More Books Coming Soon!

Sorry Friends!

I have been SOOOOOO busy. But still making time to read, I have a lot of goodies to share with you, so keep watch, next week will be a big update week.

So sorry for the long blog silence!

Amy

Tempest Rising, by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Maguire is 16, she's an amazing surfer, with a boyfriend, two little brothers, and a great dad.

It seems like she has it all.

But her 17th birthday is fast approaching and with it a choice.

She can choose to stay on land and be human, for the rest of her life.

Or, she can give herself over to the sea and stop resisting the siren call that lures her into the ocean,

just like her mother.

As she tests the waters, she discovers a fantastic world below the surface of the sea, but as the weight of the underwater world settles on her shoulders there might not be a decision to make, because Tempest might not have a choice after all.

Haven, by Kristi Cook

I'm worried about giving spoilers, because there are a lot of twists and turns in this book that were gasp-inducing. Things I did not expect at all. So, in an effort to let this book be as mysterious as it needs to be, I'll give you the official:

Violet doesn’t understand why she feels drawn to the Winterhaven School, she just knows it’s the right place for her. When she discovers the school’s secret, it all makes sense: everyone at Winterhaven has psychic gifts. For the first time in her life Violet doesn’t have to hide her visions. She’s always seen them as a curse, but now she can hone her ability and try to control it.

Violet’s never been able to prevent her visions from coming true. But this time she’ll do whatever it takes... even if it means sacrificing herself for the boy she loves.



The 'boy' she loves? Let's just say it's a liberal use of the word 'boy'.

Had I known what the book was really about I would have been much less inclined to read it.

I am SO very glad that I did.

It was a fresh take on a tired subject and this book had a dark and gloomy side that I adored.

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

Here's the official:

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

I know many of you have already seen the movie with Reese Witherspoon and Rob Pattinson (swoon). I've yet to see the movie, but the book was incredible. Never have I read a more believable character. Jacob Jankowski captured my heart as a young man alone in the world, unsure of his future. And he captured my heart even more as partial narrator of the story at ninety years old.

He's believable, and lovable, and so utterly sad.

I was angry for him, I hurt for him, and I literally laughed out loud at his triumphs.

I recommend this book to anyone (over the age of 15...) and know you'll love it as much as I do.

Stay tuned for more book reviews soon!

Matched, by Ally Condie

I looked at this book 3 times before I ended up getting it.

I was annoyed that one of the characters names was Xander.

It seemed typical, and I SO hate typical.

But.... 

I am VERY glad I read this book.

Here's the official:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

This is a fascinating storyline. The main character, Cassia, has this uncertainty that is SO believable, but she does something that is EXACTLY what I love about a main character.

She practices rebellion.
You see the bubble on the cover? In every aspect of this book she is trapped and she has always accepted it. Not because it's futile, but because she doesn't realize she is even trapped.

But then she realizes.... and she starts to fight back.

What fascinated me even more, was when I reached the end of the book, I realized that there really weren't that many things that had HAPPENED in the book.

You take a book like the Hunger Games, and there's a battle and struggle on every page - people dying, deception, EVENTS taking place.

In this book though, the author managed to reel me in JUST AS MUCH, with way less action.

And that my friends, is good writing.

The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks

I've not seen the movie, and am still not sure if I ever plan to. But the book.... oh the book.... it was riveting. Not many authors can capture teenage angst in a way that is real, but Mr. Sparks did that. You felt the frustration of Ronnie, her struggle to fit in, not conform, to distance herself and bring herself closer to her family. The Last Song captures a single summer on the beaches of North Carolina - where you read of Ronnie and her summer romance, her struggle of finding herself, and the devastation she suffers when everything seems to be finally looking up.
This book deserves 5 out of 5 brightly shining stars.

The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger

Wow. This book was like nothing else I've ever read.

It's the story of Holden Caulfield - he narrates two days of his life in the most expressive voice.

It's witty, bitter, painful.

Holden is kicked out of his most recent prep school, and he recounts the two days following his expulsion. Throughout he rails at his childhood, the death of his brother, the phoniness of his friends and the people around him, how unglorified being an adult really is -- wishing he were an adult, yet still wistful about his youth. Stuck in this middle ground and entirely disenchanted with his life.

What I wish I had known before reading it (spoiler alert!) is that he is narrating the two days from a psychiatric ward --

which is where his story ends.

Watership Down, by Richard Adams

I know what you may be thinking..... you may be thinking "This is a book about rabbits", and had you been thinking that..... well, you'd be right.

But you're wrong to think that.

Here's the official...

A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for over thirty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

It IS about rabbits, but it's more about courage, this isn't some talking animal story, it's their world, as if you were in it. It's about destruction. How humans are destroying the land they've called home and how they must face the dangers and heartache of leaving, forever, and journey to what is supposed to be a Utopia, called Watership Down.
Trust me.
Read this.
You won't be disappointed.

Drowning Ruth, by Christina Schwarz

Chapter 1:

Ruth remembered drowning.

"That's impossible," Aunt Amanda said. "It must have been a dream."

But Ruth maintained that she had drowned, insisted on it for years, even after she should have known better.....

********************

Amanda comes home after years of caring for wounded soldiers. She lives with her sister Mathilda and her neice Ruth. When Mathilda suddenly dies, Amanda is left to care for Ruth, Mathilda's husband --barely home from war--, and to hide the secret about Mathilda's death.

The story is weaved through the years and characters, just keeping the truth out of sight in this captivating and chilling tale of the things love can drive a person to do for their family.

Nightshade, by Andrea Cremer

This book was hard summarize in my own words. I've never had that happen before. So, here's the official:

"Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known."

First of all, let me say that I LOVED this book, it was complex, and the storyline was incredibly riveting. I WILL be reading the sequel and recommending this book to others.

BUT, there were a lot of similarities to other popular works. The Wraiths in her story have a lot in common with Dementors, she also uses giant arachnids.... also Harry Potter. The main character saves a boy from being killed by a grizzly bear....very Twilight-esque... I know these are probably coincidences, I just wish there had been no glaring paralells to other extremely popular stories.

That said, her writing style is incredibly descriptive. You will find very few "she said's" in this story, everything was a movement, a feeling, or an action. This author writes in a way that keeps you turning the pages, even if you don't like what's happening. If I had a star system, this would get a 4.

I LOVED the portrayal of romance in this book.

And, finally, let me just say.... this book is deceptive. You'll know what I mean once you read it.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

It's Jackson, Mississippi and the year is 1962. This is right before Martin Luther King leads the March on Washington. Jackson is a tense place. Especially if you're black.

But in the midst of it all, three women decide to do something extraordinary, they decide to tell the truth - the truth of what it's like to be a black maid, serving white folk. Some of it's pretty, about how they get extra money come Christmastime, how they love the children they look after, and how they are grateful to have a job in hard times.

The rest of it? It isn't so pretty, the condecension, abuse, humiliation, the segregation -- from the grocery stores they shop in to the bathroom they are allowed to use in their homes, and... how those little ones they looked after and loved? Those little ones grow up, and turn out just like their parents - full of hatred and bigotry.

This story isn't like others though, this story is written from 3 different point of views, with feeling, hatred and love, it's personal, and gives a refreshingly new view on what many of the people living in the south felt at that time. It's about The Help.

Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling

For many readers out there, this series is a favorite, read so many times your copy is dogeared and discolored. Others still haven't read it.... to those others YOU are missing out my friend.

Harry Potter was left orphaned at the tender age of 1, his parents murdered by the most evil wizard of all time. Left with his aunt & uncle and with no knowledge of the wizarding world, he endures, until he discovers that he is not only a wizard but a famous one.

Join Harry through 7 incredible tales of friendship, bravery, and suspense, filled with writing that is full of wit and emotion.

Through each book I was incredibly riveted and tied to the characters Rowling introduces. Each one has specific traits, they are relatable, and I found myself laughing with them, being angry on their behalf, and half-wishing that I could go along for the adventure myself. If you've already read this series I'm sure you'll agree it's worth rereading, and if you haven't I suggest picking up the first copy today.

Fablehaven Series, by Brandon Mull

I know what you might be thinking... that this is a 'kids' book. And, well, it kind of IS.

BUT!!!!!!, I have read books 1-5 and am completely in love with each and every one.

Here is the official synopsis:

For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite.

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken — Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good — powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.

This is a book that's in league with Percy Jackson & the Olympians, it's whimsical, and interesting, and full of surprises.



Once A Witch, by Carolyn MacCullough

Tamsin Greene has grown up in a family of witches, magic is commonplace in her life. Need a love potion? Just ask her mother. Is someone making your life miserable? One of her crazy extended family members can just send a well-placed hex their way.
But Tamsin? She can't do a thing, she's an outsider. Talentless. The one who was supposed to be the most powerful in the family never manifested, she doesn't have a drop of magic to call her own.
So, when a mysterious stranger mistakes her for her talented older sister, asking for her help to track down an old family heirloom Tasmin can't help but play along and enjoy feeling special for once. But this stranger isn't who she thinks he is, and the heirloom she helps him find is one that will unlock her powers and cause destruction for everyone she loves.

Beastly, by Alex Flinn

 I read this book when it was just a cover, a twist on an old fairytale story.

Now, it's going to be a major motion picture.

It's about a beast, and this is his story......

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

Kyle Kingsbury is everything you ever wished you could be: Handome, Insanely Wealthy, Popular, Smart, Confident.... he's the whole arrogant package. Set in New York City, Kyle is cursed, turned into a modern beast - not a prowling animal - but a human, one who is deformed, laughed at, one who is ugly. With a father who shuns him because of his curse Kyle is on his own. And, as the old fairytale goes, he must find someone to love him for who he is- someone who can look past his hideous disfigurement, his awful attitude, and see the person behind the enchantment. 

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

This is a story told from Death's point of view, a fresh take on Nazi Germany with just a touch of a love story.
Liesel Meminger is a young girl, growing up in Nazi Germany. Liesel is also a book thief.
Narrating from his point of view, Death talks about the first time he met Liesel, how her brother died, and how she stole her very first book "The Gravediggers Handbook", and her love of not only books - but stealing books, became greater - one of her fiercest desires and something that helped her carry on through the extremely hard times she would soon face. From hiding Jews in her basement, stealing so she wouldn't starve, and being completely and utterly afraid of falling in love - her books helped her with all of this and more.

Beauty, A Retelling of the story of Beauty & The Beast, by Robin McKinley

I read this story for the first time in second grade. But, trust me, it's a book that is amazing no matter what age you read it. This is a retelling like you've never read before.
This is the story of Beauty, a girl who grows up by the sea, lives with her wealthy family, and has two beautiful and kind older sisters. But, Beauty is anything but beatiful, she is awkward, sallow faced, with big hands and feet.
Her fathers shipping business goes bankrupt and their family is forced to travel to the forest to live.
The story takes a twist when her father returns home from a trip with tales of a wild beast, living in a castle in the forest beyond their home, and, in order for the fathers' life to be spared, one of his daughters must go, willingly to live with the beast. Forever.
But nothing is as it seems...

Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations is the story of Pip, his childhood and growth into an adult. As a poor child, growing up was rough, he never had the best of things, was in love with a girl in a station much higher than his own, and had a longing for things that always seemed out of reach. When he is a bit older, he receives and unexpected windfall of money. He moves to the city, pursues what he thought he always wanted only to find that he was too materialistic and what he had originally wanted isn't worth having anymore and the things that he truly does want don't want him back.
Most people have already read this story, and so I'll say -- the ending of this book was tragic, but it was also the only way this book could have ended, so fitting.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson

This story begins and ends with the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a young girl who vanished over 40 years ago. This story follows the Vanger family, a reporter, and a girl named Lisbeth Salander.
I find myself at a loss for words over this story. It was slow paced, confusing, and a hodgepodge of information that upon the final result of the book you find was mostly useless. But a great way to make what could have been a 100 page book into 400 pages.

It was interesting. But in a tiring, and drawn out way.

I can't imagine myself reading the sequel.

We'll see.

Firelight, by Sophie Jordan

Jacinda is a fiery redhead - no simple teenage girl. Jacinda is a decendant of the dragon, her race is known as Draki. An elite race that can transform from her natural Draki form to an almost average looking human.

Destined to be 'mated' with a Draki prince because of her special abilities, Jacinda and her family are forced to leave their mountain boundaries and venture into the mortal world.

The dry air and dusty desert wreak havoc on her inner Draki, until it begins to wither and die. Until she meets Will. A human. A hunter of Draki. And the only thing that can keep her true self alive. Does she get close to him or fight her inner battle alone? Can she risk it either way?

This is a fresh take on a paranormal story, and a dragon story. Completely original and captivating. My only qualm was the storyline moved too fast. I wish I had a bit longer to explore the characters, the nuances of their personalities, and the development of their relationship together. HOWEVER, it did not detract from the amazing and well plotted story line. I just HATE that I have to wait for the sequel.