August 04, 2013
August 02, 2013
August Books
Books I Really, Really Want:
Squealworthy Sequels (of series I have or haven't started):
I've got a so-so kind of attitude...
Sorry, not everyone can be Booksmartie's next best read :/
Squealworthy Sequels (of series I have or haven't started):
I've got a so-so kind of attitude...
Sorry, not everyone can be Booksmartie's next best read :/
August 01, 2013
Review: Ink by Amanda Sun
On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive
A Long Story Short:
Ink was a good and solid story. I was entertained through most of the book, I didn't find the writing or characters annoying, but I also didn't have much interest in how the story might go on. A bummer was how I could not connect with the characters at all. What made the book more enjoyable, though, definitely was the unique setting of Japan and everything (language barriers, school, food, tradition) that came along with it.
RATING:
Ink was a refreshing read, not only for the setting (Asia), although that played a big part in it. Our MC's daily routine alone was so different from the one we have here in Germany, or the ones that I read about in UK or US books.
The setting, the way people talk to each other, their habits and values - another (existing) country as the main setting provided the reader with a lot of interesting details and anecdotes that made the book enjoyable from the start.
On top of that comes a mythology that I've never stumbled upon before. The stories and tales that make the background to Ink are unique - at least in the YA genre. Completely new creatures and paranormal abilities that we haven't had a million times already.
The main characters themselves were enough to keep the novel going, although I cannot say I was impressed by the character building or development. Especially the relationship between Katie and Tomohiro, or rather the turn it took, didn't convince me.
Tomohiro's personality - even though it was explained later on - never made sense to me.
The side characters were a bit weak, in my opinion. Their names were difficult to remember since I'm not familiar with Japan and well...their names...At times I had problems even remembering who was who with Katie's friends - a definite sign for one-dimensional characters.
Anyway, the plot was good. A bit too slow in the middle, but the last part of the book brought the action to a whole other level again and the ending made me want to read the sequel.
All in all, Ink was a good read while it lasted, but I'm positive I won't remember much of what happened. Even though I'd like to know what happens to the characters right now, I probably won't anymore when the second book comes out. That special feeling of connection to the characters was lacking. If you're looking for a unique story, you should go for Ink. Then again, if you want a series to fall in love with, this might not be the book for you.
July 31, 2013
July Wrap Up and August TBR
So, July's over? Fine by me!!! Once again, I realize I'm not a fan of the heat, the doing nothing, the bathing suits and pools. I love back to school, colored leaves and hot sweet tea!
And although August may be everything but fall, my favorite time of year is still coming closer any day.
Even more reason to kick off this month with a serious commitment to reading, so that when September and October come around, I'll be back in the routine :)
Books I finished in July:
The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts (DAC, PRC)
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick (TBR, PRC)
Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick (TBR, PRC, Sequel C)
Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Loise Rozett (Sequel C)
Ink by Amanda Sun (DAC, PRC)
Hourglass by Myra McEntire (PRC, TBR)
Ten Things by Sarah Mlynowski (TBR)
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Sequel C)
In addition to that I read one book for school which I do count, but not list on here, because it'd probably bore you guys to death :D
All in all, that's 9 books. A solid number, but I know I could have done better....
Books I plan to read in August:
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
34 Pieces of Me by Carmen Rodriguez
Heist Society (1,2,3) by Ally Carter
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
The Mediator 2,3,4 by Meg Cabot
That is...quite a lot. 12 books in total. I know that I can read 12 books a month - I'm not sure if I will :) With two Read-a-Thons on the way it shouldn't be too hard, though...I hope...
Which books have you read this month? And what are your goals for August?
By the way, do you already mourn the end of summer or can you - like me - not wait for the fall?
July 30, 2013
#BTHReadathon - Ready, Set, Go(als)!!!
Hey, fellow Read-a-thoners!
This is actually the first two-week Read-a-Thon I have ever encountered, so my goal list should be appropriately long, right?
OK, let's go for it!!!
These are the books I definitely want to finish this summer - preferably during BTH.
I already started Leigh Bardugo's Siege and Storm and Richelle Mead's Blood Promise.
The other novels are
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
34 Pieces of Me by Carmen Rodriguez
Luxe by Anna Godbersen
That's 7 novels, so I hope I can finish each of them in two days. Timewise, that'd be a goal of at least 2 1/2 hours of reading each day :)
MONDAY:
I did read approxamitely 90 minutes today (Siege and Storm), which was not my goal, but it's still okay considering I had work today. I'm going to be working on Tuesday, too, but after that, I hope that I can really get into these books and catch up with my reading :)
Books Read:
Total:0
Today: I find myself halfway through Siege and Storm!
How are you guys doing???
July 28, 2013
July 26, 2013
Let's Beat the Heat - I'm reading a Marathon again :D
Hello, people of the internet!
Once again, I stumbled upon an amazing Read-a-Thon opportunity and could not say no. And why should any of us? It's summer, after all! Lots of free time, too much heat and too much sun to do anything but being lazy all day....sounds like the perfect time to seriously pick up some books again.
I'm super excited for this Read-a-Thon and I really hope, you are going to sign up, too!
Greetings,
the Booksmartie
Have you signed up for Beat the Heat, too? Or are you planning on doing it? Let me know in the comments!
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