2015's Best Books

Happy New Year friends! It is the start of a great year, and while I have my resolutions (and some do include books), I'd like us to take a flashback back to last year, with my favourite reads of the year. I would have posted this on New Year's Eve, but I was in New York... and you can imagine my hectic schedule. As I say this every year, I love all of these books the same and there's no specific order, kay? Let us begin. Eeee!

1. Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

This is a precious psychological thriller. It had bits of romance, but it was also tricking me for the whole time. I still cannot get it out of my head, and it is the most recent book that I adored. Woo!

2. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Oh my gosh. A cabin in the woods? A messed up romance and revenge? HOLY COW. I am so excited to hear that this is becoming a movie, and it is one of the best books I've ever read. I treasure my copy and kiss it everyday, thankful for the glory it has provided me.

3. The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Aliens, some futuristic awesome world that I couldn't get myself out of.... and Megan Shepherd's writing. What else could be a better combination? I would read this a million times. I need the sequel, and I seriously cherish the moment when Megan actually SIGNED THIS FOR ME. <3 font="">

4. Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

This novel was gorgeous, and the title honestly explains it all. It contains the deepest themes and plot ever. Mwah.

5. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

This book came into my life, and I cannot forget about it. I never expected to enjoy it, but the Arabian culture is just my thing from now on. THE PAIN, THE GLORY, I AM DEALING WITH MAJOR EMOTIONS WITH THIS BOOK.

6. The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre 

My favourite contemporary of the year, that's for sure. Ann Aguirre's writing is so powerful, meaningful and inspiring at the same time. She illustrates that anything is possible and that anyone could conquer anything, even if it's first, true love.

7. Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

This book changed the way I look at thrills and horror novels. It seriously changed the way I would ever want to write a novel, where Peter and Jake's writing is so intensely magnificent and beautiful. I love, love, LOVE this story and need to see more of Kana, Marin and Line in the future. *sheds tears because this is absolute beauty*

8. The Heir by Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass is the best dystopian-romance writer in the world. I never expected The Heir to be as good as it was, switching to a new protagonist, America's daughter, and she ruled The Selection game. It is as good as the rest of the series, I promise.

9. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I cried so hard reading this book. And instead of the usual, mainstream John Green type of books (though he rules), this took a different turn and it was the opposite of what TFIOS gave me. It's sad, but happy and memorable. FINCH I LOVE YOU.

10. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Last but not least, this gorgeous beauty. I LOVE THIS NOVEL'S DIVERSITY, WRITING, SETTING, CHARACTERS, EVERYTHING. That wasn't meant to be by the way. *winks* Thank you, Nicola, for having me want to see the whole world and find books like this! 

Here's my goal for 2016: (Goodreads)

Oh no! I'm a book behind schedule haha!

I hope you had a great holiday season! What were your favourite books of 2015?

Waiting on Wednesday #24: The Rose and the Dagger

The Rose and the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn #2), by Renée Ahdieh
Publication: May 3, 2016, by Putnam Juvenile
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 416

I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.
While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

I need this book. This book needs me. We need this book. THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS THIS BOOK AND MAY THE THIRD IS TOO FAR. TOO FAR. I say this in every post, but I feel like I cannot wait for this book any longer. The cover is graciously gorgeous and fabulous, and Renée Ahdieh left us with the biggest cliffhanger of all time in the last book and I'M DYING HERE. Could someone please spare me an advance copy to make me the happiest girl in the world? Agh. Ugh. Book anticipation is horrible. I need help. (Book therapist, anyone?)

What are you anticipating the most this week? ARE YOU IN PAIN FOR THIS BOOK, TOO?

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten // Books Like This Boggle My Mind

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls, by Lynn Weingarten
Publication: July 7, 2015, by Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: BEA/Publisher
Rating: 

They say Delia burned herself to death in her stepfather’s shed. They say it was suicide.
But June doesn’t believe it.
June and Delia used to be closer than anything. Best friends in that way that comes before everyone else—before guys, before family. It was like being in love, but more. They had a billion secrets, tying them together like thin silk cords.
But one night a year ago, everything changed. June, Delia, and June’s boyfriend, Ryan, were just having a little fun. Their good time got out of hand. And in the cold blue light of morning, June knew only this—things would never be the same again.
Now Delia is dead. June is certain she was murdered. And she owes it to her to find out the truth…which is far more complicated than she ever could have imagined.
Sexy, dark, and atmospheric, Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls will keep you guessing until the very last page.

My Thoughts:

It is rare to find a book and actually call it "epic." It is also rare to fall in love with a book from the first page and read it in a sitting, or at least, it has been difficult for me to do that lately when every book I have been reading is a three star. Lynn Weingarten's Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls saved me from jumping into a reading slump and feeling useless with myself. She takes a real-life, crazy situation and makes it believable, switching between genres and making this a grief-bound-loss-story, to one that is a pure and favourite of mine, a psychological thriller.

Weingarten uses everything that she could in her writing style to capture the attention of readers. I fell in love from the first page, couldn't stop reading, and made sure that the atmosphere around me was not distracting, and certainly not loud and noisy. This precious, precious novel saved me from drowning and collapsing in all of the books I own, perhaps even saving me from giving up on books that are contemporary after all. As time goes by, I have found myself to be picky with novels, but this is love at first sight. The tricking plot that Weingarten creates is captivating, and a true adventure within an adventure that the main character, June, goes through. I adore this novel, and I seriously promise readers that it will be on my year's favourite list.

"Later, Delia would explain to June that finding a best friend is like finding a true love: When you meet yours, you just know." (61)

Lynn's characters just fall under so many topics and parts of life that it truly is difficult to pronounce what this book actually focuses on. It shares elements of murder, abuse, hallucination, jealousy, death, eeriness and mystery. But then again, June, the main character, falls under so many other things like having a horrible life which really leaves readers not being able to understand what the truth really is. In this case, it is totally acceptable to just not know. You will not know. You will not know anything until the last page where your world will collapse. Or at least, mine did. I seriously had to make sure that the book was seriously over and that there wasn't some invisible ink on the final back pages because I was shocked, and kind of in a good way. If you cannot handle the suspense, then I pray for you. 

Weingarten moves from perspective to perspective, from different periods of time when there are hints and clues that really give you the solemn answer to this mystery that June herself is bound to solve. Readers see the start of the toxic, addicting friendship that Delia and June make from the sixth grade, and how quickly things tear apart because of jealousy and really... because nobody had no freaking idea why. Friendships are like that, and instead of an author handing readers a cheeky, one-sided tale about two girls who become friends again or who go through loss, this is the ultimate truth. And we are seriously lucky to see both sides of the story, if you know what I mean.

You see... this book makes me contemplate some theories as I did with Michelle Hodkin's Mara Dyer trilogy. Because the ending was so abrupt and beautiful, every reader could make their own guess and see what would happen with that. I cannot stop thinking about what Weingarten left us with. Humans are savages, we all are in some way, and instead of hitting the violent side of things (well, we kind of did in a few ways), we get to take a look at sociopathy, lies, and desperation. The writing is very, very lyrical and melancholic, and I just kept guessing and guessing. I still do not know what to think and what to do with myself. I feel like I am in this clear bubble of nothing, trying to discover what the truth is to this novel. There is a point and main idea—destructiveness, in fact, but I love how readers are able to discuss and have their own say on this. It's not a clear, special ending, if you know what I mean. 

"Evan, Ashling, Sebastian. They all smile. Who are these people? Who is Sebastian? Who is Delia? What the fuck have we done?" (310)

I cannot digress anything more about this story—it is my love and I am so glad to have enjoyed it as much as I did. There is a slight romance, but as we get to know June more and more, we see that friendship is more important to her than guys.

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls really is beautiful and pure. I could definitely see it as one of the best books, ever, period, and it such a savaged, interesting psychological thriller. Your heart will pound, you will be shocked and unsure of what will actually happen in the end. The characters are all so complex, but each have their own spark that makes them different. And in the end, this is a book solemnly about reality and the things that can occur if you're not careful. Agh.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher via BookExpo America. Thank you so much!*

Do you enjoy psychological thrillers? Would you give this book a try by any chance? Have you read anything by Lynn Weingarten in the past? (I have, I love her writing!)

 

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith // A Sequel That Is Not As Pleasing As the First

Stand-Off (Winger #2), by Andrew Smith
Publication: September 8, 2015, by Simon and Schuster BFYR
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Rating: ½

It’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain. And somehow he’s stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean’s girlfriend, for now, anyway.
Equally distressing, Ryan Dean’s doodles and drawings don’t offer the relief they used to. He’s convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey’s younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he’s avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?
From the author of the National Book Award–nominated 100 Sideways Miles, which Kirkus Reviews called “a wickedly witty and offbeat novel,” Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.

My Thoughts:

Stand-Off was supposed to be a racing sequel that is, or at least was supposed to be even better than the first book. It is exactly written in the same style as Winger, though less fun and less funnier than I expected. This book seemed more pointless than the first, though there were advantages, like always. It is an important book that is seriously needed to boost up this series, as we could expect. We need this sequel, more of an advancement to Ryan Dean's character and his wild adventures at Pine Mountain. I feel like Andrew Smith just knew, because most readers couldn't go on without a sequel in their lives.

This was a book of continuation. A great literary character, Ryan Dean, is now gradually moving into his senior year where his future is not on his mind yet... of course. This is another tale where he goes crazy with his feelings but becomes more mature than we see him in the first book. He deals with loss, but in a very unrealistic way and method I guess.

"Pine Mountain had become very "supervised" following my friend Joey's death the year before. So after we lifted weights together (God! I was now officially such a loser—lifting weights with the Abernathy!), Sam Abernathy and I went into the locker room. (219)

He thinks he is such a big shot right now. Ryan Dean went from a mega-loser in the first book to a guy who thinks he knows everything about the world in the sequel. The transition is pretty spectacular, but kind of annoying and unbelievable at the same time. I was surprised with how Ryan Dean had changed, though this book is more about readers knowing what is yet to come and how his world will change in an instant. This is a transition book, and while it is really needed for the rest of the book series to come to life and be believable for readers, it was not the best thing in the world. 

This about Ryan Dean's relationship with Annie, in a nutshell. The feelings and relationship is there, but because they are still so young and everything, the whole relationship and story is unsure and weird. I do not really like their chemistry, because it always seems to be physical, and instead of finding out things about each other, Ryan Dean just thinks about making out with Annie... not my kind of thing. At least it is interesting to see what it is like to be in the mind of an immature teenager!

Stand-Off could be classified as one of those 2015 books that everyone has been waiting and aching for, for centuries now. For me, it still was entertaining and pretty great, but not everything I could have asked for. I would have liked more character development, a bigger chance to get to know Annie, by maybe having the book be in her perspective for a change, and to actually get to know the atmosphere around Ryan Dean better. It is better than most sequels, but not something that will leave me thinking for the rest of the night, you know? Just do not get upset at me for that spoiler above, heh.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*

Have you read anything by Andrew Smith in the past? Do you like MAJOR character development in books?

Stacking the Shelves #55: December 27

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where
readers share their latest hauls.

This Week's Headlines:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I apologize for not making a legit Christmas post, but you have my wishes. May your year be bright and I wish you all a splendid time with family, friends and snow (if you have any). This year, I must say that we are lucky here in Ontario to not have any snow. I DON'T WANT ANY. Snow equals cold which equals a horrible winter. A few years ago I remember a disgusting ice storm which knocked the power out and left the area looking dead. Though I must say it was spectacularly beautiful!

When you're reading this, I will be on my way on a mini road trip to New York City for the New Year! I love the city (but have not seen much of it) since I was stuck at BEA the whole time in May. (Not that it was a bad thing!) I am excited for the museums, cafés and restaurants, scenery and city life! This is a dream come true honestly!

What did everyone get for Christmas, if you celebrate it? I only got TWO books this year, which is a shocker, hah.

My Book Haul:

The A to Z of You and Me by James Hannah: I never knew what this was about and never had heard about it until it was sent to me! I adore the cover and the bucket list kind of vibe that it holds. Woo!

He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker: Yum! K.A. Tucker is a spectacular author and I am so glad to be able to read about another upcoming thriller of hers!

This is the Story of You by Beth Kephart: Oh, contemporary. Oh, familiarity. This is such a familiar story that will hit my heart, I know it. *heart eyes*

The Violinist of Venice by Alyssa Palombo: Historical fiction is definitely my thing when it comes to a book like this, and I am fantasizing over this gorgeous cover and the music that it holds!

Thank you so much, Raincoast Books, Simon and Schuster and St. Martin's Press!

Posts You May Have Missed:

• Winger by Andrew Smith // Hilarious and Witty
• Waiting on Wednesday #23: This is Where the World Ends
• A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd // A Beautiful Ending to the Trilogy
• Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs // A Terrifying, Beautiful Ending

How was your week/holidays? What are your latest additions?

Winger by Andrew Smith // Hilarious and Witty

Winger (Winger #1), by Andrew Smith
Publication: May 14, 2013, by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Pages: 439
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.
With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.
Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

My Thoughts:

Winger is one of the weirdest books I ever read. There, I knew that I had to state this in a right-on, shocking manner. Andrew Smith's writing is weird, let's just say that. After reading Grasshopper Jungle and really enjoying that one, I decided to head over to this series because I find it continuously recommended and raved about. Let's just say that it was pretty awesome, despite the horrible cover(s).

Winger is about a fourteen year old guy... who's a junior at this preppy boarding school. Andrew Smith did not create a believable story, that's for sure. Ryan Dean is a "genius" and has high hopes of getting into Harvard and the Ivy League schools... which I find very rare and weird for someone who just cares about girls and their impression of him. The story itself is pretty good, but then again, it is just for the entertainment. This is a funny, hilarious story that is just about growing up and the wonders of the bull years that teenagers have to grow with. And of course, first love, if you'd really call Ryan Dean's attraction to Annie love.

I like the story fine. It seemed very interesting from the first page, and through it all, I found it to be a very quick read too. If it has been on your radar for a while, just go for it now and experience the greatness that Smith provided readers with in his writing. As always, the story is mega-weird but contemporary and comes with a main theme and moral... in a way? 

Winger is easy to read and simplistic. It has a plot that is boring here and there, but overall satisfying compared to other contemporaries. It is a smart read. It makes sense, and while there are unbelievable traits, it is witty and a great read for any time of the year. At the same time, I was confused with the fact that questions were not answered, and THEY still were not answered in the sequel, which I will review later. Why? Why boarding school? What is the point of his name and his stubbornness? 

WHAT WAS THAT ENDING THOUGH? I still do not know what to think about it... because Ryan Dean said that this dude was his best friend... and bye. Pow. Meh. I will not comment on it, but I will let you know that the ending is pretty messed up in a way. But it is pretty satisfying. I don't know to be honest.

Winger could go either way for people. For some, it may seem completely idiotic and senseless, but for others, it could be entertaining. For me, it seemed pretty great, but I could already tell you that the sequel was still not too great. In the end, I really enjoyed it and I definitely recommend it to all. Yay.

Would you read a book strictly for the entertainment and enjoyment part of it?

Waiting on Wednesday #23: This is Where the World Ends

This is Where the World Ends, by Amy Zhang
Publication: March 22, 2016, by Greenwillow Books
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Pages: 304

The heart-wrenching new novel about best friends on a collision course with the real world, from the author of Falling into Place.
Janie and Micah, Micah and Janie. That’s how it’s been ever since elementary school, when Janie Vivian moved next door. Janie says Micah is everything she is not. Where Micah is shy, Janie is outgoing. Where Micah loves music, Janie loves art. It’s the perfect friendship, as long as no one finds out about it.
But when Janie is date-raped by the most popular guy in school—a guy she’s had a crush on for years—she finds herself ostracized by all the people she thought were her friends. Now only Micah seems to believe she’s telling the truth. But when even Micah expresses doubt about whether or not she was “asking for it,” it leads to disastrous consequences, and Janie Vivian goes missing.
Using a nonlinear writing style and dual narrators, Amy Zhang’s astonishing second novel masterfully reveals the circumstances surrounding Janie’s disappearance.

This book seriously has to be a part of my life. Contemporary always hits me hard in the heart, and I am so excited to see what will come with Amy Zhang's newest. I loved Falling Into Place and I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY SURE that this will also please and make me the happiest girl ever. This is the cutest book cover in the world, and the theme seems to say it all. 

Do you enjoy contemporary without "the romance?" What are you expecting this novel's readers' feels to be like? I DON'T WANNA CRY!