Sunday, January 29, 2017

The Yesterdays of Tomorrow

Time to review a book that's been sitting unfinished for a long, long while. The reason why I haven't finished it yet is because I haven't been able to really get into the book. I did decide to try once again to read the book and when I was around page 80, I finally felt really pulled into the story which was a good thing because the rest of the book... waw! This is a very nice end in this duology: The Yesterdays of Tomorrow by Jessica Hernandez

Note: this book is not a first in a series! It's the second and last book in this duology. I highly recommend not reading on since further developments and changes have been happening in The Yesterdays of Tomorrow. If you're interested in this series, I do have a review on the first book which was a great story! Review on Capering on Glass Bridges HERE!


31549129A year later and the curse is still roaming over the lands. Kaia and the rest are doing everything they can to restore the lands and lift the curse. However, not all darkness has been gone and many secret plans are still around. It's getting harder and harder to know who to trust and who is lying to who. When the curse will be lifted, if it ever will be lifted, would everything be back to normal? Or is there new darkness coming their way? War is coming... Kaia and her friends will be going through tough times and desperate times ask for desperate measures.

First of all the characters because wow, do they know a development! Kaia has been really the most surprising. At the end of Capering on Glass Bridges, I already knew this character would have a lot of potential to grow further and to become a very strong woman as a character. And I was not surprised to see that indeed she did make this change!


Kaia will really get into the learning to fend for herself and defeat the ones that go against all that is wrong. I really loved to see how she grew to become a very strong and independent girl. Although I already thought she was very independent and mature of nature, she showed us in The Yesterdays of Tomorrow that she really can be even more and learns to fend for herself! 

What shocked me the most is what she'll do to lift this curse. I never thought she'd really go through with these drastic measures to lift the curse and to fight off all the darkness that comes with it. The desperate times that she'll meet will really ask a lot of her and when I thought she wouldn't go through with it she always went further and made many sacrifices. I really admire her for all she does in this story, for the people and for the lands because wow... she'll do things I had never in my life in this book had expected her to do! A very great character that knew a very big development!

As for the other characters in the book, I feel like this book was more about Kaia than the others as she will part ways at some points. However I did notice slight changes in each of the characters and also felt that family bonding they had going on once again. I'm really keen on the fact that the brothers slash princes, Kaia and her sister have such a strong bonding and work so well together. It really melts my heart. I also really adore the brothers, they sometimes bicker but I like that! Their connection to one another and what they'll do for one another is yet another thing to really admire in them!

This also means I still really enjoyed the bond between sisters! In my review on the first book, I had already told you how keen I was on the sisters. Even though this book concentrates on Kaia's quest and the sisters being a part for a while, they're still going strong and I still was a great fan of them when they were reunited. What a strong pair they are!

Also, can I just point out Kaia and Warren? Like in Capering on Glass Bridges I felt like they'd be such a great team and yes, this book will give us some more perspective on these two friends. I really adored seeing them together as I secretly hoped they'd be together. They were my OTP from the very first beginning in Capering on Glass Bridges but if something will ever come out of it is a question you should find the answer on by reading this book! 

Which actually brings us to the plot, talking about my OTP's I remember there be little to actually no romance in the first book in this duology. Did I regret that? No, it was a really new thing for me to have a book that doesn't contain some sort of love. I really was keen on seeing the strong build of the plot that wasn't about romance at all in Capering on Glass Bridges, however the second book will make a bit of space for romance and can I say I actually adored it?

It won't be a book filled with love but it'd be rather something subtle, raw and tender. The main focus will still be on solving the problems on the lands and do things for the greater good. Even though the focus wasn't on romance, I did really appreciate the little love being there and make it something oh so sweet! 

This plot was also a lot more surprising than I had first anticipated, I really had thought this would be about lifting the curse and problems with trying to reverse what has happened to make the curse come into place. Although there will be some things to be handled to help lift the curse, there's another thing that will be a greater concern!

What would happen after the curse is lifted? Will the curse ever be lifted? I really feel like I can't say a lot because I don't really want to go spoiling it since it really surprised me. What I really do want to say is that I was shocked by the amount of trust issues that will arise and the lies that will be told. All of a sudden things seem even more dangerous and it will make sure that our main character will have to make hard decisions.

People will be parted, reunited, re-found, there will be loss and love and tears. Really, tears. And I really had never anticipated for all of this to happen. These hard decisions will make sure that Kaia has to fight for the ones she loves when they're in need and also means she'll prepare for whatever is coming her way. I really can't say this enough but the suspense and the betrayal are real! I did have some suspicion to some characters in the first book but then my feeling told me: it's nothing! Waw, my feeling was right! 

But it's not only Kaia that will do whatever it takes to free the lands and fend for her family and friends. Many of the characters will make sacrifices that'll cause so much loss and heartbreak with the reader, like really I couldn't do this! But then BAM the author hits us with a plot twist and things seem lies and not what they once were, or were they? The reader will be pulled into the position of trying to figure out what is going on: lies or truths? Twisted truths? Especially because the characters will have mixed feelings. Some will think someone has betrayed them, others won't believe that someone would ever do that and so the game of truth and loyalty begins. 

Loyalty will also be one of the main things in The Yesterdays of Tomorrow! Loyalty to your king, loyalty to your family and loyalty to your duties. I really loved to see how each of these loyalties were turning onto each other and how this would influence the story further on. Family will also be a very important thing in this story and you'd be amazed when you know who is tied to who. 

Also speaking of family, we'll get to see more of that as well. The princes' will turn towards their family as desperate times are heading their way into the lands. The sisters' family will also make a comeback and I also enjoyed that part. The best thing to this whole family thing though was the fact that Kaia finally gained some answers, as did the readers and I was really pleased to that as well!

If there's one thing I really want to point out is that I really missed the recapitulation in the beginning of the story. It might've been that that made sure I wasn't pulled into the story. Many things had been very deep in my mind on the first book as it had been a while since I read the first book before I started into the second book. So I would suggest to read these two books not too far away from each other, unless you have a much stronger brain than me and know the details even after a few weeks! 

As for the ending WAW, oh waw. I can't believe the author did this to us. When you read it you will know what I mean! I am shocked and lost for words but I really enjoyed the book and that ending made it a stunning ending to the whole duology.

Lastly I really want to thank Jessica Hernandez for granting me this opportunity to read her duology for review. I'm really pleased and happy that I could do this and am really happy she wanted to share the story with me! Thank you!


©Jessica Hernandez
<3 finally="" p="">Although I loved the story, I really had a very hard time to get into it. The author also doesn't take a lot of time to recapitulate what was happening, therefore I felt like I fell in a little void as it had been a while since I read the first book in the series! However, I really did enjoy the book when I reached page 80, the plot then really pulled me in and made me live in the world where the curse must be lifted. The characters will have a hard time and our main character goes through a huge development which I really appreciated! As for the plot, things were really heightened and I never had expected to see everything turn like this! The suspense, the thrill, the trust issues, the lies, the betrayal, the loss, it was ginormous and I devoured it eventually! This is a last in a series so the author has one end of a story ready for you and I was so shocked, a lot of things came as a huge surprise in this book. Even the end! I did enjoy the story, even though I didn't get into it very easily, and really recommend this series. The Yesterdays of Tomorrow is a thrilling and surprising end but oh so good!
<3 finally="" p="">
<3 finally="" p="">"We’ve won and lost."

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Me Before You

It's that time of the year to get all cosy with a good drink and a warm blanket and to read an amazing book. Well I can tell you, this book will be the perfect book for moments like this. I enjoyed this so much, not only because of how cozy it was in my room but also because of its content. This book will not leave you untouched: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

Louisa Clark has never been out of her hometown and she never saw any reason to. Soon she finds herself changing for the better and that all by the man that she should be changing. Disabled in a wheelchair, Will Traynor has lost his interest in life and Louisa tries her best to make him think differently again. What they don't know is that both of them are in for a ride full of emotions and life changers. Both want the best for each other: Will wants Lou to live life but Lou wants for Will to find that passion about life again. Yet soon they find themselves battling against the other to make them realize life can be perfect, but not easy...

Yes. I have seen the movie first. I know. It's not okay! Of course I loved the book more but let me just explain. I was going to read the book first but I just didn't get around to buy it and there was a day where I just wanted to watch a movie... so it actually just kinda happened?

First off, I'd love to talk about Louisa Clark because this character was my absolute favorite! Not only because of the way she dresses, but also because she's such a deep character. You'd think a girl that wears the clothes she wears is confident. If I would wear the clothes she wears, I'd be judged and watched and I'm not even kidding about that! But we see that Lou actually isn't that confident about herself. The book will really show us so many facets of her insecurity and I was so keen on it. It often felt like she just didn't want to try something new because she thought she wouldn't belong.

My heart rooted for this character! She's very special, and I really saw that in her insecurities that alternated with her determination. As the synopsis tells us, Louisa goes to a new job with a disabled man who doesn't love life anymore. This will affect her deeply and will show us many times that Louisa is actually a much stronger girl that we might once have thought.

The thing I didn't like with Louisa, and this isn't anything directed to this character, was that she keeps being tossed from one to another. It was always her that needed to do things because the family needed it, because she shouldn't be selfish, because it's her duty and so on. I really felt with this character because of this, I wanted her to discover what she loved and what she wanted to do in life but many other characters held her back. And the good heart she has, she lets them.

Louisa Clark is really the character that makes you recognize things in yourself. She's a very reliable and realistic person and that's really what made this character amazing and deep and strong. Lou really sees the good in everything, she'll try everything she can and would put her whole life to a stop for someone else. Amazing character!

Another character I love to discuss is Katrina Clark, Lou's sister. Not for the same reason as Louisa really because I adored Louisa but I hated Katrina. In the movie, I didn't feel bothered by this character but as always, the book goes a lot deeper than the movie. Katrina is horrible. There isn't anything I love about her.

Katrina is the younger sister of Lou and during the book we often get the impression that she's the "better" one of the family, aka better than Lou. She's also a mother of a 5 year old which I don't mind. It does show us the reality of it all, people can have kids. But it's really the fact that Katrina is one of the people that stops Lou from doing whatever she wants to be doing. I really find her egocentric and selfish and there's nothing I can tell more about Katrina. She pushes Lou into everything, tells her she needs to do this or that for her own benefit. She always wants everything and is selfish. But we do see some change in a positive way at the end of the book.

This character of course gives us a very good impression on the insecurities of Louisa so Jojo Moyes did do a great job on Katrina Clark. The contrast between these two is very big and therefore very distinct which I loved. It gave us a much deeper level of understanding and it's something that I appreciated. But I just didn't grow to love that character because I always was team Louisa!

Then we have Mrs Traynor and this is a character you really grow to understand. In comparison to the movie, I feel like she wasn't pictured right at all. We know her son is disabled and how he feels about life and the movie really just shows us she doesn't want him to feel like it. The book goes into that so much more and explains how she feels. But the most important is, is that really reflects what she must feel like and how she tries to handle it.

There was also a part in the book where Mrs Traynor got her own chapter and explained her feelings and her posture and so on. She really does want the best for her son, that's also why Camilla is so weirded out and surly towards Louisa. The bonding between mother and son is reflected well and emotionally, to my opinion, which was a great asset to the book.

Three down, two to go! Will Traynor, in the movie played by Sam Clafin which is my bae, is great. Just fantastic. We all get a certain picture of how someone might feel in this state, and I'm pretty certain it's far worse than what's been shown in the book itself. Yet I really loved to read about it and to get descriptions of the hospital appointments, the meds and the things he goes through. If these descriptions wouldn't have been there, I'd feel like this book would be very superficial but it is there and it gives a certain depth to it.

The grumpiness of Will was something we grow to understand, it's not only because he doesn't enjoy life, there's more to it than that. That was something you really can understand and makes you see things in his perspective. A great asset to the story to my opinion! But his mood will lighten from time to time, which I was happy about because really... I love Louisa and he was mean to her...

What I loved about this character was that even though he doesn't enjoy his life anymore, he will try to make Lou come out of her comfort zone. We know now that Louisa is held back by different people and even though he's disabled, Will will try to make her understand that things can turn out differently in just a second and that you need to make your life worth it. It's not only amazing to see and see her transform in a certain way by him, it's also a very nice and emotionally loaded message that's so important and greatly transferred to readers by the author.

Lastly, I really want to discuss Nathan. He's another caretaker at the Traynor's and god, he was amazing. I loved his accent in the movie, but also the book gives us a bit more perspective on this character. Nathan also had a little chapter in which he gives us clarity on what he is thinking and feeling and how he wants this to turn out. I'm really happy we got to see a bit more of this character because he has to go through this too and understand what's going on. Although I did miss him a bit at the ending of the book, but I also missed him at the end of the movie. So not much has changed.

As for the plot, what can I say? It was great. Firstly I'd like to discuss the fact that some characters got there own chapter. I already said that Nathan and Mrs Traynor had their own chapter. But also Katrina and Mr Traynor get their own chapter. I'm a big fan of this because it created a bigger point for us, we knew more, we felt more, we got more into the story and got a lot out of the story. It's really amazing to see how the other characters think about this or that, and how they feel about it. Some even compare things to their own life which was also an interesting thing to know, in my opinion.

Although I wish there was a chapter by Will too! He's a very important character and I hoped we'd know more about how he thought about Louisa for instance or about her efforts. All we knew was his mood and sometimes he'd say something, but I feel like his inner emotions will always be a big mystery for us. But I can see the fun in that too, now we can imagine ourselves! 

Another thing that was really present in the book was the discussion about euthanasia and I was a great fan of this being presented in the book. The story takes place between 2007 and 2009, so the mentality about euthanasia was different. The book really clears things for us and how the mentality is about doing this to yourself. At a certain point in the book we also see a big contrast between the people who are okay with it and support the person who wants it because it's his decision. At the other side of that we see the people who disagree and say it's not morally right to do this.

I really was keen on seeing the contrast and just in general to see this topic, which is still very sensitive for some, presented in the book. Some might be shocked that it turns out a certain way, others might not be shocked because they support. This book really makes you think about that and see the reactions. It might even make you feel very, how do I say this? Loaded? If you agree or not, it will give you a certain feeling. I loved that!

Further more there is the whole Louisa has a boyfriend and works with Will situation. I have to say I didn't really like her boyfriend at all. It's not that he's a bad person, I do generally think he's an okay guy. I just thought he thought a lot about himself and his interests and never really saw what Lou felt or wanted. The relationship between these two will be accentuated at a few moments and give a certain heated situation to the book I never expected. 

As for the relationship between Will and Louisa. I was just all about that! Seeing these two grow and see their relationship grow from nothing to real friendship? It's too good for words. This book really shows us how slow the process of a very close friendship can be and what can all get in the way. Will and Louisa are an amazing team although they something didn't want to admit it, they just work.

The plot will try everything to make Will love his life again. Louisa tries to do a lot of things, mostly get him outside of the house and it's really working out for the both of them in a certain way. I really was keen on Lou planning all these things because it showed her determination but it also did things to Will which gives the plot an interesting turn of events. What I loved most was the fact that Louisa was in contact with other people that were in the same situation as Will. It gave a bigger picture of it all and also showed many ideas of what can be done and what can't be done. The activities Louisa plans really gave us a funny feeling or a very loving feeling and I was also very happy about that.

Trying to make Will love his life again gives us also a very emotionally loaded and important lesson with the book, a moral. When books give you a certain lesson, I'm always grateful for it. In some ways you've experienced it through another body and another story, even though it's fictional. Me Before You shows you this on a very different way and it shows you the road down to a happy ending and a non happy ending. It really approaches both and closes with the moral of the story. Absolutely appreciated this!

I think we can conclude this book with saying that it's an emotionally loaded book but that has a very special and fantastic message in it. The characters were very deep and because of added chapters in other people's perspective there came a new level of depth. We understood them more and saw them handle things in the way they wanted to. Not only that, we also saw how and why they acted the way they do and see them come to their closure at the end of the book. The plot shows us the growing bond between the characters and represents this realistically, added with some humor at times. Above that, an asset to the book was a very sensitive topic which will make you see the pro and cons about it and makes you feel very loaded and self-conscious. I really loved this book because it was so emotionally, sensitive but funny at times and because you could really relate to characters and feel with them. I therefore also really recommend this book to everyone!

“Push yourself. Don't Settle. Just live well. Just LIVE.” 

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Haze

Finally! It's time to review a book about angels. You all know how much I love books with those kind of people, and finally I've read a second part in a book series of angels. I'm talking about the book Haze by Paula Weston. Even though I said in my review of Shadows that it wasn't the best angels themed book I read, this one surprised me and does make things a lot more interesting than first. 

Note: This is a second in a series, this means changes and developments have been happening. I recommend you not to read on in this review, since you might know more than you should. If you are interested in this series or want to read the first book, I wrote a review on Shadows that you can find HERE

Now Gaby knows she's different from what she first thought, she still struggles with not knowing enough. Unable to remember her old life, Gaby is touching in the dark. People who know her, are mad at her, hate her or want her to tell them what she was doing one year ago. And Demons are hunting her down because also they want her. The only constant in her life is Rafa, who keeps his own secrets and doesn't let loose anything about their past together. But the biggest thing she can't comprehend is that her twin brother might be alive...

This book was even more entertaining than the first book in this series was. Not only because we see such a big difference with the characters but also because it's even more suspenseful and filled with more action and an amazing plot twist at the end! 

First of, Gaby. Last time around, I said she had a temper and even though it often shines through her character she's also a lot more calm and composed. The fact that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive makes us see a whole other Gabe. The one that doesn't grieve any more. However we do see that Gaby is having a hard time with finding hope and believing in it. I loved to see that in her character! 

She's also very insecure. Gaby now knows what she is but she still thinks too much about what she is and isn't capable of and this leads to frustration with herself and others being frustrated with her. Speaking of the others, the others make her feel insecure too because they're very hard on her whenever they see her. They all want to know what she was doing with her brother one year ago but Gaby doesn't remember anything. She doesn't even remember those people. This will lead to anger and frustration, but people also hold past events above her head. This is another thing that will make her vulnerable. Especially when she'll be able to compare herself with others. 

As for Rafa, I love that guy! He cares so much for Gaby and is her only constant in her life. The thing I loved to see in this character is that he's sweet and wants to make Gaby feel better about herself. Although this means he also keeps things from her that happened between them in the past. When Gaby doesn't want this, he does lose his temper and we see a glimpse of the old Rafa. Yet he'll do anything to help her and support her which I adore about this character. We now see the soft side of Rafa, although he won't disappoint us when he needs to come in action! 

I'd love to talk about another character too, but I've just decided not to. Only because I want you guys to find out for yourself! I do want to say that I loved the characters because they bring a lot of action and emotions in the book. There'll be passion, tension between loved ones, hard and sad moments but also a lot of action and toughness. For short: the characters didn't disappoint.

As for the plot, the action was on point and there! It's not that we only get action at the end of the book, no! We get more and this differs from fights against demons to fights in a bar so we get to see various fights but all of them created action and I lived for those moments.

If there isn't any action, they're busy with finding clues to where Jude might be or there are some very tension filled, drama, caring moments between my absolute ship! I absolutely ship Gaby and Rafa! Absolutely! So I really lived for the moments where they tried to soothe each other and make each other laugh, but I also loved the moments where they were angry at each other and tried to make up for it later on. This is me hoping  that my ship will become reality... I was keen on the fact that the action was alternated with soft, caring and filled with feels parts. 

Their friendship will also go to a whole new level, especially now they want to find Jude. Jude is important for the both of them so the plot will now take a very interesting turn on the twin brother. In my last review, on the first book, I said I wanted to know more about Jude. I guess the Bookgods have heard my prayers and they have responded to me! Yes, information about Jude will come at us and it won't be a few sentences! 

Other important things in the plot that I really loved was a closer look at the division between the Rephaim. It sorted a few things out that we might've been questioning before or that we started questioning in this book. It also made us see differences and how Gaby must've responded in the past and see her respond to things now. Meeting with both parts of the division and meeting new characters made this a very pleasant thing in the plot.

And of course, what are angels without Demons? NOTHING! This book will go even more in detail on Demons and we'll get to know more species of Demons which I enjoyed. Especially because there's something the Demons want to have very badly and none of them are ready to give it. Ever. 

Lastly, I want to underscore that there are a few plot twists in it. Not only at the ending, which by the way was such a surprise! Also with a few weird characters that'll be new in this book, there'll be a huge discovery which I got very excited about. Above that people from the past will be coming around and the news they bring is very, very mysterious. Plot twists are always an asset to a book in my opinion so I was happy! 

Overall, this book was better than the first. Not only did the characters show us their soft side, they also showed us yet again how strong they are and what they're capable of. They support each other and try to find the truth to the memory loss of Gaby and the loss of Jude. The book will take some interesting turns that will make sure you want the second book! The plot is very strong and takes turns in action and sentimental, caring moments between the characters. The division between the Rephaim and the Demons will also get a very big part in the book which I really was keen on because it gave us answers and new questions. This book never bored me, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait for more... I need more! By the way, I do recommend this series! 

"Because I'm not smart enough to give up, and you don't know how to."

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

3 Books I want to read in 2017

Before we get into this blogpost, I just wanted to wish everybody a very happy new year! I know, I know, we're already days into the new year we all call 2017! However, I want to wish everybody a good year with health and a lot of love. I hope you all get what you wish for in 2017, including all the books your little bookheart desires! If you read this, I'm also already busy filling in exams on college so I'm sorry if I'm MIA on Instagram, my blog should still be posting a review each Wednesday. Anyway, let's jump into the post!

Since it's a new year, I think it was time to go check my Goodreads' want to read-list and see which books I really want to read in the new year. Of course, I want to read all of them, obviously but I wanted to pick 3 books that I really HAD to read in 2017.

1. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
A book that's been on my reading list for a few months now is this book. The first time I came across it, I was absolutely mesmerized by its cover. Just the darkness in the back and then the girl in an amazing dress. Waw, just waw. The back of the book says the following:

16069030
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.


I just want to underscore that this book sounds amazing and thrilling and suspenseful. I mean "a story of deadly games"? YES! Kestrel hiding her growing love? HELL YES! And him having secrets? I can only imagine how this will go...

The reviews I've read about the book are very mixed. Some say they're very stereotype, others say they're relieved they finished the book and others say it's a good concept but are indecisive. However, the book does have a 4.04 stars out of 5 which I find a very good score for a book. Wendy Higgins, author of the Sweet Evil Trilogy says that "If you enjoy forbidden love, twisty plots, well-built fantasy, and gorgeous prose, this is for you. Amazing!" What a coincidence... I love all the things she just summed up. 

I'm really curious to this book and what it'll bring. Hopefully it won't disappoint me, but we shall see!

"Winning what you want may cost you everything you love..."

2. Reboot by Amy Tintera
A book I only found in November but really would love to read in 2017! I saw the book in Dutch in my local bookstore and first, I wasn't attracted to the book but then after a quick rundown of the other shelves, my eyes just went back to the book. And so I had to take it in my hands and read the back:


13517455Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.


This is something I've never read before. It doesn't score as good as The Winner's Curse, 3.92 out of 5 stars but I think it's still decent and shouldn't be that bad. Especially after I read the back of the book! I'm really interested and curious to where it'll lead, it really feels like a dystopian read and I'm ready for that!

"The perfect soldier is done taking orders."

3. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
A book that's been on my TBR-read for years, and I really mean years! It's about time I'm going to read this, ain't I? I don't know why this book always makes me doubt. I remember that the first time I found the book on Goodreads, I was sold and wanted to read it but now I don't know.

17228280
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . 


Also with this book, the opinions are very different from each other. Some are absolutely hyped about it and others aren't at all. I think the thing that makes me doubt is that I don't want to be disappointed? I don't know really but I really want to get it off my list and try it out. If it's not good, then it's not a shame. I tried. The plan is to read this book for Valentine's Day since the theme is love or maybe not. So I'll keep you posted on what I think!

"Are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?"

These were my three books I really want to read in this new year! If you've read any of these books and have any comments on them, please don't hesitate to respond or send me a message! If you've got other books you want to recommend, please do! I'm always looking for new books. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Antwerp Book Fair 2016

A little while back, back in November, I visited the annual Book Fair in Antwerp. Normally, I don't go there simply because the books are mostly in Dutch and I rather read in English. And it's also very busy and crowded and I like my personal space a lot! Yet this year around, I just had to go. I'd defy the big crowd, the warmth and the Dutch books because one of my most favorite authors was in town...

Afbeeldingsresultaat voor antwerpen boekenbeurs panoramas

For everyone who doesn't really get what happens there: the Antwerp Book Fair is in a massive building where publishers and bookstores get a spot and sell their books. Obviously! But there's more to it! Each year, the Book Fair let's authors from across the world come to the event to sign their books or to do an interview with or a quick chat and so on.

My first time going was in my 4th year of high school because of a task I had to do for my Dutch class. It was also then that I found a very interesting book that got me into reading. But that story is already explained in my blogpost 'How it all started, my book adventure'. Even back then, it was very crowded and I was glad to get out of the building! But I wasn't a reader at the time.

Obviously, because of that very interesting book I bought then, I became a proud book junkie. Yet I still couldn't make myself go to the Book Fair because of the same reasons listed in the introduction. I did check up on who would be signing each year. Yet there never was an author I read anything about. This year, that changed!

I posted the following picture on my Instagram a while back. Someone from the community had responded on the picture saying that Estelle Maskame was coming to the Antwerp Book Fair and if I knew? Well, thanks again @natulcien1980 for telling me because no, I didn't know! I was so enthusiastic about it that I couldn't wait for it.

Even though it fell in my midterm break, I did have exams the following week and I needed to study! But I promised that I would study well the first days of the break so I could go anyway. And guess who went? YES, me!

I read all her 3 books and I wanted them all signed so I brought them all. But my mother had another outstanding idea! Each Christmas, we exchange presents with my nieces and nephew. I remember that when I heard the book was translated in Dutch I wanted to give it to my niece because she loves reading (rather in Dutch though) and I knew it'd be something she'd enjoy. "Does she already have the book?" my mom had asked and I told her my plan for Christmas. "Maybe we could go get the book already and let it be signed?" That was the most amazing and crazy and fantastic idea I've ever heard! Before we went to the Book Fair, we bought the first book translated in Dutch and took it with us to the Book Fair.

Exactly as I remembered, the Book Fair was busy and I couldn't see one meter in front of me. It was absolutely PACKED! Which also concluded in people coming uninvited in my personal space, the whole building being a sauna on fire and people actually KICKED my BOOKS! I'm serious though! I had all those books with me, I had them in a bag that I carried around and people came so close and actually kicked the bag. Ever since then, I held them up on my shoulder to prevent more kicking my books.

Since we were early we went to one stand that had English books but the hall was so small, you couldn't cross others that were already standing there. This led to me going back out of it because I couldn't see anything anyway. Above that the books were actually very expensive. I could find them half their price on the site I always order my books.

It was two o'clock when I saw the first few people hanging out at the spot where Estelle Maskame was going to sign. So my mom and me decided to already wait too before the line got too long. We were second! SECOND! I was so happy to be in the beginning because she would only be signing one hour, then she had to go to the stage. We waited, and waited and waited and then suddenly she stood there and waw.

She was really nice! Absolutely amazingly, fantastically sweet and she talked to you and asked questions. All the while I was standing there not being able to force anything out unless she asked me something! I was just so overwhelmed and I was so happy! So she first signed my three books and then I asked her to write a Christmas message in the book for my niece. And she was like "Of course" and glad that I asked. She's so friendly guys! I also took a picture with her because obviously, this was a one in a life time opportunity. Last year in June she was in the Netherlands and I wanted to go but I had exams and therefore couldn't go at all. I was really sad about it but look at it now: I got to meet her! She's also my first ever author to meet and sign my books so it's also a big achievement in my eyes!


When that was all done, I was absolutely satisfied! My mom and me had also subscribed for a YA goodiebag because that day, it was YA convention day at the Book Fair. I already had seen people walking around with these cool bags and I wanted one so badly! Some even had two! I had none... But eventually it turned out that the goodiebags had the same kind of bag other people walked around with so I was yet again satisfied.

tote bag says: "Reading is for awesome people."
And of course, it's a Book Fair, so who doesn't go home with books? ...Me! I actually didn't buy any books but I did buy a tote bag I wanted to have for such a long time. I tried to order it but they said I needed to buy them in a package of 20. Who needs 20 tote bags? So here they were all by themselves. First we didn't find the one I wanted so I was picking another one. Until my mother tried to shove a bag out of the way so she could get me the one I just had picked. IT WAS THE ONE I WANTED! Speaking of  a coincidence! I already had seen a few people walking around with the bag I wanted desperately, but I thought they were sold out. I was lucky!

That really concludes my trip to the Antwerp Book Fair. I didn't buy any books, surprisingly, I did get a goodiebag and a tote bag I really wanted. And above that, I met with the most amazing writer on this planet! Estelle Maskame made my day! Now I got three signed books and one amazing signed Christmas present. Thank you Estelle for being so friendly and being on the Antwerp Book Fair, you made my dream come true!

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"No te rindas"