Fantastic Five {APRIL}

Welcome to my Fantastic Five for April, in which I tell you my top five books I read in April 2013!

Read from April 29 to 30, 2013

5. Emerald Green (Ruby Red, #3) - Kerstin Gier

I adore this trilogy so much - time travel! Yes please! And Emerald Green was a fantastic and brilliant conclusion. I am so sad to see this series go, but it couldn't have ended any better!

Read on April 21, 2013

4. Crewel (Crewel World, #1) - Gennifer Albin

Talk about an original and awesome novel! I can't believe it took me so long to read Crewel, but oh man, I'm so happy I did! This novel is stunning and unique - I can't even begin to fathom how incredible this book was. I am dying for Altered! What an amazing, amazing book.

Read on April 28, 2013

3. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Fairyland, #2) - Catherynne M. Valente

This series has rapidly become my favorite middle grade series! They're just so quirky, magical and whimsical - and this sequel was no exception. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There was a phenomenal book - even better than the first! I absolutely adore September and the entire world of Fairyland (including Fairyland Below!). I can't wait to see what happens in the third book!

Read from April 22 to 23, 2013

2. Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

You know how some books get loads of attention and hype? And then they don't live up to your expectations. I can officially say that Eleanor & Park deserves every single bit of hype surrounding it AND more! This has easily became the best contemporary novel I've ever read, and I can see me re-reading this book very soon. Words cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this book was! Please, please read it if you haven't read it already. It's truly fantastic.

AND MY #1 BOOK OF APRIL IS...

Read from April 2 to 3, 2013

1. Light (Gone, #6) - Michael Grant

If you know me, then you know that the Gone series is my absolute favorite series of all-time. I love the world-building, the characters... honestly, I love everything about these books. And I'm so sad it's over. When I finished this book, I was seriously emotionally drained and sad. I can't believe it's all over! But I couldn't have asked for a better ending. That ending was so clever and smart, and I totally didn't see that coming. Love. Thank you so much, Michael Grant, for this journey. It was amazing, and I'll never forget it.

What were your favorite books of April 2013?

Brad About Books: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Read from April 22 to 23, 2013

ELEANOR & PARK
Published: February 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 325 pages
Source: Publisher

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Wow. That's literally all I can say: wow. This book is a stunning and amazing in every way possible. Eleanor & Park is an absolute must-read!

And I'm not a big fan of contemporary. I find realistic fiction just a tad boring and never appeals to me. I had heard so many good things about Eleanor & Park, and I knew I had to check it out. Luckily, I loved this novel. So much so, I can officially say that it's my favorite contemporary novel. Contemporary fans, non-contemporary fans, you must read this book. It's a story of first love, first heartbreak and discovering who you are in the world. I have been pushing this book onto everybody ever since I finished it, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon.

What makes this novel so great are the characters. They're so easy to fall in love with and care for; Rainbow Rowell did a fantastic job at crafting together these characters and making them feel real and authentic. I felt so bad for Eleanor the first time she enters the book, but I also felt so many emotions with her: I loved her and her ways, I was angry at her decisions, and I wanted her to get out of her awful home-life. Eleanor was my favorite part of Eleanor & Park, but Park was great too! Park is just so nice and caring to Eleanor - they're both misfits in the world, but they go together so well.

Everything about Eleanor & Park is wonderful. I can't find a single flaw with this novel, and it's become one of my favorite books. I'm looking forward to picking up more of Rowell's novels - she's become a promising author after this book! Love!

Overall, Eleanor & Park is a wonderful and heart-warming read. I'm not even sure how to end this review without repeating over and over "this book is amazing". Absolutely and highly recommended!

M Y   R A T I N G