Rewind & Review: What month are we in again?

Hosted by Shae Has Left the Room

It's apparently March. I'm not sure if I should be excited that the semester is halfway over or terrified that we're approaching the hard assignments at the end. My spring break is technically over today, but I won't be going back to school until tomorrow (hooray for afternoon classes). Unfortunately, I've also been working on school all week. Fun.

Books I received: 

• The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Books I read [in the past two months]: 8...ish

What I'm reading now/next:

• I'm Glad I Did by Cynthia Wells

Bookish (and not-so-bookish) happenings: 

• School kills. 
• Thankfully, spring break saves...and then sadly pulls the rug out and tortures you with homework.
• I kitten-sat for my brother and sister-in-law, which you can see on my Instagram, summer.mcdaniel. 
• The two books that recently blew me away were A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen. Both were for different and various reasons.
• Changes are coming! 

As you can see, there aren't a lot of happenings. I mean, yeah, normal stuff happens and probably other things that I'm not thinking of. School accomplishments, fangirling moments, the regular. As for the changes, stay tuned. 

Anyone else freaking out that it's already March?

Top 10 Wednesday: The Last 3 Years in a Nutshell

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Yes, it's another belated Top 10 Tuesday, making it Top 10 Wednesday.

Way to make me stare helplessly at my computer, The Broke and the Bookish. We have to list our favorite books that we read in the last three years (it could also be possibly interpreted as books that have been published in the last three years instead). This feat is no small thing considering that not only have I grown greatly as reader in the last three years, but I also became a blogger and discovered ARCs (and other wonderful things) during this time. Besides, so many great books.

Disclaimer: in no way will this be comprehensive.

The Life-Changers: 

The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce

Specifically, the series in audiobook format, narrated by Trini Alvarado (Little Women's Meg March). This was my saving grace during a particularly rough summer job. It was also when I finally read it after lots of urgings from fellow Pierce lovers.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Obviously. I cashed in my HP virgin card late last year. It was magical.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

This was the first book I read as an intent to blog about. It was also when I started to listen to my sister's book suggestions and read something totally out of my comfort zone. I ended up loving it and now I'm a fantasy nut.

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

My first ARC, which was beyond exciting. I have the lovely Bloomsbury to thank for that.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

My first (and only) NA, but more importantly, it made me feel things. I connect with characters, but this was a connection in a whole different way. Unexplainable, really.

The Plain Ole Goodies:

Parallel by Lauren Miller

It won many awards in my End of the Year Book Survey and rightly so. I kept thinking about it a long time afterwards.

Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

The whole series deserves to be on this list (gender-bending fairytale retellings!), but this just stole my heart. Feelings galore. I also loved the author's note at the end and everything this book and series stands for. Again, thank you, Bloomsbury and Gaughen. Much love.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Another fantasy I need to reread. I just remember being completely hung up on this book during one of the busiest months of the year: December. 

United We Spy by Ally Carter

This could really double as a life-changer and a goodie considering that it's the last book in my beloved Gallagher Girl series. 

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I won't ever stop talking about this book. Excluding the sequel, I have never had a book surprise me so much. Nothing but win.

Which books stand out for you in the last three years? 

I Mustache You Some Questions

I was tagged by Lauren @ Love is not a triangle

As the title suggests, I'll be answering some questions today. Not sure who started the meme, but way, way back in December/January, Lauren tagged me. I just never got around to it! 

Four names people call me other than my real name:

I don't actually have nicknames. The name Summer is really hard to shorten or twist around.

1) Summer-girl - this is from my mother. She's the main one I associate this with, but my dad's secretary who I have known forever also calls me this. And semi-recently so has Marlene!

2) Summo - it's pronounced sum (like the amount of money) + oh. My best friend since diapers has called me this since, maybe, middle school. People confused it with "sumo" like a wrestler. Not fun.

3) Spring, winter, fall, etc. - people think they're original, but really they just look dumb. I don't really mind, I know they're trying to be funny. It's just lame that they think they are. 

4) Chunky monkey - this was when I was a baby by my dad. I was told about this one, but I couldn't think of anything else. I was called McDonald's once because my last name is McDaniel, also people would try to rhyme my name. Summer bummer was okay, but Summer dumber was unacceptable.

Four jobs I've had:

1) Clerical assistant - my first summer job and when I realized that money doesn't equal happiness.

2) Media specialist - this was during the summer between high school and college, and I was also in charge of cleaning the bathroom. Meaning, I had to clean the urinal aka the portal to hell. 

3) Customer service associate - also during the summer between high school and college. I loved this job. Mainly, I loved it because of my managers. They were awesome.

4) Er, does volunteering and odd jobs count? I did a lot during middle school through high school.

Four movies I would/have watched more than once:

1) While You Were Sleeping - always and forever. "Caesar Romero was tall."

2) You've Got Mail - ditto. "I love daisies."

3) Ever After - this Cinderella retelling has the best ending. "Yes! I should go down in history as the man who could open a door!" 

4) All Disney movies, all Marvel movies, and Anne of Green Gables - and so many others. Movies are great. "Please go away, Marilla. I'm in the depths of despair."

Only picking four was the hardest thing ever.

Four books I'd recommend: 

1) Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter  

2) The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

3) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

4) The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 

Just kidding, this was one of the hardest things ever. I want to list SO MANY OTHERS. This pained me so I'll keep moving.

Four places I have lived:

1) North Fort Myers, Florida

2) Tampa, Florida

3) TBD

4) TBD 

Four places I have been: 

1) Niagara Falls, NY and Canada

2) Managua, Nicaragua - this was for a missions trip this past August. Those kids were everything.

3) National landmarks like Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore

4) Washington - the state and D.C. 

My family went on a huge American road trip when I was about five, which I somewhat remember, and we went through a lot states. I've been to other states as well to see family and everything. Still waiting to go to Europe. 

Four places I'd rather be right now:

1) Rome and Florence - I needed to list these two together because they're both in Italy, but hours apart. I'd do anything to go here. 

2) Swiss Alps. - I've never been skiing, I've never even seen SNOW. So if I'm going to do it. why not go all out and do so here? 

3) Visiting blogger friends and family. 

4) Getting a massage - I'm stealing Lauren's answer on this. Yes, please. 

Four things I don't eat:

1) Chicken and dumplings - the only food that I refuse to eat. Yes, I'm southern. 

2) Soda - I know you don't eat this, you drink it, but I'm not a picky eater. I stopped drinking soda in middle school, I think, and never looked back. Now I hate the taste and fizz. 

3) Olives

4) Anything super spicy. I like enchiladas and everything, but I can't stand it when something is really spicy and I can't calm it down. It also doesn't jive with my esophagus problems.

Like I said, I'm not a picky eater. 

Four of my favorite foods:

1) Macaroni and cheese

2) Banana pudding - birthday dessert every year by my mom

3) Anything made by my mother 

4) Ice cream - I like so many kinds, I am an ice cream fiend. My loyal standby would be cookie dough though.

Four TV shows that I watch:

1) Blacklist 

2) Castle

3) The 100 

4) Amazing Race 

Again, how can I just pick FOUR? Non-college people don't understand that after reading so much for school, when you want to decompress, sometimes it's easier to just mindlessly watch TV instead. So I've picked up a couple show addictions along the way. (Really, if you need suggestions, come ask)

Four things I am looking forward to this year (2015):

1) I figured out my housing arrangement for the fall and I'm really excited. 

2) 2015 releases - I expect my heart will break a few times, but oh will there be rejoicing too.

3) BEA - I'm even afraid to put this on here just yet.

4) The end of the semester - I picture myself army crawling out of a black pit

Four things I'm always saying:

1)  "One more chapter..."

2) "Hey now!" - my family likes to tease me or twist my words

3) "Oh my gosh" 

4) "I hate you" - I'm not hateful or evil, no worries. Everyone feels this when their phone messes up, their wifi crashes, they realize their professors dumped all kinds of assignments on them at once (I never say it to them, only to the computer screen), etc.  

Four People I tag:

1) Lili @ Lili's Reflections

2) Emily @ Forever Literary

3) Kel @ Booked Til Tuesday

4) Emma @ Awkwordly Emma

And if they do it, go read their answers! Or answer these questions yourself, even if I didn't tag you.

Top 10 Tuesday: YA Heroines

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I'm coming out straight away and saying that in no way will this list be comprehensive. It's just not possible. There are too many great YA heroines out there for many, many reasons. It might be because I connected with them on a personal level. They're amazing strength-wise. They're amazing mentally. They're amazing in emotional strength. They could have gone through something that I applaud them for. Or that I just simply loved them as a person/character. I have too many so I'm going to list the ones that immediately come to mind.

Hermoine Granger from Harry Potter

Everyone can go home now. ALL BOW DOWN TO THE QUEEN. So she's not a queen in Harry Potter, but she's British and should be the goal of all women. I could really write a whole appreciation post about her. 

• She's unabashedly smart. 
• She kicks butt, but knows that she can still dress up. 
• She has enough patience to deal with Harry and Ron's idiotic ways and thinking. 
• She is all-around amazing. I could go on FOREVER. Too many moments to mention. 

Alanna from The Song of the Lioness

She becomes a knight, fools everyone into thinking she's a guy, and becomes a leader in her own right. What else is there? 

Celaena Saradothin from Throne of Glass

If anyone can kick butt, it is definitely and absolutely Celaena. But what's even greater is that while she's an assassin, she's also very "girly" with her dresses and balls. Showing the world that you don't have to be one or the other. 

Nyx from Cruel Beauty

She's taking her role in this retelling of Beauty and the Beast in a whole different light.

Katsa from Graceling

Another assassin!

Em from All Our Yesterdays

Girl has gone through some serious trauma. I loved her so much. 

Katniss from The Hunger Games

I honestly debated if I should just leave her off this list because this is an automatic and resounding DUH. I'd guarantee she'll be on most everybody's lists. She deserves bullet points too.

• She volunteered for her sister and connected with tiny Rue. 
• Everyone in the book might think she's heartless, but we all know she has more heart than almost everyone. Maybe too much, really.
• She outmaneuvered the Gamemakers and the Capitol. 
• She fought in the freakin' Games TWICE. 
• But most importantly, in my opinion, she had to deal with the aftermath of the Games and all the trauma brought down on her head. She was fighting some serious PTSD during the war in Mockingjay and then had to deal with even crappier trauma after that. Do not lessen her situations to me.  

Seraphina Dombegh from Seraphina 

Let's be honest, I really have to reread this since the sequel is finally coming out. But I do remember that once I got into it, I loved Seraphina. I can't wait to reconnect with her again.

Kestrel from The Winner's Curse

She is incredible at outhinking people. Plus, she bought Arin so that's another point in her favor.

D.J. Schwenk from Dairy Queen

She's essentially the reason why her family was able to keep their farm, she plays football, and she tries to get in touch with her feminine side.

Scarlet from Scarlet

Another girl in disguise book who rocked it. She became even better in the next two books too. Prepare to have Scarlet steal your heart. 

Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars

Honestly, she didn't blow me away for the reasons that most people might list. Yeah, I admire her for fighting cancer and for everything with Augustus. But she was hilarious in her narrative. I know it's Green writing, but Hazel made me laugh.

Ella from Ella Enchanted

Non-conformity! 

Cammie Morgan (and the rest) from The Gallagher Girls

You can't mention one without mentioning the others even though it does say heroine and not secondary characters too. But Cammie is my girl. She's a spy, a girl with boy problems, and a girl who went through some seriously twisted stuff in the last couple of books.

Mia from The Princess Diaries

She might have her issues and may annoy me to no end, but I am her #1 fan. I constantly feel the need to have the latest book in my hands right now or I will die. Keel over right here and now.

Ismae from Grave Mercy

Another assassin! And she lived in a nunnery. Even cooler.

Beauty from Beauty

All girls in Beauty and the Beast retellings deserve to be on this list. 

Cath from Fangirl

She is me. I am her. 

Like I said, in no way is this list comprehensive. I have listed 18 books and they are only the ones that I instantly thought of and put down. If you gave me a little more time, I could probably come up with 18 more and 18 more after that easily. With this list, I think I mainly thought of the "strong" characters first. The ones who are applauded for being physically strong and kick butt. This is because those characters stand out more and demand attention. I'm not saying they're better than the ones that I connect to on a personal level, but logically, they're the ones I'll remember first. So there you have it. 

What are your favorite YA heroines? Why?

Review: THE START OF ME AND YOU by Emery Lord

Title: The Start of Me and You
Author: Emery Lord
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: an ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review

Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances.

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamicsThe Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live? 

I gobbled this up in November last year when I was home for the weekend and to semi-binge on this was a very smart decision for me. There are a lot of things going for this book (besides the fact that Emery Lord, one of the great contemporary queens in my mind, wrote it and that Bloomsbury has a stamp of approval on it), making it be on your spring break (or just spring, if you're out of school) to-do list. 

1. It deals with the tough subject of death and grief, but in a different way. As a contemporary lover, I've read my fair share of "issue" or tragedy books. But this one felt different and I think it's mostly because of who died and what Paige is actually dealing with in the book. Her short-term boyfriend died in an accident. Note: I said short-term. They hadn't been dating for four years, they weren't engaged, they didn't have this enormous history together. They had been dating for a few months. I'm not lessening their affection because I certainly know people can get close during that time (heck, I know people who married after two months or less). While she was struggling with the fact that he died and the grief that comes with it, this book isn't necessarily about his death and her grief. It's about her regaining her life after two years and pushing away the title that her community gave her. She's the Girl Who's Boyfriend Died. She didn't have much of a life after he died and now two years later, she wants to "start living again" and be open for new love and new experiences (hopefully with her old crush). To me, this was refreshing.

2. It's not really a love triangle. I was afraid that we would go into love triangle territory after seeing that her old crush is Ryan, but the end of the synopsis makes Max out to be the future boyfriend. While I won't give anything away, you don't have anything to worry about.

I couldn't resist.

3. It involved a Quiz Bowl! Fun fact, if you didn't read the interview I had with Emery Lord, is that I was actually a part of a quiz team. Ours wasn't the stereotypical quiz bowl where it deals with different categories, but Paige's experience very closely represented mine. The nervousness, the anticipating of answering a question after buzzing in, everything; it all mirrored my past experience, which I enjoyed.

4. All the fun cuteness and great things I love in contemporaries. She makes a list (I love lists), her family is whole and supportive, her friends are also very supportive, Max is adorable, and the narrative is entertaining. Emery Lord brings the charm and engaging narrative to this story, but that's no surprise after reading Open Road Summer. 

5. Paige was on a journey and at the risk of sounding cheesy, I was on it with her. I have never had to deal with what Paige had to deal with. I've had loved ones die, but never a significant other. I've never been labeled because of someone's death. I've never had to essentially rebuild myself after two years. But I experienced that through Paige (and Lord's writing). And it was fun. It was entertaining and made me forget about everything else that was going on around me. For me, that's a major goal in reading. 

So do I recommend this? 

To read my interview with Emery Lord, click here.

Top 10 Wednesday: Bookish Problems I Have

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This list of 10 bookish problems I have is probably not the top 10 and definitely isn't in any particular order. They were mostly ones I thought of first and listed. I also am doing Top 10 Tuesday on a Wednesday because school likes to disrupt my life things happen. 

Because they're all about books.

1. Chapter numbers. So here's the thing. Unless I'm in a pressing situation or know that I'll need to stop at a random time, I always stop on chapters that end with five or zero (5, 10, 15, etc.) The five multiples feel like "even" numbers to me even though I know in mathematics they aren't. It feels like a clean stopping place. Downside: when I say "I'll stop at chapter 15" and then don't realize I've gone to chapter 16...so I keep going.

2. "One more chapter..." Every bookish person has had this problem, guaranteed. You keep saying "one more chapter," and would you look at that, it's now 2am! Funny how that works. (This is also related to #1 for me.)

3. I can be picky. Everyone has their tastes and disliking a genre is not picky in my books. But I tend to snub on superficial reasons. I haven't had the best luck with main characters being male (excluding the dual POVs) or male authors writing about female characters. I read Harry Potter and loved it so I'm breaking out.

4. Bookish boyfriends won't be my boyfriends. Unfortunately, they will stay fictitious and I'll be in reality. Without them.

5. Money and time are plotting against me. Of course, this also includes school. As a college kid, I feel like I'm stretched thin with time and money when there are a lot of books I just have to read. It's every reader's problem.

6. I want to be part of that world (sometimes). Actually, this is more about the fact that I get so sucked into that book's world that I'm a tad disoriented when I have to go back into reality. And it's disappointing. It's all about the author's narrative. I'll appreciate from afar if it's a world like Panem though because there's no way I want to be a part of that (but even then, Collins does a great job in describing it).

7. Waiting forever. Series just bring torture in general. You usually have to wait at least a year for the next book and then you're left with impatience. It's just all the waiting. I can't wait.

8. Controlling myself when books turn into movies. I love it when books make that transition onto the screen. I do. But as a reader, there's also this conflict of being on edge in the theatre, wanting everything to be just. like. the book. It's hard. Even harder when you hear a ignorant fool person who obviously hasn't read the book either talk about how they're the most excited for the movie (great! You're excited! But you didn't read the book, so...no) or they make stupid comments throughout because they don't realize what comes next or what it all means.

9. Throwback Tuesday Wednesday to that list of romance pet peeves. Remember when I said the things I liked and disliked about romance in books? Well, those dislikes are some of my bookish problems.

10. Book hangovers and loss of words. I feel like these two go really hand-in-hand. Book hangovers are amazing, they really are. But then you try to get over the book afterwards and move on to another and it's hard. Then, even worse, you try to write a review and all you want to do is write flashing letters that say READ THIS, the end. Too many feelings.

What are problems you have?

Valentine's Day Tips (for the bookish soul)

I couldn't resist the creepy gif.

Happy Valentine's Day! If you find yourself alone today and wanting something to do or feeling like you have to "celebrate" somehow, I give you the the following recommendations. Because February 14th is a great excuse to do a lot of things.

Binge on books with romantic elements. 

Recommendations include: 

• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - for the one who likes a coming-of-age story and 10 books to read
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore - for the one who likes action, girl power, and morals throughout
• Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - for the one who likes great platonic friendships as well
• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge- for the one who likes fairy-tales
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman - for the one who likes to cry
• Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock - for the one who likes contemporary and tomboys
• Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley - for the one who likes angst (and action!) 
• Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern - for the one who likes it unconventional 
• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord - for the one who likes to have fun
• These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - for the one who likes sci-fi craziness

Go out with the [single] girls.

Basically, do anything and go anywhere. Movies, FOOD, bowling, FOOD, shopping, FOOD...whatever you all like doing. Eating is really fun though.

Way back in middle school (I think), a group of us went over to our friend's house. She was the friend who had everything. You know, the one who had the big house and lots of cool ideas. I don't remember all that we did, but I do remember the best strawberry cake and a trampoline was involved. I might be in college, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Binge on YOUR favorite books.

If I'm in a funk or a picky type of mood, I'll reread a favorite of mine. So if you're feeling down (or just bored), go read an oldie (or several, hence the binging). 

Be stereotypical.

Tonight I will actually be at a friend's house watching romantic movies and eating Ben & Jerry's (while using her washer and dryer to do my laundry). It's always joked that people who are alone will be in a puddle of tears while gorging on ice cream. I actually like being alone if this is the plan, minus the tears. YAY ICE CREAM! 

But really, if you're sad that you're "alone" on this "holiday," I give you the following reminder:

1. You're not alone. You most likely have family and friends. You have billions of strangers around the world to interact with. You have many, many friends to meet in your books. You're not alone. 
2. Valentine's Day is a holiday observed on February 14th, honoring one or more Christian martyrs (saints) named Valentinus. It was first associated with romantic love in the early 19th century England. People sent handwritten greeting cards, which we all know has now evolved into gifts and more. But more importantly, it's a day to spend time and appreciate one another. I choose to believe that while it's heavily focused on romantic love, we should celebrate other kinds of love as well. 

Now go read your books or go out with your significant other. And even if you're not single today, you should still treat yourself to some ice cream and a great book. 

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?