Hi!
So I've been reading but haven't really had time to post, so look for a long post from me this weekend. At least 7 books so far and more soon because I have off this weekend, woo!
xo,
Erin
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Books 73-75
Hi there,
Got some more books for you! The last two took a decent amount of time to read and weren't necessarily all that great. A lot of times books are overhyped by the media. I tend to give those a wide range until something or someone draws me in, and that is what happened with these.
Book 73: Dead Ever After
Author: Charlaine Harris
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 338
Series: Yes, 13 of 13
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but I own the rest of the series
Date Read: Sometime last week? Can't remember the exact day I finished it
3 stars
This is the last Sookie Stackhouse book. After Sookie revives Sam's life with the cluviel dor things have been a little crazy. Her relationship with Eric is up in the air and so is her partnership with Sam, who doesn't quite know how to handle being brought back from the dead. When Arlene approaches Sookie about getting her old job back, Sookie outright tells her no. After all, Arlene tried to murder Sookie, but soon it is Arlene that is murdered and Sookie being framed. Many of Sookie's old friends return for the final novel to help figure out who really did kill Arlene.
For the finale, Harris brings back many old favorites but it seems like an effort to just throw everyone back in. The plot isn't original either, with Sookie being framed for murder not seeming out of the ordinary. But of course it is always nice to come upon characters you enjoy reading about, even if the last few books have gone down a bit. And I do wish that she had ended up with a different guy, but oh well.
Book 74: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 550
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: June 1, 2013
3 stars
This is the story of Liesel, a little girl who is raised in Nazi Germany. She is brought to live with foster parents after her mother can no longer care for her and her brother, only to have him die on the way there. Liesel does not know how to read or write but she steals her first book at her brother's funeral, a book about grave digging. Her Papa teaches her how to read and soon she has begun to steal books. But Nazi Germany is a dangerous place and soon her family is harboring a Jew in their basement and their whole world is turned upside down.
First, let me start off by saying, this is not typically the type of book that I read. However, I kept being recommended this book and decided to try it, based on my own love of reading. Part of the problem was the narrator. The story was told by Death, viewing the world and the book thief. And of course, the book based on its time period is bound to be depressing.
Book 75: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 465
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: June 3, 2013
1 star
This is the story of Amy and Nick Dunne. On their 5th anniversary Amy goes missing in mysterious circumstances and Nick is the prime suspect. The last few years of their marriage had been hard. Both of them had lost their jobs, they were poor after previously living an affluent lifestyle, and they had moved back to Nick's home town to aid Nick's ailing parents. The story is told from Nick's perspective in the present day with Amy missing, and from the past through Amy's diary. But there are a lot of secrets and lies that both Amy and Nick are hiding.
I had such high hopes for this book. It was recommended to me by several people at work, though they told me that they had hated the ending. I hated the ending too, and the middle. Both Amy and Nick are really such horrible humans that it is difficult to like them at all. Oh well..
Now to figure out what to read next on my day off. I've got plenty of choices. I'm thinking something fun that I know I'll enjoy.
xo,
Erin
Got some more books for you! The last two took a decent amount of time to read and weren't necessarily all that great. A lot of times books are overhyped by the media. I tend to give those a wide range until something or someone draws me in, and that is what happened with these.
Book 73: Dead Ever After
Author: Charlaine Harris
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 338
Series: Yes, 13 of 13
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but I own the rest of the series
Date Read: Sometime last week? Can't remember the exact day I finished it
3 stars
This is the last Sookie Stackhouse book. After Sookie revives Sam's life with the cluviel dor things have been a little crazy. Her relationship with Eric is up in the air and so is her partnership with Sam, who doesn't quite know how to handle being brought back from the dead. When Arlene approaches Sookie about getting her old job back, Sookie outright tells her no. After all, Arlene tried to murder Sookie, but soon it is Arlene that is murdered and Sookie being framed. Many of Sookie's old friends return for the final novel to help figure out who really did kill Arlene.
For the finale, Harris brings back many old favorites but it seems like an effort to just throw everyone back in. The plot isn't original either, with Sookie being framed for murder not seeming out of the ordinary. But of course it is always nice to come upon characters you enjoy reading about, even if the last few books have gone down a bit. And I do wish that she had ended up with a different guy, but oh well.
Book 74: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 550
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: June 1, 2013
3 stars
This is the story of Liesel, a little girl who is raised in Nazi Germany. She is brought to live with foster parents after her mother can no longer care for her and her brother, only to have him die on the way there. Liesel does not know how to read or write but she steals her first book at her brother's funeral, a book about grave digging. Her Papa teaches her how to read and soon she has begun to steal books. But Nazi Germany is a dangerous place and soon her family is harboring a Jew in their basement and their whole world is turned upside down.
First, let me start off by saying, this is not typically the type of book that I read. However, I kept being recommended this book and decided to try it, based on my own love of reading. Part of the problem was the narrator. The story was told by Death, viewing the world and the book thief. And of course, the book based on its time period is bound to be depressing.
Book 75: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 465
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: June 3, 2013
1 star
This is the story of Amy and Nick Dunne. On their 5th anniversary Amy goes missing in mysterious circumstances and Nick is the prime suspect. The last few years of their marriage had been hard. Both of them had lost their jobs, they were poor after previously living an affluent lifestyle, and they had moved back to Nick's home town to aid Nick's ailing parents. The story is told from Nick's perspective in the present day with Amy missing, and from the past through Amy's diary. But there are a lot of secrets and lies that both Amy and Nick are hiding.
I had such high hopes for this book. It was recommended to me by several people at work, though they told me that they had hated the ending. I hated the ending too, and the middle. Both Amy and Nick are really such horrible humans that it is difficult to like them at all. Oh well..
Now to figure out what to read next on my day off. I've got plenty of choices. I'm thinking something fun that I know I'll enjoy.
xo,
Erin
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Books 71 and 72!
Hi there!
Another book from last night and one today :) I'm on a roll, I even got to go strawberry picking with my family and am going to enjoy some quality time with my boyfriend tonight and I can't wait. But on to the books.
Book 71: Sweet Peril
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 371
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but worth the purchase. I bought the first book.
Date read: May 25, 2013
4.5 stars
Anna Whitt is the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, who has begun to work for her father, polluting souls in order for them to avoid detection. Meanwhile, Kaidan Rowe, the son of the Duke of Lust and the boy she loves, is plaguing her mind. But when Anna hears a prophecy from the spirits, she must travel around the world with Kopano, son of the Duke of Wrath in order to recruit fellow Nephilim to their cause. But their freedom will not be won without a fight.
I loved this book. My sister and I both adored the first book and were anxious for the second one to be released and it did not disappoint. I don't know if there are two other literary characters whose separation hurts me so palpably. Kaidan and Anna, both Nephilim are forbidden to be together, but it doesn't mean that they love each other any less. I also liked the introduction of the new Nephilim as they begin to recruit for the war. I'm looking forward to the close of the trilogy!
Book 72: Walking Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Genre: Romance
Pages: 433
Series: Yes, book 2 of 2
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but I bought book 1 on my nook
Date Read: May 26, 2013
4 stars
This is the story of Travis and Abby. Travis is the bad boy fighter who sleeps with girls with no intention of commitment, and Abby, or Pigeon as he calls her, is the one girl that wants nothing to do with him but yet can't seem to stay away.
Beautiful Disaster, the previous novel was the story told by Abby. This time Travis is the narrator, and though some parts feel the same, there is definitely a different feel because Travis is a lot more volatile than Abby is, so everything is a bit more dramatic. I enjoyed the epilogue but still thought that some more closure would have been nice because I didn't feel like some of the things mentioned fit with the rest of the story.
Now off to get in the shower and enjoy my evening :)
xo,
Erin
Another book from last night and one today :) I'm on a roll, I even got to go strawberry picking with my family and am going to enjoy some quality time with my boyfriend tonight and I can't wait. But on to the books.
Book 71: Sweet Peril
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 371
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but worth the purchase. I bought the first book.
Date read: May 25, 2013
4.5 stars
Anna Whitt is the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, who has begun to work for her father, polluting souls in order for them to avoid detection. Meanwhile, Kaidan Rowe, the son of the Duke of Lust and the boy she loves, is plaguing her mind. But when Anna hears a prophecy from the spirits, she must travel around the world with Kopano, son of the Duke of Wrath in order to recruit fellow Nephilim to their cause. But their freedom will not be won without a fight.
I loved this book. My sister and I both adored the first book and were anxious for the second one to be released and it did not disappoint. I don't know if there are two other literary characters whose separation hurts me so palpably. Kaidan and Anna, both Nephilim are forbidden to be together, but it doesn't mean that they love each other any less. I also liked the introduction of the new Nephilim as they begin to recruit for the war. I'm looking forward to the close of the trilogy!
Book 72: Walking Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Genre: Romance
Pages: 433
Series: Yes, book 2 of 2
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library, but I bought book 1 on my nook
Date Read: May 26, 2013
4 stars
This is the story of Travis and Abby. Travis is the bad boy fighter who sleeps with girls with no intention of commitment, and Abby, or Pigeon as he calls her, is the one girl that wants nothing to do with him but yet can't seem to stay away.
Beautiful Disaster, the previous novel was the story told by Abby. This time Travis is the narrator, and though some parts feel the same, there is definitely a different feel because Travis is a lot more volatile than Abby is, so everything is a bit more dramatic. I enjoyed the epilogue but still thought that some more closure would have been nice because I didn't feel like some of the things mentioned fit with the rest of the story.
Now off to get in the shower and enjoy my evening :)
xo,
Erin
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Books 68-70!
Hi!
I had a wonderful day out with my mom, doing some scrub shopping and I just finished a really good book and I can now write a review about the two I read the other day. I've been so busy with work that it's been hard to find time to read, and when I'm not utterly exhausted. So it has been very nice :)
Book 68: The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 332
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
3.5 stars
I read the first book in this trilogy earlier this year. It is the late 1800s and Natalie and Jonathan are stuck in the middle of an unnatural series of events, possession of the living and reanimation of the dead. They must figure out the evil forces at work before it is too late while also trying to figure out their budding relationship.
This book was good, I enjoyed it and I am interested to read the conclusion, but it didn't draw me in and hold me there like some other books do. It was an easy read.
Book 69: Unremembered
This book was a slow burn, it took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did it was something that I couldn't put down. I don't know why, but I had been reluctant to read it even though I had heard only good things about it, and I really enjoyed it. I love Karou and Akiva's tale and can't wait to dive back in with the next book that I already requested from the library.
And now I think it is time for me to start another book. It is my weekend off and I plan to take advantage of it ;)
xo,
Erin
I had a wonderful day out with my mom, doing some scrub shopping and I just finished a really good book and I can now write a review about the two I read the other day. I've been so busy with work that it's been hard to find time to read, and when I'm not utterly exhausted. So it has been very nice :)
Book 68: The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 332
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
3.5 stars
I read the first book in this trilogy earlier this year. It is the late 1800s and Natalie and Jonathan are stuck in the middle of an unnatural series of events, possession of the living and reanimation of the dead. They must figure out the evil forces at work before it is too late while also trying to figure out their budding relationship.
This book was good, I enjoyed it and I am interested to read the conclusion, but it didn't draw me in and hold me there like some other books do. It was an easy read.
Book 69: Unremembered
Author: Jessica Brody
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 320
Series: Yes, 1 of 3, books 2 and 3 are not out yet.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
3.5 stars
A girl is pulled from the water after a plane wreck. No one seems to know who she is, except for an alluring boy named Zen, who states that she is Seraphina, the girl that he loves and that bad people are after her and will try and require her at all costs.
When I saw that this was about a girl with amnesia, it was nothing like the book that I expected to read. The beginning of the book morphed into a very different but still quite intriguing tale. The book is science fiction, and the second half of the novel leave future books open to even more exploration of this topic as more is explored about Seraphina and Zen.
Book 70: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 418
Series: Yes, book 1 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
4.5 stars
This is the story of Karou, a girl with blue hair that grows out of her head that way, strange tattoos of eyes on her palm, and an errand girl for monsters. Black handprints appeared on Brimstone's shop, the place where Karou grew up and considers her home, filled with the creatures she thinks of as family. But his handprint is not the only one, and soon Karou is separated from her family and comes face to face with Akiva, the angel that she sees as her enemy but yet still feels drawn to. She learns that the seraphs and the chimera have been fighting an age old battle for thousands of years. However, when Akiva discovers who Karou is, it will change everything.This book was a slow burn, it took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did it was something that I couldn't put down. I don't know why, but I had been reluctant to read it even though I had heard only good things about it, and I really enjoyed it. I love Karou and Akiva's tale and can't wait to dive back in with the next book that I already requested from the library.
And now I think it is time for me to start another book. It is my weekend off and I plan to take advantage of it ;)
xo,
Erin
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
2 more books
I have two more books to review, but that won't come tonight. I have work at 7 tomorrow so I need to get to bed, but reviews to come soon :)
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I read a book today! Books 66 and 67
Well, hello there! Long time no see. It's been pretty much impossible for me to read as of late because I started my new job and have had to adjust to a new schedule. Also I was in a phase where I just wasn't feeling like reading. I know now that I'm quite a bit behind but I just figure that I'll read when I can and see how many books I get done. I did read one a few weeks ago but never got around to posting about it, and I read another tonight on my day off.
Book 66: Too Scared to Cry: Psychic Trauma in Childhood
Author: Dr. Lenore Terr
Genre: Psychology, Non-fiction
Pages: 384
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
4 stars
A fascinating read about psychic trauma in children. Children are considered by most people to be resilient in times of stress and trauma, however, evidence and examples show that their early experiences greatly influence their later lives.
Book 67:
Author: Emily Murdoch
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 256
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: May 1, 2013
3.5 stars
This is the story of Carey, a 14-year-old girl who lives in the woods with her selectively mute younger sister Jenessa after her mother abandoned them, until her father comes for her. Carey's mother, an abusive addict had kidnapped her and hid her in the woods when she was little. This is the story of their adjustment and learning how to let others in.
I thought the premise of the kidnapping and Nessa's mutism was very interesting, but there were a few things that bothered me. I didn't feel much tie to Carey's character, she felt very blunted to me. Also I felt that there were a lot of loose ends that were not concluded with no evidence of a sequel which was kind of irritating. Otherwise, it was a simple and interesting read.
Now, maybe some more reading now that I'm back in the zone and don't have to work until tomorrow night!
xo,
Erin
Book 66: Too Scared to Cry: Psychic Trauma in Childhood
Author: Dr. Lenore Terr
Genre: Psychology, Non-fiction
Pages: 384
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
4 stars
A fascinating read about psychic trauma in children. Children are considered by most people to be resilient in times of stress and trauma, however, evidence and examples show that their early experiences greatly influence their later lives.
Book 67:
Author: Emily Murdoch
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 256
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: May 1, 2013
3.5 stars
This is the story of Carey, a 14-year-old girl who lives in the woods with her selectively mute younger sister Jenessa after her mother abandoned them, until her father comes for her. Carey's mother, an abusive addict had kidnapped her and hid her in the woods when she was little. This is the story of their adjustment and learning how to let others in.
I thought the premise of the kidnapping and Nessa's mutism was very interesting, but there were a few things that bothered me. I didn't feel much tie to Carey's character, she felt very blunted to me. Also I felt that there were a lot of loose ends that were not concluded with no evidence of a sequel which was kind of irritating. Otherwise, it was a simple and interesting read.
Now, maybe some more reading now that I'm back in the zone and don't have to work until tomorrow night!
xo,
Erin
Monday, March 25, 2013
Book 65
Day 85
Back on the reading train, not doing much else while I'm sick. First time reading in my new bed and it is really nice to be able to just stretch out, cuddle up with my animals, and read a book. 300 books to go! Damn that sounds like a lot haha.
Book 65: Sever
Back on the reading train, not doing much else while I'm sick. First time reading in my new bed and it is really nice to be able to just stretch out, cuddle up with my animals, and read a book. 300 books to go! Damn that sounds like a lot haha.
Book 65: Sever
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 371
Series: Yes, book 3 of 3
Purchased or borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: March 25, 2013
3 stars
This is the closing novel in the Chemical Garden trilogy. The world is now a place where a virus kills women at age 20 and men by age 25. Women are abducted and sold into polygamous marriages or prostitution. Many of the marriages hope to produce children as their population doesn't live very long. The only other people are the first generations, those that were genetically created to prevent sickness and disease and it was their children and grandchildren that began dying off. Rhine was captured and sold into marriage with three other women to Linden, the son of Vaughn a wealthy scientist who is trying to find a cure for the virus. Rhine has a twin brother named Rowan that she is trying to find for most of the book with the help of Linden and her fellow sister wife Cecily. The twins have heterochromia, a mutation with two different color irises that leads Vaughn to believe that their scientist parents had a plan for their future. Vaughn is twisted by his love for his son and his effort to succeed that he will go to every length, including harming his son and those that he cares about.
I think the notion of a deadly time bomb virus is very interesting and it is easy to see how love and the hope for a cure through science could warp someone's mind into doing some of the twisted things that Vaughn sees as necessary. However, I didn't feel particularly attached to the characters besides Cecily. For me I think that Rhine seemed emotionless to me, even when she was showing emotion. She always seemed to be surface level. I really enjoyed the first novel, Wither, but feel that the trilogy has gone down a bit since then.
Maybe a bit more reading of a new book then off to bed.
xo,
Erin
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