Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Release Date:October 25th, 2010

Publisher: Harpercollins
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 470 Pages
Series: None
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Reason: Personal Interest
Find the Author: Website

With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today's foremost authors of young adult fiction. Like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Gayle Forman's If I Stay, Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person's life can affect so many others.
For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

“Here's another thing to remember: hope keeps you alive. Even when you're dead, it's the only thing that keeps you alive.”

I have made it a mission this year to read all the books from my personal 'TBR' pile. Meaning no review books! I keep buying books and yet, they sit beautifully on my shelf, patiently waiting to be read for weeks, months and in some cases even years. So, enough of that! Aside from reading my reviews books, I have dedicated a minimum of 1 book per month to come from my personal library. So far, it has been going really great and I have knocked a few off that I have been dying to read. Twenty-Boy Summer and Paper Towns to name a few. Anyways! Now that I've blabbered on enough, let me get on with this review.

For a couple years now, this book as been recommended to me countless times(along with the Delirium series....Which I still have yet to read!). So, when picking my next read between review books, I thought now was the perfect time!

This book, in a way I was not expecting, got me quite emotional. I was bullied in school, and once I got passed that I never wanted to think about it again(easier said than done). However, this book kept challenging me...If I could have done anything differently, would I? And what would I change? Would I love the fact that I could have a do-over every single day?

Sam is a "mean girl". She and her troop of friends are the ones causing a ruckus in innocent people's lives. They are the reason behind the misery of some; being bullies and instigators. I was not a fan of Sam, or any of her friends, for the first quarter, almost half of the book. There were times I just wanted to shake same and just say: "Come on!! Are you that blind, can you not see that you have chances here to make it right?!". Then, the book started to take the turn I was hoping to see. Despite all this though, I was hooked from the very first page! Lauren Oliver's writing was simple, yet grabbed me from the very first page. Her talent cannot be missed, although she is quite popular and established now, this was her debut novel, and she broke into the scene with a bang!

Oliver did a wonderful job at keeping your attention right from page 1 to the very last! A hard feat to have a book consist of the same day repeating over and over again, yet she mastered it!

Before I Fall exceeded my expectations. I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. And I was not expecting it to get me as emotional as it did. My only complaint was the ending. I felt for all that build up, it ended abruptly, and in my opinion, a little unfinished. However, that does not change my overall thought about the book! I loved it, and am a little annoyed at myself for taking to long to finally read it!

Have you read Before I Fall? If so, what were your thoughts?

Giveaway! 10 Signed YA Books + a $200 Giftcard

GIVEAWAY

The colder months are a'coming! Although I am not the biggest fan of cold, snowy weather, it is one of my favourite times to read. Curling up by my fireplace with cozy socks, a blanket, cup of tea in 1 hand and a book in the other? Bliss, am I right?!

What better time to celebrate these colder temperatures than with a giveaway? 

10(signed) books to help you cope with this dreary weather + a $200 Giftcard sounds like an okay trade to me!

I am thrilled to assist UrbanEpics with the promotion of this giveaway!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER 

(AND TO VIEW ALL CONTEST RULES)

Best Crime Fiction Books for 2015!

Best crime fiction books for 2015 

 

Who does not love a good thriller to read while chilling on the beach in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua? Really, you could be anywhere and enjoy a good book. Justice and suspense are two of the most satisfying outcomes for any reader of fiction, so it is not surprising that people eat the genre up like hotcakes during a famine.  

So, when you are taking a break from bingo sites like www.bingosweets.com to delve into a good mystery, you will want to know who to read. Who are some of the hottest authors in this category, and what are some of the best books available for 2015? Without further ado, read on to get a full list for intrepid readers: just be prepared to stay glued to the written word as you flip the pages to find out what happens next.

The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith 

Technically, this book was definitely not released recently. In fact, it is the 60th anniversary of the publication of this classic. This edition comes with an intro by John Sutherland, and in hardback form, this makes for just as good of a read, only with a nicer package. Tom Ripley, as readers know by now, goes on to charm, and ultimately kill in this highly readable novel. You can take this one around the world and be mesmerised! 

What She Left Behind, by TR Richmond 

This psychological thriller was hot before it was even published as it was the subject of a hotly-contested bidding war between publishers. Ultimately, this story about a young girl who dies, leaving a digital trail behind, and her ex-professor who tries to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of her untimely death is just that for the reader, a mental maze to try to make sense of. This well-written book lets the mind race and the imagination wander. 

Hack, by Kieran Crowley 

This work of suspenseful fiction promotes New York City as a character in and of itself, a fast-moving blur with plenty of mysteries to be explored. This is a piece of satire, to be sure, what with plot points like a tabloid journalist set on the trail murdered gay husband of a restaurant critic. Cause of death? Murdered with a piece of his rear end cut clean off, which was then cooked and eaten. It bears mentioning that this one is grisly as well, but for those that can make it through this one, there is sardonic fun to be had.  

Woman of the Dead, by Bernhard Aichner 

This German sensation has already swept across Europe, selling some millions of copies around the continent. The stories focuses on a wife and mother with a morbid past; of course, details emerge about this secret history when her husband is killed in what looks like a hit-and-run accident. This is a story of revenge with plenty of plot turns and twists in places where you least expect them. It is written with a gripping tenor, translated expertly by Anthea Bell, and is worth your time and money. 

Movie Monday: Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

Adapted from: Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Cast: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cookie, Molly Shannon, Connie Britton

Running Time: 1 Hr 44 Min
Theatrical Release Date: June 12th, 2015

About the Film:

Winner of the 2015 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is the story of Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann), an awkward high school senior whose mom forces him to spend time with Rachel - a girl in his class (Olivia Cooke) with whom he hasn't spoken to since kindergarten - who was just diagnosed with cancer.(Rotten Tomatoes)

My Thoughts:

It is very rare than I can sum up my thoughts or views on a movie in one word. Having said that, I can simply say that Me, Earl and the Dying Girl was a SPECTACULAR film. In every sense of the word, this movie was spectacular. There is just no better way to describe it! The casting was an epic win! I am a huge fan of Olivia Cooke(I adore her character on Bates Motel) and then throw in Thomas Mann, Molly Shannon, Nick Offerman and Connie Britton...Winning! 

I hate to admit this, but I have yet to read this book; They always say the book is better so if that stands true in this case, then I seriously need to get on that, pronto! I can't imagine this story being any better.

When I received this film for review, it should have come with a warning: May induce a serious case of 'The Feels'!

I was an emotional roller-coaster during this movie. Laughing, crying, more laughing, more crying and then crying while laughing. It was never-ending! The cast put on such a beautiful display. They should all be nominated for Oscars...And no, I am not embellishing. They all deserve to be recognized for their amazing performances!

If you are looking for that perfect film that will make you feel, think and laugh then Me, Earl and the Dying Girl is for you!

Learn more about the film here: http://meandearlmovie.com/