my top ten favorite book covers

Hello!

Today, I’ve decided to join in The Broke and the Bookish’s weekly Top Ten Tuesday, totally ignoring the fact that today is Monday and NOT Tuesday :) The topic this week is a fun one – your favorite book covers! And as much as I hate to admit it, I do judge books by their cover. I often gravitate towards books with a simple, impactful image on the front or some outstanding typography that makes it stand out. What are some of your favorite book covers?

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell // Isn’t the artwork on this cover amazing?! The simple design with the artistic use of color and line really made this one a winner for me. I would love to have the book casually resting somewhere on my bookshelf :) {review can be found here.}

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews // I’m about halfway through the book right now, but I think something we can all agree on is that the cover is pretty darn awesome. If that doesn’t make you want to pick up the book {along with that strange title}, I don’t know what will.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles // The cover of Countdown fits the description of using a lone image to really sum up the novel. This book is such a cool read {check it out if you can!}, and I think the bright yellow against the dark record was a good choice to fit the story.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith // A total font geek at heart, this cover makes me so happy! :) The typography obviously is the star of the cover, but the little details, like the pops of red and how the image is blurry except for the people in the middle, all add up. {review can be found here.}

Emma {Penguin Threads edition} by Jane Austen // This is the edition I own, and it is stunning in person. The cover is “raised” in a way so that is actually feels embroidered. Not to mention that lovely color combo! I love coral, yellow, and blue together. {review can be found here.}

Cold Cereal by Adam Rex // For this one, I think the book jacket as a whole would be my favorite. Because the story revolves around the destruction a cereal company, the book is designed like a cereal box. Cool, or what?! {review can be found here.}

Ungifted by Gordon Korman // I like this cover simply because of the color and image used. The robot is the focus of the entire story, and it fits the image of the narrator. I also like the background color mostly because it is not widely used. {review can be found here.}

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs // This is a really entertaining story, but I would have never thought to grab it at the library if hadn’t been for the good design of the cover. I think the minimalist look screams “spy.” {review can be found here.}

Drama by Raina Telegemeier // This cover sums up the entire story for you. It’s an adorable graphic novel that explore first love and friendship, all while working the behind-the-scenes of the school show. {review can be found here.}

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly // Striking color combination? Check. Intriguing illustration? Check. All-around amazing cover? Check again!

Do any of these make your list of favorites? I think designing book covers would be such a fun job. It combines two of my favorite things – reading and graphic design!

Have a lovely rest of your day!
Bella

Two Mini Book Reviews {The Selection // Awful Melodies}

Hello!

There has been lots of reading being done around my house lately! I just finished two good reads, The Selection by Kiera Cass and book five in The Popularity Papers series by Amy Ignatow. Although the two are completely unrelated, I thought it would be fun to review them both today. Yay for random books, right?! :)

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

{kindly taken from Amazon}

My Thoughts: I really wanted to love this book. I was so excited by the synopsis {does it not sound like a princess version of The Hunger Games?} but it fell a bit short for me. Set in a loosely developed dystopian world, America Singer is about to enter a competition known as The Selection, named this way because Prince Maxon will be selecting one of the thirty-five girls to be his wife. I thought the beginning was strong, and I instantly took a liking to America. She was strong, both mentally and physically, and she didn’t let a boy control her life, which is always a plus. Sometimes, her actions felt a bit forced, like when she helped her maids. I just couldn’t see her doing everything the author put her through and handling it so well. She felt a bit too perfect. Prince Maxon was adorable, and he was my favorite part of the whole book. I love a polite guy :) The supporting characters {i.e anyone besides America and Prince Maxon} let down the story for me, which was a big disappointment. The other girls in the Selection had so much that could have been contributed to the story!

The plot definitely dragged in the middle, and I was forcing myself to continue on when I was half-way through. I’m happy I stuck with it though, because the ending picked up. The author left us with a major cliffhanger, though, so now I have to read the sequel to find out what happened. I mean, I have all these lingering questions. What else am I supposed to do?!

Pros: Solid main characters and entertaining ending.

Cons: Dragging main events and the supporting characters were let-downs.

Heads Up: A bit of romance and rebel violence.

Overall: I give it 3 stars {***} and I recommend it for ages 13 and up.

The Popularity Papers, Book Five: The Awesomely Awful Melodies of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang by Amy Ignatow

Summary: Fresh off their epic summer road trip, Lydia and Julie are back and ready to take seventh grade by storm. Well, Lydia is: She wants to start a band, and she’s convinced Julie to join her. The Macramé Owls are joined by Roland (expert at the hardingfele) and Jane (expert at drama). None of them, unfortunately, are experts at rocking out. The band needs more practice, but instead Lydia and Julie find themselves riding an unexpected wave of popularity to their own belated birthday party. The girls may have accidentally stumbled upon the secret to popularity—if only the secret weren’t so completely humiliating.

{kindly taken from Amazon}

My Thoughts: I do love a cute, quick read like this from time to time! Although not anything jaw-dropping, the latest installment in The Popularity Papers was while worth picking up. There is plenty to keep you reading the entire time. In this book, Lydia and Julie are celebrating their birthday by starting up a band. This was such a good idea, and it really half the story through until the very end. There band was a total failure, but it was fun to read about! :)

I think a major improvement from the last books was how we were introduced to more characters and as the reader, you were able to dive into their lives a bit more. It can be really hard, I’m sure, to develop characters using so many pictures and much fewer words, but Amy Ignatow succeeded, and she did it well! I thought the new hippie Melody was the best, as well as the crazy songs the band members created. Not a whole lot to say about this one, but do note picking it up if you see it at your local bookstore or library.

Pros: Unique, entertaining characters and an engaging plot.

Cons: The ending felt a bit rushed.

Heads Up: Nothing!

Overall: I give it 4 1/2 stars {**** 1/2} and I recommend it for ages 10 and up.

My review of another book in the same series can be found here.

Have a lovely night! It’s the Glee finale day! :)

my top ten light, fun reads!

Hi!

Do you ever feel as if the YA genre is overruled with darker books dealing with heavy subject matter? I mean, I love a good story, but sometimes, you just need something LIGHT and FUN! :) So, I decided to join in The Broke and the Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday this week to highlight some of my faves. What books do you turn to when you need a lighter read?

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer | See my review here.

Ahh! So darn cute, this one. I really love Sarah Storhmeyer’s style of writing, and it was just what I needed to kick off my school year a few months ago.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

I love all of Robin Benway’s books, but Audrey, Wait! had more of a fun, lighter feel to it. I think it’s because of the storyline, which is all sorts of over-the-top, but that’s what makes it so entertaining!

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen | See my review here.

I really do think most books by Sarah Dessen will fit into this category, but What Happened to Goodbye really does fit the bill. There’s romance, friendship, and amusing story lines.

Love? Maybe. by Heather Hepler | See my review here.

This was another adorable read, and it’s while worth taking a look at! I just loved the characters in this one, and it is a really good Valentine’s Day story.

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard | See my review here.

I really have meant to look into more of Mandy Hubbard’s books, because Prada and Prejudice was so fun to read. In all truth, though, almost any Pride and Prejudice remake will do :)

Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

Whenever you need a good pick-me-up, I definitely suggest Robin Palmer’s books. Her fairy-tale retellings in the modern-day are spot-on, and you’re bound to laugh out loud.

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg | See my review here.

I feel like I am saying this about every book, but I really do think that this was fun and adorable! :) The plot had me hooked {a giving up guys club is sure to have some problems!} and I was engaged all the way though.

My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald

Could I give Lisa Greenwald the tile of Miss Fun Reads?! :) Seriously, though, her books are so, so cute!

Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To-Do List by Janette Rallison

The entire time I was reading this, I wanted to cry out for Jessica, the main character. Everything went so horribly wrong for her, but it was very entertaining to read about.

That’s all I can think of! Have you read any of these?

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Bella :)

A Farewell to Charms: A Book Review

Hello!

A Farewell to Charms by Lindsey Leavitt

Summary: Desi Bascomb is a princess substitute prodigy–she’s the fastest employee ever to advance to level three in the Facade Agency, and the youngest to ever be a full-time sub. But now with all eyes on Desi, the only thing she wants is a moment alone to talk to Reed, who’s a Facade legacy and secretly a sub for princes As Desi trains for her new role, she spies more than a few cracks in Facade’s perfect appearance. But uncovering the agency’s dark past might require more than a princess sub can handle by herself. Desi is no damsel in distress, but sometimes a girl needs a knight in shining armor.

{kindly taken from Goodreads}

My Thoughts: This is the finale to a great series, so if you haven’t read books one and two yet, I recommend doing so! There are some spoilers ahead :) I am happy to say that I am a Lindsey Leavitt fan, which is clear by the fact that I have read two of her books in the past week! I adored the first two books in the Princess for Hire series, but I only just got around to the conclusion now. It was a satisfying finale, but when compared to the other two, it didn’t quite make the mark for me.

Desi has an absolute dream job: the ability to substitute for princesses when they just want to escape. This idea had me hooked from the very beginning! Now that the rules and the testing and the mistakes have all been covered in Desi’s past adventures, this book really covered the question of “What happens next?” Desi was a strong main character. She had her flaws, like every good protagonist would, but she was really easy to connect with, and I thought her actions were all well-thought out. Lindsey Leavitt did such a nice job creating a realistic, relatable middle school girl, that it was easy to forget that she was a sub for princesses around the world! I liked seeing how her relationships with the ones she trusted, like Meredith and Reed, developed. The drama with Kylie, her best friend, was a good addition to the story, as well. I found that the friendship drama added to Desi’s character, because she was stuck in the conflict of telling Kylie the truth or not at all.

The plot was a bit of a throw-everything-in-your-face type story. There was a lot going on, and the things I wanted to hear more about were put off to the side. I totally understand that this was the final book in the trilogy, and everything needed to tie together, but some story lines felt a bit forced {ahem, the mom’s surprise?} while others deserved some more attention. {Desi’s subbing for Princess Vanna, for example.} However, the author was able to successfully wrap up Desi’s story at Façade, and I was happy with the way she ended it. It will probably never happen, but I would love an add-on with what happened a few years later with all the characters :) Wouldn’t that be fun?!

Overall, the conclusion to the Princess for Hire series was what the cover promises – a light, fluffy read with a few laughs and some drama mixed in. My lasting impression was that it was solid. With having read the other two books, though, I was kind of hoping that it would be outstanding.

Pros: Wonderful development of the characters.

Cons: A few of the sub-plots felt out of the place, and the story was packed.

Heads Up: Pretty kid-friendly!

Overall: I give it 3 1/2 stars {*** 1/2} and I recommend it for ages 11 and up.

Have a terrific night!

Bella

my top ten books before I blogged

Hello!

Happy first day of Tech Week! :) To kick things off, I’m participating in The Broke and the Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday. {I’m posting it on a Monday due to scheduling. I figured we would all roll with it.}

Anyhoo, this week’s topic is the Top Ten Books That You Read Before You Blogged. For me, blogging really changed how I read and look at books. I’ve always been a pretty fast reader, averaging around 2-4 books per week, but because of blogging, I’ve tried out plenty of new genres. Young adult was mostly foreign to me when I first started this blog, so my list is mostly composed of middle grade novels. It was so much fun to revisit my old favorites! What are a few of your favorite books?

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

When picking up this book, be prepared to CRY. It is so beautifully written and has a heart-breaking storyline. This is a book that can be read over and over again, yet you will never tire of it.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

This was another horribly sad, but wonderfully written, book. It is a beautiful exploration of someone with disabilities, and is well worth the read.

Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume

Not every book on this list is sad, I promise :) Sometimes you just need to escape for a while, and Cornelia does just that. I can only remember laughing out loud at all the adventures described.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks will always be one of my favorites. I love the four sisters with all my hear, and I can only wish for more books with them! This is the perfect hot summer afternoon read.

Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise

I am still a HUGE fan of the Klise sisters, but it all started when my mom suggested I try out the Regarding the… series. I was hooked the moment I finished the first book and immediately rushed out to the library to get the rest.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt

Mysteries always seem to appeal to me, for some reason. Susan Runholt’s Kari and Lucas series are hard to put down, and I found myself reading the end to find out the culprit! :)

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

I went through a long fantasy phase {seriously, all out fantasy} and one of my most memorable books was My Fair Godmother. Such a twisted, amusing tale, but I don’t think a lot of people know about it. I definitely recommend it!

The True Meaning of Smekday

Long car rides are no fun, I know. But when you have such a delightful read like The True Meaning of Smekday, whatever is bothering you can be overlooked. This is how I survived the 8-hour car ride with my family.

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller

You know a book is good when you read the entire thing in an afternoon. The series has to be outstanding when you finish it in two days. Hehe.

Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Finally, this has to be one of the most recent books before I blogged. Honestly, though, I cannot rave any more about Morgan Matson. If you haven’t read one of her books, go do it now.

Have a wonderful Monday!

This was a part of Tech Week, a week-long event here at Ciao Bella! Be sure to check back for more technology-related fun!