Friday Hops

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee.

This week's question: 
If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I LOVE this book. It made me cry and all but I was kinda not satisfied with the ending. I wanted to find out the hows.. I can't really say it without revealing anything. But it's still a great book!

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word and to connect with other bookworms, make new friends, support each other, share our love of books! 

This week's question:
What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation?

I can't wait for A Monster Calls, The Clockwork Prince, Lola and the Boy Next Door, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Faerie Ring, and Silence. I've been looking forward to the release of these books all year. Unfortunately, we only have dry and wet season here and it's wet season until next year of February. I also can't wait for our semestral break on October!!

TGIF is a weekly feature for Fridays hosted by Ginger at GReads! to re-cap the week’s posts and that has a different question each week.

This week's question:

Which book(s) would you put in the hands of today's teenagers in hopes of making a difference in their lives?

These books have impacted me greatly after reading them. I think these are great examples of books that teenagers like me should spend their time reading.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
All Melina Marchetta books

Don't forget to enter our giveaway here if you haven't! Have a great weekend everyone!

Guest Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Hardcover: 485 pages

Release date: March 27th, 2007

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Bought

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? 

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... 

One of the best books I’ve read this year.

The story revolves on three major characters: Clary Fray, Jace Wayland, and Simon (I really don’t know Simon’s surname.). Book one mainly centres on Clary discovering her true nature as a Shadowhunter while she gets help from new friends to find her lost mother. While at first reluctantly acknowledges the world of Shadowhunters, she discovers things little by little what makes someone being so different good.

The book itself is great! It’s actually nice to read a new series other than HP (although I never get tired of re-reading it) and to focus my attention to more action-packed YA novels. The characters were often very credible, but on other scenes, they make me confused. The story is perfectly woven by Clare, and many new terms were introduced (like Mundane, Runes, and the like) so new to me it’s often confusing. Anyhow, the story depicts some serious butt-kicking scenes that make me want to jump, like the scene where they run on vampires on Hotel Dumort. The book also features many mythical creatures, not just vampires and werewolves, but also faeries and warlocks.

I think that the most relatable topic here on the book is the topic about friends falling in love with another. Clare takes a serious tone on this topic and managed to do well. Girls who are independent, strong and at the same time vulnerable, can relate well to Clary. The main theme the novel shows is being strong. Clare writes characters that are so bold and strong it’s so magnificent to read.

The factors that I liked the most in this book are the story and the characters. They blend so well that the vivid pictures form in my head when I read it. My favourite part of the book is the part where Clary managed to kill a Ravener demon by using Jace’s Sensor. On contrast with my favourite part, my least favourite part of the book is the part where Valentine and Jace reveal to Clary that Clary and Jace are siblings. So much for the romance.

The book intimidated me to read it because of the rave reviews written about it. And they were right. It’s so amazing. Have I already said that it’s one of the best books I’ve read so far? It blows my mind whenever I sit and read the spellbinding story Clare had written.
I surely recommend this book to all YA book lovers, and to those who want to switch to action-packed novels.

Patrick

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Try Not to Breathe

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I found these two while browsing on Goodreads. The titles and covers caught my attention. Just from the summaries, I know these would be awesome. Can't wait for next year! Seems like contemporary YA are one of the genres to rule 2012.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Hardbound: 256 pages

Release date: January 2nd, 2012

Publisher: Poppy

Goodreads Summary: Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard  

Hardcover: 272 pages

Release date: January 19th, 2012

Publisher: Viking

Goodreads summary: Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again. 

What are you anxiously waiting on this week? Just leave a comment of the link to your WoW post!

Don't forget to enter our First Ever Giveaway if you haven't!

Top Ten Tuesday (2): Books You Loved But Never Wrote A Review For

Button from The Grammarian's Review

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This week is about either books you loved and couldn't bring yourself to write a review for or books that you read long before blogging.
I decided not to include those books I always mention and loved but also never reviewed.

(In no particular order)

• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater: I read this in late 2009 after finishing the Twilight Saga. It sparked my interest since it's all about werewolves and I've had heard great things about it. It did not disappoint! I loved it so much, especially Maggie's writing.

• Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh: I know. I was first taken aback after reading a few pages of this one. It was completely not what I expected to be. Still not appropriate for my age but I think this series is amazing. 

• Graceling by Kristin Cashore: I think this one of the best YA fantasy I've ever read. Mary Ann lent me this one October last year. The heroine was one of my favorites and the author just managed to blew me away.

• Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward: Another adult fantasy series I dared to read. I just thought of exploring outside of my comfort zone and decided to read this series last summer. I loved it so much. The romance was still too much for me but the books are still my favorites nonetheless. JR Ward introduced me to vampires who don't much favor feeding off from humans for a change. And I think it's brilliant.  

• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: Oookay. So this one's an all-time favorite. I tried writing a review for it but found myself unable to. Let's just say it's a MUST READ for anyone. I can't imagine a person who wouldn't at least like it.

• Please Ignore Vera Dietz: I always thought this should be way more popular than it already is. It is also a Printz Honor awardee for this year. I loved how this doesn't have any romance yet I still think it's fantastic. Vera Dietz is effortlessly classy.

• Divergent by Veronica Roth: I don't probably have to say why.This would be as famous as THG and I don't have anything bad to say about it. I know I'm pretty biased because all Dystopian books I read, I loved. I didn't even attempt to write my thoughts about it because I know I couldn't

• Dekada '70 by Lualhati Bautista: I am so proud of this book. This was assigned to us to read for school last year in my Filipino subject. It's not  YA and it's about the life of a family during Martial law period. I believe that this should be translated into different languages and show its awesomeness in the whole world. 

• After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick: Another award-winning book from Pennsylvania. It's the sequel of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie which I  also loved. It's very poignant and hilarious and I fell inlove with the characters from the start.

 Comment with your list or your link to it so we can check them out!

Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Hardcover: 257 pages

Release date: February 14th, 2012

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: NetGalley

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

After reading this book, my first thought was to reread and go through its brilliance over again. Another was: This book is one of the reasons why I love contemporary. The idea that this might happen to someone in real life is tremendous. It was also the first time that I got hooked from the very first page because most of my favorites are quite dull at the beginning. I just wish they gave the summary it deserves. It would not have strike me as interesting if it wasn’t for the cover and rating.

Lucy is obsessed with finding Shadow, the artist who paints great canvasses around the city with his friend, Poet. We all know at the beginning that Ed is Shadow and he and Lucy know each other quite well from two years ago. Their story is a proof that the person you’re looking for might be standing right in front of you. You just have to stop looking and start seeing.

I loved how Cath Crowley incorporated art. She made it be appreciated even by those who don’t have a talent with it. I have felt like I’ve delved into Lucy and Ed’s head every time they describe and give meaning to every graffiti moon Shadow and Poet made. The sense of peace Lucy felt, I felt. And I don’t blame her for liking Shadow’s character. His depth as an artist was as profound as when he is Ed.

Ed, Lucy, Leo, and even Jazz were very remarkable characters. I guess ‘remarkable’ is an understatement since I’ll remember them for a long time. Ed is an introvert and a very flawed guy. It’s a great move for Crowley to create a main character that had loved someone else before the heroine. It made him more real and just like Lucy, it makes my hope soar high for a living guy like him. Lucy is consumed with the idea of meeting her potential Mr. Right, Shadow. She’s peculiar in a way but I think that what makes her really cool. She’s a no-nonsense person and a kind of girl I’d want to have as a friend in real life. The way she sees and interprets what she perceives is enviable. She and Ed are like two puzzle pieces fit for each other.

The book also has a few chapters written in poetry from Leo aka Poet’s POV. All of them are short but enough to know what’s on his mind. I’m not a big fan of poetry but I had fun reading it on this one.

Graffiti Moon is full of passion for art and literature, hope, romance, and adventure. I therefore conclude that Australian YA authors are to watch out for. It’s pathetic since Melina Marchetta and Markus Zusak are both Australians and I came into realization just now.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kopf Books for Young Readers for providing an e-galley of this book. 

Completely smitten!!