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Book Review: Forever

Forever Book Cover

Rating: 4 stars

then.
When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their loved moved from curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.
That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.
Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment–a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

The third book and last book in the Mercy Falls series (minus Sinner, which is more of a standalone novel in the series that focuses on the characters of Cole and Isabel) Forever was everything I hoped it would be. It picks up where Linger left us, with Grace being a wolf and Sam missing her deeply.

What I enjoy about this novel in the series is continuing to see Sam and Grace’s love go on. Their relationship is such a lovely thing that every time I see them together, I’m filled with envy. And despite everything, their love for each other is still stronger than all of the obstacles in their way.

Another aspect of Forever I like is how the plot continues to thicken. The plot in Forever continues to develop, making the story an even more interesting read with each page turned. I found myself continuing to read because I wanted to know what happened and how things were going to end for the wolves. I found myself reading because I wanted to know what happened to everyone. I became invested in all of the character’s lives, which is something every good book should be doing for its readers.

The one aspect of Forever I couldn’t get around was all of the loose ends in the story and how fast Stiefvater moved the novel along. I felt while reading this that there were still so many questions I had left about what was going to happen to the characters. For example, I was hoping that there was going to be a definite cure by the end of the story that they figured out. Instead, there’s nothing definite about the cure at all. I also just didn’t feel like we were given much of an ending for Sam and Grace either. We are told what they are going to do, but there’s no definite guarantee for any of the characters that everything is going to be alright. And then, there’s the pacing of Forever. I felt as if this book moved too fast. I felt as if the writing was rushed with certain events happening and no explanation given.

And while I do enjoy Forever like I do the rest of the books in this series, it isn’t necessarily my favorite book in the series. But overall, I enjoyed Forever and can’t wait to read Sinner next.

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Writing Prompt: “Happiness is Not the Absence of Problems” Quote

Tumblr- Inspire

I feel as if I can both agree and disagree with this quote. I feel like happiness can come from dealing with your life’s problems. But at the same time, I also think happiness is more than that.

I feel like happiness is your ability to deal with your problems. If you have issues in your life that need to be taken care of, dealing with them can make your life so much easier. It puts a weight off your chest that allows you to continue with your life. It makes life less stressful so that you have one less thing to worry about.

But I also think happiness is more than that. Happiness is what you make of it. It’s what you make of your life and the opportunities you’re given. If you aren’t happy, it’s because you aren’t thankful for the chances you currently have in your life. But also can be because your life situation isn’t the most ideal and are struggling to get through every day.

Happiness is what you make of it. You can only be happy whenever you look at life with an open mind and be thankful for what you have.

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Writing Prompt: What Do You Like About Rainy Weather?

Rain-Falling-Desktop-Backgrounds

Wow. What a perfect day to get this writing prompt on.

Anyway, what I like about rainy weather is that it sounds peaceful. The pelting of the rain against the ground sounds dreamy and makes me often want to run and play until I’m soaking wet. But I ignore the temptation because I don’t want to get soaking wet or sick.

Rainy weather is also enjoyable because it allows me to stay inside. I can enjoy the weather without having to go into it, but it also allows me the less opportunity to deal with people and just be indoors whenever it rains. I like that because I can then watch the rain, sit on the couch and enjoy a wonderful book of my own choosing. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on outside because I already know.

I enjoy rainy weather because it soaks up the ground. It breathes and helps nature grow. But at the same time, you can feel the water soothing your skin with it moisture. It brings comfort to you in ways the warm sun can’t. But it can also revive and heal you whenever you drink it because it relieves your throat in ways other liquids can’t.

But rainy weather can also be a bitch sometimes. It can cause storms and chaos everywhere it goes, depending on the downpour of rain. And flooding whenever it suits its purpose. It can make you drowsy, make you want to sleep at times most inconvenient for you.

But I still like it anyway because it’s a beautiful part of nature that I embrace.

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Book Review: Linger

Linger Book Cover

Rating: 5 stars

the longing.

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

the loss.

Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being a human.

the linger.

For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life a constant struggle between two forces–wolf and human–with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?

Like Shiver, I’ve also read this second book in The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. However, my memory of this book is very limited from my last reading because I don’t remember a lot of the events unfolding, just the characters.

But like Shiver, I couldn’t put Linger down. Every page I read of this weaving tale had me engrossed in these character’s lives, wanting to find out what happened next.

Linger picks up exactly where Shiver left off. After discovering that there is a cure to turning into a wolf, Sam and Grace live their lives happily together. Until a new wolf enters into the story and things begin to change.

One of the aspects to Linger I like is the added point of views of Isabel and Cole. No longer is this series only told from Sam and Grace’s side, but you also get more details of what’s going on from other characters who play an important role in the story. I like seeing more character’s perspective because I feel like it continues to enrich the story, adding more pieces to the puzzle that is beginning to form.

I also love reading Linger because I love seeing Sam and Grace’s relationship continuing to blossom. Now that Sam and Grace don’t have to worry about Sam turning wolf, they can enjoy their lives and plan for their future. And the reader feels happy for them because you get to see how happy they both are to have each other in their lives. To be able to continue their relationship and not have to worry about any of them becoming a wolf. Or so, you think.

I love Linger because I enjoy reading the author’s story. The way Stiefvater writes this story continues to engross me as a reader, wanting to know what’s going to happen next. The words written are so beautiful that I had a hard time putting Linger down, wanting to find out what happens next to Sam, Grace, Isabel and Cole.

Another aspect to Linger that I didn’t notice quite so much in Shiver that I enjoy is character development. Throughout this book, I felt like all of the characters went through their own transformations. Isabel and Cole become more caring towards those around them and Grace gets more sensitive to feeling, even having the courage to stand up to her parent’s bad parenting.

The one thing that bothers me with this book though is the pacing of the story. While I did enjoy reading Linger, I felt some of the pacing was slow. For example, the problems with Grace happened at the beginning of the story and I knew exactly what was wrong with her as soon as it started. But none of the characters acted like anything was seriously wrong with her until it was too late and nothing could be done but the unthinkable. And then once that happened, the rest of the plot unfolded.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading Linger too and can’t wait to read the third book in this series, Forever for the first time and find out what happens next to Grace, Sam, Cole and Isabel.

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Book Review: Shiver

Shiver Book Cover

Rating: 5 stars

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

I’ve read Shiver once before. In high school, I read this novel because a friend of mine had told me about it. However, since it’s been a really long time since then, I feel as if reading Shiver again is like reading it for the very first time.

But like the first time I read Shiver, I still find this book an enjoyable read. One of the reasons I love this novel is because wolves are my favorite animal. They fascinate me because I believe they are very misunderstood animals and find them to be very beautiful in nature. And the main character Grace feels the same way, despite the wolf attack she experienced. Having this love of wolves makes reading Shiver an even more enjoyable experience for me.

I also enjoy reading Shiver because the romance between Grace and Sam moves me. I find myself reading about their relationship and seeing how much they love each other. Seeing how they are willing to risk every aspect of their lives to be together. Even if it means facing death. Their love story touches me completely and I can never get enough of it.

Shiver is an amazing read because Stiefvater knows how use words to create a compelling narrative. Like the first time I read this book, I went through this book quickly, wanting to know what was going to happen next to Grace and Sam as they try and find a way for Sam to stay human forever. She also made me emotional because their story ends on a cliffhanger, making the reader wonder what’s going to happen in the next book in the series Linger, which I’ve also read.

The shifting perspectives between Sam and Grace just adds to their narrative. The reader gets the full story of what’s happening from Sam and Grace’s point of view throughout the novel, getting an insight into the mind of a wolf.

I also like this series in general because I feel like Stiefvater gives the reader a reasonable explanation as to why Sam and the others change into wolves. Instead of being a story about werewolves who can change whenever, Sam doesn’t have complete control over his ability to become a wolf. He can only become a wolf when his body temperature is cold for a certain period of time. So when it’s wintertime, Sam is a wolf. However during the summers, Sam usually becomes human again.

But the catch is that they only have a certain amount of years where they can go from being a wolf to human until they become wolves completely and can’t change back. And that’s another reason why Shiver pulls at the reader’s heartstrings until they become emotionally invested in the character’s situation. With Sam and Grace, it’s supposed to be Sam’s last year being human. But this is the first time Sam and Grace have fully interacted with each other. Years ago, Grace had been attacked in her backyard by a pack of wolves, the pack Sam himself is in. But she was saved by Sam. Since then, they’ve both been drawn to each other, watching each other but not daring to get close until the events in Shiver unfold.

The only aspect of Shiver I don’t particular like is Grace’s parents. Both her mother and father are the most absent-minded parents I’ve ever read in a novel. Their relationship with their daughter is very limited. Throughout the book, you feel as if she doesn’t have parents because both of them are rarely around and when they are, their interaction with Grace is small. To the point where Grace basically fends for herself at home because her parents are always out of the house, barely paying any attention to Grace, even when she’s at home. And while I do know some people do have parents like that, it still bothers me because I feel like they don’t care about Grace and what she’s doing.

However, Shiver is such a beautifully crafted story that I can look past it. If you ever get the chance to read this book, please do. Especially if you are a wolf lover like me and enjoy young adult literature as much as I do. I can’t praise this book enough and can’t wait to read the second book in the series Linger again.

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Writing Prompt: Music

Music Life

When it comes to music, I listen to all sorts of types. From pop to rock and roll, music is an important part of my life. Music is what I listen to whenever I’m sad, need something to distract me from my thoughts, and need something to listen to whenever the silence in the world gets to me.

Music is an important part of my life. While I don’t play any instruments (though I used to whenever I was in middle school), I listen to music a lot.

Music is relatable. Whenever I listen to a song I’ve never heard before, I pay attention to what I’m hearing. Lyrics play an important part in whether I’ll enjoy a song or not. If the song doesn’t have lyrics I can relate to, I won’t listen to it. The same can be said if the song’s rhythm just doesn’t click with me.

I like listening to music I can relate to. Not because it makes me emotional but because I can understand the songwriter more and feel more of a connection to the music. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule. Like whenever I listen to classical music or any songs without lyrics, I look for music that pleases my ear. Songs that have a nice melody and that I can listen to that bring me peace of mind.

But my interest in music is an eclectic mix of songs. I like listening to rock and roll but also enjoy classical music, pop, indie, and sometimes even rap too.

My interest in music is a mixture because there are a lot of songs I like. But also because I love listening to music whenever I get the chance.

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Book Review: Where She Went

Where She Went Gayle Forman

Rating: 4 stars

It’s been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future – and each other.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

After reading If I Stay, I knew I would be reading Where She Went to see where Adam and Mia’s love story would go. And I was not at all disappointed by what I read.

I enjoyed reading Where She Went because you see how much both Mia and Adam’s lives changed without each other in them. Adam became the rock star he wanted to be only to discover the rock star life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. And Mia wasn’t left undamaged from the traumatic accident that left her without her family and changed her relationship with Adam forever.

And the changes that occurred throughout their lives during their three years without each other were quite huge. Both had become the musicians they wanted to be only to find something lacking in their lives. And when both of them happen to meet in New York City, their lives are changed once again.

What I enjoyed about reading Where She Went is that you find out what happened that caused their relationship to break. You found out why Mia ended their relationship, even though the reason given is a crappy one.

I also enjoyed reading Where She Went because I felt like their relationship was much stronger than in If I Stay. I felt their love was much stronger after they were apart from each other for so long.

Where She Went was a good read because I felt like I finally understood Mia’s character a little better. I didn’t mention this in my review of If I Stay, but I didn’t really like Mia’s character. I liked her character background, but I just didn’t like her as a person because I felt like she didn’t really care about Adam. And after reading this one, I feel as if I understand some of her actions a little better and understand why she broke Adam’s heart. And in the end, she loves him a whole lot more than I ever realized.

However, there were some things with Where She Went I didn’t like. I enjoyed reading the story from Adam’s perspective but didn’t like the way he handled certain situations. Some conversations need to be had in person and the one final conversation he had with one of the characters was a shitty way to deal with things. Yes, he was honest with her, but I felt like he should’ve had that conversation with her in person to explain why things wouldn’t work between them.

I also enjoyed this novel from Adam’s perspective because I could feel Adam’s love for Mia. As a reader, I could tell that Adam cared a lot about Mia and only wanted to do everything in his power to make her happy. Even if that meant sacrificing his own happiness for her.

In the end, Where She Went is a great young adult love story that I find myself easily able to relate to. It makes me hopeful that things will always work out the way they are supposed to and that true love does exist. I recommend Where She Went for those who read If I Stay and want to know what happens to Adam and Mia and for those who’ve lost hope in love and second chances.

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Letter to Myself, Dear Future Me

Letter Writing

I was tagged by Jia from Film & Nuance.

Thank you for tagging me and I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. Would’ve written this a lot earlier if I were more observant on WordPress. But I guess that can’t be helped now. I’ve written letters to myself in the past. In middle school, my one teacher had us write a letter for our high school selves and it was really interesting to see what I’d written and I think it would be cool to reflect on this tag a year from now to see how different things have changed.

Rules:

  • Tag it under ‘DearFutureMeTag’
  • Write a letter to yourself to read again in a year’s time. You can answer if you would like.
  • Nominate other bloggers, as many as you like at the end of this post.

Dear Future Me,

I know a lot has probably changed in the past year, but I am so proud of you. 2015 was such a tough year for you and while 2016 so far has been pretty good if not better, I’m still proud that you’ve made it this far in life.

Even though there isn’t a whole lot going on for you right now. I mean, you’re working and that’s nice and all, but you’re not using the degree you spent all that time in college to get.

Okay, I know I’m being a little harsh on you. After all, I’ve finally started really getting back into writing again, making it a habit in my life like it used to be before I got so busy with college and life that I couldn’t keep up with it. And I started this blog in July last year and quickly realized how much I enjoy blogging.

But I don’t know—I think I’m just getting discontent with how things in life are right now. I mean, work at the dining hall is okay, but I’m not enjoying it.

But that’s because you’re ready for things to change. To be somewhere different, doing something different with your life.

I don’t know why, but I’m ready for things to change. And I know they will. We just need to remember to be patient and push on until they do.

But hey, this year hasn’t been too bad so far. Laney mentioned a couple weeks ago about buying a PlayStation 4 in the near future and we will finally be going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter very soon. Though, since I’m talking to future you, I bet you’ve already been there and as I write this are soaking in those happy moments in Florida. As well as enjoying those moments you’ve spent playing the new video games you bought on the PlayStation 4 with big sissy.

Though I know chances are that you’re trying to forget what happened in May as well. Not going to Tommy’s graduation from college in Georgia, but the fact that you were in the same state as the ex who broke my heart almost four months ago. Though I know the chances of me running into him are probably slim to none, I know I probably felt all sorts of feelings at the time. And as I sit here typing all of this out, I try not to think of what all could’ve happened. Though I know you already know and are probably in a certain state of mind right now at his mention. Whatever feeling that is, don’t tell me. I’ll know soon enough either way. But I am a strong person. So whatever feelings you’re having, I know I’ll be okay either way.

After all, you’re a very talented person. Besides continuing to write, you’ve also been doing a lot of coloring too. I know a lot of people might think that sounds funny, but they just don’t understand how enjoyable and destressing it can actually be. Right now, I’ve been coloring in my Harry Potter coloring book Laney bought for me for Christmas. I’m coloring the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry house crests. So far, I’ve completed our house Ravenclaw and the Hufflepuff crest.  I’m working on the Gryffindor one now.

I also just recently finished reading Where She Went and will be writing my review tomorrow.

Okay, future me. I think I’ve rambled on long enough.

But before I forget, there’s one more thing I must say to you.

Even when things get tough, keep pushing on. Don’t let life get you down and remember that you have friends all around you that really care about you.

So please, stay strong future me. Because I know I am.

From,

Raney Simmon

Nominations: I think for this post, I want  to not only nominate bloggers whose blogs I enjoy reading, but people I believe (and hope) will want to participate and write one of these letters too!

So Many Books

Prophecy Six

Blu Chicken Ninja

Cristian Mihai

Zen and Pi

The Little Book Affair

Book Owly

Bookish Antics

Edge of Night

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Writing Prompt: “Sometimes the Right Path” Quote

Sometimes the Right Path Isn't the Easiest One

I definitely agree with this quote. I do honestly believe the path we need to take in life isn’t the easiest one. That the right path we need to follow is a difficult place to go.

Life is hard. It often throws curveballs at us that we don’t expect to encounter. But it is what we do with our lives that determines what road we end up taking. Sometimes, life takes us down the wrong path. Takes us down a road we don’t want to travel, but get stuck at because we have nowhere else to go.

And even when life decides to take us down the right path, we are stuck making difficult choices. Decisions we don’t want to make, but have no choice but to do.

The right path is not the easiest one not because it’s the wrong path, but because life is hard and the decisions we sometimes have to make are the difficult ones.

In life, we have to make tough decisions. Do things we don’t want to do because they are things that are best for ourselves. Things that are better for ourselves in the long run and that will make our lives better for it. But in order to get those things accomplished, sacrifices have to be made. We have to sacrifice things in life we ordinarily wouldn’t in order to make our lives better. Deal with tough choices the best way we can in order to get onto the right path.

These sacrifices benefit our lives in the long run and in the end, they lead us down the right path.

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