Brianna's 2017 Reading Challenge

[brianna (borahae version)]

I just recently joined Goodreads so this is my first time participating! As it's my first time attempting any sort of reading challenge, I decided to go for 50. I figure it's not too little and certainly not too much. I do want to hit a goal but I don't want to push myself.

I'll be starting with Carry On.

Good luck everyone!

[Susy]

Good luck with your goal Brianna. I had the same thought but my goal is 12 books this year.... I always thought I was an average reader, but seeing how much and how fast fellow-Goodreaders read and talking to them about that, I discovered I'm actually a pretty slow reader. So as to maximize my chance of reaching my goal I decided on 12.
What kind of books do you like to read?
Looking forward to your updates and the (good) books you discover. Happy reading!

[brianna (borahae version)]

First one was The Once and Future King, which I finished in January. ★★★★★

[brianna (borahae version)]

Next I'd Carry on by Rainbow Rowell, finished on May 8. Review below.


I just finished this book this morning and I honestly have NO words. There was blood, sweat, and tears.

I'll start off with a preface that this is a book that gives off a VERY Harry Potteresque vibe. I've never read the series myself but I understand that many people might find it TOO similar.

The plot was an amazing concept and I love how it was an extension of the story Cath was writing in Fangirl. I do think it might be TOO Harry Potter with the whole "common boy becomes Chosen One and has to save the world of magic" but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Like I said though, I never read Harry Potter so I might feel differently had I read it.

I enjoyed the characters. Simon Snow was a sweetheart and I loved how he stayed this innocent character but become a bit more daring and confident. He holds a special place in my heart. Baz is amazing because although he's very hard and bratty on the outside (at the beginning of when he's introduced) he becomes very soft and exposed as more is revealed about his mum and we really get to see the source of his anger. Penelope is my favorite female character because she's basically the comic relief. When ish is going down, she tells a joke or two and makes everything lighter and less tense. Plus, she cares fiercely for our boy Simon.

(view spoiler)[Agatha was a miss for me. From the very beginning when she dumped Simon the way she did, she rubbed me the wrong way. As the book continued, there was just something about her that annoyed me, especially in the scene with those 4 in Baz's library. Her running away to California is what sealed the deal. And I get it, she ran away from Watford because the Mage wanted to drain her if her magic. But there's something about her actions (moving to California without telling anyone or contacting them) that bothers me. I can't put my finger on it. (hide spoiler)]

I thought the ending was sad, shocking, and nice, if that makes sense??(view spoiler)[ I really liked Ebb and her death came as a shock to me; however, she died for a cause and although it wasn't in the best circumstance, I'm sure there would come a time where it would be inevitable. Simon filling the humdrum with magic and becoming Normal, and then accidentally killing the Mage (no matter how evil he was) and being devastated brought tears to my eyes. So did finding out the Mage was his father and Lucy was Simon's mum and that she was the one who came and visited through the Veil looking for her rosebud boy. TEARS. I loved that Penny, Baz, and Simon stuck together in the end. MORE TEARS. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I loved this story and can definitely say that it's one of my favorites. ★★★★★

[Susy]

Happy to hear you started of with two books you really enjoyed! I have Carry On on my TBR list too and have added The Once and Future King.

[brianna (borahae version)]

Let me just say that for those of you who saw my final update on this novel last night, you'll know how emotionally broken I was. I suffered through blood, sweat, and tears to finish this book and it wasn't easy but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

Now onto the review! For this one in particular I'll be doing a pros and cons list.

CONS:
- The beginning feels very slow starting. for me it took a little bit for the heavy action to begin and while i didn't necessarily mind, I wasn't as intrigued in the beginning as the end.
- In the beginning a lot of characters were introduced at once and I felt it hard to not only distinguish between who was a main character, but also to remember everyone's names.
- Three of the main male characters just annoyed the HECK out of my being. Christian, for the first half to three quarters of the book, was just a jerk and although I can't necessarily blame him, I just found myself scoffing every time his name was mentioned for a while. Erik is human garbage, there's no other way to say it. I don't want to say anything as to keep this spoiler free but he's just a very selfish, cocky man. Kenneth didn't do anything necessarily AWFUL but one of his driving forces, which seems to be gaining Erik's constant approval, leads him to be very obedient to him and reliant upon Erik giving him a thumbs up, even when he treats him like garbage. Kenneth is a good character but he is a little bit cowardly and it bothers me that he is never really able to stand up for himself. However, this is a great thing on Läckberg's part as I'm sure that was her intent. They were definitely three of the most well-written characters I've ever encountered.

PROS:
- I absolutely ADORE the dynamic between Erica and Patrik. Patrik is a cop who is just an overall softie who cares for his wife, daughter Maja, and unborn twins, but has a passion for justice. Erica is a crime writer who may be too curious for her own good, but it helps fuel the resolution in the end. Together, the two of them have proven to be unstoppable. And despite that, they aren't "perfect" characters; they both have their character flaws and bad experiences.
- I found the case to be very interesting. Especially given that it was set in Sweden, Läckberg used the nature and geography from her own knowledge to her advantage. Overall, it made the case much more strong and believable, and frankly was able to keep it interesting all the way through.
- Läckberg has this awesome way of not revealing too much information all at once. For example, Patrick follows up on a lead to a different agency and the information he finds is ASTONISHING. However, Läckberg does not give this away too easily. She really leaves us guessing, pondering, and wanting to know more. It almost draws you into continuing to read.
- THE ENDING!!! I am SO shook. It happens very quickly, almost as if you would imagine in a crime show, and the outcome was not at ALL what you would imagine. When you find out who the criminal is, you're shocked because you did NOT see that coming. That being said, finding out who the criminal was and their motives allows you to put the pieces together and it really does end up making sense.

Overall, this was an amazing book and I am definitely going to go back and read the whole series.

★★★★☆

[brianna (borahae version)]

I finished Everything, Everything in less than a week and honestly I wish it would've taken me longer because I don't want this book! It has definitely made itself into the higher half of my top 10.

The internal conflicts of both Maddy and her mother Pauline were something that were very relatable in a sense but were also very unique. Maddy's battle with wanting to live her life to the fullest and appreciate her new love despite the possible repercussions and Pauline's longing to keep her daughter safe at all costs to the extent that she did were overall factors that drove both of their actions and made them perfect characters: good intentioned but with flaws.

I love the cute doodles included because it gives such a personal feel and really helps the reader to get to know who Maddy is and show things that arent suited just to be told.

I love Maddy as a character. I deeply relate to her on many levels; I myself find that I'm not living my life perhaps as I desire and want to take more risks and see the world. I want to find love. I like to read and post reviews (wink wink). The author does an amazing job of allowing other people to see themselves in Maddy's shows. I love Olly as a character too. He's very understanding of Maddy but still holds out hope that she will get better and not become sick [spoiler](as seen during the trip to Hawaii).[/spoiler] Not to mention he does tricks which is AWESOME.

The book didn't necessarily have many detailed descriptions initially but, whether intentional or not, it works with the story since Maddy continually is faced with the same sensory stimuli 24/7 in the beginning.

The plot twist had me SHOOK. [spoiler]I really wasn't expecting to find out that Maddy wasn't really sick and has spent her whole life inside. It seemed very out of place at first but when you put pieces together and continue reading it it falls into place. It would make sense that after the death of Maddy's father and brother, Pauline would be crushed. All she had left was Maddy, and when Maddy got continually sick as a child, she needed for there to be a reason. Any reason to protect Maddy as not to lose her too. And although we may be mad at the mom for what she did, we might also feel sympathy; she's sick, and she only did it because she loved Maddy.[/spoiler]

Loved this book so much, my mind is still RACING.

★★★★★

[brianna (borahae version)]

Just finished my first of 3 summer reading books, Their Eyes Were Watching God! It was very good with imagery, plot, and characterization however the pacing sometimes was either way too slow or way too fast and confused me. Still, a good book nonetheless.

★★★☆☆