2 in 1: Book Review Edition

A few days ago I finished two books! One of my best friends recommended (and forced) these books for me to read and so I did!

 

I thought to myself, why can't I write two posts when I can just combine them into one?

So here are brief summaries and my opinions for each of the books.

+++First of all, Nantucket Blue is definitely an older teen book, about the struggles and romances of a 17/18 year old girl, Cricket Thompson, who follows her best friend Jules to the island of Nantucket for the summer.  There are a few heart throbs of the male variety included *wink wink* 

It's for a more mature audience, and I wish my friend warned me before I read it. It's not too bad, I just wish I knew what I was getting into, if you know what I mean. 

Other than that stuff, it was a very compelling read with lots of twists, turns and emotions. The characters were very relatable as well. If you're cool with teen romance novels, then you would most definitely love it.  I'm not really that kind of girl, but it was still a pretty good book. Not tooooo cheesey ;) (((Sorry Rowan and Phoebe!))) 

There is a sequel to it, called Nantucket Red. I would read it if someone gave it to me, but I don't really feel like I need to read it right this very minute, and that may simply be because of the romantic side of it. +++

+++The Maze Runner was more my speed. Adventure and logical thinking. Granted, it is post-apocalyptic dystopian science fiction instead of twenty first century romance, so I guess that explains my liking for it. None of that kissy kissy fluff!

 Unfortunately I saw the movie a couple of months ago so I sort of knew what was going on, but the book was different, in a much better way. 

The main character, Thomas, finds himself in a box that has only one exit, to a place called the Glade, filled with smart teenage boys. They all live their together next to an ominous maze that is chock-full of BIG SCARY MAN EATING ROBOT SPIDERS! RAWWR! All of the boys have come from the Box, one every month and all they remember is their name. Thomas is a little different than the rest of the boys, and strange things begin to happen soon after he arrives, and he plays a major role in changing all of their lives.

"I go on many thrilling adventures and wonderful escapades through books"

It is also quite a page turner, and I really enjoyed watching the characters grow brotherly bonds, and building rivalries too. I plan on reading the rest of the series as well!+++

I liked both of the books, however in all honesty, Maze Runner was much more my style and I would recommend it to more people. Now go read some books!

This is basically my summer right now...I'm a princess I guess

Have you read either of these? What is your favorite book genre? Let me know in the comments!

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Hello readers, it's time for another book review!

I just picked up this book at the library because the picture was intriguing, and I think I quite correctly judged the book by it's cover!

Author: Gregory Maguire also wrote the Wicked series, that inspired the fantastic musical starring Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, so going into it, I had big expectations. I was not disappointed at all!

Plot: Egg and Spoon is the story of mainly two little Russian girls, Elena living as a starving peasant and the other, Ekaterina, being sent to the Tsar (ruler of Russia) to be presented to his godson as a possible bride.
Both change and they are removed from their previous track.

Ekaterina meets a witch in the middle of the forest and gives her the Faberge egg as a gift, though it was meant to go to the Tsar. Elena is left with a Firebird's egg to give to him. So much  happens and they meet many interesting new characters as well. I never thought a person could imagine up so many stories.

Opinion: Hopefully I didn't give too much away from the story, but I really think you guys should read it! Egg and Spoon is beautifully written and has layer upon layer of emotions and Russian folk tales, which was really why I loved it so much. I think people of any age would enjoy reading it, especially if you like experiencing different cultures. 5 Stars! 

Have you all read any good books lately? What is your favorite genre? Tell me in the comments!

-Bree ♥

5 Books I've Never Read

Earlier today I was thinking about how I enjoy writing lists. That's great for getting things done, but not so much for creative writing. If I could write a story in just a list, I would, but I fear not many people would like to read it.
Any how, with school out of the way, I become a book worm, and there are lots of things I'd like to read. So here's to adding a list to my list of lists.

 1. The Maze Runner//James Dashner 

My good friend Rowan has suggested this to me so many times, I should probably read it. I saw the movie and I feel that if I had read it before hand it would make much more sense. Spider robots?

2. Don't Even Think About It//Sarah Mlynowski

I read a positive review about it on a cute little blog I found today, and I really want to read it! It's about mind-reading little children.

3. Looking For Alaska//John Green

Honestly, who doesn't like John Green? I loved TFIOS and Papertowns so I can't wait for this one!

4. Lost on Planet China//J. Maarten Troost

I got this one from the library last week and have yet to read it. It's autobiographic, and looked interesting.

5. Dune//Frank Herbert

As a sci-fi classic and dad's favorite, I really should read it. It's 800 pages of new worlds and customs. I started it and haven't picked it up in a while, but the beginning was rather intriging. Don't be frightened by size

So this summer when I am hiding in my room, these books may or may not be read. Hopefully they will. 

Are there any books you really want to read?

Love, Bree :)

floral dresses & books & road trips

Hello cuties! I have some updates for you!

• I am SUPER excited today! Lately I haven't really been blogging anything interesting, but today I went to the library and got a ton of books to read and blog about. So be ready for a whole bunch of book reviews/ recommendations 
• I'm officially going to start beauty blogging. YAY! REN skincare sent me two samples that I got in the mail today, and I'm going to use them and see how well they work!
• This one isn't really related, but I got a SUPER CUTE DRESS yesterday at Plato's Closet for only $9 and I am obsessed! 

• This weekend I'm visiting New Jersey and New York City and MY DREAM is going to NYC so I am out of my mind about it! Plus, I love travel, and I've never been to the North East, or even seen the Atlantic Ocean. 
• Friday is my last day of school, so I am almost in high school! What is that even about? Summer is creeping up so fast and I am loving it. 
• Tomorrow I am getting my hair cut and I need help please. What would look ok on me? I want to not be boring anymore!

Any summery post ideas/requests? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing what you have to say! What's going on in your life?

Paper Towns by John Green

I just finished Paper Towns today, and I must advise, if you read this book, at least read some of it in a coffee shop on a warm day. That just made it a little better than it already was. Anyway, the book is amazing.
 I'm beginning to get confused on John Green's style of writing because so far of his books, I've read TFIOS (who hasn't these days), An Abundance of Katherines and this one, and they are all about ridiculously well-read high-schoolers. Which I really like and kind of aspire to, but it astonishes me that each genius teenager can be so differently quirky and have life stories that are nothing alike at all. He has a knack for writing exceptional teenage love stories, this one included. I love how metaphorical he is.

The story is about a boy named Quentin who is a normal-ish senior in high school who has a weird acquaintance type relationship with a girl named Margo Roth Spiegleman. One night they go on a crazy 11 part adventure and then the next day, she disappears, sending Q on a crazy search to find her and follow clues.


ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE ENDING PLEASE READ THIS. I mentally cried a lot during this but I wasn't always sad, you know? It was just beautiful and poetic and so John Green you don't even know.
Nerdfighters FTW and DFTBA 

Why Harry Isn't Scary

 If you don't personally know me, here's a totally not random fact about me. I love the Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

And it makes me really sad when I see kids that think the series is THE DEVIL and if they read it they WILL MOST DEFINITELY BE STRUCK BY GOD WITH LIGHTENING AND ACNE!

 I understand if a parent doesn't think their child is mature enough to read it, but as a Christian who has grown up with these books, I can tell you that they aren't chock-full of black magic. Their spells are Latin, and they don't actually work. 

JK Rowling uses themes that strongly resemble the Christian faith, kind of like in Narnia.

Look at this face. How is that bad?

Harry displays courage and love

Hermione shows intelligence and a good heart is better than looks

Ron is a true friend, who will stick by your side

Ginny is a great example of being a bold woman

Neville teaches us how to stand up for ourselves, even to our friends

Snape proves not all bad people are bad

Dumbledore proves not all good people are good

And those are just a few characters. 

So please, please do not judge these books by the cover. 

***Based on an amazing video by Katie Gregoire, seen here