The Selection (The Selection #1) by: Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Published: April 24, 2012 by: Harper Teen
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Selection follows the life of America Singer, who has been selected out of her town to be a suitable wife to the prince, who is looking for love. This requires America to leave her family, and secret love Aspen, who persuades her to go for the luxury and fame. America is not looking forward to any of this, until she meets Prince Maxon. Suddenly America's plan to leave the castle as soon as possible has changed, and she begins to be torn between the life she's always known, or a new opportunity.

I have heard everyone and anyone talk about this book, so I decided to give it a go. I have to say that I was quite impressed with it, and I didn't think that I would be. Going into it, I thought that it would be cheesy and plot-less, but what I got was a charming book that had some amazing plot twists.

Reading summaries of this book, I was kind of dubious to read a book involving princesses, which could be portrayed as cheesy or childish. I have to say that I was completely wrong. The book contained a perfect amount of dystopia, to romance, to royalty that just complimented each other.

I think that what really got me into this book was the fact that it wasn't predictable. Romance books, and especially love triangles can be a hit or miss, but I did not find myself practically knowing the outcome. I wanted to keep because of every twist and turn in the plot.

This book contained a lot of themes which I think would be great for many different tastes. Along with romance, there was a sort of post-apocalyptic feel about it. It involved themes of a corrupt government, and rebelling against traditional values. It was enough to keep anyone interested.

Even if you are not a fan of romance, I would still give this book a try. I personally prefer a happy medium of action to romance, which I think I got in this book. It's not a mushy romance novel with a dramatic love triangle, so do not be fooled.

Overall, I gave this book 4.5 stars out of 5 because it was a very easy to get through book, and also quite adorable. It was a great break to the more heavier and emotional books that I have been reading. So if you want to get out of a reading slump, or just want a break from very dramatic books, I would definitely recommend this. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Have you read The Selection? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #17 Books I'd Read if I Had a Book Club

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and The Bookish that allows users to share their top choices of the topic of the week!

I used to be part of a book club in my library up until high school, but then my library stopped running it. Since then, I haven't joined another one but I would love to find another to join! Here are my stop picks that I think would provide great discussion.

1. Thirteen Reasons Why by: Jay Asher
This book was very serious and I had a lot of theories about it. It would be great to hear other experiences/theories.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by; John Green
I mainly picked this book because of the many mixed opinions from other people it has received. I personally loved the book, but I'd love to hear other people's thoughts who didn't like the book. I'm always curious.

3. City of Bones by: Cassandra Clare
Now, this one is the opposite. I did not like this book, but I would love to hear the opinion of those who did. I feel like if I heard others opinions, I could be able to give this book one last chance. I'm really trying so hard to like this series.

4. The Alchemist by: Paulo Coelho
 I found this book to be very confusing, so I think I would find a better understanding when discussing it with other people. I did have to read it in my English class last year, but I'd like to get other bookworm's opinions.

5. It's Kind of a Funny Story by: Ned Vizzini
 I actually haven't read this book. Like TFIOS, it received mixed reviews, and I think would provide great discussion with the heavier topic.

6. The Selection by: Kiera Cass
The Selection was amazing and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I think that it would be a great, lighter book against all of these heavy topics, and we could all just provide insight on our theories as to who America will end up with.

7. The Book Thief by: Markus Zusak
I am currently reading this book, and I love it so far. I think it would be great to throw in a historical fiction into the book club because of the connection between fact and fiction that could be made.

8. After by: Anna Todd
There are so many things that I could say about this book, but we'll save that for a review. The point is, I didn't like it, but it would be a great discussion with those who both agreed and disagreed. I also would like to hear the opinion of maybe a bookworm who is also a fan of One Direction.

9. We Were Liars by: E. Lockhart
This book was soooooooo good that I would love to fangirl with others. I also think that we could have good talks about the plot twists, the ending and the uniqueness of writing.

10. The Beginning of Everything by: Robyn Schneider 

Definitely one of my favourite books that I read last year, and I really just want to rant and fangirl about the ending to someone. 

That's it for my picks! If you had a book club, or if you have one, what books would you want to read? 

Bye for Now! 

Emily @ Paperback Princess

I Mustache You Some Questions

Thank you very much to Jillian @ Jillian's Books for tagging me to do this adorable post. Hopefully you'll get to know a little more about me.

Four Names That People Call Me (other than my real name): 
1. Emer- my aunt called me this as a child, and they name kind of stuck. 
2. Emerly- my mom calls me this as a play on the name "Emer", to sound more like Emily. 
3. Erm- my sister calls me this, because she used to call me Ermely. 
4. Emmy- this is the most normal of the four! 
Four Jobs I Have Had: 
1. Coffee-seller for charity in my school. 
2.Lunch-monitor for the younger grades in my elementary school. 
3. Assistant religion teacher for Grade 8 students. 
4. Student. Does this count? 
Four Movies I Would Have Watched More Than Once: 
1. All the Harry Potter movies- need I say more? 
2. Christmas Vacation- this is a staple every Christmas! 
3. Pitch Perfect- this movie is freaking hilarious. 
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower- I love both book and movie. 

Four Books I'd Recommend: 
1. The Harry Potter series by: J.K. Rowling- need I say more?
2. Paper Towns by: John Green- perfectly adorable.
3. Eleanor and Park by: Rainbow Rowell- so different yet so cute!
4. The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott Fitzgerald- my favourite classic book!

Four Places I Have Lived: 
1. Arizona, USA- I lived here when I was very little for a few months. 
2. Ontario, Canada- I was born and raised here. 
That's it! 
Four Places I Have Been: 
1. USA- Arizona, Virginia, Florida, Washington, New Jersey, Maryland etc. 
2. Europe- France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, England. 
3. Carribean 
That's it! 

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now: 
1. Disneyworld 
2. London, England 
3. A library 
4. Australia 
Four Things I Don't Eat: 
1. Brussel Sprouts 
2. Tomatos 
3. Mushrooms
4. Strawberries
Four of My Favorite Foods:  
1. Cheese 
2. French Fries 
3. Bread 
4. Pepperoni Pizza 
Four TV Shows That I Watch: 
1. Keeping Up With the Kardashians- I'm not even ashamed to say this. 
2. The Big Bang Theory 
3. Dancing with the Stars 
4. The Celebrity Apprentice 

Four Things I'm Looking Forward To This Year: 
1. Passing my math exam (which I really should be studying for right now.) 
2. Going to One Direction's and 5 Seconds of Summer's concerts in August. (I am in a lot of music fandoms as well) 
3. Passing grade 10 with honors (hopefully) 
4. Dyeing my hair for the first time in the summer (hopefully I won't chicken out) 
Four Things I Am Always Saying:
1. Could you not?! - It's becoming a part of my regualar vocabulary. 
2. STOP CLAUDIA- In reference to my sister. We argue a lot, but I guess that's normal with twins. 
3. TBH- "to be honest". I say a lot of internet slang. 
4. Alrighty- I never just say "alright" 

My twin specifically asked to be in this post, so here she is. She's on the left, and I'm on the right. Do we look alike? 

So that's it! I would like to tag anyone who is interested in writing a post :) Thanks again to Jillian! 
Bye for Now! 
Emily @ Paperback Princess

The Taylor Swift Book Tag

This tag is right up my alley, because it is about one of my most favourite female artists. So thank you very much to Kate @ Read and Dream: My Book Life for tagging me. Go check out her post!
Let's get started:

1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – pick a book or series that you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.
The Mortal Instrument Series. Oh, what else can I say about this series. The first 3 were great, but it all went downhill from there for me.

2. Red – pick a book with a RED cover.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I just love this series so much. 

3. The Best Day – pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.

Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austen 

Such a classic book that I will never get tired of. 

4. Love Story – pick a book with forbidden love.

Paper Towns by: John Green 

Quentin and Margo's relationship was very complicated. Things that I expected to happen, sadly didn't. That's what makes this book so amazing though; it's different. 

5. I Knew You Were Trouble – pick a book with a bad character you couldn't help but love.

This was a tough one... there are very few bad characters whom I did like. I think I would have to say Luke Castellan from the Percy Jackson series. There was something very mysterious about him, and he wasn't all bad in the beginning. 

6. Innocent  – pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.

ALLEGIANT. Sorry for type-shouting, but this was so annoying. Who on earth would reveal a HUGE plot twist to you before asking first?! I still think about it. 

7. Everything Has Changed – pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development.

I would say that Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars evolved amazingly throughout the book. She went from being upset with the world for her illness, and ended up learning to live her life to the fullest. 

8. You Belong With Me – pick your most anticipated book release.

I Was Here by: Gayle Forman. This book looks so emotional, but I really need another Gayle Forman book in my life. 

9. Forever and Always – pick your favourite book couple.

Again, such a tough decision! But it would have to be Tris and Tobias from the Divergent series because they're so brave and a really strong couple. They've been through so much. 

10. Come Back, Be Here – pick the book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it too much.

My Harry Potter books because my mom got them when they first came out, so they've all got the original covers, and are still in great condition. I would be too scared lending them out for fear of something happening to them! 

So that's it! Thanks again to Kate for tagging! I would like to tag the following people to post if they wish :)  

Erica @ Books4ev

Erin @ The Hardcover Lover

And anyone else who would like to do the post. 

Bye for Now! 

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #16 My Favourite Male Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and The Bookish that allows users to share their top choices of the topic of the week!

This week was a freebie, so I decided to share my favourite male book characters of all time. This is not strictly romantically, but just some characters who really stood out to me. So in no particular order: 

1. Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series 
Now why wouldn't I include him in this post?! Harry was strong, brave but also extremely humble. 

2. Newt from The Maze Runner series 
Newt was so incredibly friendly to Thomas, and was also extremely adorable. 

3. Tobias Eaton from the Divergent series 
He was incredibly loyal and protective over the ones he loved. 

4. Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series
Ron was such an admirable side-kick. He was hilarious and sarcastic, and definitely lightened up the mood from time to time. 

5. Adam from If I Stay 
 He was such a wise soul, and he had been through so much. 

6. Ezra Faulkner from the Beginning of Everything 
Ezra was so hilarious, and I loved seeing him grow throughout the book. 

7. Will Darcy from Pride and Prejudice 
Who doesn't love Mr. Darcy?! He could have annoyed many in the beginning of the book, but inside he was truly a great person. 

8. Jay Gatsby from the Great Gatsby 
Wow. Just wow. I don't think I could ever have more respect for a character in my life. He was amazing. 

9. Augustus Waters from the Fault in Our Stars 
I think we all learned something from Gus. He was brave, and positive. I just love him. 

10. Sirius Black from the Harry Potter series 
I am just killing it with the Harry Potter characters! But really, when you read these books at a young age, some of the characters really stay with you forever. Sirius was a brave fighter. 

There are so many more characters that I love as well, but if I were to name them all, we'd be here forever! What did you pick for your TTT? 

Bye for Now! 
Emily @ Paperback Princess

The Reader Problems Tag

I was tagged by two lovely bloggers to do this ever so relatable post, so thank you very much to:
Erica @ Books4ev and Kate @ Read and Dream: My Book Life . I had so much fun with this!

1. You have 20K books in your TBR. How in the world do you decide what to read next?
I usually organise my TBR list to the books I want to read the most, down to the books that I could wait a while before reading. So whatever's at the top of the list, I will read next. 

2. You're halfway through a book and you're just not loving it. Do you quit or are you committed? 
I'm sorry to say this, but I quit :(. I just have no patience for bad books especially when I could be reading something better! I usually go back to them though once I've read every other book on my TBR, because I feel guilty. 

3. The end of the year is coming, and you're so close but so far away from your Goodreads reading challenge? Do you try to catch up and how? 
I would try to catch up by reading every chance that I get. Got some free time, read! Waiting for a teacher to show up to class, read! I don't like not completing things, so if I set a goal, I need to get it done. 

4. The covers of the series you love do not match. How do you cope
They usually end up at the bottom of the book shelf. I NEED MY SHELF TO LOOK PRETTY OKAY. I insane about detail, so stuff like this really bothers me. I'd still read them of course, but they wouldn't be books that I'd put on display afterwards.

5. Everyone and their mothers love a book you really don't like. Who do you bond with over shared feelings? 
To be honest, my sister because she hates reading period. She listens to my rants about bad books, because she's probably not going to read them anyways. 

6. You're reading a book and you are about to start crying in public. How do you deal with it? 
By letting it all out. I finished the Harry Potter series in public, but stuff like people watching me cry doesn't really bother me. As Taylor Swift would say: Shake It Off! 

7. A sequel of a book you love just came out, but you've forgotten a lot from the prior novel. Will you re-read the book? Skip to the sequel? Try to find a synopsis in Goodreads? Cry in frustration?!
I will just skip to the sequel, figuring that I'll figure it out as time goes on. I'll catch on eventually! 

8. You do not want anyone borrowing your books. How do you politely tell people nope when they ask? 
I would just lend them the book, because I would feel TERRIBLE if I said no. I don't have a problem with people borrowing books anyways, as long as they come back in one piece. 

9. Reading ADD. You've picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get over your reading slump? 
By re-reading a book that I know I could never get tired of. It's like motivation! 

10. There are so many books coming out that you're dying to read! How many books do you buy?  
I'm limited to two books in paperback, but I usually let myself by more in e-book form because they are a lot cheaper. That being said, I prefer paperbacks. 

11. After you've bought the new books you can't wait to get to get, how long do they sit in your shelf before you get to them? 
It depends If I'm currently reading a book at the moment or not. If I'm not, then I'll start right away. If If I am, then I'll finish that book first so to not confuse things. 

Thanks again to Kate and Erica! I'm tagging these bloggers to post if they wish: 
Charlotte @ Bookmarks and Blogging
Kira @ The Book Club
Veronika @ Reading is Dreaming With Open Eyes

Bye for Now!
Emily @ Paperback Princess

A Thousand Pieces of You ( Firebird #1) by: Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
Published: November 4 2014 by: Harper Teen
Rating: 4 Stars

This book was different in both positive and negative ways.  It takes place in futuristic America, where Marguerite Caine lives with her physicist parents. Her parents have invented a revolutionary device: The Firebird, which allows users to jump into alternate dimensions. When Marguerite's father is murdered, her and her best friend Theo, follow the suspect through different dimensions to hopefully, avenge her father's death. But with each dimension, Marguerite's feelings towards the killer alternate and she begins to wonder if he is, in fact the culprit.

Like I said before, this book was really unique. On the positive sides, the book characters were so cool. Marguerite was a brave and intelligent character, and I admired her. There was no annoying heroine here! Then there was Theo. He was so cute and loving, and I loved his friendship with Marguerite. Even Paul, the murder suspect, was very well written. Like Marguerite, I began to wonder if he was the culprit as well. There were so many plot twists in this book, that it was always kept interesting. I would think one thing, and the exact opposite would happen. It kept me hooked through and through and all of the twists complimented each other. It was very unpredictable.

The only thing that I did not like in this book, was that it could have been very confusing particularly in the beginning and end. The middle was brilliant, however I could not understand what was happening at the start and end. The beginning moves so fast, as if we already know about Marguerite's past with her father. Then the ending or solution was really confusing. I couldn't follow what was happening, at all. Many pages were re-read.

I wouldn't normally go for a science fiction, so that is why I wasn't really used to it. The romance component, of course I was familiar with and enjoyed a lot! It was really just the start and end that I found a bit messy. I couldn't comprehend what was happening.

So overall, considering the fact that this book was a new genre to me, I really did like it. If you like science fiction, then this book is definitely for you. Even I enjoyed it, and I don't normally go for science fiction. I rated it 4 stars because it was really interesting and different, however could have been a bit messy. For my first science fiction book, I think it went rather well!

Have you read this book, or other science fiction books? What did you think?

Bye for Now!

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #15 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and The Bookish that allows users to share their top choices of the topic of the week!

I had big plans for reading in 2014, but of course, was in a huge reading slump. Therefore, there were a lot of 2014 releases that I did want to read, but were not my priority. I know that I have to read some of these this year. 

1. City of Heavenly Fire (TMI #5) by: Cassandra Clare 
I had big plans to finish the TMI series so I would be ready for the release of this book, but I was un-motivated to get to this book. The series was just not my style. 

2. Isla and The Happily Ever After (Anna and The French Kiss #3) by: Stephanie Perkins
I heard about this series late in 2014, but managed to finish the first two before the year was up. I moved on to other books, and therefore never got to the third. 

3. Panic by: Lauren Oliver
When I heard that Lauren Oliver was writing a new book, I got so excited! But again, the dreaded reading slump took up all of my time. 

4. The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) by: Marie Rutkoski
I heard a lot of great things about this book, and I planned to buy it the first chance I got. However after new books caught my interest, this book was no longer my priority. 

5. Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #4) by: Maggie Stiefvater 
I really loved the Shiver Trilogy, but I read it about two years ago. By the time I heard about this book, I had moved on from the series. I would love to pick it back up though! 

6. Since You've Been Gone by: Morgan Matson 
This seemed like such a good summer book! However summer came and went, and I still had not read it. I decided to pick it up this summer. 

7. Lailah by: Nikki Kelly 
This looked like such a great debut book! But again, it wasn't my top priority. 

8. Open Road Summer by: Emery Lord
I do love a good romantic contemporary, but this book was far down my TBR list. 

9. Fan Art by: Sarah Tregay
This looked like such a cute contemporary, but I always seemed to get distracted by other books in the bookstore. It again, was down on the TBR list. 

10. Rites of Passage by: Joy N. Hensley 
I read the summary of this book so many times in many bookstores. I kept telling myself, that I'd buy it next time. Now here is 2015, and I still haven't read it. 

What 2014 releases did you not get to? 

Bye for Now! 
Emily @ Paperback Princess