Thursday, July 31, 2014

That's What HE Said Thursday #1



That's What HE Said Thursday is a weekly meme created by Rose and Julie over at Chapter Break and every week you post a direct quote that your book boyfriend said to the heroine.

The Book:

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

The Quote:

“Whatever you are physically...male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy--all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside.” 
-Jem to Tessa

Sigh. Isn't he dreamy?

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KaylaTalksBooks

Booking Through Thursday #1



Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Booking Through Thursday, where every week a different book related question is posted.

This Weeks Question:
If I could give a brand new, really good book by your favorite author (living or dead) RIGHT NOW, what would you be willing to do?

My Answer:
Honestly, for a new book written by S.E. Hinton I would do almost anything. Particularly if it went back to her earlier style and was in the Y.A. genre again. I would cook for you, clean for you, walk your dogs (assuming you have dogs) almost anything. I would get down on my hands and knees and beg. This is becoming shameful. Basically, I would be your best friend forever (or your slave--it's really up to you). The things we do for books.

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KaylaTalksBooks

Top 5 Wednesday: Books That Made You Cry





My video for Top 5 Wednesday which is a goodreads group created by Lainey from GingerReadsLainey and Mindy from MindyReads on youtube. Every week booktubers make videos on a certain pre-decided topic.

Check out the goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday

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KaylaTalksBooks

Book Review:: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi [Spoilers Ahead]


Review of Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi


(Attention: Imminent Spoilers)

Synopsis:

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn't know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won't keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that's not all he wants with her.
(Synopsis from Amazon.com)

I hate to start off with a negative review, but I wanted to start by posting the reviews I've written this year on goodreads. Unfortunately, it appears I am way behind on my reviews and this is the only one I've written. I have a lot of catching up to do.
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I really wanted to like this series.
I really wanted to like this series.
I really wanted to like this series.

I didn't like this series.


I’m seriously disappointed right now. The first book was pretty good, the second book was alright, the short stories were really good for some strange reason, but this book was just so bad. I had high hopes for it too, but it just didn't deliver.

The first 250 pages were just filled with everyone bitching at each other. It was one angst-filled conversation after another and some of them just felt like they were the same exact conversation repeated, and the story wasn’t progressing. Nothing really happened in this book, until the very end. I've been team Warner since the beginning, but I liked him because he was Warner, I don’t like the whiny guy pretending to be him in this book. It reminded me of Spike in BtVS, except Spike was still Spike when he became Buffy-whipped. I’m just so ridiculously sick of this whole “You bring out the good in me” shit, because… it’s just so stupid if I’m being honest.

And Adam. Adam. 



I couldn’t stand Adam in this book. I kind of liked him for part of Shatter Me, but that was short lived. However, much like Warner, he just wasn’t Adam in this book. The things he said to Juliette weren’t alright, and thank the lord she realized that, but he just wasn’t acceptable. The fact that he just wants a weak little girl who he can prey on take control over is beyond creepy. Seriously, he’s a creep, poor Alia. 


Juliette, even though she bugged me frequently, was the only character who developed as a character in a realistic and positive way. I’m glad she found her power, and realized she’s a strong and independent person. But then, it still felt like she needed a man to make her feel whole. I think I would have liked this series a whole lot more if there was more action, and wasn’t a love triangle, or really a love story at all. Because all this was, was a ridiculous love story in the middle of the end of the world.

The only characters I genuinely liked were Kenji and James. Kenji was hilarious, as always, and I really enjoy his platonic, best friend’s relationship with Juliette. James is adorable, and I loved the scene where he keeps bugging Warner and asking him all these questions. He’s the best.

Now speaking on the whole brother thing. That was interesting to me, I wanted to see more of Warner interacting with Adam, and especially James, for the first time as brothers. But we didn’t get that because all that seemed to matter was the ridiculously stupid love story.

I was also expecting some sort of explanation as to the world of this story. But there was none of that. This series has the least developed dystopian world out of all the books I’ve read. I get that the environment is being destroyed, makes sense. But how and why did the Reestablishment take over? What is going on outside of this sector? How in the hell did Anderson take over? He doesn’t seem particularly strong or a good, powerful speaker which is a quality all dictators have. All he does is hide and have his army do the work, which, how did he even develop an army if all he does is hide? The only reason he is scary is because of all the people he has manipulated, but how has he manipulated them? He’s not scary on his own. If everybody is as unhappy with this new society as they seem to be, then how have they not overpowered this little asshole, yet? Rant over. Also, can we please have some explanation as to the development of these powers? With Warner’s mom it seems to imply that they weren’t always there, because she got them later in life. So, I’m left to assume that all of a sudden due to the environment or radioactivity, or some shit, these powers occurred. But can we talk about that? Like, I’m sorry, but that needs an explanation.

And also, Juliette being able to not only contain her power enough to touch people now, but also being literally indestructible, seems a little too convenient. I’m starting to feel a little bit of Mary-Sue-ness coming on. I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before, but it’s there for sure.

I hated the intimate scenes between her and Warner. Okay, I get it, it’s a young adult book and it’s risky to put a sex scene in. So don’t, don’t put a sex scene in. But don’t get super far into it and then fade to black right before the deed actually happens. And if you do, don’t continuously have these scenes. Do it once, let the readers know they are now officially boning, and leave it at that.



I liked the ending. There was a real fight, and if I don’t think too much about how unbelievable Juliette’s new powers are, it was pretty kickass. But… not one person died? Seriously, we’re in a war and the good guys that we’ve grown attached to just somehow miraculously make it out alive? It was very unrealistic. I understand wanting a happy ending, but not everybody is going to survive a war, it’s just not how it is.

And the ending, ending was incredibly abrupt. An epilogue or something would have been helpful here. Like, cool, you overthrew the current leader and declared that you are the new leader. would that really work? Maybe that’s how Anderson became leader, because there’s no other explanation I can think of.



I could probably go on, but I’m gonna end this here because I can see no other end in sight. Overall, I thought this story was contrived, ridiculous, and nothing really happened. And it makes me sad because I really wanted to like it. Also, part of me wants another sequel or a spin-off to know what happens next, and I know if Miss Mafi wrote one, I would most certainly read it. Ugh… I hate that about myself…




Edit:: I just realized, this series is totally the dystopian novel equivalent of Dawson's Creek, difference is that Dawson's Creek is a guilty pleasure of mine.. 



Rating::


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KaylaTalksBooks



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

"Waiting On" Wednesday #1


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Every Wednesday people share a book that they are anxiously awaiting the release of.

This week my choice is one that is very popular right now, and I'm sure you have heard of at least a thousand times.


Synopsis:
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.


Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.
(I got this synopsis from amazon.com)

Isla is the third book in the series of companion novels written by Stephanie Perkins and beginning with Anna and the French Kiss. It is being released on August 14 of this year; so next month, baby! I know I'm for one excited to see more of the characters we all know and love, and then some new ones.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Review Policy

Here's some specific information about the things I will and won't review. For contact information please visit my contact page.

Forms of review copies I will accept:
-ARC
-Galley
-Finished Copy

Genres I review: I will review any young adult, regardless of the genre. I will also review new adult, as well as the occasional middle grade and adult book.

Genres I won't review: No Harlequin-esque books, and I won't review romance novel in general. I also won't review true-crime novels, or westerns.

My Reviews: My reviews will all include a rating, release date, and the synopsis given by the publisher. My reviews are completely honest and if I review your book there is no guarantee that it will get a positive review from me. Keep in mind, I will be including in my reviews whether or not I would recommend the book and what audience I would recommend it to. I will try my best to get my reviews out in a timely manner. However, I have other obligations and can't always read all day. I will try and post my review around the month before it's release or the date of its release.

Other: I am always willing to host giveaways, participate in blog tours, or do author interviews.

A-Z Reviews

2014

A:

B:

C:

D:

E:

F:

G:

H:

I:
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

J:

K:

L:

M:

N:

O:

P:

Q:

R:

S:

T:

U:

V:

Q:

X:

Y:

Z:

Schedule

Schedule:
Monday:
It's Monday! What are you reading?
Book Review

Tuesday:
Teaser Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday

Wednesday:
Top 5 Wednesday
"Waiting On" Wednesday
Book Review

Thursday:
Booking Through Thursday
That's What He Said Thursday

Friday:
Flashback Friday
Five Friday Favorites 
Book Review

Saturday:
Swoon Worthy Saturday
Book Review

Sunday:
Weekly Wrap Up
Book Review

Contact

I have an email specifically for book blogging purposes. 
KaylaTalksBooks@hotmail.com

Contact me for:
-Review Requests
-Interview Requests
-Any questions you may have
-Anything else 

Also find me on Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4425769-kayla

Twitter.
OMGitsJourney65

Tumblr.
takingbreathstostay93

Youtube.
KaylaTalksBooks

Or Instagram.
lavieboheme215

About

About KaylaTalksBooks:

This blog has been around since about 2012-2013 but was never worked on due to my inability to design a blog very well. Recently I decided to take the time to work on creating my book blog to my satisfaction, because books are one of my main passions and I needed another place to spread the love of reading. It is currently a work in progress, but my hope is that it will improve daily and that you will join me on the ride.

About Me:

My name's Kayla if you haven't already guessed. I'm currently 20 years old but I turn the big 21 in less than a month. I go to college in Salem Massachusetts and am majoring in English and Psychology and minoring in history and theater, because I'm an extremely indecisive person. My dream above everything else is to be an actress, and I plan to try my hand at it after college. But if and when that doesn't work out I would love to be a writer and get into publishing. Or go to grad school and get my PHD and become a clinical or criminal psychologist. See, indecisive. I love to read and literally everything about books and literature.

Random Facts!

1. Another one of my passions is movies and television. And if all goes as planned I should be creating a blog for that very shortly.

2. I need music to survive. Like if I could have any talent it would be to be musically inclined. Unfortunately I just have an average voice and I couldn't learn to play and instrument to save my life. It doesn't stop me from seeing at the top of my lungs in the car though.

3. I have an affinity for celebrities who died young and sometimes I think of them and everybody they left behind and cry randomly. I swear I'm sane. Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, James Dean, John Lennon, and many others. Cory Monteith was the first who I was a fan of who passed away while I was alive and therefore his death affected me a lot. I can't even think about it most of the time without getting choked up.

4. I adore older music. The Beatles, The Doors, Nirvana, John Lennon, Elton John, and many others. Anything from the 50's, 60's, some 70's, 80's is by far my favorite, and the 90's (not that I think that's old).

5. My father is a director for local theater companies, so I grew up being exposed to musical theater and acting. I mean, my parents met in a play; it was bound to happen. As a result I love musical theater (As I'm typing this I'm listening to "I Dreamed A Dream"). My favorites include Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Fiddler on the Roof (even though I've been forced to see it way too many times), Hairspray, Cabaret, Wicked, and The Producers. (I also love Mama Mia and Grease, but those are gimmes.)

6. Admission: I like Grease 2 more than Grease 1. (I also have a guilty pleasure for High School Musical so perhaps I'm not qualified to talk.) I just, I don't know, it gets a bad rap and I love it so much. The musics catchy, the acting and some of the singing is terrible but that only adds to its charm, Michael's sexy. It's just all around the bomb dot com.

7. 80's movies. 80's movies are completely my thing. In fact I love literally everything about the 80's from the style, to the music, to the boys. Some of my favorite actors are all from the 80's; James Spader, Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey Jr., Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, ect. I love campy horror movies. I think horror movies were scarier back then because they just had a creepy quality to them that horror movies nowadays lack. I go as far as saying I hardly ever watch movies made after the year 2000, though there are of course some good ones, most are just missing something. My favorite sub-genre of 80's movies is movies from the 80's that take place in the 50's or 60's. And I love John Hughes and brat pack films.

8. Disney movies/music are just fantastic. Now I'm listening to "Colours of the Wind", and this song is just so beautiful along with many other Disney songs. However, I didn't watch much Disney when I was young besides the Little Mermaid. I hadn't seen Cinderella until two years ago along with Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Now I'm addicted, even if I hopped on the bandwagon a little late.

9. Finally a book one! My all time favorite book is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I adore it, just everything about it. I collect copies of it and have read it more times than I can remember. In fact, I love all of her books, but nothing beats The Outsiders for me. However, Tex is my second favorite. I also love all the movie adaptations of her books. My second favorite book is Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. That whole series is fantastic (or at least up to The Vampire Armand, as that's as far as I've gotten right now.) Memnoch the Devil literally gave me a nightmare directly related to it when I feel asleep reading it one night. That's a mark of good writing. Also, the film adaptation of Interview with the Vampire is the best film adaptation in my opinion ever made. Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise- drool.

10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the first series I ever got into, and will always be my favorite. It's just genius, Joss Wheadon is genius, and it always cheers me up when I'm upset. My new obsession is Masters of Sex, it's the only show I'm caught up on and watch every single week. I also adore, The Office, Glee, Supernatural, Gilmore Girls, Angel, Skins, American Horror Story, Queer as Folk UK and US (mostly US), Doctor Who, Torchwood, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Roseanne, Full House, Friends, Grey's Anatomy, Sherlock, The Vampire Diaries, Whose Line is it Anyway?, Sing Your Face Off, The Glee Project, Ghost Adventures, Paranormal State, Celebrity Ghost Stories, Ghosts Caught on Tape, The Haunting Of..., A Haunting, basically any ghost show in existence and I'm sure a bunch more that I'm forgetting.

11. I have one tattoo and am getting a second one on Saturday. My first is on my left arm and says, "You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one" with a dream catcher on the end. This is obviously a quote from the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. And the one I'm getting next will be on my left side and will say, "Stay Gold" which is of course both from The Outsiders and based on the poem by Robert Frost which is recited in that book. I'm one of those weird people who isn't scared to get tattoo's and really doesn't think they hurt that badly. But I'm terrified of piercings and don't even have my ears pierced. Of course my first one was on a pretty easy place to get it, I may very well talk differently after my next tattooing experience. I plan to get several more over the next few years.

12. Another guilty pleasure of mine is One Direction, and boy bands in general. I'm actually seeing them in concert in less than two weeks! No shame.

13. I talk too much. I apologize. But if you read all of this I love you.