It seems like all of the good books I’ve read lately have been at the recommendation of my friend Deanna (Mommy’s Reading Break) and Parallel was absolutely no exception! (Read her review, here!) We were chatting about books we’ve read recently and she told me that Parallel was a must read, so I quickly snagged myself a copy on my Kindle and started reading.

Lauren Miller’s writing is absolutely fantastic, a plot with not one, but THREE plot lines all happening simultaneously cannot be an easy one to write. If I’m being honest, I’ve never read anything quite like it before. (But, I stick mostly to Contemporary these days, so that’s not too surprising.)

The books starts out with Abby, on the eve of her 18th birthday in L.A. on a movie set. But the next morning, she wakes up with one heck of a hangover. There’s been an earthquake, but what’s really odd is that she’s not in her posh L.A. hotel room, but a dorm room. At Yale. We’re quickly whisked to our second viewpoint, high school Abby who is starting out her Senior year of high school. The story continues to flip between Yale Abby and High School Abby. Yale Abby starts every day learning what has changed overnight, based on the actions of high school Abby. Which is as confusing as it sounds, but it works. It works well.

Not only do I love Abby and her confusion, but I love the people in her life along the way. Her best friend Caitlin is wicked smart, and actually believes Abby when she tells her what has happened. Their friendship really makes the book great for me, despite all the crazy changes that happen in Abby and Caitlin’s life through out the book.

And then there’s the boys!! Michael, the Yaley who Yale Abby is quickly falling for and Josh, the high school hottie who fate dropped in Abby’s lap the morning of the Earth Quake. And Tyler, the third part of Abby and Caitlin’s Three Amigo’s.

All in all? I loved Parallel, I kept turning the pages anxious to see what changes High School Abby would bring to her Parallel. Lauren Mill really did a fantastic job with this one! I would recommend to anyone looking for a fast paced read with a lot of mystery and a bit of love!

May 21: Top Ten Favorite Book Covers Of Books I’ve Read
*In no particular order*

Shucked 

I found Shucked while reading reviews on a few different blogs that I follow, and it sounded perfect for me! An adventuresome girl, dumped in a small midwest farming community. What an amazing story, right?? I had to have it, and immediately downloaded it for my Kindle.

Meg Jensen’s writing is great, her story flows well and her characters are pretty great too. But about the halfway point in this story, it took a turn that was just too far out there for me. I love contemporary YA, but when I read one? I want it to be believable. I want it to be something that can, and does, happen. And this story took one of those twists that just doesn’t happen. Ever. (I wish I could say more – but without being all spoilerish? I just can’t.)

The other thing on this book? Insta-love. Serious insta-love. Which drives me insane. Because of it? I just couldn’t get into the romance plot either. Which really bummed me out.

The characters of Tabitha and her new (also insta) best friend? Aside from the whole insta-BFFness they have going on? (Because that’s just as cheesy as Insta-love!) They were great. I loved their friendship – despite the fact that Becky is also harboring this big hidden and WAY too far out there secret too.

Seriously. I wanted to love this book. You go to Goodreads and there is nothing but four and five star reviews. Unfortunately? I didn’t love it, and I feel like I need to give it an honest review. (It really would be so much easier to just skip. But, I don’t feel like I can.) There was so much about this book that wasn’t real to me. So SO much. And while the plot started off fantastic, even if a bit far-fetched, it quickly takes a turn for just plain OUT THERE.

1. Go to the Yule Ball at Hogwarts!
2. Spend my Summer Vacation in Fool’s Gold.
3. Have a discussion on Tristan’s Wall of Infamy!
4. Fall in love with one of the Kowalski’s!*
5. Lay on the beach, watching the stars in Thunder Point.
6. Spend the night at Justine’s B&B in Friday Harbor.
7. Have a beer at Merlottes.
8. Take a road trip with Rusty! (while wearing a fabulous pair of red boots!)
9. Spend an afternoon wandering around Jane’s Bookstore.
10. Watch one of Jordan’s Football Games!
11. Fall in Love in an airport.
12. Survive the Super Flu with Stu Redman.
13. Have Anna and Etienne give me a tour of Paris!

{Of course there are more – so this is To Be Continued…}

What’s on your {Fictional} Bookish Bucket List?

Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits, #1) 
by Katie McGarry

Every once in awhile I read a book that makes me regret nearly all of the other “5 Heart” reviews I’ve done in the past. Pushing the Limits was one of those books for me. Ok, I didn’t just love this book – I was Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch over this book.

Earlier this week I was chatting with my friend Deanna (Mommy’s Reading Break) and she mentioned how much she loved Pushing The Limits, which somehow had flown under my radar. Knowing that she and I share a similar taste in books, I immediately requested a copy from the library. I cannot thank her enough for this recommendation, because I adored every single page of this book.

Katie McGarry’s writing style is a bit edgy, she definitely hits on some topics that aren’t for the faint of heart. And her characters drop the occasional F-Bomb, I would put her in a class with my beloved Jenn Cooksey in terms of her writing “real” stories aboud “real” teens. There is definitely no sugar coating of the teenage experience to be found in these pages, so if a fluffy YA is what you’re hunting for? Look elsewhere. But if you want real? You’ve not only hit a BINGO, but you’ve blacked out your full card. (Yes, I need sleep… ignore my cheese factor!)

Pushing the Limits stars Echo and Noah. I immediately loved Noah as he made a cheesy joke at her name in one of his early scenes, and my love for him only grew as I learned his backstory and even more important, who he had become. And Echo? She broke my heart nearly as much as Noah did. These two were absolutely perfect for one another, and I had moments where I nearly cried out of heartbreak, and moments where I was literally cheering out loud for them.

This books was so fantastic, I can’t sing it’s praises enough. I have already read the Novella (Crossing the Line) that follows Pushing the Limits, and have downloaded book #2, Dare You To from Netgalley; so I will definitely be continuing this series.

Golden 

One of my favorite books last year was Jessi Kirby’s In Honor, so when I first saw that Golden would be coming out? I had to read it!! I loved her writing style in In Honor and the way that she grabbed me from the beginning and tugged at my heart the whole way through, so I had high hopes for Golden. Luckily? My hopes were exceeded!

Jessi Kirby has a writing style that is absolutely fantastic. Her words are eloquent, and her plots weave together flawlessly. One of the things I love about YA books, when they are done well, is that they take me back to my late teen years – not just the good parts, but the bad ones as well. In Golden, she does just that! I remember how one day everything was perfect, but the next? Something small happened to open my eyes and show me that there’s a whole new world out there – and that’s exactly what Golden is all about.

Golden has two stories, and thus two sets of characters. The present, and the past melting together. Parker is your typical over achiever, she’s never really done anything fun and she spends her time preparing for her future. Her best friend Kat is her polar opposite. And then there’s the dreamy Trevor Collins. When it comes to book boyfriends, Jessi Kirby is definitely in a fantastic class all her own! These three are so well written, they come to life.

Then there are the characters from the past. Town legends, ghosts who died a decade ago. Parker finds the true story Julianna and Shane by accident, while working as a TA for an English teacher and discovering Julianna’s journal. The two died tragically on graduation night, and have been larger than life ever since, but now that Parker is finding their real story, she and her friends head off on an adventure that no one in town could ever expect!

Golden is the perfect coming of age story, transporting you back to your own high school days. Jessi Kirby has a magical way of pulling you in and not letting you escape her world. If you’re a fan of contemporary reads, I strongly recommend Golden (or any of Jessi Kirby’s writing, for that matter!)

On The Blog
Impromptu Read-a-thon {Updated daily}
Review: Paper Towns by John Green ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

On My Shelves
   

Purchase/Library
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling

For Review
Golden by Jessi Kirby
The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2) by Robyn Carr
Two of a Kind (Fool’s Gold, #12) by Susan Mallery

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

I am currently on my 2nd read through of of The Other Fish in the Sea  by Jenn Cooksey. (Check out my review!) I’m censoring the names, because really? You need to read this one!!

“Wait, I’m gay?” **** asked with a laugh like he was asking “Since when?”
“Apparently dude,” **** answered, laughing again.
~~~~ Cut out to skip some ~~~~
“You’re sorry? I’m gay and you’re sorry… is there anything else you two have been keeping from me?” He asked **** and **** with humor tinged sarcasm.

Paper Towns

I’m a huge John Green fan! (Who isn’t, come on??) But when it comes to Paper Towns, I’m conflicted. On one hand, I absolutely adored this one. There is so much wonderful, fabulous and insightful adventure taking going on. On the other hand? I want to find Margo Roth Spiegelman and kick her in the face. (Which, I suppose – Mr. Green, you’ve accomplished the goal of making me emotional about this book.)

April 30: Top Ten Nine Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

1. Boarding School: There aren’t enough books about boarding schools! There just aren’t!! If there’s a YA book and the blurb says “Boarding School”?? I’m picking it up! (The perfect excuse for absent parents!)

2. Ghosts: I’m ok with paranormal, but I have to be in the right mood. With the exception of Ghosts. I love ghosts!

3. Stephen King: I’m a sucker – if a book is recommended by, mentions being similar too, etc? Then I’m going to read it!  (And chances are – unless it’s written by Stephen King? I’ll be disappointed. )

4. Road Trips: If there is a road trip – I don’t care what genre – I’m down!

5. Circus: I have an odd obsession with the Circus. (I attribute it to 12 year old me selling novelties at the local Shrine Circus and drooling over the incredibly gorgeous Dare Devil brothers!) So no matter the book, I’m grabbing it if it’s circus themed! Luckily, so far? I haven’t been let down!

6. Magical Realism: I am such a huge fan of this genre (I’m going to go ahead and say it’s a full genre, though I know it’s debatable!) And I just can’t get enough of it!! (Think along the lines of Sarah Addison Allen and Barbara O’Neal!) It’s even better if it’s a foodie magical realism!

7. Foodie Chick-Lit: I love foodie books! Mostly if they involve Magical Realism. Or recipes. I love recipes.

8. World War II: I’m a huge World War II fan (in terms of romance novels!) And I just can’t get enough!

9. Girls playing Sports: I will always give these a try! (Especially if they are YA!) I usually love them (although there have been a few where I’ve been disappointed!)