Review: Going Vintage

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). 

The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

Ooh, Going Vintage was much better than I expected! Before I read the book I would have bet I'd give it 3 bookcases. No, this is worth at least 4! (And you know I'm a tough rater) Lindsey Leavitt tells us a witty and sweet story with characters worth cheering for.

Okay, to start out, this book is filled with fab lists! And they are not annoying at all. Just stuff that made me laugh like, really hard! Also, Mallory and the lists go in hand in hand. Mallory is just a lot of fun. She also says some really cool weird and random things.

Oliver, Mallory's ex's cousin, is now one of my favorite male characters in the contemporary genre! Totally. He is funny, and witty, and unique! And, most awesome of all, he laughs at the random things Mallory says. Another epic character is Mallory's sister, Ginny. I love the bond they have.

The family plots are cute. Mallory's mom is hiding something, and so is her grandma. These are added bonuses to the story.

I was surprised the "no technology thing" was as small as it was. I mean, sure, that was part of the book, and generated some fun scenes, but there was much more to Going Vintage than just "no more phones for me." I liked that.

Overall, Going Vintage has awesome characters and epic lists. Whatcha all waiting for? Read it!

4/5 bookcases

Newbie Blogger Diaries #4

Today the Newbie Blogger topic is... Rating Systems!

So, some book bloggers use a rating system, others don't. I feel that reviews should never depend on a rating to get the point or the bloggers feelings across. I do believe, in some cases, ratings help. Also, they can add an amount of creativity to the review.

What I Use, and How I Rate

I do use a rating system... wait for it... I use bookcases! (Bet you never could've guessed) Now, here come the tricky part. What does each number of bookcases mean? Here is a little key that can also be found in my policies section:


1/5- This book went straight into the trashcan after reading. Others may enjoy it, but I definetely did not. 


2/5- This book was okay, I won't be reading it again. Weak, but a little bit enjoyable.

3/5 I liked this book. I may reread it. Enjoyed it quite a bit, but not extremely memorable in any outstanding way.

4/5 I really, really liked this book! Really!

5/5 This is an absolutely 100% amazing book!!! Buy it right now!

Honest Ratings

This will just be a little note. I love all rating systems in reviews... except for when the reviewer isn't stating what they feel and lies a little. Readers expect 100% honest ratings and reviews. Bad reviews may be hard, but at least they are honest. I want to feel like I can trust all ratings. I am sure you do too.

My First Attempt...

Okay, here was my kinda pathetic first attempt at creating a rating system... My artistic skills are stunning. 

The Challenges

Every rating system is different. Is it out of 5? 10? Does 4/5 mean "really liked" or "just okay"? I tried to create a rating system that made sense. (At times I used the goodreads system to help guide me.)

Also, there is a challenge to find a good figure for your system. I came up with bookcases pretty easily. (Ahem. See my blog title above) But I do know finding something to use could be tricky for some bloggers. I do know that stars are popular though.

Do you use ratings? What system do you use? What challenges have you come across?

Feature and Follow Friday #7

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

Well, I just finished Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (Awesome book!), so I'll use this for my example!

One of my favorite scenes was where Mallory decides to start a pep club, as it was a part of this old list her grandmother made. Almost everyone is against the (kinda lame) idea, except for her ex's cousin. This scene was pretty funny, as Mallory is sure he is a jerk and isn't sure why he is helping her.

So what is a fail/fun scene in the book you are reading now?

And don't forget to check out my 99 followers giveaway, yeah!

Review: Poison

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. 

Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Oooh, what a happy read!!! *Smiles* Poison is just a spectacular read that most people will enjoy! While the plot is not deep or heart pounding, it is just so fun that it keeps you on your toes.

Most parts in Poison are easy and light. And in "stressful" situations (such as running into a witch worthy of Hansel and Gretel) the author add enough humor into the predicament that the laughing readers will be more worried about their aching sides than the characters lives!

I loved, loved, loved all the fantasy elements. I prefer daggers in my stories to potions, but still Potioneer Kyra's mixtures were pretty cool. Also, magic, witches, and pigs with spells are always around the corner!

Kyra is a pretty darn awesome narrater. Although I did have tiny problems about her trying to kill her best friend, but in the end you learn more about that :) Plus, the whole assasin thing fit the story so I didn't mind that much. Kyra is feisty and a lot of fun. I am pretty sure everyone will enjoy reading about her!

Fred and the pig deserve their own separate paragraph. They are both so funny, cute, and sweet. Rosie, which is what Fred named the little pig, is a real unique sidekick for Kyra! Normally MC's have cats, or dogs, or even dragons as sidekicks. Not Kyra. She has a sweet pig that I would kill for. Fred fits Kyra perfectly. They are both somewhat ridiculous and have awesome banters.

This book is switched from present to past. We learn about Kyra before and after the assassination attempt. I found reading about Kyra and the princess's escapades as children highly amusing and lots o fun! Especially since both girls were strong willed and unique.

Overall, Poison is a masterpiece worthy of that pink little pig shown on the cover. The adventures of Kyra and Rosie are not to be missed.

4/5 bookcases

Waiting on Wednesday #7

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

This Week I am Waiting On...

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author ofBittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

Okay, normally this is not my go-to genre of book, but I have heard tremendous things about Ockler. And doesn't the story and cover seem sweet and interesting? I hope Ockler pulls off an amazing contemporary! (And since I just finished reading You Look Different in Real Life, the stakes are high for contemporaries at the moment!)

Also, don't forget to check out my first giveaway, 99 followers!

Top Ten Tuesday #6

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book  

1. First, I am always almost guaranteed to pick a book up if it has a blurb from one of my favorites authors on the cover.
2. The word "Queen", "Princess", or "Kingdom" in the title.
3. I will definitely pick it up if it mentions a kick-ass heroine.
4. Dystopian and High Fantasy.
5. Contemporaries with the word "you" in it

1. Aliens!
2. "Stunning" on blurb or a review. Also, "Heart shattering", "Highly imaginative", "Un-put-downable", "Leaves you begging for more!"
3. Assasins/knights/soldiers
4. Werewolves and vampires!
5. "That book made me look at things differently."

What are your top ten words/topics???

And don't forget to check out my first giveaway!

Review: The Samantha Project

The Samantha Project by Stephanie Karpinske

Samantha was seventeen when she finally learned the truth about herself; that she’s part of a corporation’s top secret genetic enhancement project. They told her she was the only one who survived the experiments. But then she meets Erik. He was raised in a lab until a scientist took him and hid him so nobody would ever find him. But Samantha and Erik somehow found each other. They share a indescribable connection that neither one of them can explain.


Their enhanced genes give them special abilities, like the ability to read minds and communicate with their thoughts. Even with their powers, they’re not safe. The people who are after them will never stop looking. But the more imminent danger is something that lies deep within their cells. It’s just one of many secrets they have yet to discover about themselves.

Hmm, The Samantha Project had potential. And the last half of the book showed it, but the first half. Ooh, the first half...was really, really boring. I am sure that not everyone will think this. You do get to know the characters. So if you don't mind a slow pace, you might enjoy this book. Just to me the first half of the book totally dragged the book down.
Nothing happens for like, 180 pages. We mostly see Samantha at school or moping about her parent's deaths.

After that, she went to a cabin and then kidnapped. Yeah, little more interesting from there. There was more action and I felt a little less as if I were just watching a boring reality TV show. The plot was interesting, once it was actually introduced. The setting was vivid and so action scenes were fun.

I found all the characters pretty cool, except for, uh huh, Samantha. All she really cares about is what other people think. Not good, Sam. Life is gonna be hard. Thankfully, she does get better as the book progresses. The other characters were well thought out. So no need to worry about boring side characters!

Overall, this was not my book. The beginning was so slow, and patience is not one of my virtues. I do think people with more patience and than I will enjoy this unique novel.

2/5 bookcases