#BookTubeAThon2015 Fail!

First off, I should've done a BookTubeAThon TBR list, but I didn't have an actual solid list, go figure (haha). I'm the type of person that would change things around and just go with my reading flow.

Secondly, I've failed to complete some of the challenge. I tried so hard juggling work and reading. At the least, I've accomplished 5 of the challenges even though only 3 of the books will go towards my 2015 reading challenge on goodreads.

I will list the books in the order I've read them.

Book 1: Read a book you really want to read
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Rating: ☆☆☆☆/5

Nimona is a graphic novel. It's a story about a girl who was recruited to be a villain's sidekick. Let's just highlight the ending of this book. Not what I had expected, two thumbs. The book has cool art. (I also read this book in one sitting.)

Book 2: Finish a book without letting go of it

Selp-Helf by Miranda Sings

Rating: ☆☆☆☆/5

Selp-Helf is written by Miranda Sings, a YouTuber. This colorful book was quite enjoyably funny. It's filled with lots of advice Miranda would totally give. She even gave us activities.

Book 3: Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
Rating: ☆☆☆☆¾/5

Love Letters to the Dead was a very beautifully written story. It reminded me of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (one of my favorite read books of this year) because of the letter structure instead of actual chapters. The story is about a teenage girl, Laurel, losing her big sister, May. Laurel tried to be strong and more like her perfect, fearless sister, but throughout the book, Laurel came undone as she finds herself and finally becomes herself. I shed tears reading this one.

picture source

Book 4: Read a book with blue on the cover
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
Rating: ☆☆☆☆/5

Fairest is Levana's story. I started reading the Lunar Chronicles in the beginning of this year and I am highly anticipating Winter to come. Through this book, I've come to find out that Levana is batshit crazy and she can't be fixed. Her life was sad but she puts it upon herself to make it unbearable. But of course, fans of the Lunar Chronicles should get this book.

Book 5: Read the last book you acquired
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Rating: ☆☆☆☆½/5

Cruel Beauty is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's definitely not your typical Beauty though. She has a twin and she's a very dark character. I fell in love with the Beast in this book. For a demon lord, he's caring and a sweetheart. This was my first Beauty and the Beast retelling read.

I didn't complete read someone else's favourite book and read seven books. I will try again next year! I did complete last year, but I had a week off from work because I had taken my top wisdom teeth out.

Time for chillaxing read without deadlines. Whew.

Have a bookful day and happy reading, lovelies!

♡Prys

Reading Slump

Whoa! Hey, there. I just had a reading hiatus—the longest reading slump. 2 ½ months long, to be exact. That was so totally crazy.

Sure, now I'm flying through books, but I thought I lost my love for books. That would have been a huge disaster. Like, how can I stop loving books? Beautiful, wonderful, sexy books.

I stopped reading in March. My last book was Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I guess it was too good of a book (which it really was and you should totally read this book!) my brain rejected other books I picked up afterwards. 

My brain didn't want to register other books, and it just decided to take a long break. I picked up so many fantasy books and nothing. No excitement, no urge to read. I was worried I even came to the conclusion that maybe I was bored with books. That was so hard to type and confess. My brain was that far off in the dark side. Sorry for saying mean things, books. It was me, not you.

Then recently (and by recently, I mean a month ago), I picked a book from my contemporary TBR. I sped through 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson in 2 days from June 22nd-23rd.

I'm on my 17th book now after I finished 13 Little Blue Envelopes and I don't think I'm stopping (not trying to jinx myself now). Gotta read, read, read!

What I learned from this whole ordeal:

1. I worry too much.

2. Everyone has a reading slump and we will prevail! *Warning: Non-stop binge reading will occur.

I AM SO GLAD TO BE BACK IN THE READING WORLD!

Have a bookful day and happy reading, lovelies!

♡Prys

My Reading Journey

I never wanted to read novels when I was a kid. I thought it was stupid and boring and a waste of time (Boy, was I wrong! Shame on you, young Prys!!). Honestly, big books with no pictures were intimidating to 10-year-old Pryscilla.

So it all started with Twilight...

Twilight

In freshman year of high school, people were really into Twilight and I just ignored the hype because I was so not into reading novels (weird, ignorant 14 year old self). In junior year, everything changed because the movie had came out and I don't know, I felt the urge to read it. Needless to say, I fell in love with the saga. I am still waiting for Midnight Sun! I was definitely Team Edward!

Pretty Little Liars

I marathoned the first two seasons first and I saw that it was based from a book. I bought the first for and collected the first 12 books and need the last 4 to complete the series. It was a fun read at first, but it kind of dragged on because A keeps changing and I hope the real end will be a great reveal. My favorite A as of right now is the twin, which is on the second arc of the series from book 5-8.

The Hunger Games

Then came the Hunger Games. I just got into college when this book was loved by everyone and their mothers. I go in a bus and someone beside me was reading Catching Fire. I talked to clients (I used to work in a nail salon) and they suggested The Hunger Games. I was recommended to read this book by my brother's childhood friend. I read it and loved it, of course. My favorite book was Catching Fire, and so far, that's my favorite movie out of the currently released!

Harry Potter

I love all Harry Potter movies since it first came out, but I never read the books. I know I attempted to read it during the times I spent in the library. But again, big book and big words did not appeal to my younger self. When I started to really get into YA fiction and watch booktubers, everyone LOVES the book, so I just had to. It was also around the time Deathly Hallows pt. 1's release and I had the last book at hand since forever ago because my brother received it on its released day (for unknown reasons). I read it and finished that ginormous book and read the HP series from the start!

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So for all you teens out there who thinks reading is boring, try these for a start. In addition to these beauties, I do highly recommend the Divergent Trilogy or The Lunar Chronicles.

Have a bookful day and happy reading, lovelies!

♡Prys

FMS Review | My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Hey, hi, hello!

Fill My Shelf episode 4 is up on the Tube. It's a review of my fourth read for 2015 releases, a debut novel by Jasmine Warga called My Heart and Other Black Holes.

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
My Rating: ☆☆☆/5

I read this whole book in one sitting on a Saturday, Valentine's Day to be exact. While I did like some aspects of the book, I found this book to be quite rushed.

I was intrigued by the concept of My Heart and Other Black Holes (MHAOBH for short). I wanted to see how Warga would tackle a topic such as teen suicide pact in the book. The book was too romance driven for me, so if you want a book that makes you giddy for love, this book is it and the main character Asyel's feelings will speak to you.

I did think the book was way too rushed. Some characters that I thought would be a huge factor to the story didn't have any voice at all. The build up in the beginning about Asyel's father was anti-climatic. I didn't feel like I was involved in Asyel's family life or personal life, but instead it was about her L♡VE life, which saved her in many ways.

However if you just break the story and take MHAOBH's romantic aspects, it is such a cute story—the way Asyel fell for Roman is just too adorable.

For further breakdown of the book, you guys can check out my Goodreads review here, where I list the pros and cons of the book and my spoilery thoughts!

Have a bookful day and happy reading, lovelies!

♡Prys