Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set In College

 This week's topic is a school freebie. I always enjoy books set in college - so here are some.

 

 

 

Want to read:

Any other recommendations? 

Review: See You Yesterday

 

Barrett Bloom is hoping to reinvent herself in college. Her high school years were full of friendless times, bullies, and horrific. But the first day of college isn't going her way. She discovers her ex-friend from high school is her roommate, is humiliated in class, and burns down the frat house. You would want to change this day if possible...

Barrett wakes up and discover that she's reliving the same day. She's excited to make different choices - until she wakes up again. Now she's stuck in a time loop. 

But she discovers she's not alone in the time loop. The boy who humiliated her in class is stuck with her. Can they figure out how to get their lives back -without killing each other?

My Thoughts: This is a YA college book that has so many cute moments. First, I loved the Groundhog's Day idea. I loved how Miles became a part of the story. I loved their banter, their arguments, and how they started working together. I like how they tried all sorts of ideas to return to normal - science, doing good deeds, solving past wrongs, and then just having fun. There is all sorts of drama - from a brother with an addiction problem to Barrett confronting the boy who tormented her, to Barrett's mom getting engaged, and dealing with college life. But the best part of the book was all the conversations between Barret and Miles. I enjoyed watching them become friends and then fall for each other. 

This book is 

+

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your YA romance collection 

Mini Review: Her Campus: Guide to College Life

 Everything a girl needs to know before starting a new year or entering college.

The Good:
Chapter Checklists
Break out boxes with important information
Doesn't gloss over anything
Topics covered include: safety, relationships (from roommates to sexual), social life, talking with professors, mental health, and more

The Bad:
Just nitpicking, but I might have started this book with Roommates rather than safety.

Final Thoughts: This book is fantastic for libraries or great for graduation gift or off to college gift as it's a perfect way for a young girl to have her questions answered (especially the embarrassing ones). 

* Book sent for review.

Upcoming Book Review: YOLO

 * 4th book in the Internet Girls series *

Maddie, Angie, and Zoe are back. They're attempting to survive their 1st semester at college -without each other. Navigating long distance relationships, pledging a sorority, and dealing with roommates isn't easy all while trying to stay connected with your BFFs from home.

My Thoughts: I've always been a fan of this series and I love seeing the girls go off to college and spread their wings. I love that it's still told through texts and chat messages. I enjoyed seeing the girls acclimate to their new surrounding and deal with relationship drama, friendship drama, and classes. I admire how tight they remain, not losing touch, and always being there for each other - it's impressive. A fun read with familiar friends.

Favorite part: You only Live Once - so LIVE.

And it's true. Lately I've realized that I have done things because I'm afraid of failure. (This could be a whole different blog post) I think everyone's afraid of failure, but I can't let fear stop me from trying - because then of course I'll never accomplish my dreams.

Cover Thoughts: I Like how they match the others
Source: BEA Arc
Release Date: August 26th

If You Like Stories About New Adulthood

If You Like… is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week’s post includes recommendations for stories that take place during new adulthood.

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If you like stories about new adulthood, you might like…

Review: Love Story

Erin used to have money - but since she rejected her grandmother's offer to run the family horse farm - she's been cut off. She's making her own way in the world, including paying her college tuition.

She works at a coffee shop and lives on peanut butter crackers. While it's not the ideal situation, she's not interested in majoring in business. She wants to be a writer.

Her romance story is the first story discussed in class. She wouldn't be so nervous except the boy she based the hero on just walked into the classroom. There's no way she can watch him read and critique her story.

When another boy tears into her story - saying that Romance isn't a real genre, Erin can't help but fight back. With her life so drastically changed, she just needs one person in her corner.

Could Hunter be that person, even given their past history?


My Thoughts: I love how this is YA book about college - maybe this trend will slowly develop! I LOVED Hunter. I loved how Hunter and Erin spoke to each other through their stories. I loved watching their past unravel and uncovering the details of their relationship. I loved learning more about the horse business. As always, another great love story from Jennifer Echols.

Cover Thoughts: Cute! I love how soft and romantic it looks.

Source: From the author!

Release Day: July 19th

Displays in the library

I've been slacking about posting these but here they are

Banned Book Week:

College:

YA College Based Novels

I saw this article, which made me happy - but frustrated at the same time. It's an opinion that I've held for a few years. I even based my first NaNoWriMo book on it.

Alas, I've been told that college fictional books are hard to come by as they typically don't sell. I find this hard to believe as younger readers (kids thru teens read UP - as in they tend to read books about older characters). There are awesome YA books - don't get me wrong, but what about life after high school? There's a HUGE jump from teen fiction to adult fiction with few titles in between. Here's a list of college or life after high school fiction (It's not completely up to date)

Besides the few books dealing with college aged characters - the books jump to twenty-somethings dealing with jobs, boyfriends, and their vast social life.

Is there a need for more books with college aged characters? I think so -and not just because I wrote a book about Emily's first year at college or because I love reading books about college life. I admit, I was hooked on Freshmen Dorm when I was in middle school. Do you like reading books about characters in college?

Just for fun, here's the start of my novel - it's in verse.

I’ve been waiting

my whole life

for this moment:

waiting for the escape

waiting for the independence

waiting to find myself.

And now that it’s here,

I’m waiting to figure out

what to do first.

Review: Alpha Bet

Grace Kelly has no idea what she's getting into. She graduated high school early and now she's heading to college roughly an hour away from home and her overprotective mother. At 16, she's ready to let life take control.

She and her roommate decide to rush the Alphas. Grace Kelly admires the sisters, but unfortunately for her, she's asked to leave due to an altercation with another girl.

Grace Kelly's not ready to let go of her dreams so she creates the mother of all lies and worms her way back into the running. Now the three pledges must complete the Alpha Bet, a series of 26 tasks set up by the sisters of the house. How far will Grace Kelly go to secure her rush spot?

Grace Kelly knows that while he roommate took care to make her look like an Alpha, she's starting to feel like one too. She's also feeling guilty about the lie she told to become accepted. What will the sisters do if her secret becomes public knowledge?

My Thoughts: A cute fun read with romance, friendship, and one evil girl. I liked the relationships between Grace Kelly and her roommate, especially considering how they first met! I liked the tasks set by the sisters and the sisters themselves. I loved the geek to glam part of the book - and not just on the outside.

The Cover: cute and different

Source: My Library

Previous books by same author: Revenge of the Homecoming Queen