P.S I Still Love You

P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han

Released: 5/26/15.

"Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?"

After indulging and practically gulping down To All The Boys I've Loved Before, I couldn't resist and had to add the second book, P.S. I Still Love You to my birthday wish list!

On my birthday I was lucky enough to receive my very own copy, and couldn't contain my excitement!! If you haven't read any of Jenny Han's books, you NEED to! They are absolutely amazing and I recommend starting with these two.

If you don't know what the first book in this duology is all about, you can go ahead and check out my review of To All The Boys I've Loved Before.

After the dramatic ending to the first book, there was no way I wasn't going to continue on with the second one. I loved the cast of characters, and enjoyed watching them and their relationships with one another develop. 

I've never had a sister, so I couldn't get enough of Lara Jean, with her younger and older sisters. They were so close, and had this bond that is indescribable. They always cared so much for one another, and placed the other before themselves. Besides that I also really like their father, he wasn't the usual dad. He didn't judge his daughters, he let them do whatever they want in life, and completely supported them doing it. He wasn't mad or upset when Lara found herself in a bit of trouble, but instead wanted her to feel comfortab;e enough to talk to him about it. He wanted to be a part of their lives, but still gave them enough space to truly discover who they are and what they want to be. 

Besides reading more about this family and their close bond, I was also dying to see what would happen between Lara Jean and Peter, as well as Margo and Joshua.

Lara Jean had no idea that she would create these real feelings towards Peter, while "pretending" to date him, and she doesn't know what to do with them. Things don't become any easier for Lara when one moment Peter is giving her all of his attention and time, and then other moments he is back with his ex-girlfriend, hanging out and talking. 

But time is up soon and chances to tell Peter how she feels is running out. She needs to decide if these feelings of hers are real, or if they're just as "pretend" as her relationship with Peter. 

I couldn't get enough of these two! They are just too adorable! 

P.S. I Love You, had a lot to live up to, and it meet every one of my expectations. I got more of Peter and Lara's special relationship, I finally learned why Peter and his ex-girlfriend broke up, and Margo's true reason for breaking up with Joshua in the first book!

I couldn't have picked a better book to end my summer reading with, and am hoping for a third installment! Have you picked up this duology yet?

One Book Shelf & Lots of Books

With the final two years of university upon me (I'm actually procrastinating on studying right now, by writing this blog post), I knew it was time to get a desk. I was tired of sitting on my bed, with my back aching, and no real space to do any kind of work or studying. I wanted a place I could do school work, Etsy and blogging, without feeling crammed or in pain.

About two months ago, I decided it was time to get a desk, a chair, a lamp and build my own work space. This work space did require a few compromises, due to the size of my room. That compromise would be the smaller of my two bookshelves. 

Originally, I wasn't sure how I was going to do this. I had so many books on that shelf, my television, and an assortment of other random things. But after reconsidering, I decided to that it was finally time to face reality. I had so many books I already read, knowing I would never read them again, or books that were unread that had been collecting dust for years on these shelves. Ultimately, I didn't get rid of a single book I wanted to keep or haven't read but still really wanted to. I got rid of ones that weren't on my favorites list, and books I wasn't interested in anymore.

This sacrifice, was well worth it, and I absolutely love my desk.

At first, the entire idea of losing a book shelf scared me. It's weird how these books can become a comfort item, and how much I loved seeing them every day. But school and having a real space to get work done was worth so much more than a shelf full of books, that I would never read or reread. Also those books were just wasting away, when they could have been shared and read by many other people.

After picking out the books I didn't want anymore, carrying the book shelf out to the garage, and setting up my desk, I almost felt uneasy. Almost like I made a mistake, before I was even able to experience my desk and what it would be like to have one.

After two or so months, I can say it was well worth the compromise. My back isn't hurting every night, I have a place for everything, and it looks so organized! I still have an entire shelf crammed full of books I'm dying to read, with new ones coming in and old ones being shared with friends and family. 

Have you had to reduce your collection? If you did, why? How did you cope?

To All The Boys I've Loved Before Review

To All The Boys I've Loved Before, by Jenny Han.

Release Date: 4/15/14.

"To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all."

To All the Boys I've Loved Before was a book that was on my radar for a while, until I decided to finally bite the bullet and give it a try. I originally just wasn't sure if I would love it. Before picking it up, I went through a few contemporary romance novels, and just didn't enjoy them as much as I hoped and as much as everyone around me seemed to. Summer was coming to an end, the contemporary romances I was reading were crap, and I was ready to start moving on to deeper and more dense books for the fall.

What lead me to the tipping point, and forced me to go out and pick up To All The Boys I've Loved Before, was my best friend. She never reads contemporary romance, but some how ended up with this book in her hands, and she absolutely loved it. She thought it was fun, cute, and corky. The fact that she doesn't like contemporary romance, but ended up loving this book, I knew I had get my hands on a copy.

I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting myself into, expect for the fact that the main character, Lara Jean writes letters to her crushes, and then simply moves on. Obviously, she never sends off these letters, and they're more for herself, than anyone else. From that, I assumed that they would somehow be sent off, and she would have to deal with the consequences of all of most inner thoughts and feelings be exposed to all of her past crushes.

But the story doesn't entirely focus on just this idea, but instead a whole different issue in itself. One of the letters is actually to her neighbor, Joshua, who Lara Jean had a long time crush on. He's been around for a while, always hangs out at her house, and is not only good friends with her, but also her dad and her sisters....the only thing that I forgot to mention is that Joshua is now dating Lara Jean's older sister, and has a steady relationship going.

Lara Jean continues to have these feelings for Joshua, but can't truly explain them. She would never want to hurt her sister, or even Joshua, so she has to come up with a plan...to either get the letter back, or explain to him that it was from a long time ago, and those thoughts and feelings aren't relevant anymore.

Sounds easy? Sure. Does it end up going smoothly? No. Before she knows it Lara Jean is pretend dating one of the cutest guys in her high school, and avoiding, her once best friend, at whatever cost. While Peter isn't the douche bag guy, she just always assumed him to be, she actually finds herself having fun "pretend" dating him. He seems to be much more sensitive and sincere, than she ever thought possible.

Pretending dating the hottest guy in school, making his ex-girlfriend jealous, avoiding Joshua, missing her older sister, and taking care of her baby sister and dad is a lot to handle for Lara Jean...it would be for everyone. But she needs to figure something out, and she needs to figure it out quickly..

Overall, I really enjoyed To All The Boys I've Loved Before. I fell in love with Joshua instantly, but soon loved Peter even more. Lara Jean and her relationship with her sisters made me want to have sisters, to share everything with. The characters were amazing, the story was fun and cute, and the ending left me craving the next book.

If you haven't picked up To All The Boys I've Loved Before, I recommend doing so now! It's a feel good story, and I promise you won't regret a thing!

Birthday Book Haul, Birthday Update & What Am I Currently Reading!

YAAY!

Last week was my birthday, and I turned 21 years young. Yes, young! No one here is old...

I didn't have a crazy birthday party, with hundreds of people and I didn't get any extravagant gifts. But I did have dinner with the closest people to me, at the Cheesecake Factory, and received some smaller meaningful presents. The weekend of my birthday was absolutely crazy busy, with my birthday on a Thursday, my celebrations on Friday, Halloween on Saturday, and trying to catch up on school work on Sunday!

But I loved it, and had so much fun!

Originally I wasn't expecting any gifts from the parentals, simply because they bought me a brand new laptop at the start of the school year. But they did end up buying me a new pair of boots for the winter, and a laminator for my Etsy shop.

Joshua and I spent the night before my birthday together, and waited for midnight to finally come, to celebrate the first few minutes together. After counting down the seconds, and wishing me a happy birthday, he surprised me with a Barnes and Noble bag full of books.

Before I get into the books he got me, I want to explain why this was so special to me. He told me days before he wasn't sure what he would buy or what I would like. You would think after five years of being with someone, you would know exactly what they like...but let me tell you, from my own experience, it gets harder and harder every holiday. Anyways, he instead promised to take me out and let me pick something. I don't really like the idea, because it isn't meaningful. 

Joshua also doesn't read. He isn't the type of guy who will come with me to grab a coffee and stroll around the book store. So when he came around the corner with a Barnes and Noble bag, he not only picked up books I've been dying to read, but he also went out of his comfort zone, to go look for them. 

...I know I'm killing you with anticipation, so here's what he picked me up!

The Infinite Sea, by Rick Yancey.

P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han.

Library of Souls, by Ransom Riggs.

I couldn't contain my excitement, so I've already picked up and finished P.S. I Still Love You, AND LOVED IT! I can't wait to finally get to the other two!

The books I'm currently reading are...

Life and Death, by Stephanie Meyer.

Being Audrey Hepburn, by Mitchell Kriegman. 

This are the goodies I've received for my birthday, and the goodies I'm indulging in right now! But what books have you recently picked up? What books are you currently in the middle of reading?!

Goodreads Choice Awards 2015?!

Is it already that time of year again? Where we, book lovers, unite and vote for some of favorite reads on one of our favorite websites? WHY YES IT IS!

I usually only vote in two of the twenty categories ( Young Adult Fiction & Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction ), but I love seeing what other awesome books are out there.

This is usually the time of year where I branch out of my reading comfort zone, and pick up some of the nominees for other categories!

Best Young Adult Fiction:

There were so many amazing books, and authors listed in this category it was honestly hard to choose! The books in this category, that I haven't already read, are officially added to my wish list, and I can't wait to get my hands on them!

My 1st Choice...

Winter, by Marissa Meyer.

My 2nd Choice...

The Heir, by Kiera Cass.

Queen of Shadows, by Sarah J. Maas.

Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell.

The Heart of Betrayal, by Mary E. Pearson.

Firefight, by Brandon Sanderson.

The Wrath & The Dawn, by Renee Ahdieh.

An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir.

Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard.

A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas.

Gathering Darkness, by Morgan Rhodes.

The Winner's Crime, by Marie Rutkoski.

Uprooted, by Naomi Novik.

Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo.

Dead of Winter, by Kresley Cole.

Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction:

My 1st Choice...

P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han.

My 2nd Choice...

I Was Here, by Gayle Forman.

All The Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven.

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli.

Mosquitoland, by David Arnold.

My Heart and Other Black Holes, by Jasmine Warga.

Wild and Reckless, by Ginger Scott.

Every Last Word, by Tamara Stone.

I'll Meet You There, by Heather Demetrios.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye, by Cynthia Hand.

Nowhere But Here, by Katie McGarry.

More Happy Than Not, by Adam Silvera.

Everything, Everything, by Nicola Yoon.

Made You Up, by Francesca Zappia.

Saint Anything, by Sarah Dessen.

So many AMAZING books! It was hard to just pick on in every category! The ones I didn't chose and haven't read yet, have already been added to my wish list. I can't wait to see how these books became award nominees! Which did you chose? What would second choice be if you could have one?!