"Real" Book Challenge - August!

August was a great reading month for me since I had two weeks off. I'm in my last semester of university so I need to take advantage of any free time to read as much as possible :)

Anyway, these are the books I read in August!

Love, Rosie  *  The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender  *  Open Road Summer  *  Ruin and Rising  *  Maus  *  The Knife of Never Letting Go  *  Hold Still  *  Warm Bodies  *  Isla and the Happily Ever After  *  A Monster Calls  *  Horrorstör  *  Second Change Summer

Read in August: 12

Total: 79

I finally started the Chaos Walking series! I know, I'm late to the party but I'm loving it so far and I can't wait to read the other two.  I've been wanting to read a book by Morgan Matson for quite sometime so I picked up Second Change Summer. It is a beautiful story about family, first love, and the idea of losing someone close to you. I can officially say that I found a new favorite author and I'll be buying her other novels soon. Keeping up with the "firsts" trend, I read my first graphic novel! I am happy to announce that Maus made me pick up quite a few graphic novels that I'll be reading in the near future. I did a quick review of Love, Rosie, Hold Still, Isla and the Happily Ever After, A Monster Calls, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender HERE and I wrote an entire post on Horrorstör in case you want to read more about them. I also reviewed Open Road Summer for Cuddlebuggery. 

Flash Reviews - August Edition!

1. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

What I liked about it: Basically, it is Magical Realism at its best. It takes you on an unexpected and heart-wrenching journey of self-discovery and the true nature of humans. This novel is whimsical and unique. Even though it might be the strangest book I've ever read, I enjoyed it immensely. It follows multiple generations of the same family, ending with Ava, the girl with wings. Her story will make you cry, cringe, and most importantly, it'll make you think. 

What I didn't like about it: n/a
Rating: 5/5





2. Isla and the Happily Ever After

What I liked about it: Like the two novels before it, Isla is adorable and quirky. I love the romance in these novels because it makes me smile and break into a song. The (short) visit to Barcelona left me on cloud nine. Stephanie Perkins knows how to make the setting shine and I love her for it. 

What I didn't like about it: Unlike the previous novels, this one felt a little flat and weak. For the most part, I liked Isla and Josh. However, I rolled my eyes way too many times to fully love this novel and I REALLY wanted to love it.

Rating: 3/5

3. Love, Rosie

What I liked about it: In case you don't know, this novel is about two friends who could be more than friends but life keeps them apart. I wasn't expecting much from this one but I was pleasantly surprised. It takes place during a long span of time, and when I say long I mean over forty years. I loved the relationship between Rosie and Alex and how it develops very naturally. I really enjoyed the story and the format (emails, letters, etc.)  

What I didn't like about it: I drags on forever and a day. I don't necessarily mind this but I feel like the novel could've been shorter. 

Rating: 4/5





4. Hold Still

What I liked about it: Hold Still is my first Nina LaCour novel and it won't be my last. LaCour's writing is stunning. I didn't just read Caitlin's story, I lived it. I feel like this novel doesn't sugarcoat suicide. It deals with it head-on and that makes the story that much more important. The characters, the setting, the letters, the beautiful illustrations, the importance of photography in Caitlin's healing process...I loved it all.  

What I didn't like about it: n/a
Rating: 5/5




5. A Monster Calls

What I liked about it: Hmmm, everything? I received this beauty for my birthday and I had to read it immediately. The story is so unique and incredibly touching. Patrick Ness does a wonderful job with the fantasy element of the novel. I particularly loved the illustrations. They complemented the story perfectly.  What do you get when beautiful illustrations and a flawlessly written story come together? You get a magnificent reading experience.

What I didn't like about it: n/a
Rating: 5/5

Most Anticipated Novels of 2014!

1. Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) - February 4th

Oh, god. There is one thing I know for sure: This trilogy will kill me. I read both Shatter Me and Unravel Me (plus the novellas) in 2013 and I cannot wait until February rolls around. I loathe love triangles but I'm totally on board for this one. I don't know why. I just know that I'm addicted to this novels.

2. The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) - June 10th

I've been putting off the second installment of this trilogy for the longest time. Is it just me or the publication date keeps changing? I'm saving The Evolution of Mara Dyer until this one is out so I don't drive myself crazy with the cliffhanger!

3. Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) - April 8th

Beautiful writing, anyone? That's what you get from Laini Taylor. The most stunning sentences you'll have the pleasure of reading. While I am not ready to say goodbye to this magnificent world, I am really looking forward to reading the last book of the series.

Also, can we look at this part of the summary and not hyperventilate?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. 

4. Untitled (The Bone Season #2) - No release date

I don't know for sure when this will be released (or if it'll be out in 2014) but I need it right now! The first book in the series is so intricate that I'm afraid I'll forget important details if the sequel doesn't come out soon. This one is on the very top of my To-Buy List of 2014!

5. Untitled (The Darkest Minds #3) - No release date 

After Never Fade, I don't know how my heart will be able to handle the last book of the trilogy. All I know is that I need answers. Lots and lots of answers. And more Liam.

6. Landline - July 8th

After Fangirl, Attachments and Eleanor & Park, there is nothing you can say that will keep me from pre-ordering this one. Rainbow Rowell can do no wrong in my book and I am counting down the days until this one hits the shelves.

7. Panic - March 4th

I read the Delirium trilogy this year and I really enjoyed it. Panic has a very intriguing premise, which has me really excited for March.

8. Opposition (Lux #5) - August 5th

Oh, the Lux series. I don't want to say that I really need this one but I do. These books are like crack! I don't understand why I can't put them down or why I felt the need to marathon the first four books of the series. But I do and I did so I'm not even sorry.

9. Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) - March 13th

This one can't come out fast enough! I'm pretty sure I had this one as scheduled to be published in 2013 but it got pushed back. I adore the first two which is why this book is one of the few Contemporary novels that I can't wait to read in 2014.

10. What I Thought Was True - April 15th

As soon as I finished My Life Next Door I said that I would read anything by Huntley Fitzpatrick. So this is me staying true to my word. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

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Which books are you excited to read in 2014?