June TBR Pile

Even though I don’t usually make TBR lists since I typically pick up whatever book I feel like reading, there are a few books that I definitely want to read this month. Currently, I’m four books behind on my reading goal, so hopefully I can catch up with some great books in June! Here are five books that I plan to read in June:

• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I recently read The Sun is Also a Star and loved it, so I’m really excited to read Everything, Everything. This is a book that I want to finish ASAP so I can go see the move in theaters!

• Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since it was announced. Since I pre-ordered this book, I’m counting down the days until it arrives on my doorstep. Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, so I know that I won’t be disappointed!

• The Elite by Kiera Cass

I read The Selection last month and started a new season of The Bachelorette which has made me excited to continue with this series. I have this book on loan from my local library so I need to read this before the due date.

• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

I purchased this book from a deal on the Kindle Store. It sounds like the perfect summer read so I can’t wait to see if it lives up to my expectations!

• On the Fence by Kasie West

Kasie West is slowly becoming one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. I know this will be a light and fluffy book that will be a fun way to start my summer reading!

 

What books do you plan to read in June?

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The Sun is Also a Star Review

The Sun is Also a Star… and a very good book!

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon follows Natasha, a practical girl, spending her last day in New York before her parents are deported for being illegal immigrants. On her way to meet a lawyer, Natasha runs into Daniel. Unlike Natasha, Daniel is a dreamer who begrudgingly accepts an interview with Yale to please his parents. Over the course of the day, Natasha hopes to stop her deportation and maybe fall in love.

Even though The Sun is Also a Star doesn’t necessarily have a sad ending, it still broke my heart into a million pieces. Seeing how every little action you take can majorly affect another person and forever change their life is extremely impactful. I really appreciate how the author not only gave readers the perspectives of Natasha and Daniel, but characters you wouldn’t think twice about if you came across them in person. By giving glimpses into so many character’s present and future lives, I think the author’s message came across clearly.

While I struggled to relate with some of the characters in this book, I think the author did a fantastic job of characterizing both Natasha and Daniel. The two main characters look at the world through extremely different lenses and their views are very apparent in all their words and actions. Natasha and Daniel really stand out to me among other characters in young adult fiction because they are very unique and well-rounded characters.

Usually in books, I’m not a fan of insta-love romances. Since Natasha only has one day left in the United States that definitely plays a role in this book. In this case, however, I really loved Natasha and Daniel’s relationship and thought it was much deeper than other romances that span the entire book. The ticking clock actually made their perfect chemistry that much more heartbreaking. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I also really loved how the author ended the book and dealt with their relationship.

With the craziness of college, it has been awhile since I’ve not only read a book, but a book that has made me so excited about reading. From the message, characters, and romance, The Sun is Also a Star stands out in young adult fiction. I give The Sun Also a Star five out of five stars.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Releases I Meant to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s theme is 2016 releases that I meant to read, but didn’t. These books are on my TBR list, so hopefully I can read all of them by the end of the year! Here are my choices:

1.) And I Darken by Kiersten White

There was so much hype around And I Darken and the plot sounded so interesting, I added it to my TBR… and it stayed there. Hopefully, I can pick it up in 2017 during the summer when I have more time to read it (it is such a big book!). And I Darken takes the story of Vlad the Impaler, but replaces Vlad with a female lead.

2.) Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

I wan’t that impressed with Red Queen, but I want to give the series another shot. I have Glass Sword checked out of the library, so I definitely plan on reading it this year! In Glass Sword, Mare Borrow attempts to recruit more Reds and Silvers to join her cause against the oppressive government.

3.) A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

I read An Ember in the Ashes last year and thought it was okay. Since this is a well-loved series, I really want to read the next book to see if I get the same spark as other readers. In A Torch Against the Night, Elias and Laia are on the run and are determined to free Laia’s brother from prison. Meanwhile, Helene is sent on a mission by the bloodthirsty Marcus to kill them both.

4.) The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

I loved both The Winner’s Curse and The Winner’s Crime in 2016, so I can’t wait to see how the series ends! In The Winner’s Kiss, a war begins with Arin on the front lines and trying to forget about Kestrel. Meanwhile, Kestrel is a prisoner in a work camp who hopes to escape and explain everything to Arin.

5.) Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles was one of my favorite series that I read in 2016, so I can’t wait to read additional stories set in the same world!

6.) Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins 

I LOVED Rebel Belle in 2016, and even though I was less impressed with Miss Mayhem, I really want to finish this series! In Lady Renegades, David leaves Pine Grove and starts transforming other girls into Paladins. With Harper’s Paladin powers slowing fading after David’s departure, Harper may not be able to protect herself from the dangers sure to come.

7.) P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

In P.S. I Like You, Lilly writes song lyrics on her desk one day in class and finds a response the next day. Soon, she finds herself falling in love with the person writing back. This book sounds like a cute, light-hearted read. I think this book will be perfect to read at the end of August or the beginning of September when school rolls around!

8.) Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky 

Kill the Boy Band follows a group of friends who kidnap a member of their favorite boyfriend. This book sounds really funny, but also has the potential to make interesting observations about fandoms. They have this my local library’s e-library, so it’s definitely high on my TBR list.

9.) The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

The Sun is Also a Star takes place over one day as Natasha’s family is being deported back to Jamaica. I’ve heard so many positive reviews about this book and the plot sounds really interesting to me. I’m really excited to read this during 2017!

10.) Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Love and Gelato follows Lina as she spends summer in Italy and follows her mother’s journals to uncover a family secret. Love and Gelato looks like the perfect summer read! My sister got this book for Christmas, so I have no excuse to not read it in 2017.

 

What 2016 releases are on your 2017 TBR list?