Lived One Thousand Lives

Hey Everyone! I recently finished Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, and instead of a review, I decided on going through lessons learned from this beautiful book. Just to start, I'm just going to say that I gave this book 5/5 stars. Though it did have some flaws, in its entirety, I absolutely adored this book. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it is a retelling of Peter Pan before Wendy came along from the point of view of Tinkerbell. Sounds crazy, but it turned out so mystical and poetic. It is a definite recommendation from me!Onto the seven things I learned from Tiger Lily...

Tiger Lily's father figure, Tik Tok, is the leader of their village in the book. But, in this version, a foreigner shows up and encaptures the villagers' devotion with stories of God, Heaven, and Hell. As the villager's loyalty turns to this white man and away from Tik Tok, they try to change Tik Tok into what they now believe will ensure paradise after death. Just a little background, Tik Tok takes pleasure in dressing in extravagant dresses and hairdos, it's a major part of what makes him himself, which up until this outsider shows up, the villagers accept. Now, with the pressure of Heaven over their heads, the villagers worry about Tik Tok's acceptance into this 'paradise' the white man has convinced them of. Because of this, they convince Tik Tok to allow them to cut off all of his hair and to get rid of his beautiful dresses. Lacking what made Tik Tok, Tik Tok, he shuts down, eating only when forced and rarely getting out of bed. In the end, he takes his life rather than live as only part of who he is.

With Tiger Lily and Peter's love was young, spontaneous, and independent. Neither needed the other, but they loved each other nonetheless.  However, Tiger Lily and Pine Sap intertwined. Not physically, but they created roots around each other. Both were always near the other, always there for each other, with or without communication. It took Tiger Lily a long time to realize this was love too, it was just different than any other love she had felt.

There were two or three instances that proved this for me. Tinkerbell explains that fairy hearts like hers aren't 'elastic' like humans are, they can only truly love one person.While Tinkerbell seems to be rude towards Wendy is only struggling and heart broken because she just fell in love her one and only time with Peter of all people. She knows he can't reciprocate her feelings, but she has used up her one chance. Her three wishes are gone, her genie went back into his lamp. She can't have another chance at love, so she is forced to endure. My heart breaks for her, she has to spend her entire life loving one person who will never love her back the way she needs. I mean yes, he sees her when no one else seems to, but I'm not sure that's enough for her. If you didn't know this, she would just come off as rude and jealous.

Tik Tok said this to Tiger Lily and I think it's very true.  “I'm not myself," she offered, guiltily. She softened around Tik Tok, and when she did she was, for those rare moments, girlish.
He smiled. "You can never say that. You're just a piece of yourself right now that you don't like.” 

In Tiger Lily and Peter's relationship, Tiger Lily could not show weaknesses to Peter.  She felt she had to keep up with Peter to gain his affection. This, however, backfired. Peter in his letter to her at the end said, "Did you know I always thought you were braver than me? Did you ever guess that that was why I was so afraid? It wasn't that I only loved some of you. But I wondered if you could ever love more than some of me. " Peter needed to know she was human, that she was capable of love, but did not find it in Tiger Lily, and for that, he left her. 

Peter moves away. Tik Tok dies. Tiger Lily marries Pine Sap. All of these are ways of growing up. Not everyone in the book grows OLD, but everyone grows UP. Those aren't necessarily the same, growing old and growing up.

I absolutely adore this book. It is a memorable, haunting retelling of Peter Pan and I love it with all my heart. Comment your thoughts on these lessons, on the book or on anything! Salaam,

Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

 

Description: Anke’s father is abusive. But not to her. He attacks her brother and sister, but she’s just an invisible witness in a house of horrors, on the brink of disappearing altogether. Until she makes the volleyball team at school. At first just being exhausted after practice feels good, but as Anke becomes part of the team, her confidence builds. When she learns to yell “Mine!” to call a ball, she finds a voice she didn’t know existed. For the first time, Anke is seen and heard. Soon, she’s imagining a day that her voice will be loud enough to rescue everyone at home—including herself.

 

Overall: To start, I loved the format of this book. It was basically a story in the form of poems. So amazing and easy to get into and different. The topic was so sad and disheartening, reading about what her father put her family through. It showed that abuse isn't always physical, and even ignoring someone can count as abuse. I thought Anke was inspirational and conflicted, very well developed. I do understand her predicament with joining the volleyball team since her father forbade it, but I just got a slight bit irritated, because if your father is abusive and he tells you not to do something as little as joining a volleyball team, why do it? I understand telling someone about the abuse if he forbids that, but something as unimportant as joining the team is risky because it could, and in this case did, lead to one of her siblings being hurt. Now, I do understand that this was the first act of defiance that lead to later acts, which ultimately freed them from his anger, but I'm not so sure I would have done it the same. Obviously, I've never been in a situation like that, so what I think now is most definitely different than what I would do, but thinking it through as an outsider, it just seems unnecessarily risky. However, I love the book. My only issue with the format was that I was hoping for more of a poetic story telling, not just telling the story and breaking it up to look like a poem. Some of the pages were poetic and amazing, I just wanted more of that and less of a typical story. All in all, loved most of the book.

 

Characters: Anke was so conflicted and trapped, but also brave. It took her to stand up and ultimately get hurt to free her family, and she did so unflinchingly. Anke had to figure out how she could be a good person, if she was wishing something like rape on herself just for attention, and that made her strong. Her mother  was disgusting, but I assume and accurate portrayal of a person in her position in real life. She allowed rape and abuse to continue to her children, and for that she will always be a terrible person in my eyes. A mother's sole purpose is to protect her children, so allowing someone to harm them day after day is monstrous. Her brother and sister were equally scared and stronger than anyone ever should have to be, to face the abuse everyday. The author did an amazing job developing the characters in the little words went into this book.

 

Quotes: 

Overall: First, thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for a review! Now, I found this book to be entertaining. The idea was good, just a little typical. You know, the mom dies, girl feels left out, finds out secrets about herself, and finds friendship all at once. Real life just doesn't work that way. I thought the magic was a cool aspect though! I enjoyed the counselor character, he was mysterious and frightening which I love! I wanted Fliss to get together with the boy twin, Jamie I believe, I'm honestly surprised they didn't get together, but maybe next book? I definitely wanted more romance in this book. The ending was ok, just again typical. Girl doesn't know she has powers, almost dies, discovers she has powers and saves everyone she loves, aww how sweet. I didn't like how naive Felicity was, and how much of a complainer she was at times.i felt the plot was good, but very quick. One second she's the new girl and the next the end in happening. I yearned for one more minor event to space things out. Her relationship with her dad was quite sad, but it got better for both of them near the end. I just didn't like that she would like stay out all night and her dad wouldn't even know. Like that almost never happens realistically speaking. All in all, it was entertaining and quick, just a few issues with it.

Characters: I adore Jamie, he's smart and loyal and I pictures him to be nerdy cute. Felicity was naive and talked too much about being a loner and finally she has some friends who change her life forwver, ugh, gross. I'm not sentimental at all so I didn't like that at all. Holly was loyal, just too preppy for me, like honestly she put on makeup after a guy tried to kill her?!? Honestly? But, the characters were introduced well and their relationships were well developed.

Quote:"The knowledge he possessed had a power beyond that of any strange, magical spell he could perform"

Recommend?: I'll give it 3/5 stars, it was pretty entertaining, just not my type of book.

Salaam,
Lived One Thousand Lives

Overall: Beautiful Beautiful was, well beautiful. It was a unique set-up with a mother telling her daughter a bedtime story that is a veiled story about how she met her husband paired with flashbacks that correspond with the story's progression, make sense? It was very unique and captivating. It was a very quick read, good for waiting in line or things like that. I read it in 2-3 hours max. The setting of Glitter City was majestic. the whole thing was very magical really felt like a modern fairy-tale, which I am loving right now. The story's progression was very smooth and easy to follow. The lessons about beauty apply both to children and to adults, which is the sign of a good bedtime story. I liked that Kerrin worked her way to the top regardless of both scandals, no spoilers here, and didn't let bad publicity stop her. My only issue is the length, I wanted more info, more after the ending, but I suppose that's why this is book #1. I'm definitely going to pick up #2. All in all, short and sweet. Perfect for relaxing for an hour or two.

Characters: Absolutely loved Kerrin and her determination. I loved Anthony and then I hated him, the writing was so captivating that I adopted the feelings Kerrin had towards Anthony as they changed. My feelings matched up perfectly, which almost never happens. I love love love Mark and his directness, especially at the end. Kerrins friends were perfect friends, loyal and understanding. I loved the description of Merni (I think that's how you spell it), always calling her a rectangle and such. That made me laugh.

Quotes: "'Not mean or bad, full of sorrow, I think'
'Sad kings aren't scary,' Mibi said.
'They are when they cry so many tears they drown the whole world'

(The blue part was my favorite)

Recommend?: Oh yes, 5/5 stars. Beautiful, captivating, quick. All the elements of a wonderful read!

You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

*I was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review*

*Cover and Description from Goodreads*

Description: Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

Overall: ...............I need a moment to compose myself. This book was absolutely beautiful and perfect and everything you could ever want for a dystopian YA book. It is the story of a girl, Serena, living in a time where men are warlocks and rule women like they are property. When I first started reading, I was so taken aback by how harsh and disturbing the way the men treated the women, but hang in there. It gets so good. The setting was absolutely perfect, the plot was SO good. Twists and turns every second it seems. Serena was not clingy or overly emotional, she was strong and brave and hard-headed. Her story didn't even focus on love as much as it would seem, but more on how she can protect her family now that she is gone and how she will adapt to being owned by someone other than her father. I honestly could not stop reaidng this book after the time I started it. I got those anxious butterflies in my stomach when you really want to read but cant at the moment. The plot was different from most of the dystopian, fantasy, Ya books, which was refreshing. You know which ones i'm talking about, the ache to read that book. Let's see, what else can I say other than to read it now before you miss out? Get the book here or here!

Characters: I loved Serena, like I said before. I absolutely adored Zade....he was kind and sensitive and so freaking sweet and shy. He is my boyfriend, I called dibs! I also liked Katherine, who I could perfectly picture and fell in love with! I loved Cynthia, Serena's sister, who was always there for her. I could go on and on about all of these characters.

Quotes: I couldn't highlight any because my phone hates me, but here are a few that I can find.

"The pain is already receding from where he hit me, but the damage has been done."

"They are the shadows I've always been taught they are. But don't I sometimes do the same with Father and my family? Stand back where I can't be seen, waiting and watching."

Recommend?: 1000000/5 stars. You can round it to 5/5 stars. So amazing! Read it now! Please? For me?


Comment your thoughts!

Salaam,
Lived One Thousand Lives

Overall: This book was so freaking cute. It's the story of a "stay" or vacationer Ashley and a "local" boy named Lane falling in love. To start off, the characters were really well developed before they even met. The author did an amazing job introducing backstory of both Lane and Ashley before they met. I loved the switching perspectives between Ashley and Lane, y'all know I love me some switching perspective books. I liked how they met too, with Lane standing up for her and such. I found the plot to be predictable but very good, I wasn't bored even though I knew what was going to happen. Lane and Ashley together were so cute, especially the night when Ashley dances for Lane at the pool. That's my favorite scene in the whole entire book. I loved that both Ashley and Lane had problems outside of each other and could be independent for awhile if they needed to be. Like Lane trying to earn enough money to get into college and Ashley trying to please her parents. It was so frustrating when Ashley's parents just wrote Lane off as being bad just because he was a "local" or whatever. The accident (I wont tell you what or who is involved) was so sad and irritating for reasons you would know if you go read this book! This book was very summery, which I loved since summer is drawing closer to it's end and school is starting up again. It gave me a way to be in summer for an hour or two each day when I found time to read it.

Characters: Obviously I loved Lane and Ashley, but I really loved Andrew. With the big brotherly attitude and his cuteness, he was perfect. I also really liked Lane's grandpa. He was sweet and wise and perfect. I hate/loved Greg because he was the best villain almost ever in a love story like this. Kudos to his imagination. Everyone else was alright. I really disliked Ashley's parents even after the change of heart at the end. I'm so glad my parents aren't like that!

Quotes: “'Dude, when a girl’s screaming to be let go, it’s a pretty good indicator that she doesn't want you, prince or not.'”


"This time, I’m the one who gets caught watching one of the waitstaff walk away."

Recommend?: Yes, very cute very romantic read. 4/5 stars!

Overall: This is the account of one woman's fight with breast cancer and everything afterwards. To start off, this book's tone was so perfect. It was comical to break up such a serious topic, but also was informative. It was the perfect blend of serious and funny to make this a fantastic read. The book did an amazing job of getting it's information and tips across to the reader in an easy-to-understand way. Some books of this type can get way to medical or depressing, but this one wasn't at all. It explained everything without confusing someone with no medical knowledge. I also loved the fact that the author gave all of the options possible for someone in the same position. This book really opened my eyes to all of the possibilities and treatments for breast cancer. Basically, I went in with no knowledge and came out with miles of it.

Characters: I loved the narrator. She was hilarious and kind and just perfect. She sounds like the kind of person I want to be or I want my kids to be, if I ever have kids. She was brave and strong, the perfect role model.

Quotes: I loved all of the little quotes before each chapter started. My favorite is:

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul-and sings the tunes without the words-and never stops at all."

Recommend?: Yes, every woman must read this book. 5/5 stars!

A Veil of Glass and Rain by Petra F. Bagnardi

*I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review*

Overall: This book is the story of Brina and Eagan's love, just to wrap it up into a sentence. I loved the story progression, switching from before when they were kids as like a flashback and to the present. I also liked the ending. This book does has sex scenes, and quite a few, so if that bothers you don't read it. I found them fine, nothing really special. I liked the tension built between the characters, I found it better than many of the books trying to pass as romance. I loved the setting very much, not just Rome, but the places described in Rome like the parks and the museums. The book also switched perspective between Eagan and Brina, which you all know is one of my favorite things. If an author can write well while switching perspective, I think it really adds to the quality of the book. I had one issue with the book. The main character was way to needy and criey (Is that even a word?). She cried when she was happy, she cried when she was sad, she cried when she was sick. This list can go on. I also didn't like that she couldn't function without a man in her life. What would she do if a tragedy happened? What if they had a kid? I just don't think that is a good quality to promote in a book. Besides that, I found the book to be good.

Characters: Again, liked Brina except for the neediness. I liked Eagan too. I loved the twins, they were so funny and supportive. I did not like Neal, he was rude and demeaning. I don't think I could stand to be around someone like that. Everyone else was fine. The characters were developed well, they just had some traits that I didn't like.

Quotes: “Take control of the situation. Be an alpha guy. Instead of—Hell, I don't know which letter of the Greek alphabet you're now, but it's not a good one."

“Right there I knew I wanted, one day, to live in Rome, because it was protected by a construction that could bare the weight of the world.”

Recommend?: Yes! I give it 3.5/ 5 stars. The characters just got on my nerves sometimes. I loved the setting and the plot. It was very well written!

Overall: Breathtaking. Stunning. Beautiful. Encapturing. Amazing. This book is all of these things and more. It's simply amazing! The plot was so good. The twists and turns punched me in the face with the shock. The characters were so well developed. The setting was so imaginative. The romance aspect wasn't traditional, which I loved too. I also liked the fact that the female didn't rely totally on the boy, because I really hate that. It all was just perfect. I fell in love on the first page and with each turn, it deepened. It is impossible to comprehend how sad I am that I can't read this book for the first time again. The waves of emotion this book procured was like being in the ocean. You all really don't understand, like at all. It was like a mix of Ender's Game and The Fault in Our Stars, it was that perfect. I am currently checking out every other Beth Revis book and will be devouring them. I am awestruck that someone can write so well it seems to play in your head. That the words seem to flow straight to your heart. There are no more words. Except that this cover is so beautiful. This is what drew me to the book, and I am so glad it did. I mean, they say don't judge a book by it's cover, but we all do. It's part of human nature, to judge before really knowing anything. It's instincts. Anyways, yes, amazing book read it before you die from lack of awesomeness.

Characters: Elder was so sweet and adorable, and I love boys that question things. I feel like that moved his attractiveness way up. I absolutely loved Steela. The side characters really make books for me, and this book had amazing ones! Obviously I liked Amy because she was a total BA and wouldn't take crap from anyone. Everyone, everyone was awesome!

Quotes:

“I never thought about how important the sky was until I didn't have one.”

“This is the secret of the stars, I tell myself. In the end, we are alone. No matter how close you seem, no one else can touch you."

“It is like a piece of my soul had been lost, empty, and it is now filled with the light of a million stars.”

“But...If my life on Earth must end, let it end with a promise. Let it end with hope.”


REcommend: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh, did I say yes yet? Well yes. And oh ya, yes! Read it. For both my sanity and yours read it and talk to me about it. I'm dying here! I rate it 5/5.



Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

Operation Dark Angel by Pam Funke

I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review.

Description: Our current world is full of chaos, turmoil, hatred, wars, starvation, murders and strife. Every day the world spirals more and more out of control. The people of the world feel helpless and are looking for someone, anyone to save them. Who will save them and bring peace to the world? Can the birth of a single child be the answer to their prayers? Where is God in all of this? Is anyone even searching for Him or are they too caught up in the world to even bother looking?

Nicolaitanes Balac, a man who is quickly gaining political power and reverence, has enlisted the help of General Alexander Ludlow and The Group in an attempt to bring about peace and serenity for the entire world. Hence, the birth of Operation Dark Angel, a military operation designed to bring about world peace. Or is it? Will the operation really bring an end to the turmoil, violence and hatred or will it make matters worse? What can the people of the world do to regain control of the world?
Overall: I liked the book! The plot was totally unique and the different narratives was amazing! I really liked the suspense that the prologue created. I loved how simple the storyline was, but how complex it was within the different perspectives. It baffled me how the author tied all of them together at the end. My one problem was the Christianity aspect. I am 100% fine with Christianity, but I really don't like it in books. I was not familiar with the scripture at all, and I felt like it forced it one me a little too much. It wasn't as bad as most Christian Fiction, though, so that was alright. The characters were very well developed, too! The voice and the disappearing guy thing were a little too much for me. There were a few grammar mistakes and the word choice was slightly lacking, but it was a good book nonetheless.

Characters: This is probably morbid, but I loved the complexity of Nicoanitanes. He was focused, evil, and perfect. I also loved the side characters, like Wei and Mei. It was the little details that I loved in this book.

Quotes:
None really stood out to me.

Recommend?: I would really recommend if you are a strong christian or really want a unique story line. I give it 3/5.


Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

Once Upon a Tag by Anna Adams

I was sent this in exchange for an honest review.

Description: When David, a young French painter, unexpectedly meets Rita, an infamous Parisian street artist, his convictions are shaken to the core during a night he is unlikely to ever forget.

Overall: I really liked this short story! It was cute and well developed for such small of a time to get everything in. I really wanted it to be longer! I loved the cute romance aspect. I mean, it was predictable, but it was heart melting. So cute! The whole artist vs. vandalism thing was a great tension builder. The details were beautiful. It captured my attention, and I never put it down. Love!

Characters: David was so cute! He drew a portrait of her and that's such a heart melter!!! I want a boy to paint me.....:( Anyways. He was adorable!

Quotes: None

Recommend: Yes! If you want a quick, cute, amazing read this is your book! I give it 4/5!


Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

Overall: I am so in love with this jewel of a book. I'm extremely embarrassed to say that I was not expecting it to be so good. I'm completely speechless! I became so emotionally invested in this book and the characters There's something that really connected with me. It was like I was catching up with old friends. I seriously felt every emotion the characters felt. I read this book in about 4 hours without stopping. I finished at about 2 A.M. Monday morning. I could not stop, no matter how badly my eyes burned. But the story was so good! I only wish that the thing with the mom was detailed a little more. Like it was very abrupt, like that moment in movies where the DJ makes the sound with the turntable, and everything gets a little awkward. I suppose that was the point, though To catch you off guard. The love story was very cute. This book made me sad that I am single......Let's not talk about that. The only other thing I wasn't a fan of is the God thing. I am a Christian, for sure, but I don't really like to talk about it, you know? Like I know Gods there for me, but its not something I express. It's only for me and myself. It wasn't bad in this book, though It was kind of low key, which I liked. So all in all, I love this book and author and everything! Amazing! Just look at that cover! How cool! And the title! Very original!

Characters: Loved Brian. He was so sweet and excited, like a puppy dog. I also loved Ash for obvious reasons. Tall, dark, and mysterious. What could be better? I'm Team Ash by the way. Comment who's side you're on if you have read this. I really loved Lexy's parents too! Especially her mom!

Quotes:

“What if I'd been wrong all this time? I'd been so angry that God didn't fit the description I wanted him to fit.”

“It's just not that easy answer you want wrapped up in a pretty, little bow. Nothing real ever is, but that doesn't mean it's hopeless.”

“People lie to themselves all the time. If they lie to themselves, how can you expect them not to lie to you?”

Along with half of the whole book!

Recommend?: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I give it 100000000000/5 stars, but since "This input is not valid" I choose 5/5 stars. AH-MAZING book! Read it please! Team Ash all the way!

Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

~Disclaimer: I read the abridged version with the cover of the one pictured left because, who has time to read a 1,000 page book. I might read the whole book this summer, though.~

Overall: I really loved this book! It was nothing like the movie, but don't even get me started. I loved the writing style. It was very crisp and blunt. I loved the plot! So many twists and turns, and the irony was amazing. I loved the seriousness of the themes and the use of humor to break it up. The whole Fate vs. Freewill thing going on was awesome! I enjoyed all of the characters very much. Basically the whole book was really good. Very philosophical and mind blowing. The quotes were SO good! I will post my favorites below! Just the whole book was amazing. It really surprised me for being such a classic. Most of the time I am bored by classic books, but this book broke the stereotype by a landslide! So good!

Characters: Marius was adorable and protective. Very sweet and cute.
Jean Valjean was so determined and devoted.
Cosette was a little shallow, but very kind.
Everyone was just perfect!

Quotes:
"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise"

"To love another person is to see the face of God"

"It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live"

"When the mine is loaded, and the match is ready, nothing is simpler. A glance is a spark"

Recommend?: Yes! Especially if you like classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and such. I give it 5/5 stars because it's awesome!

Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

Overall: I loved the idea of this book. I can totally see humans coming up with a "bar-code" tattoo to make things easier. I don't see the government messing with them, though. The idea was awesome. My issue was that it was a typical dystopian type of book. I was hoping for something new and different. But no, the boy always ends up saving the girl who gets herself into trouble every possible chance.I also hated the psychic mental powers thing. I hate that the characters automatically get special powers to help them. Takes away from the realistic setting. I think it made me realize how close we are to something like this.The whole thing with her dad was very odd. There was never a set answer, unless I missed it, on why he did what he did. All-in-all it was alright, not amazing, but definitely worth reading.

Characters: Mfumbe was cute. I didn't fall in love with him, though, so that was a downer. No one else caught my attention, except maybe the old lady, I'm blanking on her name, who invites them into the compound. A little help here?

Quotes: “Even thought she saw tattoos everywhere, they continued to fascinate her. How bizarre to be branded like a box of cereal. Didn't people mind being counted as just one more product on a shelf? There had to be more to a person than that.”

Recommend?: Yes it was a quick, light read. I'll give it 3-4/5 stars. It was worth the read to learn about these "bar code" tattoos. They were a very clever idea.

Overall: I really liked this book. It was a very unique and cool take on the whole idea of a zombie type apocalypse. It was very detailed and the plot was constantly changing, but in a good way. This book constantly had my nerves on edge. To be honest, I read until 2 A.M. this morning to finish it. The ending was just so.....I can't even describe it. I was so mad, so MAD, ranting and raving in my head. I just wanted to burn this book, then I cried until I couldn't breathe, and then it ended. It was SO frustrating because of a few things, but all the good books are. I will not spoil this book though, so go read it and then email me about it!!! I'm dying to talk to someone about this book, but no one I know has read it!!! GRRRRRR. I just want to explode. I will say one negative thing, the only flaw I saw in this book. It was Mary. She was so selfish the whole entire time. To the point where I don't even like her anymore. I might even hate her.(I don't really hate her, I can see where she is coming from, but oh my lanta, think about others for once in your life!).

Characters:
Mary: Frustrating, but very determined
Travis: Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect Perfect, and it goes on and on
Harry: So sweet and devoted, it was a little sad
Jed: I honestly didn't like him until the very end, and now I want to reread it because of him
Jacob: SO CUTE/ADORABLE
Argos: Awwwww, I want one!

Quotes:
“I want to sleep, I want dreams to pull me from this world and make me forget."

“Who are we if not the stories we pass down? What happens when there's no one left to tell those stories? To hear them? Who will ever know that I existed? What if we are the only ones left -- who will know our stories then? Who will remember those?”

“You think you want love, Mary. You think it is this beautiful gift that does nothing but fill you and make you whole. But you are wrong. Love can be cruel and ugly. It can become dark and cause the deepest pain.”

“I realize that sometimes death comes before you expect it. That while we are rarely prepared for our friends, family and loved ones to die, we are never prepared for our own deaths. Never prepared to reconcile our own regrets.”

“We forget that the rest of live can be just as dangerous. I think about how fragile we are here-- like fish in a glass bowl with the darkness pressing in on every side.”

Recommend?: Yes! I gave it 4.5/5 stars, only because I was and still am so mad at the ending. Someone please talk to me about it so I can rant! This book is the best zombie book I have read thus far, and is also one of my favorites in general.

Please please please, If you have read this book EMAIL ME! I'm dying over here!

Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives

Overall: Loved this book! I loved the fact that the girl turned out to be completely different. It wasn't the typical romance where the boy goes on an adventure and finds the girl and they are instantly in love. Margo is way too cool for that. This book was good, not as good as The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but very good. This book was a tad bit childish sounding. I'm not really sure how to convey it, but the writing was definitely lower level. Targeted for the lower end of YA. But that's OK! It still was very good. I loved the philosophy behind paper towns. I really want to go to one now! Someone take me? This book was very good, is basically what I am trying to say.

Characters: Margo=total badass. I want to be her, minus the mean part. I want to break into Sea World and be awesome like that. Q=lovesick but very determined. He was borderline obsessive, but it's alright. It worked for his nerdy self.

Quotes:
“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”

“That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste.”

“The town was paper, but the memories were not."

“Did you know that for pretty much the entire history of the human species, the average life span was less than thirty years? You could count on ten years or so of real adulthood, right? There was no planning for retirement, There was no planning for a career. There was no planning. No time for planning No time for a future. But then the life spans started getting longer, and people started having more and more future. And now life has become the future. Every moment of your life is lived for the future--you go to high school so you can go to college so you can get a good job so you can get a nice house so you can afford to send your kids to college so they can get a good job so they can get a nice house so they can afford to send their kids to college.”

“When did we see each other face-to-face? Not until you saw into my cracks and I saw into yours. Before that, we were just looking at ideas of each other, like looking at your window shade but never seeing inside. But once the vessel cracks, the light can get in. The light can get out.”

Recommend?: Yes! I give it 4.5/5 just for the lower level vocabulary. The book was very good! Well, anything by John Green is amazing!

Salaam, Lived One Thousand Lives