Desirae Clark's Blog, page 4

ALL THE BOOKS I READ IN 2019 – Video

YES, I completed my Goodreads Challenge. Here’s all the books I read in 2019 put in 1 video.

P.S. Don’t be afraid to subscribe to my YouTube channel and let me know what I should film next

Rating Top 9 of My Own YouTube Videos

Hello there.

Today’s post is going to be a bit different. I’ll be rating my YouTube videos, starting with my favorites. I used to be really into BookTube and was a bigger part of the community in the past before I decided to go on a video-deleting spree and abandon my channel completely.

The reason behind that was that people at my school found out about my YouTube channel and decided to make fun of me, make fun of my English and make fun of my passion for reading. I’ve had a guy come up to me and say that I should learn how to speak English first. My videos were shared around school where people laughed at me, whispered about me and talked about me.

Soon after, the thing that helped me cope with severe depression became the reason why I was depressed. So I stopped making videos and started writing my own books.

But now I want to get back into filming and being as creative as I can be on all possible platforms. I want to talk about books and be a part of a community again.

I regret letting people get to me because I could’ve had years of footage under my belt by now and I’ve lost time where I could truly get comfortable in front of the camera. Unfortunately, I’m still quite a newbie at this so my videos can be cringy at times.

I’ll be rating the videos based on how proud I am of them or how much they mean to me. Because I deleted a lot of videos, I don’t have that many bookish ones but I’m definitely working on that

August Wrap Up + Let’s Be Friends

Hey guys. Today’s post will be a bit different as I’ve been focusing on my YouTube channel a bit more. From now on, I’ll be sharing new video with you guys that I hope you’ll enjoy.

Check out my BookTube channel and subscribe

Summer Vacation Wrap Up

I returned from my summer vacation yesterday and as I was putting my books back on my bookshelves, I decided to give you a list of all the books I read while I was there. The list is a bit shorter than I would’ve liked but I was quite busy so I’m not feeling too guilty about that.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it.

1. Wake by Amanda Hocking

Rating: 3/5 stars

Review: The only problem I have with this book is that it’s predictable. I knew from the beginning of this book how it’s going to end and who was responsible for certain events.

Apart from that, I thought the characters were done wonderfully. Their bonds, the banter and how for the first time ever, I’m unable to pick a favorite. Do I like Harper more than Gemma? I shall never know.

Amanda Hocking had interwoven different point of views beautifully without overdoing their inner thoughts and struggles. She has a way of speaking to the reader and knows how to write a highly enjoyable story. I am absolutely in love with her writing style and can absolutely see the appeal this book has with other readers.

2. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Note: this was a re-read.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: Still loved it as much as I did the first time I read it. It’s a perfect mixture of Percy Jackson and Vampire Academy. One of my favorite book series.

3. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: This book was a fresh, funny, easy read that I didn’t know I needed! Morgan Matson knows how to deliver and her work has never disappointed me before. Since You’ve Been Gone is a masterpiece of its own right. Emily is a character relatable to many yet presented in the right way – not once had I thought her shyness was annoying. I usually don’t like shy characters but she was just so nicely written that I couldn’t hold it against her. I loved the adventures, the memories, the emotions behind actions and friendships this book introduced me to. I’d gladly recommend it to anyone and everyone as I thought it was a wonderful, beautiful, captivating read. Exactly what I was craving for this summer.

I love Morgan Matson’s books. Before this book, I only read Second Chance Summer and it was so amazing that it put Morgan Matson on my auto-buy list without even thinking twice about it.

4. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: This book brought me to tears many times and I can’t tell you how much I love it because it was so beautiful. I love the characters, the story and the adventures. There’s a sad vibe to it but it’s balanced so well with everything else. I love Amy and I like Roger. I thought this book ended too quickly but I realize that it ended in Morgan Matson’s signature way – it ended before the love story began and it leaves room for our imagination.

5. Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Note: This was a re-read.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: Loved it. After reading it for the second time, I noticed things I never noticed before. Jennifer is the queen of subtle foreshadowing and it’s nice to find all these easter eggs when you look closely.

6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Review: This book was very slow and boring at times. I often found myself lost and couldn’t really follow the story the way the author meant for its reader to. I do believe that Maggie Stiefvater definitely knows how to write. I think she’s extremely talented and that this review has nothing to do with her ability to produce a good story. This review has more to do with my inability to connect with it. I don’t think I was in the right mood or that the circumstances and my mindset allowed me to properly enjoy it. I think maybe another time, I’ll be able to see why people love it. But this time, it was just not for me. Oh, I should also mention that the thing I do like about this book 10000% is Noah. He’s my favorite.

7. 5 Things Successful People Do Before 8 AM by Terri Savelle Foy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: I highly recommend this book for everybody. I was already familiar with most of these tips and have implemented them in my everyday life. There were a few things I’m still struggling with but this book put things into perspective and I can’t wait to tackle the habits that waste my time

Books I Want To Re-Read In The Future

Welcome back to yet another post where I get to talk about books I have already read instead of reading new ones.

My name is Arden. If you’re new here, I’m a Wattpad Star, published author, blogger, Bookstagrammer and an occasional BookTuber. How are you doing today? Let me know because I’m genuinely interested!

As the title says, I wanted to make a list of all the books I want to re-read in the future and that may be for various reasons. Perhaps I’ve enjoyed them way too much and wanted to return to the world. Or maybe I’m just genuinely curious whether or not they’re as bad or as good as I remember and want to re-evaluate my rating.

So without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Note: these are in no particular order and I will only be mentioning book series I have finished in their entirety (not counting Shatter Me because the continuation came out years later).

THE INFERNAL DEVICES by Cassandra Clare



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Starting off this list with Cassandra Clare’s books only tells you how promising my future re-reading list is. Cassandra Clare is someone whose books I used to follow religiously and re-read until the point a new one came out. However, these past few years have been a bit rocky for me and my reading and I have been seriously slacking on being caught up on her books.

All I’ve read by her at this point was The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments. Which tells you a lot.

I want to go back to the world of Shadowhunters and to do that, I want to go back to re-read one of my favorite book trilogies of all time. The Infernal Devices is a timeless read that grips you from beginning to end and it’s very easy to fall in love with its main characters. It is and will continue to be, in my opinion, Cassandra Clare’s best work.

HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick



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Hush, Hush is the book that marked the start of my hormonal teenage years. It was the book that made me fall in love with snarky, rude yet lovable bad boys and for a while, I was LIVING for this series.

A lot of people have mixed opinions about this one though. Some loved it, others hated it, some loved it when they read it the first time but hated it when they went back to re-read it.

Either way, I want to go back and see if I still find this world as enjoyable as I did the first time and hopefully finish the entire series before the movie comes out.

UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand



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There are two things I remember about this trilogy. First one is how absolutely disappointed and frustrated I was when my ship didn’t sail. Second was the beautiful and intricate world Cynthia Hand managed to create.

The system of angels and their off-springs she introduced us to is so detailed that I couldn’t help but being completely mind-blown. I would definitely read it again, especially now that the initial shock has worn off.

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins



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Considering that these were the books that initially got me into reading and liking books, I most definitely want to return to this world. I should also add that I read the entire trilogy 6 TIMES!

And yet, I fall in love with it time and time again and I crave to be back in Katniss’ head. No words can describe how much I love these books and will always hold them dear to my heart.

RUBY RED by Kerstin Gier



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Ruby Red is one of the trilogies that gave me so much inspiration and so many ideas for future books! I love how silly the main character can be at times but also strong and determined. I love the ups and the downs, I love every flaw of this series and everything good about it.

Honestly, I don’t think it gets nearly enough credit.

THE RAIN by Virginia Bergin



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Here’s the deal. Previously known as The Rain, now known as H2O, this book duology inspired me to read more apocalyptic books – which I absolutely adore. Sure, the main character is very much flawed and annoying but I feel that this is what makes these books seem so realistic. In a world where water literally kills you and half the population is dead because of it, nobody would react perfectly or be perfect.

Of course you’re going to complain about not being able to take a shower or someone who doesn’t have a driver’s license will have a hard time learning how to drive a car. It’s unrealistic to expect a character to be a superhero or perfectly deal with a situation they had never considered would come true.

The most amazing thing about these two books in my opinion is the world and its setting. I love how it made me think and for a day or five paranoid of the rain. I want to go back to that and relive the feelings this book initially gave me.

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SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi



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This book series is getting a lot of recognition and rightfully so! Tahereh Mafi knows how to create a world of magic and pain and characters who are fighting inner battles. The writing in these books is absolutely stunning and I am in love with them to this day. I am so jealous of everyone who gets to fall in love with them for the first time.

Second time will have to do

Books I Want To Re-read In The Future

Welcome back to yet another post where I get to talk about books I have already read instead of reading new ones.

My name is Arden. If you’re new here, I’m a Wattpad Star, published author, blogger, Bookstagrammer and an occasional BookTuber. How are you doing today? Let me know because I’m genuinely interested!

As the title says, I wanted to make a list of all the books I want to re-read in the future and that may be for various reasons. Perhaps I’ve enjoyed them way too much and wanted to return to the world. Or maybe I’m just genuinely curious whether or not they’re as bad or as good as I remember and want to re-evaluate my rating.

So without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Note: these are in no particular order and I will only be mentioning book series I have finished in their entirety (not counting Shatter Me because the continuation came out years later).

THE INFERNAL DEVICES by Cassandra Clare

Starting off this list with Cassandra Clare’s books only tells you how promising my future re-reading list is. Cassandra Clare is someone whose books I used to follow religiously and re-read until the point a new one came out. However, these past few years have been a bit rocky for me and my reading and I have been seriously slacking on being caught up on her books.

All I’ve read by her at this point was The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments. Which tells you a lot.

I want to go back to the world of Shadowhunters and to do that, I want to go back to re-read one of my favorite book trilogies of all time. The Infernal Devices is a timeless read that grips you from beginning to end and it’s very easy to fall in love with its main characters. It is and will continue to be, in my opinion, Cassandra Clare’s best work.

HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush is the book that marked the start of my hormonal teenage years. It was the book that made me fall in love with snarky, rude yet lovable bad boys and for a while, I was LIVING for this series.

A lot of people have mixed opinions about this one though. Some loved it, others hated it, some loved it when they read it the first time but hated it when they went back to re-read it.

Either way, I want to go back and see if I still find this world as enjoyable as I did the first time and hopefully finish the entire series before the movie comes out.

UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand

There are two things I remember about this trilogy. First one is how absolutely disappointed and frustrated I was when my ship didn’t sail. Second was the beautiful and intricate world Cynthia Hand managed to create.

The system of angels and their off-springs she introduced us to is so detailed that I couldn’t help but being completely mind-blown. I would definitely read it again, especially now that the initial shock has worn off.

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

Considering that these were the books that initially got me into reading and liking books, I most definitely want to return to this world. I should also add that I read the entire trilogy 6 TIMES!

And yet, I fall in love with it time and time again and I crave to be back in Katniss’ head. No words can describe how much I love these books and will always hold them dear to my heart.

RUBY RED by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red is one of the trilogies that gave me so much inspiration and so many ideas for future books! I love how silly the main character can be at times but also strong and determined. I love the ups and the downs, I love every flaw of this series and everything good about it.

Honestly, I don’t think it gets nearly enough credit.

THE RAIN by Virginia Bergin

Here’s the deal. Previously known as The Rain, now known as H2O, this book duology inspired me to read more apocalyptic books – which I absolutely adore. Sure, the main character is very much flawed and annoying but I feel that this is what makes these books seem so realistic. In a world where water literally kills you and half the population is dead because of it, nobody would react perfectly or be perfect.

Of course you’re going to complain about not being able to take a shower or someone who doesn’t have a driver’s license will have a hard time learning how to drive a car. It’s unrealistic to expect a character to be a superhero or perfectly deal with a situation they had never considered would come true.

The most amazing thing about these two books in my opinion is the world and its setting. I love how it made me think and for a day or five paranoid of the rain. I want to go back to that and relive the feelings this book initially gave me.

SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi

This book series is getting a lot of recognition and rightfully so! Tahereh Mafi knows how to create a world of magic and pain and characters who are fighting inner battles. The writing in these books is absolutely stunning and I am in love with them to this day. I am so jealous of everyone who gets to fall in love with them for the first time.

Second time will have to do

March Wrap Up

Last month had been full of ups and downs when it came to reading but I loved every part of it. I was consistently productive to the point where I didn’t feel proud anymore when I accomplished something. That had become my everyday life.

February wasn’t the best month for me because I had read 0 books in total but I wanted to redeem myself in March. To do that, I decided that I needed to read what I was currently craving. It was back then that I really wanted to read romance novels and anything that reminded me of summer.

And so I started reading books I wanted to read for the past few years and never got the chance to. I prioritized my personal taste rather than the books other people wanted me to read.

It also helped that I had my Instagram followers vote which books I should read next (those books all being what I was craving at the time).

So, without further ado, let’s get into the list of books I’ve read in March.

1. TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han



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RATING: 4/5 stars

Review: I started March off with To All The Boy I’ve Loved Before. I’ve watched the movie before reading it despite the fact that I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for a couple of years. I was pleasantly surprised and how much the movie stayed true to the book and found myself enjoying the characters.

In the book, Lara Jean writes love letters when she has a crush in order to help her either move on or deal with her emotions. She doesn’t send them but keeps them in a box that her sister later discovers and makes sure the letters get out to its recipients.

I loved Lara Jean and how different she was. Such a sweetheart, living in her own world. I liked her far more than I did her sisters – I thought both of them were quite annoying. Margot was entitled and Kitty was annoying.

There were moments I didn’t like Peter either (I thought the Peter from the movie was less rude). But there was still something about him I found likable and wanted for him to be happy. The dynamic or Peter and Lara Jean just worked.

I always liked Jenny Han’s writing – she focuses more on the characters and their thoughts rather than diving into unnecessary setting of the background, going on about the details of people’s shirts and every single thing about their face. She really has a way of writing that makes you think you’re the main character because you’re so focused on the main character’s emotions and thoughts – making the book more personal.

I think that’s also what makes her books such easy reads. Her characters are light and funny, their internal monologues make me smile and give characters such as Lara Jean a voice of their own.

2. THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE by Amanda Lovelace



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Rating: 3/5 stars

Review: The lower rating is because I never liked poetry. I just can’t immerse myself in it like some people seem to. But I liked it. I thought it was emotional, empowering and something every woman should read.

3. UNFILTERED: NO SHAME, NO REGRETS, JUST ME by Lily Collins

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: This book is so beautifully written and wonderful. I was deeply touched by everything Lily shared in this book. She has a really special way with words that’s endearing and rare. Such talent is so refreshing to come by and I now love her even more. Such a positive, incredible soul.

Definitely recommend this book to everyone!

4. THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER by C. S. Lewis

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: This is my favorite book when it comes to Narnia. I watched the movie way before I read the book and fell in love with the story they portrayed on the screen. When reading this book, however, I found that it’s just as enjoyable to read because it’s different from the movie but the same in a lot of aspects. It’s a fun read for anyone who loves Narnia.

5. IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: My third 5-star rating this year. After my taste had changed drastically and I swore I could not bear reading this book (ever), I decided to give it a second chance – the first chance being about two years ago. But I’m glad I put the book down and waited to be in the right mindset to read it and truly understand the greatness of it.

This book is such a beautiful read that touched hidden parts of my soul. I cried several times and related to Belly, understanding why she reacted the way she did and loving her flawed personality. Some people may think she’s selfish but that’s what makes her so realistic. And unlike in the first book, her selfishness is mostly rooted in the grief (both when it comes to Susannah and the loss of her love). 

What makes Belly different from Conrad is that she is a loyal friend even when those people don’t deserve it. Sure, she wasn’t perfect herself but Conrad did screw things up and was horrible to Belly, expecting her to keep coming back to him. I loved him in the first book but this book just made me love Jeremiah more. There’s no excuse for being a dick.

Jeremiah is the exact opposite from Conrad. He didn’t shut down but instead stepped up and that’s why he’s so likable. He always does the right thing and doesn’t think of only himself. While a part of me still strongly prefers Conrad over him, I do hope that he’s the one Belly chooses. She deserves better. 

Jenny Han never disappoints. She created a light summer story and turned it into a touching read that made me cry several times. I felt the pain the characters felt because the book is so nicely written. Many would argue that the story isn’t perfect and while I would 100% agree two years ago, I do think that it’s written exactly how it should be. Every person deals with grief differently and each of these characters had their own ways of coping. I wouldn’t change a single detail, a single thing that was said or a single character. I loved the overreactions because flawed characters = relatable characters. 

All in all, I did very much love this book despite dropping it. I guess we all have to read certain books in their own time, when we’re ready to truly feel them.

6. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson

Rating: 2/5 stars

Review: I expected a lot more from this book. I didn’t feel any particular attachment to the characters or their stories and felt like the entire plot could have been explored more, with added horror scenes that would make the reader truly terrified.

Having watched the show prior to reading this book, I prefer the drastic changes they made because that made the entire story more enjoyable.

I think that it was all in all very nicely written and that the author’s talent really shone through. This book might not have been my cup of tea but I surely won’t discourage anyone who might want to give it a chance.

7. CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: This book was fantastic from beginning to end! The author’s portrayal of all sorts of characters was intriguing and skillful. I loved Rachel, Astrid and Nick. Even the villains in this story were so well-written and didn’t seem 2 dimensional at all. 

They say that the devil is in the details and this book is the perfect example of that. Not only is the general writing style of the author such a delight to read but it fills me with envy. I only wish to be able to create such stories myself one day. Every character has its own agenda and a set of likes and dislikes. Every family has a history and it’s never repetitive. To some, this book might feel like Game of Thrones, where you sometimes can’t remember which character was which, but I found it easy to immerse myself and keep track of everyone.

I love the Asian culture and so reading this book was a delight. It was just what I had been craving for and thought it was a very cute romance story with lots of scheming to keep it interesting. I thought the characters were stable in their way, meaning that the author never strayed away from how they were introduced and kept up with their stories. It’s all hard to explain but I am very much in love with this book. Will definitely be reading on. 

8. P. S. I STILL LOVE YOU by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: My honest review is that I do not ship this ship at all. I think it’s toxic and I don’t approve of Peter’s behavior. He needs to get his shit together and stop lying to Lara Jean. She needs to have a guy who will put a bit more effort to make her happy. Peter’s just there and does the bare minimal. And I guess Lara Jean does the same.

I loved the story Jenny Han wrote and the direction she took it in with the games and the old childhood memories. This book was such a pleasure to read (don’t really mind my frustrations, they don’t reflect badly on the book or its rating as they’re very subjective). I think all good books make the reader feel something and that’s how they know how invested they were in the story as well as its characters.

I need to read the next book and I hope Peter does something to redeem himself because I’m far far less forgiving than Lara Jean.

9. ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: It’s always hard to read a story when abuse or bullying is involved. I found myself wanting to reach out to Eleanor and give her a massive hug, feeling deeply for her as if I were her mother. I know that victims of abuse shouldn’t be blamed for being scared to leave and thinking the kids would be better off if they stayed. It’s what’s been manipulated into their minds, thinking that they’ll never be anything without the person who took their strength and power away in the first place. The abuser always overpowers the victims. I just wish her mother didn’t knowingly let her husband secretly look at her daughter and still take his side. 

It’s hard because stories like these rarely have good endings. And I just so desperately wish the main characters would ride off into the sunset and be happy. I wish that there were no men or women abusing their children or their partners. I wish things like alcohol, drugs or guns didn’t exist. I wish every person was only worried about what they were going to eat for dinner or cry about their nails being broken. I wish that the true horror of the world didn’t exist and that nobody else walked around, turning a blind eye to it all. You can always do something. Anything. Even if it’s just to say a kind word.

I know…. I usually talk about the book more but its contents are what touched me emotionally so that I cannot think clearly and much like my mind, my eyes aren’t clear either. Books like these are hard to forget because they just remind you of the cold, hard truth. There is still evil in this world and we don’t appreciate the friendships, the love and everything light and bright that exists between us.

10. ALWAYS & FOREVER, LARA JEAN by Jenny Han

Rating: 3/5 stars

Review: It really is the end of a very cute story and I can’t help but feel sad that it’s over. I have grown to care so much about the characters. I found Lara Jean’s sentimentality endearing and I’m not going to lie that Peter did redeem himself a little bit. 

I did think that I felt Jenny Han rambled at times about things that didn’t matter – even thought that pretty much sums up Lara Jean’s character. I also thought this book wasn’t as enjoyable as the other ones simply because we were always reminded that this was the end. I also thought the first half of the book was a bit boring and didn’t care much about it.

I liked reading the book but felt like something was missing and maybe that was Genevieve or Lucas or other original characters.

I’m glad I finished this trilogy though. Definitely deserves a spot on my bookshelf.

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Thank you so much for staying with me and catching up on all the reading I did. How many books did you read in March? Let me know in the comments below.

Follow me on Instagram and help me pick out my next reads!

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Today, I’m coming to you with another review and this one is a rather emotional one. I’m not going to follow my normal critiquing style but am going to let my emotions take over for this one.

I think every person is familiar with Rainbow Rowell and her neverending stack of books that she had written. From Attachments to Fangirl leading all the way to Eleanor & Park. This was my very first book that I finished by her and I have some thoughts.

First, I rated this book 4/5 stars because it was beautifully written and touching. I don’t have a habit of reading contemporary romance books about people with trouble pasts or anything that would tear my heart out and that’s with a good reason. I, like most people on this planet, don’t like to think about the horrors of this world.

We turn around and pretend it isn’t happening. We see it on the news and then get on with our day. Most of us are so oblivious, living in our little bubbles that we get shocked when they burst. Because abuse can happen to any of us. We could all turn into victims as soon as we let just one other person take the power from us.

This book talks about Eleanor, a new kid at school who met Park one day by sitting next to him on the bus. The two become close and she doesn’t want anything to ruin that. She leads two different lives. One at home with her younger siblings, her mom and her abuser of a step-dad. The other when she’s with Park and she’s happy. Or she tries to be.

The way this author wrote about Eleanor’s emotions and what she went through was heartbreaking. All I thought throughout this book is that I wanted to give her a hug and make everything better. I felt stupid for taking my happiness for granted when there were so many other kids who were happier with so much less.

Rainbow Rowell managed to make me fall in love with the characters and I cried whenever Eleanor started to slip away or talked about the parts of her that weren’t there anymore. How she didn’t even try to intervene whenever her step-dad was in a rage because she knew her mom would only take his side.

It’s always hard to read a story when abuse is involved. I know that victims of abuse shouldn’t be blamed for being scared to leave and thinking the kids would be better off if things never changed. If they didn’t leave the person inflicting emotional and physical pain. It’s what’s been manipulated into their minds, thinking that they’ll never be anything without the person who stole their strength and their power to fight. The abuser always overpowers the victims and many of them stay because they don’t want to admit that this is their life. They became that person. The vile truth that this happened to them is oftentimes too much to admit.

I just wish that Eleanor’s mother didn’t knowingly let her husband secretly look at her daughter and after all that still take his side. I wish her father wasn’t a selfish bastard who only showed up whenever he felt like it.

It’s hard because stories like these rarely find their good endings or justice. I just so desperately wish the main characters would ride off into the sunset and be happy. I wish that there were no men or women abusing their children or their partners. Or anyone. I wish things like alcohol, drugs, guns, death, abuse, rape or evil didn’t exist. I wish every person was only ever worried about what they were going to eat for dinner when they had a full fridge of food waiting for them. Or cry about their new nail breaking off. I wish that the true horrors of the world didn’t exist and that nobody pretended it wasn’t happening to their next door neighbor.

You can always do something. Anything. Even if it’s just to say a kind word and try to make the other person’s day a bit better.

I know… I usually talk about the book more but its contents are what touched me so deeply that I cannot think clearly. And much like my mind, my eyes aren’t clear either. Books like these are difficult to forget because they just remind you of the cold, terrible truth. There is still evil in this world and we don’t appreciate the everything light and bright that exists between us.

I hope this never happens to me or you or anyone you know.

[image error]picture from @yabookprincess on Instagram

I enjoyed this book and do recommend you to read it. I know that I should have paid attention more to the romance but you can’t help the things that stay in your mind after you finish a good book.

2019 GOODREADS CHALLENGE *finished*

JANUARY



1. A JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR by Daniel Defoe

rating: 3/5

[image error]check the review here



2. WORDS IN DEEP BLUE by Cath Crowley

rating: 4/5

[image error]check the review here



3. A COURT OF FROST AND STARLIGHT by Sarah J. Maas

rating: 3/5

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4. FLIGHT OR FRIGHT by Stephen King

rating: 2/5

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5. BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

rating: 5/5

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6. THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING by Alexandra Bracken

rating: 4/5

[image error]check the review here



7. THE ISLE OF THE LOST by Melissa de la Cruz

rating: 2/5

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8. INSTANT WICCA MAGICK by Sylvia Shorewood

rating: 4/5

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9. THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White

rating: 3/5

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10. HEXED by Michelle Krys

rating: 2/5

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11. LAST SACRIFICE by Richelle Mead

rating: 4/5

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12. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman

rating: 3/5

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MARCH



13. TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

rating: 4/5

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14. THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE by Amanda Lovelace

rating: 3/5

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15. UNFILTERED: NO SHAME, NO REGRETS, JUST ME by Lily Collins

rating: 5/5

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16. THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER by C. S. Lewis

rating: 4/5

[image error]



17. IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

rating: 5/5

[image error]



18. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson

rating: 2/5

[image error]



19. CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan

rating: 5/5

[image error]



20. P. S. I STILL LOVE YOU by Jenny Han

rating: 4/5

[image error]



21. ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

rating: 4/5

[image error]



22. ALWAYS AND FOREVER, LARA JEAN by Jenny Han

rating: 3/5

[image error]



APRIL



23. MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick

rating: 4/5

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24. THE WITCH DOESN’T BURN IN THIS ONE by Amanda Lovelace

rating: 4/5

[image error]



25. WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER by Jenny Han

rating: 3/5

[image error]



JUNE



26. THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson

rating: 5/5

[image error]



27. SUICIDE NOTES by Michael Thomas Ford

rating: 3/5

[image error]



JULY



28. WAKE by Amanda Hocking

rating: 3/5

[image error]



29. HALF-BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout

rating: 5/5 *re-read

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30. SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson

rating: 5/5

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31. AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson

rating: 5/5

[image error]



AUGUST



32. PURE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

rating: 5/5 *re-read

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33. THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

rating: 2.5/5

[image error]



34. 5 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO BEFORE 8 AM by Terri Savelle Foy

rating: 5/5

[image error]



35. BREAKING THE HABIT OF BEING YOURSELF by Joe Dispenza

rating: 3.5/5

[image error]



36. A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE by Mike Dooley

rating: 5/5

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37. THE 3-DAY EFFECT by Florence Williams

rating: 3/5

[image error]



38. NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman

rating: 4/5

[image error]



SEPTEMBER



39. FORGO by Jai T.J

rating: 3/5

[image error]



40. The Black Orchids by Ish Goel

rating: 4/5

[image error]



OCTOBER



41. THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

rating: 4.5/5

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42. A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness

rating: 5/5

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43. STARDUST by Neil Gaiman

rating: 3.5 /5

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NOVEMBER



44. THE SILVER CHAIR by C. S. Lewis

rating: 3/5

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45. WICCA: A MODERN GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT AND MAGICK by Harmony Nice

rating: 5/5

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FINISHED READING 45/45 BOOKS AND WITH THAT COMPLETED MY GOODREADS READING CHALLENGE

Books I Finished in 2019 *live updates*

JANUARY



1. A JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR by Daniel Defoe

rating: 3/5

[image error]check the review here



2. WORDS IN DEEP BLUE by Cath Crowley

rating: 4/5

[image error]check the review here



3. A COURT OF FROST AND STARLIGHT by Sarah J. Maas

rating: 3/5

[image error]



4. FLIGHT OR FRIGHT by Stephen King

rating: 2/5

[image error]



5. BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

rating: 5/5

[image error]



6. THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING by Alexandra Bracken

rating: 4/5

[image error]check the review here



7. THE ISLE OF THE LOST by Melissa de la Cruz

rating: 2/5

[image error]



8. INSTANT WICCA MAGICK by Sylvia Shorewood

rating: 4/5

[image error]



9. THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White

rating: 3/5

[image error]



10. HEXED by Michelle Krys

rating: 2/5

[image error]



11. LAST SACRIFICE by Richelle Mead

rating: 4/5

[image error]



12. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman

rating: 3/5

[image error]



MARCH



13. TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

rating: 4/5

[image error]



14. THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE by Amanda Lovelace

rating: 3/5

[image error]



15. UNFILTERED: NO SHAME, NO REGRETS, JUST ME by Lily Collins

rating: 5/5

[image error]



16. THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER by C. S. Lewis

rating: 4/5

[image error]



17. IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

rating: 5/5

[image error]



18. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson

rating: 2/5

[image error]



19. CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan

rating: 5/5

[image error]



20. P. S. I STILL LOVE YOU by Jenny Han

rating: 4/5

[image error]



21. ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

rating: 4/5

[image error]



22. ALWAYS AND FOREVER, LARA JEAN by Jenny Han

rating: 3/5

[image error]



APRIL



23. MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick

rating: 4/5

[image error]



24. THE WITCH DOESN’T BURN IN THIS ONE by Amanda Lovelace

rating: 4/5

[image error]



25. WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER by Jenny Han

rating: 3/5

[image error]



JUNE



26. THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson

rating: 5/5

[image error]



27. SUICIDE NOTES by Michael Thomas Ford

rating: 3/5

[image error]



JULY



28. WAKE by Amanda Hocking

rating: 3/5

[image error]



29. HALF-BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout

rating: 5/5 *re-read

[image error]



30. SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson

rating: 5/5

[image error]



31. AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson

rating: 5/5

[image error]



AUGUST



32. PURE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

rating: 5/5 *re-read

[image error]



33. THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

rating: 2.5/5

[image error]



34. 5 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO BEFORE 8 AM by Terri Savelle Foy

rating: 5/5

[image error]



35. BREAKING THE HABIT OF BEING YOURSELF by Joe Dispenza

rating: 3.5/5

[image error]



36. A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE by Mike Dooley

rating: 5/5

[image error]



37. THE 3-DAY EFFECT by Florence Williams

rating: 3/5

[image error]



38. NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman

rating: 4/5

[image error]