February was an interesting month to say the least. I started the month out strong but then didn't have as much time as I would have liked for reading. Granted along with the 5 books I did finish I was also working on two more. I'm about halfway through those books (fingers crossed I'll finish them in March).
I'm now at 11/60 finished books for my 2018 Reading Challenge! Check it out here - https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/7501-2018-reading-challenge
You'll find each book's review and synopsis below.
I hope you also enjoy the cute crocheted book garland that the amazingly talented Jessica made for me!!!!! If you want one for yourself they're available to order on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/listing/597230037/crochet-book-garland-book-garland?ref=shop_home_active_2
1) GO ASK ALICE - BY: ANONYMOUS - 214 PAGES - 3/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this book and think that everyone should read it at least once in their life. I used to read a lot of 'My America' diary style books in elementary and middle school, so when a book uses that style of writing I definitely don't mind.
This both gives an interesting perspective into a teen's life with a drug addiction. Since the book is set in the late 1960's it also gives a brief look into what life could be like in that time period. It's crazy when I compare it to how my life was growing up when I was the age of the main character, age 15. It covers other issues, or themes, other than drugs, for example family life, growing up, and trying to discover yourself in your teen years.
One part of the book that was sometimes hard to get through was some of the writing. There were a couple times where a paragraph would end with repeated words. But I think that's easy enough to get through. There are also a lot of ups and downs with the storyline, which one can imagine wouldn't be too far fetched during a downward spiral with addiction. Through the ups I found myself really cheering on the main character to stick with the positivity because throughout the book she does have an extremely supportive family. It's just hard for someone in her type of situation to fully get the support she needs because she's on the fence throughout the whole book. Being a teen with a drug addiction would be pretty difficult as it would be hard to figure out what's right and wrong.
But yeah, definitely worth a read if you're looking for a short and quick read.
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: A teen plunges into a downward spiral of addiction in this classic cautionary tale.
January 24th - After you've had it, there isn't even life without drugs.... It started when she was served a soft drink laced with LSD in a dangerous party game. Within months, she was hooked, trapped in a downward spiral that took her from her comfortable home and loving family to the mean streets of an unforgiving city. It was a journey that would rob her of her innocence, her youth -- and ultimately her life.
Read her diary. Enter her world. You will never forget her.
For thirty-five years, the acclaimed, bestselling first-person account of a teenage girl's harrowing decent into the nightmarish world of drugs has left an indelible mark on generations of teen readers. As powerful -- and as timely -- today as ever, Go Ask Alice remains the definitive book on the horrors of addiction.
2) TONIGHT THE STREETS ARE OURS - BY: LEILA SALES - 342 PAGES - 3.5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS: First of all, how gorgeous is the cover?!? I just love it, the photo and typography are just spot on! This was another solid read, and it was well written. It kind of reminds me of how the movie '500 Days of Summer' is set up. Each chapter's title is a brief summary (like 5ish words) of what will come from the chapter. It also does not go in consecutive order which I really liked because it just adds to the build up of the storyline.
Not to spoil anything (this really shouldn't) but the first chapter is the following, and once I read it I was sold:
"Welcome
Like all stories, the one you are about to read is a love story.
If it wasn't, what would be the point?"
Another theme I really enjoyed was the family relations and drama. The main character, Arden, is such a strong character and she has been her whole life. She's learned to just really care for those closest to her no matter what the consequences are for herself. But as the book progresses, you see Arden really struggling with how she lives her life and starts questioning whether it's really worth picking up everybody else slack.
Overall, this is the book for you if you want a nice light and fun read.
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: Recklessly loyal. That’s how seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley has always thought of herself. Caring for her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But lately she’s grown resentful of everyone—including her needy best friend and her absent mom—taking her loyalty for granted.
Then Arden stumbles upon a website called Tonight the Streets Are Ours, the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter, who gives voice to feelings that Arden has never known how to express. He seems to get her in a way that no one else does, and he hasn’t even met her.
Until Arden sets out on a road trip to find him.
During one crazy night out in New York City filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn’t exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn’t exactly who she thought she was, either.
3) THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD - BY: J.K. ROWLING - 105 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
4) QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES - BY: KENNILWORTHY WHISP, J.K. ROWLING - 105 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
5) FANTASTIC BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM - BY: NEWT SCAMANDER, J.K. ROWLING - 88 PAGES - 5/5 STARS
MY THOUGHTS ON THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD: I don't understand why it took me so long to read these books! The edition I have is newer (first printing in March 2017) and I'm seriously in love with it! The best part is the paper type, it just feels and looks great (I'm weird, I also love the smell of old books).
Back to the book, anyone who loves the Harry Potter books should definitely read this books. It takes you into another part of the magical world of wizards and gives you stories that were read to young wizards as they were growing up. Each tale has take away point that supposed to help the readers grow up and hopefully learn a new life characteristic that makes them a better person. The commentary by Albus Dumbledore is also genius as he gives an even deeper look into the wizarding world.
I will most likely be reading this book to Leland (and other small children that I will be an aunt to) when he's old enough to remember it. Another awesome part is the illustrations!
THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore.
Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.
MY THOUGHTS ON QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES: Another great book to read if you enjoyed the Harry Potter books. This gives a really extensive look into the history of Quidditch. It's just like reading any history book really. It's an even bigger bonus if you like Quidditch and really want to understand it even more. It makes me wish there was another set of stories/movies that just show the world and development of Quidditch. Including more Quidditch matches between all of the various teams.
This book has different kinds of illustrations in the sense that they are more styled like diagrams and such to help give a visual explanation to better picture parts of Quidditch. Like for example, the first Snitch that was ever used!
QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: Did you know that: there are 700 ways of committing a foul in Quidditch? The game first began to evolve on Queerditch Marsh - What Bumphing is? That Puddlemere United is oldest team in the Britain and Ireland league (founded 1163). All this information and much more could be yours once you have read this book: this is all you could ever need to know about the history, the rules - and the breaking of the rules - of the noble wizarding sport of Quidditch.
MY THOUGHTS ON FANTASTIC BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM: Last one, and time where I'll say if you enjoyed Harry Potter, or Fantastic Beasts, you should read this book! Who doesn't want to read all about the crazy creatures and beasts you learn about throughout your experiences with the wizarding world of Harry Potter?!? This book also gives you a brief look at the history of fantastic beasts and where and how they got their classifications.
The only downside of this book is that there aren't any illustrations. The good news though is that if you really want to see what the creatures look like (honestly who doesn't?) there is a newly illustrated edition that just came out in 2017! That's next on my to buy list for my Harry Potter collection. Plus the illustrated version of the first, second and third Harry Potter books are gorgeous so I can only imagine how great this one will be!
FANTASTIC BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM SYNOPSIS ON GOODREADS: An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the Wizarding World. Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance. Some of the beasts will be familiar to readers of the Harry Potter books - the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail ... Others will surprise even the most ardent amateur Magizoologist. This is an essential companion to the Harry Potter stories, and includes a new foreword from J.K. Rowling (writing as Newt Scamander) and six new beasts!
Something you might have learned from this post, if you didn't know it already, I AM ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED WITH ALL OF THE HARRY POTTER THINGS!!! I can't help myself. J.K. Rowling is just amazing, and she's done so many wonderous things to help keep adding onto the magical world of Harry Potter to help give us the feeling that a magical world could exist. I enjoy every minute I get to spend reading or watching anything about Harry Potter!! I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way, I guess that just means more for me :)
Keep on the lookout for my March reads (hopefully I have some), and if you have any questions or want to discuss any of my reads just let me know!
