Book Review- Breathe, Annie, Breathe

I finished reading Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally on Saturday on the plane ride to Denver.

From Goodreads:

From the bestselling author of Catching Jordan comes a brand new contemporary YA you won't forget.

The finish line is only the beginning...

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can't escape the guilt that if she hadn't broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she's at war with her body, her mind-and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms...and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

I have recently gotten into running big time (within the last 3 years) and ran my first marathon this past January.  So I was both really excited and apprehensive to read this book.  I was worried that the author hadn't done her research and would just be guessing and what the life of a runner is like.  Luckily I had nothing to worry about!

For example--upset stomach during running and right after running (although not to the extent that Annie did), different types of water holders (Camelback, fanny belt, hand held), the pain of speedwork, blisters, chafing, Runners Knee (although lots of people continue to still run), the sticky mess of gels, that its bad to take ibuprofen while running, and the hilarity and difficulty of trying to drink out of a cup while running.  The only thing I didn't agree with is that that Color Me Rad is a fun run and fun runs don't base your bib numbers off the time they think you will finish by.  But I loved reading all of these little nuances that I just didn't know about or get until I was a runner!

I loved Annie.  I loved her personality.  And I loved Jeremiah.  His weakness was adrenaline but there could be worse things.  I loved how he was around Annie.

And I just loved the feelings I got while reading the book.  I remember the excitement of the beginning of college and I felt it in this book.  And I still get that butterflies-in-my-stomach excitement feeling at the beginning of every race and I could so feel it in this book.  And I loved how it ended--with a little note that she had signed up for a marathon.  Racing is addicting.  Once you start running races, you just keep adding more and more onto your schedule.  (I would have liked to read about how her marathon actually went though).

I know I keep saying it--the word loved.  but that's how I felt about this book.  I just absolutely loved the combo of a YA book combined with running combined with romance combined with the heartbreak and sadness of losing someone you love.

I gave this book a rating of 5/5!

Breathe, Annie, Breathe will be released tomorrow, July 15, 2014.

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Book Review- A Dog's Purpose

I finished reading A Dog's Purpose today by W. Bruce Cameron for a Teen Book Scene Tour.

From Goodreads:

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?


Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.


But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?


Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

I have always been a dog lover.  I always had a small dog growing up and knew I wanted one when I lived on my own.  But I couldn't afford one until last year.  And then I got Bella, my little Yorkie.  I had NO idea how much I could possibly love this little puppy.  Yes, she's a brat.  She barks all of the time, chews on things, and is very stubborn.  But I love her more than anything!

This book struck such a chord in me.  I instantly was engrossed in this book and it felt like I became the dog in the book.  It was so well written.  I could feel his happiness and his sadness and his love for the boy.  And the whole time I kept looking at Bella curled up in my lap with tears in my eyes. 

This was such a great, great book.  In fact, I think it's my favorite of this year!  If you're not a dog person, you might not get this book.  But if you are, you need to devour this, NOW!

I gave this book a rating of 5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 112

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Teen Book Scene.

Book Review- Paranormalcy

I just finished reading Paranormalcy by Kiersten White for an Around the World Tour.

From Goodreads:

Wierd as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Ever since I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver a couple of weeks ago, I felt like I was in a reading slump. But Paranormalcy completely brought me it out of it.  It was awesome!  The first chapter title had me hooked (I read an ARC so the chapter could always change, but I hope not).  The first chapter was titled "Oh, Bite Me."  Perfect!

I love characters who are sarcastic.  And I love kick-butt girl characters who are also girly (If I ever need a weapon for something I definitely want my own pink taser with rhinestones).  And Evie is both.  I just love, love, loved her!  In fact, I kind of want to be her!  She is just a strong character who also seems so real.  I think she is one of my most favorite characters ever. 

And Lend is awesome too.  What a paranormal power to have --to be able to change the way you look (although if you can't really show your real self, I guess it could get old).  And he was such a nice guy and so loving and supporting of Evie.  I loved their relationship. It seemed to progress right and nothing was too fast.

And I even really liked the secondary characters.  Lish, Evie's mermaid best friend was so sweet (and the whole bleeping out curse words was bleeping great!)  I even liked Vivian, who everyone was scared of.  I felt sorry for her and wanted her to not feel alone and have a family.

And the plot had me guessing too.  I was never sure who the good guys were and who the bad guys were.  Even up until the very end I was going back and forth.

And the cover is stunning--so beautiful (can I look like her?)  I absolutely CANNOT wait for the sequel, Supernaturally, to be released next September!  This is my favorite book of the year!

I gave this book a rating of 5/5.

Paranormalcy will be released on August 31, 2010.

This book fulfilled an item in the following challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge: 117
2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 86
2010 Debut Author Challenge: 34
ARC Reading Challenge 2010: 83

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- My Soul To Take

Last night I finished reading My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent.

From the back cover:

Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh

She doesn't see dead people, but...

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...

Wow! First I just have to say Wow! This book was amazing! It took a couple of chapters for me to get into it, but once I did, I sat and read it all the way through! This was a new area of the paranormal world for me. I had never read or heard anything like it but I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed all of the characters. I liked Nash and his relationship with Kaylee (I wouldn't mind a guy who can calm me down like he does when I get all wound up!) And I loved how Emma was beautiful but she was so down to earth.

There were several sections in the book that made me smile and several that made me tear up. I don't want to say too much without giving it away...this was just an amazing story! I am going to go back and read the free prequel to the story called My Soul to Lose which you can download here for free.

I will be having a guest blog by Rachel Vincent on Sunday so be on the lookout for that.

I gave this book a rating of 5/5 (the first 5 on my blog!!)

This book fullfilled items in the following challenge:

Paranormal 999 Challenge: Fae/Faerie