Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle
By Rachel Hawkins
Pub Date: April 8th, 2014
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Source: Publisher

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I felt like the paranormal elements balanced really well with the light hearted theme that flowed through the plot so well. I liked that it read like a contemporary novel! I found myself really liking the main character Harper, as well as the setting! I was interested in this book the entire time, and definitely enjoyed all of the little surprises Rachel Hawkins threw in towards the end!

I wish that we could have found out a bit more about some of the history with the Paladins, Oracles, etc. I couldn't help but feeling like it was a tad too convenient that our characters just magically already knew what was happening to them and were given all of these abilities at once. They would go from a completely normal human being, to this kick-ass super hero in a second. It took me a little getting used to..

I enjoyed Harper's character and how she was so Hermione-like at times. David was such a great character and I loved the romance in this book. This book had just enough pretty dresses mixed with fighting. Apparently this is one of my new favorite things in books (see Throne of Glass). I'm really looking forward to continuing on with this series!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before REVIEW / BAKING + GIVEAWAY!

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Goodreads link
My review

Recipe:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Preheat over to 375F for a non-stick cookie sheet
2. Cream the butter, then add sugar and mix.
3. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the mixture, add egg and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon for the topping.
5. Shape the dough into walnut size balls and roll in topping mixture.
6. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.

I Love Spring Book Tag!

Creators: Helene & Amanda

I was tagged by:
Ermahgerd Berks
Sarah Churchill
ColdTeaAndCrumbs
Miras Bookshelf

Top 10 Most Unique Books I've Read!

[Original blog post]
1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

3. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
4. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

5. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
6. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket 

7. The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
8. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

9. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

March Wrap Up & April TBR

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Attachments
By Rainbow Rowell
Pub Date: April 14th, 2011
Source: Gift

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

Or maybe closer to 4.5 stars? I'm not sure. Honestly, it took me about 100 pages to really get into this story, but after that I was hooked! This story was so darn cute! I was a little frustrated that we didn't get too many character descriptions early on in the story... It kind of bugs me when I don't know how old the characters are or what they look like. I ended up just  picturing some super dorky guy that was falling in love with Beth, but I was definitely wrong! It was kind of fun in a way to learn what Beth and Lincoln looked like from one another! One of my favorite parts of the book was when Beth would talk about "Her Cute Guy" haha Lincoln was such a cutie and even more so because he didn't really know he was one.  I really liked all of the character development and I was rooting for Lincoln the whole time. I loved the ending and I finished this book with a big smile on my face. I'm looking forward to reading more adult books by Rainbow (Landline isn't too far away!)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
By Jenny Han
Pub Date: April 15th, 2014
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1
Source: Publisher

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.

You know how sometimes you read a story and you feel like you are there with the characters? Ya, that's how this book was. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't real. This is my first Jenny Han book and I think most of it was just because of her style. I truly connected to the Song girls and loved all of their little quirks! I loved how sassy Kitty could be and how she never gave up on wanting a dog! Margot was a little harder to like because she wasn't there for most of the book and when she was there she was usually getting on to her sisters. However, I can understand that in many ways she was just stepping up and fulfilling the mom position like they all needed her too.
I was surprised by this book. I read the synopsis of this book and I thought that I could guess what would happen. Even multiple chapters in I thought I knew, but I was wrong. (I always think that it's so fun to be wrong.. well about something like this!)

I LOVED Lara Jean's character and really enjoyed how realistic she seemed! From the nervous driving, the baking, her fashion, her relationship with her father and sisters, her inexperience with boys, all of it was just perfect.

I was so, so sad when this story ended! I didn't realize at first that this was the first of a series so now I can't wait for book two! Can I have it now please!?

Let me know in the comments what you thought!

Top 5 Book Quotes

Top 5 Wednesday was started by Lainey

Top Book Quotes

 

 "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

 

 

"Things change. And people leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody."

- Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower


"Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that's all. I don't know if he's right, but I do know that I spent a long time existing, and now, I intend to live."
- Robyn Schneider, The Beginning of Everything

 

 

"Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry."

- Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel
 

 

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."

- George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Blog

 

Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read

 

 

 

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I love how Ransom Riggs added the old photographs in with the story giving it a creepy, haunting feel! (I REALLY need to read the second!)

 

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

This book has an amazingly strong, female lead character that kicks some serious butt. She is an assassin that also puts on pretty dresses.  There's magic involved and it's just perfect! I love this book so much and highly recommend it! I can't wait to continue this series!

 

 

 

3. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

I've never quite read another series like this one, nor do I ever imagine I will. This is such a beautifully crafted series, full of magic and surprises. There's a reason this is in most people's favorite list... The story is extremely unique and stays with you long after you've finished.

 

4. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

This story appears extremely large at first, but after starting you realize that almost half of the story is in pictures (which are GORGEOUS, might I add). This is told almost as if it is a movie, showing scenes far away and then zooming in up close. This is so beautifully crafted and it made me so happy to read it. I loved the unique pictures of older movies as well as all of the drawings.

 

 

5. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

This may seem odd that I've added a fairytale RETELLING to a list of unique books, but if you've read this series you know why. Marissa Meyer has added so much to the fairytales that we all love. I love all of the Sci-Fi and the whole story has so many surprises! The 4th book, Winter, is one of my most anticipated reads for 2015.

 

6. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

I read these growing up and they are very different than other children's books I read. Not just because it was rather depressing.. haha but the author has a very distinctive writing style and tone. I remembered reading this series as a child and feeling important. Children are treated as very intelligent human beings that can figure out anything if they just put their minds to it.

 

 

 7. The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien

Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Men, Orcs.. this is an amazingly unique, fantasy series and it's definitely one of a kind. I've read through The Hobbit and LOTR series once, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen the movies.. Will always be amazing and one of my favorites!

 

8. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

So much magic, and wonderful adventures, and tests of bravery, and ah! So wonderful! I read this growing up and would love to reread them! I love that you can read this series by the series order or chronically! So neat! 

 

 

9. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

I read this while in Junior High School and fell in love. I love that we are reading through the eyes of this awkward teenage, that turns into this amazing princess governing a whole country. I loved the writing style and really connected to the characters! I love that Mia would even talk about the ACTUAL movies that were ACTUALLY getting made in real life. Like when she was talking about how she wished that she looked as good as the actress that played her! So funny! I really enjoyed get to grow up with Mia in these ten books while she goes through high school!

 

10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Around 9 years ago, the first book of this series came out. This was the first dystopian series I've ever read. Although I've read many since then, this one really stands out to me. I could ACTUALLY see our world coming to this. We already treat pretty people different than ugly people as it is. I'm just in love with this series full of hoverboards and other high tech stuff and I highly recommend it!

 

What is on your Top Ten Most Unique Books you've ever read? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

The Unbound
By Victoria Schwab
Pub Date: Jan 2014
Series: The Archived #2
Source: Gift

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.

Possibly closer to a 4.5 star rating? I don't know. Ratings are so hard...

I loved The Archived, so of course I was eager to start this book! I love that we got more of Wesley and Mackenzie!

Owen clearly shook up Mackenzie's life and the poor girl has to live with the scars he gave her now... I made a comment after reading the first book that the poor girl hardly ever got any sleep, but it just gets worse in this book!

I unfortunately guessed some things that were going on in this book early on... While I wasn't exactly surprised, I still really enjoyed this book and would love to have a third book! I want to continue on with Wesley and Mackenzie's story!

(view spoiler)Now for the discussion time! (Spoilers ahead)

I was disappointed a bit where this story went. This is just because I was really hoping that they would become partners! I wanted them to become Crew so badly! Instead it was just Mackenzie (still a keeper) trying to keep her position and not lose her job, again. Which was fine, I just wanted to learn more about crew and what better way than through the eyes of Mackenzie as her and Wesley become partners!

I guessed that Owen would come back and that he was the one making the voids.. I was a tad disappointed that I guessed that, but as I said before I still enjoyed it!
I felt terrible for Mackenzie and was so happy when Wesley got to stay over and try and help her sleep.

I wish we would have had more Roland in this book as well! He's such a great character! I love that he believed in Mackenzie and even lied for her like when she took his notebook.

One thing that I liked was that Victoria Schwab didn't spend a lot of time on that love triangle with Cash and Wesley. We all love Wesley and although Cash seems nice, he wouldn't fit in her world.. I think Mackenzie wished that she was normal at times so that she could be with a guy like him, but she knows by the end that she's not normal. She will never be normal, and it's time she stops pretending and fantasying and just live her life. I'm happy that she was so certain about Wesley and that the only reason why she couldn't just bring herself to be with him was because she didn't really want to drag him into her problems, which I can understand.

Overall all I really liked this book, and I hope we get another book!