the pants project by cat clarke

What? Another blog post? IN THE SAME WEEK? 

I know. It is a true miracle. This book could not go untalked about though! I read it in about two hours, and I am honestly so happy. This book was so amazing, and cute, and I am going to gush about it more, so let's go!

Title: The Pants Project

Author: Cat Clarke

Expected Publication: March 1st, 2017

Page Numbers: 272 (Hardcover Edition)

Genre: Middle Grade/LGBT+

What I Rated It: 5+

Publishing Company: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Favorite Quote: "You were right last night. When you said there's nothing to be ashamed of. No one should ever be ashamed of being who they are."

Goodreads Blurb: My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I'm not technically a girl.

I'm Transgender. Which is a bit like being a transformer. Only not quite as cool as cool because I probably won't get to save the world one day."

A Transformer is a robot in disguise. Liv is a boy in disguise. It's that simple. Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school's terrible dress code, he can't even wear pants. Only skirts.

Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Live to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn't just a mission to change the policy- it's a mission to change his life. And that's a pretty big deal.

Disclaimer: I got this book from Net Galley and was no way paid for this review.

Okay so. This book, y'all. 

It was truly so amazing and lovely, I loved it so much and I did cry a bit.

The book is about Liv, who is a boy, but he is trans (in the book, Liv is always referred to with she/her pronouns but, continuing to use those pronouns is misgendering so I'm not doing that.) and that means his gender doesn't align with how the doctor incorrectly identified him when he was born. Other people don't know this though, Liv hasn't came out to anyone else, so he is the only person who knows he is a boy.

The book follows Liv's struggle to have the right to wear pants to school, when the dress code says he has to wear skirts because everyone sees him as a girl, and how some people in the school are not exactly accepting of that, and how some aren't accepting of him having two moms, either. In his classmates eyes, he is a "freak", and his best friend, Maisie, doesn't stand up for him either. She thinks he isn't trying hard enough to fit in, and she stops being friends with him because she wants popularity, and she can't have that if she associates with Liv, which is a completely horrible thing. But, along the way, Liv meets Jacob, and him and Jacob become friends, and Jacob helps him with the Pants Project, as Liv calls it. Jacob is the first person Liv tells of him being transgender, and Jacob is very accepting and it was great. 

In the end, Liv, Jacob and some of their other friends, challenge the principal and the uniform policy, and they're successful! The policy gets changed and Liv can wear pants to school, and Liv finally comes out to his moms, and his other family members. Everything was good and happy, and cute. And I loved it.

I was skeptical going into this book, you kinda have to be with books that involve trans characters, because a majority of the time, they are written wrong and by people who are cisgender and don't and will never understand, so it's very hard to find a book with a trans character that is inclusive and really well written. This book was those things, and I'm very happy with it. 

This whole topic, being trans and coming out and misgendering, hits incredibly close to home and it's such a nice thing to see it represented properly. As I said, a lot of the books with trans characters aren't inclusive, and fit that one trans stereotype, and it's great to see that differ. It's also great to see a middle grade book talk about this, because it's showing that you aren't too young to understand this stuff, and to know who you are, even when people tell you that you're something else, or that you're a freak or disgusting. It's a step towards people not thinking this is wrong or bad and accepting it. A step in the right direction.

So, thank you for this book. 

Until next time,

Mal

running with the pack by a.m. burns and caitlin ricci

Almost two years later and I'm actually posting something! Who would've thought, huh? Truth is, I'm bored, and I remembered this old thing, and I thought well, why not? So here I am. 

I'm not sure anyone even reads my posts, I wouldn't be surprised. But, I'm doing this because I want to. I want to talk about some books, and maybe I will be silent after this post, maybe not. I don't know. 

I won't promise more reviews or more posting because of a lot of reasons. But, I can say that I want to write more on here, even if no one cares, because I care, and that's what's truly important. (That was too cheesy.)

Now, enough being extra!

I'm here right now, so onto the review!

Title: Running With the Pack

Author: A.M. Burns, Caitlin Ricci

Expected Publication: September 8th, 2016

Page Numbers: 180 (Kindle edition)

Genre: YA/LGBT+

What I Rated It: 3.5

Publishing Company: Harmony Ink Press

Favorite Quote: "I couldn't think of a single thing except for being with the two of you."

Goodreads Blurb: Finn is about to start his senior year of high school when he and his family move from Austin, Texas, to Woodland Park, Colorado. Everything is different—even the elevation—and Finn’s having a hard time getting used to his new home. Life takes a turn for the better when he meets Ivan Dubovasky at a farmers’ market. Finn finds not only a close new friend but a fulfilling volunteer position at the High Mountain Wolf and Wild Dog Center, which Ivan’s family runs. Before long Finn develops an affinity for the wolves under the center’s protection.

Things only get better for Finn when he starts a relationship with Ivan; and Ivan’s best friend, Adrian, who’s asexual, completes their small pack. But it all comes crashing down when the bully plaguing Adrian crosses the line and Adrian goes missing. Finn and Ivan are determined to bring their boyfriend home safe, but they might not be able to do it alone. Luckily there’s a special wolf ready to lend a paw.

Disclaimer: I got this book from Net Galley and was no way paid for this review.

I was very excited for this book, because polyamory and gay. Two things that are very me. This book was a very quick read, and I liked it a lot, truly. 

It starts with Finn moving to a new town in Colorado, and almost immediately he meets Ivan, which it is very easy to tell that he will later be involved with him. He meets Adrian, Ivan's friend that is clearly not just a friend, later, and again, it is quite obvious that Finn and Adrian would be romantic later on, because they have that tension. 

I can't say I was disappointed in this book, because I wasn't, I was going to read it for the gay and poly relationship, and because I needed something to help me out of my reading slump. It had all it said to have, but the writing at times got to be sort of embarrassing. Something would happen and it would be unrealistic or just ridiculous things that Finn says and I'm like "Really? Finn, WHY?" And then, there wasn't enough conflict. Like with the bullies, Esteban and Channing, it was bad, but it was resolved so quickly, as was every mountain they faced. (Mountain, get it?) Something bad would happen and just like that, it would be resolved. There was no conflict with any of the boys families, though that was sort of nice to have supporting familes, but still, there was no big conflict, really. I would've liked the book to be longer, with more conflict and angst and maybe more pining, but that's just my opinion on it. I also would've liked for more scenes of Finn, Ivan and Adrian after they became a couple, but the end scene with them was cute. 

I really liked the fact that this book had a poly relationship, because you never (or at least I've never) seen that in a YA book, and it is refreshing and nice to see something of yourself represented in something that you love so dearly. Too often have I seen people say that polyamory should be kept out of YA books because it is sexual or too adult or wrong, even, when in reality it isn't any of those things and it isn't more sexual and adult than many things that are included in some YA books. (But that's none of my business..) Why should a relationship with more than two people be considered more sexual and adult than a monogamous relationship? Same with gay relationships, it's seen as wrong or too adult as well, when it isn't at all. It is truly an amazing feeling to have yourself represented in something when the community for that tells you frequently that you and your sexuality and relationships are wrong or not suited for younger people.

All in all, it was a good and pure book, and I can see myself reading it again, but the writing was not as developed and eloquent as it could have been, though that doesn't make it entirely unlikable, it just could have been improved a bit more, I think.

Until next post (whenever that will be),

Mal

obsidian by jennifer l. armentrout

Hey all!

I know. I’ve been a bad book blogger. So, so bad. I haven't posted in over a month. I’m so ashamed because I haven't really been doing anything else but reading and watching TV. 

Anyway, I’m sorry and this time when I promise to post more, I will. And if I don't you can go ahead and shun me.

So on to the review! I should have wrote this review ages ago, but better (SUPER) late than never!

Title: Obsidian

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date Published: May 8th, 2012

Genre: Paranormal/Romance

What I Rated It: 5+++++

Publishing Company: Entangled Teen

Favorite Quote: “I’ve always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect.”

Goodreads Blurb:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

I was expecting so much when I read this book honestly. Like, when I started this book, I was so dang excited and it didn’t disappoint. I loved everything about it but there were some things that bugged me, I guess, as there is in any book. One of the things was how jerky Daemon was. He was honestly a d-bag. But then he’d have his sweet moments. His sweet moments make me want to flip a table and throw myself out a window AT THE SAME TIME. I loved how Katy was like us, a book nerd. That made her easier to relate to. And she was also a book-blogger! That made her 1000% more lovable. Then she was so sassy to Daemon when they first met, she insulted him and flicked him off. Refreshing from the sweet girl type that’s in lots of books.

But I really, REALLY loved this book. If you love paranormal stuff or aliens, this book is a book for you! I hadn’t read a paranormal book in so long, but this one I was instantly sucked into and I couldn’t wait to read the next one. The alien stuff was really interesting to learn about, and it never got boring. There aren’t many alien books out there, and this is one of the best ones.

Thank you for reading!

top ten tuesday: top ten books on my summer TBR list

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

this weeks theme is: top ten books on my summer TBR list.

my summer TBR list is FULL. i've got YALLfest in the fall, so i've gotta start reading those books. then i'm trying to reach my goal of 120 books this year so, i need to read LOTS this summer. here are my top ten books on my summer TBR list:

Forever With You by Robin Jones Gunn: you don't know how absolutely ecstatic i am about this book. i am filled with felicity knowing that i will know more about Christy's life. i thought we would never get a new book. but, boy, was i wrong! i still have not managed to get the book yet *cries for years* but i will soon. I WILL SOON.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord: i've been seeing so much about this book, and i want to know what all the hype is about. everyone says it's a great summertime read, also, i've heard of a "Matt Finch" who is supposedly swoon-worthy. i love swoon-worthy guys, just saying.

Under the Dome by Stephen King: i watch and love the TV show, and i'm impatient and i want to know what happens. also, this book has been taunting me at the library. i've been scared of it, because it's a whopping 1074 pages but hey, it's the summer so no better time to read it.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: it seems like there is not a soul in the book-blogging community that hasn't read these books. there is only the 1st, 2nd and collection of prequels out, but this series already has a pretty big fanbase and i'm excited to read it. also, Sarah J. Maas will be at YALLfest and AWKWARD if i get her to sign these books when i haven't actually read them...

Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines: this is the 5th Rosemary Beach book, and i don't see why i haven't read it yet. i was completely enamored by the first 4 books, but i didn't automatically rush to the next book, which i should have because i lost my motivation to read the series. BUT THAT MOTIVATION IS BACK AND I'M CRAVING COLLEGE AGED GUYS WHO ARE RICH BUT DON'T GO TO COLLEGE!

Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn: am i the only one who didn't know that Katie Finn was really Morgan Matson? i had already been looking forward to this book, because it seems like my kind of book, but then i heard it was really Morgan who wrote it. imagine my reaction. it was the craziest type of crazy. now scratch that because it was crazier than that.






#scandal by Sarah Ockler: i was about to type "is it June 17th yet?" when i realized, IT IS. i have been waiting anxiously for this book and it's finally here. I'M JUMPING AROUND RIGHT NOW.









Life By Commitee by Corey Ann Haydu: friends are talking about how amazing this is but i still haven't read it. the synopsis is so cool, and i honestly can't wait to get my hands on this book.









Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken: why have i not read this sooner? i absolutely loved the first book, but i need to read these books in physical book instead of on a device, because i forgot a lot of the first book. but what i do remember is my intense love for Clancy that all my friends despise. i liked Liam, but i love a bad boy.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: i love the concept of this book, how they meet over the phone and i just love Rainbow because i mean, who doesn't? but really, i've been looking forward to reading this book for awhile, but have never been able to read it, because i have to wait months for Rainbow's books from the library, because EVERYONE WANTS THEM, EVERYONE NEEDS THEM. so i'm just not gonna wait anymore, and just buy the book.

i enjoyed writing this post and i hope you enjoyed reading it! make sure to comment and subscribe to my bloglovin' and i'll return the favor! thanks for reading! 

the one by kiera cass

Title: The One

Author: Kiera Cass

Published: May 6th, 2014

Page Numbers: 323 (Hardcover edition)

Genre: YA/Dystopian/Romance

What I Rated It: 5.0

Publishing Company: HarperTeen

Favorite Quote: "Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway."

Goodreads Blurb: The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Okay, so this book was just wow. I read it yesterday and I still am speechless, I keep thinking about it and I don't know if I can read another book for awhile.

I read The Selection in December of last year, so I've only been a fan for about 4-5 months, not like some of the fans who have been there since it first came out in 2012 (Emmy!) but I still love it with all my heart and I can't believe there won't be another book. I can read and read this series over and over again but there will never be a new story. It makes me sad and happy at the same time to know that I finally know who America ends up with. I feel like I've been waiting years to know and now that I do, I don't quite know how to process it. It feels so surreal. 

This book made me feel so many different feelings and my chest physically hurt by the end of the book. I don't read many book series, and when I do they don't hold my interest for long, except for a select few. This trilogy is one of them. I fell in love with this series from the beginning and The One tied up the series perfectly. 

I would add a spoilery review along with the non-spoiler one, but since it's only been a day since it was released, I don't want to risk spoiling anyone. I hope everyone reads this book soon! If you have, comment what you thought of it! No spoilers, of course! 

feature & follow friday

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

I have Bloglovin'! (linked below)

Question of the Week: Share! Tell us about one of your hobbies that is NOT reading.

I love to write. Though most of the time the quote, "My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations." is completely true for me, I still love writing. I make up stories and characters in my head all the time. Maybe one day I will actually succeed in writing a book. 

Make sure you let me know if you followed me on Bloglovin', because I want to follow you! :)

bloglovin'

I'm now on Bloglovin'! *happy dance*
I haven't been very active lately, because of school, but i promise that I will be posting more and more now since it's almost summer (now to read all summer romance YA books before summer ends) and I won't be busy, so expect to see a lot more posts!

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