Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by BrokeandBookish......

Eleanor:

1. The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Come on, we all swooned when we first read this)

3. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (So Owen isn't Jace Wayland but the romance between Annabel and him is one of my absolute favourite ones)

Bronte:

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

5. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

6. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

Izzy:

7. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (Review soon- I mean it. I promise.)

8. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

9. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (The writing and complete genius of this book made me swoon as much as the star crossed lovers storyline)

All agreed on:

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. (duh)

Cover VERSUS Cover: Sarah Dessen Edition

Beautiful Sarah Dessen book covers all in one place, but which will be your favourite? (I am aware that there is the 'new' and the 'old' covers, but I went for the newer ones as I think that the old ones are very similar to each other)

1.   vs

Eleanor: This Lullaby
Izzy: This Lullaby
Bronte: The Truth about Forever

2.  vs  

Eleanor: Just Listen
Izzy: Keeping the Moon
Bronte: Just Listen

3.   vs  

Eleanor: Dreamland
Izzy: Dreamland
Bronte: Lock and Key, I like the simplicity

4.   vs  

Eleanor: Along for the Ride
Izzy: Along for the Ride
Bronte: The Moon and More

5.   vs   (It's like 'feet vs feet'!)

Eleanor: Someone Like You
Izzy: What Happened to Goodbye
Bronte: Someone Like You

Which is your favourite cover out of ALL of them? Do you prefer these covers or the other ones better?

Character VERSUS Character: Sarah Dessen Edition

In celebration of the almost release of The Moon and More we thought we would make this Character vs Character a complete Sarah Dessen edition! We hope you enjoy this. How excited are you for the new Sarah Dessen? We've got it PRE-ORDERED. PS Who are you prefering the sound of Luke or Theo? The three of us are trying to make predictions on who Emaline will end up with and we're still divided.


1. Eli (Along for the Ride) vs Dexter (This Lullaby)

Izzy: Eli
Eleanor: Eli
Bronte: Dexter

2. McLean (What Happened to Goodbye) vs Halley (Someone Like You)

Izzy: Halley
Eleanor: McLean
Bronte: Halley

3. Wes (The Truth About Forever) vs Nate (Lock and Key)

Izzy:  Wes
Eleanor: Wes
Bronte:Wes

4. Auden (Along for the Ride) vs Macy (The Truth About Forever)

Izzy: Macy
Eleanor: Auden
Bronte: Macy

5. Nate (Lock and Key) vs Owen (Just Listen)

Izzy:  Nate
Eleanor: Owen
Bronte: Nate

6. Annabel (Just Listen) vs Auden (Along for the Ride)

Izzy: Auden
Eleanor: Annabel
Bronte: Annabel

7. Halley vs Scarlett (Someone Like You)
 
Izzy: Scarlett
Eleanor: Scarlett
Bronte: Halley

8. Remy (This Lullaby) vs Auden (Along for The Ride)

Izzy: Auden
Eleanor: Auden
Bronte: Remy

9. Ruby (Lock and Key) vs Macy (The Truth About Forever)

Izzy: Ruby
Eleanor: Macy
Bronte: Macy, just

and finally, drum roll please:

10. What is your favourite Sarah Dessen novel so far?

Izzy: Along For The Ride has the most interesting, and surprising plot so far.
Eleanor: Just Listen. It was the first Sarah Dessen I ever read and Dessen hasn't yet written a novel I prefer.
Bronte: :O Don't do this to me! I feel like I am betraying other characters and Sarah Dessen if I just pick one! Its between: This Lullaby, The Truth about Forever and Lock and Key! Going to go with Lock and Key, I'm sorry Wes! It just has such a good plot and characters and everything about it, apart from the ending, I wanted more! ...one more for good luck '!'

The Moon and More, Sarah Dessen

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen reviewed by Izzy

What is this book about?

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? (Goodreads)

Who should read this book?

Obviously Sarah Dessen fans of which there are millions. Also people who enjoy Ann Brashares and Stephanie Perkins will love this light hearted summer read.

How long is this book?

435 pages

Marks
Story Line:   7/10
Well written:   4/5
Enjoyability:   4/5
Overall:  15/20

Star Rating: 4 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Emaline's kid brother Benji is adorable. I've never had any younger siblings, both my brothers are older than me, so I always find little kid characters in books...I want to say appealing but I'm worried I may get arrested. Not appealing, but they have a soft spot in my heart? Still not quite right, but you catch my drift. Also we probably wouldn't drink tea because no 10 year old wants to do that.


Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Annoyingly I can't give my honest opinion here as it will ruin the story for anyone about to read it. However I will give some hints. This person was pretentious, annoying and seemed to have a lack of understanding on people in general. I would also throw tea at Emaline's father if I had any spare because when he was mean to Benji I was so angry.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

Meh. I got the one with the girl on the front because I pre-ordered. Anyway it's fine. What I find interesting is usually in the UK we get different sort of covers with cute drawings on the front which I love! Although I can't seem to find one right now, if I do come across a cover like that I will definitely notify you all!

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

I think I probably the other two titles Sarah Dessen was planning which was The Best Ever After and Someone Else's Summer. Still, I really like "The Moon and More," and I always think Sarah Dessen picks great titles.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

  “The truth was, there was no way everything could be the Best. Sometimes, when it came to events and people, it had to be okay to just be.”

 Overall: Sarah Dessen is yet to disappoint me in any of her novels so far. Although it still doesn't beat Along For The Ride or Just Listen for me it is definitely competing with The Truth About Forever for third spot. I loved the Theo vs Luke aspect and I definitely know which boy I prefer. As always reappearances always make me happy especially when we get people from Along For The Ride in there. As much as I love Colby I'm desperate for another Jackson High or Perkins Day (I think those are the names) book next. Whatever Sarah Dessen does though I am safe in the assurance I will love it.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next? Also if you write a book blog please leave your link in the desciption box below!

Book VERSUS Book: Sarah Dessen Edition

The second Book VERSUS Book, what fun we have. Tell us what you think below!

1. This Lullaby vs Just Listen

Bronte: This Lullaby
Izzy: Just Listen
Eleanor: Just Listen

2. Along for the Ride vs What Happened to Goodbye

Bronte: Along for the Ride
Izzy: Along for the Ride
Eleanor: Along for the Ride

3. The Truth about Forever vs This Lullaby

Bronte: The Truth about Forever
Izzy: This Lullaby- but they are pretty much equal. I just re-red This Lullaby so my love has been re-ignited.
Eleanor: The Truth about Forever

4. Lock and Key vs Someone Like You

Bronte: Lock and Key
Izzy: Lock and Key
Eleanor: Lock and Key

5. That Summer vs Along for the Ride

Bronte: Along for the Ride
Izzy: Along for the Ride
Eleanor: Along for the Ride

6. Someone Like You vs That Summer

Bronte: Someone Like You
Izzy: Someone Like You
Eleanor: That Summer

7. Keeping the Moon/Last Chance vs What Happened to Goodbye

Bronte: What Happened to Goodbye
Izzy: Last Chance
Eleanor: Last Chance

Now, because there are no more Sarah Dessen books (I know there is Dreamland but none of us have read it) so in light of her new book The Moon and More we are going to have a guessing game! We lead exciting lives here at T&T.

8. Will she end up with Theo or Luke?

Bronte: Theo, but I have a feeling I will like Luke.
Izzy: Luke, but I think there will be a round robin, with us ending back with Luke.
Eleanor: hmm, no idea, I'll go..Theo

9. Will she stay Colby or will she take the exciting leap to New York?

Bronte: New York
Izzy: Sarah Dessen loves Colby so much, I can't imagine a main character abandoning it!
Eleanor: New York

10. Finally, will it be a happy ending or a sad ending?

Bronte: Happy! I hope, but if she goes to New York she will leave her family which could be sad
Izzy: Sarah Dessen doesn't really do sad endings. Happy for sure.
Eleanor: Happy:)

Character VERSES Character #2

Hey Tea Lovers! Our second Character VERSUS Character. How exciting! Comments and tell us who you would pick!!


Who do you prefer?

1. Dumbledore (Harry Potter) vs Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Izzy: Dumbledore
Bronte: Professor McGonogall
Eleanor: Dumbledore

2. Katniss (The Hunger Games) vs Wanderer (The Host)

Izzy: Katniss
Bronte: Katniss (I haven't read The Host)
Eleanor: Wanderer (They're both such good characters but I'm in a really big 'Host' obsession right now, so Wanderer wins!)

3. Lola (Lola and the Boy Next Door) vs Anna (Anna and the French Kiss)

Izzy: Lola
Bronte: Anna
Eleanor: Anna

4. Nate (Lock and Key) vs Dexter (This Lullaby)

Izzy: Dexter
Bronte: Nate
Eleanor: Nate

5. Augustus (The Fault in Our Stars) vs Adam (Before I Die)

Izzy: Augustus
Bronte: Augustus
Eleanor: Augustus

6. Will (Infernal Devices) vs Jem (Infernal Devices)

Izzy: N/A
Bronte: Will
Eleanor: Will

7. Edward (Twilight) vs Jacob (Twilight)

Izzy: Jacob
Bronte: Edward
Eleanor: EDWARD<3

8. Gale (The Hunger Games) vs Peeta (The Hunger Games)

Izzy: Peeta
Bronte: Peeta
Eleanor: Peeta

9. Clary (The Mortal Instruments) vs Tessa (The Infernal Devices)

Izzy: Clary, haven't read the Infernal Devices
Bronte: Tessa
Eleanor: Clary

10. Annabel (Just Listen) vs Ruby (Lock and Key)

Izzy: Annabel
Bronte: Ruby
Eleanor: Annabel

Just Listen, Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, reviewed by Eleanor

What is this book about?

"I'm Annabel. I'm the girl who has it all. Model looks, confidence. A great social life. I'm one of the lucky ones. Aren't I? My 'best friend' is spreading rumours about me. My family is slowly falling apart. It's turning into a long, lonely summer, full of secrets and silence.

But I've met this guy who won't let me hide away. He's one of those intense types, obsessed with music. He's determined to make me listen. And he's determined to make me smile.

But can he help me forget what happened the night everything changed?" (Amazon)

Who should read this book?
I'd say this book is probably 13+

How long is this book?

371 pages

Marks

Story Line: 7/10

Well written: 4/5

Enjoyablilty: 4/5
Overall: 15/20

Star Rating:
4 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?
I think I would probably choose Clarke. She was Annabel's closest friend before Sophie came along and ruined things and she just seems really lovely.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Sophie, Annabel's "best friend." She's an awful friend and it's horrible how quickly she turns on Annabel, without giving her a chance to explain things.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

I really like Dessen's front covers. The face made of a jumble of objects and colours is really pretty.

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

'Just Listen' is a really good title for this book as there are quite a few characters with troubling pasts and so lots of stories to be told and listened to. Also, music is quite a big part of the book.

Question 5. Favourite quote!
'Don't think or judge. Just Listen.'

Overall:
I really loved this book. It was the first of Sarah Dessen's books that I ever read and even now, after reading all but one of her others, it remains my absolute favourite. So it's definitely worth reading!

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?