Matched by Ally Condie

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie
Release Date: June 2nd 2011
Publisher: Penguin
Add it: Goodreads
Overall: ♥♥♥

Normally I find it so easy to give a longer, more detailed summary of a novel than the synopsis on the back, however I think the words on the back of Matched tells the reader what it's about perfectly .
"On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life. EXCEPT HE'S NOT." Yeah. That's it. That's basically a perfect sum up of the entire plot.

Now, I don't have a major problem with the writing, or the premise or anything like that because that's what so many Dystopians are like these days, that hell, I'm used to it now. But looking back, I think I have the same problem with Matched as I did with Delirium by Lauren Oliver; it was nice and easy to read but nothing happened.

I hate reading books where I know something is going to happen - the character experiences a minor conflict that you just KNOW is going to turn into a really predictable shitstorm for them, but this didn't even happen! When I thought some shit was finally going to go down, it just didn't. I would have preferred a predictable shitstorm to boring. I admit though, it kept me interested enough to keep reading (and I have been TRYING to finish Fifty Shades of Shit, but I just can't, it's giving me a headache, so this was a wonderful break) and I found myself getting fairly emotional in some parts. I think the major problem was the overall plot - girl falls in love with boy who she isn't supposed to fall in love with. This whole concept to me is just kind of, "meh" and I love plots that aren't soley driven my romance, I like a bit of action, mystery or suspense thrown in there somewhere too. Although I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the last 30 or so pages, I nearly even shed a tear :(

The characters were likable and I loved seeing how much Cassia grew throughout the novel. As a heroine, she isn't one I've fallen in love with but I have a feeling that as the series progresses, she'll get more badass and just overall awesome. One thing I loved about Cassia's character was how her sensitivity was written. Too often, we see MCs written as sensitive but in a whiny, bitchy and annoying way but Cassia was perfect for me as I found I could relate to her. Her conflicting emotions, her love for her family and friends and how she handled situations with calm but had something completely different going on inside her head was something I adored.
As for Xander and Ky, I don't have much of an opinion on them at the moment but I must say, Ky's family breaks my heart into pieces. **spoilers on Goodreads**. I am looking forward to see how these two characters are further developed in Crossed :)

This is probably also a bit twisted of me, but one of my favourite characters was CASSIA'S OFFICIAL. OMG. I LOVED her characterisation.

The writing wasn't absolutely OHMYGODTHISISFUCKINGBEAUTIFUL but it was very well written and I loved the fact that Cassia got to the point and that there were no huge info dumps or unescessary scenes! It was nice to read about things that were necessary to the plot (what I thought there was anyway) rather than dribble about how some insignificant character's hair was the colour of chestnuts. (Seriously, THIS WAS AWESOME!)

It could be that I recently read it, but I couldn't help but compare this to Juno of Taris. It's the same sort of Dystopian, where EVERYTHING is controlled; from the food they eat to the activities they do in their spare time. But I feel that Matched could have been a little more engaging and have more of a solid story (like Juno of Taris, oh you should read that!) and I would have liked Cassia to have a stronger voice - there was *too* much focus on romance for me.

Okay, let me leave you with two quotes that just broke my heart into a million pieces because god, they are *so* true... *cries*

"It is one thing to make a choice and it is another thing to never have the chance"

"Is falling in love with someone's story the same thing as falling in love with the person himself"

Don't forget to check out my Stacking the Shelves post :) Let me know what books you got this week!

Stacking the Shelves (2) (And a few other things...)

Before we get started on what books I have gotten recently, let me update you guys on a few things :)

As some of you may know, I had a paid work experience job doing Public Relations (what I'm studying) at a fairly large company in my hometown so for the first time ever I worked fulltime. Can I just say this now, I HATE being a grown up.

Dear adults who find time to work blog and read,

How do you do it? How do you manage to go to work everyday, or even run around looking after children all day and find the time to read, let alone blog? I only worked full time (8.00am-4.30pm) for a month and it's like nothing I've ever experienced! I would come home from work, shower and then want to go to sleep immediately. I didn't read because I was, get this, exhausted. Yes, I was exhausted from working a normal job which I know is a part of life.  *cries* I KNOW! I deserve to be slapped!

I seriously have newfound respect to all you lovely people out there who are stay at home mums, dads or who have to work everyday. I couldn't do it. Even when I was in highschool and was studying 5 TEE subjects and even now in uni, I STILL have more time and energy to invest in reading and blogging than I did when I worked full time!

I didn't lose my passion for reading or for blogging, I just literally could not do it!

I know this is directed at adults, but seriously can I give you a virtual hug?
No? Well too bad :D
*hugs*

Love always,
I don't wanna grow up.

Well, that's it for me complaining about how hard life is and how much I love the fact I'm back at uni and back to learning, lectures and procrastination.

In other news, I turned 20 on the 18th July :) (there's that whole "being an adult" thing again, NOOOOOO) It was amazing, I got to spend it with my family and on the Friday night, my friends held a surprise dinner for me (yes, I cried a little. Okay, A LOT) and it was just overall amazing <3
*eats cake from Rebecca*

In celebration of my birthday and the fact that I'm nearly at 300 followers (YAY!) I think you can expect a giveaway coming up shortly :) 

NOW. For the books. I know I said I was going to do a video but I can't be bothered and plus that would require me putting effort into my appearance right now hahaha :) So without further ado...

Gift: 
Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James (*cries*) - From my lovely friend, Rachel :) I wouldn't have bought it myself otherwise!
Pretty Little Liars Season 1

Bought: 
Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Winter's Light by M.J. Jearle - I just realised this is a sequel :( now I need the first one!
Pennies For Hitler by Jackie French
Poison Heart by S.B. Hayes
Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar (not shown)
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder (not shown) - And again, I need the first two but my FAVOURITE local  bookstore was closing down and I nearly cried so I was willing to hand over my money haha

What did you add to your shelves this week :)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly feature over at Tynga's Reviews which allows us all to drool with one another over any books that have been added  to our bookshelves both physically and virtually!

I AM A BAD BLOGGER

So I haven't been blogging. You'll see why in my previous post but it's also partly because I've gotten lazy. I haven't been reading because I'm still in a slump and I haven't been blogging because I haven't been reading!

I'll have you guys know though that I HAVE attempted to read something... That something is Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm about half way through and quite frankly, Fifty Shades of Shit PUTS ME OFF READING. I've TRIED reading a book to review, I have! I swear! But oh my god, it's driving me up the wall! I'm hoping it redeems itself in the end because so far I'm going a little crazy! I won't be reviewing it on this blog by the way (it's uhh, a little inappropriate for a YA blog!) but I will post a review on Goodreads :)

I am reading Matched by Ally Condie at the moment and although I'm only about 20 pages in, I can already feel my brain cells growing back after weeks of trying to get through Fifty Shades.

I have a feeling I'll be able to finish this within a day or so because it's easy to read and I'm really enjoying it so I'll be writing a review soon :) wooo! Also you could expect a video up in coming days because I have been naughty and bought way too many books lately for my wallet to handle :( *slaps wrist*

Anyway, I know this is just an 'update' post but I just wanted to let you know that I will be back VERY soon because I'm back at uni and what better way to procrastinate than read as much as possible and blog :)

As I'm on a uni computer (I'm in a computing class and I actually got TOLD to write a blog post if I already have a blog so THANKYOU MR. LECTURER!)...

I have no GIF of David Tennant declaring his love for you to post here, I am SORRY! (I'm speaking to you, Sarah)