Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2016

YES, JUST YES. LOOK AT ALL OF THE PRETTY! *SOBS* oh my gosh..... SHRED MY SOUL SIXTEENS!

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

My Heart and Other Black Holes

Author: Jasmine Warga

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 302

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner. 

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.~Goodreads

My Heart and Other Black Holes is a cute story with a heavy subject matter. It is so scary to think that websites like Smooth Passages actually exist. It gives me the jeebers just thinking about it. 

I really enjoyed Aysel and Roman's relationship. Aysel is a sarcastic, sassy little thing and Roman reluctantly puts up with it. Ha! That pretty much sums it up :P No, no, I liked how their friendship blossomed and grew as they got to know one another. 

Also, I just want to add that, yes, it can be scary to open up to someone about how you are feeling. Especially your parents...but lying to them and hiding things is NEVER the answer. If you don't want to talk to your parents, find someone else you trust. You are loved and needed. Things are never as bad as they seem. Don't be afraid to reach out! My inbox is always open :)

Although this story touches on some really deep issues it has moments of tenderness, hilarity and hope.

Top 10 Book Covers of 2015

So, I've only read TWO of these books, but i've STARED at all of them for multiple hours at a time. That counts for something right? :P

Top Ten of 2015: The Best Books I've Read

Alrighty, so today is the kickoff for the Top 10 of 2015 hosted by Two Chicks on Books, Fiktshun, Tales of a Ravenous Reader and Magical Urban Fantasy!

So, I kind of started my reading spree towards the end of the year and have only read 19 books so far (YIKES!) That being said, I was only able to pick 8 books for today's list (all the others I read were either just ok or total duds.)

Onto the list! The Top 8 Books I read in 2015 are:

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Blackhearts (ARC Copy)

Author: Nicole Castroman

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England? 

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.~Goodreads

THAT COVER! 

That cover is so fantastic. Forget about the story, just let me stare at this cover all day!

Pirates have a very special place in my heart. So, any story that involves or makes reference to pirates is gold—BLACKHEARTS is no exception!

This book is told from alternating points-of-view which is my absolute favorite way to get to know the characters. Anne is so strong-willed and tough and smart—she is a take no nonsense type of gal—which I adored. Then there is Teach, he is so incredibly attractive and frustrating and attractive and intelligent and bossy and did I mention attractive? Also, he was to be the captain of a ship. *THUD* 

Anne and Teach's relationship is so refreshing. They seriously frustrate the hell out of each other yet their attraction is so palpable. (When Anne reads to Teach while he was sick—oh my goodness gracious—my heart! There was nothing as sweet and romantic and SEXUALLY CHARGED.) I'm so surprised Teach was able to hold of kissing Anne as long as he did ;)

As great as this book was, I feel is was one epic set up for an even more incredible sequel. Do you know how SPECTATULAR IT WOULD BE?! It would take place on the high seas! Yes please. I'm so in for a second installment!

BLACKHEARTS is definitely a book you need to add to your TBR!

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

The Fill-In Boyfriend
Author: Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 352

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more! Oh my goodness it was so cute!

THE PLOT, THE CHARACTERS, THE ROMANCE— ALL ON FLEEK. (yes, that was said.)

JUST GAH! So freaking adorable and hilarious and frustrating and fantastic!

I really enjoyed reading from Gia's pov.  She is sassy and funny and incredibly likeable.  Mad props to her for asking a complete rando, who was sitting out in the high school's parking-lot no less, to prom! The way she goes about asking the guy came across as utterly charming and not desperate at all (even though she totes was desperate) :P

And then we have Hayden. Oh Hayden…you adorable, sweet, dorky, thoughtful boy, you! I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GUY. OH MY GOSH! He is the epitome of wonderful. 

Put Gia and Hayden together are you get MAGIC! Their friendship/relationship was pure perfection. 

Also, shout out to Hayden’s sister for being a cheeky bad-ass! Bec was bomb! (BEC SPIN-OFF?!)

(Also, just FYI Jules is a major bitch.)

I can’t say enough positive things about this book. It was such a quick read GIVE ME MORE OF THESE CHARACTERS, WEST! The Fill-In Boyfriend will have you frantically flippin’ the pages and swooning like crazy!