Top 16 Books of 2016

Hey, guys!

      This year I read 105 books. I'm not exactly positive on my actual number system, but my only definite book would be my #1 book: A Court of Mist & Fury by Sarah J. Maas. I just loved this book so much. It has stuck with me all year and I cannot wait until

1. A Court of Mist & Fury (A Court of Thorns & Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas
2. The Crown (The Selection #5) by Kiera Cass
3. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
4. Illuminae (The Illuminae Chronicles #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
5. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
6. The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan
7. The Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8) by J.K. Rowling
8. The Siren by Kiera Cass
9. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
10. The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2) by Rick Riordan
11. Cress & Winter by Marissa Meyer
12. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
13. Textrovert by Lindsay Summers
14. Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell
15. Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis
16. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

      I'm so happy with the books that I read this year. I read some really great books and I've been introduced to some really fantastic authors that I plan on reading more of. I'm so excited to read more this year and read some fantastic 2017 releases. If you'd like to check out the books I'm most excited to read this year, then check out my Most Anticipated 2017 Releases blog post! There are so many books that I'm excited to read. There's no way that I'm going to read them all, but a girl can try!

Happy reading, everyone!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~
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{Non-Spoiler & Spoiler} Harry Potter & The Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8) by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne

Page Count: 343

Published on: July 31, 2016

Published by: Little Brown UK & Arthur A. Levine Books

Genre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult, Plays, 

Source: Hardback

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @jk_rowling

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I've been absolutely ecstatic about The Cursed Child for over a year now and on August 2nd my amazing Aunt Michele brought me a copy of The Cursed Child that she had pre-ordered for me months ago. When I started this book, I was a mess of emotions. Although this book didn't affect me emotionally like the other books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I absolutely adore the story and that J.K. & Tiffany & Thorne had this play/screenplay written in a dual perspective. I loved reading from Albus Severus's perspective and I loved reading from Older Harry's point-of-view. I loved reading about how my favorite characters' lives were going and I loved meeting their children. It was a privilege to read this book.

      The Cursed Child was set up in a different format and pace, which was much different than reading the other books. The Cursed Child was in a screenplay format and was much faster than the other books. It felt kind of rushed, but I think it would be a really great full-length novel and I know it would be a really great play. The thing about screenplays and written plays are that they aren't really meant to be only read, but are supposed to be watched. Don't go into this book thinking it will be like the other books, because it's not. It's a play. Don't make it out to be anything different.

      It also reminded me of really well-written fanfiction screenplay. Which wasn't bad, but some of the old characters didn't act like their normal selves. It also kind of reminded me of STARKID'S A Very Potter Musical. Some of the mannerisms of the characters and the plot choices reminded me of the plays. You'd have to watch the 3 musicals to understand. I think I'm going to consider The Cursed Child to be something separate from the Harry Potter series. I mean I know it takes place 19 years later, but it's still not real to me...Maybe it will feel real when I reread it again... Even a few weeks later, it hasn't really sunk in..I can't imagine the story being completely canon.

      Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but I had a few problems with it. The reason that I gave this book 5 stars was because it was a privilege to read another Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling is one of my all time favorite authors and one of the best authors ever. I love love love her. It's kind of impossible for me to I can't really get into the bits I had questions about without revealing spoilers, so if you have read the book then read on! If you haven't read the book, I don't recommend that you continue unless you..just don't care. So if you haven't read the book then continue on past the spoilers section!

~~~

Spoilers! Read At Your Own Risk!

• For one, I didn't trust Delphi for the whole book, but I really didn't see that ending coming...
• Scorpius is such a sweet boy! He's a sweet little cupcake. I totally love the friendship between Albus and Scorpius. They're such boys and total idiots. I see a lot of Ron & Harry in them. I also really wish that Draco and Harry had become friends towards the end of the Harry Potter series. I loved their interactions throughout The Cursed Child. I'm so glad they're on good terms now.
• Time turners! I loved that we found out more about time turners and how there were different types. If the book were written out I feel like we would get even more information about the different types.
• I didn't like Amos Diggory's attitude in the beginning of the book, but I totally get it now. He was Confunded or the Imperious curse was used on him...I really hate Delphi...
• When Harry started having dreams and his scar started bugging him again, I literally put my book down and walked around my house to mull over what could happen. I couldn't just dive back into the book! I wasn't ready! 
• The Trolly Witch! Wow! I didn't think they would flesh out a character like hers. It was kind of random, to be honest.
• Oh my gosh! Hermione! I didn't surprise me that Hermione would be the Minister Of Magic, but I really thought she would have been a teacher or something. 
• How did Bellatrix have a baby? In prison? There is a plot hole, guys...This would have been explained if the play were a full-length book...JUST SAYING!
• Polyjuice. It took months to create in book two! How did they have it made at the end of the book? Did Delphi have the stuff made before she started her evil plot???

END OF SPOILERS

      I really hope that J.K. Rowling writes out the book or enables the Harry Potter community to be able to see the whole play live. If the screenplay was written as a full-length novel, I'm sure that it would be at least 500 pages. I desperately want a 500+ page book. I also need to reread the Harry Potter series. I may have a full month of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It would be a fantastic month if I could reread some of my favorite books. Not to mention nostalgic. It would be a great way to destress during the first couple months of college too. 

Comment down below if you'd be interested in reading those reviews!

Happy reading!

Olivia 
~LivTheBookNerd~

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August 2016 Favorites

Hey, guys!

      It's been 4 months since I've done a favorites post. I figure I should do one for each month because they're fun to write and I usually have some favorites each month...because I usually have a monthly obsession...or obsessions. Anyway, I have a few August Favorites/Obsessions...so here they are!

1. Hamilton 

      Okay, so I finally listened to Hamilton during the later half of July and all through August. I love this musical so much. The lyrics are flawless, the music is gorgeous, the actors are fantastic, and Lin-Manuel Miranda is a hilarious and talented bean. I can't wait to see where he goes in life. Hamilton is one of the most talked subjects in pop-culture right now. I can't go a day where it doesn't pop up on my Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter feed. I've managed to buy the 2-CD soundtrack and a historical fiction novel based on Alexander Hamilton & Elizabeth Hamilton's struggles and their lives after Alexander's affair with Maria Reynolds until his death in 1804 called The Hamilton Affair. I plan on reading The Hamilton Affair sometime in September. 

Favorite Songs: Alexander Hamilton (#1), My Shot (#3), You'll Be Back (#7), Helpless (#10), Satisfied (#11), History Has Its Eyes On You (#19), It's Quiet Uptown (#41), Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story (#46)

  

2. Gilmore Girls

      As I'm writing this list, I'm currently on episode 17 of season 4, but I'm sure that I will get to season 5 in the last week of my summer break. I'm loving this show. I love Lorelai and Rory and their shenanigans. I'm rooting for Luke and Lorelai to get together, but I'm sure that Lorelai will have a couple more beaus before she figures out that she loves Luke. She has to. I'm so proud of Rory. At this moment, she's just started her freshman year at Yale, and watching her has some how put me at ease when it comes to starting at Indiana University. I'm actually really excited for college (thank you Bridge Program), and I love how much I connect with Rory. She is much more academically incline...or at least she's a different type of book smart. She likes to read like I do, but she reads a lot of books that I have no interest in reading at this moment. Anyway, I can't wait to catch up and get ready for the revival show. I see a lot of hype on Twitter and Facebook, and I have high hopes. 

Favorite Characters: Lorelai, Rory, & Luke

Least Favorite Character: Emily Gilmore

Favorite Rory Ship: Dean x Rory

Favorite Lorelai Ship: Lorelai x Luke

3. The Flower Crown Snapchat Filter

...Yes, I know it's basic and dumb, but I don't usually use Snapchat because my device is too old to support it. My grandma just got Snapchat on her phone to send silly pictures to my uncle and I played around with the filters with my sisters and I really love this one. I also went over to my friend Blaine's house and we horsed around with the filters and acted like idiots. Here are a couple pictures haha.

4. The Indianapolis Museum of Art

I went to IMA with my summer bridge group in the beginning of August and we had so much fun. I loved the art, the building, everything. One of my favorite pieces in the museum was actually in the lobby. I'm not sure what it was called but it was totally epic. There were like 200 books hanging from a metal frame contraption by cables and zip-ties. I spent more time gawking at this exhibit than I did the others...I loved it so much. I didn't manage to see Funky Bones in the gardens, but I'm definitely going back again in the future to explore the gardens.

     

Randoms:

• Pens. I'm using them more and more and realizing that I can't erase when I mess up while pre-pre-writing reviews. It's a work in process ;)
• Candy Cane Chapstick. I use it every day and it's such a great lip balm... 10/10 would recommend. I hope I can find more because I don't know what I'll do when I run out...This stuff is amazing!

• My laptop. Again, I use it every day to work on reviews and get online. I also added stickers this month that is pretty cool, but awkwardly placed. I'll probably get more stickers in the future, but until then my computer is awkward like me.

Those are what I've been loving this month! Until next time!

Happy reading

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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[Non-Spoiler & Spoiler] A Court of Mist & Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Page Count: 640
Published on: May 3, 2016

Published by: Bloomsbury

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Romance, High Fantasy, Adventure,
Source: Hardback

Age Rating: PG-17 - explicit sexual content WARNING

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @sjmaas

My Rating: 10/5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     Holy crap guys! This book was absolutely fantastic! This will definitely be one of my all-time favorite books. This book is ART! I couldn't put this book down! Trust me when I say that I don't give this high of a rating lightly. This book exceeded my expectations and it lived up to the hype that the bookish community gave it. A Court Of Mist & Fury has been one of my most anticipated 2016 releases ever since I read A Court Of Thorns & Roses last June. Sarah J. Maas is a masterful writer. Her characters are so wonderfully developed and their emotions were so real and raw. Words cannot express how much I adore this book...but I'm going to try. Three pages of notes, don't let me down!

      I'm not sure how SJM successfully changed my allegiance to my ship with one book, but she did. Feysand is my ultimate ship now. Rhysand is such a fantastic character. He's so dynamic and raw. I adore everything about him. His role in this book was wonderfully done and I can't wait to see where book three goes. I can't wait to find out more about Velaris, the spy stuff, Cassian, Mor & Az, the relationship between the Night Court and the Summer Court, the three queens, how Tamlin treats Feyre, Elaine & Nesta, and Lucien. 

This has also been called a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, but when I read it I would only call the first 150 pages a retelling because the rest was something completely original.

There are definitely some rated R scenes in this book, so I don't really recommend this book to a younger audience. If you're younger than 16 then....ask your parents?

      I adored this book. I may be my favorite book that I've read this year. I can't wait to read the third book. If I could give this book a rating it would be 5 stars...no it would be 10 stars .. out of 5 stars.

~ end of non-spoiler section--head to end of review ;) ~

      This book had a lot of aspects to it that were great messages for people in relationships. Feyre had to realize that the first man who loves her may not be the only option. She had to realize that after she returned from Under the Mountain, she wasn't the same person that she was before. Tamlin treated her like she would break if she was even outside. He ignored her needs and neglected to consider her mental and physical well-being. If your significant other can't help support and love you through the bad times, then they don't deserve to love you through the good times.

     Rhysand was definitely my favorite character in this book...it may be my huge crush on him...it may be because he's my newest book boyfriend..you read between the lines ;). He was there for Feyre when no one else was. He also didn't force her to love him. Their relationship was very natural and the banter between them was very hilarious to read. Their magical "texting" was really hilarious. I loved the banter between them throughout the book, though, not just their texting sessions. While Rhys would be helping Feyre hone and perfect her powers, they would be fighting half the time and it was just really funny to watch because I was just muttering the whole time "they're so in love....just kiss already!"


     Tamlin's character was so frustrating. At first his characters shift was quite abrupt, but if one compares his personality in the first book to the second, you'd realize that it's not too far fetched. His protecting and His actions, actually, weren't very surprising. They were a bit jarring at first, but when you compare his attitude towards Feyre in ACOTAR, especially towards the end, his behavior didn't surprise me. 

     The there are many difference between Tamlin and Rhy's attitudes towards how Feyre should deal with her PTSD. Tamlin wanted her to conceal her powers and feelings, stay inside, and don't take any chances in getting hurt. He didn't want to meet her half way. Feyre and Tamlin dealt with their problems all wrong, but even when Feyre started to turn to him for emotional help, he refused to talk to her and refused to talk about what he needed too. Rhys could tell there was something wrong through the bond. When Feyre called out for help through the bond for help, he came and took her away..on two occasions. He taught her to read and write and to protect herself. He taught her to love herself and to take care of herself. He wanted her to heal and to be the best person she could be. 

I love how SJM added more characters to the story. I loved Morrigan, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren. They were all so different, but I fell in love with each of their characters. I can't wait to read more about Cassian's wings and Azriel & Mor's relationship. I really really ship Nesta and Cassian as well. I can't wait to see if that ship sails. I almost ship Lucien and Elaine too... I can't wait to see what happens next.

Little comments about the book:

• Tamlin literally needs therapy. He needs help. He just bugs me now. 
• Lucien needs to reconsider his loyalties...I'm mean seriously! Help Feyre out! She was withering away!
• Feyre is going to be a total badass in ACOTR #3! I cannot wait!
• Velaris is so beautiful! I cannot wait to read about it again. When they were defending Velaris from King Hybern I was literally on the edge of my seat! I refused to put my book down. It also represented the change in Feyre.
• The mating ceremony! I was crying! Holy crap! Chapter 55! 
• Oh the whole ring ordeal with the Weaver! I was cracking up when I found out what that was about. 
• I really hope that The Night Court fixes relations with the Summer Court. I really liked Tarquin's character. 
• I'd also like to know more about the other courts. The map in the book was a really nice touch. It was nice to know where they were going and what they were talking about.
• During the StarFall celebration, I got all of the warm and fuzzy feelings. I loved Feyre and Rhy's interaction
• The throne scene...enough said...
• I can't wait to learn more about Amren. She was such a new and original character. She might be a vampire, but probably not..I doubt it.

~end of spoilers~

I'm sure there's more that I left out, but if you can't tell, I really love this book. There wasn't really anything that I didn't love. I highly recommend this book!

Favorite Character: Rhysand

Least Favorite Character: King Hybern

Ship(s): Feysand, Lucien x Elaine, Nesta x Cassian, Mor x Az

Book Talks You Should Watch:

• Christine from polandbananasbooks
• I loved Christine's comment about the Cauldron and how it looked like a bath tub..."Cauldron juice"
• Sasha from abookutopia

This book was absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to read the next book. I desperately need an ARC of the third book. I can't wait to see what the title and cover art will be. If you'd like to witness my all of my fangirl-y posts about this book, then follow me on Tumblr! I probably reblog more fanart than I should... 

Until next time y'all!

Happy Reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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