Quirky and Hilarious // REVIEW: The Boy Is Back (The Boy, #4) by Meg Cabot

Title: The Boy Is Back (The Boy, #4)

Author: Meg Cabot
Publication Date: October 18th 2016
Publisher: William Morrow (Harper Collins)
Part of a Series?: Yes, book 4/4 of The Boy Series. Can be read as Standalones
I Got A Copy Through: Harper Collins India (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Wordery || Flipkart || Snapdeal || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Google Play Books

Blurb Description: In this brand-new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a scandal brings a young man back home to the small town, crazy family, and first love he left behind.
Reed Stewart thought he’d left all his small town troubles—including a broken heart—behind when he ditched tiny Bloomville, Indiana, ten years ago to become rich and famous on the professional golf circuit.  Then one tiny post on the Internet causes all of those troubles to return . . . with a vengeance.
Becky Flowers has worked hard to build her successful senior relocation business, but she’s worked even harder to forget Reed Stewart ever existed. She has absolutely no intention of seeing him when he returns—until his family hires her to save his parents.
Now Reed and Becky can’t avoid one another—or the memories of that one fateful night.  And soon everything they thought they knew about themselves (and each other) has been turned upside down, and they—and the entire town of Bloomville—might never be the same, all because The Boy Is Back.

There’s something so enchanting about reading Meg Cabot books…

It’s like going back to the days you first started reading, and re-experiencing your first love all over again (because if you haven’t read The Princess Diaries, you haven’t truly experienced ANYTHING) and it is beautiful.

While I wasn’t initially excited about The Boy Is Back, I’m only a mere bookworm with no self-restraint (as my bookshelf will clearly show you) and well, I definitely reached the excitement stage, and the MINUTE (okay, the day) after I got the book, I dove in.

The Boy Is Back is a quirky and hilarious, a typical Meg Cabot book that will have you laughing, falling in love and, as always, wondering where your Michael Moscovitz/ Reed Stewart is.

Becky Flowers is the only senior moving consultant in a hundred mile radius, and has stayed in her home town of Bloomville, Indiana when her dad passed away to take over the family business. There’s only one thing that still shadows her – a boy in high school, and a break-up and scandal that involved a pool, liquor, a golf cart, a prom and ten years of no phone calls.

Reed Stewart used to be the number one golf player in the world, and he also used to be the son of a judge and in love with a quirky girl whose last name was flowers’, until he left it all behind.

Ten years later, and a minor scandal involving stamps, major food chains and fraud, Reed Stewart is back in town, and nothing will ever be the same.

There are so many things you that ALL Meg Cabot books contain, that you can’t help but love:

1.      DRAMA

2.       A TAD MORE DRAMA

3.       FAMILY

4.       BEAUTIFUL BOYS that make you want to scream at your love life

5.       AWESOME Best Friends

6.       Siblings (mostly)

7.       Princesses and Genius Scientists that make you swoon

8.       AWKWARDNESS

9.       DRAMA (Wait. Did I say that?)

10.   A WHOLE  LOT OF AWESOME BOOKSIHNESS

And with the exception of number 7, The Boy Is Back has all of them, which just means that you need to buy and start reading this NOW. Told in a text, email and diary format, this book is a fast paced read that will have you smiling, pining and rooting for a fairy-tale ending.

Despite all the cuteness, the only thing I didn’t like was Becky and Reed together. Don’t get me wrong, they were GREAT on paper – cute, wronged lovers that fate threw together again – and their texts and email to and about each other were OH SO CHEMISTRY FILLED, but The Boy Is Back had about FOUR SCENES where they actually spoke to each other, and well, I NEEDED MORE. Reed, though he was portrayed as a ‘bad boy’ really just seemed like an enigmatic rich boy.

I think I just needed MORE of Becky and Reed themselves, ALONG with all the secondary drama for it to have been a great, and not just a good read.

WHAT is your favourite Meg Cabot Book?  WHO is your favourite Meg Cabot Boy?

PLEASE TELL ME YOU'VE READ THE PRINCESS DIARIES (and that Michael is EVERYTHING)

Top Ten Books I'd Be Buying This Holiday Season... If I Wasn't A SPECTACULARLY #BrokeBookworm (TTT #18)

HI GUYS! I returned last night from my second trip this month, and all I want to do is SLEEP. Oh, and SLEEP SOME MORE! All sleeping aside, I FINALLY started the GLORIOUS Crooked Kingdom (after a re-read of Six Of Crows, because WHY NOT?) and it is EVERYTHING.

If you're a #BookWorm (or Dragon) you have OBVIOUSLY experienced the I'M SO BROKE, but can I please have #ALLtheBOOKS phase. I mean, you probably go through it EVERY SINGLE DAY. So, while I don't celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving (I'm Indian, so no gifts for me BOO HOO) here is a list of my top ten book I WOULD be making people buy for me, If I wasn't so broke, or my Top Ten Books* I'd Be Buying This Holiday Season... If I Wasn't A SPECTACULARLY #BrokeBookworm 
*Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke And The Bookish

1. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner:

Named one of Buzzfeed's BEST YA Books of 2016, and described by multiple bloggers are utterly heartbreaking, The Serpent King would DEFINITELY be one of my top Christmas Buys. I actually even own the Kindle version of this book, but I feel like this NEEDS to be read with a physical book, in my hands, to truly experience it all.

I also had the pleasure of interviewing the WONDERFUL Jeff Zentner, and you can read it here.

 2. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury:

A standalone fantasy novel, The Forbidden Wish is about a genie and her master, and what it's like to live as a genie! IF THIS ISN'T COOL, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS. A loose Alladin re-telling (three wishes and all that), it's supposed to be dark and spunky and badass, and JUST TYPING THIS OUT MAKES ME WANT IT MORE.

ALSO, THAT COVER JUST MERITS OWNING.

 3. Of Fire And Stars by Audrey Coulthurst:

AN LGBTQ FANTASY NOVEL where a PRINCESS FALLS FOR HER BETROTHED'S SISTER? Oh, and there is MAGIC and SASSY CHARACTERS involved? CAN SOMEONE JUST GIVE THIS TO ME ALREADY?

I cannot even explain how much this book appeals to me, and how much I NEED IT, but DEAR GOD, I DO. Also, COVER LOVE!

 4. The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker

After hearing Sarah (The Book Traveler) RAVE about this series on Twitter, I knew I NEEDED to have it! I currently own the first book, The Witch Hunter, but I feel like this book will have a cliffhanger ending, and I need to have the next installment to help me with all the feels.

ALSO, WITCHES = MAGIC = NEED.

 5. Throne of Glass Colouring Book by Sarah J Maas:

Despite the fact that Empire of Storms was a disappointment (*cries*) how can any respecting Sarah J Maas Fan NOT WANT THIS BOOK. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL, the characters seem even better life-like and even though I probably won't ACTUALLY colour in the book, I NEED IT.

Yes, I make no sense. Can you blame me?

 6. Shiny Broken Pieces by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

I recently read the first book in this GORGEOUS duology, Tiny Pretty Things, and I FELL IN LOVE. Set in the cutthroat ballet world, it revolves around three prima ballerinas and the lengths they will go to to be the best.

I'm sort of waiting for the Paperback release before I buy this, so my collection will match, but that won't happen until next year, so...

 7. Talon by Julie Kwaga

A GIRL WHO IS SECRETLY A DRAGON? Where are these ideas coming from for all these GORGEOUS books, and HOW am I supposed to read them all? Also, this book and it's sequel, Rogue, FINALLY released in India and I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY I OWN IT!

Also, the paperback cover (I help it in my hands in the #bookstore) has SHINY DRAGON SCALES. #NEED.

 8. Written In The Stars by Aisha Saeed

Being Indian, with a culture of arranged marriages and parents that need to be convinced/ persuaded/ begged with for children to be allowed to date, Written In The Stars, is a book I NEED because it sounds SO BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.

It's a wonderful sounding diverse read, and I CANNOT WAIT TO OWN IT.

 9. The Reader by Traci Chee

THIS BOOK IS CALLED THE READER, OKAY? I barely remember what it's about but I KNOW I NEED IT.

Yes, there is such a thing as Title Lust.

10. Walk On Earth A Stranger by Rae Carson

I haven't read Rae Carson's first trilogy, Fire and Thorns, but this one sounds GREAT! A very different sort of Fantasy, centered around a girl who can sense GOLD, set in the Great American Gold Rush, and the dangers that come along with it, it's been on my TBR for a while now.

Also (and for the millionth time) COVER LOVE!

Are YOU excited for any of these books? Have you already *gasp* read any of them? 

What are the books you have on your Christmas/ Holiday wish lists?

I can't wait to talk to you!

Slightly More Entertaining // End Of The Line by E.C.Meyers (ReMade S01E08)

Title: End Of The Line (ReMade Season 1 Episode 8)
Author: E.C. Meyers
Publication Date: November 2nd 2016
Publisher: Serial Box Publishing
Part of a Series?: Yes, Episode 8/15 of ReMade Season 1
I Got A Copy Through: The Publisher (THANK YOU!)

Buy Links: Episodes are available in text and audio and can be enjoyed through the Serial Box App, at SerialBox.com, or wherever eBooks are sold.

Blurb Description: You live. You love. You Die. Now RUN. ReMade is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that will take readers past the boundaries of time, space, and even death.

This is the 8th episode of ReMade, a 15-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode was written by E.C. Myers.

After a twitchy trigger finger leaves the train without a driver, the group scrambles to find a way off their runaway getaway. With food running out and still no idea where they are headed, it’s hard to imagine things could get worse…

ReMade Season One: In one moment the lives of twenty-three teenagers are forever changed, and it’s not just because they all happen to die. “ReMade” in a world they barely recognize – one with robots, space elevators, and unchecked jungle – they must work together to survive. They came from different places, backgrounds, and families, and now they might be the last people on earth. Lost meets The Maze Runner in exciting serial adventure. 

 Season One will unfold across 15 episodes beginning September 14^th, with a new installment dropping every Wednesday until the season finale on December 21^st. Jump into this digital serial, available in both text and audio, and find out what the future of fiction holds.

Actual Rating 3.5 Stars

Before you start this review, you should download you FREE copy of Book One in this AWESOME season here.

Or, you can read my review of Episode 1, Shadows and Dreams, written by Matthew Cody here,  Episode two, Hungry by Andrea Philips here, Episode Three, Home, Perilious Home here, Episode 4, The Most Dangerous Game here Episode 5, Umta here, Episode 6, Reality No-Show here and Episode 7, Mourning Train here.

If you'd read my last review, you would know that I was only slightly disappointed by the previous episode in ReMade Episode 7, because after EVERYTHING that happened in the explosive Episode 6, it truly felt like just a filler.

While Episode 7 would rank higher on my episode ranking list, it still wasn't everything it could have been.

Starting right after Loki shoots the caretaker who was driving the train, and told from multiple viewpoints, this book shows us the minds of different characters on the train and also, how they realize that the train is speeding up, headed for combustion or collusion and the leaders that show up in the panic.

We FINALLY see May again, who I missed after her absence in the last few episodes, with her extra smart brain and mathematical capabilities. We also see Holden come into his position as leader of the Group, and Nevaeh (again, from Episode 7) develop a small crush on Holden.

Most of the episode, however, is told in Inez's viewpoint, with her thoughts about Loki and his gun, and a possibly budding relationship between her and Seyah, and her quick thinking and bravery in helping stop the train. I know a LOT of people found her annoying, but I somehow still love her, cheerleader uniform and all.

It's been forever since I read a ReMade episode (due to the fact that University started up again), and I'm so excited to continue!

 ReMade is a serial presented episodically in 15 parts by Serial Box Publishing.

In one moment the lives of twenty-three teenagers are forever changed, and it’s not just because they all happen to die.  Remade in a world they barely recognize – one with robots, space elevators, and unchecked jungle – they must work together to solve the mystery and stay alive. They came from different places, backgrounds, and families, and now they are our only hope. Lost meets The Maze Runner in this thrilling serial that combines contemporary YA with classic Science Fiction to fling you headfirst into adventure.

E. C. Myers was assembled in the U.S. from Korean and German parts and raised by a single mother and a public library in Yonkers, New York. He garnered a degree in Visual Arts from Columbia University which he completely neglects to use in his current life as a freelance writer and editor. A graduate of Clarion West, his stories have been published in Kaleidoscope: Diverse YA Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, and Space and Time magazine. His novel Fair Coin won the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. ECMyers.net. @ECMyers.  

Serial Box produces and publishes fiction serials, blending story production and distribution practices from television, book publishing and narrative podcasting. These team-written original serials span a range of genres including sci fi / fantasy, espionage, contemporary and historical drama, post-apocalyptic, etc. Serial Box delivers episodes to fans’ digital devices every Wednesday over the course of 13-16 week seasons. Each episode is available in ebook and audio and takes about 40 minutes to enjoy. Learn more at Serial Box.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and our blog. 

Have you heard of Serial Box Publishing? What do you think of Episode Books, and would you read them? 

What do you think of ReMade so far? 

Stacking The Shelves #20 - The One Where I Attempted To Buy Nothing... And Failed

These past few weeks, I have been feeling ALL THE GUILT when in comes to spending money on buying books, or pretty much anything else. Is this what #adulting feels like, because I think I NEED to get a job and start earning my own money before I spend any of it on myself. Sigh.

Two weeks ago, I WENT TO MY FIRST EVER COMIC CON with two of my closest friends and IT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. I only just unpacked, but it was only because I had to pack for another trip I'm taking, and I'm currently prepping posts for the weekend

I TRIED my hand at not buying books, and while I've stopped pressing that OH SO ENTICING Buy Now button on Amazon, it still hasn't been a complete success.

So, what did I add to my shelves (and the ever-growing, never-ending TBR) over the last two weeks?

From Harper Collins India:

1. The Boy Is Back by Meg Cabot (The Boy, #4)
ACK! I just finished this beauty, and I COMPLETELY FORGOT how much I ADORE Meg Cabot. While Reed and Becky didn't have THAT MUCH chemistry between themselves, the storyline was amazing, and I ended up loving the book nonetheless.

2. The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee (The Thousandth Floor #1)
Pitched as something for fans of Gossip Girl? YES PLEASE. I'm currently binge-ing the TV Show as well, and I am SO EXCITED to start reading this New York based book.

From Scholastic India:

1. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Cycle #1)
2. The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Cycle #2)

I devoured BOTH of these books in under a week (the links will take you to my reviews) and I NEED MORE. The Raven Boys was actually a re-read for me, because I had initially read it three years ago, and it was EVEN BETTER THAN I REMEMBERED. I adore Blue, her Raven Boys (especially Ronan, who is my life) and even her mother and the Gray Man. MORE PLEASE.

From Bloomsbury India:

1. Selfienomics by Revant
Although this is non-fiction, I REALLY love the way this sounds! Being a college kid and going into the job market, and experiencing my first #adulting money problems, this sounds like non-fiction I'm going to need!

From NetGalley:

1. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
2. A List of Cages by Robin Roe
3. Alterations by Stephanie Scott

Bought:

1. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
2. Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella
3. Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

What awesome books did you stack onto your shelves this week? Have you read any of these books yet?

I can't wait to hear from all of you! Don't forget to leave your links so I can visit your blogs!

A Mystically Fabricated Reality // REVIEW: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publication Date: September 17th 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 2/4 of The Raven Cycle
I Got A Copy Through: Scholastic India (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Infibeam || Flipkart || Snapdeal || Wordery || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Google Play Books

Blurb Description: Eerie, romantic and compelling this supernatural love story weaves together ancient myths, forgotten legends and the strange fates of a young psychic and a group of prep school boys caught in a web of murder, mystery and magic! 
If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take? 
Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself. 
One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams. 
And sometimes he’s not the only one who wants those things. 
Ronan is one of the raven boys — a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan’s secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface — changing everything in its wake. 
'Of the Raven Boys, Entertainment Weekly' wrote, “Maggie Stiefvater’s can’t-put-it-down paranormal adventure will leave you clamoring for book two.” Now the second book is here, with the same wild imagination, dark romance and heart-stopping twists that only Maggie Stiefvater can conjure.

 “In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them. Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness. Her Raven Boys.”

In one word, I will proceed to describe this BEAUTIFUL MONSTROSITY of a book: AAAAAAAHHHHHH.

Like I said in my review of The Raven Boys, I had COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN how amazing this series was, the eccentricities and personalities of each of the characters since when I read it three years ago, and reading The Dream Thieves consecutively after was SUCH A LITTLE TREAT, and I need more.

The Dream Thieves picks up a little time after when The Raven Boys ends, with the boys and Blue trying to find Glendower, and dealing with *spoiler alert* Adam sacrificing himself willingly to wake the ley line up and figuring out the repercussions, and Ronan trying to manage the monsters in his dreams, and trying not to bring them back to real life.

While this book is slightly more angst-y, here are some of the things I LOVE:

   1.        MAURA SARGENT AND THE GRAY MAN: I didn’t really care for Blue’s mother in the first book (not because she was a BAD character, but because she didn’t really have much of a purpose in book one) but with the Gray Man in the picture (no spoilers on who he is. PFFT to all you people that love spoilers.) IT WAS THE CUTEST THING EVER, and the two of them pretty much overtook all my shipping capabilities!

2.       RONAN LYNCH: I knew from book one that this BROKEN boy would undoubtedly be my favourite character in the series, and I LOVED HIM SO MUCH IN THIS BOOK, I just wanted to reach in (like the book was one of his dreams) and hug him close. (He probably wouldn’t have appreciated it much, but HEY.) Ronan’s powers, coming to terms with them, learning to use them and understanding that with great responsibility comes with his power was so BEAUTIFULLY done, I give Steifvater a standing ovation.

     3.       THE PLOT: I don’t think there’s a better way to combine magic and reality and complex characters that what Maggie Steifvater has done in The Raven Cycle. I ADORE that there is so much mysticism and magic and love and friendship and pride in the air, combined with a quest and the supernatural. It is the perfect blend of our dry realities and all the unseen everyday magic and I LOVE IT.

Thing that I didn’t love ALL that much:

     1.       THE ANGST: Unfortunately, there was a TON of angst and self-loathing and UGH SO MUCH PAIN in this book, that it felt a tad overdone (?) and I would have REALLY preferred more of the ACTUAL QUEST over all the ANGST, but I will take in it stride nevertheless.

I’m going to sit here and slowly die until I get my hands on Blue Lily, Lily Blue, but I CANNOT recommend (throw in your face) this series more.

A Magic Filled, Dream Like Masterpiece that will have you questioning the existence of your reality!

HAVE YOU READ THE RAVEN CYCLE? Who is your favourite Raven Boy?

Have you read any other Maggie Stiefvater books? Which books of her should I put on my immediate TBR? 

What are your favourite books on magical realism? 

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!