Justine's Thoughts: Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Liar
By Justine Larbalestier

Source: Won
Pages:  371

Book Description:
Micah will freely admit she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s fooled everyone: her classmates, her teachers, even her parents. And she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as easily as breathing?

Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them--and her self--that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers seesawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly.

A quote:
Not one of them has ever suggested that maybe I lie because the world is better the way I tell it.

Rating:

3/5

Any thoughts:

I have waited a long time to read this, always putting it off and saving it for later. My expectations were high just from reading the synopsis; it sounds thrilling and freaky. It would seem as if it is a contemporary novel, but after the first half it unexpectedly becomes something else entirely.

Larbalestier focuses on Micah’s grief and her character throughout the novel, but she sneakily puts in the twists and turns every now and then. Micah after all is a compulsive liar. You never know when she’s telling the truth or not. But she tries to find herself by swearing to tell the truth. I couldn’t say that I loved her as a character, but what kept me going was the search for the truth.

The big, major surprise happens at the exact half point, Part 2. The twist was too unbelievable and I didn’t believe it for several pages. But eventually she sticks with this twist till the very end and I was so worried of it not being true that I was apprehensive for the duration of the novel. Long story short, Micah is the girl who cried wolf. So I guess this is a warning to those who would like to read Liar: Just go with the flow. I liked it, especially the contemporary part although it was a little slow, but in the end, I had to settle on so-so.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is held weekly by Kristi at The Story Siren. Click here for details on how to participate.

---

From Audrey (themostawesomestpersoninthewholewideworld) at Holes in My Brain:
These books were delivered via an awesome, kind friend who met Audrey. I thank Caitlin with all my genuine book love. 

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

---

What a busy, exhausting week! And ahead of me is a busy, busy weekend but with a bit of fun, fun, fun! Basically, receiving these three books made my whole entire weekend. THANKS TO AUDREY. AUDREY, WORDS CANNOT EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU RIGHT NOW, AND I ALREADY TWEETED YOU THIS BUT I STILL WANT TO SAY IT. *haaaaappppyyyyysmiileeeyyyfaceeeee* If only I had this weekend to indulge in reading these three books. I totally would! I want to read these three sooooooooooo bad, you do not even know. It's going to be a good week, though, that I do know. This week was just hell -- so, so tiring. But enough about me... I do hope all you lovely people have a fantastic weekend! :)

Justine's Thoughts: Perfect by Sara Shepard

Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3)
By Sara Shepard

Source: Library
Pages:  298

Book Description:
In a town where gossip thrives like the ivy that clings to its mansions, where mysteries lie behind manicured hedges and skeletons hide in every walk-in closet, four perfect-looking girls aren't nearly as perfect as they seem.

A quote:
She still felt like a punked-out, faux-leather-wearing, free-thinking Bratz doll in a sea of Pretty Princess of Preppyland Barbies.

Rating:

5/5

Any thoughts (Vague Spoilers Ahead):

This is going to be the longest mystery I’m ever going to stumble upon! We still don’t know who “A” is, but he or she has done some pretty serious damage. In this novel, A takes it up a notch and the girls’ lives are once again filled with endless drama.

The usual, sweet suspense is there, which is one of the many things that make it hard to put down. The news of there being a stalker in Rosewood gives the girls the spooks, which of course, makes me aware of every little detail that occurs. All the time, I’ve been trying to solve the mystery in my head so my brain is always analyzing. One thing for sure is -- “A” is someone you would not want to mess with.

So far, all three books in the series are incredible. And I think I’m officially addicted, but the sad thing is that the fourth book isn’t available in my library. That means it will take a very long time for me to get my hands on it. On another note, I started watching the show, which is also as amazing! At least I’ll have something to occupy me while I wait for the fourth book.

P.S. To those who have not started this series, I suggest you do. It will pull you in like you’ve never been pulled in before!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is held weekly by Kristi at The Story Siren. Click here for details on how to participate.

---

From the bookstore:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

From Sarah at Read Away the Day:

Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos

---

Funny how I said before that I wouldn't buy John Green's newest book. But a friend called me up to say that she was buying it on release day...and I could not pass the chance! I AM SO EXCITED TO START IT! The rating on goodreads for TFIOS increased after release day, which can only mean it's a good thing. SO EXCITED!

Sarah also lent me Love Walked In (which was from a while ago), which may lean more toward the adult genre. The books she recommends me are always sooo good and I thoroughly enjoy all of them. So we'll see how this goes! She also lent me Clockwork Prince, except I didn't include it here because I have read it already and absolutely loved it. Who would have predicted? :P

I am way too behind in reviews, but I won't be able to write them until February (my reading week aka a temporary moment of utter bliss and doing nothing, well maybe writing up a paper). School has started once again and it will be quite busy for me. So I've scheduled some reviews to be posted every Thursday. I hope that will do for now! Talk to you all bloggers and readers soontimes! :)

Justine's Thoughts: The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

The Carrie Diaries
By Candace Bushnell

Source: Library
Pages:  389

Book Description:
THE CARRIE DIARIES is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before SEX AND THE CITY, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She’s ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend’s betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, THE CARRIE DIARIES is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression ehr early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

A quote:
When it comes to people -- don’t write about who you know; but what you know of human nature.

Rating:

4/5

Any thoughts:

I didn’t know anything about Sex and the City. I didn’t know who Carrie was, how old she was when she was a senior in high school and how she has changed since then. I supposed I would feel lost; instead, it just felt like starting a whole new young adult novel.

But the first thing that had me laughing at myself was this: I didn’t know it took place in the 1980s. I noticed that people wear vintage clothing, like white patent leather shoes, and even typing on an old school typewriter. That’s when I started to get suspicious. In Carrie’s high school, there is drama everywhere and every time, which I could not tell apart from today’s usual plots. It seemed the same, which can be a good thing so it doesn’t alienate anyone. And there is never a dull moment, especially now that Sebastian Kydd goes to school.

I don’t love Carrie, but I also don’t hate her. What I find annoying however are the choices she makes. On the other hand, I understand that it’s high school and she’s going through a metamorphosis; it’s a coming-of-age story after all. I’m glad for her wanting to be a writer, and how she strongly believes that it is what she wants to do. Her friends are fantastic and fun. They smoke together and go to clubs together. They all experience bumps in the road, challenging their friendships as they near the end of high school.

Fans of Sex and the City would be curious to know how Carrie’s character developed, and I strongly recommend this for you.

John Green's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS is out today!

Because I am absolutely in love with the trailer and twinkling stars and Permafrost by Laurena Segura and STARS....as well as everything associated with this book....I would just like to say:

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, JOHN GREEN!

The Fault in Our Stars is out today. ~~~CONFETTISPRINKLERWINEJUMPCONFETTISPRINKLERSWINECOOLERSFIREWORKS~~~. Are you excited or what?! Unluckily, I will have to wait for a long time to get my copy because that's the way it is with me. But my friend is getting her copy soon and I know of a few who are pre-ordering it! I AM EXCITED FOR YOU!

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.