Survive the Night by Danielle Vega

Genre: YA Horror/Thriller

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: July 7th, 2015

My Edition: eARC Pages: 272

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

Trigger warnings: drug use/addiction

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

SUMMARY

Just back from rehab, Casey regrets letting her friends Shana, Julie, and Aya talk her into coming to Survive the Night, an all-night, underground rave in a New York City subway tunnel. Surrounded by frightening drugs and menacing strangers, Casey doesn’t think Survive the Night could get any worse... 

WHAT I THOUGHT

This book was insane! Fantastic dialogue, characters, and a mind blowing plot; Vega sure knows how to craft an epic YA horror novel! This book was seriously trippy and had shivers running down my spine on more than one occasion. Don't be surprised if you fly through this book in one sitting because it is totally worthy of a one sitting read. After Vega sets up the cast of characters and the plot the book starts to fly by and the last 100 pages are a complete blur, but an insanely wonderful blur! I absolutely loved this book!

I am at a loss for words that would adequately describe this book without giving away the finer points of the plot, seriously I didn't even post the full summary from Goodreads because I feel that it is a spoiler. I highly suggest you go into this book without knowing anything more than the above information and know that this book will take you on an insane journey!

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: February 26th 2013

Edition: hardcover Pages: 328

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★★

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. (Goodreads)

What I Thought

I adored this book! The writing style and pacing were perfect. I really liked how the book flips between the perspectives of Eleanor and Park.Honestly, I had no words to describe why I loved this book at first, I just did. Now, it is sinking in that (minus the crazy stepdad and absent mother) I was very much like Eleanor when I was growing up. I didn’t wear the coolest clothes or even worry about the fact that I wasn’t wearing something ‘name brand’. I was always reading or listening to music, off in my own little world. I was bullied about stupid things and I internalized it all and never let it show. We are alike in those respects. Which is probably why this was such a great book for me, I love when I can relate to the characters and connect with them on an emotional level.

I loved the quirky relationship that Eleanor and Park had. It was awkward, it was sweet, it was funny. They had so much in common but still had their moments of conflict which made for hilarious banter. The ending for me was bittersweet. Though it was vague and left you guessing I think the book ended perfectly. It kind of lets you come up with the ending which is something I like. It does infuriate me sometimes that I don’t know what comes next for these characters but I find solace in the fact that they are happy.

Rainbow's writing and characters are to die for! I highly recommend this book!

'89 Walls by Katie Pierson

Genre: YA Romance/Historical Fiction

Publisher: Wise Ink

Publication Date: June 5th, 2015

Edition: ARC Pages: 264

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Trigger warnings: abortion, (assisted) suicide

SUMMARY
College is not in the cards for Seth. He spends his minimum wage on groceries and fakes happiness to distract his mom from the MS they both know will kill her. It’s agony to carry around a frayed love note for a girl who’s both out of his league and beneath his dignity. 

Quinn’s finishing high school on top. But that cynical, liberal guy in her social studies class makes her doubt her old assumptions. Challenging the rules now, though, would a) squander her last summer at home, b) antagonize her conservative dad, and c) make her a hypocrite. 

Seth and Quinn’s passionate new romance takes them both by surprise. They keep it a secret: it’s too early to make plans and too late not to care. But it’s 1989. As politics suddenly get personal, they find themselves fighting bare-fisted for their beliefs—and each other—in the clear light of day. (Goodreads)


WHAT I THOUGHT
This was an interesting story overall. I haven't read much on the political fiction side of historical fiction but I found this very easy to follow and read even though I did not live through the events surrounding 1989, the year in which this book takes place.The prologue really drew me into the story, sadly I did have some issues with the book.

Things I liked: I appreciated the historical aspect of the novel and how it explored both sides of the political climate during this tumultuous time in our countries history. The book explored the impacts of the Cold War, apartheid, Roe v. Wade, and presidential decisions. This book would be a useful educational tool for helping students get historical information from fiction. The ARC copy even had a glossary and timeline for reference! I also thought the romance was really cute and somewhat realistic for the time period. I also appreciate what the author was trying to do with including abortion, MS, and a father in the military to highlight more of the issues that people faced during that time. I enjoyed the dual perspective between the two main characters/love interests.

Things I didn't like: The book was too short to explore so many different issues. The political issues with the cold war were enough to make the story interesting to anyone who understand the complete and utter opposition between a democrat and a republican but the author also added abortion, illness, living wills, and so much more to the story that it kind of diluted the impact that it could have had. The abortion scenes were quick and didn't have much emotion besides the activists and I was surprised at how the news was taken; it added to the political climate of the book but didn't really add to the story. I feel the same way about the sex scene, interesting but it fell flat because it didn't contribute to the story, honestly it lost me at "breast pancakes".

The political and historical angle of this book makes it great for getting that information across to students who just don't 'get it' from reading a history textbook. The romance makes it fun and the teenager angst makes it relatable. I don't think this book is bad, I just think that it could have been better had it been longer and took more time to complete each arc of the story with more detail. I feel like the issues addressed were very quickly resolved and somewhat unrealistic.

I would still recommend this book because the romance was cute, historical fiction is always interesting, and I did enjoy reading this book! I just wish it hadn't have felt so rushed.

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Science Fiction

Publisher: Soho Teen

Publication Date: June 2nd, 2015

Edition: hardcover Pages: 293

Purchase: Book Depository

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

Trigger Warning: Suicide, depression

SUMMARY

The Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-relief procedure seems too good to be true to Aaron Soto -- miracle cure-alls don't tend to pop up in the Bronx projects. But Aaron can't forget how he's grown up poor or how his friends aren't always there for him. Like after his father committed suicide in their one bedroom apartment. Aaron has the support of his patient girlfriend, if not necessarily his distant brother and overworked mother, but it's not enough. 

Then Thomas shows up. He has a sweet movie-watching setup on his roof, and he doesn't mind Aaron's obsession with a popular fantasy series. There are nicknames, inside jokes. Most importantly, Thomas doesn't mind talking about Aaron's past. But Aaron's newfound happiness isn't welcome on his block. Since he can't stay away from Thomas or suddenly stop being gay, Aaron must turn to Leteo to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he is. (Goodreads)

WHAT I THOUGHT

Wow. This story got me in the heart, and broke it. Aaron is such a witty character, though his thoughts can be a bit depressing. The story progresses easily and had some fun humor, relatable pop culture, and all of the makings for a fun contemporary with a side of romance; but then things got serious. As Aaron opens up to his new friend Thomas he also opens up to the reader and you get a glimpse of who he really is underneath of what he shows to his other friends. Aaron starts to discover that his life is starting to turn in a different direction and it scares him but he also begins to embrace it. This is a coming of age story, a story of finding yourself, but also of losing yourself. 

I really enjoyed the science fiction element with the Leteo institute and the possibilities it would bring if it actually existed. If you had lost a child, a friend, a parent; if you had done something unspeakable would you want to forget? If you hated something about yourself and that hatred consumed you and lead you to dark paths would you want to fix it? Leteo wants to help you fix it by suppressing memories and allowing you to move on. Leteo isn't portrayed as a magical fix, there is therapy and support given to all candidates before the procedure and after. 

Another thing I liked that has nothing to do with the plot was how the smiley faces that broke up the different scenes changed as the tone of the book changed, it was a cool feature, an awesome attention to detail.

My final thoughts... you should read this book! It is a book about courage, love, and the lengths people will go to find happiness There are some wonderful quotes about grief, pain, and memories that I think everyone can relate to and understand. 

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs

Genre: Nonfiction/humor/guidebook

Publisher: Quirk Books

Publication Date: May 12th, 2015

Edition: hardcover Pages: 208

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

I really enjoyed reading this handy little guide book! Quirk Books really knows how to put together wonderfully interesting and visually stunning books. Sam Maggs has put together a fantastic and comprehensive guide to all things fangirl; whether you are new to being a fangirl or you are an "old pro" at fangirling over your favorite fandoms this book is for you!

I really enjoyed the sections on popular fandoms, the lingo definitions, the Con tips, interviews with authors and creators, and the information on feminism. This tiny book is jam packed with great information for anyone (boys and gender neutral people too!) who loves something beyond just being a "fan". Thank you Sam Maggs and Quirk Books for this wonderful book, I will definitely be using this handy guide in the near future!

"I'm the Doctor, not a companion; Buffy, not Bella; nobody's sidekick, love interest, or token female. I'm driving this ship. I'm a fangirl, a feminist, and a force to be reckoned with." The Geek Girls Litany for Feminism page 155

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is into geek, book, or TV show culture and wants to dive a little deeper and become even more immersed into the worlds they love. There are even more conventions and events than the ones in this book so go forth into the internet and find the events for the things you fangirl (or fanboy) over!

Top 5 Wednesday: Books Read in One Sitting

Damage Done | Everything, Everything | The Fangirl's Guide | Deathly Hallows | We Were Liars

These are the books that I read cover to cover in basically one sitting (or at least under 24hrs).

The only one that really needs explanation is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (though I could have said any Harry Potter book). After the first three were out they started doing midnight release parties and such and each year I begged to get the book at midnight and sat up and read the book until I couldn't read any more (which was around 5 am), sleep for a few hours and continued until I was done. I devoured the HP books with my eyes.

All of the other books are relatively short and took me less than 6 hours to read.

What books have you read in one sitting/less than 24 hours?

Rainbow Read-a-Thon TBR

THE BOOKS

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera (started)

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

I only needed to have 6 books but I chose to add in indigo and these are all pretty substantial books. So, I am not expecting to get through all of these, but I am going to try pretty hard. I am about half way through More Happy Than Not so that should be an easy one to finish for the RainbowThon.

THE INFORMATION
Starting tomorrow June 15th and running thought June 22nd is the Rainbow Read-A-Thon! Basically you are challenged to read 6 books that have spines that match the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) or 6 books with the same color spine (such as all green spines).

Check out this video by Riley to get some more information about the read-a-thon!

Meet the Bookish Reviewer!

Welcome, welcome to the 74th annual...

Oh, this isn't the Hunger Games? Sorry about that, I guess you would rather see a blog post then? Okay, fair enough.

Welcome to The Bookish Hollow fellow book lovers! This blog is brought to you by me, Amanda, and my (nonexistent) group of reading minions. No, I really don't have reading minions, sorry to disappoint. Anyways, disappointment aside I thought I would give you a little bit of an introduction to who I am, savvy?

Again, my name is Amanda and I am 23 years old! I am a middle school science teacher by trade and a reader by choice, a great choice I might add. As far as reading goes I enjoy reading mostly young adult fiction of any sub-genre from contemporary to paranormal. YA is my favorite because it is extremely diverse! I do delve into the adult and literary fiction genres occasionally when I need a more mature read. Some of my favorite authors include: J.K. Rowling, Una LaMarche, I.W. Gregorio, Sarah J. Maas, Scott Westerfeld, and Maggie Stiefvater.

I recently attended BookCon and had a blast! I got to meet Rainbow Rowell, Scott Westerfeld, Maggie Stiefvater, Jackson Pearce, Melissa De la Cruz, Sarah J. Maas, Elisa Freilich, J.D. Netto, David Levithan, Jennifer M. Eaton, Patrick Ness, Nicola Yoon, Maureen Johnson, Melissa Cantor, Meg Medina, and I. W. Gregorio (again)! It was seriously the most fun I've ever had! I got to meet some awesome bookish people in lines where we chatted about authors, books, and swag. We swapped stories and extra ARCs. 

Scott, Rainbow, and Sarah were my trifecta, I decided if I could meet them I would have a successful trip no matter what. I was able to meet Rainbow at her signing party for the special edition of Fangirl and she was kind enough to also sign my collector's edition of Eleanor & Park! I waited 2 hours in line for Scott Westerfeld, which was a nice break honestly, and I was 4th in line (you can even see me in the picture he posted on twitter)! Sarah J. Maas is such a sweetheart! She walked past me while we were waiting for the rain to stop at the end of BookCon and I said "Hi Sarah!" She came back over and we did the most normal thing ever, chatted about the weather. I asked her if she would sign my book and she replied "of course!" as I told her that I missed all three of her signings that day. It was a great day to end the Con!

Well, that is just a teensy bit about me as a book lover. If you would like to know more about me personally put your questions in the comments and I will answer them!

- Amanda