Caught my arrow #37

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Lots of different genres this week. Can't wait to dig in! Also anxiously awaiting my first visit to Comic Con Montreal today. Will be sure to post pictures in my next post and on Instagram about all the book heroes I spot. 

Received from Publisher

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

Received from Netgalley

Party Games by R.L.Stine

How to Draw Batman, Superman and other DC Super Heroes and Villains by Aaron Sautter

Purchased

Little Vampire Women by Louisa May Alcott & Lynn Messina

What are you reading this week?

Feature and Follow Friday: Membership Card Required

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Before blogging (dark times!) how would you find out about new books or did you?

I. Am. Serious.

Before all the blogger/Goodreads days, I use to find out about new books on the Costco stand. Mind you, the selection was so-so. Once I got my hand on Twilight, I opened my Goodreads and started getting awesome recommendations.



Since then, I just trail good books everywhere I go (including to Costco!)

Review: Unwholly

Is one life worth more than another?

In Shusterman's dystopian world, parents can abort their teens by placing a call. But this sequel to Unwind, takes the controversy to another level. 

A company just gave life to a creature made out of hundreds of ''donated'' body parts with the goal to create the perfect species. His name is Camus and he's gaga over Risa. Our heroes Lev and Connor will be tested all over again as they learn that with their newfound fame comes lots of responsibilities. The series continues to remain both poignant and philosophical as Shusterman includes newspaper articles to leave us pondering about the gain and loss of organ donation. I always fear that when reading a Dystopian sequel (or any sequel in a trilogy really) the story will get dragged out without any purpose. But in Unwholly, we got to see even more consequences in the unwinding process. New complimentary characters were introduced and the pieces for a grand finale was well set up. 

Another great addition to the series.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Twist of Fate

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP UNDERRATED YA CONTEMPORARY BOOKS

Life can change in a second. I love how books reminds us to hold on because fate can switch back. All is never lost.

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

As if the death of a parent isn't devastating enough, imagine if your mom is being kept alive by a respirator so that your baby brother can grow in her belly!!

How can anyone say goodbye when the body is still there?

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

Bullying and euthanasia combine. Believe me, this is not a typical contemporary read that's for sure.

Promise Me Something by Sara Kocek


Profound, at times unexpected events, that tackled LGBT problems that can lead to suicide. Quite touching.

FRUIT by Brian Francis

Peter is gay but doesn't know it yet. Instead, the book becomes less of a sexual identity story and focuses on a boy trying to fit in, be the right weight (mom doesn't want her 200 pound teen to stop eating fast food), and lastly overcome puberty.

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

I cannot say how much I loved this book. Maybe it was because it hit very close to home. Or because Deb Caletti has a really interesting way to warn girls about how to avoid getting sucked into bad relationships. 

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

I admit I was reluctant to read this story, due to the similarity of the plot with Bethany Lambert's life (I mean let her write the story, right?) But, the author wrote it all in a beautiful poetic verse with raw emotional feelings on every page. So yeah, I liked it!

A Blind Spot for Boys by Justina Chen

There is a huge #whyIstayed meme going on twitter today about abusive relationships. Sometimes words hurt more than fists and this book demonstrates how being told time after time that you are not good enough damages your self-esteem. 

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

After reading this love story gone wrong you will beg Levithan to write a thesaurus. And a grammar book....etc etc












Which book topped your list?

Review: A Blind Spot for Boys

The end doesn't always mean it's over, sometimes bad things happen to make us stronger.

Seven months later, Shana still can't get over her ex. He rejected her, so now she is rejecting others as a defense mechanism. To make matters worse, Shana's dad, a photographer, is going blind. This leads to a trip across the continent where he will be able to photograph beauty for the last time.

Instead of the before and after, Chen focuses her story and the most emotional part of a relationship: what happens at the end. Do you, like Shana, blame yourself for not having been good enough? Or like her father, push the ones who love you away?

A coward is the one who isn't afraid to stand alone, yet ask for help when needed. Chen provides us with several examples of this theory. Remember there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. And for Shana that light is named Quattro, and he is swoon worthy.

Highly inspirational!