November 2015 Wrap Up!!!

Hey guys! 

November is over and that means it's almost Christmas time! Woo! This November I read 7 books. It's been a busy month with school and family. There's been so much going on but I've managed to read 7 books!

Here are the books I read this November!

1. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

This was the first book that I had read this month and I didn't as like it as much as I thought. I think the book was over-hyped just a bit, but it wasn't bad at all. I really enjoyed the characters and I really enjoyed the dystopian alien invasion concept. I'm definitely going to read The Infinite Sea & The Last Star. I'm really excited for the movie to be released and I'm definitely going to go see it with my friends.

You Can Check My Review Here: {click here}

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon 

My Rating: 4 stars

2. The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The second book that I read this month was The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness. I also was a little disappointed by my first Patrick Ness book. It wasn't bad at all. I actually really like it. I just felt like Patrick Ness' work is a bit over-hyped, but maybe I just need to read more of his books. I really hope Patrick Ness writes more of Jared's story. I really loved his character.

You Can Check My Review Here: {click here}

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon 

My Rating: 4.5 stars

3. Burn Baby Burn Baby by Kevin Craig

Burn Baby Burn Baby was sent to me by Kevin Craig, and I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting, and the whole concept of the book was pretty cool. The ending was kinda satisfying, but also kinda unsatisfying. I'm not sure if I'll read anymore of Kevin's writing but I'm not totally against it. 

You Can Check My Review Here: {click here}

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon 

My Rating: 4.25 stars

4. Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg

I loved this book! This book was definitely my favorite book that I read this month. Penny and Noah's relationship gave me all the feels. I literally felt so many emotions while reading this book. I really hope Zoe writes more of Penny and Noah's story because I can't get enough. She maybe an amateur writer, but I absolutely adore her books.

You Can Check My Review Here: {click here}

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

5. Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel by Megan Morrison

My grandparents bought be a copy of this book when we went to a school function at my old middle school. They were having a dinner and a book fair with books from Scholastic. I finally read it this month and at first I wasn't sure if I'd like it at all, but I ended up adoring it. This story has such a unique concept and I adore the magic land that it takes place in. I hope that Megan Morrison writes some more novels that take place in her world. 

You Can Check My Review Here: {click here}
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It's been at least 4 years since I've read The Hunger Games. The trilogy was a huge trend when I was in middle school, and everyone in my class was rushing to read it. I absolutely adored this series when I read it. When I was rereading it, I realized how much I missed the characters, and how much I love Peeta and Katniss...but I really really love Peeta. This is one of my all time favorite books and one of my all time favorite trilogies.

My review will be up soon!

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

7. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

So, as soon as I finished The Hunger Games I jumped right into Catching Fire. Once again, I love Peeta...he's such a sweet guy and he's just basically the perfect book boyfriend. These books are so phenomenally written, the characters are so well developed, and the setting and the action is so well thought out and I never feel like Suzanne is leaving anything out.

My review will be coming soon!

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

       I'm really proud of myself for reading 7 books this month. This November has been pretty stressful, but I'm glad that I've read these beautiful books. I'm currently reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, the third and last book in the Hunger Game trilogy. I'm a little over half way through, but I'm not sure when I'll finish it. I just got back from a 5-day Thanksgiving holiday and I have a huge paper and a speech due toward the end of the semester which I'll be working on for the next two weeks. I'm really excited to dig into some more beautiful books and I hope I'm able to finish off this year with reading 130 books. I've read 124 books so far, and I think I'll be able to pull off 130...

Keep an eye out for my reviews for Grounded, Girl Online On Tour, and my joint review of The Hunger Games Trilogy! I think I will post a December TBR soon, and I will post a TBR on the LivTheBookNerd Instagram account. Make sure to follow the Instagram for my reading updates. I tend to update on Instagram and Goodreads more than Twitter. I hope you guys read so many amazing books this month! Comment down below your favorite read this month!

My Favorite Read This Month: Girl Online On Tour 
Favorite Re-read: The Hunger Games
Number of Pages Read This Month: 2441 pages (+257 pages of MJ) = 2698 pages total! 

Enjoy & Happy Reading!
Olivia
~livthebooknerd~
Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // Bloglovin

Burn Baby Burn Baby by Kevin Craig

Page Count: 147

Published on: December 11th 2014 

Published by: Curiosity Quills Press

Genre(s): Coming of Age, YA, Contemporary, Fiction
Source: Print: Paperback (Sent to me by Kevin (: )

Age Rating: PG-15

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @KevinTCraig

My Rating: 4.25 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Francis Fripp’s confidence is practically non-existent since his abusive father drenched him in accelerant and threw a match at him eight years ago.

Now badly scarred, Francis relies on his best friend Trig to protect him from the constant bullying doled out at the hands of his nemesis, Brandon Hayley—the unrelenting boy who gave him the dreaded nickname of Burn Baby.

The new girl at school, Rachel Higgins, is the first to see past Francis’s pariah-inducing scars.

If Brandon’s bullying doesn’t destroy him, Francis might experience life as a normal teenager for the first time in his life. He just has to avoid Brandon and convince himself he’s worthy of Rachel’s attentions.

Sounds easy enough, but Francis himself has a hard time seeing past his scars. And Brandon is getting violently frustrated, as his attempts to bully Francis are constantly thwarted.

Francis is in turmoil as he simultaneously rushes toward his first kiss and a possible violent end.

~~~

Hey guys!

       I was sent Burn Baby Burn Baby by Kevin Craig, and let me tell you. I was so excited to receive it. I've been interested in Kevin's book for a while because I had seen pictures regarding his work on Instagram, and nothing negative about it. When I received BBBB in the mail I was really surprised about how thin the book was and I was actually really skeptical if Kevin could fit a legitimate and well thought out contemporary that dealt with such serious issues. 

        Burn Baby Burn Baby is about Francis who is covered in scars on half of his body. Francis is constantly bullied by a guy named Brandon, which causes Francis to be really uncomfortable with himself. Francis deals with a lot of issues whether they be with his self image or if it's with his family life. When Francis meets the new girl Rachel, he is faced with new challenges such as facing his fears head on and accepting himself for who he is.

        There were only a couple things I didn't like. I really didn't like how much France drank, and I didn't really think it was really realistic when France and his best friend and best friend's girlfriend drank all the time, and I didn't really find it believable when Trig and his girlfriend did the dirty in France's basement. I don't know if people actually do that in real life, but I've never experienced it so I just found it really awkward and even kind of unneeded. I also think that Rachel's appearance and sudden attraction to France was a bit too predictable. I also thought that the ending was really abrupt..but it kind of worked. I actually really hope Kevin writes some more of France's story, or even Trig or Rachel's stories...I'd read it.

        I really liked Kevin's writing style. It was really simple but very impact-full. I really liked his characters. I enjoyed how France's character progressed throughout the story when he spent time with Rachel. I'm not sure if I ship Francis and Rachel because the novel was so short, and I don't think I really have a connection with the characters that I usually have with the characters in other contemporary or even fantasy or science fiction novels. i didn't feel like Kevin's writing was really amateurish or anything, I felt like Kevin really put his all in this one. I really liked it.       

        Overall I really liked this book. It wasn't the very best contemporary, but the way Keven dealt with the feelings of someone who's bullied was really well done, and I really enjoyed it. This is also a really quick read, so it wouldn't take that long to read. I would have read it in one sitting if I hadn't been so busy with classes, but if I had had the time it would have been a piece of cake.

My Favorite Character: I don't have one

My Least Favorite Character: Brandon

Enjoy!
Happy reading!
Olivia
~livthebooknerd~
Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // Bloglovin

Top 5 Wednesday [#6]: Middle Grade Fantasy Series

Hey guys! 

        It is once again the middle of the week...Wednesday! I decided that today I wanted to discuss my favorite middle grade fantasy series. These are the series that are aimed to catch the attention of kids ages 11-15..but actually it could catch the attention of kids ages 10 to 25 or older. These are the series that I enjoyed from an early age. I read my first Harry Potter book when I was 11 or 12, I read my first Percy Jackson book when I was 12, I actually started the Gregor books when I was 14 and finished them within a week or so.. Here they are!

~~~

#1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 

"It's important to remember that we all have magic inside us."~Dumbledore~

It actually took a while for me to hop onto the Hogwarts Express and join the amazing world of Harry Potter. It wasn't until when I was in 6th grade, age 12&13, that I started the books. This was also the time when I started going through puberty and struggling with school. My mom had been reading the books, and highly recommended me to read them. I actually had the books taken away from me because I wasn't focusing on school, I was focusing on reading the Harry Potter books. I literally scrounged around the classroom libraries to find a Harry Potter book. I managed to find the second book and read it a second time, even though I was most likely into the 3rd book, or in the beginning of the 4th book. My twin sister Sarah & I would compete to see who could finish first and get the next book first to read...such good times! We managed to pass down the Harry Potter books to our 8 year old sister and she read them just as quickly. We cherish J.K. Rowling's books in our house. mSatah and I have read them all at least 5 times each, and we never ever get sick of them. J.K. Rowling's books are masterpieces.

My Series Rating: 10/5 stars

Where To Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon

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#2. The Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

"The world was collapsing and the only thing that really mattered to me was that she was alive." 

I just adore Rick's writing. He's just got this writing style and these characters that you wholeheartedly love and get attached to. I was so excited to know that Rick was continuing Percy's story in The Heroes of Olympus series. I feel as if The Heroes of Olympus books are just as good as the original Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I just really recommend these books. They ares o beautifully written. 

You can check out my review of The Blood Of Olympus here: {click here}!
My Ratings: 5 stars (for them all)
Where To Find Them: (PJ) Goodreads // Amazon
                                    (HOO) Goodreads // Amazon

~~~

#3. The Inkworld Trilogy by Cornelia Funke

"Books have to be heavy because the whole world is inside them."

The Inkworld trilogy by Cornelia Funke is a trilogy that is near & dear to my heart. It's kind of what kept be reading when I started to feel insecure about how much I read. I relate to Meggie on a personal level. I've read the Inkworld trilogy so many times, and Inkheart maybe 6 or 7 times. I just adore the way Cornelia writes, and her writing literally makes me feel as if I could hop into the book. I desperately want to have "a silver tongue". I think that would be fantastic.
My Series Rating: 5 stars
Where To Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon

~~~

#4. Gregor The Overlander by Suzanne Collins

"I'm not exactly sure what you expect me to do. I mean I'm just a kid..."

I was on my spring vacation and my family was on its way to Florida, and my mamaw was raving about this series that was written by The Hunger Games author...she told me it had giant talking bats, rats, and cockroaches and I was totally intrigued! These books and the whole world is so cool and unique and original. Suzanne Collins is such an amazing writer. She's just so talented! I literally read this series within a couple weeks! I couldn't put it down! I definitely want to reread this series really soon!

My Series Rating: 5 stars

Where To Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon

~~~

#5. The School For Good & Evil trilogy by Soman Chainani

"Love. It's why good wins every story. They fight for each other. We [evil] can only fight for ourselves."

I found this series this past summer and I feel totally in love with it. The Last Ever After actually came out in July this year and I just loved it so much asljfalfj. You can check out my full reviews up and you can check them out here!

The School For Good & Evil: {click here}

A World Without Princes: {click here}

The Last Ever After: {click here}

Where To Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon 

~~~

I hope y'all enjoyed this Top 5 Wednesday post! I plan on doing some YouTube videos in the future! I just need to see if the camera I want to use will shoot good videos. 

Enjoy!
Happy Reading!
Olivia
~livthebooknerd~
Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // Bloglovin

The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Page Count: 336

Published on: October 6, 2015

Published by: HarperTeen

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal, Contemporary, LGBTQ, Science Fiction
Source: Print: Hardback

Age Rating: PG-12

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon 

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Twitter: @Patrick_Ness

Goodreads synopsis:

What if you aren’t the Chosen One? The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

~~~

Hey guys!

       I saw The Rest Of Us Just Live Here featured on the Epic Reads (HarperTeen) YouTube channel and the whole concept really intrigued me and I told myself I'd either get it from my local public library or I'd buy it. Well, I saw it at Target one day and I bought it for myself for my birthday...and I got it for 20% off and it was signed! Not only is the book really cool to look it at...it's GLOW IN THE DARK!!! HOW COOL IS THAT! I also really like the little artistic touches in the book that Patrick Ness included. On the page that was signed by Mr. Ness, there was a little illustration of Patrick Ness (which was also on the front -- the little reading guy in the second row) and it was just super cute. 

       The Rest Of Us Just Live Here is narrated by Mikey. Mikey is not an indie kid. Indie kids are always up to something, and usually their shenanigans lead to the school being blown up. Mikey just wants to survive high school and go to prom with Henna. "Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life."

       While I liked TROUJLH, I feel like it was missing something that makes it a 5 star book in my eyes. Maybe I just didn't connect with the characters as much as I would like, I'm not sure. I really liked the characters, and I really really liked the little blurbs that kept you up to date with what the indie kids were doing. I actually really want a book that's dedicated to a half indie-half normal kid, Jared. Jared is worshiped by all kinds of cats and he's 1/3 god. I think his story should be told, and I hope Patrick Ness writes his story next. I think everyone will enjoy this book. It has all the elements of a contemporary novel, but it also has the elements of a fantasy or paranormal book because there are magical events that occur in the back ground. 

        Fans of Harry Potter & Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda will love The Rest Of Us Just Live Here. If you love a good contemporary or a fantastical fantasy, you will definitely love this book. 

Favorite Character: Mikey or Jared

Least Favorite Character: Henna -- I feel like she took advantage of Mikey. He deserved better than him.

Enjoy! Happy reading!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // Bloglovin

[Reviews With Courtney]: The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Page Count: 213

Published on: February 1, 1999

Published by: MTV Books & Pocket Books

Genre(s): Coming of Age, YA, Contemporary, Fiction
Source: Print: Paperback

Age Rating: PG-15

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @stephencchbosky

Courtney's Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. 

~~~

Hey guys! 

It's Courtney and I'm back to review one of my favorite books in the whole world. I hope you enjoy! 

I've owned The Perks of Being a Wallflower for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't till this year that I sat down and watched it. Going into the movie I had no clue what it was about. All I knew was it was raved about and some of the people in my life that I trusted were in love with it. I fell in love and knew I had to have the book. 

This month my English teacher gave us assignment to write an author of our choice. I knew instantly it was going to be Stephen Chbosky. That same day I sat in our schools library and ordered it from Amazon. I have since read the book 3 times. 

This book changed me. I know that sounds cliché but it's true. Charlie taught me a lot about myself. And the book in general slapped me in the face when I needed it. My favorite quote from the book is "we accept the love we think we deserve." It stopped me dead in my tracks when I read it. To be honest I was in a relationship with a not so nice guy. I thought I loved him but I didn't. I accepted his love because for a while I thought that's all that I deserved. I deserve so much more than what he had to offer.  

Charlie also taught that you can love someone but know nothing about them. He says "I knew what to buy Sam and Patrick, but I didn't know what I could buy or give for my own dad." I know what he means. I know my parents but I don't really "know" them. That needs to change. I also encourage you to get to know your parents more if you don't already. They will only be here for so long. Don't regret not knowing them when their gone. 

This is a book I will one day pass on to my children. It will a book that will be forever close to my heart. 

Thank you guys for reading!
Courtney
{Instagram}

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I hope you guys enjoyed Courtney's review of The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky! I plan on reading Perks really really soon!

Enjoy!
Happy reading!
Olivia
~livthebooknerd~
Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // Bloglovin