6 Kasie West Books - Ranked [A Guest Book By MK @ Sarcastic Scribblings!]

TODAY WE HAVE A GUEST POST! (Why? Because I lasy. So lasy. Is that how you actually spell lazy? No. Do I know it will bother MK? YAS. Should I stop? Probably. Will I tho? Probably not. ANyway: MK!) 

My eye is twitching. That looks like something I would send to my friends at three am while I'm walking or am half alseep.

A ha ha. I got her eye to twitch. 

MK is from Sarcastic Scribblings and yes, I know she is super busy with college. (I am also in college tho slighly less busy. Seriously tho. MK has a crazy hard course and she is actually cray cray for doing it. If you have half an hour, ask her how school is and she'll be like "Great! I actually finsihed my homework early and got extra sleep!" And then you ask what time she went to bed and she's like, "Two am." Like whut? HOW. ) Did I bribe her into writing me a guest post ANYWAYS? Yep. DO I FEEL REGRET? Nope (Maybe a little)

That's good because someday I will force you to repay the favor and guest post on my blog so I can laze about.

Wut

With spelling and grammer checked of course. ;)

Wut


Anyway! She's Mary Kate or MK from Sarcastic Scribblings! And today she's doing a guest post where she ranks every Kasie West book she's ever read! Which is a total of six...(and counting!) 
Enjoy and if you're not already following her blog, be sure to swing by and check out her other stuff. She loves comments, but IDK when she'll get back to y'all because college be cray cray. Take it
away MK!

.   .   .

6. 

On The Fence

Ah yes. This is the book at the end. The least favorite of them all. 

It wasn't baaaad. It just wasn't amazing either. Sure. It had it's good parts, but I didn't really see the chemistry between the two of them. The relationship between her and her dad and her brothers though? That was good. 

 

girl friendships // FILL HIS ROOM WITH BASKETBALLS // Bling jersys // green eyes jelously // brothers //  Dad // awesome family

5. 

Listen To Your Heart

I'm pretty petty about this one, because MY SHIP DIDN'T SAIL. UGH. I wont say which one, since that would kind of spoil everything. But if you read it, then you will know. Know my pain. 

BTW: If you HAVE read it, comment which ship you liked best! Of course, to avoid spoilers just say whether you like the ship that sailed or think THE RIGHT SHIP, EXCUSE ME should be brought back.  

The best friend was cool though // jetski thief // wrong ship // awesome family //

4.

 Lucky In Love

I actually probably liked Listen To Your Heart more than this one, but like I said. I'm petty. Like On the Fence, I didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters. 

pennies // the zoo// that one rude pizza guy // I honestly don't remeber that much //

3. 

By Your Side

(All of these three finalist are about equal. In fact, this one used to be my No. 1 Fav...But I've learned to like The Fill In Boyfriend more as I got older.) 

Unlike the first three books on the list, I was whole heartedly behind this ship. 

TRAPPED IN A LIBRARY // Cronuts // Poker Games // Anxiety // The guy friend who thought they were cute didn't end up acting like a jerk when he found out she didn't like him // THEY CUTE HALP //

 

2. 

The Fill In Boyfriend

I originally didn't like this. It was cute and I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, but it took me awhile to get everything else going on in this book and the character journey etc.  

There were both good girl friendships and bad ones portrayed in this book, which was interesting. Normally (I feel like) there is only one or the other.

The junkyard // roadtrip snacks // fake boyfriend // her brother // his mum // his sister // Not a good family on her part, but a well written one //

 

1.

 PS I Like You

If someone says Kasie West, this is the first book I think of.

I liked her best friend, but I wished she was in the story more.

Annoymous notes // THANKSGIVING // bunny wrangler // man bracelet // song writing // the farmer's market like thing // "oh no. They left. How Sad." // Golf Course // her family // Bugs rabbit + that one sock // awesome best friend // THEY CUTE HALP //

Kasie West Book I'm Planning on Reading Next: 

Maybe This Time

All links lead to the books Goodreads page! Be sure to check them out and comment below which ones you've read, which ones you want to read, and WHICH SHIP DO YOU SHIP IF YOU DO SHIP A SHIP.  (Wow. That reminded me of Dr. Suess. Though I should probably NEVER write a children's book.) 

MK, 

Over and out!

A Couple Winter Book Suggestions

I'm sure for a lot of you, especially those from the blogging world, needing to find a book to read in 2019 is the last thing you need. For the past 2 months, all the book bloggers have been posting their "Best Books of 2018" posts and their "Most Anticipated Books of 2019" posts...

But sometimes even they (gasp) just need to curl up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, hot chocolate and a book...and they can't decide what to read.

.  .  .

So you want to read a series?
(I cannot read that without imaging Cpt. America reading it, lol)

Series I great because you read it and then don't have to start a new story! You already know all the characters, the world...You don't have to get to know new book people (characters) you can just dive right in!
My suggestion?

The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

This is a six book series (with two short stories and two more series set in the same universe ) about a young ladies boarding school that secretly trains them to be *gasp* SPIES

Yeah, I know. There are a TON of books that use this same idea...but Ally Carter actually makes it work. Also, I loved the friendships in this book and that there's no girl-on-girl hate. The girl's at the school are all "sisters." Granted, some occasionally get on the nerves of the main character, but don't all sisters? (*sticks tongue out @ any sisters reading this*)

Pros:
Everything I just said
CUTE ROMANCE *heart eyes*
Lia and I really like it and will scream about it with you in the comments
Its awesome

Cons:
May get you hooked on spy stuff and next thing you know you'll be reading about the OSS (WWII spies...basically) and your brothers will never be able to watch James Bond without you kicking down the war chanting SPIES! SPIES! SPIES! SPIES!

.  .  .

So you want to read a light and cute modern day story but don't want to read a series?


My Contemporary Suggestions: (From most romance based to least)
(Don't worry...They're all clean!)

PS I Like You by Kasie West 

Do you know what my favorite romance type is? Love to Hate.  Enemies to lovers. "We hate each other SOOO much (and banter! Don't forget the witty banter!)" to "You're not actually a bad person? GASP. I LOVE YOU WHERE DID THAT COME FROM (And then more banter)

And yes...As high school contemporary romance goes...this is pretty cliche and you'll see everything coming from a mile away. But who cares? Its cute!

Pros:
Everything I just said
MAN BRACELET! (No, I will not explain)
She writes songs!
The characters are interesting
Well written families
SO MANY HORRIBLY AWKWARD MOMENTS *squeals*

Cons:
Predictable




 Love and Gelato by Jenna Evan Welch 
(And no, I cant write her name without thinking about grape juice)

Trigger warning: (Maybe? IDK how this works) Her mom dies before the book starts from cancer

A girl (Lina) is forced to go to Italy to live with her father she's never met. Meets a boy who lives near by and they become friends! She gets her mom's journal from when her mom studied abroad in Italy and starts reading it to retrace her steps.

Pros:
Everything I just said
Gelato
Italy
Fake accent

Cons:
Creepy people




Love and Luck Jenna Evan Welch 

(Trigger Warning: There is a nude picture that is taken of the main character. It happens before the story takes place, but is briefly talked about)


A spin off book about Lina's best friend, Addie. It's more of a book about healing and siblings then it is about romance. If you were looking for a book that had basically NO ROMANCE? Read this.
If that isn't what you're looking for, read it anyways. Because its good. Seriously. Read it just so you can read about her mom at the end.



Pros:
WELL WRITTEN FAMILY
Her mom!
IRELAND
Almost no romance what-so-ever...basically just two broken people healing together...but "they cute"
Road trips!
SO. FUNNY

Cons:
Less romance
Kind of serious
You can't punch whats-his-face because he's fictional



-KAT

Books To Read This Summer

Do you know what's annoying?

The struggle to find new books that don't have drugs, swearing or *ahem* adult content?

And I'm not reading "adult" literature. Nope. I'm in the children or Young Adult section.

(If you want to hear more about this, I suggest you check out #RebelliousWriting. It's a growing movement in the blogging sphere. The post that started it all can be found HERE)


And I'm here to give you a list of clean books you can read this summer!

1. I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter
            Teenage girls who live at a Boarding School that is actually training them as spies.
     Another thing about this book, if you continue to read the six book series. At one point, the Main       Character meets a group of nuns. And I was sitting there thinking "Oh, this is going to be great."         And you know what? It was, I was very happy with the way they were handled. They                           sounded like...nuns.

2. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
       I've been trying to branch out and read more contemporary novels. Which is hard since they tend        to be the ones that are a little ......eeegh. But this one was not! It's a cute fluffy (slightly                        predictable) story. It's PERFECT for summer. Bonus Points? Both her parents are there, they               actually seem like realistic parents and she actually had a family.

3. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer

   If you love Jane Austen, then you HAVE to read Georgette Heyer's books. (A word of warning, some of her books have questionable content. These books include: Venitia, Cousin Kate and These Old Shades.) Some of her other good books include: Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle, Arabella, and Black Sheep.


4.  The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
       *gasp* This series is amazing. I know it sounds a little weird and overly sci-fi, but I promise you         it is not! The first book is Cinder.



5. A classic (like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Call of the Wild) or something different.      Like a play? I HIGHLY suggest The Twelfth Night by Shakespeare. It's just so deliciously woven        together.



And those are my reading suggestions for this summer!

-KAT

Book Review: Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer

"Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle" by Georgette Heyer 

This book!

*GASP*

I finished it last Sunday. Monday morning actually. Because, yes! It IS a stay up until 3 AM kind of book. If you liked Pride and Prejudice, you NEED to read this book. It's....it's.....

I can't even explain it right now, so I'll just post the blurb from the back on here, ok? 

Sylvester, Duke of Salford, has exacting requirements for a bride. Then he meets Phoebe Marlow, a young lady with literary aspirations, and suddenly life becomes very complicated. She meets none of his criteria, and even worse, she has written a novel that is sweeping through the ton and causing all kinds of gossip... and he's the main character!

*sound of me gasping like a dying fish on the floor.*

Please, PLEASE read it and comment below about whether or not you liked it!

P.S. Lia REALLY needs to read this. What IS she doing with her time? School. Ha! That's crazy. Who wants to do school when you have regency novels?


-Kat

Book Review: The Phantom of the Opera

                                          This picture really captures the Phantom of the Opera mood, I think.

Hello all!

So as I said in my Music of the Week #7 I promised to review Phantom of the Opera. Well, here it is, as promised!

The Phantom of the Opera is a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux. Fun Fact! The novel was inspired by historical events at the Paris Opera during the nineteenth century and a apocryphal tale, concerning the use of a former ballet pupil's skeleton in a production of Der Freischutz.

Creepy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summary:

Deformed since birth, a bitter man known as the Phantom lives in the sewers, underneath the Paris Opera House. He falls in love with the obscure chorus singer Christine, and privately tutors her while terrorizing the rest of the opera house and demanding Christine be given lead roles.

(Sounds like a real charmer there, doesn't he?)

I went into this book expecting to be exactly like the musical. Boy, was I wrong. This book is so terrifying! The Phantom is psychotic and kills left and right basically. NOTHING LIKE THE MUSICAL!!!!!!!!!!! So I was a little disappointed.

Characters:

Erik (or as he's known the Phantom, Opera Ghost, and the Angel of Music) is creepy. I did not like him in this book. He kills so many people! Yeesh!

Christine is sweet and a little ditzy. She doesn't see who the Phantom is really, until it's too late and he's already taken her captive.


Raoul. Where do I begin with Raoul. Ok, he is 21 years old  and I swear. Every. Other. Chapter. He is sobbing like a little boy. He is nothing like musical Raoul and it drives me crazy.


All the other character are pretty much like the musical ones.


This book was very enjoyable (though there was a lot of murder)


There's my review!

Let me know in the comments if you have read Phantom of the Opera and what your thought are.


-Lia

"Tomorrow Is Always Fresh With No Mistakes In It."

Hey guys!

I feel I don't ask this enough but how are you? Tell me in the comments.


Anyway this is a post about our favorite redhead, Anne with an E.





Anne of Green Gables--
This is the first book of the series. We are first introduced to the characters of the series. I really love Anne. Her optimism on life is so refreshing and I can relate to her a lot. In this book, we are treated to the famous smashing of the slate on Gilbert's head. :) Matthew and Marilla are so funny. I cried buckets when Matthew died. I love this book and if you haven't read it....... Go! Do so now!



Anne of Avonlea--
Anne is sixteen and teaching school in Avonlea. She and Gilbert have a good friendship. Diana and Anne are still bosom friends. Mr. Harrison moves into the house next to Green Gables. Mr. Harrison is so funny. I love his character.  At the end of the book, Anne decides to go to Redmond college with Gilbert, Charlie, and Priscilla.


Anne of the Island- This book, oh this book. Where do I start? Anne goes to college. She meets quite a few new people, including my personal favorite Philippa Gordon. Now this book is where Gilbert finally tells Anne that he loves her. And she refuses........ Anne why??????  Thankfully she comes to her senses and by the end of the book, they are in love and happy! (of course a few minor obstacles are in their way early on) (Christine)


Anne of Windy Poplars-
I love the way this book is written. Mostly it is written in the style of Anne's letters to Gilbert. The rest is written from a third person perspective. Anne is principle of Summerside High School. She lives at a house called Windy Poplars with two old women and their maid. Anne has a lot of funny adventures in this book, being Anne of course she does :)

Anne's House of Dreams-
DING DONG DING DONG!!! HEAR THE WEDDING BELLS RING, ANNE AND GILBERT FINALLY GET MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!  Sorry for the all caps, not sorry! I love this book. I want to live in Four Winds so bad! L.M. Montgomery's descriptions make me just want to pack up my things and move to Prince Edward Island.

Anne of Ingleside-
Anne and Gilbert have kids now. Gilbert is honestly one of the cutest fathers ever. The way he treats his kids is just so cute! Anne is an amazing mother. I think because of the fact she was an orphan helps because she wants her children to feel loved like she never did until Anne came to Matthew and Marilla. This book is told from all of the kids perspective.

Rainbow Valley-To tell you guys the truth I didn't really like this book. I just felt it was a filler book and I just.... was not feeling it. It's a great book nonetheless, so you should read it to be introduced to the new characters.


Rilla of Ingleside-
Ok, I have a confession to make. I have not read this book yet. I really want to read it. From what I've heard it is the best book ever. I just haven't read it yet but I will real soon.



There you have it! My two cents on the Anne Series. This was supposed to go up last week but my family's been dealing with colds and I got pink eye last week so I apologize for my absence.
But the good news is Kat posted while I was gone!


Love,
-Lia

Book Review: The Borrowed House

This book is written by Hilda Van Stockman, the same lady who wrote the Winged Watchman.

I find this book really interesting because this is written from the point of a young girl in Germany. Actually, she was only in Germany for the first two or three chapters. She is a German girl who goes to live in Holland with her actor parents. And she lives in a borrowed house. A house taken from a dutch family by the Nazis.

I love reading books from this time period, especially from the point of view of an underground worker! Clashes with the Gestapo, forging papers....so exciting.

But the main character from this book isn't with the resistance. She isn't Jewish either. She is a Hitler Youth (Technically she is what ever the term is for the female version of Hitler Youth, but who cares. I mean besides me.)

Naturally she changes her mind as time goes by. It really is a good thing, because she falls through the back of the closet into a magical place. Well, not Narnia. It's a secret room. With a member of the resistance.

*Spoilers*

Who, naturally isn't some wrinkly old guy who has been there since the first world war.
Nope. It's a boy.

And they slowly fall in love, blah blah blah. And everything is going great.

Until the house burns down and he has to run for his life, etc.

  So go read it.

-Kat



Just a side note from the other half of this blog :)

I loved this book so much. Janna and Sef are so cute and I cried at the ending

-Lia