The Book Thief by: Markus Zusak

Genre: Young Adult fiction, Historical fiction
Published: March 14, 2006 by: Knopf Books
Pages: 550
Rating: 4/5 stars
*may contain spoilers*

The Book Thief was a chilling story about a young German girl named Liesel, trying to make things right during the rise of Nazism. When Liesel finds a book by her brother's graveside, she sparks an interest in books. With the help of her new foster father, she learns to read. After that, comes her drive to rescue books that will otherwise be burned by the Nazis. However when her family takes a Jewish boy into hiding, things begin to get more dangerous. Soon Liesel and her family are in great danger because of their views towards the new German government.

When I started this book, I had just finished learning about World War 2. I picked up this book because I wanted to learn more. I have to say that this book opened up my knowledge on this subject even more, and was extremely captivating.

The first positive of this book, is that it was so real. Even though the story is essentially fiction, the issues were of course real, and I think that it is very possible that a Book Thief could have existed. This book was not sugar-coated or made to be something that it wasn't. It brought people into the German world circa early 1940's, and the information, while sad, was powerful.

The book was told from the perspective of death. While this may seem confusing, it added to the theme of the book very well and really made sense. There is a lot of death in this book, so reading from the perspective of the thing that loomed in the air during that time, was very interesting. It added a very haunting feel to it.

The only negative that I have on this book is that it could have been confusing at times. I felt as if some information was lost during some chapters, that I couldn't really understand what was going on. I found myself having to re-read some chapters. However, re-reading the chapters gave be a better understanding on the topic.

Overall, a brilliantly written book. I have a deep appreciation for books, so this book was quite inspiring to me, and I'm sure to other book worms. What Liesel did for her passion was inspiring. While the book was very emotional and an extremely heavy topic, it was a great dive into history and a beautiful story. While it could have been confusing, I still loved it. That is why it got 4/5 stars.

Have you read The Book Thief? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #24 Books On My Spring TBR List

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!

There are a lot of books still left over from Christmas that I haven't gotten around to, or put on hold reading. Here's to Spring! 

1. Isla and The Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins 
I started, then immediately stopped reading this because I just wasn't that motivated. Now I'm hoping to get back into it! 

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by: Michelle Hodkin 
I ordered this book during Christmas Break. but still haven't got the chance to read it!

3. Burn for Burn by: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
I just bought this book last week and now I'm excited to start it! 

4. The Scorch Trials by: James Dashner 
I actually am almost finished this book, but I haven't picked it up since Fall. Let's hope I'll finish it in the Spring. 

5. Uglies by: Scott Westerfeld 
I bought this as an ebook years ago, but haven't found the motivation to read. I need to start soon! 

6. The Selection Stories 
You may know that I finished The Selection series not too long ago, and now I really want to read the mini series of books. The Guard and The Prince both look particularly good! 

7. The Way We Bared Our Souls by: Willa Strayhorn 
This.book.looks.so.good. Enough said. 

8. Vanishing Girls by: Lauren Oliver 
I love Lauren Oliver's writing, and this one looks so good! 

9. Legend by: Marie Lu 
Everyone and anyone has told me start this series, I need to soon! 

10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by: Laini Taylor 
It's been too long since I've read a fantasy! 

That's it! What books are you hoping to read this Spring? 

Emily @ Paperback Princess

The Random Questions Tag!

Big thanks to Bee @ Bee Reads Books for tagging me to do this quick and interesting post! Here are my answers: 

Do you like blue cheese? 

Never tried it. 

Do you own a gun? 

No way! 

What flavour Kool-Aid was your fave? 

BLUE RASPBERRY 

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? 

A bit, yes. 

What do you think of hot dogs? 

LOVE THEM. 

Fave Christmas movie? 

Christmas Vacation! 

What do you like to drink in the morning? 

Chocolate milk. 

Can you do push-ups? 

Never in a million years. 

What's your fave piece of jewelry? 

A necklace with a red charm that my mom got me. 

Do you have A.D.D.? 

Nope. 

What's your fave shoe? 

My white converse. 

Middle name? 

Grace. 

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. 

1. why is chilli called chilli if it's hot? 

2. why won't Ansel Elgort notice me on Twitter?

3. How does Voldemort smell if he's got no nose? 

Name 3 drink you regularly drink. 

Milk, juice, water.

Current worry? 

Finishing all these assignments I have due. 

Current hate right now? 

This cough and cold that I've had for a week. 

Dum da dum dummm, what is that? 

A random noise? 

How did you bring in the new year? 

With family. 

Where would you like to go? 

Disneyworld. 

Name people who will complete this? 

Anyone interested!

Do you own slippers? 

Fuzzy slippers! 

What colour shirt are you wearing right now? 

Navy and green striped. 

Do you sleep on satin sheets? 

Nope. 

Can you whistle? 

No, but I like to pretend that I can. 

Fave colour? 

Blue or black. 

Would you be a pirate? 

Never. 

What song do you sing in the shower? 

Happily by: One Direction 

What's in your pocket right now? 

Tissues, for my cold. 

Last thing that made you laugh? 

Me almost falling down the stairs in my clumsiness. 

Best bed sheets as a child? 

Anything girly, really! 

Do you love where you live? 

Besides the weather, yes! 

Does someone have a crush on you? 

No. (At least I don't think so.) 

What's your favourite candy? 

Those little coca cola gummies! 

Fave sports team? 

I'm not all that into sports, only during the Olympics, so I'll go with Team Canada! 

That's it! Thank again. Bee! 

Emily @ Paperback Princess

The One (The Selection #3) by: Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Published: May 6, 2014 by: HarperTeen
Pages: 323
Rating: 5/5

*MAJOR SPOILERS AND FANGIRLISH FEELS AHEAD*

The One was an amazing conclusion to America Singer's journey to win Prince Maxon's heart. Now with only 4 girls remaining, the stakes are higher than ever as the threat of war gains. Loyalties are tested, and America must make one final decision: stay with the life she's always known, or with a life she thought she'd never know.

THAT ENDING THOUGH! As I mentioned above, there are going to be many spoilers in this review, so please read with caution. But anyways, I LOVED THIS  BOOK! I have been pretty intrigued by The Selection series throughout, so it was a no-brainer that I had to get this book as soon as possible. I have to say that it did not disappoint.

This book was fast-paced, enlightening and even shocking at some points. First of all, I loved America in this book even more than the others. She was incredibly powerful in The One, and she showed a beautiful personality. With everything that she went through with her father, she kept staying strong. She was a fighter. I especially had more of an appreciation for Aspen in The One. He was so thoughtful and understanding, and helped America through hard times. They had a special bond that could never be forgotten.

Then there's gorgeous, charming, did I mention gorgeous? Prince Maxon! Even though there is not an official visual representation of him, I can imagine him in my head to be just a little ball of sunshine and cuteness. The ending with his parents was sad, I felt immense shock for him, but he got through it with the love and support of America.

The plot was so balanced and interesting. I was kept interested throughout the whole book, and there were no parts that I found to be slow. I especially loved the ending. Even though a lot of people died (I even felt sad for Celeste) America was still able to find true love and not ruin the past. The fact that Aspen gave her away hits me right in the heart! I loved Marlee being re-introduced to the series, and I loved how humble America kept herself.

Overall, this series was amazing. I cannot wait to read The Heir, about America's daughter holding her own selection. I'll love hearing more about the new king and queen. An easy 5/5 stars. Now excuse while I re-read the last chapter again while sobbing profusely.

Have you read The One? What'd you think?

P.S. I tried to do the "highlight to read" thing to hide the spoilers, but I just couldn't figure it out. If someone in the comments could please tell me how to do it for future, I would be eternally greatful. I'm not very tech-savvy. Thank you!

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #23 Top Books for Readers Who Like Dystopia

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!

Dystopia is one of my favourite genres to read, because it offers so much versatility to the plot! Here are my recommendations:

1. Divergent by: Veronica Roth
Of course, I had to add this book in. Divergent was my favourite dystopia because it had strong elements of action and romance.

2. The Selection by: Kiera Cass
Again, I could never leave this out. This series was so clever and quick, perfect for anyone in a reading slump!

3. Delirium by: Lauren Oliver
Delirium has such great aspects of love and revolution. Such a great series!

4. The Giver by: Lois Lowry
The Giver was perfectly unique and had some amazing life lessons.

5. Shatter Me by: Tahereh Mafi
This book offered some amazing action, as well as a love triangle that's not cheesy!

6. A Thousand Pieces of You by: Claudia Gray
A Thousand Pieces of You was great because it had an amazing science fiction component!

7. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games was really an introduction to dystopia for me. It was really fast-paced and moving.

8. The Maze Runner by: James Dashner
I'm not going to lie, when I first started this book, I did not like it at all. However I recently started re-reading the series, and I'm enjoying it a lot!

9. The Host by: Stephanie Meyer
I preferred this book a lot more than the Twilight series. It was scientific and really cool.

10. Birthmarked by: Caragh M. O'Brien
Such a unique book! Birthmarked really caught my attention, and was a really interesting read.

What dystopia books do you like?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

The Young Elites by: Marie Lu

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy
Published: October 7, 2014 by: G.P. Putnam
Pages: 355
Rating: 3 Stars
*review may contain spoilers*

The Young Elites is the first book in the Elite's series of fantasy books. The book follows Adelina Amouteru, a survivor of a deadly fever that sweeped across her nation a few years prior. Since then, she has been considered a "malfetto" in her family, because of the strange markings that the fever left upon her, and her missing eye. This causes Adelina's father to mistreat her, and as she fights back, she is sentenced to death. However, she is mysteriously saved by a group of hooded malfetto's who take her back to their hideout, and train her to become an "Elite" just like them. Together, they try to fight the nations' mission: to destroy all malfetto's, and their strange powers.

This book was quite different than any other fantasy that I have read. There was definitely a dystopia component to it, which made it a very unique read. To start with the positives, this book was very badass. As I have said before, a strong female character makes a book 10 times better, and I really got that in this book. Adelina was such a good character! She was amazing because she had so many struggles, but overcame them. She truly found her identity, and found somewhere where she belonged.

I also loved the strong male characters. Enzo Valenciano, an Elite, was such a brave individual. He was kind and loyal to his group and he was an amazing strategist. He wasn't like any other male lead that I've read about before. Even the antagonist, Teren Santoro, was very intelligent. It was terrible what he did to The Elites, but he still had his own struggles. I am convinced that he will come around for the better.

To the plot now, the book was quite interesting at the beginning, but deterred as it went along. I was very captivated at the beginning of the book, but I found that the middle was very slow. There was action throughout the book, but the middle just didn't do it for me. Then towards the end, things moved along quite fast again. So I'm kind of torn.

Overall, the characters of this book were amazing, the beginning and end were so clever, but the middle was hard to get through. This is why I rated it 3 stars.

Have you read The Young Elites? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Top Ten Tuesday #22 All-Time Favourite Books From The Past Few Years

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!

The past 3-5 years have been when I really got into YA fiction. Of course there's been reading slumps, but before and after them, I have been on a role in reading. Here are my all-time favourites: 

1. The Fault In Our Stars by: John Green 
This.book.was.perfect. It was adorable, sad and yet beautiful all at the same time. 

2. Paper Towns by: John Green 
Yes, another John Green. This is my favourite of his books, it was original, funny and extremely captivating. 

3. Looking for Alaska by: John Green 
This is the last John Green, I promise. The point is, he is one of my favourite authors that I discovered 3 years ago, and this was his debut. The writing was gorgeous. 

4. Eleanor and Park by: Rainbow Rowell 
Omg this book was too cute. It had romance, music and drama all rolled into one. 

5. Where She Went by: Gayle Forman 
This was actually the sequel to If I Stay, but I enjoyed Where She Went much more. It was inspiring.

6. Thirteen Reasons Why by: Jay Asher 
Thirteen Reason's was incredibly moving. It's very dramatic and heavy, but it's a real eye-opener. 

7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by: Stephen Chbosky 
Amazing. This book was inspiring, funny, sad and overall a great read for anyone who is struggling with being "an outcast" in society. 

8. The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott. Fitzgerald 
By far, the best classic book I've ever read. Gatsby's story pulls at your heart, and I would highly recommend book and movie. 

9. Delirium by: Lauren Oliver 
All I can say about this series is: wow. It was one of the first YA books  I ever read, so it has a special place in my heart. Also contains high amounts of romance and fictional-crushes. 

10. Divergent by: Veronica Roth 
Divergent had such amazing creativity, a great heroine and a great leading man. Perfect. 

There are many more that I'm missing, and it was hard to narrow it down! What are your favourite books from the past few years? 

Emily @ Paperback Princess