Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel - Book Review

Title: Breathless
Author: Lurlene McDaniel 
Publication: May 12, 2009
Series: None. 
Format: Ebook 
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Summary: 

What is the toughest request anyone can be asked to fulfill?  

Travis Morrison is a champion diver and one of the most popular kids at school. On the first day of summer vacation, while boating on the lake with his friends, Travis attempts a silly stunt dive that goes wrong. He fears he has broken his leg. Instead, his trip to the hospital reveals he has a rare form of cancer, and to save him, the doctors tell his parents they must amputate. In an instant, Travis’s life and the lives of everyone around him are forever changed.

Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, but he can’t carry it out alone. Will he convince one of his friends to fulfill his most important request?

Lurlene McDaniel tackles a controversial subject, probing the issues of personal choice and quality of life.

My Review:

 *Please note that what is written in this review are my opinions, please do not take offense to it. If you may be offended by what I am writing please stop reading, if you do not agree with me then please just do not say anything at all because these are my thoughts on the book and I simply won't care if you decide to comment hurtful things*

“Foreknowledge is a burden, a weight I can hardly bear. Maybe that’s why God keeps the future hidden from us. If I knew I would have a terrible accident, would I live my life trying to avoid it? Would I lock myself inside a room being safe? Or would I go outside and live day to day”  

Wow. I thought this was an incredible book. I thought that the multiple point of views were perfect for this story, and I thought there was so much in between the little amount of pages that I thought were great. When I was reading this book, the first chapter already hinted that I was going to be crying through this book. I did cry at a few scenes but it's wasn't a sob fest for me like I thought it would. Don't get me wrong, it was an emotional book but I wasn't really in the mood to cry and let a few tears fall and left it at that. This book wasn't what I was expecting it to turn out to. I felt that many things were left unsaid and I hated that.

- Travis
I thought that it was very serious what Travis was planning to do, but I knew it was right. I don't have a special thing to do when I grow up, (diving, baseball, basketball, music, etc..) but I honestly have no idea how I would react if I was not able to do it anymore. I thought there was sense into what Travis wanted to do but I did not like how he was planning it. It was a lot to ask but he never, not once, considered the guilt that would wash over his best friend. It was all I could think about.

I thought all the characters were unique and great in their own ways. I do wish there was more to said to them all. Ugh, I have so many question running through my head with all the things left unsaid. This book was unique and I thought there was a lot of creativeness written through this book.

Overall, I was shocked a lot of them didn't understand what he was asking. I know it would be very difficult to even consider what he was proposing but it is his life and he has to make his own decisions. I wouldn't want to continue living if I knew I was going to die either way. I wouldn't want to continue life strapped with cords and having tubes everywhere, it would be misery and I would simply not want to live anymore. If I knew there was a chance I would get better I would fight but knowing there is no chance wouldn't it be better if you were able to say goodbye to your loved ones and be able to die in a way you wanted to? This may not go for everyone but this is how I saw this. I thought this book was beautifully written, the only reason why this book is rated 4 stars instead of 5 is because I thought many things were left unsaid.

WARNING: DO NOT GO ON UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK! SPOILER!!



My suspect for the ending:
Emily. I thought it would have been Cooper at first but something about the way it was written had me thinking it was Emily. I'm not sure if I'm correct but I believe it was her. She knew that he was living in hell and I think that the author made it her because a lot of us probably suspected it was Cooper. Let me know who you thought it was!

(Scratched off so you don't by accidentally read it :)

Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry - Book Review

Title: Crossing the Line 
Author: Katie McGarry 
Publication: April 1, 2013
Series: Pushing the Limits #1.1 
Format: Ebook 
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary:

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

My Review:

“The entire sky erupted into hundreds of streaks of light. I never felt so alive. I wished that you were here with me or me with you. But I think you were. Call me crazy, but it was a moment, Lila, and I'm glad I shared it with you. Even if it was from a couple hundred miles away. ~Lincoln”

I loved this book! The only thing I can say I dislike the most was that it was so damn short. I craved for more, I loved the storyline between Lila and Lincoln (as I always do in this series) it ended way too fast for my liking.

- Lila
I feel like I have a lot in common with Lila. Things that were happening with her, her anxiety and all, I can relate to, I have horrible anxiety so I felt much more connected to Lila. I loved Lila's character and I just enjoyed this book so much.

- Lincoln
Lincoln was a sweetheart. I thought it was adorable how he was able to make Lila feel better about herself and was able to make her stronger. I thought that Lincoln was the most amazing thing. He is sweet, gorgeous and so much more. There are many layers to him and I loved seeing them all.

Overall, this was an amazing book. I really wanted this to be a full on book or an epilogue to see what happens next. I was looking forward to a rock-climbing scene! I was so in love this book. It was adorable, funny an amazing. I can't wait to get the next novella coming out for this series! I start over fangirling when I see a character from a previous book make a reappearance. I loved this book.

Swoon Worthy Saturday [2]

Hosted by Stay Bookish.

Saturday is a day for swooning. Swoon Worthy Saturday is a weekly meme where we present a fictional boy who has swept us off our feet, given us butterflies, made our heart do acrobatics and driven us absolutely crazy!

This week's Swoon Worthy Saturday is dedicated to Daemon from the series Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

I love Daemon, he is such an amazing guy and hilarious. I want more from him, I love whenever he speaks it is either funny, snarky, stupid or romantic and you can't help but love him.

“Remind me," he paused, drawing in a stuttered gasp, "to never piss you off again. Christ, are you secretly a ninja?”-Daemon Black *Obsidian: Book #1* 

“Daemon: I checked out your blog. Katy: Stalking me again, I see. Do I need to get a restraining order? Daemon: In your dreams, Kitten. Oh wait, I'm already starring in those, aren't I? Katy: Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares.” -Daemon Black and Katy Swartz  *Obsidian: Book #1* 

“What?" he demanded. 

"Did you just...clean a dish?" Dee backed away slowly, blinking. She glanced at Daemon. "The world is going to end. And I’m still a vir—"  

"No!" both the brothers yelled in unison.  

Daemon looked like he was actually going to vomit. "Jesus, don’t ever finish that statement. Actually, don’t ever change that. Thank you."  

Her mouth dropped open."You expect me to never have—"  

"This isn’t a conversation I want to start my morning with." Dawson grabbed his book bag off the kitchen table. "I’m so leaving for school before this gets more detailed." -Daemon, Dawson, and Dee Black *Shadows: Book #0.5* 

Thursday Quotables [1]

Hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Share a favorite quote, line, or passage from your reading each week!

 “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”

“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”

 “You have nice manners for a thief and a liar," said the dragon.”

Teaser Tuesday [2]

Hosted by Should Be Reading. 

In this meme, you grab your current read, turn to a random page, and take (2) two sentences from anywhere on that page. But remember not to spoil anything.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

My Teaser is from the book:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Page 153)

"Bilbo wondered what is was, and whether it could be Beorn in enchanted shape, and if he would come in as a bear and kill them. He dived under the blankets and hid his head, and fell asleep again at last in spite of his fears."

Stacking the Shelves [2]

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

This week I will be reading the books I have to buddy this week. I am excited to start all of these!

 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 

I have been wanting to start the hobbit for such a long time now. I love all the movies and I am also excited for the new one coming out. I want to understand it more though and I am just anxious to start this already. 

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I loved the first two books in this series, I can't wait to end this series with this book. Sadly, I was spoiled for this book so I am not so thrilled of what's to come but I want to be able to enjoy this book without that bothering me.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire 
I have heard a lot from this book and am quite excited to start it. 

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr 
This seems like a cute book. I loved Sweethearts and I hope this is going to be another favorite from Sara Zarr. 

Friday Finds [1]

Hosted by Should Be Reading. 

 Friday Finds showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler  

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.  So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.  It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber 

Reid Alexander is used to getting what he wants – and what he wants next is his newest costar, Emma Pierce. The universe is lining up nicely to grant his wish, until he’s confronted with two unexpected obstacles on location: a bitter ex-girlfriend and a rival for Emma’s affections.  Emma Pierce just got her big break after years of filming commercials and made-for-TV movies. Winning the lead role in a wide-release film – opposite the very hot Reid Alexander – should be a dream come true. But Emma’s heart is hiding a secret fantasy: she wants to be a normal girl.

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti 

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she? In Waiting For You, this third romantic novel from Susane Colasanti, Marisa learns how to “be in the Now” and realizes that the love she’s been waiting for has been right in front of her all along.