Ultimate Book Tag

Vangie at Painful Reads tagged any book bloggers who were interested in doing this so here you go! Anyone who wants to do this as well if free to do it too!

1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?
Nope! I get to read whenever and wherever...usually...

2. Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?
Ummm, the most unique writing style I've read is...*checks all my books*...okay so I have three: Katie McGarry, Shelly Crane, and Heather Lyons. I don't why but I just love all their writing!

3. Harry Potter series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.
Hehe...WELL...I've never read Harry Potter, even though it's my generation and I remember going to the first movie with my dad when I was 5. I know, my friends tease me all the time that I haven't read them, but I just can't make myself sit down and read them. So my answer will be Twilight, because I have read those books.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books…)?
I don't carry a book bag but I do always carry a book whether it be a physical one or my kindle!

5. Do you smell your books?
Ah no, I actually think that's weird, though I have maybe twice. I do love feeling book covers though...

6. Books with or without little illustrations?
I haven't read a book with illustrations since I was what? 12? I don't know. I don't like them though t least now. I like my own imagination thank you very much. Oh wait, does Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children count, there are photos in there...probably not.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing? (Ex. I read Twilight before I read HP and thought the writing was amazing but read HP and now think Twilight is a little bit of a joke.)
I honestly don't know. I also don't really care. I don't really compare each book I read to others since they are all their own story. I will basically like any book I read.

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
Well this isn't really funny, more like a confession but... When I was in middle school, a couple times every year we could pick out books that were donated to the school to take home, but only one. Well, one time, I was towards the end of picking a book from the box and there was actually quite a few books left, so picked the first Percy Jackson book...and the second...and the third...and the teacher never noticed...

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?
Vision by Lisa Amowitz (see picture)

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. SERIOUSLY, It. Is. Huge! (see picture)

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?
Hahahahaha, that's a good one...I hate writing. Period. (Minus reviews...) But I do love to read of course! :)

12. When did you get into reading?
When I was in middle school (see confession above). I really got into it when I realized I could read really fast and happened to find books I really liked at the same time as well.

13. What is your favorite classic book?
I love Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy...sigh...

14. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?
I do great in all my classes, but science is my favorite. Sorry to the Language Arts/English departments but the only reading I enjoy is not forced reading. I also hate writing papers, bleh.

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated…what would you do?
I guess I would keep it, but this has never happened to be before so I don't really know.

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?
Geez, I don't like questions that make me think...I feel like there are so many yet I can't think of one thing. Okay, The Fallen Star Series by Jessica Sorenson. OH! And The Riser Saga by Becca C. Smith too. 

17. What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?
I tend to get really distracted when I write reviews, which means I take a really long time to write them. And just in general too I guess like I just got distracted on Goodreads...

18. What is your favorite word?
Favorite word, oh that's easy - books. Seriously though, I don't have one, at least not at the moment.

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?
I'm definitely a nerd but my best friends say I'm a dork too! 

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?
Oooo, okay both. I can't decide. I like both!

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?
Angels. Normally they are really protective characters and I like that especially if they are sweet too.

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?
Werewolves. The whole brooding thing totally works ;)

23. Zombies or Vampires?
Vampires. I've read some pretty amazing vampire books but only one Zombie. I really need to read more Zombie books.

24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love
Forbidden Love all the way. I really don't like love triangles at all. But bring me that forbidden love and I'm yours.

25. AND FINALLY: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?
How am I supposed to answer this? I like books with romance and action. I need both. I can't go either way! There at least needs to be a plot though if there is going to be a lot of romance.

Yay! I'm finally done. Dang, that took forever. Well I hope you enjoyed it. Happy Reading cause that's what I'm off to do now! 

Blog Tour: The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris

Summary: According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you're friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her. Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time.

But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

Buy at 

Barnes & Noble | Books-a-million | Amazon | Amazon UK | IndieBound

THE FINE ART OF PRETENDING on Goodreads

My Review: 

Initial Thoughts: The Fine Art of Pretending was a really cute friends-to-lovers book with really good development of the plot and all the characters, even the secondary characters, which made the book that more fun to read. There were moments of predictability and some parts where I felt it was a little slow. Though some of that may have to do with me just wanting the main characters to just get together already!

The Characters: Aly was a very easy character to connect to. She had always been the tomboy, sportsy, sweet, caring, go-to friend for everyone but she got tired of never being noticed. Which lead to her starting Operation Sex Appeal with her two best friends to try to get people to notice her. Which it most definitely did.

Brandon is such a great guy. I loved him throughout the whole book. He was sweet, kind, outgoing, caring, hardworking, loved his sister and mom...I mean what's not to like about him? Okay maybe besides the fact that he's a little slow at admitting his feelings, but hey! they can't all be perfect. Also, his and Aly's relationship while they were still friends was really neat to read because they worked really well together and even as friends I could tell they were just meant to be with each other.

The Story: Aly starts Operation Sex Appeal off by letting her friends help her get a new clothes. What better way to get people to notice you than completely changing how you look? Aly's thoughts exactly. When Brandon first sees her, he definitely sees her. And when Aly explains why she's doing what she's doing, Brandon tries to tell her that there is nothing wrong with how she is. He tells her that back at the beginning of high school, the boys put girls into two groups: casuals and commitments. Aly is a commitment and Brandon says that that's a good thing, a great thing actually. But she took it to mean that if no one was willing to put in the effort to date and commit to her, then something must be wrong with her...which only instilled into her that the operation thing was the way to go.

But Aly soon realizes that for people to believe her change in life, she's going to need to be a better actor. *Cue pretend boyfriend* Aly asks Brandon to be her pretend boyfriend, even though she thought the idea was crazy and that he would never accept. But he does and that decision literally changes both their lives.

The whole operation turned out completely different though, in the end, than Aly ever though it would. And even though it was different, it was good.

"I'm me, and that's okay. Actually, it's more than okay. It's pretty freaking fabulous."

The book was in dual point of view and oh my goodness, I loved it! It worked so well and gave the story a lot of depth and characterization that would have otherwise been missing. And honestly, I looked forward to Brandon's pov *slightly* more than Aly's. It was just so good!

The Romance: Aly had actually previously liked Brandon, told him, and got shut down. Now with the dual pov, you get to see into Brandon's life and why he was so reluctant to go beyond being friends with Aly. His dad had actually died from cancer and it had hurt his mom so much and caused her so much pain, he didn't want to ever have to go through that again, and if that meant no relationships for him, then so be it. But it's hard to stop both of their feelings especially when pretending turned into reality. Again, their relationship was really sweet and through the both their povs, it was easy to see how each of them was feeling and when and this really strengthened their relationship as well as the reader's understanding! I totally ship them. Like I said though, Brandon's a little slow at the whole admitting feelings part...sigh...

End Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book as I have with all of Rachel Harris' other books. The Fine Art of Pretending is a great example of good contemporary ya and would be great for anyone who enjoys that. I sure did and still think about it all the time! 4.5 stars!

About Rachel Harris:

Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing. 

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers. 

Links:

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Goodreads

Giveaway: 

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Waiting On Wednesday - 10/1/14

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm practically dying from waiting for this book. And this book is called The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski. It is the second book in The Winner's Trilogy, the first book being The Winner's Curse, and I remember getting it the day it came out and reading it straight through. I love it and it is most definitely my top read of 2014. I don't think I can wait much longer for book two though because 1. it ended in a cliffhanger (I absolutely love cliffhangers actually) 2. the cover is really pretty and 3. oh my gosh, the author had a preview of the first three chapters and I need the book now! So yeah, if you couldn't tell I'm pretty excited for this book. Happy Reading!!

Publication: March 3rd, 2015 (<<< seriously that is too far away)
Summary: Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.