Update + Wrap Up | May 2014

The Selection | Book Review

Synopsis

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts

Before I read The Selection I read two pretty heavy books and because of that I decided to pick up a fast paced light read. I didn't have the book I was looking for on my shelf, so I decided to borrow this book from a friend of mine. And I have to say, this book surprised me quite a bit. I thought that it would be a stupid girly story with a lot of annoying characters. And even though I still think that America Singer is a pretty stupid name, she herself was not. And honestly the characters were all pretty good!

I did have some problems with the world building, because it's all still a bit vage to me. 

Overall I just don't really know how to describe this book. I know that it had it's flaws, it wasn't the most amazing book that I read and it was a bit exaggerated at some points, but it was certainly enjoyable. It was exactly what I was looking for at the moment I picked it up!

So if you're not into girly romance stories, I would still suggest you pick it up! Just give it a try! It's a very fast paced book that won't take up too much 
of your time.

White Lines | Book Review

Synopsis

A gritty, atmospheric coming of age tale set in 1980s New York City.

Seventeen-year-old Cat is living every teenager’s dream: she has her own apartment on the Lower East Side and at night she’s club kid royalty, guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest clubs in the city. The night with its crazy, frenetic, high-inducing energy—the pulsing beat of the music, the radiant, joyful people and those seductive white lines that can ease all pain—is when Cat truly lives. But her daytime, when real life occurs, is more nightmare than dream. Having spent years suffering her mother’s emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone—unable to connect to anyone or anything. But when someone comes along who makes her want to truly live, she’ll need to summon the courage to confront her demons and take control of a life already spinning dangerously out of control. 

My Thoughts

I'd been wanting to read this book for so long! And even though I had some tiny problems with it, I have to say that I loved it!
I want to start of with saying that I could relate to Cat, even though my life is nothing like hers. My family isn't equal to shit, I don't go to a special school and I don't party and use drugs as much as she does. But I could still relate to her as a person, she just felt so real. And I think that, that is one of the strongest things about this book. The characters and relationships between these characters were really realistic. I also like that even though, yes, there is a love intrest in this book, there is no insta-love at all and Cat her problems don't magically disappear because this boy changed her life. 
I didn't feel like the story was rushed, even though it was pretty fast paced, or predictable at all. Which I liked. 

And now on to the minor problems I had with this book. 
This book is supposed to take place in the 1980's. It took me a long time to get that. Even though there are references to music from the 80's, big mobile phones and different kind of clothing. I just didn't seem to catch up on it. Maybe it's because I like to listen to older music and I go to a creative school where people wear whatever they like and where everyone has a different clothing style. So maybe I'm the only one with this problem. (I did love the unique clothing and music references though!)
I also think that the feeling of using drugs could have been described better. Not to show everyone how amazing it is to use drugs, but more to make the "push and pull' effect that it gives you a bit more clear. So maybe would understand it better why the people in this book continue to use it. 

All in all it was a fast paced and very realistic book. I loved how real the characters and their relationships were.

1984 | Book Review

Synopsis

'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.'

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101 . . . 



My thoughts

Let me start of by saying that this dystopian was not like any (ya) dystopian that I've ever read. There is no heroic main character that starts a whole rebellion that changes the whole world. There isn't loads of action and a beautiful love story intwined. But all these things make this dystopian so amazing and disturbing. 

The main character, Winston, isn't what you would call heroic and maybe even a bit dull. But he tries to rebel in his own little ways and when he meets Julia they find ways to rebel together. Some people would call what Julia and Winston have together love, but in my opinion it is just a desire to break the rules and have the sort of relationship with another person that they could never have before. And I definitely liked how raw their relationship was, since you can really see the effects that this world has on people and their feelings. 
I  also loved the complete hopelessness in this book. Because how are you supposed to make a change, or even begin a rebellion, in a world where every move you make is watched. There is not even a way to know for sure if there are other people that have the same doubts that you have, since people barely communicate with each other. 
I also thought that the ending of this book was perfect and disturbing at the same time. 
So if you like dystopian or classics I'd definitely recommend this to you!

Have you read this book? Or are you planning on reading it? I'd love to know!