Weekly Reading Update! 4/1 - 4/7/16!

Another week, another weekly reading update! This week I went on a bit of a nostalgia kick, so I've been reading The Princess Diaries series like it's going out of style! And of course, that's making me want to read the Georgia Nicholson series, and the Jessica Darling series, all over again as well. Maybe next week!

As always, click the link to check them out!

Since last week, I finally picked my 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge back up by reading a book of poetry - "The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll. I'm not a big poetry fan, and that might be because to really understand a poem, I have to read it out loud to myself. Which can get pretty weird, depending on where you're reading it. I live in fear that someone will stop by my house and hear me reading poetry to myself.. But anyway! This book was good, really. Very enjoyable, even for someone that doesn't really like poetry.

I also read "Knight" by Kristen Ashley. I didn't know what to expect when I started this - I picked it up on recommendation from someone else, without ever really looking into it. And I'm stuck somewhere between liking it (it was definitely hot), and disliking it (really? you can't think of another word besides "babe"?!). In the end, I gave it three stars because I was so conflicted. But then I promptly requested the second book in the series to read, so clearly I liked the author and writing enough to seek out more!

Next up was "Simon Says: Mine" by Cherise Sinclair. When I want a good, steamy, hot read - I pick up something by Cherise. This novella was part of a series I hadn't read before, but her books can often be read as stand alones - especially near the beginning of the series. This was offered as an eBook at my library, so of course I had to jump on it. Yum! I can't wait to start this series as soon as I finish the Shadowlands series.

And last, but certainly not least, I read books 2-5 of the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. (2: Princess in the Spotlight, 3: Princess in Love, 4: Princess in Waiting, 5: Princess in Pink). I read this series years ago, and stopped somewhere near the end, but I couldn't remember where. So I figured, since I was feeling nostalgic, I'd pick them back up. I listened to 4 & 5, but read books 2 & 3, since they were checked in at the library. If you like audiobooks, I'd give these a listen. The narrator does a fantastic job! I forgot how much I love Mia and her friends - and especially Michael. Oh, Michael Moscovitz. *Sigh*

Well, that's it for me this week. But I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about next week!

Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: "SAVED BY THE BELL, volume 1" by Joelle Sellner, Chynna Clugston Flores, & Tim Fish

Release Date: July 1st, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Series, Book 1, nostalgia, young adult, teen, high school, robots named Kevin

About the Book: The classic TV series gets an update for today’s brand new high-schoolers as the coolest kids at Bayside High start their freshman year! 

All your favorite characters – Zack, Slater, Kelly, Lisa, Screech and Jessie (and Mr. Belding, of course!) – are starting freshman year at Bayside High, trading in brick phones and mullets for iPhones and Twitter accounts. Does Lisa’s fashion show get on the air, and will Screech ever leave her alone? Will Jessie get that A+? And, most importantly, who’s Kelly going to go out with – preppy Zack or new star athlete A.C. Slater? It’s alright, ‘cause we’re saved by the bell! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: When this popped up on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance. As any proper 90's kid, I feel nostalgia at all times - and I figured this would hit the spot. I was right! This graphic novel was a fun read to get back into the spirit of my childhood - but with a modern flair.

The creators of this graphic novel modernized it for today's audiences, which seems a little silly considering the people most likely to read this are the ones interested in regaining their youth, not dealing with today's issues and technology. And if you want something that is exactly like the show, your best bet is to just watch re-runs - while the essence of the original Saved By The Bell is still there, this is definitely a new version.

But like I said, it was fun getting to see the old crowd again, and relive (sort of?) my childhood. Not bad, not great, very middle of the road.

Cover Lovin': Not the best cover, but at least it is an accurate representation of the art inside.

Recommendation: For those going through a nostalgia phase.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Entertaining, but overall, not great.

Get your own copy of Saved By The Bell today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.