Waiting on Wednesday (71)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly, bookish meme created and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The meme helps book bloggers and readers shine a spotlight om some of the many upcoming releases that we are all patiently (but most likely impatiently) waiting on. Get it? You can find out more information on the meme on her blog, Breaking the Spine.

So you're interested in sharing some of the books you're waiting on with your readers!? That's great! To participate in Jill's meme, all you need to do is:

• Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles)
• Be sure to credit Jill in your post
• Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog

Top Ten Tuesday (11)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly list-making meme that is hosted by the ladies over at the blog, The Broke and Bookish. For more information on the meme, feel free to visit their page about it.

This week's list is all about re-reading books. For me... I try to read as many new books as I can in a year. I don't re-read much, even though I'd love to re-read so many books. I try to take the time to re-read a few books a year, and I am going to dedicate more time to it in the future.

I'm cheating on this list by including some series and books that I've already re-read. I'm also including some plays.

Top Ten Books I'd Like to Re-Read:

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
8. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
9. The Selection series by Kiera Cass
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Book Tag: Most Owned Authors on my Auto-Buy List

Yay! It's time for another book tag! These things can be so much fun, but I was kind of scared when I was tagged to do this one. Rachel over at A Perfection Called Books tagged me to participate in this one, and it's all about the number of books I own from authors on my auto-buy list.

Now some of you might be wondering why this book tag scared me. Well... the answer is kind of simple. I really don't have many auto-buy authors. I'm a taste test kind of reader. I read whatever looks interesting to me at the moment. If you ever see a picture of my shelves, you'll probably notice it.

I'll try my best to complete this tag, but it might seem a bit odd to you. Just hang in there. This should really be called Auto-Acquire Authors for me because a lot of these books were given to me. Oh well. I hope it makes sense.

• J.K. Rowling (12 books) - Okay. This one might be a bit of a stretch because my grandma bought all my Harry Potter books for me when I finally decided to read them. Now I can say that I have bought a few of her books with my own money. I own all seven Harry Potter books and the Hogwarts library box set. I even own an extra copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard because I bought it for myself before finally deciding that I wanted the pretty box set. I also own The Casual Vacancy, and when I find her other books for a cheap enough price, they will have a spot on my shelves. 
• Lauren Oliver (6 books) - Lauren Oliver is an author that I wouldn't have heard about if it weren't for winning a Goodreads giveaway. I was lucky enough to win Before I Fall, and then I quickly purchased the first two books in her Delirium trilogy. Her new adult book is coming out soon, and I'm going to get it. I'm also impatiently waiting for her new YA book, Vanishing Girls.
• Rainbow Rowell (4 books) - The first Rainbow Rowell book I read was Eleanor & Park, and I quickly bought Fangirl and Attachments. I waited patiently to get Landline, so now I have one copy of all of her books. I know I'll be buying anything she releases in the future.
• Veronica Roth (4 books) - I was a little late to hop on the Divergent train, but after I bought it, I ordered both Insurgent and Allegiant and binge read them. I pre-ordered an autographed copy of Four, and I really can't wait to see what she writes next. It'll be on my shelves.
• Sarah Ockler (3 books) - Twenty Boy Summer started it all for me, but I don't even own a copy of it. Don't worry... I'm looking for a decent looking hardcover. Sarah writes beautiful YA books, and I really wish more people would read her books. I still haven't gotten my hands on #scandal, but only because I haven't seen it anywhere. Her new book, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is one I am going to run out the door for on release day.
• Kiera Cass (4 books) - I own all the books in her Selection trilogy plus the paperback companion short stories. I probably won't buy The Siren, but I'm sure I'll give her next book a chance.
• Nicholas Sparks (19+ books) I own at least one hardcover of every book he's released, and quite a few dupes because my grandma buys them every time she goes to a thrift store. I swear that I could start my own bookstore and just sell his books.  I haven't really liked many of his newer releases, so I don't know if he is still an auto-buy author for me. 
• Marissa Meyer (3 books) - I only just recently read Cinder for a Goodreads read-a-long, but I bought all three books in The Lunar Chronicles series. I can't wait to get a copy of Fairest in my hands, and I really want to get Winter.

So now I get to tag some people! Okay, I'm going to go with my two co-mods at All About YA, Angie and Robin.

Book Review: Four

Title: Four: A Divergent Collection

 Series: Divergent (companion novellas)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: July 8, 2014

Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth comes a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling DIVERGENT series, told from the per-spective of the immensely popular character Tobias. The four pieces included here—THE TRANSFER, THE INITIATE, THE SON, and THE TRAITOR—plus three additional exclusive scenes, give readers an electrifying glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the DIVERGENT trilogy.

My Review

“My name is Four,” I say. “Call me ‘Stiff’ again and you and I will have a problem.” 

As a Divergent fan, I was thrilled when I found out that the Four stories were going to be released in a physical format because I'm all for the printed word. (I'm not too big on reading e-books.) I had been wanting to read them for a while, but I didn't want to feel like I had to purchase them for multiple devices if that were the case.

When I started reading these novellas, I decided that I would read each story, reflect, and then rate them on Goodreads. I liked reading them like that, but there is just so much to Four's story.

If you've read Divergent, you know why Four is called Four, but in this story, you actually get to see the moment his new name is given to him. Something about that scene struck me. I really enjoyed it. He takes to his new name quickly. He takes to his new faction reluctantly, but pieces of him are truly dauntless. Readers can see that by the way that he reacts to certain situations. I'm sure he temper came from somewhere, but it really will help him fit it amongst his new peers.

Veronica Roth signing copies. I have one of them!

I enjoyed reading about Four's past through his point of view. I wouldn't say that it was eye-opening, but it really expands on his character in the world of Divergent. We follow Tobias to his Choosing Ceremony, and then he is running to the train tracks with the rest of the Dauntless members. Much of his story mirrors the story of Tris, but a lot is revealed about how Dauntless initiation changes in the course of just a few years, and then Four and Tris' stories overlap.

Once again, Roth's writing is beautiful and easy to read when everything is set up in such a complex world, and her story telling skills are on par. I'm really glad that I picked this up because it's really enjoyable and thrilling. It is a wonderful companion to the Divergent trilogy, and any fan would be ecstatic to have a copy of this on their shelves.

Oh, and get the one with the exclusive bonus scenes. That's the one I bought, and I really enjoyed the extra features. You won't regret it.

Four and a half out of five stars

The Opposites Book Tag

I was tagged by Gloria. You can see her post here.

Basically all you have to do is answer some questions about books on your shelves. It deals with opposites!

1. The First Book in Your Collection/The Last Book You Bought

There are so many books that I had from being a kid, and the first ones I remember are Screamy Mimi and Where the Sidewalk Ends.

The last book I bought was Say What You Will. I'm still waiting for it to get here.

2. A Cheap Book/An Expensive Book

I bought a hardcover of Cinder for $4.99 on Book Outlet. It's a good website, but I've noticed that it is very hit or miss.

I bought an autographed copy of Four: A Divergent Collection for $17.99. It's not nearly as expensive of the signed copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone that I want, but it's the first book I've paid full price for in a while.

3. A Book with a Male POV/A Book with a Female POV

I'm going with the ever popular If I Stay duo. If I Stay is told from Mia's perspective, but Adam narrates Where She Went.

4. A Book that You Read Quickly/A Book that You Read Slowly

I read Anna and the French Kiss rather quickly.

The Fault in Our Stars was a really slow and boring read for me.

5. A Pretty Cover/An Ugly Cover

I'm quite fond of the cover for My Name is Memory. It is shiny and the colors are great.

I can't think of a book cover that I dislike right now... I'm sure one will come to me later.

6. A National Book/An International Book

I'm not so sure I understand this, so I am going to go with Harry Potter. Even though I know that it's set in the UK, I realize that readers in the United States are the only ones with our covers. The covers are the same in the UK and the rest of the world. I like how there are different versions of the covers. I really like the original U.S. covers, but the redesign is nice too. I really like the redesign of the UK versions, but in most of them, Harry doesn't really look like he is growing up like he does in the story.

The redesign and original US covers

Original and redesigned worldwide covers

I don't know. I love all four versions, and I hope to get the new U.S. box set and both sets of the British versions. Road trip to Canada, anyone?

7. A Thin Book/A Thick Book

I won Ghost Songs through Goodreads, and was surprised by how thin it was. I still have to read it, but I'll be sure to let everyone know how I like it.

I own quite a few thick books, and the thickest one I own is my dictionary.

8. A Fiction Book/A Nonfiction Book

I own many fiction books, so it's hard for me to choose just one. I'm going with Wonder because the story is so realistic that it hurts. If you haven't read this wonderful book, you should. I highly recommend it to everyone.

My choice for nonfiction is very near and dear to my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I've been fascinated with the RMS Titanic. Many of my Christmas presents were books about the doomed ocean liner. My edition is different, but I couldn't find a working image of the book on my shelves.

9. A Romantic Book/ An Action Book

I have a lot of romance books on my shelves because I've read a lot of Nicholas Sparks.

For my action book, I'm going with The Hunger Games because of the games.  Need I say more?

10. A Book that Made You Happy/ A Book that Made You Sad

I laughed so hard when I read Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. I know the title is a bit morbid, but this book is hilarious.

Now for a book that made me sad. If you've read this one, you know why.

So, I'm tagging anyone who reads this to post your answers. Leave a comment with a link to yours because I'd love to see what opposites you have on your shelves.