A Reflection and a #Beckminavidera Giveaway

So, I was scheduling some blog posts, writing a few out... and planning a few others and such... Trying to catch up on reviews, and everything along the way... and I realized something... I have written over 100 posts on the blog! THAT IS INSANE.

To celebrate I am going to just talk about a few things that got me started on the blog, and how everything I have done has changed me... (and well a giveaway too)

1. I started this blog on July 19th, 2015 (which is also my parent's anniversary.) I originally started it on weebly.com in May but quickly realized I didn't quite like the formatting of the website.

2. I wasn't active, at all. On my blog. On social media. On anything. I just didn't follow through with what I wanted to do...

3. My first review I ever posted was for the first ARC I ever won from a giveaway (and there have been plenty more since then) and it was for An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir  and boy do I truly believe my reviewing has improved... tenfold. This was definitely one of my better reviews as an early blogger.

4. I still had no idea what I was doing... and it wasn't until January 1st that I really began this entire journey...

5. I posted my "review" of Simon Vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli and I also posted my Brief New Year Goals

6. And then I began. I joined twitter @CodyRoecker and I began this real journey. I started really reviewing... I started interacting... and I met lovely people...

I have had countless lovely conversations with @book_junkee  @aila_1woaa @bookishbrian, @seekellytse @rstrolle and so so so many others. I love you all <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I have came to truly love some phenomenal authors and become close with @beckyalbertalli <3

I also have truly grown to admire Dahlia Adler, Claire Legrand, Kerry Kletter, Jeff Zentner, Adam Silvera, Lucy Keating, David Arnold and so many other authors as well as so many bloggers. (Including Nori @ReadWriteLove28 , Rachel @yaperfectionist, Kristen @Kris10MFAF, and Sarah @thebooktraveler and so many others! They are all SO talented and mesmerizing! So thankful to have interacted/admired from afar all of these people!!!! :)

I am super thankful for all of these beautiful things that this journey has entailed.

And I am SO SO SO excited for the next year, and everything else!

This journey has been insane, and had many highs and lows.... but no matter how inactive I have been on this platform, it still is a platform that I have LOVED sharing books on. I LOVE interacting with everyone through Twitter and through Bloglovin'


AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY:

You will all definitely be excited about this... :D

My first ever GIVEAWAYYYYY (on the blog at least)

This is gonna be a big, big giveaway.

For this giveway I am giving away....

A #BECKMINAVIDERA PACK OF GOODIES

If you don't know what #Beckminavidera is.... It's a nickname for Becky Albertalli, Jasmine Warga, David Arnold and Adam Silvera.... and I love them all infinitely, and think their books deserve ALL the praise. :)

   
PICTURED ABOVE ARE THE FOUR BOOKS YOU CAN WIN!

This giveaway would not be possible without help and support from Becky Albertalli (for donating signed swag and being frakking (A reference to Kids of Appetite which YOU could win!) awesome) and the various authors that have donated some swag that I will be surprising you with! (Dahlia Adler, Alexander London, Mia Siegert, Kerry Kletter, and others! If I forgot you I am SO SO SO sorry) OH also a BIG thank you to Sarah Sawyers-Lovett at Book Jawn Podcast for donating LOTS of stuff including ARCs that will be going to a future giveaway :)

Thank you for an amazing beginning and many years to come <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #6

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted over at Breaking The Spine where we post one of our most anticipated releases of this upcoming year.

THIS SAVAGE SONG BY VICTORIA SCHWAB July 5th 2016

Do I really need any explanation other than IT IS VICTORIA SCHWAB GUYS.

Also, BOTH COVERS ARE GLORIOUS.

The rose is embossed so it has a beautiful texture <3

I cannot wait to hold this copy in my hands for it PERFECTLY encompasses the story!

I actually own this already as I won a giveaway for the UK copy and received it on the 7th of July (and keep forgetting to post this WoW)

By the time this has been posted, I have already devoured and adored This Savage Song.

I tweeted out this message regarding the book... " This Savage Song is a symphony of gorgeous violin chords played onto the backdrop of a city where monsters not so secretly hide among you"

and that, to me, pretty much sums up the book.

Here is the Goodreads Synopsis for all of y'all <3

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

And trust me this book delivers... You want it! Now! PREORDER IT! Buy a UK copy! Doooo it!

Goodreads Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository

Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

I wasn't tagged by anybody but I have always wanted to do this book tag and share my unpopular opinions with you all! (This has been a real struggle to come up with I see...)

Question #1: A popular book or series you did NOT like.

I am going to give you all a few books that I just didn't feel matched the standards expected of them

  

The Program was supposed to be about a program used to wipe the memories of people who are depressed/suicidal have some kind of mental illness.... and not only did this piss me off... it focused solely on the romance, okay... not solely... but my goodness there was just too much for me to enjoy the book, when I expected something WAAAAAY different.

The Sky is Everywhere just disappointed me because I didn't think it really went anywhere and I didn't really care about the characters as much as I would have liked. (I still feel guilty for not liking it... Maybe I'll reread it in a year or two) I did LOVE Jandy Nelson's second novel I'll Give You The Sun. I believe you should all go and read that one!

Peter Pan, oh Peter Pan. You started off so well, and disappointed me so completely and utterly. It was BORING. It wasn't well written, at least in a way that would keep me reading...  I was so disappointed.

Question 2: A book or series everyone seemed to hate but you loved

I honestly cannot think of anything... This is so difficult. I loved Pendragon more than most people. :D


In these covers you get to watch him grow up but here is the new edition:



One day I would really like to own all of these books. There are 10. I loved them all enough for this to be my FAVORITE childhood series that I truly believe to still be my favorite.

Question 3: A love triangle where the person ended up with the person you did not want or OTP you don't like.


Dare I mention Throne of Glass? This isn't exactly official as the series is not finished yet... but I have never really been content with Celaena's choices...

Question 4: A popular book genre you hardly reach for

Young Adult Paranormal... or any type of romance book.

Question 5: A popular beloved character that you do NOT like

Tris Prior...
I don't love Celaena as much as I used to, at least in this last book. (I still like her though) I didn't care for Feyre in ACOTAR (but I have yet to read ACOMAF so that could obviously change.) I absolutely loathe Mare in Red Queen but doesn't almost everyone? Hahah

Question 6: A Popular Author you can't get into

Suzanne Young... I don't have too many. I generally give any author a try! And usually twice before I give up!

Question 7: A popular book trope that you are tired of seeing

Plain Jane! Chosen One. Speshul Snowflakes. Anything of those sorts.

Question 8: A popular series you have no interest in reading

The Lux Series by Jennifer L Armentrout

Question 9: A movie or TV show you prefer over the book it was based off of!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner! I mean those movies are suspenseful! And I just didn't loooove the books, y'know?

Even though nobody tagged me, I want to tag everyone who is reading this! (I can pretend that is how I was tagged!)

Have a wonderful day/night!

- Cody @ Roecker Reviews

ARC Review: Kids of Appetite by David Arnold (Out September 2016)

Title: Kids of Appetite
Author: David Arnold
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Adventure, Mystery
Page Count: 352
Rating: Infinitous stars <3 This book is practically perfect (in every way)
Goodreads Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository
Synopsis:
The bestselling author of Mosquitoland brings us another batch of unforgettable characters in this tragicomedy about first love and devastating loss.

Victor Benucci and Madeline Falco have a story to tell.
It begins with the death of Vic’s father.
It ends with the murder of Mad’s uncle.
The Hackensack Police Department would very much like to hear it.
But in order to tell their story, Vic and Mad must focus on all the chapters in between.

This is a story about:

1. A coded mission to scatter ashes across New Jersey.
2. The momentous nature of the Palisades in winter.
3. One dormant submarine.
4. Two songs about flowers.
5. Being cool in the traditional sense.
6. Sunsets & ice cream & orchards & graveyards.
7. Simultaneous extreme opposites.
8. A narrow escape from a war-torn country.
9. A story collector.
10. How to listen to someone who does not talk.
11. Falling in love with a painting.
12. Falling in love with a song.
13. Falling in love.

Review:

"Sideways hugs are such bullshit. Hug me or don't. The indecisiveness is a real problem for me"

Before I begin... Here's an excerpt from an email I sent Becky Albertalli, raving about this book....

"So I finished KOA last night. And words fail me... like that book is perfection. I loved every last bit of it and just goodness. I haven't fell in love with a book like this one in a few months and just wowwwwwww. All of the characters are so vivid, memorable, unique, and elegantly beautiful in their own ways. I loved how David introduced Moebius syndrome so kindly and carefully and every word in the book is used to its utmost potential. "

I'm trying to write a review and it's just. All I want to say is "It's perfect. Read it."

So without further ado...

This is a book I wish I could read for the first time again. This book is absolutely motherfrakking hilarious. This book will tear your heart to shreds (or at least make it squeeze a little tighter). This book is absolutely breathtaking. And here is my attempt to tell you why.

How do you talk about a book that has changed your life for the better?

Sings: I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. BECAUSE I KNEW YOU. I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD.

The for good has a double meaning. Because the book was great. And I've become a better person. And I've been changed forever. (triple meaning?!?!?)

So, I don't think I can talk about this book justly. There are so many intricacies to this book so I'm just going to tell you a little bit about it.

KIDS OF APPETITE begins each section of the novel with Vic (or Mad) in an interrogation room for Mad's Uncle's murder. And then it goes into what happened 7 days prior as they try to stall for a reason that is eventually explained.

it's told in non-linear narrative meaning that it goes back and forth between past and present which by the way, IS A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO TELL A STORY. And probably my favorite way to read stories because it all is brought together so well in the end. Books like these are the BEST to reread. I'm telling you. This is great. You want this in your life.

Okay so, I waited like two weeks to write this review and part of me is like "GO YOU CODY! NOW YOU WON'T SPOIL EVERYTHING!" the other part of me is "I'm so disappointed that you took so long to write this thing.."

Have you ever read a book that has a character that cusses up a storm, a character that speaks in mysterious ways, a character that's face does not move, a character that hides many secrets behind their hair and a character that writes stories, but so far only in their head?

Have you read a book filled with The Outsiders references, a wonderful (W)rap, and interrogation rooms?

Have you read a book that is about falling in love with so many different things?

Have you read a book set in an interrogation room, but also a war torn country and all over the Northeastern United States?

Have you read a book where a boy travels on a scavenger hunt to do something for his father?

Have you ever read a book that has all of these things and SO much more?

The answer is most definitely no....

Kids of Appetite is a special book unlike anything I have EVER read. Nothing even comes close to comparing. And well, Kids of Appetite follows 5 central characters...

Vic, Mad, Baz, Zuz, and Coco.

They are all so incredibly different and I love that.

Victor Benucci (VIC) is a young boy who has Moebius syndrome. This basically means that his face is paralyzed. He can't smile. He can't blink. And this syndrome, though rare, is usually really horrible and worse that Vic has. Vic is lucky. He can still walk, but no matter where he goes he gets the looks, the stares, the judgement, the pity. The bullying. Everything you can think of, he has probably experienced. He feels guilty, I think, because of the fact he doesn't have it as bad as others. Almost as if he only half qualifies.

Vic is much more than his disorder though. He loves, and misses his father dearly. Throughout the novel we really get to see his love for his Father and different music he has been shown. Like the opera song. There ends up being two songs about flowers. The Flower Duet and Coming Up Roses. And my goodness. They play an important role in the story. And it comes full circle and I just... (if I say anymore I will spoil things..)

You also have Madeline Falco, blonde girl, mysterious. She has this heir about her at first that made me think she might be a manic pixie dream girl.... I WAS WRONG. DON'T THINK THAT. NO. NO. NO. I'm mad at myself for even considering it. Mad is so much more than what she seems. She holds many secrets. She is a mystery. And I think I should keep her that way for you.

Baz is the leader of the group, the boss, the whole shebang. He writes stories. He writes other people's stories. He writes his own story. He reads about writing stories. Him an Zuz are brothers. He's such an older brother/father figure in my mind and I really enjoyed all of his words of wisdom he sprinkled in throughout the story.

Zuz is quite possibly my favorite of the entire KOA gang. I loved his way of communication. The snaps. The lack of a voice was not actually a lack of a voice. One of the characters said something along the lines of 'Most people don't understand Zuz. They aren't trying/listening hard enough.' I really enjoyed that. Zuz just had this hurt vibe that surrounded him but you could definitely tell that he cared about everyone around him.

Last, but certainly not least... She'll never let you forget that... is Coco. Our dear Coco. She is frakking insane and has a potty mouth just as bad as a sailor. And she is beautiful in every way. A feisty little redhead with the most snark I've ever seen from an eleven year old. "Said it once twice thrice now infinitous." What other girl could be as sassy and talented as little Coco? She (w)rapped the entirety of The Lettuce Rap. And boy was it glorious. You have that to look forward to. Another on of my favorite moments involves her and learning something about animal secretions. My god was it hilarious.

Now that we have got our central characters talked about... The plooooot.

It started out like each section did. Being interrogated by one of the Officers on the case of the murder of Mad's Uncle.

Honestly, I don't want to let you know anymore about the plot. The synopsis does a really good job of listing 13 things that this book is about without spoiling it.

My favorite quote in the entire book has to be: "Quiet observers tend to be loud thinkers" The simplicity of these words hold such meaning. And this quote alone made one of my friends want to read this book. It's such a great quote and resonates so well.

To the Super Racehorses out there, this book is for you.

Kids of Appetite is my FAVORITE book of this year so far. These characters are dynamic, unforgettable, unique, and damn compelling. The story of theirs never ceases to entertain and mean everything to us readers. They evoke emotion, and tear at your soul through each scene. Each sentence is constructed carefully and each character is distinct and more importantly, REAL. I will forever recommend this book. A highlight in YA novels today. Simply unforgettable and life-changing. This is a book for adventurers, those that seek to move mountains, those that care deeply. This is a book for the seekers of stories, the lovers of literature. This is a book for the child in you, and the adult in you. The lover in you. The romantic in you. This is a book for all of you.  Absolutely required reading.

Trust Issues (Poetry!)

This a completely unedited poem that I just spoke from the heart with. I just felt like I needed to share this and that somebody would need it.

I have trust issues.
This is a fact.
I have trust issues.
And there is no taking that back.
I have trust issues.
And I try so hard to combat them because
I have trust issues
And that's why I'm like that.

I can't open up to those around me
Even if I want to.
Because I don't like myself
And I'm not sure that I want to.
I'm an accident waiting to happen
a time bomb waiting to explode.
I'm a poison corrupting
Even my blood and my bones.

The last time I trusted someone.
That someone tricked me.
Someone I trusted wholeheartedly
Did something worse than whip me.
Someone I thought was my brother.
Made me do something I will never forget.
And I blame him for my sadness.
I blame him for my regret.

I've tried so hard to forgive him.
Yet I haven't tried that hard.
For forgiveness for someone like that
Can be more sharp than a glass shard.

He was my brother once.
Or at least I thought him to be.
But someone as disgusting as that
Could never be a brother to me.

Since that day I haven't trusted
anyone, not even me.
Since that day I've hidden
the thoughts of a human like me.

I might be too emotional
but it's better than not caring at all.
For if I was emotionless
I wouldn't be going to college this fall.

I might have trust issues.
But that's just me.
I might have trust issues
But I will still get that degree.

I have trust issues.
That you can plainly see.
But if you can look past my trust issues
You will see someone loving
And you'll see that somebody is me.

So when I don't tell you my secrets.
It's not because I don't trust you.
It's really not that at all.
I love you and want to tell you everything
But I'm afraid I might fall

Into the depths of depression once more
If someone betrays me again
But more than that, I'm afraid.
That betrayal that is my end
will be from me.

I'm afraid I'll lie to myself
and that things I've thought to be true...
That everything I've been up until now
Will fade into the deep deep blue.

And then I will be all alone again
When you see my real skin.
And nothing will be able to save me
From the demons I hold within.

I'm working on my trust issues.
I hope you can see my work.
My dear, I love you so much
Even if you are such a dork.

Another thing I do
is mask my pain with humor
And it lands me in this goo
that spreads inside me like a tumor.

It slowly kills me.
And I just want to be saved.
The only way to save myself is to trust the one's
who could be savior's on the path I've paved.

If you are in my life
you are in it for a reason.
You're not here for just a nosedive.
You're not here for just a season.

I care about you so much.
Maybe too much at times.
I'll hug you and kiss you and such
and miss your beautiful rhymes.

But I will never be gone.
I will always linger.
I'll always be here
at a push of a finger
I will answer the call
of the best friendship of all.

And though I have trust issues.
I hope you can see.
That without these trust issues.
I just wouldn't be me.

But I am making an effort
I'm attempting to tell you things
that I have told nobody at all.
Things I have lied to myself about
Things that seemed so small.

Yet are so big
in the grand scheme of things.
Things actually important
More than what the hummingbird sings.

I may have trust issues.
But that doesn't mean
that I trust you any less.
It's a symptom of being afraid
not one of distrust.
Of thinking you'll be laid
out to die in a pile of dust.

And some of this may have made no sense
but I had to try to explain
The reason behind my mad unrest
The reason that's mundane.

Hopefully one day I can forgive the reason for my trust issues.
And maybe I'll be able to trust again.
But it's been over twelve years now...
and still the memories remain.

I'm thankful for everyone who has stuck with me
through the terrible times.
The one's who let me be me.
I'm thankful for all of you
Those that stand be me
Because I have a serious case of trust issues
One that might be deadly.

The Love That Split The World by Emily Henry

Title: The Love That Split The World
Author: Emily Henry
Page Count:
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary with sci-fi elements?
Rating: 4 glorious stars <3
Source: The Library <3
Links: Goodreads Amazon Barnes & Noble The Book Depository
Synopsis: Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves.

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start... until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

Emily Henry’s stunning debut novel is Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife, and perfectly captures those bittersweet months after high school, when we dream not only of the future, but of all the roads and paths we’ve left untaken

Review:

"You never owe another person something, no matter how nice they are to you. Relationships aren't transactions"

So, before I begin writing the actual review... I'm just going to say that this book was something I didn't really think I would ever read. I mean... it wasn't on my radar months ahead of time. I had heard some mixed early reviews of the novel and so I wasn't that excited about it. But I have consistently heard things about this book, whether they be good or bad, but still constantly.

And I, being of curious mind, decided to request it from the library and see what all of this fuss is (or isn't) about...

well, turns out I am part of the IS in this fuss.

ALSO: COVER LUST. HOLY MOLYYYYY. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Okay, so this book follows Natalie, an adopted girl whose mother gave her up for reasons that are theorized upon but not really explained thoroughly (at least, I don't remember it being said directly) And well, Natalie has been seeing this apparition that she calls Grandmother since she was young. She would appear to her and tell her beautiful stories that seemed completely meaningless at the time.

The first thing I noticed about this book is that it was going to be a slow, slow burn. But that honestly didn't detract (that much) from my enjoyment of the book. There is just something completely enamoring about Henry's writing style and voice. It's very powerful, even when it's in a subtle way. Each sentence was cleverly crafted and tied nicely into everything else.

Almost everything felt essential to the story. There were a few moments were I found the pacing even slower than I would have liked. It happened towards the middle of the story when Grandmother's stories weren't being incorporated.

When I read the acknowledgments and learned that all of these stories were inspired by real First Nation stories, I was overjoyed. I felt like the stories were intriguing and gave me a good grasp on the cultures that the First Nation tribes have. I haven't heard anybody comment on the accuracy but I believe them to be accurate based on her resources! Props to Henry for everything she put into this novel.

Natalie's life is one incredibly difficult to explain because her reality begins to bleed into anothers. And holy crap is it one of the most fascinating premises I have read to date. Like, seriously. The premise alone deserves a billion stars.

I loved the romance in this book and didn't find it to be overbearing.

I also loved every intricate entrance of sci-fi elements and the EDMR (I feel like that's not what it was called but it's been a week since I read this, on purpose so I don't spoil everything.)

Something that bothered me was the addition of a character mentioning she's gay... what was the point of that? It didn't add anything to the story. I felt it was unnecessary and felt out of place for the novel itself. Although it is something that can be easily overlooked it didn't feel necessary.

I will say that I detracted a star for slow pacing, a few cliché moments, and a couple boring scenes, but overall I thought this book was well written, unique, and interesting as all hell. I will definitely be picking up A Million Junes when it releases!

I think the highlight of this book was Grandmother's stories. They really tied everything in the main storyline together. OH also, I loved her friendship in Megan. She was such a real character and I truly appreciate her.

I definitely recommend this to those who love a slow burn, sweet romances, interesting premises, with a lot of scary "What ifs?" involved. This story is for you. Although I really think anybody could enjoy this if they are in the mood for it! :)

Graphic Novels Spree!!!

This post has been a few months in the making.. and I wanted it to be a grand thing... But then I didn't read some of the books I checked out! D:

I had an overwhelming necessity to read some graphic novels, so Jenna Corso and I went to our local library and perused the section until we grabbed the graphic novels & comic books we wished to read. I grabbed Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula and Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman. Jenna grabbed The Last Unicorn but told me I needed to read it first.

So, I went home and I read Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula because it looked cute and I wanted some cuteness. It was cute, but the graphics were just alright. It was a story about Princess Decomposia in this kingdom, where her dad does absolutely nothing and feigns being to sick to do anything when politics are brought up. This leaves Decomposia to do everything herself. The King is also super picky about all of his food which is where Count Spatula comes in. This is romantic in a sense and a quick read, but it doesn't offer much more than cuteness.


Then I picked up the Last Unicorn.... HOLY MOLY. THIS BOOK WAS SO PRETTY. IT WAS SO GOOD, SO DAMN GOOD. I highly, highly recommend this, and just basking in its beauty because that is all you are going to want to do. I would explain what it's about but I honestly think it's better to not know except that it follows the last unicorn left on Earth. And it's phenomenal.

Then I picked up Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman and I started it and never finished it because I wasn't feeling it, I feel like I will eventually re-check it out and probably like it, it looked super interesting. The cover art was hella interesting though!

Fast forward a couple weeks and I went back to the Library and I checked out two more graphic novels...

First, I read The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins and BOY WAS IT BEAUTIFUL. The story was ingenious and commented on societal norms and their effect on humanity and I truly appreciate it. Honestly, I liked this more while reading it than while looking back on it, but I think it was pretty adequate.

And I never read the second one... but it was called Sailor Twain...

Anyways, of them, I would OF COURSE recommend THE LAST UNICORN. And I really enjoyed THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL.

Also, I loved NIMONA.