Where it All Started

It has been a super busy week for me and I apologize that your Friday update is coming on a Sunday, but here it is. I wasn't really sure what to talk about this week. I thought maybe I would talk about where this love of reading came from.

When I was little my mother used to read to my brother and I before bed every night. She read things like, The Christmas Shoes, The Children of the Red King Series, and she even started Harry Potter. Even with books in my childhood, I hated reading. I was terrible at it. I mixed up letter constantly and it took me the longest time just to read regular, everyday words.

For some reason me brain knew the word, but I just couldn't seem to say it out loud. All of this just burned a fire of hatred for books. I didn't understand why everyone loved them. However, through all of this, I still did read a little. During the summer our local pizza parlor did this reading challenge for kids. It was if you read so many books you got this small free pizza. Naturally I wanted the pizza so I swallowed my hatred for reading and just kept at it.

In my middle school years I didn't read at all unless it was something I had to, like a textbook or something. Yet, when my Freshman year of high school finally rolled around, I met one of my friends that loved reading. She talking about it all the time and I thought maybe I would give it another go. Still as a Freshman it was a little hard for me to get into it.

It was difficult to focus on a line of text. My eyes were constantly jumping around the page and never really reading the words. Then Sophomore year came around and I met one of the girls I call my best friend. She told me if I wanted to get back into reading, which I was never into, that I should read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

It really seems like the rest is history. After that book I was hooked, I read every single day. It's like my eyes had been cleared to this mystery. Still to this day I have trouble with reading, especially out loud. I have gotten better, but it's still hard sometimes. I don't think I will ever give it up though. It's weird now to think I hated it.

That's a little bit about me. What got you guys into reading? Did you hate it at first? I would love to know your stories. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and as always, happy reading.

The Selection by Kiera Cass Review

Started: July 15th | Ended: July 18th

"True love is usually the inconvenient kind."

-America

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia

Length: 327 Pages

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4.5/5 

Goodreads Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself - and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to the future she never imagined.

Review: First and for most, I am a very character driven reader. If I don't get into the characters of a novel it's difficult for me to keep reading. At first with the character Aspen... I like Aspen, but not enough for me to get invested into the trilogy. So, when his whole blow out happened I was overly please; however I went into this book fully aware of the Love Triangle. Now, I am a huge supporter of Love Triangles if they are done right, which this one is. As long as there is a logical reason for it, I'm now, throw in that Love Triangle.

The characters overall I really enjoyed. I also was intrigued with the story line. I'm not the biggest fan of these kinds of worlds, but it was done well and explain throughout the novel. The writing style flowed well and not once did I get tired of the inner thoughts of the main character. The whole novel was well passed and a lovely read. I had a hard time putting it out once it was in my hands... Well done Kiera Cass, well done.

**A post on Monday for you guys. I hope this help you guys in one way or another, whether it is to pick up or leave on the shelf is all up to you. Have an AMAZING Monday, and as always, happy reading. 

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson Review

Started: July 11th | Ended: July 15th

"Tomorrow will be better. . . Then say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better."
-Unknown-

Title: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Length: 343 Pages
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
Goodreads Summary: Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

Review: I told most people that it was good, but at the same time I could put this book down and I didn't need to know that ending. I fully enjoyed this novel more than I was honestly expecting. I read over half this book in one day. There characters were so easy to connect with. This summer read had me wanting to take a road trip which I did. The playlists, pictures, and recites where such a unique thing to put in the book as a whole. Some of the parts where harder for me to read, such as, when we went into Amy's thought process while logical for what she is going through, I often found myself scanning over it and then forcing myself to go back and actually read what she was thinking.

Besides the main characters, I loved all of the side characters as well, all these people they meet through out the trip and I love that Morgan Matson actually took the road trip that Amy and Roger did. I really enjoyed her writing style as a whole and I do see myself reaching for one of her book again. This novel has easily turned me into a Morgan Matson fan and even though I haven't read any of her other works yet, this is definitely one I would recommend first. I would not be surprised if later on down the road -see what I did there- I ended up picking this book again to read for a second time.

I hope this help you decided whether or not to pick this book up, but as always, happy reading. 

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Review

Started: June 21st | Ended: July 8th

"If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself"

-Sally Jackson-

Title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Young Adult, Adventure, Fiction

Length: 377 Pages

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5

Goodreads Summary: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he got to the summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea.

Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -Percy sets out on a quest across the United Starts to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Review: This book blew my expectations out of the water. I have had so many people tell me that I just had to read this book and how great it is, but I didn't imagine it to be that wow worthy. I was completely taken off guard by the writing. The characters where absolutely incredible and I loved growing on their adventure with them through this novel. It was witty and humor, while at the same time getting down to business. 

They monsters and powers where fun to read about and the attitude of the gods where a good laugh as well. I grabbed the second book off the shelf of the book store before I was even done with the first. I am hooked on this series without a doubt. It a great read and I recommend it to you guys.

On a side note, sorry it took so long for me to get another post up, but here it is. I have got some more coming. I hope you are all having a fantastic Friday and as always, see you all real soon and happy reading.