Lexi Talks: Caraval

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Genre: Ya, Fantasy

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Welcome! Welcome! To Caraval where everything is not what it seems, but know however real the nights may seem, it is all just a game. A game that, for Scarlet, was far more compelling when she was writing letters to the man behind the scenes, Legend, for years. Then just before her wedding, she finally gets a response along with three tickets, one for her, one for her sister, and one for her fiance. Then a dashing sailor sweeps them both away. Now she is in Caraval where everything is a game, and no one is telling the truth.

This book. Oh my god this book! I was partner-reading this book with my friend over at Laurensboooktalks, but I ended up leaving her in the dust because I couldn't put this down. I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this. (I know I say this every single time but dang it I have been reading some quality books lately)

This was the perfect start of a series that didn't come off as clique whatsoever. Never have I seen a world so compelling and magical with the creeping dark side since Midsummer at Fablehaven. (anyone?)

For some reason, my only thought as I read that was "we must not speak to goblin men". We can only wait and see what talking to the ultimate Goblin Man, Legend, will do for Scarlet in later books.

Lexi Talks: An Update

I'm sorry for being a bit of a flake. I know that I meant to be more regular with my updating schedule, but as it does, life got in the way. With school drawing to a close and my life seemingly crumbling around me, things have quickly gotten out of hand with me. But! Hopefully, this will not continue to be the case.
On the bright side, I only have two months remaining in school and have actually received my cap and gown already. God. It really is scary seeing the last thirteen-ish years of my life all coming together to this final crescendo (at least, until four years down the road). With all of that said and done, it will be only work and ALA to take up my time!
Gods, this is really all coming to a head.
If I can make through the next two months, I can make it through anything!
So if you guys can keep up with my scatterbrained ways, I will be forever in your debts!

Cheers!
Lexi

Lexi Talks: Why I write In Books

This is going to be a little different than normal.

I have a confession to make: I write and highlight in my books. I know, tragic. But here's the thing, it makes me feel better.

Let me explain before you crucify me! When I write in a book, when I highlight my favorite line, when I have a tear stain on the page, it leaves a message. It proves that the book did its job: touched me.

I have a favorite quote in dang near every book that I read, in fact, I'm getting one of those quotes tattooed on my body permanently. When I highlight it or annotate beside it, I leave a permanent mark behind telling others what I think. When I grow old and blind ( when I can no longer get up or am finally put in the worm-infested dirt) my friends, significant other, children, etc. will be getting my library. I like to believe that what speaks to me, what I jotted down and highlighted and mentioned, will speak to them too.

In some Hamilton-esce view, it is my Legacy. It is what I leave behind.

Those books will, hopefully, pass from person to person until someone who didn't know me holds the book in their hands and Sees Me.

When you read my books, you see what I'm feeling. You see what makes me "tick". You see my likes and dislikes, my fears and dreams, my tears and laughs. And, for me, that's what matters in a personal library. I want to connect with people through my favorite literature, but it's near impossible to get those gut-reaction moments that are so vital. Something in the first hundred pages that makes you bark out an awkward laugh in a crowded room, can easily be forgotten two or three chapters later.

I admit, I'm probably more open to highlighting because of the insistence of my AP teachers, but at the same time it has become near impossible for me to read without a highlighter or pen at my side. I like rereading past loves and seeing what I was thinking, feeling, or annoyed by at the time. In my copy of Catcher in the Rye, I circled every single "sort of" to make a point. Now I read it and laugh. In Empire of Storms, nearly every Aelin line is highlighted because her sass and pain and struggles speak to me.

That, in the end, is what I see the Job of books to be. To make people feel. I mean, it is art after all.

Cheers,
Lexi

Lexi Talks: The Bone Witch

Title: The Bone Witch
Author: Rin Chupeco
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: March 7, 2017

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Oh. My. God. 

I haven't had a Fantasy series that gripped me so tightly since Throne of Glass. But by God did this ARC deliver. 

Where to begin?

As the beginning of a series goes, this is a different take that stole my heart away. The dual storytelling styles were captivating and kept me hanging on until the last moment. Both older and younger Tea are one of my favorite things to be in a coming of age- like novel. She learned what it meant to be who she is and have her power, and when the time came, stepped up no matter what the other's say.

This book took me back to my days of reading Eon  and Eona. 

Watching a world take form so out of the norm for YA books was one of the most pleasurable experiences I've had reading in a while. I mean, there aren't many books that make dance classes interesting, but you could practically feel the same energy as Tea.

Fox was the older brother I always dreamed of, though mine typically had a pulse, but he clearly didn't need one to outstrip the competition.

How am I going to last until Book 2?

Cheers,

Lexi

Lexi Talks: Challenger Deep (warning: mental illness)

Title: Challenger Deep
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: YA fiction

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This book messed me up in the best possible way. I make no secret that I suffer from mental illness, and this... this book spoke to me in ways that I can't even begin to understand. My mind connected immediately to the characters Real and Not, and ran with them. God I've never had something hang tight to all of my demons.

How to explain, Caden Bosch is torn between two worlds. They both are just as real. Caden is a brilliant kid seeing kids in the hall that want to kill him. Caden is on a copper ship heading to the deepest point in the world. Challenger Deep. Caden joins the track team, only to spend hours walking following signs that speak to him.

No one else sees the patterns. The lines and the patterns don't speak to the others like they speak to him. 

Once I picked it up, I saw myself. See, on my bad days I spend hours sitting alone in a dark room, counting. I count breaths, fan rotations, vent patterns, heartbeats, anything. Once I've started I cannot stand touch, talking, or any noises that conflict. That includes overlapping conversations, discordance in songs, and the like. In fact, from that point it only takes a single poorly placed hand for me to spiral down and down. Into Challenger Deep.

This is why Caden spoke to me, This is why I hold this book in such high esteem. Everyone that has a mental illness or knows someone with one needs to read this. 

This book will take you to your own deep and back again.

Cheers,

Lexi

Lexi Talks: The Pants Project

Title: The Pants Project
Author: Cat Clarke
Genre: LGBTQ+/ Coming of Age/ Middle Grade
Pages: 272
Publication Date: March 7, 2017

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When I picked up this ARC from the library, I knew immediately that I would love it. The story of a F-to-M sixth grader standing up for what he believes and coming to terms with who he is? Um, yes! Liv's story is one very close to my heart. I was there with my best friend as he struggled to get people to see who he really was, a boy. 

And here's the thing, this isn't one of those hokey "I'm writing this to get a different audience" books. This is written with the voice of a sixth grade boy. Liv loves comic books and Transformers and Legos. His little brother is annoying and his two moms are protective and nurturing. Oh, and his two moms are absolutely the sweetest family I've ever seen. They are the model for the perfect family, eating together, talking to each other, days out with each parent.

That's only part of the reason that I love this book. 

This is the book I needed in my middle school years, in fact, I know a few people that it would have helped. That said, this is a very important book for everyone as it deals with everything from gender identity to bullying to friendships.

Go Super-Liv!

Cheers,
Lexi

Lexi Talks: New Beginnings and the Odd Meltdown

I can't believe that it's taken me so long to start this, but here I am, beginning a real commitment. Let me back up. I'm Lexi a high school senior that happens to loves to read and write. Here is where I will rant about books, college apps, taxes, and how my writing is going (spoiler: probably not well).
I'm excited to say that I am bullet journaling, and keeping up with my reading the first time in a long time. I might actually manage to stay on a budget, but I doubt it.
Also, every now and then I am overcome with crippling anxiety, but you know, that's fine.
Well, that's me, cringy and altogether upset.
So yeah.

Cheers, Lexi