Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Summary: Ari and Dante, two young hispanic boys, who become friends one summer despite being complete opposites. The story follows their friendship with themes of self-identity, coming-of-age, friendship, discovery, and adventure.

Thoughts: Yes! Finally a book that gave me the feels again.

I became attached to the characters and the friendship between Ari and Dante was fantastic, I loved the chemistry and contrast between them. I can't say if I liked Ari or Dante more because they each had special qualities and were so different. Ari is faced with the difficulties of being a teenager and the frustration of not knowing who he is and instead keeps his emotions bottled up. Dante wears his heart on his sleeve and freely says what he is thinking.

The writing is beautiful. For me, this book was less about the plot and more about the writing. The way situations presented themselves, the relationship between characters and the development was where this book really shined.

The author does an excellent job getting in Ari’s head and saying exactly what I would be thinking in situations. I teared up in several scenes, for good and bad moments. Even after finishing the book, I was constantly thinking about it. I ended up rereading some passages and favorite scenes.

Conclusion: I related to this book way to hard. Now one of my favorite books of all time! Highly recommend to those who enjoy coming-of-age books.

5/5 stars 

Note: I reviewed this on my other blog so some parts maybe repititve. 

Paper Towns - Movie!

After The Fault in Our Stars was produced, Fox 2000 is going to sign on Paper Towns.

Apparently Quentin will be played Nat Wolff who plays Isacc in The Fault in Our Stars movie.

I'm pretty excited that more than one of John Green's books is going to be adapted into film.

Speaking of TFIOS I'm deciding if I should refrain from watching Divergent just because I want my first impression of want Hazel and Augustus to be fresh. Rather than watching the movie and always thinking about them as siblings in Divergent. Strange huh?

Source

Marina's Tales by Derrolyn Anderson - FREE book

Hey readers! I've received an email from a lovely author, Derrolyn Anderson who wrote Marina's Tales which is a series composed of 4 books. She recently finished writing the 4th installment, The Turning Tides, and is going to give away copies of the 1st book for free on Smashwords: Between the Land and the Sea. If you would like a copy feel free to email me at booksaur(at)gmail(dot)com and i'll send the code your way.

Here's my review of the 1st book.

It really enjoyed the series so far and I highly recommend you check it out!

Happy Reading!
-Sarah

Happy 2012 + Reading Challenge

It's 2012!! Happy New Years everyone! (Sorry I'm a day late).

I just want to say thanks so much to everyone who reads my blog and keep being awesome. I hope your 2011 was filled with amazing reads.

I have learned so much from being in the book community and discovered so many fantastic YA books--from dystopians to favorite authors, I'm so glad I got involved.

Well here it is, for 2012, I challenge myself to read 100 books. I might lower this if school starts getting really intense once I head back though. Wish me luck! :)

What are your reading goals for 2012? And what were your favorite reads of 2011?

Here are mine:

Top Reads of 2011

6. Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
5. The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
3. Hunger by Michael Grant
2. Looking for Alaska by John Green
1. Blood Red Road by Moria Young

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls
by Nova Ren Suma
Pages: 348
Released: June 14, 2011

Imaginary Girls
Summary: Chloe and her sister Ruby are extremely close. One summer they are at a party at a reservoir and Chloe is swimming around. She moves around and feels someone's fingers and realizes that it's a dead body. This experience traumatizes her and she goes to live with  her father. Two years later Ruby shows up unexpected and persuades Chloe to move back in with her. When Chloe returns she finds strange things happening--things that she cannot even begin to explain. And now she has to find out the secret that Ruby has been hiding from her all these years.

My Thoughts: What did I just read?!?!

What I liked: The book's promise of a very strange story and the sibling bond between Chloe and Ruby. The amazing cover art.

What I disliked: The best way that I can explain this book is by referencing "Fight Club" (I won't' spoil the movie of course!) Okay so Fight Club has this insane plot with a huge twist and then we are given an explanation that totally sums up the story and makes you think "oh, it all makes sense now." Well with Imaginary Girls, it has this eerie plot and twist and all of a sudden the book never explains anything--it ends!? Chloe had a very unhealthy obsession with Ruby and everything was "Ruby this" "Ruby that." I honestly got mad reading this because I kept putting it down and asking when the author was going to start answering questions instead of leading us in this huge circle.

Conclusion: I wouldn't say that I recommend this book for those who have similar tastes in books like me. But On the other hand there are some positive reviews for this book too. So check it out, but we warned, you'll still be confused when the book ends.

2.5/5 star

Source: Library.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Girl, Stolen
by April Henry
Pages: 213
Released: Sept 28, 2011

Girl, Stolen
Summary: Cheyenne is sitting in the backseat of her mother's car while her mother goes into the pharmacy. Its only been five minutes and her mother has already returned. The door slams louder than usual and Cheyenne smells cigarettes--it's definitely not her mother. She realizes the car is being stolen and she has no way of escaping... because for the past three years, Cheyenne has been blind. Who will save Cheyenne?

My Thoughts: So much happens in a 200 page book!

What I liked: I loved everything about the Cheyenne's character, she was intelligent, cunning, brave, strong, and independent. And I loved to hate the bad guys--they were brutal and actually bad bad-guys. A lot of unexpected things happened in this book and I loved every part of it. The situations in this book are very realistic and the writing really drew me in. She really lets us experience the mindset of a blind person and what the way that they experience things. 

What I disliked: The first few chapters are a bit slow, but it really picks up after.

Conclusion: So glad I picked this book up!

4.5/5 stars 

Source: Library

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Forgotten 
by Cat Patrick
Pages: 288
Released: June 7, 2011

Forgotten 
Summary: London Lane is has something unusual about her. Every night at 4:33 am, her memory is erased. She forgets the past, but remembers the future (she has visions of the future). In order to remember things she leaves herself a note to read every morning. Things become complicated when Luke Henry, a gorgeous boy who shows interest in her, enters her life. London starts having flash-forwards of a tragic event and must discover her past in order to figure out the future. 

My Thoughts: 50 First Dates + That's So Raven = Forgotten

What I liked: This writing in this book is entertaining and kept me turning the pages. I wanted to solve the mystery and find out the secret that had been hidden from London's past. The whole concept of London's character was unique and kept my attention.

What I disliked: This book could have been so much more epic. I mean she's an amnesiac and there was this huge mystery that lingered throughout the book. However, it didn't turn out to be as shocking at it could have been. The author does an amazing job setting up the situation and I thought that "secret" could have been more OMG but it sort of just ends there. Also, I wish that Luke & London's relationship was deeper; it seemed more like a teen fling. 

Conclusion: The writing style kept me interested and solving the mystery keeps you turning the pages, but I wish the ending packed more of a punch. 

3/5 stars 

Source: Library.