Angela's June Wrap-Up

Broken Juliet- Leisa Rayven
Because of Low- Abbi Glines
While it Last- Abbi Glines 
After We Collided- Anna Todd
After We Fell- Anna Todd
After Ever Happy- Anna Todd
Velvet- Temple West
Stargazing at Noon- Amanda Torroni
Hunted- Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki 
The Martian- Andy Weir  
Ugly People Beautiful Hearts- Marlen Komar  
The Wrath and the Dawn-  Renee Ahdieh
A Song of Ice and Fire- George R.R. Martin

I'm actually really surprised by the number of books I managed to read in June. If you follow me on any social media then you know that I've spent most of June ridiculously sick. So, I spent a majority of my time trying to sleep and watching Criminal Minds marathons. Just didn't have the energy to do anything else even read... So yeah that's how you know I was really sick. The only good thing that came out of only reading a select few books this month was that it left very little room for suck. 

My June favorites were After Ever Happy, The Martian, and The Wrath and the Dawn. Still kind of freaks me out every time I say I like The After Series, and that After Ever Happy makes the top of any kind of list I have... but I don't care. Of all Anna Todd's books After Ever Happy was my favorite and I loved how it tied up and ended the series. The addictive qualities her books have overshadow anything negative I would have to say. The Martian was another book that had something so addictive about it. The writing style and main character were written to perfection. A science fiction book that could easily fall into so many other genres. So excited to see this one play out on the big screen. The Wrath and the Dawn is hands-down my top pick for June. Such an amazing re-telling and unique book that added something new to the ever growing Ya scene. It was an absolutely breathtaking read. I still can't get over the hook that really draws you in... A king marries a different girl every day then the following dawn kills her. Such a brilliant idea! This is a 2015 and summer must read.

 As far as picking my June fails, like I said above I really don't have any. There was only one book that I wish I would have gotten more out of, and that was Because of Low. I found the relationship between the two main characters a little unbelievable. That being said I still really enjoyed the book. I just felt it was a little rushed and could have played out a little different. Plus it was rather predictable. I honestly only read it so I could get more background story before reading While it Last, since it's becoming a movie next year.Good call on my part. That's basically it. Sorry I don't have more for you this month but hopefully I'll kick this extreme chest infection and we able to tackle everything I have planned in July.

xoxo

-angela

The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate leaving him behind thinking he is dead. Mark finds himself stranded, completely alone, and with no way to contact Earth.

“It’s true, you know. In space, no one can hear you scream like a little girl.”

The Martian is a science book that fits into a fictional storyline and this is what makes this story so amazing. That being said it's also a book that could fit in any number of genres.

The Martian  will more than likely be one of the best things I'll read all year. As much as I like science I'm in no way a science brainiac, so when the science overload started I feared I would be weighed down by all the facts. Turns out it was the opposite. Everything is broken down so that anyone can catch a grip on it. 

The main reasons I wanted to pick this book up was one: the amazing ratings it holds on goodreads and two: because I love the idea of someone being stranded on another planet. Somewhere a person has to figure out how to survive somewhere no one is meant to survive on. Weir nailed his delivery. Mark Watney is written to perfection. He has a style and flow that makes him seem so realistic and relatable. He's a character that will take you by surprise and one you might not fully understand right away. When we are first introduced to Mark you'll see right away that he is a sarcastic joker. At first this was kind of a turn off for me... I was wondering how someone in his situation could be so cavalier. As the book goes on your can see that it's the way he is surviving. Him taking a light approach to everything might of just been his greatest survival tool. I also really embraced the fact that he would have these freak out moments where he would be so over thing, screaming F this planet, then would take a moment to get himself together and figure shit out.

The plot and storyline of this book is something so simple yet so gripping. Can you imagine how terrifying it would be too be left on a planet completely alone? The fact that you just breathing could kill you. A place with no food or water source!!! That thought alone makes me want to run to Costco and stock pile. Knowing that you have to be alone until the next Mars mission happen?!!? Pretty sure I failed to mention that the next mission isn't for another four years! I would go mad. Even the moments that the story is a little slower there is something still so addictive about it.

The best part about this book isn't it's laid back character with a snarky remark to all things; it's that such a simple idea was laid out so well. While reading this novel I had to actually stop myself and remember that I wasn't actually reading someone journal . That this is fictional story that just happens to feel so real. 

This is a fast paced -can't put down survival read with a message that is so strong. Seriously, if the last paragraph in this book doesn't give you goosebumps then you have no soul. The Martian has a plot line that will keep you on the edge of your seat and a character you'll be cheering for. I can't wait to see this book play out on the big screen.

10/10 Stars 
-Angela 

sidenote: Matt Damon is the perfect pick for Mark Watney.