A FAVORITE BOOK & TV MONTH: March 2019 Wrap Up

March 31, 2019February 28, 2020 fangirlfury2 Comments

I’ve read many good books so far this year, but I think March has been my favorite reading month in 2019. I was on spring break for the first week of the month, in which I devoured 5 books while crying over school assignments and binge-watching two seasons of a Netflix show. While I have been reading for fun during the semester, I just felt so much like my reading self during the break, devouring books left and right! I read a total of 10 books in March and did get to some “meaning to watch” TV and movies this month.

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Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill (ARC) | 4/5

I’m always ready for a World War II historical fiction read, including Stephanie Morrill’s Within These Lines. This book is really unique in the genre, as one of the main protagonist is sent away to a Japanese internment camp in the 1940s US.

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The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne (ARC) | 5/5

The Wrong Side of Right was a recent TBR addition that I’m so glad is now part of my recently read shelf. I consider myself a connoisseur of my local library’s YA section, so I don’t know how I haven’t read this 2015 release before!

Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale (ARC) | 5/5

Small Town Hearts is 100% the summer contemporary everyone needs in their bookish lives. This book still has me craving beach days with an iced coffee in tow.

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (ARC) | 5/5

My most anticipated book of 2019, Serious Moonlight completely delivered in all the right feels. Jenn Bennett is seriously the queen of contemporary romance. I still find myself thinking about Birdie and Daniel’s story.

March Favorites & Book Haul

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019 fangirlfury8 Comments

While I’ll sometimes discuss my book hauls and non-bookish favorites in my monthly wrap-ups, I wanted to use another space to discuss my favorites and the books I picked up in March. The books that I read and TV shows and movies that I watched in March will be in m wrap-up on Sunday.

Favorites

Anastasia on Broadway– My college hosts about 1-2 Broadway trips every semester, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to attend at least one show! I had heard fairly positive things about Anastasia, based on the 1997 animated film,but I didn’t really have any expectations. In short, I enjoyed Anastasia so much! I particularly loved the set and costume design (so many jewels!) and I loved the music. I had forgotten that Cody Simpson played one of the lead roles, Dmitry, and I was honestly blown away by his

performance. I don’t really remember listening to his music growing up, but nonetheless, my pre-teen friends and I would probably have been screaming! My favorite songs are “Journey to the Past,” “Once Upon a December,” and “In a Crowd of Thousands.”

I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to see the show before it closes on March 31. My roommates are seeing The Prom (my school’s other spring Broadway trip that I really can’t miss class for) this week, so I’m excited to hear their thoughts.

Zoella x ColourPop Brunch Date

Zoe Sugg of Zoella is my favorite non-bookish YouTuber, although I do love her collaborations with WHSmith and when she does discuss her reading life. Since her beauty and lifestyle ranges are less available here in the US than in the UK, I was beyond excited by her Brunch Date collaboration with ColourPop! One of my co-workers highly recommended ColourPop, so I was very excited to try their product collab with Zoella.

Top Five Wednesday: From Liking to Loving Books

March 27, 2019March 22, 2019 fangirlfury3 Comments

March is known for being “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” This monthly mantra can also be applied to some of the books we read!

I’m pretty good at picking up books that I know I’ll like before even reading, but there of course have been that have put my ‘book choosing’ to the test. Today’s Top Five Wednesday is all about books I was nervous about or wasn’t enjoying in the beginning, but by the end, I was so glad to have added them to my ‘read’ shelf.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid- I read One True Loves pre-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo taking over the book community and becoming Taylor Jenkins Reids’ most recognized book. One True Loves actually remains to be my favorite TJR book! Even after almost two years of finishing it, it’s a story I can easily recall in my mind and I love its uniqueness (not to mention the fact that the protagonist and her family own a bookstore).

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman- Despite the massive amount of hype and positive, I almost DNF’ed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine around the seventy page mark. It took me quite a while to adjust to Eleanor and her narration, but this book is seriously worth sticking out those first seventy pages or so. By page 100, you’re completely sucked in to this heart-warming tearjerker.

MY READER HEART: A Heart in a Body in the World Review

March 25, 2019March 22, 2019 fangirlfury2 Comments

Summary: After everything has been taken from Annabelle, she’s decides that there is nothing else to do but run. Running from her hometown of Seattle all the way to Washington D.C., Anna begins to run and tries not to think about why. But no matter how hard she tries, she just can’t seem to escape the tragedy from the past year and the person who haunts her. Followed by Grandpa Ed in his RV and tracked by her self-appointed PR team (her two best friends and brother), Annabelle forms into a reluctant activist as people connect her with her past and trauma. Being welcomed with block parties and being cheered on by crowds as she crosses borders is nice, but Annabelle is unable to leave her guilt and shame behind. Through good and bad distractions, Annabelle is set on running to Washington D.C. and face her past and future.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

Deb Caletti’s A Heart in a Body in the World was featured on many 2018 favorites lists this past December. Between the hype and being the contemporary fan that I am, I knew I had to read this book following Annabelle’s run from Seattle and Washington D.C. after a devastating tragedy. A Heart in a Body in the World is a heart-breaking, yet impactful and current read with a fantastic cast and writing style.

A Heart in a Body in the World writing style differs from most YA contemporaries, told in the third person perspective. However, this did not prevent me from connecting with Annabelle and the other characters. From the novel’s start, Annabelle starts to run and makes the decision to run the entire 2,7000 miles to Washington D.C. The tragedy that causes Annabelle to run in the first place isn’t fully explained until the end, but Caletti does provide snippets of her past life and experiences with “The Taker.” This book is very much a feminist YA read addressing toxic masculinity, mental health, violence, and loss. I found myself near crying in both in the novel’s happy and sad moments. The moment when Annabelle crosses into Idaho especially got me.

NEW AUTO-READ AUTHOR: This Adventure Ends Review

March 22, 2019March 27, 2019 fangirlfury1 Comment

Summary: When Sloane moves from New York to Florida for her senior year, she doesn’t expect to fall in love with such a tight-knit group of friends, layered with private tragedies and secrets. Sloane becomes closest with Vera, a social media star with a big heart, and Gabe, Vera’s quiet and serious twin brother. When a painting by Vera and Gabe’s mother goes missing, Sloane makes it her mission to find it, creating a journey that takes her deeper into her, her friends, and surprisingly, her father’s, lives.

Cover Lust: This Adventure Ends cover designer, please teach me your ways! I seriously would love to be able to paint like this. The cover scheme also matches the book really well, giving me both night-sky and ocean vibes.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

Emma Mills is a much-loved contemporary YA author among many of my fellow bloggers. My 2019 reading plan is all about prioritizing books and authors that I’ve really been meaning to read. This Adventure Ends, following Sloane’s incorporation into a tight-knit friend group after moving to Florida, met my expectations and more, making Emma Mills a new go-to author for me.

Top Five Wednesday: Spring Reads

March 20, 2019March 15, 2019 fangirlfury5 Comments

If you’ve been here at Fangirl Fury for a while (okay, a little while), you’ll know though I’m constantly reaching for contemporary books. However, I find myself reading the most contemporary during spring and summer—they’re the perfect companions for outdoor reading! For today’s Top Five Wednesday, I’ll be discussing the top five books that remind me of spring and get me ready for no winter jacket weather! Break out the dresses and books please.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang- Speaking of dresses, The Prince and the Dressmaker reminds me of spring thanks to Jen Wang’s use of pastels and bright colors. I also ate it up in one night last spring!

How to Be Bad by E.Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, & Lauren Myracle- This fangirl loves her ‘throwback’ YA, including How to Be Bad. I can’t remember during what season it takes place, but the book reminds me of a stereotypically wild spring break trip.

This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills- When I think of spring, I think of green, which leads me to the cover of Emma Mills’ This Adventure Ends. I also think of spring as a time to reset and refresh, between the end of the school year and the warmer weather to come. This Adventure Ends is all about refreshing and resetting, as Sloane starts another year of high school after her family relocates to Florida and makes new, all-consuming but heartfelt friends.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys- This is another example of a book’s aesthetic reminding me of spring. Out of the Easy’s paperback cover and its color schemes just screams spring to me.

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka- Another beautiful book cover, another book cover that screams spring. While the book takes place roughly over a school year, Always Never Yours follows Megan’s nightmare of being cast as Juliet in the spring production of Romeo and Juliet . I know this book pops up on a ton of recommendations and listicle posts, but it’s very much worth the hype!

Top 5 Wednesday is a collaborative group of book bloggers from various platforms who love sharing lists on Wednesdays. The T5W group can be found here on Goodreads.

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What books remind you of spring? Any of the above? Share in the comments!

CAN’T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN: Girls with Sharp Sticks Review

March 18, 2019March 25, 2019 fangirlfury2 Comments

Summary (from the publisher): The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardian, they receive a well-rounded education that promises to make them better. Obedient girls, free from arrogance or defiance. Free from troublesome opinions or individual interests.

But the girls’ carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears. As Mena and her friends uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations Academy will learn to fight back.

Cover Lust? I need this book cover in poster form ASAP!

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

As many of you likely know, I am a huge fan of books that I simply can’t put down. Suzanne Young’s latest release, Girls with Sharp Sticks, is the type of book that will stick with you during and after putting down this eerie and at times, scarily realistic read. This eye-opening read will resonate with readers who love seeing real world issues in different contexts, from Tracy Banghart’s Grace and Fury to Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie.

BEACH & BAKING: Small Town Hearts Review & Recipe

March 15, 2019March 8, 2019 fangirlfury8 Comments

Summary (From the publisher): Fresh out of high school, Babe Vogel should be thrilled to have the whole summer at her fingertips. She loves living in her lighthouse home in the sleepy Maine beach town of Oar’s Rest and being a barista at the Busy Bean, but she’s totally freaking out about how her life will change when her two best friends go to college in the fall. And when a reckless kiss causes all three of them to break up, she may lose them a lot sooner. On top of that, her ex-girlfriend is back in town, bringing with her a slew of memories, both good and bad.

And then there’s Levi Keller, the cute artist who’s spending all his free time at the coffee shop where she works. Levi’s from out of town, and even though Babe knows better than to fall for a tourist who will leave when summer ends, she can’t stop herself from wanting to know him. Can Babe keep her distance, or will she break the one rule she’s always had – to never fall for a summer boy?

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

If you’re ready to trade your winter jacket for your bathing suit and need a book to match the mood, look no forward than Lillie Vale’s Small Town Hearts. Better yet, if you’re seriously in the mood for a dessert (or three), Small Town Hearts is sure to spark the baking (or dessert-eating) within you. If you haven’t been able to tell yet, I was totally charmed by this adorable YA summer contemporary following one girl’s summer in her sleep Maine beach town.

Small Town Hearts has everything you need in a summer contemporary: days spent at the beach, working at the local coffee shop, and picking blue berries. There’s also plenty of friendship and romance to go around. Speaking of romance, outside of her amazing baking and barista skills, our main character, Babe, is a unique YA protagonist for her bisexuality. Babe deals with the past when her ex-girlfriend is back in town for the season as she breaks one of her most important rules: never fall in love with one of the summer boys.

Parks & Recreation Book Recommendations

March 13, 2019March 8, 2019 fangirlfury3 Comments

It’s no secret that Parks and Recreation is my all-time favorite TV show. I first watched Parks & Rec during summer 2015 on Netflix, quickly falling hard for a dysfunctional, but loveable group running their city’s Parks and Recreation department. In short, this show is insanely laugh-out-loud funny, has an incredible cast and guest stars (hello Michelle Obama!) and clever.

In honor of the upcoming Parks & Rec reunion at PaleyFest (I WILL find a way to watch),the following book recommendations are based on Parks & Rec characters’ personalities.

And yes, it makes me very sad that Leslie Knope does not like libraries. Then again, if Tammy was my local librarian…

Leslie Knope- The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

I can picture Leslie Knope reading across many genres, but she would especially love this summer contemporary about a politician’s daughter. The Unexpected Everything is in my top three Morgan Matson books, following Andie’s change in summer plans after her dad’s political scandal. Did I mention she becomes a dog walker?

COLLEGE YA FUN: The Dating Game Review

March 11, 2019March 8, 2019 fangirlfury1 Comment

Summary (From the publisher):
When a notoriously difficult class for future entrepreneurs leads to three freshmen developing the next “it” app for dating on college campuses, all hell breaks loose…

Type A control freak Sara lives by her color-coordinated Post-it notes.

Rich boy Braden wants out from under his billionaire father’s thumb.

Scholarship student Roberto can’t afford for his grades to drop.

When the three are forced to work together in one of the university’s most difficult classes, tension rises to the breaking point…until, shockingly, the silly dating app they create proves to be the most viable project in class. Late nights of app development, interest from investors and unexpected romance are woven into a true-to-life college drama that explores what it means to really connect online and IRL.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

Since college YA is one of my favorite contemporary sub-genres, I’ve been highly looking forward to reading Kiley Roache’s books, Frat Girl and The Dating Game. While I haven’t yet read Frat Girl, I will be soon because I absolutely loved The Dating Game!

The Dating Game is one of those books that I absolutely fell into and didn’t want to put down. The Dating Game does depict college culture in most of its stereotypicalness–fraternities, drinking, all nighters, NETFLIX. Nonetheless, it was a fun ride.

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Summary (From the publisher): When a notoriously difficult class for future entrepreneurs leads to three freshmen developing the next “it” app for dating on college campuses, all hell breaks loose…

Type A control freak Sara lives by her color-coordinated Post-it notes.

Rich boy Braden wants out from under his billionaire father’s thumb.

Scholarship student Roberto can’t afford for his grades to drop.

Summary (From the publisher):
When a notoriously difficult class for future entrepreneurs leads to three freshmen developing the next “it” app for dating on college campuses, all hell breaks loose…