And what happened?
Well, this, to give you photographic proof.
(By the way, I really did try to make this picture as nice as possible. But alas, the secrets to gorgeous book photography have not been shared with me. How do they do it? If you are one of those crazy talented people with Instagrams filled with beautiful pictures of books, know that I am perpetually envious of you.)
The annoying bit though was that they all arrived in batches so I had to make maybe three trips to get them all. The first time, NINE books arrived at the same time. Needless to say, I had a bit of trouble getting them all to fit in my bag but since my dad drove me, carrying it was not an issue. I probably would have collapsed if I had to walk home with all those books on me. Those things weigh! Talk about a workout… And although it wasn't like I was doing anything illegal, it still felt EXTREMELY awkward to be checking out all those books and then proceeding to put them into my bag. It felt like I was maybe being excessive. But then the next day when I went to pick up the other two books that hard arrived, I saw one person who had maybe eleven to fourteen books. And I felt less bad.
Okay, I think I've rambled on enough. Without any further delay, I present to you what you're really here for (don't bother lying): the books!
Rookie Yearbook One. Edited by Tavi Gevinson.
I've been an ardent fan of the Tavi Gevinson for a while now. She's such a role model for me. LITERALLY EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE. And I've also been following Rookie.com (her online magazine for girls) since 2012 at least but I admit, I tend to skip over the posts when they pop up in my feedly. The ones I do happen to click on though are always very interesting and captivating so this Christmas, I made it a point to put Rookie Yearbook Three on my wishlist. But before I got to that, I wanted to read both Rookie Yearbook One and Rookie Yearbook Two (and in case you have no idea what I'm talking about, the Rookie Yearbooks are just physical bind-ups of various articles written for the online magazine of the year). I've already started reading this actually (not far in though) and I love it! I think the bind-ups are a much better idea for me because there's not so much material for me to sift through, it's all already organized for me! Each month has a specific theme (for example, love or home or beginnings) and there's everything from poems to journal entries to special interviews with special people to advice columns and photography. JUST SO MUCH STUFF. And it's all amazing and wonderful and put so beautifully together. The aesthetics of Rookie Yearbook One from cover to cover is truly unrivalled. GORGEOUS. And amazing. I think I shall buy myself a copy of this too because I'd rather like to have it on my shelf to pass down to my daughters.
Now, from top to bottom.
Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without A Date by Katie Heaney.
So I am sorta in love with memoirs. I'm not much of a non-fiction person and if I am reading a non-fiction, it's usually a memoir or a cookbook. But yeah, memoirs are usually my go-to and when I saw this book on Goodreads, I just knew I had to give it a shot because this book sounds absolutely adorable and hilarious (not about the fact that she hasn't had a date yet, just in general she seems like a really funny person. I read the first page, okay?). It's also a really interesting topic to write a memoir about, because I think our culture has this thing of showing middle school/high school of being that time where you get all your first times: first kiss, first boyfriend and often first time having sex. And that's always being fed to you that it's like automatically weird if you get through high school and then college without having any type of sexual, romantic relationship. And I think that's evident in the fact that there is a book written about this? So I'm hoping to see some exploration of that in this book. Like it's almost as if there's a pressure to get all those things checked off of your checklist. And that you should feel bad and unattractive and unappealing if it doesn’t happen for you. Which is ridiculous. So. Hopefully this book delves into that.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth.
To be honest I don't know much about this book apart from that is good (I'm fairly certain that Chloe loved it?) and features an LGBTQ main character. Which yes, is already a bonus in my book because DIVERSITY. AND PORTRAYING DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS. And I find that lesbian characters are something that we don't really dig into. Like our society still has miles and miles to go in terms of LGBTQ rights but judging from what we have achieved (which IS good), it seems like when we are comfortable with the LGBTQ community, it's usually regarding gay men and the rest are sort of ignored? And not talked about? So I'm excited to read a book for the FIRST TIME with a gay female main character. I have high hopes for this book, you guys. High hopes. I've heard so much praise.
Frostbite by Richelle Mead.
The second book in the Vampire Academy series. I had to get to this one day! I rather enjoyed the first book and I know TONS of bloggers are totally on board with this series and I have a friend who devoured them so it's about time that I finally got to reading this. I haven't even read the synopsis yet so I have NO IDEA what I'm in for but it's probably going to be good, right?
If I Stay by Gayle Forman.
My Epic Recs book from Chloe for this month! And like I said in my post, I am determined to complete this month's Epic Recs. Especially since it's also If I Stay, a book that I probably should have already read like months ago. This is another book that I don't really know too much about. Like obviously I know it's been turned into a movie with some really great songs in the soundtrack and that it's also about a girl in a car crash who has this hottie rocker boyfriend named Adam? But that's about it. Oh, and that I'll probably cry. Well, we'll see… I'll have tissues packed in case but if my opinion of Just One Day is anything, then I'll probably end up loving this one!
Jackaby by William Ritter.
For a change of scenery, I decided to go with historical fiction-mystery-paranormal YA novel Jackaby. Which kinda sounds like the best thing on Earth so I am very excited. I love historical fiction, especially when it's set in VICTORIAN ENGLAND!!! And mysteries are fantastic and something supernatural? I'm sold! Plus I've seen some really great reviews for it and the cover is gorgeous and so all those things add up, right? We're basically off to a great start already! (Also this is a good addition to my mental 2014 Debut Author list which I have, so far, no entries on.)
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales.
A book that I've been meaning to get to FOR AGES. Somehow it managed to slip past me completely last year... until December when all the end of year surveys included this book. And so then I was like, "What is this book? Where do I get my hands on it?" The only Leila Sales book I've read is Past Perfect which was really fun but somehow, I feel like this book is way different. But again, very promising as I flipped to the back and saw a PLAYLIST the author made. COMPLETE WITH SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ARTISTS. So, you know. Just all wonderful, great books.
Just One Year by Gayle Forman.
Another Gayle Forman! I had to pick up this book after reading Just One Day to find out what happens between Willem and Allyson! I haven't heard a lot of things about this book and what I know about it is this: the ending is kinda unsatisfying and it is told from Willem's point of view. But hopefully because I loved Just One Day, I'll enjoy this book. But man. Just One Day. So freaking good. Why did I wait so long to start this series? Sometimes, I do not understand my reading patterns. But I digress. So yes, Just One Year is in my TBR. I am ready for more Gayle Forman. BRING IT. Also random note but the back half of the hardcover dust jacket with the picture of Amsterdam is GORGEOUS. Take me there, someone, please.
What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick.
I need contemporaries in my life. Especially ones that take place during the summer. I'm actually reading this right now and quite enjoying it because I am currently in the middle of winter right now and I would give ANYTHING, I repeat anything, to be in a summer island right now. Though I do find it incredibly strange that Cass is just everywhere Gwen goes? Or is it just an incredibly small island? Like even if he is doing it on purpose, weird... But overall it's really good! I'm about halfway through so you'll be hearing my thoughts soon! I might even write a FULL REVIEW for it. Quel surprise! It's been a while guys...
Hockey Confidential: Inside Stories from People Inside the Game by Bob McKenzie.
I felt like I needed a little bit of a change-up from the YA so I not only picked up a non-YA book, it's also a non-fiction that is not a memoir. I think I deserve a round of applause. I'm not entirely sure what to expect but I'm excited? I actually quite enjoy hockey which is probably on my list of "Things That Make Me Most Canadian". I'm not a diehard fan, like I care a lot but not a lot A LOT and I also don't consider myself all that knowledgeable in anything beyond the general rules of the game and the teams and certain players here and there but I do find it entertaining and I'm excited to learn more from this book. Also, go Toronto Maple Leafs!
Boy On Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard by John Branch.
I feel bad stating how interested I am about a book that's about a person who died so tragically. It just feels wrong. But I am interested. I think I first heard about this book on the New York Times Book Review podcast when they interviewed the author (maybe? I'm not sure) and it immediately captured my attention. I don't know what else to say except that I'm probably most excited to read this book in particular out of all the others.
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Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Tell me in the comments! And also tell me what books you've recently acquired.
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