Paperback's Pondering's: My Book Buying Experiences

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is all about my experiences with buying books.

It's no secret that hardcover books are expensive. It can be hard to buy books when you're on a budget, and especially when you don't have a job. I have experienced this first hand.

There is a lot of debate over ebooks vs. physical copies. While ebooks are significantly less expensive than physical copies, it doesn't give the same "feel" of having an actual book in your hands. That, and the bright screen of a tablet can sometimes strain my eyes. However I usually buy a lot more ebooks because of the price. I'm torn.

When buying physical books, I have to buy solely based on my allowance and coupons. It can be frustrating when a book I've been anticipating is not at a price I would like. I often find myself saving up money for just one book.

Obviously, there are other alternatives to actually buying books, such as borrowing from the library or from other bookworms. But they can't always have the book you're looking for, especially if it's a newer addition. That's when going to a bookstore, is the only available option.

Fortunately, I have recently found a loophole to my problem. I found a bookstore that sells imperfect copies of books for half or even less of the list price. They even have a website which offers even more titles. So far, I haven't had any trouble finding books that I want on the website, so it has been a huge help. If you live in Canada, I would highly recommend that you check out The Book Outlet

I want to know your opinion! Do you have any tips for buying on a budget, and do you prefer buying ebooks to physicals?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Stargirl (Stargirl #1) by: Jerry Spinelli

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Published: September 2002 by: Scholastic
Pages: 186
Rating: 5/5 stars

Stargirl is the story of a high school that is enlightened by a strange girl and her laidback happenings. Nobody knows her past, or where she came from. When student Leo starts developing feelings for her, he must choose between the whispers and insults from his classmates, or experience the carefree world with Stargirl.

The reason I read this book was a cool situation. I was at a restaurant and my family had started a conversation with a waitress. When she learned that I loved to read, she immediately recommended this book to me, and asked me to come back when I had read it and tell her what I thought. This book was unique and inspiring, and I'm happy that she recommended it to me.

I loved Stargirl as a character. She was a mysterious flower child, who didn't care what people thought of her. I admired her confidence, and the lengths she went to make sure people were happy. She changed her school for the better, and gave me a better outlook on life.

This book was so creative, and not like anything I had ever read before. The writing was beautifully put, and quite easy to follow. I think that this was a great coming of age story, as it contained life lessons to be yourself and not let negativity bring you down. I took something away from reading this.

This book was perfection. I was thoroughly entertained, and experienced a world wind of emotions. I'm so happy that this book was recommended to me, and I encourage anyone with insecurities to read it.

Have you read Stargirl? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Paperback's Pondering's: Cover Characteristics

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is all about my opinion on book covers.

 

We all know that the cover reveal to a book is an iconic moment. Everyone loves a beautiful cover, because it can make a bookshelf pretty, instagram pictures look flawless, or match your bookshelf. But if I'm being completely honest, covers don't really bother me.

The only thing that bothers me on a cover is couples. I feel like couples on a romance cover showing too much chemistry can make me uncomfortable reading the book in public. I just don't like it. However other than that, the thing that will really sell me on a book is the synopsis, not the cover.

Now I'm not saying that I don't appreciate a nice cover when I see one. There are many covers that I note are exceptionally beautiful. However I myself, don't find it that important.

There's a big debate as to matching covers in a series, and a lot of people find it annoying when the sequel doesn't match the original. Speaking from personal experiences, I'm most of the time too excited to read the sequel, that the cover is the last thing I notice.

I think it's mostly because I don't consider myself a very visual learner. I like to read about information, as opposed to look at it. So when I pick up a book, I will immediately turn it on to the back and read the blurb.

I want to know what you think. Is the cover the most important component in your opinion, or are you partial to something else?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Me And Earl And The Dying Girl by: Jesse Andrews

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Published: March 1, 2012 by: Amulet Books
Pages: 295
Rating: 1/5 stars

Me And Earl And The Dying Girl is the story of high school senior Greg Gaines, and his journey to try and make a film for his dying friend, Rachel. Greg has never been successful in films, but he and his partner-in-crime Earl, and going to try and make this the most memorable one ever. All while trying to cheer Rachel up.

If I were to think of what this book reminded me of, I would say that it is a ya version of Diary of A Wimpy Kid. Except a lot ruder, insensitive, and un-developed.

Now I wouldn't consider myself a sensitive person at all, I can "take jokes" but this "humour" irked me to no end. I came into this book expecting a hilarious and feel-good book. The jokes were just racist, rude, and extremely forced. It was like watching a really bad comedian try some really bad punch-lines the whole way through. I found this book to be somewhat offensive.

I didn't like Greg as a character at all. I found him to be so rude to Rachel, and with all that she is going through, she deserved a lot more respect. I think Greg was supposed to be portrayed as a shy and awkward guy, but he just came across as a guy with zero people skills.

This plot was so undeveloped. Nothing happened whatsoever to make me interested. Greg tries to make a good film for Rachel, but it turns out that the film sucks and Greg achieves nothing. Great. It was such a let down.

You can probably tell, I did not like this book at all. It was just a bit too rude and it went nowhere. I couldn't connect with it at all :(

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Paperback's Pondering's: Being "Over Protective" Of Books

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is all about being protective over a book's popularity.

I have an issue: I don't like to share. By this, I mean that I don't like it when one of my favourite books becomes really famous, usually through a movie, and more people start to like it. Now this sounds like the most selfish thing in the world, but let me explain.

I just have trouble excepting change. When I really become obsessed with a book, it kind of feels like something special that is just shared between me and other readers of the book. When things become more publicized, then more people who may not enjoy books that much start liking it. I feel as if the thing that was once so special to me, has been taken over by the world.

In reality, this should be a happy occasion. The author is getting more opportunities that they may have never had before, and I love watching book-to-movie adaptions. Not only that, but people who may have not appreciated books that much before, are now more open and involved in this world.

I think I'm scared of people not appreciating a book for what it is. Obviously movies can twist books and make them different, and I worry that people won't have the true message of a book get across to them. I think I just need to learn to let go.

So even though I'm not that opening into letting other people into my book loving world, it is a very good thing, and I need to accept that. If someone reads a book that I like, and enjoys it, it gives me one more person to fangirl with. Book publicity, is not that bad after all.

Is this just a problem that I have, or do other people get a little over protective of books? Let me know your thoughts!

Emily @ Paperback Princess

P.S. I Still Love You by: Jenny Han

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Published: May 26, 2015 by: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 337
Rating: 5/5 stars
*highlight white text to reveal major spoilers*

P.S. I Still Love You was the satisfying sequel to Jenny Han's heartwarming love story: To All The Boy's I've Loved Before. Here, Lara Jean picks up the pieces from her failed relationship with Josh, and moves forward with Peter. However their new found love is short-lived when a scandal rocks their school and threatens to ruin Lara Jean's "good girl" reputation. All that, and the threat of Peter going back to his old girlfriend, Lara Jean must make one final decision.

I.Loved.This.Book. I don't know how Jenny Han manages to tug on my heart strings every single time. This book was heartwarming, intriguing, and utterly adorable. Each character came back in full swing, and the ending was so amazing.

When reading To All The Boy's, I found Lara Jean to be a bit naive and annoying. However she really changed! She was so caring to the ones she loved, and was incredibly strong through all that she went through. Her bond with her sisters is unbeatable. There was one character in this book that blew me away even more though: Peter Kavinsky.

Peter was one of those characters who you can't help but love. He may seem a bit narcissistic on the outside, but he cared so deeply for Lara Jean, and was compelled to make things right. I can't say enough about how much I admire his character.

The plot to this book was so climactic, and well-written. It was not cheesy, boring or predictable. The ending was sooooo cute as well. There was fluff, but just the right amount.

Overall, I was so impressed with this ending, and I will miss these books very much.

Have you read P.S. I Still Love You? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Paperback's Pondering's: The Damsel in Distress

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is all about strong female leads.

I have a love-hate relationship with romance novels. On one hand, I love the chemistry, fluff and of course, otp's that you can get out of a good romance. However, the reason that some of them don't appeal to me is because they can sometimes portray girls to be weak and helpless without a guy. Now this is not just limited to romance! There can sometimes be that problem in fantasy, dystopia and more, where the girl is swept off her feet by some gorgeous guy, who seems to make everything better.

Luckily, I haven't read a book with this problem in a long time, but it is still an on-going thing that I think needs to be talked about. My first question is: why is it always a girl? Who says that a magnificent heroine can't swoop in and save her partner, who is in distress. It doesn't always have to be a damsel.

I have a huge admiration for The Hunger Games series, because I've always thought of Katniss to be very independent. She doesn't need a "strong" man to come do all the dirty work for her, she is her own person. I don't like it in books when they portray a girl to be weak, because let's be honest, no girl is!

I think that it is not only great to have a kick-ass female lead, but I also think that it would be great if more YA books didn't have a girl falling in love at all. Who says that you necessarily need to find a boyfriend? Yes, it can add a great deal of cuteness to be the plot, and I'm not saying that a love is a bad thing, but wouldn't it be nice to just change it up a bit?

I absolutely love how the world is advancing in the issue of feminism. Girls are seen as strong, independent, and a force to be reckoned with. This is what I love to read about.

I'd love to know what you think about female leads! What are some of your favourite books that feature these women?

Emily @ Paperback Princess