Early Book Review | This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Format: e-ARC

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Publication Date: September 17, 2013

Pages: 288

( Goodreads / Amazon )



Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

Do you want to know how much I loved this book? I read the whole thing on my computer in ONE day and I absolutely HATE to read books on my computer.  This Song Will Save Your Life is such a heart-wrenching and beautiful story.

Elise Dembowski has always been the odd girl out, no one has every gone out of their way to talk to her or try to be her friend.  The summer before her Sophomore year, Elise decides to try and be popular so she spends her entire summer reading fashion magazines and doing research on all of the 'cool' things.  On the first day of school, Elise realizes that all of her hard work has failed, she nearly gives up on life.

Fast forward six months later and everything has slowly went back to normal.  Elise is still being either picked on or ignored at school and she is still trying to figure out who she is.  All of this changes when she stumbles upon Vicky and Pippa and a underground nightclub. 

My heart broke for Elise, I just wanted to jump in this book and give her a hug and tell her that everything would be ok.  I also really liked Vicky and Harry, it was such a blessing that Elise ran into Vicky, everything might have turned out completely different if she didn't.

Some people might not understand how music can save or change your life, but I get it.  Even now at 25 years old, if I have a bad day at work or my husband irks me the first thing I do is grab my IPod so I can drown everything else out. 

Overall, This Song Will Save Your Life is raw, emotional, inspiring and honest.  It's one of those books that will have you thinking back to your high school days and praying you weren't one of those people who hurt someone so bad that they got to the point of thinking life isn't worth it.  This Song Will Save Your Life is one of the best books that I have read this year and it's a book that I would recommend it to anyone.

Stacking the Shelves (22)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that allows us to showcase what books we got the previous week.

 

Here's what I got:

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)

 

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)

 

Prodigy by Marie Lu (Gifted - Thanks Mom!)

 

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Traded)

 

Sylo by D.J. MacHale (Traded)

 

 

 

What books did you get this week?

 

Book Review | Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Series: The Grisha #1

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Pages: 356

Goodreads | Amazon

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance. 

 

I really didn’t know what to expect going into Shadow and Bone, I had been putting it off for a while because I wasn’t sure that it would be a book I would enjoy due to all of the Russian culture.  And honestly, it did take me a few chapters to get used to the terms and the names, but once I did, the zombie apocalypse couldn’t have made me put this book down.  The world that Leigh Bardugo has created is absolutely breathtaking and I was completely absorbed.

 I loved seeing the main character, Alina, grow immensely during this book.  At the beginning she’s very insecure and she continuously doubts herself but by the end she’s stronger, more determined and she has a lot more confidence in herself and her gift. I have to admit that I really didn’t care for Mal during the first part of the book and it isn’t until he proves how much he cares about Alina that I start warming up to him.  The Darkling…ahhhh, I am SOOO confused about my feelings for the Darkling.  I was very intrigued by him at first, then I slowly started finding him irresistible and then I started to hate him, but yet I still find myself hoping that we are missing something when it comes to him and that he’s not all terrible.  See what I mean, The Darkling has me perplexed!

 The world-building is so stunning; I had no trouble visualizing the Little Palace or the Shadow Fold with its horrendous creatures.  Bardugo’s writing style is incredible and she will have you fully captivated with the dark and suspenseful world that is Shadow and Bone.

 Overall, Shadow and Bone is a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre.  It has everything that is needed to make a great book: strong heroine, adventure, a mysterious villain that you love to hate and a fast-paced plot.  If you are like me and have been putting this book off, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

 

Favorite Quotes

“I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Alina,” he said.  “You and I are going to change the world.”

“If I
told you that I'm trying to save the world, would you believe me?”

 



 

Book Review | Pivot Point by Kasie West

Series: Pivot Point #1

Format: ARC

Source: Traded

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: February 12, 2013

Pages: 352

Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

 

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

 

I’ve noticed that lately I haven’t been reading the summaries before I start a book, so when I first picked up Pivot Point, I really didn’t know what to expect.  But I have to say that I’m glad I didn’t read the summary before starting this book, it made the experience so much better.
 

Addison (Addie) Coleman has always lived in the Compound.  The Compound is a community that is mostly shut off from the outside world so that the people with special gifts can be themselves without having to worry about the Normal people finding out.
 

Addie’s power is called Divergence or Clairvoyance.  When faced with a choice, Addie has the ability to ‘search’ the future for both possibilities and see which outcome would be the best for her and leave her with the least amount of regrets.
 

Addie doesn’t usually like to Search her choices but when her parents announce that they are getting a divorce and her dad is moving out of the compound, they give Addie the opportunity to decide who she wants to live with.  So Addie does a Search on the possible futures of both worlds to decide.  Each chapter alternates between each possible reality so I really thought that I would have a problem connecting with either one of her futures, but I’m happy to say that this did not happen.
 

This book has some amazing characters.  Addie is wonderful and she was very easy to relate to.  She’s very sweet, has a great sense of humor and she loves books.  I also liked seeing how the friendship between Laila and Addie worked since their personalities are so different.   I adored Trevor, he’s so sweet and kind and I loved how the relationship formed between him and Addie.  I kind of liked Duke in the beginning, but as the story went on I became kind of untrusting of him.
 

Overall, Pivot Point is a stunning debut novel.  The writing was absolutely amazing, the plot is so unique and the story flowed flawlessly.  Kasie West is without a doubt an author to look out for; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday (13) Books Set In A Post-Apocalyptic World

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.  This weeks topic is books set in whatever setting you want.  I chose Post-Apocalyptic.

 

Here's my list:

 

 

 

 

Witchling Blog Tour | Excerpt & Giveaway

Nera is a normal teenage girl living in Ireland, or so she thought until she discovers the family secret.. now her world is forever changed.

Descended from a long line of witches, she discovers she is the one who has to stop the curse that has taken the life of every girl before her.

And if that isn't enough, she must learn to use magic from the man called Bones. He is the son of Mari, Queen of the Witches...and a god. It is Bones who has been entrusted to teach her the skills she needs to stay alive, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have an uncanny knack for pushing her buttons.

Can Nera succeed and resist the charms of the man who gets under her skin at every opportunity

 

The Excerpt

 

“Nera, calm down,” Jasper whispered in my ear.  He pulled me close and cradled my head against his chest.  “Just listen to my voice and relax.  Go with the dream, try not to fight it.”

 My head felt tight, and I fought for control of my emotions, the panic rising in my throat.  Still, I struggled through the fog.  Jasper’s quiet voice encouraged me to relax, until finally I slipped into the dark hole where it could no longer touch me.

 

When I woke, I was lying down on one of the overstuffed couches in the library with Brie hovered over me.  Jasper was sitting opposite, Sully beside him, both watching me intently.  I glanced around the room and took in all the things I had grown up with while my mind tried to settle.  Huge stuffed animal heads gazed down at me with glassy eyes, looking more threatening than before.  Everything seemed to have changed for me.  I no longer felt innocent and carefree.  Something sinister had encroached into my life and changed everything forever.

I sat up and brushed off the nausea that threatened.  Shaking my head, I struggled to control my thoughts before I turned to Jasper.  “Are you going to tell me, or is it a secret?”  I hugged my hands around my stomach and willed my body to do what I wanted it to.

 “No, girl dear, I will tell you.”  His gaze dropped to his hands that were twisted together on his lap.  “I just need to find the right words, but before I do, you must realize, all of you, that your life will never be the same.” 

 



About the Author

 

Ari Harper never wanted to grow up.

To offset the limitations of aging ungracefully, she created her own set of unique worlds where she can be and do whatever she wants.

 

Gods, witches and demons surround Ari while she spins her magic, doing mainly what they tell her to do. Given a chance, she prefers to work amongst chaos, which is good because she is constantly surrounded by children, all clamoring for attention. Some of them end up in her stories, some of them even get to die grisly deaths or be cast away to another realm.

 

 

Links

Goodreads

www.ariharper.com 

 

The Giveaway

 

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

A-Z Survey

I saw this challenge over at Perpetual Page Turner and it looked like so much fun that I thought I would give it a try.

 

A uthor you’ve read the most books from:

I've read the most books by Richelle Mead. Rachel Vincent and Kresley Cole came in 2nd and 3rd place.

 

B est Sequel Ever:

Prodigy by Marie Lu

 

C urrently Reading:

Reboot by Amy Tintera

 

D rink of Choice While Reading:

Water or Diet Dr. Pepper

 

E Reader or Physical Book:

Although, I love using my Kindle for review books and cheap Kindle books, I prefer physical books.

 

F ictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

 Probably Alex from Perfect Chemistry.  I have always had a thing for bad boys, and while I never dated a gang member, I did date a drug dealer (SHHH, don't tell anyone)

 

G lad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

 

H idden Book Gem:

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

 

I mportant Moment in Your Reading Life:

Getting my Kindle.

 

J ust Finished:

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

 

K inds of Books You Won't Read:

I tend to stay away from Erotica and Historical Fiction.

 

L ongest Book You've Read:

Breaking Dawn at 756 pages

 

M agor Book Hangover Because Of:

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

 

N umber of Bookcases You Own:

I have 2 big bookcases and 2 small ones as of right now, but I'm running out of room so I will be buying another big one pretty soon :)

 

O ne Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

 Halfway To The Grave by Jeanine Frost is the one book that I have re-read the most. (I LOVE Bones)

 

P referred Place To Read:

The Tub.  I have a 6 1/2 year old son and a 3 1/2 month old daughter, so the tub is the only place I get some quiet time to read while I'm a home. 

 

Q uote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

"Nobody looks good in their darkest hours.  But it's those hours that make us what we are." -Faefever, Karen Marie Moning

 

R eading Regret:

I only started reading about 4 years ago, so my regret is that I didn't give reading a chance sooner.

S eries You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I need to finish the Unearthly trilogy.  I have read Unearthly and Hallowed and LOVED them but I still haven't bought Boundless. 

 

T hree of your All-Time Favorite Books:

This is a hard one.  I guess I would have to say The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick and The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

 

U napologetic Fangirl For:

Jennifer L. Armentrout.  I have loved every book that I have read by her so I will sing her praises to anyone who will listen.

 

V ery Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  I can't wait to see how Veronica Roth will end this trilogy.

 

W orst Bookish Habit:

I used to read spoilers, not just for books but I used to do it with movies/TV shows too.  I'm doing better about keeping away from them and now I won't read a review of a book that I haven't read yet.

 

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Prey by Rachel Vincent

 

Y our Latest Book Purchase:

The Program by Suzanne Young

 

Z ZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

 

Stacking the Shelves (21)

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tygna's Reviews that lets us showcase what books we got in the past week.

 

I didn't get any physical copies this week, but I got approved for a few from Netgalley that I'm really excited to read.

 

 

 

What did you get this week?

 

CBA Disucssions | Changes in Reading Habits

 

If you’ve read my About Me page then you know that Twilight was the series that got me started reading.  After I finished that series and after re-reading it a few times, I went crazy reading every vampire book that I could get my hands on.  I mean, I went through Vampire Academy, House of Night, Morganville Vampires, Vampire Kisses, Vampire Diaries, Black Dagger Brotherhood, Night Huntress, Chicagoland Vampires, Sookie Stackhouse, and I’m sure there are a few more that I’m forgetting.  I was completely obsessed with vampires.  
 

 

 

Looking back, I really don’t know why I didn’t try other paranormal books that first year after I started reading. Maybe it was because I had just started reading and I didn’t know they were out there or maybe I thought since I loved Twilight that I would only like book about vampires. Whatever the reason, it took me a while to actually try something else.

 I wish I could remember the book that got me out of my vampire phase and into other genres and I have racked my brain trying to remember what it was, but for the life of me I just can’t.  I can tell you some of the ones that I read (Mercy Thompson, Fever Series, Hush, Hush) but as far as pinpointing the exact book that got me to branch out, I can’t.  But regardless of what book it was, I am grateful, because if I had stuck JUST to vampires I probably wouldn’t be the reader that I am today, and I would have missed out on some great stories. 

 

I’m also grateful that I came across Book Blogs and that one day I suddenly decided to start a blog of my own, because blogging has really helped me grow as a reader.  I have had the opportunity to try out different genres that I normally wouldn’t have tried otherwise and because of that I am now pretty good at guessing which books I will like and which books I most likely won’t like.

As a reader, my reading habits have changed so much in the four years since I was forced to read Twilight (Thank you, Amanda!) I’m proud to say that I have branched out to everything from Horror to Contemporary, whether it is YA, NA or Adult, although my favorite is and probably always will be YA.  

 

Talk to me

 

How has your reading habits changed? Did you start out with a specific genre?  Let me know in the comments.