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

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

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

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 :)

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 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

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

Back, again, books 61-64

So, I've been slacking. That is for sure. I'm quite a bit behind, but not so far that I can't make it up. There have been a number of things that have helped to put me behind schedule. First it was my several illnesses, then my trip to Florida, and then it was my boyfriend's spring break, and now here we are and I'm sick again. But I do want to be able to do this even though it is definitely harder than I thought it would be, and harder than it seemed to me in the beginning. Lately I just haven't felt like reading, sometimes you want that solitary time, and other times all you want is to spend some time with people you love and do things other than sitting down and reading a book. That is where I've been lately. I'm finally back and writing about the books that I did read while in Florida. I will be back on the reading grind starting tomorrow!

Book 61: The Sword in the Stone

Author: T.H. White
Pages: 352
Genre: Fantasy, Classics
Series: Yes, book 1 of 5
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library

3.5 stars
This is the classic story of the young King Arthur, known for most of the story as Wart. It tells of his adventures with Kay, Merlin, and Robin Hood, as well as dangerous encounters with Madam Mim and animals ready to eat him.

I was initially drawn to this story because of the beloved Disney classic. However, I am aware that many of Disney's movies are not told true to the originals so I was interested to see how this one would match up. I enjoyed Wart's adventures and thought surprisingly that the Disney version worked well, as the book was a bit long winded and near the end felt as if it was dragging on. Though I really did enjoy Wart and Kay's adventures with Robin Wood, known to many as Robin Hood. It was an interesting story crossover that I felt worked.


Book 62: Unravel Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Pages: 461
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library

3 stars
Juliette was born with the ability to kill using only her touch. Unfortunately this keeps her from creating bonds with others, so she feels very isolated and alone. There are only two people that can touch her, Adam, the man she loves who is suddenly acting very odd after finding out that this ability to touch her drains him, and Warner, the leader of the Reestablishments son who is not a good person but still deeply cares for Juliette. They have all come to Omega Point, a home for people with gifts as they prepare to fight back to try and regain the world from the Reestablishment.

This books is basically about Juliette's decision between two men, the one she loves but touching her hurts him, and the one she is drawn to despite all he has done. I think that an important quality in a book is relatable characters. Juliette did not feel relatable. In fact, she came off as sulky, whining and a bit irritating. I understand that she is in a very tough spot, but it still did not make me like her more.

Book 63: The Runaway King

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Pages: 352
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Yes, book 2 of 3. Book 3 is not yet released.
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library

4 stars
Only weeks after Jaron has taken the throne an assassination attempt by a former friend and rumblings of war force Jaron into hiding as the only way to save Carthya. Hiding is a bit different for Jaron as he masquerades as a thief in order to get in with the pirates who still have a price on his head after failing to kill him four years ago, and who plan to help his enemy with his tidings for war. Jaron hopes to persuade them to fight for him, but he is in a very dangerous position as many people want him dead, even those that may seem friendly.

This was a very good second installment in this trilogy. I loved the first book and in my opinion the middle book is always challenging as it is generally coming off a well received first installment and must set up for the ending in the third book. This book was good and I enjoyed the characters and change of scenery but at times it definitely felt like it was mainly there to lead into book three.


Book 64: Becoming Attached: First Relationships and How they Shape our Capacity to Love

Author: Dr. Robert Karen
Pages: 512
Genre: Psychology
Series: No
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed from the library

4 stars
The parent-child bond is one of the most important relationships in life and one that goes on to shape our future. Dr. Karen examines important aspects of attachment, such as how the theory was developed as well as important characteristics and questions that relate to it.

This book was very important as attachment is a guiding and pervasive characteristic throughout life. I found this reading especially interesting as child psychology is my field of choice and their emotional development is key when seeing problems in a child. It read a little dry at times but I feel that he tried to make the information interesting and accessible to all.

And now it is time for bed and to get rid of this sickness!

xo,
Erin

Book 60

Day 66

Like I said yesterday, I quite enjoy reading books that have been or will be made into movies. Through Goodreads I have discovered some new books, many from movies I have already seen and did not realize were based upon books. I enjoy the comparison, and this one did not disappoint.

Book 60: War Horse

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 165
Series: Yes, book 1 of 2 but it is not necessary to read both
Purchased or borrowed: Borrowed from the library
Date Read: March 6, 2013

3.5 stars
This is the story of the horse Joey, told from his perspective. He is bought at an auction by Albert's father and becomes a farm horse until he is sold to the war effort and becomes a strong and valiant war horse with many adventures. Albert meanwhile joins the army in an effort to find his way back to Joey.

I thought that this was an enjoyable short story. I love horses and this movie so I liked reading it. The movie stayed relatively true to the book which I always prefer. However, I think in the case of this story because the narrator was a horse, it was a bit easier to feel the emotions of the story in the movie. I think it was an interesting choice to use the horse as the narrator, although he is obviously the primary focus of the novel.

I think I'm going to head to bed now relatively early because tomorrow is a busy day. I have lunch plans, will be hitting the gym and have to do all manner of errands before we leave for Florida on Friday! Hopefully I'll be able to get a lot of reading done then, I've already packed my books ;)

xo,
Erin