talkingbookworm – Page 2 – The Talking Bookworm

WWW (August 28)

August 28, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

W.W.W. Wednesday’s is hosted by Should Be Reading. To play along all you have to do is answer three simple questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish? What do you think you’ll read next?

1. What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout. Bev Stout kindly gave me a copy of her book to read for review. So far, it’s interesting. I’ve never read a story in that part of history and about sailors.

2. What did you recently finish?

I recently finished reading Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. I fell in love with the story. It may be sad, but it gives you hope. I love books that give me hope. After TBS, I was in a bit of a reading slump.

3. What do you think you’ll read next?

On Goodreads it says that I’m reading The Trouble with Flirting and Eve. I might continue to read those later this week or I will read another ARC. I’ve recently gotten some good ARC’s that I’m really excited to read.

Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight #9 Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

August 15, 2013August 15, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

This week’s spotlight is taken by one of my favorite YA contemporary books of all time, Bittersweet. Sarah Ockler has mastered the art of creating a hybrid YA contemporary book. Bittersweet is both deep and fluffy. The characters in this story deal with real life issues that we can all relate too. This is another book that made me want to eat lots of cake while I was reading it. I don’t know why I didn’t heed to the warning on the cover, a heart shaped puzzle pastry and the sprinkled sugar before it was too late. Trust me, you won’t regret reading this book or eating all the cake it makes you crave.

Book Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Originally Published: January 3rd, 2012

Goodreads Summary:

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life… and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…

Random

Week 2 of GG Readathon

August 12, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

Last week we read I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You.

I had forgotten so many things, and how the whole Josh thing really went down. I was so enamored by Josh when I was 16, but now I just find him cute. I can’t wait until Zack comes into the picture. I can’t wait for the Blackthorn Boys. *giggles*

This week we are reading:

I am really glad I decided to join this Readathon. I will be posting a short book review of the first book soon.

Have a lovely Monday!

Reviews, YA Dystopian

Book Review: The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

August 5, 2013June 15, 2016 Veronica Porras (TTB)

Goodreads Summary:

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

What I Like:

I read this book in one sitting. ONE SITTING. I absolutely loved it. Prince Maxon was such a sweetheart, except for this one time where I was really mad at him. Hormones, Ugh. I really liked Maxon’s mother, the Queen. She brought stability and hope. I really think the Queen is a symbol of what the kingdom would be like if given the opportunity, or more better said, the right to have the ability to rise, to better themselves. Your caste number does not define you, it is the type of person you are that ultimately defines you. We can see this with Celeste. She may be of the second highest caste, but inside, she is a horrible human being. On the other hand, America, who does have her fair share of imperfections and moments of horrible judgement of character, is a better person overall and cares for others. She is always trying to help others, even at the cost of it affecting her in a negative way.

What I Dislike:

I was annoyed with America many times in the book. Like I said earlier, she can be a horrible judge of character. I also really disliked Aspen and the way he was trying to weasel into America’s heart by making Prince Maxon look bad at all costs. I do feel like the selection is dragging a little long. I hope we get to see more of the rebels in The One.

Overall:

In conclusion, the good of the book overpowers the bad. The “bad” parts of the book are not poor writing, or a boring plot, the “bad” parts of the book are the decisions the characters make and the consequences that they have to face for making said decisions. Kiera’s writing is so easy and effortless to read and very, very enjoyable that one only notices how long the book is until one is done. In my opinion, the books are not long enough.

Rating: 5/5

Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight #7: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

August 4, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

So, I know that this Book Spotlight is late. Why? I absolutely forgot about it. I apologize you guys. I don’t even know how it happened honestly, but I will be better about my posts from now on. I normally don’t do this which is why I am in a state of shock. Anyways, let’s continue with what you really want to read.

For this week’s spotlight we are going back to YA contemporary novels and the one that I will be focusing the spotlight on is:

I really really enjoyed Catching Jordan. Having a girl be the captain of the football team and play better than any of the other guys on the team was freaking awesome. It is a book about the unconventional. We have sports, romance, family, and friendship. Pretty much it has it all. Just thinking about this book makes me want to read it again. Yup, it’s that awesome.

Book title: Catching Jordan

Author: Miranda Kenneally

Originally Published: December 1st, 2011

Goodreads Summary:

Whoever said football and girls don’t mix hasn’t read Catching Jordan. I couldn’t put it down ” — Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn’t want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn’t just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that’s just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she’s ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he’s also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan’s feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart’s on the line?

WWW

W.W.W. Wednesday’s (July 31)

July 31, 2013August 2, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

1. What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading the third book in the Shadow Falls series by C.C. Hunter. I started reading this series over weekend and boy is it good!

2. What did you recently finish?

I recently finished the second book in the Shadow Falls series. Like I said, I can’t get enough of this series.

3. What do you think you’ll read next?

I will either read Whispers at Moonrise (the fourth book in the Shadow Falls series), Requiem (The last book in the Delirium trilogy), Crush Control, or Rules of Attraction.

What are you currently reading?

Editor Letter

New Design

July 29, 2013July 29, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello lovely followers and fellow book readers,

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to update the website, make it more user friendly and also make it look nicer. After some deliberating about what colors I wanted and how I wanted it to look, I’ve finally decided upon a design and here it is!

Hope you guys like the new design!

To the right of the website we have the pages menu, follow button, and my Goodreads.

At the bottom of the website, we have the categories, archives, and recent posts menu.

Thank you for following me and I hope y’all have a nice day!

Happy Reading,

Veronica

Reviews, YA Dystopian

Book Review: Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

July 29, 2013June 15, 2016 Veronica Porras (TTB)

Goodreads Summary:

I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

What I Liked:

I wasn’t that big of a fan of the first book in the series, Delirium. It was hard for me to get into, but there were some parts that I did enjoy. Pandemonium though, pleasantly surprised me. I loved the character development Lena went through in this book, and the alternating time chapters really worked out well and enhanced the importance of everything we read. The addition of Julian to the story was something I welcomed with open arms. It gave Lena an opportunity to get out of her numb shell and feel again. It showed her that someone can love more than one person.

Something else I liked was how Lauren Oliver portrayed The Resistance and its leaders in this book. The leader I’m thinking of is Raven. The Resistance is supposed to represent the good side of the dystopian society, but even they make mistakes and hurt others for their cause. Raven knew what was going to happen to Lena, but she still put Lena in the life or death circumstances even though there was a good chance Lena would end up dead.

What I Disliked:

A few times the description of the places slightly contradicted itself and it confused me, but apart from that I have nothing negative to say.

Overall:

I enjoyed Pandemonium immensely. It is important that we never stop to love because without love, society cannot survive.

Rating: 5/5

Editor Letter

The Editor Writes: News

July 16, 2013 Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello Readers!

First of all, I want to apologize for being inactive the last few weeks, especially the last two. I had to go out of the country to see family, and then I got really sick. I got a bad case of the Stomach Flu. It wasn’t pretty. I’m still recuperating.

Second, I’m currently participating in the BookTube-a-Thon or the BookTube Read-a-Thon. It lasts from July 15th-21st.

Third, because I went out of the country, I wasn’t able to read and post the Book Blast from the Past Feature. Hopefully, next month I will be able to do the feature.

The Book Spotlight feature will still be going on except with a few new changes that will go into effect this Thursday. The first and third Thursday will be dedicated to YA Contemporary & Mystery. The second and fourth Thursday of the month will be dedicated to YA Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci Fi.

That’s all the news I have for now. Hope you all have a wonderful summer day.

Happy Reading,

Veronica

Tuesday Meme

Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition

July 15, 2013July 16, 2013 anjieeeb

Thank you The Broke and the Bookish for this wonderful Tuesday Meme

This week’s topic is Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition.

Veronica’s List:

1. Joanna Philbin: One day I was browsing the YA section at Barnes and Noble’s and this book cover caught my eye. After seeing what the story was about, I bought. Ever since then, I read anything Joanna Philbin writes. I love authors whose writing is effortless to read. She’s one of those authors. 🙂

2. Jennifer Jabaley: Sadly, Jennifer only has two novels out, but I still love her. I like the way she builds the world and can write about heavy or silly subjects, but still make them enjoyable.

3. Heather Hepler: I’ve only read The Cupcake Queen by Ms. Hepler, but just with one novel I was sold. As I was reading the story I felt as if I was in the bakery. Now… I want a cupcake.

4. Lisa & Laura Roecker: This duo of writing sisters are my favorite at the moment. Their murder mystery novels are fantastic. Especially, The Liar Society series. Their writing is witty. At times a little harsh, but in a good way.

5. Sarah Ockler: She is one of the few authors that is able to not just cast a spotlight on the romance, but on other types of love, like the love between family members and friends.

Anjie’s List:

6. Courtney Allison Moulton: Angelfire is one of my favorite trilogies of all time! Courtney created amazing characters that I really loved, especially the heroine and I usually can’t stand some of them.

7. Gayle Forman: I especially loved her duology, If I Stay & Where She Went. The plot and the writing brought me to tears!

8. Kiera Cass: She is a new favorite of mine! I love her writing style and The Selection was an amazing read and after reading the sequel, The Elite, I wanted more!

9. Kristin Cashore: She might be a bit more known than the others on the list but I still think she’s great! I loved Graceling and the world that she built in the novels.

10. Aimee Carter: I love Greek mythology and because of Aimee, I’m madly in love with Hades!