Ten Underrated Books

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Underrated Recent Gems.

You guys, most of the books I've over the last year have at least a 3.8 rating on Goodreads. I'd say that's pretty stinking good. I've read two review books that don't publish for a little bit that currently have low ratings. I'm not sure if that's because of the content or the publication date. I'll list one of those below, but mostly I want to focus on read books. So since the ones I've read within the last year have pretty good ratings, I'm just doing underrated books in general.

1. Finding Mr. Brightside by Jay Clark (Goodreads Rating: 3.52) My Rating: 4 Stars - I really have no idea why this one is rated so low.
2. Pull (Push, # 2) by Claire Wallis - (Goodreads Rating: 3.48) My Rating: 4 Stars - I get it. This doesn't have your typical happily-ever-after, but it's still a much better book than that Goodreads rating.
3. The Fall by Bethany Griffin - (Goodreads Rating: 3.41) My Rating: 4 Stars - I can kind of understand this one too. It's very "different", but I still enjoyed it.
4. V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin, # 1) by Kelly Oram - (Goodreads Rating: 3.79) My Rating: 4.5 Stars - The message behind this book was so good. And I loved the characters too. I definitely think it deserves a higher rating.
5. 100 Hours (100 Hours, # 1) by Rachel Vincent - Release Date: March 28, 2017 (Goodreads Rating: 3.11) Review Coming Soon - I mean I don't want to give away my rating right now, but 3.11 is ridiculously low for this book.
6. Twilight (Twilight, # 1) by Stephenie Meyer - (Goodreads Rating: 3.55) My Rating: 4 Stars - You guys, I realize that Twilight isn't without faults, but I feel like so many people enjoyed this one until it became so popular and then jumped ship. I also feel like some people were determined to dislike it just because it was popular. It's worth more than 3.5 Stars--at least it is to me.
7. New Moon (Twilight, # 2) by Stephenie Meyer - (Goodreads Rating: 3.52) My Rating: 4 Stars - New Moon rocked my soul the first time I read it. Again, not without issues, but this book had me all up in the feels.
8. On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam (Goodreads Rating: 3.56) My Rating: 4.5 Stars - Parenting is an extremely personal thing with many decisions that aren't right or wrong...just what works for you. Babywise has gotten a lot of flack, but overall the concepts really helped me and my baby get better sleep which is a win in my book.
9. A Thousand Nights by EK Johnston - (Goodreads Rating: 3.67) My Rating: 4 Stars - This is another one where the ending was a bit weird, but the writing was beautiful. I think it deserves better based on the writing only really.
10. Faking Perfect by Rebecca Phillips - (Goodreads Rating: 3.60) My Rating: 4 Stars - This is one of those books that kind of just hit me at the right time I think. I didn't enjoy it as much for the aspects that I was expecting to so much as the ones that took me by surprise.

Which books have you loved recently that you feel are underrated? Let me know!

Top Books I've Read On Recommendation

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Books I've Read on Recommendation.

When I started reading again, I was mostly getting whatever books Holly passed down to me. That being said, I've had some majorly great books recommended to me. These were mostly recommended to me when I first started reading again because once I started blogging my TBR list exploded and most of those are books that I've found on my own or through Goodreads. Regardless, I still have some friends that will throw recommendations my way these days. I just don't always get to them as quickly as I used to.

1. The Key (True Reign, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis - Recommended by Holly
2. Unbreakable (Unbreakable, # 1) by Rebecca Shea - Recommended on FB by Colleen Hoover
3. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker - Recommended by my friend, Kay
4. Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, # 1) by Richelle Mead - Recommended by Holly
5. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, # 1) by Cassandra Clare - Recommended by Holly
6. Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths, # 1) by KA Tucker - Recommended by Holly
7. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, # 1) by Suzanne Collins - Recommended by my friend, Lacy
8. Divergent (Divergent, # 1) by Veronica Roth - Recommended by my friend, Lacy
9. V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin, # 1) by Kelly Oram - Recommended by Holly
10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, # 1) by JK Rowling - Recommended by my friend, Lacy
11. Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, # 1) by Becca Fitzpatrick - Recommended by my friend, Paula
12. Twilight (Twilight, # 1) by Stephenie Meyer - Recommended by Holly
13. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, # 1) by Sarah J Maas - Recommended by Holly

What are the best books that you've read based on recommendations? Let me know!

Top Ten Characters I'd Want As Family Members

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Characters I'd Want As Family Members.

1. Mustang from The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown - because she's loyal but not blind.
2. Addie from Pivot Point by Kasie West - because wouldn't it be great to have someone close by who could search the future?
3. Sean from The Summer Series by CJ Duggan - because it would be awesome to have an excuse to visit his house in Australia on vacation.
4. Dany from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin - because...well...dragons of course.
5. Ismae from His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers - because it couldn't hurt to have an assassin in the family, right?
6. Val from V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram - because she would make an awesome role model.
7. Lisbeth from Millennium by Stieg Larsson - because should I ever need a computer hacked or to get out of some kind of legal trouble.
8. Rose from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - because she makes me laugh and because if I ever need to break out of prison.
9. Miles from Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover - because he could fly me anywhere in the world.
10. The Weasleys from Harry Potter by JK Rowling - because they just have the kind of family that everyone wants to be a part of.

This topic ended up being a bit harder than I expected it to be, but it has also inspired a topic for my next freebie post. What about you guys? Which characters would you want to be members of your family? Let me know!

Top Ten Music Themed Books

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Music Themed Books.

Ok so I really wanted to do a cooler topic like Top Ten Songs That Should Be Books or something like that, but I'm lazy these days and topics like that take a bit more thought.

1. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - probably THE best music themed book ever.
2. Lick (Stage Dive, # 1) by Kylie Scott - a series about a band.
3. Jesse's Girl (Hundred Oaks, # 6) by Miranda Kenneally - both main characters are musicians.
4. Mayhem (Mayhem, # 1) by Jamie Shaw - another series about a band.
5. Jet (Marked Men, # 2) by Jay Crownover - Jet is in a band plus a music producer.
6. Sinner (Wolves of Mercy Falls, # 4) by Maggie Stiefvater - Cole is also in a band.
7. V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin, # 1) by Kelly Oram - Kyle is amusician.
8. If I Stay (If I Stay, # 1) by Gayle Forman - both Mia and Adam are musicians.
9. The Sea of Tranqulity by Katja Millay - if I remember correctly Nastya played piano.
10. Slammed (Slammed, # 1) by Colleen Hoover - music of the Avett Brothers is included.

What are your top ten music themed books? Let me know!

A is for Abstinence - Review

A is for Abstinence (V is for Virgin, # 2)

By: Kelly Oram

Published: May 12th 2014 by Bluefields

204 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from my SNL, Holly @ Words Fueled by Love

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Six-time Grammy Award-winning musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under his skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

I loved V is for Virgin right? I mean, what was not to love? It was focused on a strong leading female character with morals, a backbone, able to take bullying and criticism on a global scale, and about saving sex for marriage. All great things, right? Well A is for Abstinence took all of that to the next level. A is for Abstinence is told from Kyle’s perspective. We know that Kyle and Valerie go their separate ways at the end of V is for Virgin because Kyle just doesn’t believe that he can possibly save sex for marriage. While he knows he has strong feelings for Valerie, he’s trying to be honest and realistic with himself and with Valerie. He doesn’t want to break her heart (even though he does anyway). Kyle ends up engaged, but then the engagement is broken off because his fiancé cheats on him. Having witnessed the difference sex with someone you love can make, Kyle no longer feels satisfied with casual sex. He knows it can mean more. And through a series of events he’s reminded of and reunited with Valerie.

Because Kyle broke Valerie’s heart when he left the first time, she’s extremely hesitant to hand him her heart again this time. Even after she finds out that he’s taken the "A is for Abstinence" challenge and decided to become the next spokesperson for the Not Everyone is Doing It foundation. And this is where things get real guys. It’s not necessarily easy to say you’re going to remain a virgin until marriage, but it is a whole lot easier if there’s never any temptation. And well, dating someone that you love amps up the temptation like 100 fold. So while V is for Virgin had an extremely genuine feel to it, A is for Abstinence kicked it up a notch because the reader gets to see how truly difficult it is not to cross the line. How easy it might be to justify your actions based upon your feelings for the other person. Morals are put to the test.

I will say that the resolution and ending felt a bit rushed to me. While I was cheesing through the entire ending of the book, I wondered how realistic or healthy the resolution was. I’m kind of torn about all of that.

I said that V is for Virgin is a book that I think every young female should read, and I think A is for Abstinence is a good follow up to show how difficult sticking to your principles can be when feelings and emotions are involved. At the same time, A is for Abstinence does have an increase in the physical aspects of sex as well as language since Kyle is the narrator, but I still think it might be a good read for our teenage females.

Favorite quotes:

Forever I’ll wait, it’s drivin’ me mad
Driven by memories I’ve not yet had
Hangin’ on a promise of you and me
Hope springs eternal for things that could be

”You got further with Cara today in front of a room full of people and cameras than I’ve ever been with anyone.”

I’d known this relationship wasn’t going to be easy, but I was starting to get bitter.

”When I give myself to you, I want you to be the only person in my head. I want to be able to think about nothing but you and me. Forget the world. This is about us. I may be a role model for a lot of people, but I saved myself for you, not them. I saved myself for me.”

All in all, I enjoyed A is for Abstinence. The stakes were higher than in V is for Virgin, but V is for Virgin still felt a bit more powerful to me. A is for Abstinence gets 4 Stars. Have you read this one? What did you think? Let me know!

V is for Virgin - Review

V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin, # 1)

By: Kelly Oram

Published: December 11th 2012 by Bluefields (first published December 5th 2012)

360 pages

Genre: YA, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from my sister-in-law, Holly @ Words Fueled by Love

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

My sister-in-law recommended V is for Virgin to me because she loved the message of this book. And I knew that if she was so enthused about it then it would be one that I needed to pick up. She ended up loaning it to my sister before I got a chance to read it and my sister read 75% of it in one day. Another sign that this would be a book that I would enjoy. And well…it was. When I finally got my hands on V is for Virgin I devoured it. I feel like there is absolutely so much good about V is for Virgin that I’m not sure I can cover it all in my review.

1. This book is about NOT having sex. So frequently in YA, and especially NA or adult books, sex is almost the focus. But I absolutely LOVED that this is a book about a character making the decision NOT to have sex before marriage and sticking with it. People claim that not having sex before marriage is old school. It’s out of style. It doesn’t matter anymore. Just as long as it’s safe sex. But no. That’s just not the case. I applaud and rejoice in a book that is solely focused around this topic. Yet V is for Virgin does give a realistic approach to this topic as well. It’s not easy for Valerie to walk this path, and I loved seeing how true this aspect was.

2. Valerie is the exact type of female character I like to read about. While she isn’t fighting evil, undead vampires like my other favorite leading female character (Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy), Valerie is kicking butt and taking names in other ways. Valerie gets dumped for telling her boyfriend at the time that she has no plans to sleep with him. Her plan is to wait until marriage. So kudos to her number 1 for sticking to her guns enough to tell him about it. Then despite the lies he spreads about her at school, and his rebound in her face with another girl, she stands up and tells the entire lunchroom where she stands. After relentless bullying, being made fun of, and ostracized, she still stands strong. Although being pursued persistently by a young rock star who wants to change her mind on these views, she still stands her ground. Because of the attention of said rock star, Valerie is thrown into the public eye globally. But she doesn’t shrink. She doesn’t go into victim mode. She doesn’t rage against the unjustice of it all. No she stands up and takes the harassment from all sides like a champ, and she turns it all around and directs it into a worthy cause for all the people who didn’t feel strong enough to stand up for themselves. I just pray that if I have any daughters (sons too, but especially daughters), they learn to respect themselves as much as Valerie.

3. Even though Valerie’s motives aren’t religiously driven, the characters in this book who are religious aren’t painted as nuts. There are two characters in this book that are religious, Isaac and Robin. Both of these characters were great friends to Valerie. They supported her and supported her cause. Yet both were likeable characters that you didn’t immediately feel were quacks because of their religion or beliefs. Even though this wasn’t the focus of this book.

4. Valerie isn’t swayed from her quest for any reason. Even though she has a rock star throwing himself at her, and purposefully trying to break her resolve to remain a virgin, Valarie knew who she was. She knew what she wanted. And although her path was never easy, I respected the crap out of her for the entire journey. There will always be people who seek to sway you from your mission just for the sake of being able to do so. But Valerie wasn’t having it. She knew that doing so would make her hate herself and Kyle for persuading her off course.

5. This book felt real. I feel like I kind of already said this. I mean obviously some aspects are exaggerated, but the teenage reaction to a peer choosing not to have sex felt very real. Kyle felt very real. Even though the story felt unrealistic (the rock star pursuing the normal teenage girl), it felt extremely authentic at the same time. The human experience connected me almost immediately.

6. Great characters. I connected with every single character in this story. I understood them. I felt like I knew these people. I grew up with them. I was hit on by them. I didn’t even think about dating some of them. Was friends with a few of them. Not so much with a few others. I loved Cara at first. I still connected with her throughout the story, but at the same time, I equally hated and loved seeing her friendship with Valerie drift apart with Cara’s new relationship and Valerie’s mission. Robin, Isaac, Stephanie, Kyle, Shane, even Olivia. Great characters.

I don’t know that I really have anything bad to say about V is for Virgin at all.

Favorite quotes (too many...sorry, but I couldn't stop):

-He was practically irresistible. His only flaw was that he knew it.

-Someone had to stand up for these poor girls, and for anyone who was afraid to say no to sex. Afraid of being mocked. Afraid of being dumped. If that person had to be me, then so be it.

-We shouldn’t have to be ashamed or afraid to say no to sex. Becoming sexually active is a huge decision. It’s not one we should let the world or even our own boyfriends make for us.

-“But you didn’t jump. You fought your way back through the crowd to higher ground. You forced people to see it your way—to respect you.”

-“No, I’m sure it’s true, but making things cool is one thing. You’re the kind of person who can make things important.”

-“She’s not a machine, Olivia,” Isaac snapped. Olivia shrugged unsympathetically. “She made herself a role model. Her actions have consequences now.”

-“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I’m so proud of you. We just need different things.”

-“…I want sex to be more than that. My body—my virginity—is a part of me that no one in the world besides me knows. It’s something that once I give it away, I can never take it back. I’m not just going to hand it over to someone for a few moments of physical pleasure. I want the person I finally share all of myself with to be someone I trust completely. Someone who understands me, and loves me, and who I love just as much.” “Yeah, but why marriage? You don’t think you can find someone who loves you without being married to them?” “I think that if I truly found someone that loved me like that, he’d be willing to marry me. He’d be willing to wait for me. If whoever he is isn’t willing to commit his life to me, then he doesn’t deserve to share that experience with me.”

-“I want my virginity to mean something to both me and the man I spend my life with. Think about it. How would it make you feel if I decided to let you be the one person that knows me so intimately? How would it make you feel to know that no one else was allowed to touch me? That no one else ever had? Just you.” …“That’s why I’m waiting. Would you really begrudge me wanting to have that kind of connection with someone?”

-“Is sex really that vital? Am I really not worth waiting for?”

-“I know exactly who I am, and yet I don’t know myself at all. It makes no sense.”

V is for Virgin gets 4.5 Stars from me. I can’t quite give it the perfect 5 Star raiting, but it’s so close. One of my favorite reads this year. And one book that I think every young female needs to read. Have you read V is for Virgin? What did you think? Let me know!