One Month Get to Know Me

In honor of me posting for one month on my blog, I am posting a get to know me post with 30 facts for 30 days of blogging. I hope you enjoy!

1. I have one brother who is seven years older than me.  He is getting married in 2017, so I am super excited to have a sister too!
2. I have one dog. She lives at home with my parents.  We named her Peeka which is short for Pikachu.
3. I have always lived in Florida.  I was born here, lived here my entire life, and go to college here.
4. I grew up in a small town called Ocala but now currently live in Sarasota. I go to school about five minutes from the beach.
5. I hate the beach.
6. I do not like amusement parks, rollercoasters, or crowds. 
7. My biggest fears, in this order: heights, tight spaces, the unknown, cluster of holes, and cockroaches.
8. I do not pick favorites on anything.  I have chosen a favorite color at random so when people ask I am ready to answer quickly instead of having to explain why I don't have a favorite. Prussian Blue. 
9. I have a fascination with communism.  I don't think it works at all, but I love to read about it.
10. I also love anything Russian, Italian, German, or English, in that order.
11. I have traveled all over the USA and been the 13 countries. I love to travel and would only do that if I could.
12. I am Italian-American.  My grandfather came over from there and lived in New York.  Both of my parents are from New York but met each other in Florida.
13. I love video games. Zelda is my favorite. I have a Nintendo 64, Game Cube, Wii, Xbox (yes the original), and a Super Nintendo.  
14. I am a huge fan of anything Geeky. Marvel. Sherlock. Harry Potter. The Hunger Games. Narnia. Star Trek. Star Wars. LOTR. 
15. My favorite TV shows genres are: crime, comedy, and action. My favorite Tv show is The Office.  This is the only favorite I will pick in life.
16. I tried to watch Dr. Who and watched all of the ninth doctor.  When he switched I was too attached and could not continue knowing this would happen every few seasons.  One day I will try again.
17. I do not cry in books, movies, or tv shows.  I have cried in two books in my life time. Both were Harry Potter: the Order of the Phoenix and the Deathly Hallows.  The 5th was because of a death. The 7th was because it was all ending.
18. I prefer paper back to hard covers. I hate movie covers on books.  
19. I have problems quitting books.  I am technically in the middle of about 20 books because I keep telling myself I will go back when really I hate the book and should just donate it.
20. I am studying at Ringling College of Art and Design to become a Motion Designer. Don't know what that is? Look it up.  It is the future.
21. I want the apocalypse to happen. I hate society.  I would make a good hermit.
22. I don't watch any sports.  If forced I would choose baseball only because it reminds me of my dad. I hate football.
23. I am an INTJ female.  The rarest type; I like it that way. I have some cool people in my type: Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty, Batman, Mr. Darcy, Gandalf, the Emperor, Magneto.
24. I never like the third book in trilogies.  I feel like that isn't just me though...  Also I am tired of trilogies. Many of these YA books could be shrunk into 2 books. Please stop doing it for the money.
25. I love to watercolor paint. My favorite thing to paint or draw is faces. I have been practicing for years and become really good at it. 
26. I love to do my hair and makeup but never seem to do it.  I guess I love sleeping in more.
27. I rode horses for 12 years.  I love it and am sad that going to college meant I had to stop.
28. I am Catholic. Go to church every week.  Read the bible every night.  Psalms are some of my favorite readings. Psalm 38.
29. I want a tattoo one day.  Right now I only have one piercing in my ear.  I am wanted to get a second but that would be it.
30. I love space and mandalas.  Triangles are awesome.  

and as always,
Happy Reading
-Amanda Lyn

End of April Update Challenge Day Five

Hey everyone,

So sorry for not having an update yesterday.  I had something come up and did not have time or read anything. But here is my update for today.

The Winner's Curse:

Finished the other day.  Book two being started tomorrow.

Glass Sword:

I finished.  Frustrated how long this book took me, but I will be reviewing this book soon.

Thanks everyone for sitting with me on my five day (four technically) update challenge.  Tomorrow is my one month anniversary on this blog so GET READY FOR SOMETHING EXCITING!

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

End of April Update Challenge Day Three

Hey everyone,

Another great day of reading on my part.  Really proud of my progress yet again.  I find myself with four days left in April and nothing much left to read, so I will be starting early on some of my May reads.

The Winner's Curse:

Finished last the other day. Waiting for the second one to come in the mail.  Should be here today.

Glass Sword:

I had lots of free time to read this one today.  I did not get as far as I thought, but I only have 60 pages left.  I plan on staying up late tonight and finishing it. Technically that will be tomorrow, so check back in then to see if I am done!

The Selection Sale:

On a side note, I have a few cool offers to give you guys.  One of my favorite books is on sale.  You can get the kindle version here:
Amazon

You can get the first book for $1.99 (it is totally worth it if you have not read this book!)

Also any of the book in the series are $4.95 audiobook version here:

Audible

Trust me, you will love these books!

I am not sure how long these sales will last so jump on these deals.

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

End of April Update Challenge Day Two

Hey everyone,

I am continuing with my challenge to post everyday with an update of my reading for these last five days of April.  I was blessed with lots of reading time yesterday and managed to get a lot more accomplished than I thought.  Here is everything I got done.

The Winner's Curse:

Woop! In case you haven't been keeping up to date with my Goodreads of my side bare that shows my currently reading chart, I finished this book. I loved it so much. Be ready for a review to be released in early May.

Glass Sword:

Due to my focus on the other book, I did not read any other is one. 131 pages left.

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

End of April Update Challenge

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to write more on my blog, so in honor of that I will be updating you with my reading progress or thoughts every day for the next five days!

I plan to finish two of the books that I am reading right now which leaves me with not that much left to do.  I calculated about 35 pages a day and the past three days I have been reading about 80 pages a day so I should finish them sooner than I am projecting.

So I will be reading:
The Winner's Curse by Maria Rutkoski
&
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

The Winner's Curse:

I am currently on page 259 out of 359. So excited to only have 100 pages left.  I am loving this book so much right now.  Something big just happened in it too so I will be pushing through this one to find out what happens.  I plan on reviewing this book when I am finished.  I borrowed this book from my Public Library and I am reading it electronically on my computer.  I have a kindle, but I bring my computer everywhere so I find it easier to just read on here instead.

Glass Sword:

I am currently 66% done with this book.  I bought the Audio book to listen to and borrowed the hard back from a friend so that I could read it easier on the go.  I switch between these two methods.  I have about 130 pages left which is 4 and a half hours of listening.  I was bored with the beginning of this book so it took me a while to get into it.  I LOVED the first one so much but this one just seems to not be as interesting to me.  Somethings are starting to go down so I am starting to read more with this one.

See you tomorrow for another update!

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

May 2016 TBR

Here are all the books I plan to read in May:

Finish:

1. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Start and Finish:

1.The Last Star by Rick Yancey

2. The Crown by Kiera Cass

3. Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

4. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

5. Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut

6. A Quarrel Called by Shannon Wendtland


I am hoping that I can get through all of these books in May, but I know that life will get a hold of me.  My goal is to read at least three of them if nothing else.  I am really excited for May, because I will be starting summer vacation so I will have more time to read (although I will be working 35 hours a week so not much time).

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

Review: Throne of Glass (Spoiler Free)

Taken From

Summary:

Book by Sarah J. Maas

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Summary taken from Goodreads

Review:

3.5/5 Stars

While I can say I enjoyed reading this book it was not anything like what I originally set out to read. I was expecting an assassin trying to over-throw a kingdom but what I got was a girl in lots of dresses. Fortunately it was well written and had enough flavor to keep me going. The love triangle was not the best, but I was very thankful to not have romance shoved down my throat like in so many other young adult books. And while the main character did seemed to be overly obsessed with how she looked even when struggling for her life, I can say that I overall enjoyed it. I will have to think about it before I pick up another book in this series. So for anyone wanting a good book this is one I would suggest, but for anyone wanting an assassin story, look elsewhere.

P.S.- Sense writing this review, I have read the second and thrid book in the series.  They are worth it. So much better than the first and they explain everything that made you wonder in the first one.  I will be continuing this series.

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn

Review: The 5th Wave (Spoiler Free)

Taken From

Summary:

Book by Rick Yancey

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Summary take from Goodreads

Review:

5/5 Stars

I read this book because I saw the movie trailer and thought it looked interesting.  This book went beyond anything I could ever imagine.  Because it was so good, I did not go see the movie, afraid that anything a director could put on screen would not be as good as what I had read.

This book looks like your average YA book.  Post Apocalypse. Girl meets boy.  Family problems. Fantasy.  But it was nothing like any other YA book I have ever read.

 This book asks questions, makes the reader really think about things.  It has deep meaning and problems that leaving you wondering what kind of person you actually are.  It was almost like poetry where everything was beautifully and deeply described (except easier to understand).

While the main idea is that aliens have taken over the world and humans are just trying to survive, there is so much more to it than that.  The idea of survival is just one thing that is brought up.  Most of the book is told from Cassie's thoughts.  She is just a teenage girl trying to understand why these aliens would even attack her home world in the way they did, while searching for her brother, retelling the past, and surviving.  This book changed perspective throughout, and while normally I would hate that, this one did it so well that I never minded.  The day I ended this book I went and bought the next one.  

I had to take a few weeks off of reading just to digest the ideas in this book, spend some time really thinking about what it all meant.  If you like to think more than just about trivial things, this book is perfect for you.  The writing was wonderful.  It was quick paced.  I enjoyed every minute of it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is mature enough to read it.

Happy Reading

Amanda Lyn

Review: I Am Number Four (Spoiler Free)

Side note: This was my second time reading this book.

Picture Taken From

Summary:

Book by Pittacus Lore
Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books--but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.
I am next.
Summary taken from Goodreads

Review:

4/5 Stars
I read this books many years ago when it first came out (2011).  I then read many of the other ones in the series, and one day just stopped. No reason at all.  I wanted to finish so I came to the conclusion that I would reread all of the beginning ones until I got to the point of new material.

I liked this book even more the second time reading it.  It made me want to finish reading the entire series.  The main character, John (Four), is very likable. I found myself enjoying what he was thinking.  Although many times I did not agree with his decisions, aka wanting to stay, I liked him.  Most of his poor decisions I believe came from the him only being 15; so he his choices matched his age.

I found myself falling in love with the characters again and being swept into the plot.  I was reading this book anytime I had available.  I was worried going in that I would find it childish sense I read it so long ago and enjoyed it.  That was not the case.  I found new meaning in the characters and actions.  Also the written was well enough done that it was quick to read but still contained some meaning.

If you are looking for an interesting YA book that is not like all the others out there, this is it.  If you want something with deep meaning and great symbolism, this is not your book.  This book is easy to read and entertaining.

I would recommend others to read this book.

Happy Reading
-Amanda Lyn 

Buying Books Online Cheap

I don't like to spend a lot of money on books.  Many times when I want to buy one, I avoid the main places because I find them ridiculously expensive.  For my digital books I always use Amazon.com. My public library has many digital, audio, and hard/soft cover books I can borrow.

Still, many times I find myself wanting to own books instead of just reading them and giving them back.  While this is very materialistic, I still find myself growing my library whenever I can.  Here are the sites I use to help save money.

None of these sites sponsor me (I wish they would), I am just giving my honest opinion on buying inexpensive books online.

Where I buy my books online:

Half Price Books

This site has the cheapest books I can find online.  Most books can be bought for .99c, but not all.  I have never seen a book for over $10, but I usually am looking for older books.  It takes a few days for shipping. Each book will cost $3 for shipping, so if you have four books for .99c each the shipping will be $12.  Still not as expensive as other places.

Book Depository

This site is a little more expensive than the last sight but the shipping is free.  I bought most of my books for $5-$9 dollars, but they can be more expensive.  These take about a week to ship, depending on where you live.

Thrift Books

I am brand new to this site, but I have high hopes for it.  Free shipping for orders over $10.  The site has many deals such as 2 for $7.  I plan on ordering some books from here soon and updating my opinion.

Selling:

Book Scouter

Maybe this doesn't belong here, but if you ever need a little money or are tired of looking at certain books on your shelf, this site tells you where you can get your best prices for it.  

Other sites to try are Ebay and Amazon.com

What I listen to while reading

Like the average human being, I like to listen to music while I read.  It helps me keep distractions out from other people and zone into the book better.  Now my music taste doesn't change from when I am not reading.  I find if I listen to songs I already know by heart, I don't pay attention to the music, just the beat. So here is what I listen to while reading (and all the time):
Current Favorite: The Lumineers Album Cleopatra

Folk:

This is my number one favorite genre!

1. Of Monsters and Men 

2. The Lumineers 

3. The Oh Hellos (Through the Deed, Dark Valley Album)

4. The Last Bison 

5. Mumford and Sons (1st and 2nd album, nothing new)

6. The Head and the Heart

7. The Hunts

8. Twin Forks

9. Beta Radio

Other:

It's a mix of genres.

1. Sleeping at Last

2. Imagine Dragons

3. Bastille

4. Twenty One Pilots

5. George Ezra

6. Florence & the Machines

7. The Avett Brothers

8. Billy Joel

9. Queen

10. Kansas

11. Journey

(This list is excluding all of the musicals to which I listen.)

Of course this is just a small collection of the things I keep on my phone to shuffle through.  Sorry this post isn't more book relate, I promise to have something more bookish soon.

Happy Listening!

-Amanda Lyn

Review: Ready Player One (Spoiler Free)

Taken From

Summary:

Book by Ernest Cline

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the  OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whomever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
Summary taken from Goodreads

Review:

4/5 Stars
I read this book in an attempt to get out of one of my reading slumps.  It did the trick.  I found myself swept into a world full of images and action.  It was a quick paced read that left me continuously saying," I know exactly what is going to happen." and," I might not actually have any clue what is going to happen.".  It was the perfect mix of predictability and suspense.  This book was very different from anything else I have read in a long time.  It had action, adventure, and tons of 1980s pop culture references.  It dealt with pressing issues such as hunger, acceptance, death, depression, and tons more.  It was a deep book that made me think.

Sure on the first level it was an interesting book about virtual reality (something very dear to my heart).  That is in fact why I first picked it up.  But after reading 10 pages I knew it was about something more.  Hidden under the tech talk and 80s lingo was a world that just made you want to question society.  And that is my kind of book!

So why not give this book 5/5 stars? I'll tell you.  I grew to really appreciate the main character Wade (or whatever you want to call him).  He started out as this kid that needed nothing but his own brain to solve this grand mystery.  After solving the first gate, and earning some money, he quickly became dependent on so much more. This was one of the many lessons I think the book has to offer.  But I grew to not like him (I really don't think I was supposed to, but I have a hard time loving a book who's main character I dislike).  This wasn't the only problem for me.  The writing seemed to lag on the technical parts long.  I do believe that if I was more up to date with 80s culture I would have enjoyed it.  But coming from someone born in the 1990s, all I know of that time is what my parents have shared with me.  Not that most of the things went over my head.  I actually got almost all of the references.  I just found myself getting bored of only hearing them.  

Overall it was an amazing read.  I could not believe how fast I seemed to be flipping the pages.  I would highly recommend this book to someone who wants to think while they read (and has an open mind about the world). 

If this fits you, I say get the book.
Happy Reading
-Amanda Lyn

Final Week of March Reading Review

As March wraps up I found myself slowly working my way out of a reading slump.  Here is how this past week went for me:

Monday:

I received a package in the mail! Awesome. I had ordered all of the Throne of Glass books in the British paperback editions because of how pretty they were (plus I did not own them at this point and wanted them). After ordering these four books I promised myself no more book shopping, even though I got all four for a total of $20, including shipping.  If you want to know how I managed to do that, check out my buying page. 

Tuesday:

I found myself still in a major reading slump.  Even though I had not read Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas I was not looking at starting a 700 page book in an attempt to get out of my slump.  So I took a friend to our public library.  As she was getting a card, I was checking out a few books that people had recommended for me.  I wanted to get one nice and small 300 page book.  I ended up with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass, and Blood Read Road by Moira Young.  

That night I came back and started Ready Player One.

Wednesday:

I was officially out of my slump! I sat and read Ready Player One for a couple of hours after my classes.  I was interested in the book because it was different from what I had found myself reading normally, and it was also very interesting.  

Thursday:

I woke up early for a presentation at my school, had two 3 hour long classes, and then homework for the next day.  I only managed to read 60 pages of Ready Player One, but that was more than I was expecting.

Friday:

Fridays are great because I only have one 3 hour class and then work for 3 hours, and at my job I am allowed to read as long as no one is in the gallery.  I fully planned on going to work and reading for at least two of those hours.  When I got there, I learned that I was helping set up for the new gallery installation.  I read on my breaks, but did not get very far.

Overall not a bad week.  I found a book I really enjoy, plus I have a few more that I am excited to start.  I got out of my slump too.

Happy Reading

-Amanda Lyn