A Book Worm's Recommendations

It's no secret around here...I love to read. I also enjoying sharing books I love with others. I recently had a friend ask me for some recommendations, so I thought it would be easiest to just share my thoughts here. This post is mainly for her, but if anyone else is interested or looking for a few good books feel free to read on.

Nonfiction
I'll start my recommendations with a few of my favorite nonfiction books. These are all Christian nonfiction and have all had a big impact on my life. The last 3 I've mentioned many times before. The first two are the most recent that I've read. 

-Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch
Kristen blogs at We are THAT Family and I save almost all of her blog posts to my Pinterest. 
 
-When God Doesn't Fix It by Laura Story 
This book was just what I needed at this point in my life. My husband has a chronic illness that no one can really pinpoint the problem or fix. Laura Story is a Christian recording artist who wrote "Blessings." Shortly into their marriage, her husband had to have surgery to have a brain tumor removed. Over 10 years later, they're still living with the effects of this tumor and surgery.

-Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

-Orphan Justice by Johnny Carr

-7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

Historical Fiction
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction and I've read some great ones recently.

-The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
LOVED this one. It takes place in France during WWII and follows how the war affects 2 sisters.

-Garden of Stone by Sophie Littlefield  
This one also takes place during WWII and is full of mystery. 

-Salt to Sea by Ruta Sepetys
This is my most recent read. Like the other two, it takes place during WWII and follows 4 different young adults/teenagers as they are all running from something.

Liane Moriarty 
She's an author I really enjoy. Below I'm listing the books of hers that I've read in order starting with my favorite:


1. Big Little Lies
2. What Alice Forgot
3. Three Wishes
4. The Husband's Secret
5. The Hypnotist's Love Story

Jojo Moyes
Another author I like a lot. Below I'm listing the books of hers that I've read in order starting with my favorite:

1. Me Before You- One of my FAVES!!! Skip the second book-pretend it doesn't exist!
2. The Girl You Left Behind
3. One Plus One

Diane Chamberlain
This author is a native North Carolinian who I recently discovered. Below I'm listing the books of hers that I've read in order starting with my favorite:

1. Necessary Lies
2. The Good Father
3. The Midwive's Confession
4. The Silent Sister
5. The Courage Tree
6. Pretending to Dance

Children's Books (that adults can enjoy)

-Wonder by R.J. Palacio
This is such an important book. If I ever teach 5th grade or higher I will read this to my class!

-Rules by Cynthia Lord
An interesting book about children with disabilities.

-The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin 
A fun mystery.

Others
More books I would recommend that don't fit into any one category.

-The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley 
Thought provoking story about a family divided over what to do about a pregnant woman on life support.

-Celtic Brooch Series by Katherine Lowry Logan
There are currently 4 books published from this series. Each book is a time traveling romance. They are all interconnected. The only way I've been able to get these books is by buying the ebook version. Luckily, they don't cost too much.

-The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Another thought provoking book about a baby caught between two families.  

-Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A lot of people love this author's Eleanor and Park. Personally, I enjoyed this one more.

-A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison
A fiction story about a very real problem-human trafficking. 

-I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
A fun, silly romance. 

-Room by Emma Donoghue
I couldn't put this book down. It's been made into a movie. I recommend you read the book first. 

-Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
An interesting story about a mother whose daughter allegedly committed suicide. The mother doesn't believe this so she sets out to figure out what really happened.

-any book by Deeanne Gist 
I didn't pick out any or put them in any particular order. They're all very similar. Most of her stories are historical fiction romances. She's a Christian author, but her stories aren't cheesy like many Christian fiction authors stories can be. 

*  *  *

So, there's my recommendations for some of my favorite books I've read in the past few years. I'm also always looking for good recommendations if you have any for me.

 

Children's E-Book Review and Giveaway: Candy and the Cankersaur

**I received an electronic copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.**

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. I hope to instill my love of reading in my daughter and any future children. Even though she's just under 5 months, I read to her every night as part of our bedtime routine.

Even though I still love holding a book in my hand, there are definitely benefits to having e-books available for your children as well. They are easy to travel with and you can have them on your phone (which you always have with you) to entertain your child on demand. 

Today, I'm teaming up with Jason Sandberg to give away 10 copies of his e-book, Candy and the Cankersaur.  

Candy and the Cankersaur is a picture book about a girl who receives a dinosaur as a gift and her determination to train him to be a good pet.  It's a fun homage to Syd Hoff and will make all dinosaur-crazy boys and girls happy. 

You can learn more about Jason Sandberg on his website or you can view information about Candy and the Cankersaur or more of his e-books on his e-book page.

As it was intended, this book reminded me of books from my childhood. The illustrations are eye catching and the story is simple while still teaching a  few good lessons. I like that even though the main character, Candy, is showered with gifts from her rich father, she is not spoiled. The story points out how she shares her fancy toys and she is quick to forgive. I think these are important qualities for children to see in a character. I also like how the "bad" character doesn't stay bad. The events of the story change him and he's redeemed in the end. As a teacher, I see a lot of opportunities in this story to make predictions, analyze characters, and make inferences.

Now, it's your turn to win a copy of this e-book to share with your little one(s)! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August Book Review

It's funny because in my first trimester of pregnancy, all I wanted to do was lay around, sleep, and watch TV. I didn't care about anything else. As I've neared my 3rd trimester (and am now in the 3rd), TV hasn't interested me at all. All I've really wanted to do is read. So, I read a lot this month. Here's my thoughts on what I read.

Confessions of a Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella

Book Description:
Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five-year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it --- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank --- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read --- and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something ...Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life --- and the lives of those around her --- forever

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
Lately, I've been reading a lot of Sophie Kinsella books. Some are fun, easy reads while others just don't live up to the "fun" heading in my opinion. This is one that I wasn't crazy about, yet I'm reading through the whole series for some reason. I guess I'm hoping one of them will be more enjoyable than the others. I find Becky difficult to like. I mean...how naive and silly over shopping can you be? Maybe I just don't understand addictive behavior. Also, in my opinion, a relationship between her and Luke didn't bloom naturally. I enjoyed the movie better (and that's rare for me to say!).

I grade it a C.

The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis
 
Book Description: 
Paradise, Pennsylvania, is likened to a little slice of heaven on earth...but for Annie Zook--the preacher's eldest daughter--it seems like a dead-end street. She is expected to join the Amish church, but at 20 she is "still deciding." Because of the strict rules that guide the Plain community, she must continually squelch her artistic passion, although it has become her solace.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:I knew this book was a series when I started reading it and I honestly didn't expect to continue with the series. The book was okay, but overall just not very exciting. Then, things picked up in the end and I decided I needed to see what would happen in the next two books.

I grade it a B.




One Thousand White Women: The Journal of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Book Description: 
One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians. The covert and controversial "Brides for Indians" program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man's world. Toward that end May and her friends embark upon the adventure of their lifetime. 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:This book has an interesting premise and I like how it's written as if it's really someone's journal. It makes it all seem more realistic. I also enjoy seeing more books that show how Native Americans have been mistreated throughout our history. It's a sad reality that needs to be told. It didn't have the happily ever after ending I was hoping for, but I appreciate books that don't take the easy way out.
I grade it an A.

The Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Book Description: 

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer–and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope–and finds love–is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:



This is a Sophie Kinsella novel that I enjoyed more. It was fun, although very unrealistic. But what fun is reality sometimes? I wish the ending had provided a little more closure, though. I did like how the character grew and changed throughout the story. I think that always makes a story more enjoyable when you get to watch the character grow and learn.

I grade it a B.


Shopoholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella

Book Description: 
With her shopping excesses (somewhat) in check and her career as a TV financial guru thriving, Becky's biggest problem seems to be tearing her entrepreneur boyfriend, Luke, away from work for a romantic country weekend. And worse, figuring out how to pack light. But packing takes on a whole new meaning when Luke announces he's moving to New York for business--and he asks Becky to go with him! Before you can say "Prada sample sale," Becky has landed in the Big Apple, home of Park Avenue penthouses and luxury boutiques. Surely it's only a matter of time until she becomes an American TV celebrity, and she and Luke are the toast of Gotham society. Nothing can stand in their way, especially with Becky's bills miles away in London. But then an unexpected disaster threatens her career prospects, her relationship with Luke, and her available credit line! Shopaholic Takes Manhattan--but will she have to return it?

Book description and image via Goodreads 

My Review:
After the end of Confessions of a Shopoholic, you would have thought Becky had learned her lesson, but no. She's up to her same old tricks. This is only the second book and I'm bored with her antics already. I hope things change up a bit in the rest of the series. How many times can she naively overspend? Why doesn't someone get this girl some professional help?

I grade it a C.

I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain by Courtney Robertson

Book Description: 
Courtney Robertson joined season 16 of The Bachelor looking for love. A working model and newly single, Courtney fit the casting call: She was young, beautiful, and a natural in front of the cameras. Although she may have been there for all the right reasons, as the season unfolded and sparks began to fly something else was clear: She was not there to make friends. Courtney quickly became one of the biggest villains in Bachelor franchise history. She unapologetically pursued her man, steamrolled her competition, and broke the rules—including partaking in an illicit skinny-dip that sealed her proposal. Now, after a very public breakup with her Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, Courtney opens up and tells her own story—from her first loves to her first moments in the limo. She dishes on life before, during, and after the Bachelor, including Ben's romantic proposal to her on a Swiss mountaintop and the tabloid frenzy that continued after the cameras stopped rolling. For the first time ever, a former Bachelor contestant takes us along on her journey to find love and reveals that “happily ever after” isn't always what it seems. Complete with stories, tips, tricks, and advice from your favorite Bachelor alumni, and filled with all the juicy details Courtney fans and foes alike want to know, I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends is a must-read for every member of Bachelor nation.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
I stopped watching The Bachelor around 2009 with the whole Jason, Melissa, Molly debacle. That was just too much for me! So, I knew nothing about this woman. Of course, I'd heard of Ben who was the Bachelor when she was on as a contestant. You can't help but see the pictures splashed across the magazines and most recently, he'd been connected to Kris Jenner. Anyway, I read the book because I wanted that "behind the scenes" look at a reality TV show. That part of the book was very interesting to me and helped me give this book a higher grade. On the other hand, I found this woman very annoying. She definitely has no problem kissing and telling. She loved to name drop all the celebrities she's dated or slept with. She also likes to tell what they're like in bed among other private things. I love how in the beginning, she brags that she can count on only 3 hands the number of men she's slept with. Um...that's a lot.... Read this for the look at how reality TV is made and just suffer through the rest of her tidbits.

I grade it a B.

The Englisher by Beverly Lewis

Book Description:
The artistic daughter of the preacher, Annie Zook finds herself at a crossroads struggling to find her place in the Plain community. Her life becomes strangely intertwined with two outsiders--one a longtime pen pal, the other a forbidden love. 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:This book continues the series after The Preacher's Daughter. I enjoy getting a look into the Amish culture. There are definitely things about their culture I don't understand and I didn't realize that they don't believe in having a personal relationship with Christ. I felt the same way I did with the first one, that a lot of the writing was boring. However, I was just curious enough that I wanted to see how it all would end.

I grade it a B.



The Brethren by Beverly Lewis

Book Description: 
Annie Zook, the Amish preacher's daughter, is caught between two worlds. Living with shunned friend Esther, Annie longs to return to her forbidden art and the idyllic days spent with Englisher Ben Martin, before her father ordered her never to see him again. Stunned when family secrets come to light, Ben determines to solve the mystery of his past. Will his future include Annie--or will the Brethren always stand between them? 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
This is the last book in the series, so everything is coming together. Throughout the series there were actually a lot of sub plots to keep up with. I see where they all connect, but I feel like the author could have dialed those back more or executed them better. You were constantly switching back and forth amongst characters and plots. A lot of things were actually left hanging at the end of the series and I would have liked to have seen those wrapped up better.

I grade it a B. 

Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist

Book Description: 
From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled—by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
This is probably my favorite book I've read this month. It takes place in Asheville and in the Biltmore which I recently visited, so it was fun to be able to visualize the house better. It's also my favorite genre-historical fiction. This is also a Christian fiction book, but unlike many books in that genre-it's not overly cheesy. It's still very realistic. There were elements of romance and helping others. I will definitely be looking into more books by this author.

I grade it an A.

You can follow along with what I'm reading through Goodreads or check out my Bookshelf for more information on my rating system and book challenges I'm participating in.

Have you read any of these books? Have you read anything good lately that I should add to my to read list?

#SCSBC14 Recap

This challenge ends in a few days, so I thought I'd recap the books I read for it. Last summer,  I participated in and was one of the first finishers of the Semi Charmed Summer Book Challenge 2013. Then, I attempted to participate in the Autumn Book Challenge and failed miserably. These challenges are hosted by Megan at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life. I like some of the changes that she recently made to the challenges. She now hosts less of them in a year and she has extended the time to complete the challenge.

When I set out on this challenge, I honestly didn't think I'd get this far. I didn't actually finish the challenge because I could never figure out a book to read that was published before I was born. The thing I liked about doing this challenge this year is that I didn't read anything I wasn't already planning to read. I just made the things I was reading fit into the categories. I also didn't let the challenge keep me from reading anything else that I wanted to read. So, these are not the only books I've read between May and August.  

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella (464 pages, 3 stars)

I didn't like this book as much as some other Sophie Kinsella novels I've read. I didn't find it as funny as it was promised to be. Longer review can be found here. 

10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.

This is the one category I didn't find a book for. 

10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn't finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)

 Confessions of a Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella (312 pages, 3 stars)

This is another category that I didn't think I'd find a book for. I have very few books I haven't finished and if I haven't finished them, I really have no desire to. Then, I remembered I started this book in college after seeing the movie, but couldn't get into it. After reading it, I enjoyed the movie better, but I'm still trying to get through the whole series. It's an easy read. Longer review coming up on Monday.

10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.  

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (725 pages, 3 stars)

This was the final book in the Mortal Instruments series and overall I was disappointed. Instead of just focusing on ending this series, the author was trying to get you interested in reading her next series. Longer review can be found here. 

15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List when you begin reading it.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (384 pages, 4 stars)

I have seen so many bloggers rage over Jojo Moyes, so I finally read one of her books and loved it. I will definitely be reading more. Longer review can be found here. 

15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus (434 pages, 4 stars)

I had seen a few bloggers who really enjoyed this book so I decided to read it too. It definitely was an interesting story and unlike anything I'd ever read before. Longer review coming Monday. 

15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge.  

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (349 pages, 4 stars)

I liked this one better than Gone Girl. The way the chapters are divided into different people's point of view and the past and present make it VERY hard to put down. Longer review here.

20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title.  

The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis (349 pages, 3 stars)

This book is a part of a series and at first I wasn't sure if I was going to finish the series. Then, something happened at the end that made it impossible for me not to see what would happen next. Longer review coming Monday. 

20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014. (Here are 16 ideas to get you started, but I know there are plenty more options.)  

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (333 pages, 2 stars)

I'm not really sure what to think of this book. It's definitely not one I'd go around recommending to people, but it wasn't awful either. Longer review here.

25 points: Read a book written by a blogger. 

Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel (289 pages, 2 stars) (blogs here)

I found the concept of this book very intriguing which is why I picked it up to read. However, I was disappointed with the execution. It was not what I thought it would be. Longer review here. 

25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir.

I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain by Courtney Robertson (262 pages, 3 stars)

I haven't watched the Bachelor or Bachelorette since about 2009, so I wasn't familiar with this person or her season on the Bachelor. Mainly, I read it because I was interested in getting a look at the making of a reality show. I liked that aspect of the book. Longer review coming Monday.

 
30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles.  

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella (435 pages, 4 stars) 

 I enjoyed this Kinsella novel better than the other ones I read for this challenge. It was silly and unrealistic, but it was fun. Longer review here.

and About a Boy by Nick Hornby (307 pages, 3 stars)

This book was more depressing that I had expected. I read it, but it wasn't really enjoyable. It was more that I just wanted to finish the book. Longer review here.

I'm also trying to complete a 50 State Challenge and A-Z Challenge. You can read more about my challenges here or you can follow me on Goodreads here.

Have you read any good books lately? I'm always looking to add to my to-read list.

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

When I did my July book review, I forgot to include this book because I read it at the end of the month. That turned out okay, though, because I feel like this book deserves it's own review. 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book Description:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.


 On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.


My Review:

This is one of the best books I've read this year. First of all, the idea of having someone commit suicide and leave behind tapes to tell their story is haunting. I like how even when the book is finished, we haven't been given the full story. This makes it more realistic to me. In life, we don't always know everything about every situation. I also liked the main character, Clay, and empathized with him right away. I liked how his thoughts were interjected right into Hannah's narrative. This also added to the realness of the story.

*Possible Spoiler* One thing I didn't like was that the tapes were supposed to go to the people who played a vital role in Hannah committing suicide. Yet, she says that Clay didn't really do anything wrong. I liked Clay and he did seem like a good guy, but I think she could have at least blamed him for being nice to her, liking her, yet not trying hard enough to help her. Clay blamed himself for that, so it would have fit. *Possible Spoiler Over*

I read some reviews that didn't like the story because they said Hannah's reasons weren't "good enough" for committing suicide. Obviously, I'm 100% against killing yourself, but who are we to say whether someone's reasons are "good enough." Until we've walked in someone else's shoes, we don't know what things are like for them. People interpret and handle situations differently. That is why some people can go through hard times, persevere, and come out stronger while other people crack under the pressure.

I think this is an important book for teenagers (and adults for that matter) to read because I believe it teaches the lesson that your words and actions matter. Things you may think are insignificant could have a big impact on someone. We never know what other people are going through and how a small unkind word or action could impact them. On the other hand, you never know what a positive impact a kind word or action could have on someone.

Fittingly, the sermon that was preached at my church on Sunday was about our words. It reminded me of this book. One of the verses that was focused on was Proverbs 18:21 which beings "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." This is so true. Be careful with your words because unlike the playground rhyme we used to say (you know about sticks and stones...) WORDS DO HURT.

I give this book an A. Read it! :)

I thought I'd close with some quotes about kindness I found on Pinterest.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think? Do you have any thoughts to share on kindness and the power of our words?

July Book Review

*Be sure to check out my Bookshelf for more information on my rating system as well as the Book Challenges I'm currently participating in. You can also follow me on Goodreads.*

About a Boy by Nick Hornby

Book Description:
How cool was Will Freeman?'Too cool! At thirty-six, he's as hip as a teenager. He's single, child-free, goes to the right clubs and knows which trainers to wear. He's also found a great way to score with women: attend single parents' groups full of available (and grateful) mothers, all hoping to meet a Nice Guy. Which is how Will meets Marcus, the oldest twelve-year-old on the planet. Marcus is a bit strange: he listens to Joni Mitchell and Mozart, looks after his mum and has never owned a pair of trainers. But Marcus latches on to Will - and won't let go. Can Will teach Marcus how to grow up cool? And can Marcus help Will just to grow up?

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review: 
After reading 2 Nick Hornby books now, I just don't think I'm a fan. This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't really enjoyable for me either. I've never seen the movie based on this book, but I have seen the TV show that recently started coming on NBC. Let's just say, I like the TV show a lot better. It's a lot more upbeat and happy. I guess that's what I went in expecting and that's not what I got. It was a lot more depressing and I didn't find the characters nearly as likeable as I did on the show.

I give it a C.

Enchanter by Joanne Wadsworth

Book Description:
To love and protect...across worlds. On planet Magio war rages between Peacio’s protectors and Dralion’s warriors. Friendships and soul-bonds are forbidden, yet deadly secrets lurk within a high-ranking inner circle. Eighteen-year-old Peacian Silvie Carver’s worst problem is completing finals until her best friend receives forewarning that Silvie is the key to keeping her enemy king from making a decision that will escalate the war. Silvie must save her loved ones’ soul-bonds from being torn apart, and all without revealing her emerging and rare fire skill during the mission. Dralion warrior and enchanter, Guy Moyer, has been fighting his soul’s demand to find his mated one…who also happens to be his enemy. Except Silvie shows up on Dralion’s off-world Australian Outback station and though they renounce their bond, his soul demands he aid and protect her. When Silvie finds herself impersonating a warrior, she’s pulled to the fiery edge of her control as she seeks to influence the king’s decision. Can the mated pair turn the tide of the war and find their place with each other?

Book Review and image via Goodreads

My Review:
I came across this series thanks to the author following me on Twitter. This is the third book in the series. Each book centers on a different couple. Little pieces of the overall story are revealed in each book, but they mainly center around a mated couple. All the stories are very similar and I admit I'm ready to see what's going to happen with the war between the two countries that keeps being alluded to. My favorite in this series is still Warrior, but this one takes the spot of my second favorite (with Protector being my least favorite so far). A brief scene in this book set up the couple for the next book. Overall, I enjoy these. I would recommend to people who like YA fantasy type books.

I give it a B.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Book Description:
Libby Day was just seven years old when her evidence put her fifteen-year-old brother behind bars. Since then, she had been drifting. But when she is contacted by a group who are convinced of Ben's innocence, Libby starts to ask questions she never dared to before. Was the voice she heard her brother's? Ben was a misfit in their small town, but was he capable of murder? Are there secrets to uncover at the family farm or is Libby deluding herself because she wants her brother back? She begins to realise that everyone in her family had something to hide that day... especially Ben. Now, twenty-four years later, the truth is going to be even harder to find. Who did massacre the Day family?

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
I liked this one a lot more than Gone Girl. Gillian Flynn has a knack for writing page turners. This book not only switched between narrators, but it also switched between the past and present. I had a hard time putting it down. I was trying so hard to figure out who the murderer was. As the title suggests, it is a dark book and some parts were rather disturbing. They're making this one into a film as well, so I look forward to seeing it.

I give it a B.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

Book Description:
Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
I have seen Jojo Moyes name around the blogging world for a while now. Everyone seemed to love her books, so I finally got around to reading one and I agree. I really enjoyed this book. It had multiple narrators (which I'm learning is one of my favorite types of books). It had imperfect characters who were relateable and likeable. I will definitely be reading more of her books.

I give it an A.

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

Book Description:
Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
No...just no. I have enjoyed all of Emily Giffin's previous novels. They were perfect summer/beach/light reading. I did not like this one at all. *The rest of this review may contain potential spoilers. I'll try not to give too much away.* Here were my problems: I never really connected with any of the characters. The hero worship of "Coach" was a bit much. I'm from Alabama where football is also a really big deal and I love football, but all the football talk was TOO much. The eventual love story was hinted at in the beginning and I kind of laughed and said to myself 'you have got to be kidding me...this cannot happen.' Um...yeah...it happened. Creepy! The age isn't what bothered me it was the fact that the man was a father figure in her life and her best friend's father. Lastly, I found the abuse story line just too convenient instead of realistic. I can't end this review without mentioning that I also didn't like how Walker (the small, private college featured in the book) beat my Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship game. Please... She could have at least made it realistic with them beating Auburn. :)

I know this is harsh, but I give it an F. 

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

June Book Review

At the beginning of this year, I changed how I did my book reviews. I started reviewing books individually. Those didn't seem to get as many views as when I reviewed all the books I read in a month in one post. So, I'm going to try going back to the monthly book reviews. 

It is summer and I was tracked out this month, so I've had a lot of time to read.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Book Description:
Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose, but then his big question involves a trip abroad—not a trip down the aisle. Completely crushed, Lottie reconnects with an old flame, and they decide to take drastic action. No dates, no moving in together, they’ll just get married . . . right now. Her sister, Fliss, thinks Lottie is making a terrible mistake, and will do anything to stop her. But Lottie is determined to say “I do,” for better, or for worse.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
At the time, this was the 2nd Sophie Kinsella book I'd read. I really enjoyed the first one so I was looking forward to a fun, beach read (considering I was at the beach when I read this). I was pretty disappointed overall. The promise of fun and laugh out loud moments just didn't happen for me. It was an easy read and definitely worked for a light, beach read.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Book Description:

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons? When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

Book description and image via Goodreads

My review:
This is the final book in the Mortal Instruments series. My feelings after reading this one are very similar to my feelings after reading the previous two books in the series. This series was originally a trilogy and I wish it had stayed a trilogy. The last 3 books felt so repetitive. The same types of things kept happening. I also didn't like the characters as much in the last 3 books. In the first 3, there were moments that I laughed out loud, yet the last 3 just seemed to be trying too hard to be funny. Simon is my favorite character, but his time in the book was very limited. I also didn't like how a lot of questions were left unanswered or new questions were created. I know that the author did this so that you would read her other series, but I don't want to read the other series. I wanted resolution. 

I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Book Description:
Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they? When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie—a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance—mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
This was a fun book. This would have been a better beach read than the other Kinsella book I read. It actually was funny. It was also different in that it wasn't exclusively a romance novel. It did have a little romance, but that wasn't the driving force of the book. It also had some elements of mystery to it. The main character grew a lot throughout the book. This was an easy, light read and I would recommend this for a fun, summer read. 

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel

Book Description:

Sam Elling works for an internet dating company, but he still can't get a date. So he creates an algorithm that will match you with your soul mate. Sam meets the love of his life, a coworker named Meredith, but he also gets fired when the company starts losing all their customers to Mr. and Ms. Right. When Meredith's grandmother, Livvie, dies suddenly, Sam uses his ample free time to create a computer program that will allow Meredith to have one last conversation with her grandmother. Mining from all her correspondence—email, Facebook, Skype, texts—Sam constructs a computer simulation of Livvie who can respond to email or video chat just as if she were still alive. It's not supernatural, it's computer science. Meredith loves it, and the couple begins to wonder if this is something that could help more people through their grief. And thus, the company RePose is born. The business takes off, but for every person who just wants to say good-bye, there is someone who can't let go. In the meantime, Sam and Meredith's affection for one another deepens into the kind of love that once tasted, you can't live without. But what if one of them suddenly had to? 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
The premise of this book seemed really interesting. However, the book did not live up to my expectations. I had a really hard time getting through this one. The writing style was different. I never felt connected to the characters. I don't feel like the characters grew or changed by the events of the story. I don't have much else to say about this one other than I didn't like it.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars.

Savannah Folklore by Nicole Carlson Easley

Book Description: 
Read Savannahs history through 58 short stories about revenge, exorcisms, graveyard parties, forgotten cemeteries, unsettled spirits, and lady pirates. See over 60 images of Savannah's lovely buildings and statues that are mentioned in the text. Learn tales of a secret tunnel once used to capture men for forced labor, superstitions that stave spirits of the dead, and unabashed sexual deviances in the most hospitable city in the South.

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review:
I picked this book up on my family's recent trip to Tybee Island. I've gotten to where I like to buy ghost story or local folklore books when I visit historical cities. This is the first one that I've actually read all the way through. It was a very simple read. The history of Savannah is told in very short stories. It also had several pictures to help you visualize the spots that the stories were talking about. I really enjoyed learning little bits of history and it's made me want to go back and visit some of these places. 

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby 

Book Description:
Meet Martin, JJ, Jess, and Maureen. Four people who come together on New Year's Eve: a former TV talk show host, a musician, a teenage girl, and a mother. Three are British, one is American. They encounter one another on the roof of Topper's House, a London destination famous as the last stop for those ready to end their lives. In four distinct and riveting first-person voices, Nick Hornby tells a story of four individuals confronting the limits of choice, circumstance, and their own mortality. This is a tale of connections made and missed, punishing regrets, and the grace of second chances. 

Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review: 
I'm not really sure what to think of this book. It wasn't really the premise that bothered me as much as the fact that it was just kind of boring. The story was told by each of the four main characters. Usually I enjoy stories that switch between points of view. On a good note, the characters were all very distinct and they grew and changed throughout the story. I also think the ending was appropriate for the book.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars.


What have you read lately? Have you read any of these? 

Book Review: The Longest Ride

Synopsis:
Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage. A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first. Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

Image and synopsis via Goodreads

My Review:
Nicholas Sparks is a definite guilty pleasure. This one doesn't make my list of favorite Nicholas Sparks' books, but it wasn't bad either. I liked how the story switched back and forth between Ira's and Ruth's story and Luke's and Sophia's story. Books like that are hard to put down. I preferred Luke and Sophia to Ira and Ruth. I thought the ending was interesting and it was definitely classic, romantic Nicholas Sparks. There's not much else to say about it. It would be a great summer read if you haven't read it already.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

To me, the best thing about reading Nicholas Sparks' books now that I live in North Carolina is I have been to many of the places he mentions.

Places I have visited mentioned in The Longest Ride:

Grove Park Inn Asheville, NC

Outer Banks

Duke University Durham, NC

I have also been to Nicholas Sparks' house. Okay...so I haven't exactly "been to" his house. I took a river boat cruise that went by his house and I felt like a paparazzi snapping pictures like crazy.

 

Have you read anything good lately?

Book Review: Rules (A Must Read)

Synopsis:
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

 Book description and image via Goodreads

My Review
Last year, I read a book called Wonder which I loved. I loved it so much I named it as one of my top 5 favorite books of the year. This book reminded me a lot of Wonder. Similarly, I think this is a book that everyone should read. Particularly if you have children over the age of 8- READ THIS BOOK TO THEM. I think you should read it to them because you can have some great discussion. I will probably read this aloud to my 4th grade class later in the year. I think it's so important for them to learn to have empathy for others. I also want to reiterate the point I've tried to make all year that people are people no matter how different they may seem. Kids need to hear this message. Kids can be so mean to one another and they need to be reminded that all people have feelings. All people just want to be treated with respect.

I sympathize with the main character, Catherine. When you're 12 years old, all that matters to you is what other people think of you. Her brother is embarrassing to her and her new friend, Jason, is embarrassing to her. Unfortunately, she learns that you can't have the best of both worlds. You can't be kind to those people who are embarrassing to you and keep it a secret. You have to make a choice.

I didn't mean for this review to turn into a preaching session. Basically, I don't have much to say other than read this book. Of course, it is a book geared towards tweens and teens, but I think adults can glean a valuable message from it as well.

I give it an A+

Book Review: The Chemical Garden Trilogy

Synopsis:
*I'm just going to include the synopsis for Wither so nothing will be spoiled if you want to read this series.*

Wither Synopsis:
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Book description and images via Goodreads

My Review:

Characters:
I liked the main character, Rhine, and how she was very determined and willing to sacrifice herself for those she loved. I also felt more attached to her husband, Linden, than to the boy she liked, Gabriel. I think that is due to the fact that Linden was in the books more than Gabriel was. So, I definitely would have liked the chance to get to know Gabriel better. I also thought the "villian," Housemaster Vaughn, was equal parts scary, sadistic, and mad scientist. I felt the frustration right along with Rhine when he continuously foiled her plans.

Plot:
My problem with a lot of trilogies is the story doesn't seem to flow. It seems like the author is stretching to try and fill pages with words to make the story into 3 books. That was why I loved Divergent and Matched, but the last two books in both of those series fell short for me. This trilogy was not like that. The author seemed to have a plan from the beginning and the whole story was told from beginning, middle, and end without useless, boring stuff in between. I'll admit that some of the things that happened seemed too convenient or unbelievable (like the amount of snow they are receiving in FLORIDA!). However, some of that stuff makes sense later in the trilogy. The concept overall does seem like a bit of a stretch and I had some trouble fully imagining this world, but it entertained me the whole time.

Resolution:
Some things seemed to come together way too conveniently in the end. It also felt a little rushed. I also feel like we were left kind of wondering how everything would turn out. There was still more I wanted to know about their parents as well. I would have liked an epilogue that gave us a glimpse into the characters' lives many years down the road. That way we would know if everything turns our alright for them or not.

My grade: I give it an A. I think if you typically like YA dystopian books, you'll like this trilogy.