Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

This one was released on October 22nd, 2013 but I have been holding out for the Paperback that was released just last week. Can't wait to get my nose into it!

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Own the Most Books Of

Ten Authors I Own the Most Books Of

Nicholas Sparks

Big fat surprise, right? 

*Note Sarcasm*

Jodi Picoult

Stephanie Meyer

J.K. Rowling

Even though I have yet to read all of the Harry Potter Books(I've read Book 1 and am half way done Book two! So please don't hate me!) but I do own them so that counts...Right?

Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars series AND The Lying Game. She takes up a whole darn shelf!

Cassandra Clare

Another one that takes up a lot of real estate on the ol' bookshelf!

Meg Cabot

Amanda Hocking

John Green

I'm sure this face will be on many lists!

(As he should be!)

Scott Westerfield

It was REALLY hard finding a pic of this guy smiling. Why so serious?

I can't wait to discover some new authors on all of your lists! Be sure to link in the comments so I can check out your post!

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Release Date: July 3rd, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 292
Series: None
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Library
Reason: Personal interest | Summer Reading Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.
Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.
With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

"For the Girls with messy hair and thirsty hearts"-Book Dedication

"Note: This review will contain gushing, gifs and lots of Caps locks. Read at your own risk!"

This summer has been an amazing one for me when it comes to books. I decided to create my own summer challenge that consists of me reading all of those books that I've been dying to read but haven't. No review books allowed. This are strictly books of personal interest. Phew, now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's gush about this AWESOME book! 

2 weeks have gone by since I read the last page of this marvelous book and I am already fighting the urge to re-read it. Peter Pan has always been one of my favourite stories. As I child, I was always fascinated with Neverland, the Lost Boys, Peter and everything else!

I was a bit apprehensive going into this novel because I have read Peter Pan retellings in the past, and they never really won be over. However Tiger Lily delivered. It delivered BIG TIME! 

I've never considered Peter Pan "swoon-worthy". I always considered him as a boy. Not the case with this Peter though. I was majorly swooning! I guess I should just get in line right? Mermaids, Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily, Wendy...Tough competition! 

There is so much to discuss; Where to begin? Tiger Lily was an enchanting character. I loved that we got to learn so much of her story, and that it was delivered beautifully throughout the whole novel. Another great aspect was that the book was narrated by Tinkerbell. With that being said, she doesn't have as strong of a presence as Tinkerbell in all of the other adaptations. She is more of the story teller. 

Peter's character was both adventurous and heart breaking. It was quite sad. I loved Anderson's version of Peter Pan. He was real. There were moments that really broke my heart and there were moments that we see the wonderful Peter we all fell in love with!

I could go on forever, really! There is so much to talk about that this would be the never ending review...Like what I did there?

Pick up Tiger Lily. Don't wait! Introduce yourself to these lovely characters. Let this story whisk you away. Be warned: You will cry. This is a beautiful story but it is a sad story, too! With that being said: 

In One Word

Cover Love

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Release Date: January 28th, 2003
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 318
Series: Stand alone
Format: Paperback(10th Anniversary Edition)
Source: Purchased
Reason: Personal interest | Summer Reading Challenge
Find the Author: Website
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

“People can start out one way, and by the time life gets through with them they end up completely different.” 

I finished this book a few weeks ago and yet the power of it is still with me! This book is filled with so many life lessons; So many simple statements that will get you through the toughest of times. 

Sue Monk Kidd's writing flows so beautifully. The words and characters leap off the pages and come to life right before your eyes. 

Why did I wait so long to read this masterpiece? Although I heard wonderful things about this book, it just didn't sound like something I should jump up and read right away. I was kind of "meh" about it. Shame on me! The Secret Life of Bees is a beautiful coming of age tale, taken place during one of the most hardest times for African Americans. There were parts of this book that aroused some anger, due to the ignorance and cruelty of the white society. But compassion, love and happiness were the emotions I felt most while reading this book(and dabbing away a tear or two). It is so heart-warming and charming!

August is a character that will remember forever. She was not a fictional character to me, she was a loving, enchanting person. She comforted me and taught me many things about life and well, about Bees, too!!

This is a novel that needs to be read! It needs to be taught in schools. The message behind this novel is so powerful and lovely. This was a one of a kind reading experience!

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Release Date: October 12th 2010
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 336 Pages
Series: None
Format: Hardcover
Source: From library
Reason: Personal interest | Summer Reading Challenge
Find the Author: Website
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

Holy Cow! Why the heck did I wait so damn long to read this? It has been recommended to me countless times and yet I still took my sweet ass time!

 

This is my first novel by A.S. King, but it will NOT be my last. I can definitely see what all the fuss is about. I realized that after the first few pages. She is a literary gem!

I loved Vera Dietz and her peculiar personality. She brought so much character to the novel. She had an edge to her, yet she was hilarious and vibrant. Charlie and Vera definitely have an intense relationship. They are complete opposites yet they fit together perfectly as if they were cut from the same cloth. Charlie's character is raw and dark. He is a great person but is hidden behind so much sadness; Which isn't a surprise with the burden's he carries with him. 

The narrative coming from multiple perspectives was the perfect way to deliver this novel! Even hearing point of views from the pizza joint was a clever touch! 

This novel may be small in size, but small in subject it is not. It tackles a lot of things: Alcohol Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Pedophiles, drugs...The list goes on. It has it's heavy, heart-wrenching moments, but there are bursts of light with some heart-warming additions and comedic relief. 

Please Ignore Vera Dietz will definitely appeal to the lovers of Rainbow Rowell and John Green. Don't wait like I did, get this book now...You can thank me later! ;)

In One Word

 Cover Love