Top Ten Tuesday #49

Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is: 

Top Ten Books Janhvi added to her TBR list recently

  

  

  

  

  

What are your picks?

Leave me a link and I'll check it out! :)

Review- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Goodreads Summary:

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

REVIEW:

I never read book summaries before reading a book. I read them only after reading- or in this case, after reviewing- the book. I feel proud to see that my review and the book summary sort of match. What actually pulls me to a book is the gravitational effect; that's just a disclaimer. With all the positive feedback and reviews I had been reading for All the Bright Places, my curiosity was at it's peak.  I had to know what the book was all about. And I just know that I'm going to love a book when it starts with a line about death, just like this: Is today a good day to die? I was blown away by this famous first line. 

However, once I got into All the Bright Places, I was waiting for a something epic to happen which would make me fall head over heels in love with the book, as what I was reading wasn't all that extraordinary. It was, in fact, something along the lines of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Ava Dellaira's Love Letters to the Dead meets Kelley's York's Suicide Watch- three books I love but three stories I've read and know already. Anyway, it wasn't until the book hit some 80-85% that the something epic happened and as much I admire and crave these types of endings, I was left heartbroken in the most astonishing way possible. 

All the Bright Places is a story of two teenagers, Violet Remarkey and Theodore Finch. I don't want to talk about how they are, what issues they have and what happens to them because it's something for readers to find out for themselves. What I would like to say is that when I was reading Violet and Finch's story, I wasn't just reading a book. I was living the story. Author Jennifer Niven has created two absolutely unforgettable characters who she has portrayed flawlessly. Violet and Finch were so different, yet so similar. So far away, yet so close. They are the kind of characters who try to teach you that's it's okay to be broken. Their points of views were so well written. So distinct, yet so intermingling. The immense importance given to family in this book made it admirable, but seriously, the focus is Violet and Finch. This is their adventure. Their story. Their life. Their book. 

For a book that ends on a realistic note, All the Bright Places brought a smile to my face once I read the last page and shut the book down. This book is about family, friendship, finding yourself, losing yourself, staying true to yourself, being yourself... It is about so much more as well. There are times when the book seems like it's going nowhere, it seems like it's just another book, just another story, just another everything, but a little patience plays a big role and pays off. Violet and Finch are seriously unforgettable. If for nothing else, I recommend this book for the characters. They will become your friends and we all need friends. 

RATING:

Book Blitz- The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

The Secret Diamond Sisters (The Secret Diamond Sisters #1)

by Michelle Madow 

Release Date: 02/25/14

Harlequin Teen

381 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite.

Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Book Depository | iBookstore

Praise:

"Sexy and often electrifying ... Gossip Girl meets The Princess Diaries in a city that never sleeps." 

--Booklist

"This quick and entertaining read is filled with glitz and glamour ... get ready for one crazy and fabulous ride." 
--RT Book Reviews

Book Two:

Diamonds in the Rough (The Secret Diamond Sisters #2)

by Michelle Madow 

Release Date: 10/28/14

Harlequin Teen

448

Summary from Goodreads:

All-access doesn't mean no prolems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again.

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million| Book Depository | iBookstore

Excerpt:

MADISON LOCKHART

And what have the two of you been up to?” Madison asked.

“Just making a bet.” Oliver rubbed his hands together and smirked. “Damien will owe me a grand by the end of the summer.”

“Really?” Madison raised an eyebrow at Damien. “Why’s that?”

“Oliver said he could easily hook up with all three Diamond sisters before school starts up,” Damien said. “And I bet he couldn’t. Especially since the youngest one already has it bad for me.”

“You guys are disgusting.” Madison pretended she didn’tcare, but the mention of those girls made her blood boil. She didn’t want to discuss them for any longer than necessary.

Trying to be subtle, she peeked over Damien’s shoulder to see what Nick and his friends were up to. Luckily, her ex seemed too involved in chatting with the people at his table to have noticed her yet.

“Come with me.” She reached past Damien for Oliver’s hand and grasped it in her own, pulling him closer. He seemed surprised. Then a crooked smile spread over his face, showing the dimple on his right cheek.

“Where are you dragging me, Mads?” he asked, although she could tell he was having fun. He kept his hand in hers, staying seated as he waited for her answer.

“The second floor.” She leaned down and whispered conspiratorially, “I want to dance.”

About the Author:

Michelle Madow was inspired to write The Secret Diamond Sisters series while walking through her favorite hotel in Las Vegas. The next book in the series, Diamonds in the Rough, launches in October. Prior to The Secret Diamond Sisters, she successfully self-published The Transcend Time Saga. A tireless promoter of her work, Michelle is active on social media networks and has toured across America to promote her books and encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. A graduate of Rollins College, Michelle lives in Florida ... but she loves going to Vegas.

To chat with Michelle and other fans about her books, joinMichelle Madow's Street Team on Facebook!

Author Links:    

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Review- The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy... 

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. 

...and it’s going to be oh so good. 

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Review-

The Deal by Elle Kennedy was actually one of my most random picks which I thought I'd try after reading the summary and some rave reviews about it on Goodreads. I have to say it was one of the best decisions I've made because The Deal turned out to be a fantastic new adult read which I truly enjoyed.

Hannah has had a bad past but she is almost over it. Now she wants to move on, go on dates and be happy. The only problem is that her crush doesn't seem to know that she exists. The only solution she has is to get help from Garrett. I loved Hannah. She was so sweet and lovely and had so much depth to her. I genuinely liked her as a person and I loved the way she dealt with things.

Then we have Garrett. Garrett is the captain of the hockey team and he wants to play professional hockey after graduation. The thing is, Garrett is not doing so well in one of his classes and he needs to maintain his GPA to confirm his spot on the team. Here he makes a deal with Hannah to help him out in return for him trying to get her crush to notice her. I loved Garrett. His facade of the cocky over confident guy was just that, a facade. Beneath he was a genuinely nice person, dealing with his issues.

I loved the way Garrett and Hannah were together. They start out as friends, more like out of option friends but they were great with each other. They argued but they shared great chemistry and were always looking out for each other. How they understood what the other was going through was so cute to see. They made a really awesome couple. 

I also loved Garrett's mates and Hannah's friends. All the conversations were so funny and I kept grinning while reading the book. The Deal was very realistic where the relationship and other factors were concerned. It was a great refreshing new adult romance. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.

Waiting on Wednesday #117

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio

Publication Date- April 7th 2015

Goodreads Summary:

A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she was born intersex . . . and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant?

When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him.

But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned--something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self? 

This sounds like just the kind of read I prefer. So obviously, I will read it. 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Link me up to your post in the comments below, so I can come check it out. 

Top Ten Tuesday #48

Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is: 

Janhvi's Top Ten ALL TIME FAVOURITE books!

I have had the pleasure of reading quite a few amazing books so it was very hard to pick my all time favourites. But I did.

My picks are-

  

  

  

  

  

What are your picks?

Leave me a link and I'll check it out. :)

Review- The Ruby Iyer Diaries by Laxmi Hariharan

Goodreads Summary:

The prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer: This is a peek into the soul of an angry, young girl, who will come of age in a city on the verge of total annihilation.

REVIEW:

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a prequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, a dystopian set in Mumbai that has been on my to-read pile since quite some time now. Most readers have been reading the prequel after having read the first full-length book in the series. As I'm always up for novellas and I don't like breaking links, I thought I would read The Ruby Iyer Diaries first as it gives us a glimpse into the life of Ruby Iyer. 

The Ruby Iyer Diaries is a collection of letters from Ruby, the main character's personal diary. These letters start from when Ruby was a ten year old school girl and go on until she turns sixteen and starts college. For a twenty odd pages short novella, this book is an enjoyable read. Ruby's convent school experiences took me back to my own school days, which always leaves me smiling and nostalgic, which is a positive point for me. 

As I have not yet read The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, I cannot really say whether this novella is absolutely essential before starting with the series. I don't see why it won't be useful as it has helped me understand Ruby and it will make other readers understand the character as well. I suppose Ruby's family situation and the start to her kick-ass personality are well shown in The Ruby Iyer Diaries. I can't wait to see how Ruby stands up for herself in the future as well and what adventures she encounters. 

I can pinpoint only one reason as to why the novella won't be so useful and that reason is simple. Our teenage years are a mess. We don't grow up to be who we were back then. All of us change, for better or worse. So it doesn't really matter what Ruby did or how she was before, as her present is what will matter most to readers. Also, Ruby's voice seemed very mature to me as compared to her age. 

In any case, like I said before, his novella is quite an enjoyable read that has left me eager to start with the series. 

RATING:

Quotes (Part 1)- Albert Camus

Hi, guys! 

So it's no surprise that I absolutely admire Albert Camus, which obviosuly means that I love what he has said. That's why I'm sharing some of his lovely quotes with you. Since I have a few great images and since each quote means a lot more than what it appears, I may make this into two or many parts. But we'll see about that. Without much ado, let's get on to what I have in store for you for now. 

Also, please note that all images have been taken from Google Images when I simply typed Albert Camus Quotes in the searchbox. 

For the following image... *bowns with respect*

 

And last but never the least,

Which one is your favourite from this? Do you have any other favourite Camus quote? Do share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Thank you for stopping by!