Haikyuu Ship v Ship Battle

What do I love more than Haikyuu? Its ships! I have a separate board on my Pinterest for just Haikyuu stuff. (Which is mostly DaiSuga.)

So I decided to do a ship v ship bracket. Here is mine, all filled out.

If you want to do this on your own, there is a blank bracket here:

It didn't exactly work out. I couldn't make a digital version, so I had to print it out. And write it. And my handwriting isn't the best. 

In case you can't read my awful handwriting, I've typed up the opposing teams. (There are numbers on each bracket. which is what is below.)

You can make it bigger if you like.

Final Four

So these are the final four and my reasons for choosing them:

WINNER

DaiSuga (Daichi x Sugawara)

These two are one of my favorite couple ever. They are so cute and sweet. They are Karasuno's parents the mom and dad. (And, yes, Suga is the mom. Because Suga. GENDER STEREOTYPES!) Their chemistry is amazing. The two of them are awesome together. They have easy banter and cute little looks. I love the two of them. I WANT THEM AS MY PARENTS.

RUNNER-UP

KageHina (Kageyama x Hinata)

These two are the main characters of the show. At first, they're enemies, but then they become close friends. They are hilarious. They yell at each other, but the two of them have an amazing friendship.

And wouldn't that be great if they were dating? SO MANY LAUGHS.

THIRD-PLACE

Tsukisima x Yamaguchi

These two seem like just friends. But they're definitely more. Yamaguchi admires Tsukishima. And maybe as more than friends. The two of them would be the love/hate relationship. But more hate than with KageHina. But Tsukishima would be REALLY BAD at sharing his feelings. Which would be hilarious.

FOUTH PLACE

Hinata x Nishinoya

These two are the short duo. These two would be so funny together. They are so alike. Loud and rambunctious. They would compliment each other really well. Or so I think. Plus, Hinata kinda idolizes Nishinoya. Which would be crazy.

I'd love to see your picks! Tell me who you'd think would win in the comments!

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A-Z Survey: Guest Post by Dejah from 'Legend of Lost Books'

Today, I have Dejah from Legend of Lost Books for SBPT. She's going to be doing the A-Z Survey from Perpetual Page Turner. Check out the original post here.

Author You've Read The Most Books From:

Lemony Snicket and Lynne Ewing (Tied with 13) (Want an easy way to figure this out if you have Goodreads and keep good track of your stuff? Go to your account, hit “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see “most read authors”)

Best Sequel Ever:

Hunger by Michael Grant and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Currently Reading:

The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay and Sing by Vivi Greene

Drink Of Choice While Reading:

Ice Water

E-Reader Or Physical Book:

Physical when I'm home, E-Reader when I'm at work

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cabel Strumheller from Wake by Lisa McMann. He is so protective and insecure but he is so adorable!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Hidden Gem Book:

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Important Moment In Your Reading Life:

Starting My Blog

Just Finished:

How To Disappear by Ann Redisch Stampler

Kinds Of Books You Won't Read:

Erotica and Historical Fiction

Longest Book You've Read:

Hunger by Michael Grant (590 pages) ( Go to your Goodreads “read” list, scroll down and there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to sort or how many books you want display. Choose num pages)

Major Book Hangover Because:

Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig

Number of Bookcases You Own:

None. That's why my books are all over the place

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Preferred Place To Read:

My couch or anywhere that isn't my bed

Quote That Inspires You:

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Suess 

This was really hard because majority of my favorite quotes come from music

Reading Regret:

The Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

Series You Started And Need To Finish:

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, The Heroes Of Olympus by Rick Riordan, Gone by Michael Grant, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer AND A LOT MORE!

Three Of Your All Time Favorite Books:

Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (I'm just going to say 2. It starts with a T anyway)

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. It doesn't get talked about enough and I mention it in almost every post.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All Others:

Tied between Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Worst Bookish Habit:

Looking online for more books as if my TBR isn't big enough

X Marks The Spot: Start At The Top Left Of Your Shelf And Pick The 27th Book:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Your Latest Book Purchase:

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten, and Down With The Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn (All from Barnes & Noble)

ZZZ Snatcher: Last Book That Put You To Sleep:

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Yeah I DNFed that one...

About the Blogger

Dejah is a 19 year old part time college student studying biology. She loves all things Disney and Marvel super heroes. Here favorite book genres are mystery/thriller and retellings of the Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland variety. If she isn’t reading, you can find her dancing and listening to music. Feel free to check her out at Legend Of Lost Books and follow her on twitter at Legend Of Books .

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Top Five Saddest Scenes in 'Your Lie in April'

What comes to mind when you think 'Your Lie in April'? Music? Kaori's smile? A gorgeous OP?
What comes to mind for me is a massive waterfall of tears. It's a heartwrenching, soul-sucking anime. I swear, I cried almost every episode. 

This has to be one of the saddest animes I've ever seen. (Maybe even sadder than 'Clannad: Afterstory'.)
So I decided to put myself through the emotional wringer all over again to give you a list of the top five saddest moments of 'Your Lie in April'.

Please note that these are all from the second half of the anime, so there are spoilers.

5) Violin in the Snow in Episode 21

In episode 21, Kousei brings Kaori some caneles (Which I think are cannolis, but I might be wrong.) Kaori and Kousei go outside to eat caneles, and Kaori ends up playing an invisible violin in the snow. She ends up falling onto Kousei and crying a bit.
It's a sweet scene, but it's bittersweet since we all know what happens next.

This scene is extremely important in my opinion. It shows that Kaori is not going to give up on her dreams, and Kousei is part of that. It also shows how truly vulnerable she is as she cries in Kousei's arms. The effort of keeping up the facade of good health is finally getting to her, and she realizes that not everything is going to be okay.
This scenes also shows a lot about Kousei. He doesn't speak much in this scene and only really comforts Kaori, but it shows his love and care for her even in her darkest moments.

4) Dancing in the Clouds in Episode 22

In this scene, we get to see Kousei and Kaori playing in the clouds. Kousei is at his piano competition--the one he worked so hard for in the second half--and Kaori is undergoing her surgery. Kousei is playing, and he sees Kaori in this mystical, dreamlike state. They're in the clouds, above everyone else, playing their respective instruments.
It's a poignant scene because you know what happens next. And you know how Kousei knows. 

I love this scene because it shows how much light Kaori brought to Kousei's life. It shows how far he has grown as a person and as a pianist. It's also a sad scene (Most of this anime's scenes are bittersweet.) Kaori isn't truly there to play with him. But she's there in memory.
And this scene is when Kousei realizes what happened in surgery. It's sad but true.
Aside from the Kaori's surgery part, it's a magical scene in the clouds with wonderful colors and amazing music. Per usual of this anime.

3) Saki Reveals the Truth in Episode 13

Honestly, episode 13 is just insane. I did a post about it earlier. 
Throughout this episode, we're learning more about Saki and her relationship with Kousie. She's seen as a demon, but I feel like her character really turned around with this scene.

This happens after Kousei gets slapped and he yells at her to die. Saki admits to Seto that she's going to die soon. And that all she wants for Kousei is happiness.
It's a scene full of longing since you feel for Saki and want her to get better. Truly. This is the scene where your emotions for her take a 360, and you feel for her. Not everything she did was right, but she meant well.

2) Kousei and Nagi Playing Together in Episode 18

This scene isn't entirely about Kousei. And that's fine. We get a peek into Nagi's thoughts, and we also see how much Kousei has affected her life.

Nagi and Kousei go up to play for Nagi's school's festival. People are shocked, per usual, but they let it go and let them play. The two of them play a duet on the same piano. Kousei pushes Nagi, and Nagi, interestingly enough, pushes back.

What I love most about this scene are Nagi's thoughts. We hear her thoughts as this scene progresses with less and less of Kousei's. Kousei pushes her to new lengths, and he has become someone worthy to be called -sensei. 
Nagi grows in this scene as well. She finally accomplishes her goal of getting her big brother Takeshi to notice her. It's a major turning point in this arc of the story, and you can tell that the whole audience is mesmerized.

1) The Letter in Episode 22

This scene is after Kousei gets the letter from Kaori. He's reading it, walking aroun the city we've come to know so well. We see scenes from Kaori's perspective of Watari, Tsubaki, and Kousei together but out of reach. We learn about Kaori's love for Kousei and her motivations for playing the violin.

Of course, I had to put this as the saddest. It's the scene where you get the truth. The truth behind Kaori hanging with the trio. It's a scene full of gasps and aws because you fall in love with Kaori all over again. She's gone through a lot. And she really is strong. I admire Kaori, and this scene proves why everyone should admire her.

I do kinda hate that she played Watari, though. Rude. But still. What wouldn't you do for love?

I hope you enjoyed this list and didn't cry too much. Which scene did you think was the saddest? And why did you like it?

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Aesthetic Addict: 'Dumplin'

My group (Team Teal) decided to do aesthetic posts for different books based on a theme. This month's theme was: contemporary. My chosen book was Dumplin' by Julie Murphy. 

Here's a little about the book.

Dumplin'

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book is pretty amazing. I gave it a 5/5. It was so body positive, and I really loved that. 

Here's a little snippet of my review!

"Something that definitely resonated with me was Will's insecurities. She wasn't perfect. She didn't adore her body. She felt self-conscious when Bo touched her. 

With that, I have to say that she felt real. Normal people have insecurities. They hate their eyebrows or lips or nose or whatever. It makes them human. 

I felt like anyone could have her body and insecurities. As I said, she felt real.

And, on top of that, I have my own insecurities. Here's a little story to put things into perspective. I was working on some short answers in English. My teacher is the teacher who constantly barrages you with positive attitude stuff, as if telling you these would change your attitude around. When she came by my table and whispered, "Hey, Wren," I looked up. She pointed at a written sign on a legal pad that said simply 'awesome=you :)'. And it felt like the most positive thing someone said to me in a while. I know that sounds like I'm fishing for compliments. I'm not. That's just how my life has been, how it always has been. Those who love themselves more than I do might be wondering how this possible. I think the recipe involves the hope for all As, the need to get into the best programs, a lot of pressure, and a lack of praise. "

If you want to check out the rest of my review, look no further! Here you go!

And...now...onto my aesthetic! 

Let's go through all the pictures and explain why I used what I did. 

The top left picture is of Dolly Parton. She's one of the main forces that drives Willowdean. She's an inspiration for Willowdean.

Next to that is a picture of a fancy-looking fast food place. Bo and Willowdean meet at a fast food place. And that is obviously the best place to meet a cute boy.

Below Dolly is a picture of a girl in a swimsuit. A well-known quote by Willowdean is as follows:

It's a different mindset about swimsuits and swimsuit bodies.

Next to that is a picture of holding hands. I think it really summarizes Willowdean and Bo's slow and sweet relationship. Plus, I love silhouette photos.

Under the swimsuit is a picture of a crown. This book is about a pageant and Willowdean entering it even though it seems against tradition for a bigger girl to do so. And a crown is kinda important to the pageant world. 

Next to that is a red dress. Not the same one Willowdean wore, but it was the best I could find! For the pageant, Willowdean wears a red dress, and I think it shows that you don't have to be skinny to rock a nice dress.

I hope that explains my decisions for the photos! 

I don't own any of these pictures. The rights go to their owners.

And here are my team mates! 

Jamie from Books and Ladders

Mariam from Flying Through Fiction

Charley from A Writer Named Charley

Sabrina from Beyond the Book Reviews

Nori from ReadWriteLove28

I hope you enjoyed this aesthetic. Come back next month for a new aesthetic from a new theme! Ciao!

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First Episode Test: Summer 2016 Pt. 1 ('Hatsukoi Monster', 'Morose Monokean', and 'Orange')

Today, we have another First Episode Test (or FET for short.) Some awesome summer anime started this weekend (Or last weekend?). I got back from my Arizona trip and watched these to share my thoughts with you all!

Hatsukoi Monster

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
I don't know? It's hard to say. I was freaking out over how CREEPY it was. 

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I was freaked out. Does that count? So many things about this anime are childish and rudimentary. It seems like a show for kids, not people my age. (Sure, teenagers make butt jokes, but this is pushing it.)

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
Uh...not really? We already had a big reveal. What is going to happen next? Valentine's Day stuff? I can't tell.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Uh...they're weird. Kanade is way too childish, but he has an interesting backstory. Or a possible backstory. Why is he in the fifth grade? What happened to his mom? Kaho is just boring. She's blushes too much and get heated over things I'm used to. I mean...who cares if they say weiner? I understood the second they said it. So...what's the big deal? 

5) Do I like the art style?
No. I really don't. Kaho's eyes are WAY too big, and Kanade's face just looks wrong. I can't tell what it is exactly. And, just saying, Kaho looks like Ririchiyo from 'Inu x Boku SS'.

Verdict:

I feel so creepy watching this. I'm dropping it. NOW.

Morose Monokean

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Yes, I did. Thoroughly.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I laughed a lot. Abeno and Ashiya's interactions are so weird. Abeno is so aloof which makes Ashiya's beggings funny. And I 'aw'ed a lot. I mean...that fuzzball was the cutest thing. I loved it.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
Hm...I guess. I feel like this anime will be very 'Natsume's Book of Friends'. Aka it'll be more episodic than have an overarching plot. Which is fine. But there is the promise of an overarching plot with Abeno looking strangely at Ashiya when Ashiya says his name. 

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Ashiya is so clueless. He's one of those characters who is klutzy and confused 100% of the time. Which is kinda endearing. Abeno is very aloof. Which makes him mysterious. I want to know more about this man. 

5) Do I like the art style?
Yes. I do. I like Abeno's hair especially. My only problem is the switch between a more realistic style to this sort of...shadow puppet style. It happened when the gate to the Underworld showed up. And the stylized clouds just looked out of place, and the effect was kinda jarring.

Verdict:

Definitely going to continue this one. It's funny and a relaxing anime to chill with.

Orange

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Yes, I did.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
Actually, I almost cried. Mostly because I know what'll happen. It's like 'Your Lie in April'. You can just tell. Okay...I kinda found a spoiler one day but still! I spoiled 'Your Lie in April' for myself and still bawled like a baby. This anime just seems so emotional, you know?

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
I guess? It's the story of Kakeru and Naho falling in love. Or so I see. And Kakaeru is probably sick. With probably cancer. So...it's predictable. But how they work it will change things.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
It's weird. But I disliked Naho at first. She seemed...Mary Sue-ish. Until she talked to Kakeru as he bandaged her foot. I just...I saw me. I saw the part of me that doesn't care what I feel for myself. And it hurt a little. Seeing me. And Kakeru is interesting. He's happy. He's not an aloof, mopey child like Abeno from 'Morose Monokean'. He's...happy. I wonder how he'll change.

5) Do I like the art style?
It's fine. It reminds me of 'Ao Haru Ride' (Which I haven't seen). Maybe it's the same mangaka. I wouldn't be surprised...

Verdict:

I'm going to keep watching this until the end. 

Have you seen the first episode for these animes? What do you think?

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An Ocean of Tears Aka 'Your Lie in April' Review

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April)

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Producer: Aniplex, Dentsu,Kodansha, Fuji TV, Kyoraku Industrial Holdings
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance, School, Shounen
Episodes: 22
Episode Length: 22 minutes per episode

Music accompanies the path of the human metronome, the prodigious pianist Kousei Arima. But after the passing of his mother, Saki Arima, Kousei falls into a downward spiral, rendering him unable to hear the sound of his own piano.

Two years later, Kousei still avoids the piano, leaving behind his admirers and rivals, and lives a colorless life alongside his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. However, everything changes when he meets a beautiful violinist, Kaori Miyazono, who stirs up his world and sets him on a journey to face music again.

Based on the manga series of the same name, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso approaches the story of Kousei's recovery as he discovers that music is more than playing each note perfectly, and a single melody can bring in the fresh spring air of April.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Your Lie in April' has to be one of the saddest, if not the saddest, anime I've ever seen. (It's high up on the list near 'Clannad: Afterstory' and 'Angel Beats'.) I believe my tears can fill an ocean. To the brim.
People kept talking about the amazing, tearjerking story, and I have to agree. But. I do have a few problems with this anime. But the good stuff first.

This anime has so many emotions. Yes, it's super sad. But you laugh and smile. Remember, these kids are in their third year of middle school (Which in the US of A is freshman year of high school.) They are still innocent. (Don't you dare give me the bull about middle schoolers drinking and smoking. Not in this anime they don't!) They still play with each other and gain crushes left and right.

Kaori's temperamental mood is a good comedy. But, at times, the rough transition between a serious scene to one where Kaori is lobbing things or yelling at Kousei is jarring. It's such a quick change that I'm thrown off at times.
But the sadness is what people remember the most. As I said, this has to be one of the saddest animes I've ever seen. You're constantly crying. Almost every episode. It's a moving anime. The love Kousei has for Kaori. The impossible love triangle. The change within Kousei. The
This anime utilizes music and visuals so well. The imagery really catches your eye. You see the gorgeous visuals of Kousei and Kaori in the sky and want to cry and gasp. You see the falling petals of the lotus blossom tree and feel this warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest. This anime is an emotional rollercoaster. But it's a great ride.

I honestly doubt I'll be able to recover from this anime.

The story is mainly focused on Kousei's change. He starts out as this mopey sort of guy. He doesn't particularly have any dreams, and he abandoned his passion music two years ago. We're introduced to the sparkle in his life Kaori who is a violinist. You might think that the change comes from Kaori forcing Kousei on stage, but I think it comes from a later episode when Kousei forgives his mother Saki--who is portrayed as this monster. (This is in episode 13. Which I remember because that has to be one of the most emotional episodes.) Kousei was driven into a corner because of Saki and her incessant pressure to be the best. But we find out that she did it for good reasons. (I got into this deeper in my analysis of episode 13. Want to read it? Click here)
Kousei changed so much. He went from this closed-off sort of guy to someone who reluctantly plays to someone who begins to understand to someone who accepts and understands his place in the world. It has to be one of the best character developments I've ever seen. Bravo bravo.

And, now, onto the stuff I didn't like.

Per usual, we have a complicated love triangle...or quadrilateral? I'm not sure actually.

This isn't my favorite part of the anime. In fact, I quite dislike it. It feels very unnecessary. Sure, it moves the story along and provides some tension, but Tsubaki's love for Kousei could have remained friendly, and nothing would change.

Yes, I do adore Kousei and Kaori's romance, but it seems to be strange too. I don't get Kaori's weird relationship with Watari. Even after she explains it all. I just...I don't like it. It's way too harsh on Kousei and Watari. The two of them got hurt because of Kaori's actions. I kinda blame her really. She could have just talked to him. Muster up her courage, you know? What she did was awful, and I'd never advise anyone to do that.

The anime seemed way too dramatic with the second half. The first half focused on Kousei's changing outlook towards piano playing. SPOILER ALERT. But the second was all about Kaori in the hospital and Kousei's love for her. I got annoyed at this. The romance thing is fine if you do it well. (Which isn't too bad actually.) But the hospital drama is trite. It's been done before, and I couldn't believe they pulled that card.
Kaori's condition was way too obvious. I could guess pretty fast what would happen to her. ('The Fault in Our Stars' has prepared me for all of the following 'a character in the hospital' stories.) I wanted more about Kousei's change and how Kaori affected his life. Just...not like this.

Verdict:
While I didn't like the romance or the overdramatic second half, this anime is overall amazing. The strong emotions emanating from it and Kousei's seemingly radical change are strong, defining points. I definitely won't forget 'Your Lie in April'.

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