Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
"Notorious Nineteen" by Janet Evanovich
You've gotta love Stephanie Plum. Due to incessant badgering from two of my coworkers, I picked up the first Stephanie Plum novel a few years ago. They are fun, witty, and can make me laugh. A very nice distraction from the day-to-day grind.
From Amazon: New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what Tiki tells you to do.
After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape . . . or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.
The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money—or maybe just desperate—Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again—a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone . . . or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory. . . .
Let's face it. If you're not a fan of Janet Evanovich you aren't just going to pick up this book and read. However, if you are looking for a quick, hilarious read I highly suggest you go ahead and start the Stephanie Plum series. If you still aren't convinced, let me give you 2 reasons you should - Morelli and Ranger. Holy hotness!
That being said, I give "Notorious Nineteen" a B+.
#19
Saturday, February 23, 2013
"Chime" by Franny Billingsley
A friend of mine recommended this book when I was bemoaning the fact that almost everything is part of a series these days.
From Amazon: Briony has a secret. It is a secret that killed her stepmother, ruined her sister's mind, and will end her life, if anyone were to know. She has powers. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and a great mane of tawny hair. He is as natural as the sun, and he treats her as if she is extraordinary. And everything starts to change . . . Chime is a haunting, brilliantly written novel that will stay with you--its magic, its romance, its world like none other.
Let's start off by saying - half of the time I had no idea what in the hell was going on. Once I did, the story was pretty good. The words themselves are gorgeous, but they are written in a very distracting manner. I really, really wanted to love this novel. And I might have if I understood it better LOL. I give "Chime" a C.
#18
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
"The Crown of Embers" by Rae Carson - Fantasy
There has not been a series since Outlander by Diana Gabaldon that has caught my attention like Rae Carson's Girl of Fire and Thorns.
From Amazon: Elisa is a hero. She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.
Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.
To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trail of long-forgotten--and forbidden--clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom--despite everything--she is falling in love with.
If she's lucky, she will return from this journey. But there will be a cost.
I devoured these books in a weekend. Alas, now I am forced to wait until August to find out how the series ends.
Thankfully there are a few novellas, both published and upcoming, to help take the edge off. I give "The Crown of Embers" an A.
#17
Saturday, February 16, 2013
"The Girl of Fire and Thorns" by Rae Carson -Fantasy
AMAZING! I can truly say "The Girl of Fire and Thorns" was one of the best books I've read this year.
From Amazon: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can't see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king--a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn't die young. Most of the chosen do.
I literally cannot wait until I can start the sequel to this novel, although I'm dreading the wait for book 3. I have to admit that I was sort of skeptical when I started reading, but I didn't take long for me to get hooked. I highly recommend this novel. I give "The Girl of Fire and Thorns" an A.
#16
Thursday, February 14, 2013
"Summer and the City" by Candace Bushnell - Fiction
Another cute novel!
From Amazon:Meet teenage Carrie Bradshaw as she hits the bright lights, big city of New York for the very first time! Find out how Carrie transforms from country girl to super-cool fashionista in the second explosive CARRIE DIARIES novel from the globally bestselling author of SEX AND THE CITY. Summer is a magical time in New York City and Carrie is in love with all of it - the crazy characters in her neighborhood, the vintage-clothing boutiques, the wild parties and the glamorous man who has swept her off her feet. Best of all, she's finally in a real writing class, taking her first steps toward fulfilling her dream. This sequel to THE CARRIE DIARIES brings surprising revelations as Carrie learns to navigate her way around the Big Apple, going from being a country "sparrow" - as Samantha Jones dubs her - to the person she always wanted to be. But as it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile her past with her future, Carrie realizes that making it in New York is much more complicated than she ever imagined. With her signature wit and sparkling humor, Candace Bushnell reveals the irresistible story of how Carrie met Samantha and Miranda, and what turned a small-town girl into one of the New York City's most unforgettable icons, Carrie Bradshaw.
I really enjoyed this series. It was fun, fast-paced, and witty. It made me excited to read "Sex and the City"! So, I requested it from the library, and I'm honestly not going to finish it. "The Carrie Diaries" and "Summer and the City" have COMPLETELY different styles. In the end I give "Summer and the City" a B and "Sex and the City" a D.
#15
Monday, February 11, 2013
I died a little inside ...
I truly died a little inside when I saw this for the first time. They tore apart a book.
A BOOK!
Then again, how freaking amazing is this?
(Photo by Caroline Prietz.)
It's a wedding dress made entirely from the pages of "The Princess Bride".
Inconceivable!
P.S. - I would totally wear it.
Then again, how freaking amazing is this?
It's a wedding dress made entirely from the pages of "The Princess Bride".
P.S. - I would totally wear it.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
"The Carrie Diaries" by Candace Bushnell - Fiction
I was never what you would call a fan of Sex and the City the series, but the thought of reading the books always intrigued me. With the premiere of The Carrie Diaries on TV a few weeks ago, it sparked my interest once again.
From Amazon:The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.
Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything.
With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.
"The Carrie Diaries" was super cute. I remember being 17 and in my Senior year where so many things are changing. Your relationships with your friends, family, and fellow classmates alter very perceptibly in a short amount of time. I have to admit, this book is what did it for me. I couldn't wait to pick up the sequel "Summer and the City" and request "Sex and the City" from the library. I just need to know what happens. Who knows, after this, I might even request the TV series as well. Just what I need, another obsession. ;)
I give "The Carrie Diaries" a B+.
#14
"Scary Mary" by S.A. Hunter - Fiction
I picked up "Scary Mary" for free on Amazon a few months ago.
From Amazon:PMary has always been different. She’d like to be normal, but being able to hear ghosts means she’ll never be like everyone else. She starts her junior year of high school hoping to be left alone, but Cyrus Asher is new and doesn’t know or seem to care that she’s an outcast. They start hanging out and all is well until she goes over to his house. Cy’s house is haunted, and not by Caspar, the friendly ghost.
But it’s not the ghost that ruins the evening. That honor belongs to Vicky “The Hickey” Nelson with her borrowed Ouija board and stuck-up friends. They make Mary so angry that she uses the ghost to freak out everybody, Cy included. He orders her out, and Mary thinks she’s lost whatever chance she had with him. But there’s still the ghost to deal with. He’s mean, nasty, and possibly homicidal. She has to get rid of him or Cy and his family could be hurt. Or worse.
I'm in one of those moods where nothing sounds good. I pick up a book, read a few pages, and then find something else to do. I was hoping "Scary Mary" would be enough to suck me back in. It wasn't. It was alright. It's apparently part of a burgeoning series, with book 2, "Stalking Shadows", also available on Amazon. The second book actually sound really interesting, unfortunately I wasn't in love enough with "Scary Mary" to buy it. Such is life. I give "Scary Mary" a B-.
#13
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
"Where She Went" by Gayle Forman - YA Fiction
I was really excited to start "Where She Went" after finishing up with the first novel, "If I Stay".
From Amazon:Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam's point of view. Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results.
I really liked these 2 books. They were quick reads (300+ pages) and really entertaining. Gayle Forman's writing style and use of wordage is beautiful. Yes it's a YA novel, but she doesn't dumb it down. A friend of mine said they made her feel 'smart', and I totally get it. I give "Where She Went" a B+.
#12
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
"If I Stay" by Gayle Forman - YA Fiction
AMAZING!
From Amazon:In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.
I found this book through Amazon and it's Daily Deals section. Once again I didn't actually buy the book, but got it from my local library. An AWESOME friend of mine, Lindsey, read it a few weeks before I got my hands on it and highly recommended it to me. She was right. "If I Stay" is an emotional ride. Mia's journey of love, loss, and life is at times beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. I can't wait to start the sequel "Where She Went"! In conclusion, I give "If I Stay" an A.
#11
"Vampire" by Richie Tankersley Cusick - YA Thriller
When I came across "Vampire" by Richie Tankersley Cusick during a random search of the library, I thought it would be a good idea to see if one of the favorite authors of my youth stood the test of time.
From Amazon:A young girl attracts the attention of a killer who’s thirsty for blood.
Darcy never expected to spend a summer vacation living with her long-lost uncle Jake. Although he’s only six years older than her, they have never met. By the end of the summer, she’ll know him better than she ever wanted.
Jake and his friends share a dark sense of humor. He lives in the Dungeon, a wax museum filled with gory scenes of famous monsters. His favorite is the statue of Dracula, which stares out with lifelike eyes and crimson lips. His friends seem to be obsessed with vampires, and one of them is even playing Dracula in a play. It’s all harmless fun until the bodies of murdered young girls start appearing in the back alleys of their small town—throats cut and necks bitten. One of Jake’s friends is playing vampire for real, and he has his eyes on Darcy’s neck.
Maybe it's because my tastes have matured, or maybe it's because it was a really cheesy book, but I wasn't impressed at all. "Vampire" was originally published June 1, 1991. This means I would have been 12 years old when I bought and read it the first time around. I honestly can't remember if I liked it back then or not. It wasn't horrible, but I can remember others by the same author that I thought were much better. So, I'll keep trying. If they inspired me to love reading as much as I do, they can't all be horrible.
#10
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
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