Hi again! It’s time for another post of “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn @ Book Date. I’m pretty stoked that I got to read some last week, but I’m looking forward to reading so much more!
What I’ve Read Recently:
What I’m Currently Reading:
What I’m Planning to Read Next:
Well, that’s all for now! Hopefully, I get to read Sweet Black Waves! What are you reading this week? Let me know in the Comments below!
– Sumaya
Summary
The only sort of risk 18-year-old Laila Piedra enjoys is the peril she writes for the characters in her stories: epic sci-fi worlds full of quests, forbidden love, and robots. Her creative writing teacher has always told her she has a special talent. But three months before her graduation, he’s suddenly replaced—by Nadiya Nazarenko, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist who is sadistically critical and perpetually unimpressed.
At first, Nazarenko’s eccentric assignments seem absurd. But before long, Laila grows obsessed with gaining the woman’s approval. Soon Laila is pushing herself far from her comfort zone, discovering the psychedelic highs and perilous lows of nightlife, temporary flings, and instability. Dr. Nazarenko has led Laila to believe that she must choose between perfection and sanity—but rejecting her all-powerful mentor may be the only way for Laila to thrive.
Sourced from Goodreads
Review
My rating:
Hi, everyone! I’ve recently finished reading Riley Redgate’s newest novel, Final Draft! I think I liked this one even better than Noteworthy, the other novel I’ve read by her! At first, I was a bit apprehensive about the story not being as good, and didn’t want to read it as much when I thought about it. But I’m glad I did, because I liked it a lot!
If I had to pin down what I liked most about this book, it would be the character development. Our protagonist Laila starts off as unsure and scared to show other people her work. But throughout the novel, we are constantly being shown ways she is taken out of her comfort zone, which definitely helps her grow. Not to say that she didn’t go down a dark path for a bit, but overall, it benefited her to hear criticism about her work and how she should strengthen it.
I did like reading about the other characters as well! I’m liking what I see lately in the books I read where the book isn’t solely focused on the main character and everyone fades into the background. I loved learning more about Hannah, Leo, and Felix. I even got to learn more about Laila’s family and its history. I hope I can read more books like that in the future.
Well, that’s all for now! Overall, I really liked reading this book – way more than I expected, in fact! Have you read Riley Redgate’s other novels? Did you like them? Feel free to answer in the Comments Section below! And any questions you may have are welcome as well!
Have a nice day, everyone!
– Sumaya
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hey, everyone! It’s Monday again, which means I’m back with another “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” post, hosted by Kathryn @ Book Date. Unfortunately, it was a really slow week for me, reading-wise. Hopefully. it picks up!
What I Read Recently:
What I’m Currently Reading:
What I’m Planning to Read Next:
Well, that’s all for now! I hope I get to finish all these books this week! I’ll just have to wait another week to see if I’ve met my goals! 😉 What books are you reading or planning to read this week? Let me know in the Comments Section below!
– Sumaya
Summary
Debut author Alex Evansley delivers a sweet summer romance in this inventive novel about a young heartthrob and teen author falling in love.
Teddy Sharpe is kind of famous. He might actually be on his way to being really famous, especially if he’d nailed an audition for the lead role in the movie adaption of the newest bestselling young adult book series. There’s just one problem: He totally blew the audition. And he’s stuck in a tiny North Carolina airport. And his maybe-ex-girlfriend kind of just broke up with him.
The weekend isn’t exactly looking good until Bennett Caldwell, author of the very book series he just auditioned for, takes pity on him and invites him to her family’s lake house. Away from the glitz and glam of Hollywood for a few days, Teddy starts to relax . . . and somehow he and Bennett just click. But dating is hard enough when you aren’t the subject of several dozen fanblogs, and the Internet is full of juicy gossip about Teddy and Bennett . . . gossip that Bennett might not be prepared to handle.
Sourced from Goodreads
Review
My rating:
Hello, fellow readers! I’m back with another review! Today’s review is on Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley. From the blurb alone, I knew I wanted to read the book. It had all the things I liked: movies, acting, writing, YA novels, a romantic relationship between the actor and writer. But even with all these factors going for the book, I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.
Don’t get me wrong; the beginning was pretty great. I loved reading Teddy’s perspective and seeing how nervous he was with things that mattered to him. Also, it allowed readers to delve a bit more into his character to understand the motivations behind his actions. And yeah, I didn’t always agree with his choices, but most of the time, I understood where he was coming from (except this one part where, for the life of me, I can’t wrap my head around).
And then the POV switch happened and Bennet became the protagonist. This is when things started to go downhill for me. I just felt as if Bennett’s POV was too much for me sometimes, because I didn’t understand the reason why she pushed Teddy away. Maybe it was because of trust issues or just because she’s a private person. Either way, it doesn’t explain why acted the way she did after knowing someone for two days! And what’s worse is that we know she can be witty and a joy to talk to, seeing how she was in the first half of the novel through Teddy’s POV, but by the second half, she’s pretty reclusive and is prone to biting people’s heads off. I’m not saying that protagonists shouldn’t have an off day or feel angry or lash out, because that’s the whole point to them being relatable. What I don’t like is the fact that her feelings seem too strong for barely knowing someone. But that’s just my opinion; feel free to disagree!
Well, that’s all I have to say about Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley. It wasn’t as great as I thought it would be, but overall, it was okay. If anyone wants to read it though, the book is coming out this Tuesday June 12th!
Have a nice day, everyone!
– Sumaya
I received an advance reader’s copy from Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)
Or does she?
Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.
Sourced from Goodreads
Review
My rating:
Hi, everyone! I’m back with another review, this one being on My Plain Jane, a retelling of the classic Jane Eyre. Now if I’m being honest, the fact that it was a retelling of Jane Eyre was probably a main reason why I was interested in this novel. I tried to read My Lady Jane, and despite it’s interesting blurb and cover, I just couldn’t get into it. And for a good moment, I thought the same thing would happen with My Plain Jane, but after a couple of chapters, I found the book to be really neat!
First of all, Charlotte Brontë is in it! And apparently she and Jane are BFF! I love how the authors pulled on the fact that they were so many similarities between them, but are also able to contrast to create an effect, for instance in terms of healthy relationships. Also, the fact that we had a commentary other than Jane, who can maintain a bit more objective is great. Because that commentary coincides with Mr. Rochester’s questionable actions, and honestly, it’s amazing!
Paired with the fact that it’s about ghosts and people who hunt them, My Plain Jane is a thrilling retelling that will you leave you second-guessing and wanting more! I especially love how the modern paranormal genre fits into the gothic novel so effortlessly! Plus, the novel had so many references from other works, like The Princess Bride, The Shining, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. It just made the book more enjoyable to read when catching a reference.
Overall, I really liked reading My Plain Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows. This retelling makes me really want to go back to the original and read it again. Even after all that sarcastic commentary about it. Especially after all that sarcastic commentary about it. And to anyone who is interested, the book is in stores today!
Have you read Jane Eyre or any other Jane Eyre retellings? Let me know in the Comments Section below!
Thanks for reading, everyone!
– Sumaya
I received an advance reader’s copy from HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Hey there, fellow readers! It’s been a while since I participated in this meme hosted by Kathryn @ Book Date, but out of all the memes I’ve done, this is by far one of my favourites. Possibly because I get to talk about which books I’m reading without revealing too much. It also gives me a chance to see what others are reading as well! 😉
What I Read Recently:
What I’m Currently Reading:
What I’m Planning to Read Next:
Well, that’s all for now! Hopefully, I get through these books this week! My Plain Jane is taking a bit longer than I thought it would, but I’m still loving it! 😉 And now, I get to turn the tables on you! What are you currently reading? Feel free to share in the Comments Section below!
Have a nice day!
– Sumaya
Summary
A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.
Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.
But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.
So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.
Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.
Sourced from Goodreads
Review
My rating:
Hi, everyone! I’m back with another book review, this one being on The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Now, while the book’s summary did entice me when I first heard about it, I soon realized that this was a book written in verse, which I’m not really used it. But I gave it a chance nonetheless, and I’m glad that I did, because this book was amazing!
In the past, whenever I have read poetry. it usually got me in this confused state where I felt I had to interpret every single line and I still wouldn’t get it. This book is probably a bit different, being narrative poetry, but I found myself racing through the pages, wanting to read more. Not only did I appreciate the way the story developed, but I also appreciated how it was written. It made me reconsider reading poetry and and got me to read The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace (which is a pretty good book, btw).
As for the characters, I really appreciated how complex they were in this book. Before reading The Poet X, I would assume that poetry wouldn’t have been able to delve into someone’s personality, at least enough for me to be satisfied. But I love how this book proved me wrong, describing a lot of Xiomara’s experiences and how they defined her. The relationships she has with her friends and family as well as what they mean to her are fully in view, even the messy contradicting bits.
Overall, The Poet X is a fantastically written book that I would recommend to anyone, even people who say they don’t like poetry! 😉 Have any of you read The Poet X? If so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the Comments below!
Thanks for reading, everyone!
– Sumaya
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