"Emergency Contact" Review

"I know I love someone when I can't remember what they look like in any real way. I can never seem to recall whether they're handsome or ugly or if they other people think they're cute. All I know is that when I'm not with them and I think about them, where their face should be is this big cloud of good feelings and affection."

I experienced this story in a different way as I read the book and also listened to the audiobook. The narrators worked so well with the story especially when there was a change in point of view. I loved the formatting of the book more importantly during the text conversations between Penny and Sam.

Penny is starting college at the University of Texas. She has two friends, Jude who considered Sam her uncle. Penny meets Sam, he has a crush on him realizing he was the male version of her. While attending her class, she sees Sam fainting and takes care of him which causes him to have her as his Emergency Contact.

Sam was the manager of House Coffee, he lived there as well. He has felt like a failure for so long as he was attempting to go to college and wanted to breakout as a film director. Sam has Penny as his Emergency Contact, they text each other through the day while keeping it a secret from Jude. She gets upset when she finds out, Sam does tell her it's because he doesn't want her to know the mess he is.

Sam and Penny constantly contact each other through text, their friendship blossoms leading to them wanting to be more than that. Their relationship is so awkward yet cute, you can't help but root for them and wanting their relationship to progress. I enjoyed how cute the story was, I wish there was another story with these characters as they were relatable. I could relate to Penny's college life and Sam wanting something more of out life and wanting to have a better future than his parents, breaking the cycle.

If you have not picked up this book, I recommend it to you! I am leaving here a few helpful links if you're thinking about purchasing it. If you have read the book and want to discuss it, my twitter is @astridpizarro and my Instagram is @bookloversbookreviews, I'll be so happy to discuss it!

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Contact-Mary-H-Choi/dp/1534408967/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548625326&sr=8-1&keywords=emergency+contact

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emergency-contact-mary-h-k-choi/1126511895?ean=9781534408968#/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35297272-emergency-contact

Mary's Social Media

Twitter - https://twitter.com/choitotheworld

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/choitotheworld/

"Girls of Paper and Fire" Review

I decided to read this book due to the popularity of it within the book community. I didn't know much about the plot or characters but I am glad I did as it helped me experience the book in a different way.

I enjoyed the world build the author has created here as it gives the reader a unique experience with these characters. Lei is Paper caste, the lowest class in Ikhara, she has golden eyes which sparks the interest of the King. Lei is taken from her home in order to join the Paper Girls. She takes this time as an opportunity to search for her Mother and any information of her whereabouts. Every year, 8 Paper Girls are selected to serve the king but due to the him finding out about Lei, she's chosen as the ninth girl.

In the beginning of the book, we began to experience her journey as a Paper Girl from meeting the other Paper Girls involved to her training before meeting the King. Her first night alone with the King doesn't go as planned which is when Madam Himura instructs Lei to be assisted by Wren (one of the Paper Girls) during her lessons. Wren and Lei begin to fall for each other as they spend time together but they have to keep it hidden since it can affect the plan Wren has for the King. The clans in Ikhara have a plan set for the King, Wren and Lei are the key points to making it happen. Their love becomes strength for Lei to do what she was meant to do.

"I pull my necklace over my head and sharply inhale at the fresh pain it flares in my shoulders. The gold shell of my pendant is still unbroken, perfectly seamless. Carefully, I cup it in my palm, looking for a way in, when its casing cracks neatly open in two. And years after it was made, its secret is finally offered to me. For a moment, I stare in silence. Then a laugh escapes my lips. Tears blue my vision. Because the word that floats inside, a single character in brushstrokes of softest black, is so perfect it's a wonder I never guess it. Fight. I look a moment longer. Then I snap the pendant shut and run back into the the temple, shouting Wren's name over and over, half laugh, half crying, heart bursting with the awe and sun-bright surety of it. Because this is what Wren is to me - my wings. And with her love, she's taught me how to use my own. To fight against what oppresses me. To lift and laugh and soar into the air, just as we did tonight, just as we will have to do everyday if we are to make the kingdom safe, just as we will continue doing for the rest of our lives, flying, dancing through the brilliant skies, reaching new heights together, always together."

Natasha's writing is so beautiful and smooth as the story progresses, it keeps you at the edge of your seat, thinking of what will happen next. This book kept me guessing on what was going to occur to the characters. The setting is so detailed, I truly cannot wait to read the sequel from Natasha, I know for sure it'll be just as incredible.

If you have not picked up this book, I recommend it to you! I am leaving here a few helpful links if you're thinking about purchasing it. If you have read the book and want to discuss it, my twitter is @astridpizarro and my Instagram is @bookloversbookreviews, I'll be so happy to discuss it!

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Paper-Fire-Natasha-Ngan/dp/0316561363/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1548622784&sr=8-2&keywords=girls+of+paper+and+fire

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girls-of-paper-and-fire-natasha-ngan/1127924208?ean=9780316530408#/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42867181-girls-of-paper-and-fire

Natasha's Social Media

Twitter - https://twitter.com/girlinthelens

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/girlinthelens/