good?

8. How many completed series do you own?

9. How is your TBR looking?

10. Any exciting blogging plans for the future?

 

If you do the tag, please leave me the link below so I can read your answers! I would love to read them!

Editor Letter

2 Year Blog Anniversary!

Veronica Porras (TTB)

So, I am the most horrible person in the world. I FORGOT MY OWN BLOG ANNIVERSARY. The Talking (Blogging) Bookworm turned two years old on December 2014. I started this blog December 2012 when I was still a college student (I was in my senior year. This blog was my coping mechanism for the craziness that your college senior year is). It’s crazy to see how much it has grown in two years. I’ve met some of the best people because of this blog and that only pushes me to continue this and to not stop blogging anytime in the near future. My second year wasn’t my best. Entering the working world was much harder for me that I realized, but I’m back and I’m here to stay.

I want to thank everyone who has read my reviews and has followed my blog. I’m thankful for each and every one of you. You guys are one of the reasons why I keep blogging. Here is to a better third year! Huzzah!

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Special Review, YA Dystopian

ARC Review: Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) by Aimee Carter

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Disclaimer: Thank you Harlequin TEEN and  NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.

Goodreads Summary:

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.

Review:

This book was almost the death of me. The main reason I was able to finish Pawn because I ended up listening to the audiobook instead of reading the galley I received. I bought the Audiobook (it was only 5.95 on amazon) and downloaded to my phone and it was the only thing I listened on my long commutes to and from work.

Let’s talk about KNOX. I don’t know exactly how I feel about him. Gosh he is such a tease, but also at times he would get soo broody and moody and under my skin. But if I had to choose between Benji and Knox, well of course I prefer Knox. And since I mentioned Benji let’s talk about him. First, I know that I was initially influenced by Kayla (The Thousand Lives) to not like him. I was waiting for him to mess up. The only thing he did wrong at the beginning was the whole “Omg you’re gonna be a prostitute and another man cannot possibly have sex with you before I do so let’s have sex right now”. I was over here shaking my head and going “UH NO. YOU JUST DID NOT GO THERE.” After that he isn’t really there much so he couldn’t really mess things up much more. It also bugged me that he wasn’t more jealous about the whole Knox is going to have to marry Kitty, and that all he will ever be is Knox’s assistant, while watching the two of them be together.

Cecilia did throw me off a little though. I was hoping she would be kinder to Kitty, being masked and all, but making her be her puppet instead as opposed to Daxton’s, she really isn’t much better even if the end justifies the means.

Kitty. Oh Kitty. What a mess did you get into. She isn’t my favorite protagonist. I would have LOVED to see something in Knox’s point of view because to me that boy is still a mystery, but ah Kitty could be really annoying at times. I get why she does what she does, but omg that still doesn’t make it any better.

A character that had me fooled was Grayson. He seemed so timid and little when Kitty interacted with him at the beginning, but towards the end I finally saw him how he really is. He is fully aware of what his family does and it is a shame what he has had to deal with it everyday. I can finally understand his obsession with all the inventions. It keeps him busy and doesn’t get involved in the family drama. Also I couldn’t believe that Daxton was masked. Where the heck is he and why did a 5 replace him? Dear Lord this just got more convoluted and intense. Honestly that was the moment in the story that got me hooked. Too bad it was 70% into it. After getting through 70% of the book, you get thrown so many twists and turns that it leaves you feeling… numb. So much happened at the end, I have no idea how to process it.

I can’t say this is one of my favorite dystopian series, but I will say that it manages to hook you and now I really want to read Captive.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

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Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

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Goodreads 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.

Review:

I am so excited to review this book! To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has been on my TBR ever since it was published. Needless to say, I finally got around to it. I actually went to read the first couple of chapters before purchasing it to see if I would like it. Anyways, long story short, I didn’t stop reading after the first two chapters. I ended up finishing it in one sitting! I’ve never done that with a book before. It hooked me right in and peaked my interest. I really loved it and that’s a lot coming from me because I’m more of a science fiction reader.

This was an emotional roller coaster and it made me cry throughout the entirety of it. Lara Jean was so easy to relate to and I definitely saw myself in her. It was as if I was Lara Jean. Some parts of the plot took me by surprise, all very good surprises. I loved seeing — rather reading — the reactions of the guys who received her letters. This book made me laugh so much, too. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Peter! The ending really got to me and ends with a cliffhanger. I was so relieved to find out that there is a sequel! I cannot wait!

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Contemporary Conversations

Contemporary Conversations

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Contemporary Conversations Banner

BIG BIG NEWS! GUESS WHAT?! Kayla (The Thousand Lives) and I are really excited to share some wonderful news with you! And what is that news? In March we will be hosting for the first time ever Contemporary Conversations!! *pops champagne*

The Plan

For the entire month of March, starting Sunday the 1st and going through Tuesday the 31st, we will be reviewing, discussing, and taking over the net with all things contemporary. So whether you have only just dipped your feet into the young adult contemporary genre or a veteran in this genre (like myself) we welcome you to March, the month of all things contemporary!

We know that contemporary books have quite a range of subjects, so we have four themes that we’ve planned out, with one for each week.

  • Week One (1st-7th): Coming of Age tales. As Wikipedia puts it, these are books about “the psychological and moral growth or transition of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. Personal growth and change is an important characteristic of this genre.”
  • Week Two (8th-14th): The Hard Stuff. You could probably take this in a few different directions (social issues, physical disabilities, etc), but we’ll mostly be focusing on mental illnesses.
  • Week Three (15th-21st): Rereads. Because who doesn’t love a reread of their favorite fluffy book? Not this girl.
  • Week Four (22nd-28th): Conspiracies. This is for the revenge based plots, or the spy characters, or even catty high school dramas.

The last few days in the month will be dedicated to our wrap-up posts and (the fun part) our giveaway winner announcement! I may have forgotten to mention that participants will be able to enter for up to $15 to either Amazon or The Book Depository. So yes, it will be international!

How does one take part you ask?

First of all, add your name and a link to your blog to our linky at the bottom of this post. We would love you forever if you also made a post that announced your intention to participate and spread the word so more people can join in!

Second, plan your books! Kayla and I may have amounted an insane amount of books to read for March, and you are welcome to do the same! Review as many as you would like,

Third, have fun! We’ll be making lists and writing discussions, but anything and everything goes. Some other ideas include cover hunts, first line guessing games, bingo cards, reading challenges, read-a-thons, author interviews, giveaways… the list goes on!

Last, but not least, use #contempconvos on Twitter. It will help everyone find your posts from the month!

Grab a button or banner!

You can use the big banner at the top of this post, but I’ve also created a thinner banner as well as a button, for whatever you like.

For the big banner, use this code:

Contemporary Conversations
<div align="center"><a href="http://thethousandlives.com/2015/03/01/contemporary-conversations-march-event/" title="Contemporary Conversations"><img src="http://thethousandlives.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/69/2014/12/Contemporary-Conversations-Banner.png" alt="Contemporary Conversations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

For the little banner, use this code:

Contemporary Conversations
<div align="center"><a href="http://thethousandlives.com/2015/03/01/contemporary-conversations-march-event/" title="Contemporary Conversations"><img src="http://thethousandlives.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/69/2014/12/Contemporary-Conversations-Banner2.png" alt="Contemporary Conversations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

For the button, use this code:

Contemporary Conversations
<div align="center"><a href="http://thethousandlives.com/2015/03/01/contemporary-conversations-march-event/" title="Contemporary Conversations"><img src="http://thethousandlives.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/69/2014/12/Contemporary-Conversations-Button.png" alt="Contemporary Conversations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

That is all!

We shall be posting some reminders and more information as March gets closer, but if you have any immediate questions you can always reach us through email or twitter. We’re so excited for March, and can’t wait to see what you will all come up with!

Link up here:

Tuesday Meme

Top Nine (not Ten) Most Anticipated Debut Novels For 2015

Veronica Porras (TTB)

 

TopTenTuesdayThank you to The Broke and The Bookish for this wonderful meme! If you want to learn how to participate, click here and check it out. Promise you won’t regret it.  🙂

Well aren’t you all surprised to see me because I totally am. I actually researched debut novels for an hour to come up with this list. I haven’t really checked out debut authors in a while unless I’m recommended a book, so I thought this would be the best topic as my return to Top Ten Tuesday. Here are the 2015 debut novels I’m excited for!

1. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman –  Jan 15th

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2. The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart – Jan 27th

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3. The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne – March 17th

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4. The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1) by Melissa Grey – April 28th

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5. Tracked by Jenny Martin – May 5th

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6. Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer – June 2nd

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7. Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian – June 2nd

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8. Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout – June 9th

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9. The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi – June 16th

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Are there any debut novels you don’t see on my list that you are excited for? Please share! 😀

NA Romance, Reviews

Book Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

Review:

First review of 2015! Woo! *throws confetti* 

Yes, I am on a Colleen Hoover binge this holiday season and I am absolutely not ashamed. I really wanted to read Ugly Love when I heard it involved pilots. I currently work in the Aviation Industry so I am always up for reading anything that involves that industry (and to see if they actually get it right).

First, I want to say that Ms. Hoover wrote about pilots in a stereotypical way that is actually true… most of the time. But not always. The first part of the pilot stereotype is that married pilots can be big douchebags, and want to bang any pretty girl they see. I’ve seen it. Once they get onboard, some take their ring off and “forget” they are married. Honestly, it disgusts me. But there are also those few that are like Miles. Those that are not sleeping around and are not complete douchebags. Which is probably why I’m still in that industry because those few make it better in a way. (We also have pilots like Tate’s brother, they’re nice, but also sleep around. Sigh. I’m nice to those, but I also make sure I put some distance between us.)

If you’ve read at least two Colleen Hoover books you know there is always some tragedy that will break your little heart. It could be because I’ve read 4 Hoover books by now that even though this tragedy was pretty bad, I didn’t feel as heartbroken as the first time [when I read Hopeless]. I absolutely loved that we have both Mile’s and Tate’s point of view, and that it alternates through the book. This is not your average split POV book though. Ms. Hoover had Mile’s POV telling us the story of the past, and we have Tate telling us the story present day. It was very easy to follow both storylines, and the way she did it added to the anticipation to the climax of the story. I was actually okay with how the story ended, probably because of that amazing epilogue that just made the world better.

(I wouldn’t mind a novella about Tate’s brother though)

Overall, Ugly Love shows how much Colleen Hoover has grown as a writer and storyteller. She keeps making characters we can relate to and I hope she doesn’t stop writing anytime soon.

(Warning: This book is the most mature book I’ve read of Colleen Hoover. There are some sex scenes and thankfully are not very explicit, but if you still want to read it and you dislike books that have sex scenes, you can just skip ahead and not read those sections. 🙂 )

Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews, YA Fantasy

Book Review: Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily’s other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can’t hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

Review:

Seductive. That is the only word you can really use to describe this book. I had received an ARC in a gift box from another blogger and at first it didn’t seem like my type of book, but then Kayla raved so much about it I said heck I’ll try it.

Let’s start off with ROWAN. Dear Lord that man will be the death of me. Why the heck does he not exist?! Seriously. I absolutely loved that there weren’t any sexy time or heavy make out sessions because that just made the sexual/romantic tension between Lily and Rowan more intense and that is one of the many reasons why it is seductive. Gosh. It gives me chills.

Something I found really interesting was the concept that what makes you weak in one world, makes you the most powerful person in another. The message sent across to us the reader is that our weakness can also be our strength. The way we receive the message is rather ingenious by putting Lily into Lillian’s world.

I need to give Ms. Angelini a virtual *high five* because the world building was done very well. It wasn’t hard for me to understand what was going on and the way everything was described and explained just made the story a whole lot more enjoyable. I love it when we learn about a new world along with the main character. I feel like it gives us a fuller experience as opposed other ways authors use to do their world building.

For a first book in a series Trial by Fire is a great beginning to this thrilling ride that awaits us. The blurb on the cover describes it completely. Worlds Collide. Magic Reigns. Love Burns. 

Rating: 5 out of freaking 5