Review: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Umm where’s my heart?? Can I have it back please, Salt to the Sea? I had to let a few days pass between when I finished the book and when I wrote a review to gather my bearings. I was speechless by the last page.

“Just when you think this war has taken everything you loved, you meet someone and realize that somehow you still have more to give.”

After finishing this book, I have read all three of Ruta Sepetys’ works and may I just say: flawless. She is my favorite historical fiction writer. In Salt to the Sea, Ruta tells the story of four European teenagers during WWII. The switching perspectives of each young adult was fascinating because each one views the war through their own cultural lens. It was definitely a unique experience in a historical fiction book.

“She has beaten this war… life has spit in the eye of death.”

Ruta Sepetys also shed light on a little-known casualty of WWII: the Wilhelm Gustloff was a luxury cruise ship that was used in the war to help refugees escape. Soviet U-Boats sunk the ship. The amount of people that died was more than the Titanic and Lusitania combined, yet not near enough people know about it. I felt largely enlightened to get to know about this lesser-known tragedy. I’m grateful that Ruta Sepetys chose this story in particular to tell. (Which, by the way, was inspired by her own Lithuanian family’s history – her aunt was meant to board the Wilhem Gustloff but was spared by getting on another ship!)

“A girl who lost her mother was suddenly a tiny boat on an angry ocean.”

Fans of Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity would enjoy this. I cannot recommend Salt to the Sea enough. It’s certainly my favorite Ruta Sepetys book and I hope more people have the pleasure read it.

five stars. ★★★★★

Emily

Packing Books & Summery Novels. {May 2016 Recap}

May was a busy month. I actually feel accomplished that I made it through without going crazy – I felt like I barely read at all. (The amount of books I read doesn’t *look* like it, but trust me, I always pull it off right at the end.) I’m beginning to learn that reading 100 books in a year is quite a goal… and why a lesser number of readers aim for it. (I’m STILL pushing through for this, though, don’t fret. I shall conquer this.)

(Click on the covers to see my Goodreads review.)

       

THE CROWN by Kiera Cass ★★★★✩
SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys ★★★★★
PASSENGER by Alexandra Bracken ★★★✩✩
LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by Lisa Lewis Tyre ★★★★✩
THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING by Morgan Matson ★★★★✩
SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson ★★★★✩
AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson ★★★✩✩
THE LAST JEW OF TREBLINKA by Chil Rajchman ★★★★✩

BEST BOOK? Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. HOLY COW. This knocked my socks off and tore my heart up. I’d tell anyone and everyone – adults and kids alike – to read any one of Ruta Sepetys’ books, but this is definitely my favorite. I especially loved the fact that Ruta chose such a little-known maritime tragedy in WWII that more people need to know about. I felt like I learned so much! AND MY SWEET CINNABUN CHARACTERS. I wanted to snuggle them and kiss them and pat their little heads and tuck them into bed. (Well… all except one.) BEAUTIFUL.

WORST BOOK? Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. I was expecting a lot from this book, and though I did love the first half (the writing style and time travel was amazing), the ending ruined that. I wouldn’t recommend this because the sexual content made me angry. A majority of the plot centered around an inter-racial romance and the struggles our characters would face in different periods of time. That alone was wonderful to read about. But I felt the author focused so much on the physical attraction of the relationship to emphasize that this is a “diverse” book.

shout-out to Emily Gilmore for the best facial expressions that make the best GIFs.

Note: I added Treblinka to the end in the hopes that I finished it last night (I’m writing this Friday afternoon) so fingers crossed Emily actually accomplished a goal and made it to an even eight books. I spent the majority of May stressing over my reading challenge because I got way behind in April. I’m still straggling at minus five books where I’m supposed to be. *flails and refuses to refresh Goodreads page* Reading-wise it was a frustrating month because there were a lot of four star books and they all seemed to be lacking something.

Highlights: I read the final book in The Selection Series (not the best, but it was the first series that got me into young adult and my first author signing, so it’s sentimental), Ruta Sepetys’ new release (*pterodactyl shrieks*), three Morgan Matson books in a row (let’s appreciate the queen of summer romances) and a Jewish memoir of someone who survived a Nazi death camp (in preparation for a Camp NaNoWriMo novel? Maybe? Possibly? Someday??)

IN OTHER NEWS? 

I spent the first week of May on a DISNEY CRUISE and AHHH it was crazy fun. I’m officially a high schooler (!!) (sort of. I did survive stinky middle school, so that’s something) and that feels like a really odd thing to say. I always start counting down to my birthday as soon as school finishes up so THREE MORE MONTHS. My family and I also spent a weekend helping my cousins pack and move out of state, as well as packing our own house since we’ll be moving houses this summer. Do you know how heavy book boxes are?? This wimpy bookworm is so not cut out for that.

anna library

book boxes, the bane of my existence.    and here I am with my cousins
                                                                                     before they moved!

So that was my May! You’ve no idea of the HTML issues I went through to get this formatted nice and pretty  for you so I’m glad to finish this post, ha. (#bloggerprobs.) Happy summer for those of you who have finally finished school. (*collective sigh of relief*) Let me know how your reading went this month and what you’re looking forward to reading in June! (Unless you’re a mood reader like me and have no clue what’s in store for you next month.)

Emily

P.S. Before I forget – the winner of the giveaway for a copy of Last in a Long Line of Rebels is… Izel! Congrats, Izel, your book will be on its way soon!

Giveaway & Interview Featuring Author Lisa Lewis Tyre!

Last week I reviewed Last In A Long Line of Rebels by Lisa Lewis Tyre and today I have the pleasure of doing an interview with her! Mrs. Tyre was kind enough to sponsor a giveaway of the book, so at the end of the post, enter to win and I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday.

LISA LEWIS TYRE grew up in the tiniest of towns in Tennessee, where the only form of entertainment was watching her crazy family and even crazier neighbors. As a child, she heard the story of siblings who found gold in their field, enough to pay off the family farm. Legend claimed it was Civil War gold. Whatever the truth, she and her friends spent many hours searching their own backyards for treasure. Lisa now lives with a crazy family of her own, her husband and daughter, in Atlanta. Visit her Lisa here!

THE QUESTIONS

What inspired your debut novel Last in a Long Line of Rebels? The book was inspired by a story my mom told me when I was nine years old. I wondered why she kept calling my neighborhood “Zollicoffer.” We didn’t live on Zollicoffer Road, and there was no Zollicoffer Store. That’s when she told me that the locals called it that because during the Civil War, General Felix Zollicoffer’s men camped nearby. When I asked exactly where the camp had been located, she pointed to a field and said that some kids found gold in it and most people believed it had been part of the encampment.

What books or authors (children’s or otherwise) do you admire than influence your writing? There are so many, but anything by Kate DiCamillo, Neil Gaiman, or Jacqueline Woodson goes straight to the top of my read pile.

Do you have advice for aspiring authors? Writing is like anything else – basketball, piano, etc. It takes practice! Keep writing and don’t give up. Also, READ. Reading makes you a better writer.

Can you explain the research and writing process for Last in a Long Line of Rebels? I knew the basic story before I began – a group of kids trying to save Lou’s house by searching for gold – but I didn’t know all of the details. I like to use an outline, and I start from the end of the story and work backwards. For this to happen, that had to happen first, etc..

The Civil War diary entries took the most amount of work. I had to make sure that what Louise wrote about was actually happening at the time. The Tennessee State Government website (TN.gov) provided me with lots of information and I bought a reprinted Civil War diary to get a better grasp of the language.

Do you have a favorite scene or quote from the book? I don’t want to spoil it for people who haven’t yet read the book, but I like the scene where Lou and Benzer “borrow” the dump truck and the aftermath of that decision. I get a lump in my throat when I read the end of that chapter. 🙂 And pretty much anything that comes out of Bertie’s mouth makes me happy.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for the giveaway and interview, Lisa! Have you read Lisa’s books? Do you want to? And how are you inspired by your family and childhood in your writing?

Emily

Stacking the Shelves #36

Apologies for the lack of posts and commenting lately! Life has been so crazy – the summer is set to be as well – but I’m here with a fabulous stack for you guys today. I’m really actually proud of it, because all of these books are supposed to be positively adorable and I’ve got a bad case of summer fever. (And what better cure than a contemporary romance? ALL THE FLUFF!)

sts

Starting from the bottom up…

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir: If you haven’t heard of this book yet, I’m fairly certain you’re living under a very large rock. I’m honestly not sure if I’m going to get around to reading it since I’ve been having a hard time pushing through anything but a light contemporary (which this is most definitely not.) According to Goodreads, An Ember in the Ashes is a brutal dystopian/sci-fi adventure/heart-stopping/romance/war-torn world/all that happy jazz story inspired by ancient Rome and I’ve heard great things.

Okay now for the fluffy stuff. Seriously. so fluffy and light i’m gonna die.

SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson: Prepare yourself for alll the Morgan Matsons. She’s not the first author I’d pick up off a shelf but it’s summertime and Morgan is the queen of summery books. Since You’ve Been Gone includes scavenger hunts. and missing people. and cute boys. and a main character named Emily. (yes please.) Update: I has finished dis book. (Last night.) GUYS IT WAS ADORABLE. I could relate to the main character on so many levels (beyond our names, but that was a plus) and ahhhhh it couldn’t have ended better. Review coming soon!

THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING (also) by Morgan Matson: I finished this one in twenty-five hours and I am head-over-heels for, um… the love interest. HE’S NINETEEN. AND HE WRITES FANTASY NOVELS. AND IS A BOOKWORM. AND HE WAS HOME-SCHOOLED. And he’s awkward and nerdy and lovable and squishy and cute and I love him. This was fast-paced and just so naturally easy to fall right into. And come on, the cover features six PUPPIES. And ice cream. Does that not scream summer? Cons? Way too much PDA. Meh.

KISSING IN AMERICA by Margo Rabb: Doooon’t judge this by the title like I did. I’ve been told by many people that there actually *isn’t* that much kissing in this book. It’s a road trip featuring two best friends and the sisterly love that ensues. Don’t freak out on me. It’s a summer road trip. With a main character who is a hopeless romantic and, according to the blurb, cowboys, kudzu, and tiny towns. Yee-haw.

AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR byyyy Morgan Matson: I got maybe 2oo(ish) pages into this… give or take? … I’m pretty sure last summer. (I’m not good at remember the dates I DNF’d books.) I was in a slump at the time and it was taking too long to get going and I confess I was not a fan of the main character Amy’s actions. She just bothered me. But I’ve been coerced into giving this a second try. So I shall. Also this would make two road trip books, which is fun because I’m going to be in the car a lot this summer. So what better way to get me in the mood for that delightful smell of french fries and gas stations, hm? (I actually enjoy being in the car for long periods of times, and since I can read on road trips, it’s a win/win.)

Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading? I know I’m loading up on the contemporaries but if that’s what it’s going to take to catch up on my reading goal (I’m five books behind schedule – aye aye aye) then I’ll read all the fluff. Do you get in a certain reading mood during the summer (or any other seasons)? DISCUSS. go. shoo. talk. now.

Emily

 

 

 

P.S. Cait is hosting several bookish giveaways for FIVE years of blogging! (FIVE. She’s a super blogger, seriously. Go check her out!)

review: last in a long line of rebels by lisa lewis tyre

I loved Lisa Lewis Tyre’s debut novel, Last in a Long Line of Rebels. It’s such a funny summertime read, perfect for this time of year. My aunt gave me a copy of the book as a Christmas gift since she knew the author. (I know, I’m so late reading this! But hey, my procrastination paid off, because the start of my summer vacation was a great time to read the setting of this story.)

This is a middle grade story about twelve-year-old Lou who is praying for an exciting summer vacation. When she and her friends begin to uncover the mysteries of her 175-year-old house, they end up on a thrilling goose chase for Civil War gold! (Umm can my summer please be that fun?!)

Right away I was swept up in the setting: a hilarious small Tennessee town based upon the author’s own experiences as a child. Its history and people were so fun (and reminded me of my own crazy Southern family – ha!) Lou’s family was well-meaning and lovable, and I fell right into place with them; it was so easy to be drawn into the story.

Lou’s home plays a major role in the story, and was so fascinating. It had been in her family since the 1860s and when it is condemned, she decides to do everything she can to save it. (Understandably so!) All the descriptions – the secret hiding places used for loot, gold, diaries, slaves – had me craving for a house with rich history such as that myself!

What I most loved were the history tie-ins. When Lou finds her namesake’s Civil War-era diary, she discovers more than she bargained for. I absolutely loved the moral lessons in the story: though Lou’s ancestry held both abolitionists and slave owners, she learned that it was important to remember her history so as not to repeat it.

Mrs. Tyre combined a fun summertime children’s novel with history, race, and prejudice and I was impressed! 🙂

four stars! ★★★★✩

Emily

by the book tag

What book is on your nightstand now? Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. I got this way back in February (face it, months go by before I read a book I get. What can I say? It’s so easy for them to get lost on my mess of a bookshelf!) Glass Sword is the sequel to Red Queen. Honestly, Red Queen felt like a cliche melting pot of every dystopian ever written buuut it’s so hyped up that I *want* to like it. I’ve also been told Glass Sword is even better than the first.

What was the last truly great book you read? Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. OH MY GOSH, guys. This. Stinkin’. Book. I could dedicate a whole blog to it cause adqihdoi;gu23hfkal. I adore Ruta Sepetys, mm-kay?? This book has four different perspectives from teenagers in Nazi-occupied Europe. The story centers around a ship called the Wilhem Gustloff that sinks at the end of WWII. The death toll was nine times the size of Titanic, yet no one seems tot talk about it! I had never heard of the ship prior to reading the book.

I’m so grateful Ruta Sepetys chose to write a book around a maritime tragedy that more people need to discuss. Her characters and writing and everything is just AHHHH so flawless. I’d love to write a book half as great as Ruta Sepetys’ someday and I’d recommend her books to anyone and everyone. READ IT.

(If you’re interested in learning more about the story and the time and setting, you can watch this video below. I’d also tell anyone who hasn’t read much historical fiction to start with this book. You’ll be hooked.)

If you could meet any writer – dead or alive – who would it be? And what would you want to know? This is such a hard question to answer because there are so many authors I’d love to sit down and talk to but… Jane Austen. There’s not much that’s known about her for sure since she was a very private person and went by “A Lady” as her byline until she died. Even still, I feel like we’d be kindred spirits. 🙂 (And face it, we all want to know who inspired Mr. Darcy. Tom Lefroy, anyone?)

What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves? I honestly can’t think of a single thing. I’ve got Christian fiction, YA, MG, devotionals, writer’s guide books. Nothing too out of the ordinary for your Predictable Emily. (???)

How do you organize your personal library? I organize my shelves by genre, and then by author. For the most part I have genres such as “Historical fiction” rather than “Christian fiction,” “Middle Grade” or “Young Adult” because I try to start with as broad a genre as possible. From there I situate my books in the narrower genres and then try to keep authors’ books together.

bookshelf

What book have you always meant to read and haven’t gotten around yet? Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read? I could legitimately name at least a hundred books I’ve been meaning to read and haven’t, so if you’re actually interested in the answer to that, you can visit my fifteen-page TBR list here. As far as books I wouldn’t readily admit to having read? Any Kasie West book. I promise they’re adorably innocent, fun books, but oh my lordy the covers. *cringe* I would rather not be seen in public with those, thanks.

Disappointing, overrated, just not good: what book did you feel you are supposed to like but didn’t? Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing? I really dislike DNF’ing books but sometimes I just really can’t waste my time on something that I’m not enjoying. (Or just plain shouldn’t be reading.) The last book I DNF’d was 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, simply because I have no clue what possessed me to pick up a MG romance contemporary. Eh. (“Middle Grade” and “romance” just don’t suit well together.)

What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of? I have a big heart for any historical fiction – from the moment I laid eyes on my first Kit Kittredge book. I stay away from paranormal.

If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be? The Bible.

What do you plan to read next? A Tyranny of Petticoats by a multitude of authors. The book is an anthology of fifteen historical fiction short stories and I’m so hyped for them. You can probably guess which fine ladies I’m there for. (Elizabeth Wein and Marissa Meyer, Rulers of Books.)

I wasn’t tagged for this tag (since I’m such a rebel) but it was so fun that I had to tag some friends. You’re it!

Izel // Jonathan // Amanda // Faith // Olivia

Well bloglings, what about you? What are you currently reading and what’s next on the list? Any books you’re embarrassed to read?? (Do tell; we won’t judge your skeletons in the closet.) And which writer would you meet?

Emily

review: mother-daughter book camp by heather vogel frederick

I’M GOING TO CRY. It’s over. Really and truly this time, the girls are headed off to college and I’m a mess!

For those of you who don’t know, this series has been a favorite of mine for over four years now (I want to say four and a half; somewhere in that time frame. I hate that I don’t know exactly when I picked them up!) and it’s definitely a childhood favorite of mine. Each book begins a new year in the mother/daughter book club girls’ lives – from sixth grade to the summer before setting off for college. I feel like I’ve grown up with them! I relate to every girl on a different level and in a different way, and they’ve become some of my best friends.

(I even making many friends through Heather’s blog to these books – by commenting and getting the pleasure to interview her a year ago, many new blog readers have also become my closest friends!)

As my 11-year-old self said three years ago when the “last” book was written (awesome enough – it was published ON my birthday – September 11, 2012) in a review I had written: “Yes, I’ll probably get bored with my addiction to Nancy Drew mysteries pretty soon, and start reading the books all over again, but like the last sentence in the last book – Megan says, ‘There’s no place like home.’ – Especially when home is where the heart is. And my heart is with the mother-daughter book club.” As cheesy as that *may* sound, it’s so true and I’m all sappy because I feel like my real life best friends are all grown up now! I’m just so happy Heather Vogel Frederick decided to put in this last installment to give us a better idea – and one last peek – into the Mother/Daughter Book Club world, and where the girls are going from there.

This last one was a tad different than the rest of the series. The gang is signed up to be camp counselors at Camp Lovejoy, in cozy, lovable Pumpkin Falls – Heather’s other setting that ALSO makes you fall in love in her book Absolutely Truly. (On that note, I love how she merges her worlds together! Several characters from Absolutely Truly even made an appearance!) I loved the setting; Camp Lovejoy and the little girls Emma, Jess, Megan, Cassidy and Becca watch out for are cheeky and charming! Buuuut I did miss Concord and the crazy mothers and all. The book also didn’t take place in a span of a year as the others do; instead it’s a mere seven weeks. That said: this was the perfect setting and opportunity to bring the MDBC series to a close. In one final farewell, even the girls get emotional. I liked it a lot because the ending gave me a lot more closure than the (originally planned!) ending in Wish You Were Eyre.

The antics the girls find themselves in at camp are just as funny and interesting as the rest of the books! As I said before, the little girls in the cabins the crew is in charge of are so adorable! I loved the fact that the book club gets their girls together for a mini book club, because it was sweet that now THEY’RE leading the group. It made me wonder if perhaps they’ll start a book club of their own when they have daughters. (Hey Heather, make a spin off series would you??) (How AWESOME would that be?! My daughter would be reading that, for sure.)

And the girls! Same personalities, same friendly girls we’ve known through all 7 books. We meet Mirror Megan again, and Cassidy’s final score at the end of every chapter. They’re all still very much the same, yet they’ve grown so much in a subtle but clear way. (After all, you can’t expect them to be the same from 12-18 years old.) It makes the books very realistic and Heather does such a good job at that, while also making the books relatable and fun for readers of all ages. I know I’d have loved this as much as I do now several years ago and I doubt I’ll like this book any less four years from now when I’m the girls’ age in the book.’

The ending was as perfect as it can get. It was final, and I was SO happy to see the girls with a future I could be happy with – it wasn’t quite so unknown as in Wish You Were Eyre, yet also left just enough up to my imagination. Camp Lovejoy even inspired one of the girls into a career I can definitely see her in. It was such a sweet and satisfying ending; I know all of you will love it as much as I did and I can’t for you to read it as well!

five stars. ★★★★★

Emily

“why do you like to read?”

I’ve been a reader my entire life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have access to words or stories. Before I could read, I loved pictures. I loved it when my parents read to me. When I learned to read, I read all the time. I remember struggling through chapter books in the reading corner with my best friend in kindergarten simply because I liked hearing the words aloud. So whenever people ask me the question every bookworm freezes at hearing, I never know how to answer.

“Why do you like to read?”

I have never been able to pinpoint exactly what I like about books. The texture of the pages, the smell, the ink, the cover, the titles, the words, the poetry – it all blurs together to make something beautiful in my mind.

So I usually say what people expect to hear: “I like going on adventures and doing things I wouldn’t normally be able to do.” Which is the truth, but it’s not the whole truth.

Adventures are wonderful. The feeling of getting lost in a story and its world is irreplaceable. But I often read realistic stories that could easily happen to me today. So it’s not the “things I wouldn’t normally be able to do” part that I like about reading.

When it comes right down to it, the thing I like most about reading is words.

I have a clear memory from the sixth grade. My dad was kneeling by my bed, kissing me goodnight. I was reading Emma by Jane Austen and read a sentence that struck me aloud to him. We had an entire discussion about the pure eloquence of words. I admire Jane Austen’s writing because she has a talent to put things into words that are detailed and chocked full of description yet simple all the same. You don’t feel overwhelmed by reading something by Jane Austen. You’re left feeling sort of like “Huh. So it’s easier to explain after all.” You just need the right words.

When I read a book, I am forever taking pictures of quotes I like or putting them in notes in my phone. I adore sentences that make me stop and take a moment to fully soak it in.

Think about it.

“Words are life.” – Markus Zusak

When a child learns to write a story, teachers point out ways they could rephrase this or that. Words need to flow in just the right way to make an impact. The way words are even formatted is powerful. Poetry can be all over the place: a word here, a word there, a word on the other end of the page that sticks out just right so that it sounds different in your head. That’s powerful.

“A word after a word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood

 Words have a voice. You can hear a child or an elderly man or soccer mom or cheerleader or nerd all differently just because I told you what characters were speaking them.

No matter what type of story you read – fantasy, historical, contemporary, an essay, a magazine, a document, newspapers – words make it worthwhile. You might read two similar stories about a girl who flies a plane but if the writer can’t get the words right there is no story worthwhile to be read.

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12

My love for words goes even beyond fiction. As a Christian, the Bible means the world to me. God’s WORDS have survived generations far out of our comprehension and they will for all of eternity. His words are always the same, and they mean the same every year and every lifetime. Words are still there when the last generation is not.

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 

It’s why journals, letters, and documents are so priceless. Words are history.

Words are classic. Classic novels transcend for years because they mean the same. They affect people. They are the same but can still affect each individual in a different way.

Isn’t that absolutely breathtaking?

That is why I love to read.

vacation recap!

I’M BACK, BOOKWORMS!

It’s been twelve days. Twelve glorious days of vacation and I’ve come back six books behind my reading goal with a major Disney hangover. I’m also drowning in piano recital pieces and wrapping up the school year. Help.

Coming back from vacation is a bit like taking down a Christmas tree – no one likes to think about it. But being back home does mean I have wifi again – which means I can talk to all of you, because I’ve missed my bookish buddies! I refreshed my email once we stepped off the ship (if you weren’t aware, my family and I enjoyed a magical trip aboard the Disney Fantasy Cruise), and I was stunned by all the bookish happenings that I missed! WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DISCUSS, book nerds.

Speaking of bookish things, i kind of overestimated myself and thought i could read but read all of one chapter on the trip and now i’m sitting here sort of like

and DON’T cross me and tell me “Oh but sweet Emily, don’t you know you never have time to read on vacation?” just don’t say that. Because people say that every time I go on a trip and I never believe them. and I never will. I shall insist on taking three books with me on every vacation because what if? What if I am monstrously bored and zip through three books, hmm? And what if that one time I believe you and am not supplied I get bored?? TELL ME.

I made up for it, however, by breezing through The Crown by Kiera Cass when I got back. It is the last book in The Selection series, Fandom Blessed By Emily’s Fangirliness For Two Whole Years, and it just hit shelves on the 3rd. It may not be my favorite in the series, but I was a ball of feels by the end. THE LAST ONE. Oh and I’m reading Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys at the moment. I’ve been forewarned to not get too comfortable. I also almost shipped two people but we already know that ship’s gonna sink. Ha ha ha ha.. hahaha. (no one gets my book puns BUT SHOUT OUT TO THE GREATS WHO DID.)

Do talk to me below and tell me everything I’ve missed – the ARCs and releases and authors and reading challenges! 🙂

In the meantime, I thought I’d share some photos as a recap from my trip.

ship

Our beautiful ship before we boarded!

salttothesea

Of course I had to take a picture of this. GET IT. SHIPS. SINKING. 

olaf

My sister and I met Olaf on Disney’s island Castaway Cay.

sunset

The sunsets had to be my favorite part of the night.

dessert

Here I am with my dessert, “Princess Aurora’s Sundae.” 

belle

and obviously I had to meet my favorite princess. What bookworm doesn’t love Belle?

I’ll be back Friday with a tag for you wormies! DISCUSS below: do you still insist upon coming supplied on vacation? Do you read on vacation? DO YOU READ IN THE CAR? (I can because I’m abnormal super bookworm Emily, huzzah.) And did ya miss me?? (pssh why bother. of course you missed me.)

Emily

bon voyage! // (early) stacking the shelves #35

I’M GOING ON VACATION.

I know. I’m leaving you, how dare I. I will be in the middle of the ocean, far, far away in paradise… with no wi-fi. will be back on May 9! may pop in this Saturday with a stacking the shelves right before we leave, but I just wanted to let you know so you guys won’t be in the dark. 🙂

Now, I know what you’re thinking: no wi-fi! what kind of vacation is that?? But never fear. I think I’ll be content. And if all else fails, and Disney can’t sustain me (highly unlikely), I’ve got about a billion books left to read. Since I’m abandoning you for twelve long days, I thought I’d make a mini stacking the shelves of this before I go. (On a side note, if I get wi-fi at any of the ports or in a rare moment when something does load, I’ll update my books on Goodreads. So you’ll still be able to see what I’m reading.)

LOOK AT ALL THE POSSIBILITY. LOOK AT THE BEAUTY. 

stack

am I dragging all of those books with me on the ship? well no. (after all, if we sunk, I couldn’t have all five of my lovelies drowning with me, now could I?) So this is where I need your help.

QUEEN OF HEARTS by Colleen Oakes: I won a free ARC. *hair toss* You totally should have been at my house when a mysteriously book-shaped package showed up on my doorstep from the infamous Epic Reads. (basically: screeching fangirl pterodactyl noises and jumping up and down.) Queen of Hearts is the first in an Alice in Wonderland retelling. (You couldn’t guess, could you?) It hits shelves May 3, and I am stoked to be able to have this.

SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys: I adore Ruta Sepetys and her books, but I’ve come to a dilemma. 1) I’ve been waiting ages and ages to read this. (not really; more like three weeks(ish), but it might as well be ages.) 2) I broke down and bought it because I wanted to own a Ruta Sepetys book in the first place and I have zero restraint. 3) here’s where it gets tricky. I’M GOING ON DA BOAT. And this is a WWII historical fiction featuring a large boat, its occupants, and a sinking. I’ve already been warned by Brooke not to read this on the ship, so I reeeallly need to exercise some strength here. BUT LOOK AT IT.
salt

THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner: GUESS WHAT GUYS. Emily spoiled a death for herself! Like she is notoriously famous for doing. Dang you, Pinterest. Brooke and Izel were mad at me. There is hope, however, because I still don’t know how this character dies, and apparently it’s a huge deal. I’m listening to this on audio, so I will definitely have it with me. I’ll likely listen to a good portion in the car, since I can’t read anyway. Right now I’m around a hundred pages in and… ehh? There’s a boy with a death wish and these freaky monster things and a girl. I’m not a fan of the writing style either, but I’ve been told it gets better about halfway through. So I shall stick it out.

THE WINNER’S KISS by Marie Rutkoski: I’ve got around 170 pages left, so I’m hoping to finish this one either today or tomorrow. I am dying inside. Positively dying. Don’t ask me how Marie Rutkoski does this; you got me. But dear lord my heart. This is the third in The Winner’s Trilogy, so I won’t go into too much detail but… *melts* The writing is so poetic, and Kestrel and Arin are my babies. That is all. *sobs*

PASSENGER by Alexandra Bracken: This book was mega-hyped and I was so extremely happy when my library got it. I’m about halfway through. I love Alexandra Bracken’s writing style but at times, it can feel very over-detailed. His shiny brass buttons on the lip of his coat shone in the moonlight while his hair danced in the wind… for every sentence. That said, I love time-travel books and this is such a creative premise. So hopefully I can push through and finish. (Possibly on the ship?)

Have you read any of these books? Which ones do you recommend? And if you haven’t, do you want to read any of them? And most importantly: do you take books on vacation?? Do you find time to read them? Teach me your ways! Bon voyage, bookworms,

Emily