Feature and Follow Friday: Wrap me up

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

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Q: How do you cure a reading slump?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 19 Avril 2015 à 7h07 PDT

There is nothing more depressing for a bookworm than to get stuck in a reading slump.

Every time I get lucky and read two or three books in a row that I end up enjoying, I know that the streak will eventually end. And then the slump comes. That one book that is just so boring it ruins everything. Especially when it came highly recommended. So you don't DNF it. You stick to it, hoping to see what the big deal is.

Just switch genres for a while, watch a movie, karaoke for a night... All it takes is a few days for the slump to be gone.

Review: Riley Mae and the Sole Fire Safari

In this third installment of the series, Riley Mae travels to Africa to hide from Eric, a jealous corporate member who tried to kill her and her crew. She moves in with a family of three growing girls and learns the true meaning of hardship: getting up at 5 am to collect water, walking to school under severe heat, eating ugali (white corn) every day -- not the typical life conditions she was used to. Riley wants to go home more than anything. How long will they have to hide from Eric? Is he even searching for them?

The theme behind this book is determination. Faith (one of the three village girls) stays up late studying to become a doctor, all while waking up early the next morning to fetch water. Through her Riley learns that nobody has it easy, but will power and kindness is what makes us special.

Sweet and uplifting.

Review: The Karma Club

"That's just how Karma works. You kinda have to wait."

After Maddy proclaims her love for Mason to the whole country, he cheats on her with the most popular girl in school. First comes denial, then sadness. The only thing that doesn't seem to be leaving Maddy anytime soon is the anger. How could he do this to her and get away with it? Who says Karma doesn't need a helping hand?

The Karma Club reminded me a lot of Mean Girls. Maddy starts writing a "karma book" and tries to give a girl a horrible skin disorder. But the similarities stop there. Instead of let's all be friends, this novel reminds us that Karma and revenge don't go together. Karma is about sending positive vibes into the world so that they may come back to us. 

A fun read!!

Feature and Follow Friday: They call me Cupid

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

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Q: How did you come up with your blog title?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 20 Nov. 2014 à 7h28 PST

Although, it's no secret that I'm mixed (half Colombian/half Greek) and that Cupid comes from Greek mythology, that's not the reason I picked the name. Truth is, I really enjoy matchmaking people with good books.

When I first started the blog (this actually still happens) most people assumed that BookCupid was an adult romance/erotica review site. I kept having to explain that I only reviewed YA, MG, or NA. Some authors took it well, and some ... not so well. But that's their problem. I love my blog name, with the little hearts and arrows reviews, and wouldn't change it for the world.

Review: The Shackles of Constantine

Jade isn't your typical teenage girl -- she can summon fire. 

Enrolling at Constantine Academy should have made her more at ease, but no one else seems to share Jade's gift. When one of the students is burned by Jade in self-defense class, Jade is coerced to learn an illegal charm to make amends or face expulsion. But with the founder of Constantine Academy on the loose, will Jade be used as a weapon against evil or for evil?

I admit I felt uncomfortable around Jade's character at first. It wasn't an illogical feeling, as Jade herself felt unwelcome in her own skin. Even when she transfers from schools, every student who approaches her, like fellow classmate Justine, Jade doubts their motifs, unable to see the potential of a true friendship. But as the story flows, Jade starts growing more confident in herself and her abilities, forming an even better crew with Matt and Aaron. 

Looking forward to the sequel.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Flavor

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP 10 FAVORITE AUTHORS

1. Cassandra Clare 

Clare made me love Steampunk with her Infernal Devices series. I know she's mostly renowned for the Mortal Instruments, and to me, an author who is able to juggle two successful series at the same time is quite remarkable.  

2. Sarah Dessen

Another author with a book to movie adaptation, is Dessen. Her work is always character driven, leaving the reader with a complete profile of the MC in and out. 

3. J.K.Rowling 

I'm happy to mention Rowling in this countdown. It means that no matter how many books I read, her work remain with me. She is such a magical being. 

4. Richelle Mead 

Awww, these book covers should have been kept. Of course, no matter what the covers look like, the words inside remain the same -- enchanting. 

5. Ally Carter 

Love her mysteries, particularly, the Heist Society series, which was supposed to be turned into a movie but sadly, never did. 

6. John Green 

I might not have been Paper Towns biggest fan, but that doesn't mean I would exclude Green from this list. I still feel he wrote a masterpiece with The Fault in our Stars. 

7. India Desjardins

The way Desjardins represents the single women of today struggling with Instagram, Tinder, and grandmas who refuse to give family recipes because ''they are written for a family of four''  is funny/bitter/funny again. I can't wait for these to be translated in English. 

8. E. Lockhart

I loved her even before this book, does that count? 

9. Carolyn Meyer

History was never a favorite topic of mine until I encountered a Meyer book. I've been collecting them and sharing them ever since. 

10. Mo Willems

He's a genius to me. His writing is funny/clever. And there is always opportunity to do voices. Hope to one day be able to write a children's book with half his wit. 

Who is your favorite author?

Review: Echo

Harmonicas used to be given to patients that needed to rehabilitate their lungs. I wish one had been provided for me while reading this book -- because that is how heavy the novel felt on my soul. 

Echo combines several sad stories into one -- all connected to a magical harmonica and the power of sibling love. We meet Friedrich, whose disability alienates him from fulfilling Nazi requirements, Mike who must protect his little brother at all costs and poor Ivy who is subjected to racism. All of these kids lives are at stake, turning this novel into a race against time.

Regardless of scene after scene filled with teary moments, Munoz Ryan made her novel extra gripping, by placing careful attention to her main and secondary characters. All of them had the world working against them, and yet their spirit was always positive. At almost 600 pages, I found the novel too long and frankly a little too sad for middle-graders, but can undoubtedly see a YA crowd devouring this. I only wish the first few pages about witches would have been omitted altogether. 

Worth the read!!

Review and Giveaway: The Truth about Us

He's not good enough for her, and she'll only makes his life worse.

Almost everyone is convinced that Jess and Flynn aren't meant to be. Sent to volunteer at a missionary shelter by her dad, after being caught drinking topless, Jess needs to mature and learn that with money comes responsibility. Meeting Flynn might just be what she needed to get out of her lonely state of mind. He's a good listener, understands her, and is going through tough family problems as well. But when their shared chemistry turns into something more, it becomes everyone's goal to tear them apart.

Gurtler did a fine job providing all her characters with realistic flaws and ways of dealing with their problems. There was a lot of tension amongst Jess's family, since her mom was brutally attacked outside her home and nearly beaten to death. This should've brought the family closer, but caused the opposite. It was great to see how communication in all relationships is key to keeping things together. I would have loved to see more background story on Nance. Hopefully, there's a spin-off.

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JANET GURTLER:

RITA Award finalist Janet Gurtler’s young adult books have been chosen for the Junior Library Guild Selection and as Best Books For Teens from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. She has had her writing compared to Judy Blume and Jodi Picoult and that makes her happy. She has volunteered at a few soup kitchens and hopes to do more. Giving back is so important. Janet lives in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Red Eye Flight

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP 10 BOOK QUOTES

The more I read the more quotes I collect (can we mark this as my quote?!?) Here are my latest finds:

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

"To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

"It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment." 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world -- a beautiful little fool."

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

"There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in between."

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

"I believe in ghosts, but we create them. We haunt ourselves."

What's your favorite book quote?

Review: Tricks

Five teens share the traumatic events that lead them to prostituting their bodies. 

Meet Eden, Seth, Whitney, Ginger and Cody -- all average teenagers from moderate income homes. In the course of the story, most of them will lose their virginity in traumatic ways, get disowned by their parents or simply fall into the vicious circle of drugs. But once you spiral down into the world of prostitution, can you just as easily get out?

I'd never do that is something you stop saying as you grow up. It's impossible to predict how you'd handle mockery. being cast aside by a parent, rape, poverty -- anything that threatens to permanently remove a smile off your face. Hopkins writing style (verses) is a lot more effective than Crank, perhaps due to the shared spotlight between the five teens. Scenes were cut short, all containing raw details of tricks the characters were forced to perform just so they could survive in the streets.

Not for the fainthearted.

Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter

Twylla escaped her mother's faith of becoming a sin eater (someone who eats cadavers to allow their souls to move on). Instead, she is taken to a tower where she will serve the Queen as a Goddess Embodied. Every day she is given poison, which she then inflicts onto traitors through a touch of their skin. But when a new guard is appointed to her and begins to make her doubt her powers, Twylla will be forced to face her magical beliefs once and for all. 

To be honest, I found Twylla too trusting at first, blindly accepting whatever the Queen asked of her. The first 150 pages were slow, as she explained lots of details about her working life at the castle and bits and pieces of her mom's work. None of this really mattered because we rarely got to see Twylla at work. Nor do we get to meet her mom. So eventually I begun to wonder what exactly I was reading. But then the whole book took a different course and turned into a romance tale about betrayal and forbidding love and cons. Lots of cons. 

A great new series!

Feature and Follow Friday: Nightmare on Cupid Road

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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Q: Have you ever had a recurring dream? What was it?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 1 Avril 2015 à 7h25 PDT

I am being chased by two men with a mallet, like the one's belonging to a judge. Will I commit a crime, or do I simply feel persecuted?? Oh, I wish my unconscious could be more at peace. Perhaps, I should join a Yoga club.

Do you have strange dreams?

Review: Perfect Scoundrels

Just as Kat and Hale's relationship is getting serious, his grandma passes away and Kat's suddenly confronted with Hale's family life. Why didn't she notice how close they were -- or how lonely he is now that she is gone? As Kat struggles to stay in Hale's life, a case comes up about grandma's will being fake. Can Kat tell Hale, even if it means that he will be written off as heir?

Loyalty is the theme behind this third book of the Heist Society Series as Kat learns that you don't really need to choose a boyfriend vs work. The best thing about Kat is that although she's always learning things, she doesn't make the same mistake twice. The tension grew more intense as the squad reunited for a major heist. For this one, Kat will not only need her uncle but her Dad too. Making it a full family affair.

Hopefully, we'll get to see a fourth book.  

Feature and Follow Friday: Spread the news

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

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Q: Have you ever been to BEA? If not, what's stopping you?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 7 Août 2014 à 13h23 PDT

School finals stopped me from going last year, but this time is different as I will be graduating next month!! I would love to see Mindy Kaling live as well as several of the YA authors signed up for the event.

What advice would you give new BEA attendees?

Book and Movie Challenge: The Duff & Insurgent

Romance and Action --  who can ask for a better weekend?

The Duff

Despite the differences between the book and the movie, the subject of self-confidence was well examined, and I must say, somewhat inspirational. Bianca feels invisible after a school mate, Wesley, points out where she ranks in terms of hotness compared to her friends. Instantly, Bianca feels ugly, unfriending all of them from social media. Determined to shine on her own, she goes as far as to seek advice from Wesley (yeah, I know how pathetic that sounds) in regards to dress code and guy approach only to realize the importance of being herself. The movie had less sexual tension than the book, but was certainly funnier. I'd wait for the video though 3/5

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 27 Mars 2015 à 10h16 PDT

Insurgent

The film opens with an action scene, giving us a taste of just how climatic the experience will be. Tris and Four are hiding out with a fellow dauntless (yes, Caleb is with them too) in the amity camp. Unfortunately their presence is not welcomed. Not only is Tris having problems adjusting to the outside world, but deep down, the remorse over her parents and Will's death is taking its toll on her. 

Just like in the movie, the special effects are impressive when it comes to the simulations. The only thing missing for me to rate the movie a 5 would be the connection between Shailene and Theo. Even the actor himself said that the sex scene was the funniest scene to shoot. Ouch! What happened? They were so much closer in Divergent  4/5

**If you've reviewed this film or any other movie adaptation this month, please make sure to leave your link below. I'm always searching for movies to watch or be aware of (renting isn't cheap, let's help each other out.)

Feature and Follow Friday: Wildest Moments

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

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Q: Have you ever been inspired by a book character to do something?

Une vidéo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 13 Déc. 2013 à 5h18 PST

There are sooo many adrenaline junkies in YA.

I did a whole piece on this a while back after Tris, Bella, and several other YA MC's inspired me to fly for the first time. Aside from showing me how I can get out of my comfort zone, book characters have also taught me to be loyal to my friends, stay positive and the importance of reconsidering certain decisions.

Who's your inspiration?

Review: Both of Me

Ever meet a guy with a double personality?

The first time Clara encountered Elias, he ended up with her bag by mistake. He had attitude about it too, and Clara was forced to wait a whole day to get it back. It was only until Elias's mother explained he had a multiple personality disorder that things began to make sense. Sort off! It turns out Elias has a calling across the country to  help a Kingdom far away, and Clara is destined to go along so that he may be whole again.

"If my brain finds whatever it wants in the real world, the other one won't need to create a new one to search in."

At first sight, I believed Both of Me to be a new YA take on Bridge to Terabithia, but when both characters set out on a road trip (their quest)  the story took a different shape. Sadly, new characters were introduced way too fast, and Elias decided to change his name and Clara's, so that we could differentiate when he was switching personalities which made the story more crowded. Every little obstacle they encountered always got resolved too fast.

On the plus side, the plot twist at the end was incredible.

Book and Movie Challenge: Fifty Shades Of Grey

Can't believe midterms got in the way of this year's challenge, but now that it's all behind me, I was finally able to  relax and catch up on some movie adaptations.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Had to come in shades for this one

It is not by far an uncommon opinion that Jamie Dornan was not the most suitable actor to take on the role of Christian Grey. Something about him feels too soft, not at all what a BDSM experience should look like (at least not in my head). The script did not vary far from the book, except for the rules not being as strongly applied. It still revolved around the infamous contract that Anastasia refused to sign. Although, I must say that in the movie it seemed like she was taunting him by not signing, more that being reluctant about the whole process. Neither of the actors appear to be enjoying their roles which is where the biggest tragedy lies. Both Gone with the Wind and Dirty Dancing leads didn't not get along and yet they made their relationship swoon onscreen. Too bad these two couldn't take a few hints from them.

**If you've reviewed this film or any other movie adaptation this month, please make sure to leave your link below. I'm always searching for movies to watch or be aware of (renting isn't cheap, let's help each other out.)

Review: Paper Towns

Paper towns aren't marked on maps -- they're wallflowers - tiny little towns that not everyone gets to see unless they happen to stumble upon them accidentally.

After Margo Roth Spiegelman's latest disappearance -- she tends to disappear a lot --  Q obsesses over every single clue she left behind, because in his mind, Margo wants to be found by him. And only him. Hence so begins a race against the clock as Quentin's infatuation with Margo leads him to think she will commit suicide in a paper town if he doesn't find her on time.

Instalove is a lot less uncomfortable to read when it's corresponded. I failed to see the spark that Quentin did. But even though his character's state of mind and mine disagreed, John Green's writing skills are hard to deny. Heck, after several pages, I started to beliveve Quentin too, until the story began to make sense. No one really knows who Margo is. Especially not Q who spent his time loving her from afar...

Looking forward to the movie starting Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff.

Feature and Follow Friday: fell in love with the rebound

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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Q: Do you have any fury friends?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 11 Févr. 2015 à 14h10 PST

Latte. My super cuddly co-blogger and partner in crime.

After my dog passed away, I wasn't ready to get another one. Not just yet. Plus, school takes up a lot of time right now to give a puppy long walks. Latte is quite easier to handle. Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs sleep at night, allowing us to spend some quality time every day without compromising my snooze time.

Do you have a pet?

Review: The Body Electric

As I lay myself to sleep, I want to drift away to my favorite memory. 

Well now, it's possible, thanks to Ella's mom machine The Reverie. The whole spa process is quite popular, and people pay good money to relive a precious moment (particularly about loved ones that passed away). But what if the machine could do more? Like spy on people's brains and seek deep into their deepest secrets?

The Body Electric marks Beth Revis' return after the Across the Universe series and this time she takes sci-fi into a whole other level. Ella's world has exceeded our own (I sure hope so ) technological capacities as humans can be injected nanobots, that would make them healthier. Ella's dad invented this technology and used it on his wife to keep her alive. But the nanobots seems to deter after a while of constant use.  The military, on the other hand, seem keen on collecting all the info for personal use. Ella, must choose who to trust, whether it is the government or a group of young rebels who claim she's been allied with them all along.

The plot was cautiously planned, with Ella having to use both of her parents inventions to achieve her own power. Sadly, in terms of romance, the book did not compare to Revis' previous work. There was too much going on to allow Jack to reconquer Ella, whom unfortunately had no recollection of him whatsoever.

Prepared to be astounded, but not swooned.

Feature and Follow Friday: Absorbing Fuel

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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Q: Your house is burning down and you have time to select three books you own to take with you. What three books?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 10 Nov. 2014 à 15h27 PST

#1. Gears of Brass

It's the first short story I've published, so I would take my copy for sentimental reasons.


#2. Little Women

I have read the paperback about a dozen times. Alcott was the reason I started writing in the first place. Of course, that means my artistic instincts crave bittersweet love stories. I need to work on that.


#3. Fahrenheit 451

I mean how could you let that one burn?!?


Which books would you save?

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

No one survived but her...

Mara Dyer's past is a blur. In one night, she lost her best friend and boyfriend to a tragic fire that no one dares to discuss. And so her family relocates to a new town, where Mara will come to terms that the past just can't stay hidden.

It was a struggle to link the book to a specific genre, as it kept on changing from mystery to romance to paranormal -- all linked to create what became a trilogy. The main love interest was surprisingly presented as shallow, referred to as ''The Shaw'' a player that no girl should come near, especially one like Mara who is still sensitive due to the incident. But Noah ends up being a bookworm, who cares to integrate her into the new school. Why he needs to maintain a persona is explained in the book, making the story even more climatic.

Looking forward to reading the sequel (blame it on the cliffhanger ending).

Feature and Friday Follow: Divergent Pursuit

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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Q: Do you like fantasy or realistic books?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 20 Févr. 2015 à 9h42 PST

Both.

Sometimes I need a check with reality. Particularly when I'm feeling down or alone --  a good book that deals with life's troubles reminds me I'm human. Everyone has ups and downs.

Of course, like any avid reader, I also like to escape to strange lands. Fantasy books are a cheap way to travel that can take you to destinations beyond your wildest imagination.

So, yeah... I need to read and review both.


Do you have a favorite?