Review of: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Page Count(Paperback Edition):  373 pgs
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Released: February 17th, 2009
Genre: Young Adult Romance
My Rating: 3/5 stars
Read: April 4th-17th, 2013
Source: Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

I repeat-Why not fix your face?

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty.

"The meaning of true beauty". That really does say it all. True beauty comes from within oneself, outer beauty has almost nothing to do with it. Beauty is how cordial you are with people. Beauty is being yourself, and most important of all, beauty is you and me.

I think the way Headley captured this subject was brilliant. Terra is obviously flawless, besides the port wine stain on her face that she has had since she was a child. Some may even say it marr's her face, or it is a "pity" that she has this awful stain on her cheek. When the author created Terra as a character, she knew what she was getting into with the subject of self love and self acceptance. 

Through ought the story, we travel with Terra on her day to day life,boyfriend, friends and family.  What struck me the most was her family life, and the father she has to live with. I don't want to give too much away, but he is a insulting pig to Terra and her mother. Just plain awful.

I loved the incorporation of maps and facts about maps into the story. I never realized how interesting cartography could be. Headley was able to perfectly intertwine facts about geography right into Terra's life. You could easily make the correlation between the two.

At the beginning of the story, Terra did not have a great self esteem. She covered up her stain with pounds of makeup and powder to just try to convince herself she was normal. Terra has gotten so many stares over the years that she just decided to cover up her beautiful natural self. Towards the end though, she changes her view on that and I basically jumped with glee! She finally realized how perfect she was, inside and out. Makeup covering up who she was on the outside was only keeping her from her full potential. 

The trip to China really pulled the whole story together. Terra and her mother Lois learn so much about themselves, while becoming closer and closer to the family they traveled with, Jacob and his mother.

Overall, this book made me extremely happy! I think this is something all girls need to read to realize their full potential and extraordinary beauty. Too many teens these days struggle with their self image as they have society pressing on them with what they need to look like and act like to be perfect. I admit to being one of those teens to struggle with who I am, but with help of a very close friend, I am now happier with myself and my body than I have in a while. North of Beautiful really opened up my eyes.

♦Haley♦

Liebster Blog Award

Liebster Blog Award

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you;

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)

4. Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog.

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Wow! I was honestly so surprised when I saw that A Bookish Escape nominated me! I am a new blogger in the blogosphere, sitting at about 7 1/2 months currently(: My thank yous go to the lovely ladies Lindy, Ria and Ro. I look forward to getting to know you guys better! ♥

Questions from my Nominator:

1.  Q: Why did you start book blogging?

                    A: This goes way back into a really long story that I'm sure nobody wants to stick around for:P Long story short, I was really into(and still am) Sarah Dessen books about Jan. 2012. I also joined Goodreads at this time(: This is kind of the point in time when I started have actual thoughts on books I read, instead of thinking that they were all good/bad. I then found Lauren @ Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf. I had no clue until up to that point that people actually thought out reviews on books. I knew I immediately had to try it myself, so I did in June 2012. And here we are! :D

2.  Q: What is your favorite book genre?

A: As of right now, I'm really digging some Dystopian novels. It's a need I can never fully satisfy. On a regular basis though, I'm not too picky and will go for almost anything, including: Historical Romance, Dystopian, Contemporary, Paranormal Romance and Realistic Fiction.

3.  Q: How did you come up with the name of your blog?

A: Actually, I'm not even quite sure. I know that it is based around my past and now kinda love of the beach, waves and surfing. I used to surf a bunch when I was little, but kinda got afraid of going into the water after a certain little thing happened (thanks mother nature). I just love the sand, wind and water/sky color, so it all played a part in this design process.

4.  Q: What are your top three favorite book blogs?

A: Oh man, this is so hard. In no particular order:

 Chloe @ YA Booklover Blog. Her reviews are simply spot on, more than I could ever dream of writing. Chloe is simply fantastic as book blogging friend, as well(:

Beverley and Jen @ A Reading Daydreamer. Their reviews are so dreamy and make me want to melt to a puddle with their words. 

Racquel and Sharon @ The Books Barbies. These two are so damn funny in their reviews, and every word they type is realistic.

Please do me and them a favor, go follow this wonderful chica's for dedicating their time to awesomely reviewing books!

5.  Q: Who is your favorite author?

A: Why do you make me choose?! Urgh the misery! I'm going to have to cheat and say Deb Caletti, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Andrea Cremer and Elana Johnson. Yeah, I think that's  about right(:

6.  Q: What do you love about book blogging?

A: The connection. It may sound like any other blogger's answer, but I really do love that social media aspect to it. Being able to connect with new people, share opinions and read reviews from others just makes me happy. It lets me know that they're are other people out in the world that will freak out over a book, and the only way to relieve those thoughts is by reviewing it. I have met so many great people on here who have helped and supported me all the way through this journey. I am never more grateful for you all, you know who you are♥

7. Q: What do you dislike about book blogging?

A: I really dislike it when I come across a blog and find a person who think that, since they have all of these ARC's sent to them, they are a big deal. No matter what, we all started as mullet and will end up as grouper's, in time or in fast forward. We all are the same in this process no matter what.

8.  Q: What is your favorite Meme?

A:  Showcase Sunday, hosted by Vicki @ Books, Biscuits and Tea. You basically post about what books you received, bought  or swapped that week(or weeks!)

9.  Q: What was your favorite book(s) of 2012?

A: Hands down, Surrender by Elana Johnson. See my review here.

10.  Q: How did you come up with the theme or design of your blog?

A: Above, I told you that the beach holds a special place in my heart. I tried to incorporate that feeling into it, along with the color. If you didn't know, I have three favorite color's: Teal, Turquoise and Sea Green. :DDD I sorta played around with the color and template for a while until I found the design I liked(:

11.  Q: Are you participating in any reading challenges this year? If so, which ones?

A: As of right now, I am participating in 2: The Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge(75 books),  and The 2013 Feminist Reads Challenge(5-10 books). In my mind, I am participating in the 2013 TBR Challenge, as I have over 500 to read, but I have yet to make it official.

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11 Random Facts about Me:

1. I play competitive travel softball all year long, and this year on my birthday will mark 10 years playing the sport I love ♥
2. I eat frozen chocolate chip Eggo waffles sometimes. I know, it's strange, but I like it anyway :P
3.My eyes are kinda undefined, because I have no clue anymore what color they technically are. I have one yellow band around the pupil, a thicker olive green ring in the center, then a thin-ish navy blue ring on the outside, with white flecks in them. I guess you could call them hazel?!
4. My hair is golden-brown and reaches past beyond my waist; I have a plan to grow it out to my butt by this summer :D
5. I can be really spastic, awkward and weird with my best friend ,Shayna. We match perfectly, she is my un-biological sister.
6.I am slightly pigeon footed in my left foot when I walk.
7. I plan to become a genetic scientist one day(:
8. My cat, Chubby, is 9 pounds(ironic, I know) and is 18 years old. 
9. I am OCD a bit about how I read my books. I put them in order so I read the oldest one's first and pick from the top. If I pick the newest ones, I feel like the older ones will get their feeling's hurt...( I warned you I was weird!! ;))
10. My older brother is almost a decade older than me. Wowza.
11. My birthday is on June 30th, in the middle of summer, just like I like it(:

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My 11 Nominee's (In No Particular Order) Are:

1.Laura @ Laura's Adventures in Bookland

2. Kelly @ Belle of The Literati

3.Lisseth, Nicki and Eileen @ The Book Paparazzi

4. Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

5. Delaney @ The Random Ranterer 

6. Kylee @ Babbling of a Bookaholic

7. Sarah @ Living in A Book Wonderland

8. Sophia @ BookWyrming-Thoughts

9. Heather @ The Flyleaf Review

10.  Katrina @ .Kindred Dreamheart

11. Bella @ Bella's Bookshelf

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My 11 Questions for my Nominee's:
1. What do you like about reading/reviewing books?

2. What do you dislike about reading/reviewing books?

3.Do you own an E-reader? If so,which one?

4. What are you currently reading?

5. If you had to choose, which character from and book(s) or series would be your favorite?

6. Who is your favorite author?

7. Favorite Book Genre?

8. Do you judge a book by it's cover?

9. If you could choose, what book character would you be?

10. What else do you like to do besides reading/blogging?

11. Do you prefer print or E-book copies?

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Again, thanks bunches to the ladies at A Bookish Escape for nominating me! I had lots of fun answering all these questions, making my own and nominating others! Happy Blogging!

♦Haley♦

We Want You... To Be Part of "The List"

Hey my fellow bloggers! I have a great opportunity for you all today. Keep reading below to find out! :D

*This has been copied and pasted from Kate's Blog. Please check back with her for the official post, with more information available(:*

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Calling all bloggers!

Calling all bloggers!

Entangled needs you! *points at you*

Be part of The List.

Here's what you need to know:

One of my awesome publicists at Entangled is compiling a list of bloggers.

Here are the requirements:

Do you have a blog?

Do you love to review books?

Do you want access to books before they release?

If your answers to these questions is a resounding "YES" then you're the right blogger for the job.

We want you! Now's a great time to join The List.

If you want to be a part of The List, here's what you have to do:

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Additional Option: URL to your blog post about this call for bloggers.

Priority will be given to those who help spread the word by creating a post on this call for bloggers on their blog. *smiles*

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments section and I'll reply right away.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity.

Be part of The List today.

♦Haley♦

Review of: Surrender(Possession, #2) by Elana Johnson

Surrender(Possession, #2) by Elana Johnson

Page Count(Hardcover Edition): 480 pgs.
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Released: June 5, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
My Rating: 5 stars
Read: from December 26th-31st, 2012
Source: Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.
All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque....

(from Goodreads)

I knew I would enjoy Surrender, but I didn't know how much I would fall in love with it. This heart pounding, action-packed sequel to Possession simply blew me away, easily becoming my favorite book of 2012.

From the start, Surrender turned into an un-put-down-able book. There was no moment in my mind where I said " Oh, I'll just stop here for today". No. I was constantly on the edge of me seat going round and round in circles in my head, trying to figure out what the heck what was going on at that point, but that was a good thing! Just as soon as I sorta half figured out what happened and kinda digested it, another surprise took me, and I delved on in between the story's folds. I still can't believe all of what happened!

I was super duper happy with the characters. I am obsessed with Raine and Gunner officially. They match so well,and truly could own their world one day. Their relationship was slow and steady, in contrast to insta-love. Raine had always noticed and watched (not creepy at all haha) Gunn, but never really felt their connection until they spent time together ♥.

I was surprised when I figured out Elana didn't continue with Vi and Jag's story from Possession. I suppose there was nothing to continue with in Vi's P.O.V in Surrender, as she was brainwashed and other stuff I shall not tell for the sake of you who have not read it yet :P. The switching of P.O.V's of Raine and Gunn was quite brilliant and never was I once confused as to who was talking. You learn what is going on with Vi and Jag through Raine and Gunn's P.O.V's. I loved that aspect of it, because Vi and Jag's part in the story was never left, but rather added to. Throughout all this, you begin to learn that the Earth as we know it now was totally destroyed from a nuclear war, which is kinda scary but eye opening as this is very possible. You also learn that their world is protected from the outside, while on the inside they live with bunches of protocols to follow and to never go beyond the wall, because you will never come back.

I loved this sequel because, for one, Elana expanded on so much that was a mystery to me in Possession, like their world, the Badlands, who was Gunn's father in Possession(I'm going blank on the name lol).
Surrender was a fantastic sequel to Possession, that I thoroughly enjoyed, and all I can say and think now is: I NEED THE NEXT BOOK PRONTO. Surrender will leave you going:

♦Haley♦

Showcase Sunday, #2: Post Holiday Edition!

Showcase Sunday is a wonderful meme hosted by the lovely Vicki @ Books, Biscuits and Tea. If you would like to join, please click HERE.

I hope you are all having a great New Year! I most certainly did, but on Tuesday I go back to school. :( I got so many books over the holiday's, I feel spoiled! Plus, I got bunches of gift cards, and have already spent about half. ^_^. So this is a mix of books I bought, got as gifts and some library books I just checked out yesterday(: Enjoy!

Checked out from library

Glimmerglass (FaerieWalker, #1) by Jenna Black

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

The Silenced by James Devita

Gifts to me

North of Beautiful by Justin Chen Headley 

Crossed(Matched, #2) by Ally Condie

Entwined by Heather Dixon

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Belle of the Brawl(Alphas, #3) by Lisi Harrison

Bought

Eve(Eve, #1) by Anna Carey

What's left of Me(The Hybrid Chronicles, #1) by Kat Zhang

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

So as you can see, I am kinda craving Dystopian books right now. I am so excited to start reading all these! What is your Showcase Sunday? Link me up!

♦Haley♦

"Waiting on" Wednesday #3

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Abandon(Possession, #3) by Elana Johnson


Page Count(Hardcover Edition): 480 pgs.
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 4th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

(The blue one is the hardcover for now, while the pinkish one is the e-book form.. I hope the hardcover gets the same cover as the e-book, it's so pretty!)

Synopsis: 

seduced by power,
broken by control,
and consumed by love...
Vi has made her choice between Jag and Zenn, and the Resistance may have suffered for it. But with the Thinkers as strong as ever, the rebels still have a job to do. Vi knows better than anyone that there's more at stake than a few broken hearts.

But there is a traitor among them...and the choices he makes could lead to the total destruction of everything Vi has fought for.

Vi, Jag, and Zenn must set their problems aside for the Resistance to have any hope of ending the Thinkers' reign. Their success means everything...and their failure means death.

THIS SOUNDS SO DAMN GOOD. Oh my gosh! I'm so excited for it's release! I just finished reading Surrender, the second book in the series, and wow mind=blown. I really need to have this in my hands soon. *whines* This series is a definite must-read, I can promise you won't be disappointed! 

♦Haley♦