They Both Die At The End: My Review

I heard so many great things about Adam Silvera and his books, but hadn’t read any of them yet before that. They Both Die At The End had actually been sitting in my kindle for quite some time, and I finally picked it up the the other day, as I was procrastinating in the library instead of working on a paper, or my thesis, or whatever I was supposed to do.

Genre: YA, Contemporary with a SciFi-ish twist

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Warning: Do not, I repeat, do not read this book in a public place. I tried reading it in the commute on my way to work, and I had to close it and hold back the tears.

Goodreads summary:

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.

Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

My opinion:

I absolutely LOVED the concept of this story. The whole Death Cast idea is brilliant and at least I knew I wouldn’t have a bad surprise at the end. I mean, I had been warned. Which doesn’t mean I didn’t cry on several occasions while reading this book, because I totally did.

To be honest, my biggest regret was that I felt it took too long for the story to really get started. I had to wait for the second half of the story to really be immersed into it.

Otherwise I really liked that we got a dual POV, following both Mateo and Rufus throughout the story. It was also interesting to get some other perspectives and see how stories could get intertwined. I think the whole book was really well executed. The characters were both realistic and endearing, and it was extremely moving.

We also have some solid friendships in this book, whether it’s Lidia or the Plutos. All we get is teenagers uplifiting one another, that’s strong, and that’s amazing. I want more characters like this, I want characters like these everywhere.

Overall, the book is quite a quite read, it’s well-written and very moving, it has a great concept and great characters, and I would definitely recommend it (with a box of tissues by your side).

May Nerdy Post Unboxing | Sci Fi

Hello everyone! There was no The 100 reaction video for me this week, however I received my Nerdy Post box for the month of May, and of course I had to film an unboxing! The theme was Sci-fi and it was full of awesome stuff ♥

Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted my video, but here are some pictures!

 

Thoughts on The 100 S5E04

As promised, here’s this week’s video!

Inside Out Booktag

I think I may have been tagged to do this at some point, but never got around actually doing it, and now I just stumbled onto it on Meggan’s blog, and decided that I had to do it.

There are just five prompts, following the five emotions from the (awesome) movie Inside Out, and for each, I picked a book!

JOY | Which book brings you the most joy?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. This book is the best, it’s fantastic, it’s sweet and beautiful and it just makes me so happy.

DISGUST | Which book grossed you out the most?

Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn. The whole mind jelly thing or whatever (you’ll have to excuse me I read it a long time ago though it’s something I will unfortunately never forget) completely grossed me out, it gave me the chills, it was just so disturbing.

FEAR | Which book scared you more than anything?

I don’t really read scary books or horror stories for some reason, so I’m going to go with The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas because throughout the book I was just so scared for everyone’s lives all the time.

SADNESS | Which book made you cry the hardest?

This question only has one answer for me and that is One Day by David Nicholls. It breaks my heart every time I think about it. This book is so beautiful and sad at the same time (and I can only recommend it!)

ANGER | Which book pissed you off the most?

For this one I’m going to go with My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante and I know it’s apparently an unpopular opinion, but I just don’t get why so many people love this book. I don’t like the main characters and especially Lila, and don’t relate with whatever happens. I’m reading book two right now, and I don’t even know why because it’s overall SO FRUSTRATING.

And that’s it for today’s post, thanks for reading!

Thoughts on The 100 S5E03

I’m trying this thing where I post a video about the latest episode of The 100 every week, because I absolutely love this show, and this season is honestly much more promising than the two previous ones so far, so here are my thoughts on episode 3 if you are interested!

ARC Tour: All Of This Is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor

First of all, huge thanks to Marie from Drizzle and Hurricane Books for organizing this tour and allowing me to participate, and of course, thanks to Lygia Day Peñaflor for sending us an ARC of her book!

Title: All Of This Is True
Author: Lygia Day Peñaflor
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Release date: May 15th
My rating: ★★★★☆

Before your start, be warned that this book deals with abuse and toxicity.

Goodreads summary:

Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault.

Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t believe she let Fatima manipulate her and Jonah like that. She can’t believe that she got used for a book.

Penny Panzarella was more than the materialistic party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was. She desperately wanted Fatima Ro to see that, and she saw her chance when Fatima asked the girls to be transparent with her. If only she’d known what would happen when Fatima learned Jonah’s secret. If only she’d known that the line between fiction and truth was more complicated than any of them imagined…

My favourite quote:

“It’s funny, he thought, the reasons we don’t talk about something are because it’s either not important, or because it’s too important.”

My thoughts:

This book was absolutely unique, it was so different from anything else I’ve ever read, and yet, it’s all I could ever have dreamt about when it comes to a book. It is told through different media and perspectives, from radio interviews, to journal entires, to chapters of a fiction based from the lives of the characters. Just from that, I was sold. The format of the book was unique and brilliant, but it was not the only great thing amazing about it. This book follows a group of high schoolers as they befriend their favourite author, which would have been the greatest thing of their life if not for the fact that she completely inspired her next books from their stories and secrets. It deals with toxicity and I believe that’s something that definitely needs to be talked about today. Truth be told, I’ve never really read anything about it before, but this was definitely an important issue raised by the book, and it really made me think. I also thought that the characters were extremely well executed. They do really feel like teenagers. They make mistakes, they get jealous, they fall in love, and they get excited about the things they are passionate about. They are still growing up, and dealing with something that might change their lives forever. The characters felt so real, and that’s one of the many things I loved about this book.

The story was fascinating and endearing, I just couldn’t put the book down. And yes, I read it in one day. I just had to know what would happen next! And even though I found most of the plot twists predictable (either because they were predictable, or because I have a twisted mind, who knows) it was still greatly enjoyable, because I just wanted to know how the characters would react to them. And trust me I was not disappointed. This was a hell of a ride, but oh boy, it was worth it, and I would definitely recommend it, if only for the fantastic format.

Let me know your thoughts if you have read All of this is true, and feel free to recommend more books in the comments!

Add the books on Goodreads

Follow the author on Twitter

Life and Reading Update

I will supposedly be presenting my thesis in about a month, and then be finished with my studies, so life is a bit crazy right now, in between my few classes left, yoga classes, my job, strikes everywhere in Paris right now, and of course the whole studying thing!

I still managed to read some books in April, here’s a wrap up video:

Books I read in April:

Marie Curie by Demi ★★★★☆
Marie Curie: The Radium Fairy by Chantal Montellier and Renaud Hyunh ★★★★☆
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante ★★★☆☆
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare ★★★★☆
Beloved by Toni Morrison ★★★★☆
Wires and Nerve vol.2 by Marrissa Meyer ★★★★★
Wonder Woman vol.5: Flesh by Brian Azzarello ★★★★☆
Carrie Fisher Biography by Chris Dicker ★★★☆☆

Books I’m currently reading:

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
My Brilliant Friend #2 by Elena Ferrante

---

In case you weren’t aware, my favourite TV show aka The 100 is back with its fifth season, and here’s a video of my thoughts and feelings on episode 2!

Thanks for watching!

Spoilery Thoughts On Riverdale

I have so many thoughts on what has been going on lately on Riverdale, I need to get it off my chest. Tumblr hashtags are not enough to talk about all I have been feeling…

It’s going to be a bit all over the place I’m afraid, and of course there will be spoilers, so beware. (I am fully aware that this article is a mess, but I wanted to share my thoughts so feel free to share yours, and I am also quite aware that I probably haven’t covered everything I wanted to mention, but as you wil see, this article is long enough…)

First of all I am delighted to see Toni and Cheryl together – I have been a huge and loyal fan of Toni since she appeared on the show – but if only we could actually see them together, that would be great. That being said, Toni’s outfits in the latest episode was SO ON POINT, I feel like I have been blessed. (And on a side note, my hair is not pink enough!!!) The CW is known to do his lesbians/bisexuals dirty (#clexa #the100) but I’m really hoping they won’t let me down here.

And while I’m talking about my queer babies, I was pretty sure that Kevin and Fangs were dating but apparently I was wrong considering Fangs admitted he was seeing Midge before she died, which both makes and doesn’t make sense in my opinion, I have many thoughts on that. Midge was dating Moose who was closeted, so I can imagine their relationship was not enough for her or whatever. And when Moose admitted he had figured out she was cheating on him, everyone believed that he did not kill her (though her cheating on him would be a motive, no matter how harmless this dude looks). However when Fangs says he didn’t do it, everyone seems to not believe him (mostly the Bulldogs but whatever, I’m pissed) while THE GIRL HE PROBABLY HAD FEELINGS FOR WAS JUST MURDERED FOR GOD’S SAKE AND HE DOESN’T EVEN EVEN HAVE A MOTIVE YOU DUMMIES.

Anywho. The more I watch this show, the less it makes sense. Don’t even get me started on the whole Chic (Chick?) was a fake and actually killed Betty’s real brother who by the way was also Jughead’s brother, and is no one bothered by the fact that Alice maybe doesn’t want her daughter to date Jughead because she used to date his father and for some reason in the small gossipy town of Riverdale no one seems to know about this, I don’t have words for how confused this show makes me feel sometimes.

Oh and I started talking about Kevin but I got off track. I feel like he has been really out of character lately to be honest. He seems like a genuinely kind person, and I’m still baffled by the fact that he is part of the wrestling team (doesn’t make sense? or is it just me?). And like, he was part of the Bulldogs/Dark Circle crowd in the last episode lately (or is it the Black Circle? I thought it was the Red Circle? what. the. fuck.) and that, again, seems out of character. I don’t know guys, I’m just confused. Also Joaquin is back out of nowhere and I just figured out how to write his name, let me tell you I didn’t expect that because that is so not how you would pronounce it in Frenche but anywho YOUR LOCAL BOOKWORM IS HOPING FOR A REUNION BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

What else did I want to complain about? Oh boy, what the hell is wrong with you Archibald Andrews, stop with the whole Hiram Lodge thing it doesn’t make goddamn sense like, this dude just got out of jail and wants to build a jail in your home town, this dude is a godforsaken crimminal and you just roll with his bullshit, he could be behind the Black Hood for all we know (fyi said blackhood is supposedly going after sinners, why not after the Lodge who are part of some kind of insane Mafia???). Archie is so confusing, I feel like he has become this new person that I don’t understand (gosh it sounds like we’re dating, he’s not even my type, Toni is my type in case you were wondering). WHATEVER. Just cut the crap Archie, this relationship with dangerously evil man crimminal Hiram Lodge has been going on for way too long. The whole “mafia” business just doesn’t make sense to me, unless we are getting Hiram back in prison by the end of this season.

Also what the fudge (sorry I’ve been watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt lately) is the deal with the Black Hood? I get that Archie thought he got the wrong guy, and admittedly, it seemed plausible though the guy who got shot also seemed guilty of some weird shit, but then we don’t see him for forever and just think this is all past us??? And then he’s back but different or whatever??? I am so confused by this show you guys I’m starting to wonder why I’m even watching (the answer is: Toni and Cheryl) (and I have to admit I also have a soft spot for Jughead). Who the fork (#TheGoodPlace reference) is the BLACKHOOD and what is their deal? Your girl wants answers!

About the whole “is Hal the Black Hood” thingy, this dude is fishy and I have disliked him since the beginning (btw Alice and FP together would be great, just sayin). We seem to have great proof against him. However there are also some facts that prove he may not be the Blackhood, for instance the fact that he was with Betty during the shooting. But maybe there are several Blackhoods. (I for some time thought that it might be the sheriff, but then again, probably not). I am also wondering, if Hal is not the Blackhood then who is? Also Betty clearly said she was with Cherly when they found the book in his secret hideout or whatnot, so it WOULD make sense that if Hal was the Blackhood he would go after Cheryl. But then, who is knocking on the door where Betty is? And did she figure out something that I missed? To be honest, after watching the next episode preview, I’m starting to consider the fact that Hal might be the original Blackhood, and maybe some other dudes started pretending to be the Blackhood just for the sake of destroying/killing people.

Great return of Mayor/Attorney McCoy in this episode, though where is Josie? I miss my girl. And while I’m talking about people we’re missing, are we going to know what happened to Chic? Will we ever see Polly and her weird-named babies? Also what the fudge happened to the boy scout who sold a gun to Archie? Is he secretly the one selling guns to everyone because oh boy, everyone seems to have guns in this show, what the fuck is wrong with you people, and why is it lawful in America to have guns like that (yes I know, that’s a whole other topic BUT CAN YOU NOT SEE HOW PROBLEMATIC IT IS). Who gave Reggie a goddamn gun, and also who pulled the trigger on Fangs???

Don’t even get me started on how nonsensical to have a whole musical episode, it doesn’t even make sense, but that was a while ago now, so let’s just forget about the whole mess that this episode was. It was even crazier than having Ed Sheeran on Game of Thrones, if you want my honest opinion on the question.

By the by, I am delighted to see that Vanessa Morgan – aka my queen Toni Topaz – will be a series regular in season 3! (However I did NOT LIKE WHAT I SAW IN THE NEXT EP PREVIEW)

I could talk for hours about what the fork is wrong with the Lodge family, and what the fudge are the Gullies, where were they, why are they back, why is this show leaving so much shit unanswered it’s just unhealthy but I’m going to stop. Thank YOU if you read this rant from beginning to end, you deserve the world! (And I hope next week’s episode doesn’t disappoint!)

See ya ♥

O.W.L.’s Exams Readathon Wrap Up

This month I accidentally stumbled across an amazing themed readathon, and I decided to take part in it. You can check out my TBR here. Basically, the idea was to read books following different prompts that matched the subjects studied at Hogwarts for the O.W.L. exams taken the Fifth Year students. I found a book almost for each prompt, so that I would have a large choice, and read some of them, and some others (matching or not) the prompts.

Here are the prompts that I managed to get:

Ancient Runes – Read a book with a symbol on the cover

My pick was originally Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cunnings, but I eventually read City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, in the recent edition that has indeed a very beautiful symbol on the cover.

Note: This one could also fit other themes like Charms (Read a fantasy novel) and also deals with shape shifting, secret societies and magical creatures, it’s just the perfect series for a Harry Potter/magical themed readathon!

Divination – Read a book about prophecies

I had picked Wonder Woman, vol.5: Flesh by Brian Azzarello, and I did indeed read it an love it.

History of Magic – Read a Historical Fiction book

For this one I had picked Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, but I didn’t touch it this month. However, I read Beloved by Toni Morrison, and My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, which are both historical fiction.

     

Muggle Studies – Read a muggle non-fiction book

For this one I had picked Misogynation by Laura Bates, however, I didn’t have the time to read it this month. I did read a non fiction book this month, albeit a much shorter one, and it was the biography of Carrie Fisher by Chris Dicker.

Full title: Carrie Fisher Biography: The Legacy of Princess Leia, Rumors and More

And finally:

Astronomy – Read a science-fiction book

I had picked New World: Inferno by Jennifer Wilson but unfortunately I didn’t manage to pick it up, however I did read a science fiction comic book, and that was Vol.2 of Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer, the comic book sequel of The Lunar Chronicles.

---

Pass Grades:

Outstanding – Sit (and pass) at least 5 O.W.L’s

Exceeds Expections – Sit (and pass) at least 3 O.W.L’s

Acceptable – Sit (and pass) at least 2 O.W.L’s

I managed to read books fitting five different themes, so I guess I passed my O.W.L.s Outstandingly!