Top Ten Tuesday #5

This week's topic is Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013. I've read 15 books this year so far, and I'm trying to read 75.

Meme by The Broke and Bookish

1. The Silenced by James Devita

I don't recall a book ever making me think this long and hard about the future world and what the probability is of an apocalypse in the future. I honestly haven't been this aghast after reading a book except for The book thief. It's definitely my favorite book of 2013 so far. I will be putting up a review of it soon, so stay tuned!

2. The Elite(The Selection, #2) by Kiera Cass

At the beginning of the year, I read The Selection, the first of this series, and I LOVED IT. I can't believe I'm saying this but, I LOVE THIS ONE EVEN MORE. I don't know how it's possible that this book had even more action and romance and suspense?!?? I became obsessed, and of course being me, I made sure that my copy would be delivered from Amazon the day it came out, and it did!

3. The Selection(The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass

So when I first got my copy of this book, I really didn't know that there was a lot of hype about it, but after I read it(let me mention, I more like devoured it in one night sitting okay) I could understand totally! The future-ness and competition like themes pulled at my heartstrings, and I just loved it then as I love it now!

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this for my English class, and I really did enjoy the story. Since my class all read it together, we basically picked at the tiniest details, so I totally understood the theme and the mood of the story afterwards. We also watched the movie, and I liked it too! Usually, we read really boring Non-Fiction books in English, so this was a good surprising turn.

5. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen

This was a book that I knew I wanted to pick up, but it wasn't a huge need. One day, I just saw it at Books-A-Million and thought, "Yeah, why not?" I really really enjoyed this book! I wasn't expecting much, but I actually learned a lot about myself while reading it. I have yet to write a review, but it's coming soon!

6. Entwined by Heather Dixon

This was kind of a new topic for me, as dancing and olden times are a focal point in the story. I thought the pace could've gone a bit faster, but it was a really great book!

7. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

One thing I really thought was intersting about this book was that is was all centered on revenge. I know people say revenge is bad, two wrongs don't make a right, so on and so forth. But somewhere along the line, a girl has to have a guilty pleasure!Also, the fact that this book was co-written by two different authors, while their work fits in seamlessly together, makes it all the more cooler!

8. Ever(Ever, #1) by Jessa Russo

I actually already was included in a  book tour for this, and enjoyed the book. It was fast paced with lots of drama, romance and action just like I like it. Ever definitely kept me entertained!

9. Transfusion(Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, #1) by Nikki Jefford

This was also another book I was included in for a book tour, and this was enjoyable too! I needed vampires back in my life again, because the last 2 major series I read about them were The Twilight Saga and Vampire Academy. Definitely loved this one, hoping for the next soon!

10. Glimmerglass(Glimmerglass, #1) by Jenna Black

Lets start out with this: I don't do Faerie books. They just aren't my thing, my genre, whatever. I've had bad past experiences with them that make me wanna just throw the book away. With Glimmerglass however, this was the first Faerie book I really got into. The story made sense, with good romance and rising plot actions. I would definitely like to read the 2nd book sometime soon, whenever I go back to the library again.

So there we have it! Guys! This is my second post since I've been back!*Gasps audibly* I just hope I keep on this track.

♦Haley♦

Review of: Burn for Burn(Burn for Burn, #1) by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn(Burn for Burn, #1) by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Page Count(ARC Edition): 354 pgs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Released: September 18th, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
My Rating: 4/5 stars 
Read: from January 17th-25th, 2013
Source: Won in The Story Siren's Giveaway

Synopsis:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

(from Goodreads)

I was really excited when I learned that I had won Burn for Burn in a giveaway in September 2012. I have the September 2012 ARC version, which is super cool! Anyways, onto the review.

For me, Burn for Burn resembled much more than a revenge, getting-back-at-you kind of book. It resembled, in one sense, bullying. For example, Mary was bullied by Reeve for a good portion of her life, and that stood out to me personally. I know what it feels like to be bullied. I know the pain, sadness and humiliation that is felt.With that aspect to the story, I was really able to connect with Mary and what she dealt with way back when.

I loved the setting of this book. Jar Island sounded like this cute, quirky place that would be neat to live in. I especially loved Lillia's house, because of how gallant it seemed. Even though Lillia was most definitely rich, she wasn't stuck up at all. She knew what she had and appreciated it.

Kat was my favorite character, because she was the total opposite of Mary and Lillia. She was the stereotypical bad girl, but that image is only driven by rumors of her ex-bestfriend, Rennie. Kat was daring and dominant, but has a soft side reserved for special people, I think. Mary, for me, was kinda a dull character, but I still adored her and understood her like I have mentioned above. 

I was sort of disappointed when the girl's revenge wasn't as big as I expected it to be. Sure, as a group they had some pretty bad *** revenge on Alex, Reeve and Rennie. But individually, it didn't really impress me. Wasn't the whole part of the story based around revenge? I didn't feel much, to be honest. Except for the end though, that actually scared me. I knew Reeve bullied Mary, but I'm not sure he deserved what he got.

All in all, Burn for Burn didn't let me down, but I was hoping for bigger revenge then what was shown. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series, Fire with Fire. 

P.S:(I know this is really sucky, but I'm very behind on reviews, so I wanted to get something out for ya'll :D)

♦Haley♦

Top Ten Tuesday # 4 = Top Ten Fave. Contemp. YA Authors

HI!!! Oh my gosh, I've missed blogging so much! All of this homework is really unfair. It's truly painful, having to stop reading. I hate this so much! But, today I have some free time(yayyyy!) so I'm going to do a Top Ten Tuesday Post (: Enjoy!

Today's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and Bookish, is about my top ten authors in any category. Naturally, I chose Contemporary. So here we go!

1. Sarah Dessen. Why? Oh well isn't it obvious? Her books make me want to melt inside because of the beautiful, lovey dovey writing(: Plus, she connects places in books together and makes you go "oh how clever!".
2. Kieran Scott. Again, with the writing style, it's so girly!
3. Deb Caletti. She somehow manages to write about love, but  brings real life problems, like disorders, into the situations, which is really neat.
4. Susane Colasanti
5. Siobhan Vivian
6. Justin Chen

And thats really all I can think of! Catch ya later!(:

♦Haley♦

Top Ten Tuesday #3 = Top Ten Bookish Confessions

This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is all about Bookish Confessions. Hosted @ The Broke and the Bookish 

Here are mine (:

1. I don't like it when people disrespect books. Some author put in their time and hard work to make that!
2. Dog-earing books is a big no-no for me. Ruins the page and makes the book look unprofessional.  Bookmarks all the way, especially the little magnet ones! Those are like the only one's I use (:
3. I like to read both hardcover and paperback, but paperback draws me a little more than hardcover.. (:
4. I love love love to sort my books by series. I stack one on top of another, and tend to straighten them a lot.
5. I'm a little ashamed of this one, but I don't really like it when people touch or pick up my books. They are like my little babies, so I gotta take care of them!
6. I tend to take off the cover of a hardcover book. It's a habit that I can't control. Since the covers are so pretty and new, I like to keep them safe and unscratched.
7. I can't help but notice spelling errors. I'm not a real stickler about it, but they just pop out at me.
8. Someday, I hope to take everything out my bookshelves and reorder all of my books by series, and maybe color for standalone's.
9. Since I like a lot of book genre's, I have over 400 books on my TBR list, which is going to consume me sooner or later >_<
10. Most of the books I read and review come from the library, because they are free and there is no limit to how many I can check out at one time! I think my top amount of books checked out has been 15.. ha ha.

So there they are! Do you agree of disagree with any? Or do you have some of your own? Leave me comment below.

♦Haley♦

Top Ten Tuesday #1 = Top Ten Posts

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at Broke and Bookish

This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is all about you and your blog! Basically you post 10 (or less) links to your own posts that you think best describe of make you! Since I'm relatively new to the blogging world, I'm only going to post a few (:

1.My review of How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

2.My review of Sign Language by Amy Ackley

3.My review of Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

4.My review of Sequins, Secrets and Silver Lining's(Threads, #1) by Sophia Barrett

What are your Top Ten Posts? Leave me a link in the comments!

Now, I'm off to read and hopefully finish Cleopatra Confesses(which if you would like to look at, is in my currently reading shelf on the right hand side of this page)

Good day everyone!

Haley