Cut the Pickle

By the grace of the high heavens, I have pulled myself out of the book rut.

However, I'm still 5 books behind schedule. And I have an internship that is 9-5, 7 days a week. That means there is very scarce time for reading. Especially binge reading.

Which is why I'm usually in a quiet, pensive mood these days. I'm mourning my summer reading schedule. And when I mean schedule, I mean all day, every day.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Started: May 23, 2015
Finished: May 25, 2015
Stars: 5/5

Sarah Maas has done it again.

I don't know how she does it, but every single sentence on every single page captures the reader. She uses language and manipulates it in every degree to present the best experience for the reader. Her descriptions are so graphic and detailed. Her characters are complex and relatable. Her sentences vary and only help her writing and the story overall. If only I could live in the world she created.

Contrast to Throne of Glass, this book is told in first person and I loved it. I thought Maas did a great job with the multiple perspectives like she does in her most notable series, but she can work the first person narration to a tee! She has the thought process to a point where you think they're your thoughts instead of the characters.

Here on my thoughts, though. Feyre resembled Celaena from Throne of Glass, very closely. They had the same strong-willed character, hard-headed and stubborn girl who happens to be the savior against the evil that threatens a certain land. And I don't mean that analysis in a bad way— I actually appreciate it. With that being said, I felt like I connected to Feyre more than I do with Celaena. What really got me was the relationship with her sisters and her father. You see how she struggles because she is so unlike them. You see her as she learns to accept herself and then her relationships with her family members seem to fall into place once she does so. It was realistic and carried a subtle message to be true to yourself.

Even the friendships that developed in the book were realistic and I may have loved that part of the book more than her Tamlin—actually, no. But very very close.

Then there's the whole Stockholm Syndrome aspect of the book, which initially threw me off from reading the book (but then I read so so so many positive reviews and it's Sarah Maas so naturally I had to read it. What can I say, I'm easily swayed). But not even 50 pages in, I was rooting for Tamlin and Feyre and Maas did not disappoint. The Stockholm Syndrome then became irrelevant and I didn't care at all. Their dynamic was complex and they are both so stubborn and it was really cute reading their story.

The last third of the book is where most of the action happened. There was blood, guts, adventure, evil (a lot of evil), twists and turns, and a plot twist to defy all expectations. I'm usually pretty good at predicting a book's ending, but I did not predict this ending. Not even close. I wasn't even remotely close in my prediction. Which I'm slightly ashamed to admit.

If you haven't read the book yet, then disregard this next paragraph. 
why was tamlin's heart made of stone? Is it still like that at the conclusion of the book? What the heck was that about? I need closure on that asap. Also, what became of her sisters? Clare? Her father? Helloooo, Sarah Maas, I need answers!!

I know I say this a lot in my reviews, but I need the next book. If only to answer a few questions. Also to quench my unreasonable obsession with fictional characters and their lives. But that's implied with most books I read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fantastical, magical, enrapturing, and just a good, solid read. 10/10 would recommend.

[this book was "a book with antonyms in the title" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Started: May 26, 2015
Finished: May 28, 2015
Stars: 4.5/5

The cover got me on this book. I saw it sitting on the bookshelf among hideous covers in comparison to this and it called out my name. I had to take it home with me.

And am I glad I did.

I finished this not 10 minutes from now—as I write this review. My jaw still hurts from hanging loose for about 10 minutes and I keep checking the sequel's goodreads page, hoping the release date has updated to a much sooner date. Like next week. Or tomorrow. But alas, 2016 is a long way away. And there isn't even a summary where I can tease myself, waiting for its release.

I seem to do this too often to myself. I buy (and consequently read) the book very close to it's release date and then I'm stuck twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the sequel to come out.

Anyway, back to the book!

I don't know much about A Thousand and One Nights but now I find myself wanting to know more after reading this book.

Similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses, it too had a slight Stockholm Syndrome aspect, to a lesser degree but still there. It was told in multiple perspectives which confused me in the first 40 pages. But it had so much more mystery! It starts in the middle of the action. Within the first chapter (not the prologue because I didn't really see the benefit of the prologue) you have questions about what's going on and who's this and what the hell is going on! It really doesn't give you an answer to all of your questions until 75% of the book.

I loved the characters. I also really like asshole-type and stubborn and strong-willed and fierce characters, so naturally I loved Shazi and Khalid. Especially Khalid. And secondly, Jalal, Despina. Khalid and Shazi were just so stubborn that they naturally fit together and provide a great reading. A story of just these four characters and practically no plot could've satisfied me for 400 pages.

And then there were Jahandar, whom irritates me, and Tariq, whom despises me. Jahandar is a respectable father figure, yeah he's a little cowardly and let's his daughter practically sacrifice herself, but he does so because she is such a strong-willed character! And then he just has to try and save Shazi, but he manages to screw everything up. Ughhhhh. Idiot.  Tariq is just so childish. Acting like he is so high and mighty where anyone who has Shazi's love is immediately a fraud. Ughhhhh, it was irritating to read and I just don't like those types of characters (like Kilorn from Red Queen).  He just won't let Shazi live her own life and make her own decisions if they are different than his expectations of her. At least Rahim was there as a comic relief to Tariq's stupidity.

I also really hate love-triangles so that could be another reason why I hate Tariq.

I could've done without Tariq's character altogether. But I know that he has merit to the story. And provides conflict.

The ending to the first book ripped me to shreds. I'm JUST SO CONFUSED!!!! Why did that happen??? WHAT IS GOING ON!!!

That question basically sums up my reading of the book. In the best way possible though. This book kept me hanging throughout all of it. It gave me answers and then ripped the carpet from underneath my feet 10 pages later. The crafting of the plot and the sentences were beautiful. Honestly it was amazing how Ahdieh could keep my interest on literally every single page of the book, even in the parts about Tariq and his foolishness.

I feel like I'm rambling now, so I'll finish.

This book would've gotten a full-fledged 5 stars, but it was stupid Tariq who ruined it all. Ugh.

[this book was my "a book by an author you've never read before" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]


SOP: Snake Eyes by Mumford & Sons

So take that March/April/May Reading Slump!!

Except now I'm 4 books behind schedule. Send Help. Wish me luck as I try and get back on track.

I Have Bad News

I'm in a bit of a pickle...

It's May and I am 5 books behind schedule on my Goodreads goal of reading 90 books this year. That's a lot. 5 books.
When I saw that, my jaw dropped and my hand flew up to cover my awestruck expression. How will I ever recover from 5 BOOKS?!
(Needless to say, I'm internally freaking out. It's internal, because if I tell my parents about this horrendous dilemma, they'll only make fun of me.)
I guess you could say that the March/April Book Slump is now the March/April/May Book Slump. The books I've read since the powerful F&Z have been school books. I read them because it was for my grade.

Disappointing, I know.

On another, happier note, I have an internship for the summer! It's a lot of time though and zero cash. But it's interesting, good experience. This will probably affect my Reading progress for the summer. But I'll ignore that for the time being.

Also, two nights ago, I was blessed with attending a Paramore concert. So, naturally, I'm obsessed again with Paramore. They are incredible live— long story short. Haley Williams has so much energy. She does something very similar to P90X or Insanity Workout onstage while she's singing. WHILE SHE'S SINGING. No wonder she is so fit and thin. They are all I've been listening to for 5 days now. (Haha 5 is repeating itself in this entry. Sorry for the English-nerd comment.) Anyway, go see them or play your fave Paramore song. They will rekindle some kind of energy in you.

That's really all I have for you. Enjoy the beginning of your summer.

SOP: Still Into You by Paramore (obviously)