Book Paradise

Searching for a new book is not always so easy, and lately I have been having the most difficult time. Nothing has really been hitting me. There hasn't been a book to hit the trend waves in a while, so I have had to do more research than normal. 

Today, I had some free time and something told me I should go to the library. It was like the day was just set in stone, like it was meant to be. Well, I decided to hit up one of my local libraries. 

Something kind of hit me when I went to the library and that something was nostalgia. Growing up, going to the library was like my candy store. It was as much of a day out as it would be going to the movies. As a young kid and up to now, there has always been something magical about going to the library. It holds something special for me that nothing else could replicate. It's my happiest place on Earth. 

Going to the library today instantly brought back those same feelings of excitement and anticipation of what books I was going to find. Looking at all the books gives me this simultaneous feeling of anxiousness and peace. It can be overwhelming at times because I have such high hopes for what I can find. Plus, you have hundreds of books at your finger tips for FREE. Lot's of Book Bound material is supported by the New York Public Libraries because books can be expensive. It also makes it easier to get a bunch of new books to review right away. 

The inspiration for this blog post was from my experience at the library today. Even though it wasn't the best library that I have been too, it still created for me that childhood innocence and excitement that never gets old. I have to remember that even though going to the library isn't a very popular thing to do for people my age, it's still popular in my heart. It is still something that people should put there support behind. It's the only place that I know of that you can go and get something special for free. Books to me are priceless and beautiful works of art that help you escape from your realty. They give you a place to go when your mind just can't rest. They lift your mind and creativity to new heights. It's the only thing in this world, outside of my family and friends, that I have had a connection to. The one constant thing in my world that has made sense. Books have and always will be a part of me, a part of my soul. 

XOXO,

Cheryl 

Lose Yourself In A Good Book

Happy New Year Book Bound!! Can't believe its already 2016.... (Pause for a slight panic attack).

Every time a new year rolls around, it almost forces you to reflect on how the past year has been. 2015 has definitely not been my year, but it did have some really fun and happy moments. Definitely, my top favorite are my vacations. I went to Florida 3 times this year. Seeing Harry Potter World with my love was definitely my highlight. I also got to spend some time with my grandparents who live in Florida and which I have not seen in over 3 years. I've also had some really low, lows but otherwise I'm happy to say that I am keeping a positive attitude for 2016! I hope nothing but peace and happiness to all!

One thing I am definitely happy about this past year is my continuation with this blog! Even though I may not post as often as I would like. I am still so proud of myself that I have not let this fall apart. I love this blog more than I can express. Books and reading are a passion that I will always want to be a part of my life. For Christmas this year, I bought The Book Bound it's first ornament. (See attached picture.) This ornament just spoke to me and I had to have it. The ornament says, "Lose yourself in a good book." That epitomizes what reading and books are to me. It's an escape, to a world all its own. It's a world like to no other that you can explore in your own mind. It's my favorite gift of all. This new year I hope you all lose yourself in a good book. Lose yourself in hundreds of books. Don't stop believing in the magic of books.

I also hope for this coming year, much like every year, to continue with this blog and make it bigger and better. Here's to 2016!

Much love
xoxo

Magic is Happening

I'm sure you read the title of this post and was a little confused. So let me explain...

Probably going to sound familiar to you when I say that I'm sorry for not writing for some time. I don't know why, but I always feel the need to apologize or preface a post before I really get into it. It helps me to put my thoughts and emotions out there and then move on from them.

But, I actually have a good reason for being away and that reason is: HARRY POTTER. Guys, I'm officially obsessed. I know one of my last posts was about how I was going to be reading and 'reviewing the books so this shouldn't come as a complete shock. My plan now is to read all the books and then write one post about my thoughts on the books and my experience reading them. It will be some great reflection writing and I'm excited about that post.

I figured that writing an individual post about each book was too much and I barely have gone a day without reading a chapter, even between books. I just flew through the first 3 and now I'm almost finished with the 4th. By the time I realized that I should have written about them, it was too late. Plus I feel my new idea is way better, so it all worked out.

In the meantime, while I'm reading HP. I will try to write some more opinion or journal like entry's that focus on topics of interest about reading or just some random thoughts or rants. Really whenever I get the inspiration to write I'm going to just do it. (I'll try my best.)

I've really been getting more and more inspired by my passion for books. It just reassures me that I'm on the right path to success, I just can't give up yet. Because, I do believe in the magic of books.

Please let me know if there is something you would like me to talk about. I tend to have opinions on most things and I'm sure it would be fun to have a dialogue about it.

For now I'll just say see ya later!

Ciao,
Cheryl

REVIEW: "Saint Anything"- BY: Sarah Dessen

Hey!

I'm excited to welcome you all to another review with a much anticipated book release, "Saint Anything." Sarah Dessen has been a long time favorite author of mine. Her books are light hearted, fun and meaningful. I always find myself doing a lot of self reflecting when I read her books. Probably because her stories are so relatable. Sarah's books are also some of the only books that I pre-order months in advance. I get so excited and sometimes I really don't know why. To be brutally honest, her writing isn't the most amazing writing I've read. But I think her books are like security blankets. They are so comfortable to get into and you just can't help to get wrapped up in it. It's like reconnecting with an old friend. Nothing really changes but it's always a good time.

"Saint Anything" truly spoke to the young girl in me. Sydney, has always been in the shadows of her older brother Peyton. He was always the good looking and star child, until he wasn't. Even when Peyton took a turn to the dark side and got sent to prison, Sydney was still lost in translation. Her mom is too worried about how Peyton is doing, to worry about how this could be affecting Sydney. SO Sydney decides to make some changes. She switches to a new school and decides to hit up a new pizza place for her after school activity to avoid going home. These changes bring her a gang of new friends that help her finally be noticed. She finally is able to come alive and be who she has always wanted to be. She stands up to her parents and finds her voice that she has craved for so long.

I could go into detail about everything that happens but what's the point when this book is something you should read for yourself. Sarah really stepped it up with this book. It reminded me a lot of the way John Green writes. There was a lot more depth and meaning and less drag out of things that aren't important. She also didn't cut to the chase too fast but let the story progress naturally. We may never see eye to eye on how she ends her books but I can appreciate a writers wishes. And of course there is always a cute love story to go along with it. I can't say that the story is truly some amazing work of fiction but it's definitely true to Dessen form, which ain't bad either.

Stay tuned for a cute 2nd anniversary post! Can't believe it's been two years since I've started this journey and I'm never looking back. Love you all !

REVIEW: "Gone Girl" - BY: Gillian Flynn

Welcome back Book Lovers! 

I'm pretty excited to bring you a review of "Gone Girl." I'm probably late to the party again, but that's just my style. Not much of a follower... ya know?!

Anyways, "Gone Girl" is probably not new to you and if it is then I feel pretty good about myself because I just taught you a little something ! :) 

Regardless, "Gone Girl" is basically a house-hold name. You've maybe seen the movie and better yet you read the book before you did. I don't know about you but the trailer of the movie definitely mislead me about the book. My impression of the book, just based on the trailer, made me feel as if this was going to be some middle aged women's version of a mystery/crime scene. That sounds a little harsh but mainly what I'm trying to say is that it could be very blase and not the style I'm impressed with. 

I haven't seen the movie yet because I just finished reading the book. As the natural order should go. It was definitely on my radar because of all the interesting things I've heard about the book. 

I was intrigued from the first sentence. The writing style was beautiful. It was fluid, clear and enticing. I kept finding myself trying to play detective. I was trying to think one step ahead of the author. I went through various stages where I thought maybe he did because it sure did seem like it ... but then just when you thought you had it pegged down, she would flip it on you and you were thinking of a totally different scenario. It was a very natural progression but one that definitely shocked you and you love it for doing that.

Something that I love about books is the hold they can have on you. The hold can be before you read it, while you are reading it or after you read it. This book definitely had all 3. I was excited to read it, couldn't put it down and didn't want to let it go. 

I hate to give some big plot or round up about the gist of this book because it has been so popular in the media. However, I will implore you with a small bit about the book that I feel will help you get a good idea and make you read it or not if you haven't already done so.

Amy and Nick have been married for 5 years when Amy suddenly goes missing from their Missouri home. Nick doesn't freak out but is definitely curious as to how this could possibly have happened. He tries to keep his tracks clear because he knows the story with missing wives and the husbands have nothing to show for it. Nick knows his marriage wasn't great. They both turned into different people after they happened to be married for a little while, but Nick denies any involvement in this disappearance. We slowly learn the true inner workings in the mind of Nick and Amy through narration and "diary" entries that Amy has written. Don't count Nick out just yet. Don't let your mind slip into feminist paranoia towards men. Maybe some women are driven  mad and would do anything to seek their "rightful" attention. 

There is a lot about this book that I love. I love the way it is laid out. Every chapter is either in the voice of Nick or Amy. You are constantly getting a contradiction or rather understanding of what you just read in the last chapter. Its enticing and totally "revolutionizes", if I can say that, about the way I feel towards murder mysteries or disappearances. I never really gave them much thought but I'll probably never think of them the same again. And maybe there is a lot of fictionalization that you can't apply to real life but I always say, "Never say never!"

BUT.. I will leave you with something that still seems to keep plaguing me is the ending. For a book that is full of such suspense, insanity and intrigue the ending still makes me sit and wonder what I just read. Maybe it has a deeper meaning then I can truly wrap my head around at the moment. But it felt like an awfully odd way to let things go. 

Either way, it is what it is and I'll let you go by saying: Yes, read the book enjoy it and let me know what you thought about the ending. I definitely want to hear some thoughts about this book! 

Ciao!

REVIEW: "The Catastrophic History of You and Me"- BY:Jess Rothenberg

Hello book lovers!

I know what you're thinking and I'll spare you my long list of excuses. BUT truthfully ever since I finished reading "The Catastrophic History of You and Me," I've been super busy. I got a new job that is keeping me away from reading and writing as much as I would like too. And this review has been put off long enough.

Full disclosure though, I don't see this review being of great help to anyone truly wanting to understand the book better. This one will be short and mostly work off what I felt about the book, which is all good things might I add. Since it has been some time since I turned off the Nook and said good-bye to the book, it's hard for me to remember exactly what the book entailed. I can't say I'm happy with myself that I waited this long. This book was not something I hated or could have easily just said well it's not worth my time. But this book is worth it. Personally, when I think about it long enough... if I were to talk completely about the plot of the story, I would be giving too much away. Perhaps my feelings are the best way to entice you and engage your emotions towards the book.
Recently, I've been getting re-inspired to read because we all know reading inspiration is the best kind of inspiration. Anyways...

"The Catastrophic History of You and Me," appealed to my fantasy side. The side that believes in the afterlife and the magic that the "other side" can hold. Life after death books are books that speak to my soul... no pun intended. It's so fun to read about how someone else interprets the other world. For Rothenberg, she believes that we meet our soul mates in heaven... well sort of. Brie dies from a literal broker heart. Her heart completely breaks when her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her life in the after world is what I would equate to purgatory. She hasn't entered the pearly gates, she is in this limbo state where she hasn't really left her hometown but she is still so far away. She spends days at this "other world" pizzeria and awaits what happens to her next. Because there will be things that happen to her. Brie needs to learn a lot more before she enters the next phase of her other life.

Brie meets Patrick in her other world. Patrick is the one who will guide Brie through her stages of grief. But Patrick ultimately becomes more to Brie then just a mentor. He becomes her soul mate. And through their friendship she learns all about how the other side works. And how some souls get a second chance to live another life in the real world after they die at the cost of another soul in death. Brie was a previous dead soul that went back to heaven when given a second chance by Patrick and Patrick waited many years for Brie to come back.

This book definitely holds a special place in my heart. It is beautifully written and beautifully told. It's a magical story with both the ups and downs that compels you to push forward. Something interesting about this kind of life after death book is that there is a lot of time that you can spend walking around all your familiar places. And you can even harness the ability to actually touch and feel things. One of my favorite parts is that Bries dog could even see her and he even stays with her in her journey through the afterlife but still goes home in the end.The love story between Patrick and Brie can only be equated to a fairy tale. Patrick looks at Brie like she is the only thing that matters in the entire world. Brie takes some convincing but once she begins to understand the connection they have, then the magic truly begins.
There are so many good things I can say about this book, but mostly I just want you to read this book.You won't feel robbed of your time but only feel more full of life than ever. There is a special place on the top of my list for this book.

REVIEW: "Paper Towns" - BY: John Green

It's not a surprise that John Green can write a good book. He is quickly becoming my go- to author if I'm ever stuck wondering what to read next. Coincidentally, that is exactly what led me to read this book, "Paper Towns."
If you go look back through my blog, you can see I've read 2 other John Green books and if you have read those blog entries, then you know that I must have had VERY high expectations for this book. However, for some reason I find that I have an almost sixth sense about books. I can take one good look at the book without almost barely reading the synopsis to know if I will like the book or not. This book set off my sensors and I told my expectations to simmer down a bit. I held off reading this book for quite a bit for those same reasons. I just was not ready to be disappointed quite yet, but privy to my needs I thought of my wonderful blog and knew I needed to suck up my inhibitions and dive right in.

Set in sunny Orlando, Florida, where Quentin ("Q") and Margo lived just right next door, you would find a mostly normal suburban families. Q and Margo were friends since day one and Q began to fall in love with her from that day. However, when they were around 9 years old, Q and Margo went to the park alone and stumbled upon a body of a man who had just killed himself. That one experience could surely scar a young kids life. For Q he was able to adjust normally. However, for Margo it ignited Margo's sense of mystery and wonder and she was never the same again. Margo and Q never saw each other again after that day at the park, even though they still lived next door.

Where they left off, the book picks up many years later, just a few months away from Q and Margo graduating from college. Q never stopped loving Margo but from a far. He saw her like a precious jewel that you love to stare at but too afraid to touch. Q made other friends but mostly drifted through high school. However, Margo was part of the popular crowd. She was someone that everyone envied. But Margo had a mysterious side. She would randomly run away and go missing for a few days because she had a tough home life and most importantly for this book, because she felt like a paper girl in a paper town. She had real fears of being stuck in a paper town...

One day Margo climbs through Q's window and persuades him to take a revenge adventure with her. Margo planned this elaborate scheme to get back at all those who wronged her and she also let Q get some revenge of his own. At the end of their night long journey, Q thought this was going to be the start of something really special between them, however it wasn't exactly in the way he had planned. The next day Margo disappeared again but this time she didn't go come back. Margo left some clues behind on where she was headed and it took Q two months and on graduation day to figure it out. Q, along with his pals Ben his girlfriend Lacy  and Radar went on an almost 24 hour road trip to find and save Margo. Q thought once he found her he could bring her home and start over, but what he found was a girl who was not willing to leave and be a paper girl in a paper town. She was a mystery and a mystery she remained.

Now I wish I could tell you what a paper town is or even what a paper girl is ... and I don't want to discredit John Green for his attempt at an explanation, but I just don't get enough understanding of the main underlying theme of this book and for that it makes  this book almost lack luster. There is so much potential for this book and truly it reaches some high points because John Green yet again delivers with deep and profound prose that make you look at life in a much more spectacular way. But the ending leaves me wanting so much more, it is so difficult to wrap my head around a young girl who runs away to the middle of nowhere in an abandoned barn all alone. Also, her family basically disowned her which is just about the nail in the coffin. It's hard to fathom this kind of reality and I feel a lot of this book will go right over people's heads, but what saved the book for me was John Green's magnificent charm that just never seems to disappoint.

REVIEW: "If I Stay" - BY: Gayle Forman

Long overdue, but here none the less...

"If I Stay" is not a new book to me. Almost 3 years ago, I was browsing the book store with a friend of mine. When she spotted the book, she told me that this was definitely one I had to read. I could tell by her reaction that I knew I needed to find out what made this book so great. 

Fast forward to present time, "If I Stay" is just days away from its movie premiere and like any book lover, you need to read the book before you watch the movie. So in book lover fashion, I dug out this book and decided to re-enter a book with no hesitation. 

First off, I love the plot of this book. The concept is right on track with the kind of premise for books that I enjoy. I would like to disclaim that I'm not necessarily in love with the pure tragedy of the book. However, I am into reading about things that I either have not experienced or things beyond human explanation. Basically, far out things that only our imaginations can explore properly. 

This all relates back to the core of this book, which is the tragic story of a family who went out for a drive on a snowy day and got plowed by a truck. There's no easy way to explain it. Mia without realizing it wakes up after the accident and sees her dead family laying on the side of the road. The only person she can't find is her little brother Teddy. When she thinks she found him, she actually finds her own body and starts to realize what has happened. Mia is having an out of body experience. She is somewhere between life and death but she doesn't really know. She follows her body as it is rushed to the hospital. It is there where she will make her life changing decision, whether she stays and lives or goes and dies.... You can see there is so much intrigue with this kind of story. No one really knows what that is like because this kind of experience doesn't happen everyday.

Mia doesn't have much to live for. She lost her whole family in one swipe. The only thing she has left is her boyfriend Adam, who wants nothing more then for her to stay. Adam and Mia have a charming high school love story, where to seemingly to opposite types of people find love over music. Music is another theme of this book, which I think is the gap that makes the book actually have something to work with. But, I digress... Mia has to make an almost impossible decision until she Adam finally gets to touch her and it all makes sense. 

Of course, I'm giving you the short version. There is so much back story intertwined in this book that reading it the second time it seems almost unnecessary. However, I started to think a little deeper about the need for the back story and I thought: Mia is between life and death, it's possible that in this state you reflect on some really significant or memorable times in your life. This makes the most sense to me. The back story gave me a great perspective on this family and you can't help but fall in love with the whole clan. 

"If I Stay," is one of those books that I will always recommend. Reading it a second time did open my eyes to a few things that warped my initial feelings toward the book. The font type makes the book a quick and easy read and you don't find out until the very last page the decision that Mia makes. Some things that I'm not so happy about is that you don't even get a hint or an idea of what happens after she makes her decision. It just ends abruptly. Also, you never truly find out what happened to Teddy. She just made a probably accurate, but non the less an assumption. No one even talks about the loss of her family. They are just keeping vigil waiting for her to wake up. I think there was a miss in this area. Overall,  this book makes the list and doesn't disappoint to charm all those who let it. 

REVIEW: "13 Reasons Why"- BY: Jay Asher

As I promised, here is another book review!

For "13 Reasons Why," I had fairly high expectations going into it. I had heard from a friend that it was so good and had always meant to borrow it, but never did. So when I got my new Nook from my boyfriend, I wanted to load it up with good books for myself and for the blog. One of the suggestions was this book and I felt why not!

To give a quick overview of this already popular book, it is about Hannah Baker,suicidal girl in high school who recorded and mailed out the tapes of her talking to each of the 13 people that caused her to get to this hopeless place. However, the narrator of this story, Clay Jensen, is one of those unfortunate souls that caused Hannah to kill herself. Clay had a crush on Hannah ever since she transferred to his school, but never had the courage to truly talk to her or start a relationship because of the unfortunate events that created Hannah's harsh reputation. Clay happened to be the ninth person on Hannah's list and he struggles with every story that passes and wishes he could have done so much more and realized that Hannah was so lost.
We follow Clay on the recorded journey that Hannah takes you with the map she left for those select few to follow to the places where these events happened.

My initial reactions to this book even from the very beginning was confused. I never got a good connection to this book. Maybe I am to blame for that one because my reading habits became a bit sporadic, but there was something almost too cliche that it made me build a wall from really sinking deep into the pages.
To be perfectly honest, I don't see the real hype for this book. I can definitely appreciate the messages behind the story and for that I think it is brilliant. It is a good lesson in learning that every decisions you make can effect someones life. It definitely made me more self aware.
However, I don't think the writing was all that fantastic. And maybe it is just me who feels that the writing style greatly affects my opinion of the book, but I definitely can see how this would affect my connection to this book.

I wouldn't say that this book was terrible by any means. I love the concept, even though it might be about something as morbid as suicide. But anything that can teach a lesson and make you think and intrigue you learn more about what is going on in someone's head who has decided to kill herself. I love reading about the inner workings and most personal thoughts in someones mind. That whole concept intrigued me from the very beginning but I just felt that the writing style throughout the book was very obvious and just not as deep as to what I expected.

Either way, I hear this book is going to be a movie and for that I think it is worth a read.
Let me know what you thought of this book or any other books you might want me to read next !

Life Update

Hey!

I've been wanted to write a quick life update post for a little while now.

A lot of life changes have been happening for instance, I graduated college and started working on some new projects! Graduating college was definitely the proudest moment of my life. Sometimes I get upset that I'm not where I want to be in life exactly but I'm working on it everyday and praying that all my dreams come true. Sometimes things in life take time to develop and I'll keep working hard to make things happen. 

In the meantime, I recently get a "freelance" position working with an independent publisher doing book publicity. I'll be working with beside the authors to help them go through all the stages of writing a book and then doing the publicity work afterwards. I'm excited to get this opportunity and hopefully it will be the start I need to launch my career.

I'll definitely be excited to share some of the projects I'll be working on, considering it pertains to books which is obviously what this blog is all about. 

I feel fortunate to get this experience under my belt but I won't stop putting my time into this blog which is like my baby.

Hope you all have a great week and the best start to the summer ! 

Get ready for a new book review coming in the very near future. 

Ciao,

Cheryl 

REVIEW: "To All The Boys I've Loved Before"- BY: Jenny Han

Hello everyone,

Here's another review for you, like I promised. 

I've heard a lot of good things about Jenny Han and I've also heard about her previous books being bestsellers and there was plenty of hype for "To All The Boys I've Loved Before," so it's safe to say that I had decently high expectations...

So, I'd like to say this book was amazing, that it was everything I wanted and more... but unfortunately this is not the case. This book lacks something so trivial and fundamental to any book out there.. an ENDING. 

Nothing and I mean nothing in this world annoys me more than a disappointing book. I just wasted "X" amount of  days or weeks on a book that should be able to a least leave me somewhat satisfied but this book was so pointless I wanted to throw my Nook out the window. 

Now, I can't say the book was entirely bad. It had a slow start and I was trying to give the book the benefit of the doubt through all the cliches and underdeveloped characters. The writing was so elementary that I was wondering if the author had someone else write her other books. Anyways, you have to get through the muddy beginning to get to what you probably truly wanted to get to when reading a YA novel...

Three sisters: Margot, Lara Jean and Kitty are close as sisters can be since their mom died a few years back. Margot took on the mother role and is now going off to college leaving Lara Jean to take over. Kitty was too young to remember their mother so the sisters try to be there for her as much as they can.. To be honest Kitty was the most delightful of all the characters, however maybe too mature for a supposed nine year old. 

Josh, their neighbor and Margot's boyfriend, is heartbroken when Margot breaks up with him before going off to Scotland to go to college. However, Lara Jean has liked Josh for some time and tries to be there for him when Margot leaves. 

However, this is where it gets tricky. Lara Jean has written love letters to every boy she has liked or loved as goodbye letters when she knew it was not meant to be. She stored them in a hat box but then one day the letters were "mysteriously" sent out to all the boys, (Josh and Peter) which leaves Lara Jean traumatized and devises this plan with an old friend Peter to pretend to be bf/gf to keep Josh away and also get back at Peter's ex girlfriend, and Lara Jeans former friend Genevieve.

Are you confused yet? There is a constant struggle to understand who Lara Jean really likes, Josh or Peter. Where the story really picks up is when Peter, the supposed "ladies man," starts to actually fall for Lara Jean when that was against the "contract" of their relationship. I was so into the Peter and Lara Jean relationship aspect that it was actually changing my mind about the book. However, when Josh kissed Lara Jean and Margot find outs and LJ pushes Peter away, all hell breaks loose and then nothing is ever the same... nothing. The book literally ends with Lara Jean making up with Margot and Josh but the whole Peter relationship just goes unresolved even though Lara Jean really wants to be with him. It was just left to the imagination. 

I know this might sound a bit rambled, but I needed to delve more into this story for everyone to understand just how unappealing this book really is. It hurts me to have to write such a negative review but the book has no real conclusive ending and that is just not acceptable to me. I'm not entirely discouraging anyone from reading it, I'm just warning you that you will probably want to scream into a pillow when it's over. You have been warned.

Happy One Year Book Bound !

Hey!

I know I'm a little late, and the official blog anniversary was May 31st, I still wanted to make a special post about this special milestone. One year of blogging is something that I am truly proud of. It means a lot if you, right there at your computer who probably has a million things to do, is reading this post. I appreciate even a second of your time. As I've said before, starting this blog hasn't always been easy but it's pretty much my favorite thing I have ever done. It makes me happy to do something that I love and that is all I've ever wanted. I might not be blog famous but somewhere out there, who ever you are, is reading this and enjoying my blog. Thanks to any who has reached out or commented in any way. Please, feel free to tell your friends and family about the blog, because I promise that I want to make this blog something great.

Starting a successful blog has been a dream of mine for so long, and just writing this means I'm participating in my dreams. A year ago I started to make my dreams happen and everyday I think I'm getting a little bit closer. 

Before I end the post, I wanted to give a brief update on everything that is going on behind the scenes. Currently, I'm reading "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" By Jenny Han. I've heard some great things about this new release and I'm already forming my own opinions on the book. Also for my birthday, I received a new Nook from my boyfriend. (He's the best). So I've been buying new books and I have a few more books in the wing just waiting to be red and reviewed so keep your eyes on the blog because there is going to be plenty to read and interact with. 

So that's all folks ! Thanks so much and always stay book bound! 

Ciao,

Cheryl 

UPDATE: Figuring It Out

Hey!

Wanted to make a short and sweet update. Clearly, it shows that I have some difficulty with keeping up with blogging on a regular basis but with good reason. Graduating college is no joke and I'm stuck somewhere in the middle of wanting it all the end and wanting to crawl back into the womb because this is not a fun experience, let me tell you. Just imagine being on the edge of a cliff with no way off but to jump. Jumping is the hardest part because you have no idea where you are going to land and you're scared of all the possibilities that could just crush you. On the other hand you could just stay where you are and live in complete denial about life and it's realities. Taking that jump is scary. I'm dangling on the cliff at this moment. Holding on for dear life because the landing is just so uncertain...

This is my good reason for goofing up and not reviewing or reading much for that matter. I did read the next Lord of the Rings book but I realized that those books are far

too complex to truly give a justifiable review. Just not in the cards for this blog. HOWEVER, I did just finish reading "Growing Up Duggar." Kind of loved it. I have my opinions on it and hope to share them with you soon, however, I also am in the middle of working on some major senior projects I need to focus on so blogging has to be put somewhere in the back but in a spare moment I am going to bring you the review I hope will really intrigue people to want to read for themselves.

Ciao,
Cheryl :)

REVIEW: The Hobbit - By J.R.R Tolkien

** Before I write a review for "The Hobbit," I want to fill everyone in on the latest that has happend in my book life. Recently, my boyfriend told me that he wanted to watch "The Hobbit." At first, I was hesitant because I always had this idea in my mind that "The Lord of The Rings" was only for nerds and it was the most boring movie that would make me want to claw my eyes out. However, "The Hobbit" was a tad more inciting and with much pestering and  persuading, I caved a watched the first part of "The Hobbit" movie. Even though it was a 3 hour movie, I really loved the adventure story line and felt that it was exactly what I was looking for in my next book. After going to the theaters and watching the second Hobbit movie, it would be safe to say that me and my boyfriend became hooked on the series. It was all we could think and talk about. My boyfriend being the impulsive buyer, bought the set of books that contained "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." He also bought all of the LOTR movies on blue ray that has extended versions and bonus material. Yes, we nerded out quite a bit. SO these next few blog posts will be sponsored and dedicated to my boyfriend Chris who supports me no matter what.**

"The Hobbit" which is largely an adventure book does not fail to deliver. Again, as a side note, I had some reservations going into the book because I was afraid it was going to be dry and filled with complex jargon and content that would go straight over my head and I would be lost. Nothing makes me more mad when reading when I get so lost and confused that I have no understanding of what I have just read that the book loses all meaning. I entered the book with caution both in the speed of how I read and the focus. I wanted to make sure that I could remember and understanding everything that is true about the book and not just what the movies portray. 

"The Hobbit" is truly a transport book, which is my way of saying a book that brings you out of reality and into a different time and place within the book. Transport books are not only my favorite kinds of books but the main reason I love reading. The main character is Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit. He is recruited by Gandalf The Great, the wizard, who wants him to be the burglar in the adventure with the dwarves who want to reclaim their home under the mountain that Smag, the dragon who destroyed their home and is residing it in. Smaug loves gold and treasure which brought him to destroy their home and claim it as his home. Throrin, the next king after his father and grandfather had died under Smaug, is leading the pack back to their home. I hope that I haven't lost any of you yet. I do find it quite difficult to truly translate this complex book. I won't try to tackle the complexities but I would like to get across the epic adventure tale that "The Hobbit" encompasses. Even though I have seen the first two movies, I was still very enthralled in the book.

Bilbo has the job of going into the mountain, where the dragon lives and retrieve some of the gold that belongs to the dwarves. When he gets there, he soon realizes that his job is more than just to retrieve some treasure, he will have to try to kill the dragon. But the dragon does not stay to be killed but rather to kill and goes off into the night sky. Before all this happened, Bilbo and the dwarves have to go through many lands and fight many battles to get to the mountain. It is with these adventures that truly bring out the magical world.

I found so many things that I love about this book. Not only because of the thrilling adventures but also because of the great narrating and story telling like it was written in a time that was of old. "The Hobbit" is an enchanting novel and I am so excited to start the LOTR trilogy. I recently just finished the movies and I am excited to see where the books transport me next.

** Stay tuned for the next part of the enchanting story.**

REVIEW: So Happy Together- By Maryann McFadden

"So Happy Together," was a pleasant surprise. As you could probably guess by the length of time it took me to write a new post, it took me a while to truly commit to the book. I was hesitant at first because I was afraid the book was going to be a let down. I truly hate starting a book and getting part way through and just hating every second of it. I don't like to spoil my love of books and reading. I am also nearing the end of my winter break and I was afraid that I would have spent my whole winter break without reading and missing the opportunity, so I reluctantly dove into the book and let the chips fall where they may. 

To reiterate, I was pleasantly surprised by how the book made me feel. I was expecting the book to be a bit more mature for my liking but I think it was the perfect book for me and my life at this moment. "So Happy Together" made you feel very introspective. The whole time you were on a wave with the whole family as they were trying to maneuver through their broken lives. In truth, the book is a great reflection of an average American life. You grow up and go through trials and tribulations that make you realize that maybe your parents were right all along and you should have listened to them because then maybe you wouldn't be so stuck in your life. As you get older, you also learn  more about your parents then you could have imagined and learn that maybe you will never really know someone all that well, even if you have lived with them all your life... These are just some of the themes that play out in "So Happy Together." It is a book that helps you to realize that being selfish is okay and following your dreams could lead to bigger and better things that you didn't know you wanted. And most importantly to follow your heart above all else because your heart knows you best. 

Throughout the book I found myself reflecting on my life. This book was a great read for me at this time in my life because I am at a precipice of my college education. I'm graduating in May and hoping beyond all hope that my dreams after college come true. It is not always easy to put your self first and change your life because it is what you want more than anything, but it is what is meant to be. You can't think about the moments you missed, you can only try to save yourself from missing the moments that are to come and hope that you will be present and ready to accept the opportunities that come your way. I hope that my future holds nothing but happy days and love in my heart and that it always be book bound. 

Holiday Readings!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my fellow readers!

I am so happy to be on winter break, which means I have more time to devote to "The Book Bound."
I am really hoping to start 2014 off right by continually bringing you the best reviews and encouraging everyone to bring a little more reading into their life. Reading has always been the best medicine for many heart breaking times in my life. Just like music, reading can make you escape and feel no pain. Let's make 2014 the official year of  books! Let's help support all the struggling authors who want to be given that chance to live their dream.

Now, I have a little favor to ask of everyone! I would really love if everyone could supply me with some great book suggestions ASAP. I have become increasingly interested in reading nonfiction books but I've been having trouble finding ones that would be interesting and meaningful. I love a good memoir or a book that really makes me put life in perspective. So your mission is to find the best books that you would love to see me review or we could discuss together! Whatever it may be, may it always be book bound!

Ciao,
Cheryl :)

REVIEW: "The Longest Ride"- By Nicholas Sparks

Try to channel "The Notebook." Think back to that classical love story between Noah and Allie. Remember them as they were when they first met and then remember the tears you shed as you watched then die together in the nursing home bed. Don't forget this as you read "The Longest Ride."

The reason why I've called upon your memories and imagination is because that is exactly what came to mind when I was reading this book. "The Longest Ride," in some ways reminds me a lot of the "The Notebook." Nicholas Sparks took a different approach with his latest novel then previously yet it strikingly resembles his other tales. I believe that he took "The Notebook" flipped it, swirled it around and that was how "The Longest Ride" was born. 

This love story is manifold because it doesn't only feature one love story but two. They are drastically unrelated for most of the book. The first love story features Ira and Ruth. The golden years couple with the enchanting life story. Born in the 20's and growing up through the Depression and World War II; Ira and Ruth's love story was by far my favorite. Old school love stories are so charming and heartwarming; Ira and Ruth's love story is no different. Ira, to continue the comparison, reminded me of Noah, in the selfless way he loved Ruth. He loved her enough to leave her because he knew he couldn't give her the children he wanted. But like any good Sparks love story goes, they beat the odds and live happily ever after. Ruth looks past Ira's misgivings because she knows their love is pure and beautiful. So as it goes, Ira and Ruth get married and remain childless. However, what I found most interesting about their marriage and what surely was the soul of their relationship was their rare and exquisite art collection. Ruth loved art and it was always Ira's gift to her by giving her art pieces that at the time were done by non- established artists. It was these art pieces that comforted Ira in his widowed years when Ruth died. They were like small time machines that took him back to each memory that was attached to the art piece when he bought it. They gave Ira a reason to live out his years alone without Ruth because he felt some how she was still here through the art pieces.

What I am not telling you is that Ira in present time of the story, is stuck in his car that careened off the side of the road. His body is badly injured and he is unable to move for the most part. But the truly magical part of this story is how Ruth coming in the form like a mirage, is in the passenger seat throughout the story trying to bring Ira strength to wait for help to arrive by recalling their love story. They talked about their love story together from beginning to end and revealed feelings and emotions that they had not previously known. It was by far an amazing plot for Ira and Ruth and even though it pained me to think of a poor old man trapped in his car, the visits from Ruth were all I needed to get swept back in their charm. 

As you can tell this is a long love story. The other love story is much more modern. Sophia and Luke are in their early twenties. Sophia is from New Jersey and finishing up her senior year at Wake Forest, while Luke is a bull rider who owns a farm and helps his mom run it. It is time once again to channel "The Notebook." Sophia and Luke are much like Noah and Allie. They are both from opposite sides of town. City to country. Wealth to poor. They may not make much sense together but their love is stronger than all their differences. Luke has his own worries about his health and the last almost fateful bull ride he had that kept in the hospital for months. He needs to keep riding to win money to save his farm from all the medical bulls he acquired. Sophia is worried about life after graduating. When they meet, those same worries affect their relationship because just like Noah and Allie, are on different paths. Somehow it all comes together when the miracle of finding Ira on the side of the road lifts up not only their life but their love. The fairy tale has only begun. 

So much to say about this book. Throughout the book I kept trying to figure out how these two love stories were connected or if they ever would. And it surprised me that I didn't for see the connection sooner. However, I'm glad I didn't and I'm happy that Sparks did not make it brutally obvious because I believe that is when all charm would have been lost. 

I would absolutely recommend this book, much like I would recommend all of Nicholas Sparks books. To get critical, at times I felt that their was a cliche about this book that I hadn't really felt in other Sparks books and that was slightly upsetting. However, Sparks never EVER lacks in the charm department and always delivers with a sucker of a love story. You will fall in love somewhere within this book. 

I'M BACK!

Okay... so maybe I underestimated how long "The Fault In Our Stars" was going to take to leave my system. That's just a true testament to how fabulous the book is. 

Now I hope everyone has read and fallen in and out of  love with books repeatedly. 

I am truly sorry taking a longer hiatus then I expected, however I plan to come back better than ever and will be supplying you with the latest and greatest books for your pleasure and my enjoyment. Don't give up on me now! 

Even though it's been close to 2 months since the latest Nicholas Sparks, "The Longest Ride" book came out, you should know that I have thought about this book non-stop. What is probably obvious by now, or will be, I am a huge fan and supporter of Nicholas Sparks. Sparks has this raw, real talent to create timeless novels. It's so effortless and for that I will be forever jealous of him. 

BUT, yes I will be reading and reviewing "The Longest Ride" next. I am so excited and I'm hoping to get started in the next day or so and in 2 weeks have the review up. I don't like to make any promises but what I can assure you on is that I won't disappear anymore. I'm in this for the love of the book world and for my own genuine happiness I get from creating this blog. 

Please, as always, feel free to comment, connect with me in any way and make suggestions that you would love to see me read next! 

Ciao, 

Cheryl :)

REVIEW: The Fault In Our Stars- By John Green

It happens every so often, you come across a book that leaves all other books in the dust, they pale in comparison, it leaves you feeling as if nothing else can measure up. So you look around for another book, trying to fill the void that has been left by the other book and eventually you find something that seems adequate enough to give it a shot. But it takes some time before you find the golden book that bounds it's way into the book vault of your heart where only the most special of books will forever live on...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have found that such book. I found the book that has been forever bound to my soul.

Before reading this book I knew I was entering a hipster paradise. I have seen this book all over social media. Most times, I tend to rebel against such trends for fear I will lose my beloved independence and cavalier attitude toward anything that brands me as a follower. However, I have a soft spot for John Green novels and for that I will be proud to follow into the hipster glory.

A few warnings upfront: This book is by no means a very happy go lucky, typical teen romance novel. John Green has a remarkable way of tapping into the deep crevices of your emotions and bring to the surface, feelings and thoughts that have never seen the light of day. But it is beautiful and magical and a story that only happens once in a lifetime.

Hazel is a 16 year old girl who is dying of cancer. At all times, she must be hooked up to oxygen tanks. Her lungs don't function as normal lungs because of the tumors that grew inside. However, by some medical miracle the tumors shrunk due to a drug trial that was not guaranteed to work. The drugs extended Hazels life but did not cure her.

However, Hazel lives her life holed up in her room where she reads the same book (An Imperial Affliction) and watches the same shows. Her parents are worried that she is depressed and suggests she go to a Support Group for sick kids, mostly cancer patients, to talk about their illness and deal with it together. Upon walking into the church where the group is held, a boy named Augustus, stares at Hazel. This boy looks mostly healthy, (besides the prosthetic leg he had to get after part of his leg was taken off from cancer,)says he is only there for his friend Issac who has one eye and will soon get his remaining eye out due to eye cancer.

It is here at this Support Group that Augustus falls in love with Hazel. He falls in love with her mind, her soul and her beauty. Hazel and Augustus' romance follows a tough road with having to come to terms with the fact that Hazel is terminal and that some day soon they won't be together. Hazel, resists at first even though she has already fallen into his hypnotizing charm and his ravishing good looks.

It was at this point, with Augustus' charm and Hazel's genuine wit, that made me fall in love with this book. Something inside my heart became so comfortable and familiar to the feeling of loving something so much as if it was your own child. The realization was as if a million light bulbs went off all over the world. It is hard to put into words just what this book did to me. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions. It dragged me out to sea and then threw me against the rocks so hard I could see the stars. You know something has touched you, moved you, when you cry so hard that your eyes can no longer read and your mind and body releases itself into the awful twist of sadness that fate has thrown in.

Augustus does everything for Hazel, even so much as giving her his Make A Wish. They go to Amsterdam where they find the author of AIA, Hazels favorite book and ask him the questions they are both dying to know the answers to. However, the trip was nothing like they had planned because they learn the author is nothing but a bitter drunk old man who wants nothing to do with the thought of his literal success.

Hazel and Augustus have a magical time in Amsterdam. It is here where they consummate their love to one another. One sick kid to another. Two cancer hearts beating as one. It is hard not the fall in love with this scene.

I fear of writing more about the book for the fact of giving this little secret away, as if I write more about the pure majestic charm will have someone escaped and the magical spell shall be broken. However, the story continues in it's zest and incredulous spirit that it started with. There are scenes that I will never forget and tears that will be permanently stained on my pillow case. Augustus and Hazel have a teen romance like no other. Their strength, their passion and their outlook on life is almost beyond this world of comprehension. When you think you have it figured out, you're wrong. When you think it can't get any sadder, it can. When you think you can't love it any more, you will.

The only thing that is holding me back from completely calling it the greatest book of all time is because I am a sucker for a happy ending. You won't truly find one here...

Books for Life...

HELLO!

I just want to send a quick message out to everyone that I am still here and still reading every day... Much like the e-card suggests. I am really, really loving  "The Castaways" so far! It's another great. I can't believe how many great books I have been reading, all in a row! Usually I'll come across a book that I pretty much know won't be too great but I'm willing to give it a try and never works out well. Anyways, I suggest if you wanna start reading do it now! I'm almost done with the latest book and I should have the review up by either the weekend or early next week. This book has a very unique structure that I love!

Any future suggestions  Let me hear them!

Ciao,

Cheryl :)