In Which I Discuss a Personal Dilemma: 5 Star Ratings

Dear self,

I know that you have been struggling for quite some time over a certain decision: Do you give a book a five-star rating? I am here to tell you that it is okay to give a book 5 stars.

In your mind, to give a book five stars means that the book is absolutely perfect in every single way, and there is no such thing as an absolutely perfect book. I am telling you that a book doesn't have to be perfect in order for you to give it five stars. All a five star rating does is indicate that you loved the book. That you will probably want to reread it in the future. That you will recommend it to your friends. A five star rating does not indicate that the book is perfect. It's just a perfect fit for you.

So, self, don't be stingy with the five stars. I know that, in a way, giving five stars is scary. How do you know that even if you love it now, you will still feel the same way in a few months? In a few years? Maybe if you go back and reread it, you won't like it as much. Or maybe you won't want to reread it at all. But listen, self, don't let that scare you away. If you love a book, don't insult it by giving it four stars when you really wanted to give it five stars.

Plus, look at how many four star books you have on your Goodreads shelf. More than any other stars. You can mix it up a little.

And while I'm at it, it's okay to give a book three stars. Just because you give a book three stars, it doesn't mean you don't like the book. It just means that the book wasn't as good as it could have been.

So, self, here we are. Try your best to give books five stars when you really love the book. Don't cheat out awesome books because you are afraid to give it five stars.

Review: Because it is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

Because it is My Blood (Birthright #2)
Gabrielle Zevin
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: September 18, 2012

“Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”- Michael Corleone, The Godfather
Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.

I was a really big fan of All These Things I've Done; I thought it was a really mature and unique dystopian, something that I hadn't seen in a while. I was expecting great things out of Because it is My Blood. Although I didn't love nearly as much as All These Things, it was still a solid sequel in a great series. 

Anya has been through a lot in the past several months. She is always caring, protecting, and looking out for others. We didn't get to see as much of this in this book, which I really missed. Anya did, however, have to grow and make big decisions in this book. 

One thing I loved to see in this book (and series) is the politics. In this little world that Zevin has created and built, politics play an important role. It's something that we don't get to see a lot of in young adult. 

I didn't feel that this book was as addicting as All These Things. It just didn't hold my interest as well. And while there were some twists, I did see some of them coming. And the ending. In All These Things, the ending killed me. I couldn't wait for the next book. With the way Because it is my Blood ended, I'm still intrigued enough to read the next book, but I'm not hopelessly awaiting it. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but was a little disappointed. I was hoping for more from Zevin, whose books never fail to take my breathe away. But I am still anticipating the next book, where I can return to these characters and this world. 

3.5 stars

Charming Covers [47]: The Moon and More

Charming Covers is a feature here at Book Fanatics where I show off some covers that have recently been revealed/that I've recently found. 

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen 

June 4, 2013

Set in the fictional beach town of Colby, where several of Dessen's novels take place, it features 18-year-old Emmeline, who is spending her last summer before college working for her family's vacation rental business and enjoying a summer romance with a young aspiring filmmaker.

First of all, I love the  new Sarah Dessen covers. They are really cute and capture her books well. And this one is cute as well. I'm not sure if it's my favorite of the covers, but I still like it. 

And I'm excited to return to Sarah Dessen and Colby!

Review: The Lost Prince

The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1)
Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 23, 2012

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.
Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

I've never been a huge fan of The Iron Fey series; while I enjoyed it, I wasn't really obsessed with it like some people are. I was expecting a similar reaction when I read The Lost Prince. Now I understand why everyone fell in love with these books. I absolutely loved The Lost Prince. 

I think a big part of why I loved this book so much was because of Ethan. I loved him from the beginning of the book. He is certainly different from little boy we met in The Iron King. He has grown up always having to watch his back for fey and heartbroken because he misses his sister. He definitely puts on a hard exterior and doesn't get close to anyone. Every once in a while we'll see a different side of Ethan. He was overall a really good and sweet guy and I really liked him. 

It was nice returning to this world again. We see appearances from characters from past books. We also meet some great, new characters, too.

This book was very addicting; I read it very quickly. There were several twists and turns in this book. Although, I totally saw the Kenzie's big secret coming. And by the end of the book... I need the next book in the series as soon as possible.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how The Lost Prince turned out. It had everything I wanted: action, romance, magic, and Ethan, who is his own category. I'm not sure how those who love the original series will react to this book, but for someone who isn't the biggest fan, I loved it. 

4.5 stars 

YouTube has Taken Over my Life

So, in the past couple of weeks (although it's been building for a few months) I've gotten super addicted to (obsessed with) YouTube. To an unhealthy point. I find that instead of reading, doing blog-gy things, and just in general being productive, I'm spending hours watching videos on YouTube. And I do mean hours. I'll go on and tell myself "I'm just going to watch the videos my subscriptions has uploaded." Two hours later...

It all started over the summer when I started watching web series. I've gotten super addicted to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and I also love Job Hunters (although that doesn't come back on until next year). Then for the next few months I watched quite a few tutorials. For a lot of things but mostly for hair. 

And then, this past week, I went a little overboard. I started watching people's channels and now I spend so much more time on YouTube than I should. 

So, I'm here to share with you a few of my subscriptions. 

As I said above, I subscribe to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries  and Job Hunters. Both are amazing web series and you should watch them!

Troye Sivan

This guy is and Australian, and actor, and singer. He is super hilarious in his videos which is why I love them. 

SuperDooperRad 

To be honest, it's not what she talks about in her videos that makes me like them so much. I just think she is really funny and entertaining. 

This video kind of shows you how fun and eccentric she can be. 

Cute Polish 

Remember when I said I like to watch tutorials? Yeah, this shows nail designs and art and is the only "tutorials" channel that I subscribe to. 

JacksGap

So, this is basically just about this British guy and sometimes his twin brother just being goofy. They are really funny and entertaining.

Totally Booksessed

And last be certainly not least, we've got the only book-ish channel on this list. This channel features some bloggers who talk about books, blogging, and such. 

So, there you have it. If it seems that I'm not posting/reading/around as much, it's because I'm on Youtube, probably watching some of these peeps. I'm trying to pull myself back a little but its difficult. 

Not that I need a reason to be on YouTube more, but do you have any subscription suggestions? As you can see, I mostly like funny channels, but I'm open to other (especially bookish) suggestions as well. 

Review: Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2)
Kelly Creagh
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Release Date: August 28, 2012

True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.
     But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.
     When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.

I've got to say, this is shaping up to be an awesome series. I loved the first book, and I'm getting obsessed with the second.

One thing I love about these books is how creepy they are. Not only because of the content, but because of the writing. Creagh's writing is hauntingly sophisticated, which really adds to books.

I'm not going to lie, I missed Varen in this book. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it. I loved getting to know Isobel better and watching her grow while trying to figure everything out. I loved how determined she was. I also loved getting to know other characters.

Creagh sure knows how to kill her readers with her endings. I'm still shocked by what happened. It's such an intense, insane cliff-hanger, and I need to read the next book!

Overall, a great sequel! This is a great, creepy series and I can't wait for the next book. I'll most likely read the first two again and again until I get my hands on the next book!

October Wrap Up

October was a much better reading month than September was. I went from reading 6 books last month to reading 13--over twice as much. I think I finally got into a routine and have gotten back into reading (I realize I think I was in a slump), so I was pretty pleased. 

Books read:

1. Timepiece by Myra McEntire
2. Diva by Jillian Larkin
3. The Diviners by Libba Bray
4. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (review coming soon)
5. What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton
6. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan (review coming soon)
7. In Honor by Jessi Kirby
8. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
9. Enshadowed by Kelley Creagh (review coming this week)
10. The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton (review coming this week)
11. The Ruins by Scott Smith
12. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally (review coming soon)
13. Live Through This by Mindi Scott (review coming soon)

Other Reviews:

1. Speechless by Hannah Harrington 
2. A Want so Wicked by Suzanne Young
3. Perception by Kim Harrison 

Other Posts of Interest:

Want to know something I like besides reading? Check out my Favorite Scary Movies post that I did for Halloween. 

I also participated in Dewey's 24-Hour-Readathon. Check out how it went here!