Majesty (American Royals, #2) by Katharine McGee | A very good conclusion to the duology!

This is not my usual type of book, but OMG… it was just as addictive as the first installment! «Majesty» picks up right after the events of the first book, «American Royals», which I read and reviewed last year. If you haven’t read it, I wouldn’t recommend reading this review. Even though I’ll try to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, the blurb for the second book does give away a lot of things that happen in the first one.

I mentioned in my review of the first book that reading this story reminded me a lot of my favorite TV shows – «Gossip Girl» and «The Royals». There was just enough drama to keep me flipping pages as fast as possible without being overly-exhausting to read.

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Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman | The descend into the Challenger Deep!

Such a powerful novel about mental illness, «Challenger Deep» explores what’s it’s like to go through the period of life when your brain tricks you into believing that your delusions and hallucinations are actually real. Written in a way that allows you to understand Caden’s struggles on a deeper level, the story was rich with fantasy elements, that helped to bring the emotions forward.

I’m currently reading «The Toll», the third book in the Arc of Scythe trilogy by the same author, and I have to say that I prefer his writing in «Challenger Deep». It reads and flows much better for me. That is not to say that there is a big difference between the two, but somehow the writing style in his dystopian series doesn’t pull me in the same way.

Every Little Piece of my Heart by Non Pratt | It’s been a while since I read a YA contemporary!

I’ve been doing a great job this year keeping up with popular new releases and trying books by new-to-me authors. In the last couple of weeks, I spoke about Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Elizabeth Acevedo, this week it will be all about Non Pratt. Probably next year I’ll need to adjust my goals a bit and read books by the authors I read before instead. 😀

To be honest, other than «Giant Days» which I learned about from Jadeyreads YouTube channel, I’ve never seen or heard about any of Non Pratt books before. Even though I wasn’t “wowed” by «Every Little Piece of My Heart», I definitely want to read some more of her books in the future.

Visiting Spain | With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

«With the Fire on High» was my first Elizabeth Acevedo book and now I understand why there has been so much hype around her books. The writing is beautiful, flaws seamlessly, which made the whole reading experience an absolute pleasure from the beginning till the end.

This is one of those “unputdownable” books that will make you addicted to the story and the characters from the very first pages.

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel | The contemporary book that you might be “forced” to like

When I first started blogging, I threw myself into every book I heard about online. It didn’t matter if it was mentioned on youtube or on one of the blogs I followed, as long as the book was “hyped enough” I had to get my hands on it. 

This led to me reading a lot of YA contemporary novels that I wasn’t a big fan of.Lately, I try to avoid YA contemporaries as Adult Fiction tends to be so much more interesting and more relatable in a way as well, as I’m sloooowly approaching my 30s (did I just say this out loud?!)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott | The sweetest, most heartwarming book I’ve ever read!

I never thought that I would fall head over heels for the March sisters! Just a couple of chapters made me care deeply for Meg, Joe, Bess, and Amy, and I wished to be their friend, to see them grow up and set foot into adulthood! 

«Little Women» is a perfect book to read during childhood and early teens. And I’m actually sad for not reading it sooner. It is slightly “childish” in terms that the author feels the need to explain all the lessons to her audience, the hints and the acts would have been enough for me, but I do understand why the younger audience might need less subtle explanations.

American Royals by Katharine McGee | Scandals, drama and gossip of the American monarchy!

When I was just out of high school, I was obsessed with the Gossip Girl TV show with Blake Lively as Serena and Leighton Meester as Blair, this TV show was the most stylish drama of my youth. It was actually my high school boyfriend who introduced me to the show, I remember that we watched some episodes together.

If you’ve never seen Gossip Girl, it’s the most addicting show that follows the lives of privileged teens in the upper east side, NYC. I was always wondered what was the budget of this series considering the settings and some of the most iconic wardrobes. I loved Serena’s style ❤ 

Much later, I’ve watched a couple of episodes of another TV show, called «The Royals». Basically, again the drama infused story about the royal family showcasing all the luxury but also the lack of privacy that comes with that life. 

«American Royals» is a perfect mix of these two shows, following the lives of royal children – Princess Beatrice, the eldest and the heir to the throne, and Princess Samantha and Prince Jeff – the twins who are always loud and in trouble. Every family, especially royal, needs a couple of troublemakers.

Tinfoil Crowns by Erin Jones | The story of a YouTube Star, of betrayal and forgiveness

Considering the current rise of social media influence and YouTube channels, almost every single person in this world has some sort of social account. Many watch YouTube channels every day, and some have tried filming their own videos. It’s only natural that the authors would pick up on this trend and incorporate it in their stories. After all, when we read Contemporary, we want to see the world familiar to ours.

In my early teens, we dreamt about Hogwarts and magic schools. Nowadays, teenagers dream of being YouTube stars.

In «Tinfoil Crowns» we follow Jessica and her early rise of YouTube popularity. But there is so much more to this story than that. This is a story of loss, betrayal, forgiveness, and hope; and most importantly family relationships.

The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess | A glimpse into the life of foster care kids

Warning: This book contains mentions of sexual abuse, child abuse, mental illness, violence, suicide attempt.

Have you ever thought about what it is like to be a kid in the foster care system?

«The Quiet You Carry» inspired by Nikki Barthelmess own experience in the foster care, gives us a glimpse into the life of foster care kids.

Victoria Parker is a senior and only a few months away from turning 18. And just one moment changes her life forever. When her father locks her out of the house, Victoria is placed in the foster care system and ends up in a different town, different school and different home.

The Universe is Expanding and so am I by Carolyn Mackler |Don’t get fooled by the amazing cover!

Virginia Shreves is back in this follow up to «The Earth, my Butt and Other Big Round Things».

Q: Is it absolutely necessary to read the first book?

No, I haven’t read it and didn’t feel like I missed anything. Just treat this as a completely new book and you will be fine.

Q: Did it make me want to purchase and read the first book?

Also, no. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and only the shortness of the book made me plunge through it till the end.  

Carry Me Home by Jessica Therrien | A series of dramatic events

San José, gangs, guns, fighting… In the beginning I was slightly hesitant to start reading, as I already was expecting to dislike it. BUT! HOW WRONG WAS I?! It was an absolutely amazing book and I haven’t been able to stop talking about it since I picked it up!!

Jessica Therrien created the most gripping, realistically unrealistic story that makes your jaw drop in awe! The events that took place within this quite short novel were very INTENSE, definitely not for the light-hearted.

Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls | A must-read YA, introducing the suffragette movement to the younger generation

«’It isn’t just about me,’ she said. ‘It’s about us all! All women! How can women live like this? How can women like Mother just go on – not caring?’»

You know how sometimes we read this, seemingly an amazing, book. It covers so many meaningful subjects; has great characters and plot, but for some reasons you are just not feeling it. I’m not sure if that happened to you before, but it certainly is a rare occurance for me and makes my “blogging” life so much more complicated!

I will try to dissect my feelings as thoroughly as possible and maybe we can actually find a reason behind my “low enjoyment level” for this novel.

Mr. 60% by Clete Barrett Smith | You do what you need to survive. But do the means justify the ends?

This was a very random pick on NetGalley and I am very glad that I got the chance to read the ARC. Also, I am quite surprised not seeing many people talking about it or even mentioning it in their posts. Definitely, give this one a try if you have a chance. Why? you might ask.

Let’s see!

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell |Where I didn’t like Eleanor… Park was alright though!

Rainbow Rowell’s books will always hold a very special place in my heart.  2016 was the year of everything happening at once (good and bad) and one of the greatest things I’ve done last year was starting my blog and devouring «Fangirl» in one sitting, and I have been obsessed with her novels ever since.

After reading three of her contemporary novels, I was expecting «Eleanor and Park» to be just as warm and lighthearted. Oh, how wrong was I!

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley | A beautifully written novel about love and loss

This is probably one of the most beautiful contemporary books I’ve ever read. And if this is not enough to make you instantly pick up this book, I intend to praise it for another page or two – no matter how long it takes for me to convince you that THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER AND YOU NEED TO READ IT! (Did it work???)