Our Love Grows by Anna Pignataro E-Arc Review

***I received this book from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

Author: Anna Pignataro

Title: Our Love Grows

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Description:

In the deep green forest, Pip asked,
"Mama, when will I be big?"

Pip is an adorable, roly-poly little panda who sees the world changing and growing. But Pip is feeling a bit left behind. Luckily Mama is there to show playful and curious Pip that, like the trees in the forest and the stars in the sky, he's growing and changing too. And no matter how much Pip grows, the one thing that will never change is how much Mama loves him!

Review:

This was absolutely adorable and heartwarming. 

The story was simple and rhymed and was about a small panda who wanted to know when he would grow bigger. His mom told him that he had already grown bigger and talked about everything that had changed and grow just like him.

She finishes by telling him that her love for him also continues to grow which was so sweet.

The story was a little short and simple but I think younger kids would enjoy it.

The illustrations reminded me of a beautiful watercolor painting and the scenes depicted were detailed and the colors soft and soothing. I think children would really enjoy the illustrations. I also felt like the setting was well portrayed through the pictures and added to my overall enjoyment of this upcoming children's release. 

You will have to wait a little for this one to come out (Releases in April) but definitely pick it up!

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

The V Girl by Maya Roberts E-Book Review

***I received this book from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

Title: The V Girl

Author: Mya Robarts

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: July 1, 2014

Description:

In post-apocalyptic North America, rape and sexual slavery are legal. Lila Velez, desperately wants to lose her virginity before the troops visit her town and can take it away by force. She makes plans to seduce her only friend, Rey, the most attractive man in her town. Lila does not love him but he is the only man who has shown her true affection, an affection she is willing to take as a substitute of love.

Lila’s coping mechanism to her mother’s rape and kidnapping is her secret. A secret that will bring her closer to Aleksey, a foreign, broody man. Lila does not trust him because his links to the troops and his rough, yet irresistible appearance. Aleksey offers Lila an alternative to her plans, a possibility that terrifies her…and tempts her in spite of herself. 

All the while Lila will have to find a way to live in the constant company of death, slavery, starvation, sexual abuse and the danger of losing the people she loves the most.

Due to mature content, this book is intended for +18 readers.

Review:

I want to preface this by saying I did receive this for review on netgalley.com. Despite this novel being over a year old I noticed it listed on there and had recently seen a youtube.com review of it so I decided to give it a try.

I was a little taken aback by the subject matter as I got into it. This is definitely not for younger audiences and has a trigger warning for sexual violence and rape.

In fact the majority of the story is about rape. The main character does not want to suffer sexual abuse during "recruitment" in a new future dystopian America. Her goal is to experience sex in a nonviolent and preferably loving situation with someone she cares about.

However, she is running out of time as recruitment is not far away so she tries to lose her virginity to her best friend that she has feelings for and admires. Her best friend is rather religious and refuses to have sex with her unless they are married.

Believe me when I say I know how crazy this plot sounds. Seriously, its nuts. But for some reason I found this book addicting. We end up with a couple of other options for our protagonists deflower-er and we find out some things about her past that helps the reader understand some of the main characters quirkier qualities. (She has a real problem with voyeurism.)

I found the main characters openness to sexuality refreshing and also enjoyed that she wanted it to be more than just a physical act, but also an act of love. In most new adult/romance/erotica it is just purely about sex and I didn't see that in this book which was refreshing.

I think the overall theme of this book is consent and what it means to obtain consent and what effects people who experience sex through no-consent often go through. It is definitely not an easy to discuss subject. 

And despite it's serious subject matter I also found it cute. Which was strange but the love interest etc was pretty adorable on top of all the other stuff.

I was a little disappointed by the world building. I honestly know nothing about why America is the way it is or why recruitment is happening. I also have no clue where she is supposedly living and what happened to the majority of the population. In a romance I know that might not be the most important aspect but since it is supposed to be a dystopian it might have had a little more world description.

Overall, I was pretty pleasantly surprised by this. It is a little outside of my comfort zone but I did enjoy it and would suggest it for fans of novels like these. It has excellent www.goodreads.com ratings.

My Star Rating:

3.75 out of 5

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This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp E-Arc Review

***I received this book from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

Title: This is Where It Ends

Author: Marieke Nijkamp

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Description:

10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

Review:

" There are no words in that fleeting moment between hope and knowledge. There is no way to express how a heart can burst and break at the same time, how the sun can cut through the darkness but still cast shadows everywhere."

I tried to go into this with an open mind as there were some pretty mixed reviews. I, in a way, expected the mixed response but found that people's reservations were not about the subject matter but by the authors lack of characterization so I decided to give it a chance.

This book has it's moments. It is full of powerful sentiments about society and family and sexuality. In a world where things like school shootings happen more often than anyone dreamed the author does a good job of explaining the situation as it unfolds. 

It is difficult to get into the head of someone who would do something like this and the author doesn't really take that angle. She does describe some of the incidents that lead the shooter to his actions which include a lack of friendships, difficulty socializing, a girlfriend dumping him, death, and an abusive parent. However, I don't really think this book is only about him.

Because of the constant shift in perspectives we are able to connect students to students and realize the interconnections that form in high school. From the only openly gay kid being a victim of the shooting, not because he is gay but because the shooter felt victimized by him to the shooters own sister's relationships and connections all leading up to the conclusion of the book.

I enjoyed it as much as you can reading difficult subject matter like this and thought the book was sincere in its descriptions. At times I felt it was a bit disjointed jumping from perspective to perspective but overall it was a pretty solid read.

I wouldn't suggest this for anyone who something like this might hit a little too close to home to read. It is at times graphic in terms of violence but I did find it to be realistic and its subject matter important.

My Star Rating:
3.5 out of 5

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My Reading Habits: Jezire Akin

Something I get asked pretty frequently how I find time to read so much? Is that all I do? The answer is of course not!!!

First, let me say I read fairly quickly. I am not a skim reader but I would say that my reading pace is a little above average. This is definitely something that is helpful and changes from book to book based on genre and what the story is about.

Like anything some books are more complicated than others and I do not hide from these books. I read what I want to read when I want to read it and I don't give much thought to page counts or text size or anything along those lines. I just read what fits my mood.

One thing I can do that other people might find distracting and what really escalates how many books I complete is read multiple books at once. This will include all formats of books.

At any given time I will most likely be reading 4 books of varying types. One physical book, one audio book, one e-book, and typically a graphic novel or comic. I find that this gives me more opportunities to make time to read.

For example, I have a longer commute to work so an audio book set at 1.5x for nearly 2 hrs a day can get you pretty far. I also listen to audio books when working out sometimes which my husband and I try to do 3x's a week. A graphic novel might be something I pick up to kill a few minutes during a commercial break if I am watching TV alone. We don't have a DVR upstairs so if I am watching TV upstairs while my husband is down stairs this might be something I am doing.

I often have a lull in activities at work and a few scheduled breaks. Instead of filling that time snacking I will often pick up my current e-book. For my physical book reading time I will read during lunch, I am the only one scheduled for lunch at my time so I rarely go to lunch with anyone, and I will also pick up my physical book for about 30 minutes before bed.

I know it might be easy to think that I don't do anything else in my spare time but read but that is definitely not the case. I rarely, almost never, read during the weekend. From Friday when I come home until Sunday evening I won't pick up a book. I will work on a house project, clean, hang out with my friends and husband, have a few drinks or catch up some netflix instead.

I also have plenty of time to cook dinner with my husband 4-5 days a week and walk our dog and hang out with our cats. BUT, we don't have any kids and we are able to make our own schedules because of that. I make sure to squeeze in the things I love to do which includes spending QT with my husband and pets and watching trashy TV at night also. 

I think the point of this post is that time management is important. I am able to do what I want to do because I use the time I have to complete my goals in a timely manner. Some days that works better than others but for the most part I think that is what helps me get the most reading bang for my buck. Just making time to do things that I enjoy.

E-Arc Review: Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

***I received this book from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***




Title: Wolf by Wolf (#1)
Author: Ryan Graudin
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2015

Description:

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.

Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?

Review:

 I honestly can't believe I didn't pick this up right when I received it from netgalley.com now that I have completed it.

In this alternate history a young Jewish girl hopes to overthrow the Axis powers by killing Hitler. She happens to be a cruel experiment (X-Men style) gone wrong when she can shift into any person she sees. Pretty amazing and far-fetched but still highly entertaining. 

She participates in an Axis territory wide motorcycle race disguised as last years victor. A victor who is the only person to get the chance to dance with Hitler. She hopes to replace the victor and dance with the leader again in order to kill him the night of the Victor's Ball.

Amazing concept. Very well executed and thought out. Peppered with elements of the Third Reich that would have most likely happened if Hitler had survived and won with Japan riding his coat tails into a leading power of the world. 

Great dynamics involving family, a slight love interest, and an action packed race sequence that keeps the reader entertained.

The ending of this book was nothing short of spectacular and thank goodness it has been continued in a sequel because if not I don't know what I would have done to get closure. 

I loved this. As a big fan of historical fiction I thought this had a great blend of actual history and fictionalized elements. A must read and now I can't wait to pick up my e-book copy of the author's other fairly recent release, The Walled City.


My Star Rating:

4.5 out of 5

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SPOILER REVIEW: Trouble by Mark Millar

Title: Trouble

Author: Mark Millar

Illustrated by: Terry Dodson

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

Description:

It's one of the most controversial stories Marvel has ever produced! When friends May and Mary take on a summer job after high school, they meet brothers Ben and Richard--and summer lovin' ensues! Prepare for sand, sun...and lots of sex! High drama, infidelity and a pregancy! Innovative work by Mark Millar and Terry Dodson!

Review:

I was browsing through my local bookstore and came across this comic. I actually didn't even read the description at the time. I just picked it up and decided that the cover looked interesting and it was only $5 so I said why the heck not. Little did I know that this is considered one of Marvel's most highly disputed stories. 

The description on www.goodreads.com does not even tell the half of the story. It is absolutely one of the craziest things I have read in terms of comics. So, the is basically about Aunt May and how she meets Uncle Ben (Spiderman's aunt and uncle who raise him after his parents disappear.) It depicts May and her friend going away to work at a resort in the Hampton's for the summer.

At the same time we see Ben and his brother Richie doing the same thing. Ben wants to have a summer of sex and plans to save up for a car with the money he makes working at the resort. His brother Richie already has a pretty sweet car and is just in it for the action he plans to get at the beach.

Overall, just 4 lustful teens looking to spend the summer on the beach. It turns into a lot more than what they bargained for by the end of summer. May is pretty much a hussy. She hooks up with Ben and he is sweet and loving and treats her right but she is a wild child and after a bit ends up hooking up with someone else. (RICHIE!!)

Okay, you read that right. She ends up hooking up with her best friends boyfriend who is also her current boyfriends brother. Sweet little Aunt May is a hoe. She consistently sleeps around with little regard for who she hurts...until her period is late and she catches herself in a bit of a predicament. 

She is pregnant with her boyfriends brother's baby. She eventually ends up having the baby with all involved parties finding out that it is due to her cheating. Her friend eventually goes to Ritchie to basically find out if he loves her like he says. She thinks if he accepts the baby and helps her raise it then his love is real and it helps May get out of something she isn't prepared for. (Good friend right?) 

So basically this comic is saying that May (Aunt May) is the mother to Peter Parker!!!! Such a wild and crazy theory, but damn if it wasn't an entertaining read.

I can see why it gets so many mixed reviews because it does change a lot in terms of your views on Spiderman characters but it is still very entertaining to read and think about.

Rating:

4 out of 5

Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn Review

Title: Firsts
Author: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Description:
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23480844-firsts

Review:

***I received this book from www.goodreads.com first reads program/giveaway. All opinions are my own.***

I wanted to read this book since I had first heard about it. The premise was so intriguing. I love books that talk openly about teenage sex. It is something that every teen deals with and to idolize it as this thing that happens between two people in this special planned out way isn't usually accurate. Trust me, I was a teen once. So, when I heard that this book was discussing sex, much less casual consenting sex I really wanted to know what this new YA author had to say on the topic. 

I have to say I was impressed. Not very often to we see a girl character who appears comfortable with her sexuality and I don't mean our main character, I mean her fun and easy going friend Faye.

Now our main character is the one whose sex life we really explore and I love hearing about that to but it was Faye who really stood out to me.

Mercedes, our protagonist, decides that she wants to help guys make their "first time" with their girlfriends special. She didn't have the greatest first experience and she wants to make other girls first time better than her own. It starts as just one but quickly escalates past 10 visitors to her bedroom for her to teach them what a woman wants in bed.

She wears something sexy and goes over kissing, planning their date, foreplay, the whole shebang in order to ensure a great first experience. In her mind this helps the guy loosen up by getting his first fumbling out of the way.

But lets be honest. This girl is sleeping with over a 12 guys, at 17, and these guys all have girlfriends. That's pretty shady and plus completely unhealthy on her part. She does practice safe sex and is cautious about her experiences with these guys but basically ends up having to confront some serious issues with her friends and her own first experiences. 

It is hard to like Mercy. She isn't doing anything to make her seem like a good person. She has no real family relationships, she likes a guy but can't seem to stop taking people's virginity, she has a good friend in Angela but isn't very honest with her about anything, and makes a great friend in Faye but even tries to confuse that sexually.

In the end though I still loved her. She came very far and she definitely still has a ways to go but I loved her character growth. I also loved learning about what made her the way she is. 

If you are looking for a book that has real conversations about teen sex, teen pregnancy, casual sex, friendships, family, relationships, and slut-shaming then I think you will enjoy this book.

Rating:

4.25 out of 5

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5 New Children's Releases: New Year New Lessons

Title: Over-Scheduled Andrew
Author: Ashley Spires
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Random House of Canada Limited
Publication Date: January 12, 2016

I think this would be a great read for kids a little bit older. Maybe 1-2 grade. It is about a young bird who joins the school play. He loves drama class but has difficulty speaking up so his teacher suggests he join debate to help his speaking in public. He gets really got at it and enjoys it.

But once he learns he has to dance for the play and he needs some improvement in that area he joins ballet and karate to help with his coordination while he is still in drama and debate. Then he makes new friends in his club and joins several more clubs until he has not time for fun with his friend Edie or for being good at drama which is how the whole thing started.

He eventually decides which clubs he likes the most and realizes he can't please everyone and still have time to enjoy the things he loves.

This is a very good lesson for older children and the art style is simple but fun.

4 out of 5





Title: Noni Speaks Up
Author: Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by: Genecieve Cote
Publisher: Random House of Canada Limited
Publication Date:Feb 9, 2016

I wasn't in love with this book or the writing but the message was definitely something that is important for children. Noni does her best to be a good person. She goes out of her way to be nice, even to strangers, 

One day she notices her classmates making fun of a boy named Hector just because he is a little different then them. He is tall and has glasses and they make fun of his name.

Noni spends time thinking about why she didn't say anything to help Hector when she loves helping everyone else.

After giving it some serious thought she stands up for Hector and feels better about helping him and doing the right thing.

The illustrations weren't great and again, not a huge fan of the writing but it was pretty good.

3 out of 5



Title: If I had a Gryphon
Author: Vikki Vansickle
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Publisher: Random House of Canada Limited
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2016

If the cover of this upcoming children's book isn't enough to draw you in then definitely take my suggestion and pick this up.

It is so fantastical. A young girl gets a hamster and thinks she might want something a little more exciting. As she imagines have a gryphon, a kraken, a Sasquatch  and many other exotic pants from the fantasy books she reads she starts to realize that the hamster is actually the perfect pet for her.

The art style is amazing and it has a lot of vibrant colors but also has a bit of a whimsical vintage feel to it.

I think this is one of the best children's books I have read recently and I loved the rhyming pattern. I think this will be a big hit. 

5 out of 5



Title: Calling All Cars
Author: Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Sarah Belse
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

This was adorable! All little boys or girls who love playing with cars will absolutely love this. Written in a rhyming style we see illustrations of cars of all types and colors and the animals driving them. The art style is very cartoonish but bright and fun and I can see the details really being something that children like and enjoy pointing out.

The fact that the cars are driving by fun animals of all kinds will also be a fun aspect for kids to enjoy.

If you have a child who likes cars and enjoys brightly colored rhyming stories that can be fun over and over again then I definitely suggest this new release.

4 out 5




Title: Good Morning Yoga
Author: Mariam Gates
Illustrator: Sarah Jane Hinder
Publisher: Sounds True Publishing
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

I read this as well as its predecessor, Good Night Yoga, recently and it was fabulous. A great way to start your school age children's day off right. With poses to wake you up and help you start the day off with a good attitude this book can be an awesome part of your morning routine.

As I said I also read, Good Night Yoga, by the same author and illustrator and it is not to be missed either. It is filled with relaxing poses to help kids (and parents) wind down and get ready for bed. Just helps get all the last minute wiggles out of their system and i actually followed along with both and they were were simple but effective.

4 out of 5

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I actually listened to this audio book. Part with my husband over the holidays and the rest on my own as we didn't have any other lengthy car rides planned together for awhile. It was a re-read for him anyways and I believe he is doing the same (listening to the rest on his own).

I listed to a version that was read by the author. His accent and word pronunciation are often times comical but that just might be because it was just so different from other narrators I have listened to.

I really enjoyed the story. The savagery and raw human nature in this book are what make it such a classic. The fact that a group on young men and small children get stranded on an island and basically resort to prehistoric society in the process is both fascinating and disturbing.

The elements of the society they knew and the society they create are intertwined in such a unique way. It was so strange to see rules and leadership and then the slow decline and immediate drop off of democracy into a fear based dictatorship.

The fact that crimes like murder are transformed into something that is clouded by the island is just so neat to see. I know this book has been talked to death but I enjoyed it. I definitely think this is worth the read in terms of classics.





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Top 10 New Releases I Want To Read In 2016

Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1484715772?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Absolutely loved Bracken's Darkest Minds Trilogy and accompanying novellas and can't wait to see what she does with a new series. The premise of this sounds amazing. Time travel and romance are never something I shy away from and emotions she was able to evoke with her last series make me know that I will be heartbroken by the end of this one.

Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374384738?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

I have a few series wrap-ups on my list as most anticipated and I am up-to-date on this one. I can't wait to find out what happens between Kestrel and Arin and what becomes of the political system that is keeping them apart. Because this is an end to a trilogy I won't say much but I will say if you like romance, politics, and action this is a great series. I read the first two books in a weekend.

Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399162437?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

This is another end to a trilogy coming out in mid-2016. I have read the first book in 2014 and thought it was one of the best si-fi/alien books I had ever read. I got busy and distracted by mixed reviews for book 2 and haven't read it yet but think this series will end with a bang. Yancy is an excellent writer and I am looking forward to finding out how this ends.

                                      Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385743602?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Again, the end to a trilogy (maybe I should have split these up on the list) that I can't wait to read. Luckily this comes out in Feb 2016 so I won't have to wait long. The conclusion to The Reckoners series promises answers about the origin of what is causing ordinary humans to have super powers and maybe a solution to the corruption using these powers causes.



                                        Pre-Order It Here:
                                          http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399171622?                           psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

This is book two in the Wrath and the Dawn series. The first book was a 2015 release so this would be an easy one to dive into because it has not been out long. This is a retelling of the Classic "1001 Arabian Nights" and the writing is fast paced and the romance has a slow build. There also promises to be quite a bit of action in book two which I think will really help round out the story.

                                          Pre-Order It Here:
                                            http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595148418?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

I actually haven't been the biggest fan or Richelle Mead to date. I read the first book in both her Vampire Academy Series and her Georgina Kincaid series and just thought they were okay. However, the description for this sounds way to unique to pass up. We not only have the old west which promises to include elements of the Gold Rush and territory life but we also have an English style 17/1800 court life element as well.

I have never heard of anything along the lines of this and had to add it to my TBR. 




                                      Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619634465?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Book two of the series commonly referred to as ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) promises to be an intense look at the dying off of the fairy life we only got a glimpse of in book one. The first story was pitched as a Beauty and the Beast retelling but I think those story elements sort of wrapped themselves up in the first book so I am looking forward to finding out where she takes book two. I have only read a few books by Maas but she has no disappointed me yet.

Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062380850?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

There is literally no description of this on amazon yet and it isn't scheduled to release until July but Victoria (or V.E. for her adult books) has done nothing but impress me the last two years. I have read most of her published works and although there were some plot holes in her Darker Shade of Magic series I think the sequel will fill in the blanks and I can't wait to see how she approaches monsters after already tackling alternate universes, ghosts, and super villains. 

                                        Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805099255?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

Another conclusion to a series that I am really looking forward to in 2016. The Remnant Chronicles follows are main character as she fleas to escape an arranged marriage. Both the Price she was supposed to marry and an assassin follow her and the first book is filled with the reader trying to decipher who is who. I loved that aspect of the story and although I haven't picked up the middle book in the trilogy I plan to this year so I can see how this wraps up. It is pretty obvious from the cover that we can expect a exciting action driven conclusion.

                                        Pre-Order It Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616559454?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

I have read almost every single book or item Chuck Palahiniuk has written. I actually started out reading this graphic in single issue but my local store I purchase from kept selling out so I have a signed 1st issue, 2nd issue and the 4th. I kind of gave up on trying to get the single issues and this comes out the day before my birthday so I plan to get myself a little birthday surprise.

Honorable Mention:

                                     Pre-Order It Here:

http://smile.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Novel-Han-Kang/dp/0553448188/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451947108&sr=1-1&keywords=the+vegetarian



A beautiful, unsettling novel in three acts, about rebellion and taboo, violence and eroticism, and the twisting metamorphosis of a soul
 
Before the nightmares began, Yeong-hye and her husband lived an ordinary, controlled life. But the dreams—invasive images of blood and brutality—torture her, driving Yeong-hye to purge her mind and renounce eating meat altogether. It’s a small act of independence, but it interrupts her marriage and sets into motion an increasingly grotesque chain of events at home. As her husband, her brother-in-law and sister each fight to reassert their control, Yeong-hye obsessively defends the choice that’s become sacred to her. Soon their attempts turn desperate, subjecting first her mind, and then her body, to ever more intrusive and perverse violations, sending Yeong-hye spiraling into a dangerous, bizarre estrangement, not only from those closest to her, but also from herself. 
 
Celebrated by critics around the world, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and one woman’s struggle to break free from the violence both without and within her.

(info per amazon.com)

Top Series I Want To Read/Finish in 2016

There are a few obvious books series that are concluding this year that are on my most anticipated releases list that will be out later this week but what I really tried to focus on with this list is series I have read the first of (or first few) and their sequels have been gathering dust on my shelves.

All these series I WANT to read. If I don't like the first book I won't continue and I think most of these I gave 4 or 5 stars. I am just excited by new and shiny things and haven't made my way back to these series. However, hopefully that will change this year!

This series promises to be a 6 book fantasy series and I have also started Maas's second series but I am not quite as desperate to continue on because book two is just coming out this year while the Throne of Glass series already has 4 books published and a collection of prequel novellas. I really need to jump back on this band wagon as it is definitely a favorite of so many people. 

I really liked this. I didn't love it but I really really liked it. Maybe the not loving it as much as so many other series I started this year has what stopped me from continuing on right away but I heard they only continue to get better and with the 4th book being published in 2016 it makes my list of things to do.

This first book made my list this year of Top 10 books I read. I don't need to explain why I will be continuing on in 2016 but I will say the 4th book drops this year and I can't wait to fangirl with everyone else.

I think this will be one of the more challenging series to complete as this comic book series currently encompasses 49 single issues. I have read the first volume which is only issue 1-6 so I have a ways to go but damn if I didn't just love this. Part horror, part seeding ruling party, and part bad ass kids fighting for freedom it really has a character to offer every reader. I can't wait to dive back into this one.

I have had this book since maybe 2012? I am not sure. It has definitely been awhile and for some reason it intimidated me. It is definitely long and has a premise that at first appears scary so maybe that was what help me back for so long but after getting approved to review the much anticipated and long awaited sequel I decided to give book one a try. I loved it. I was a bit disturbed by the villain but I wasn't terrified and I am excited to hang out in the roaring 20s' with Evie again in 2016.

Another book that was on my Top books of the year list and rightfully so. It would probably make it to my top TV show list also as it is also just as entertaining. I don't have to sugar coat why I haven't gotten into the rest of the series yet; these books are LONG. Not a single one less than 600 pages and the print is not big at all. Sometimes with longer books I think about what else I could have read in the same time and I definitely need to stop doing that. As long as I am being entertained and reading books I WANT to read then the length shouldn't be an issue. "Drangonfly In Amber," here I come!

I read the first book in this series mid-2015 but I own the whole damn thing. I have those second print editions that are bind-ups and I got them on www.bookout.com for incredibly cheap so I really hoped I would enjoy the first one...and I did. It is exactly what it looks like. A cheesy paranormal story about aliens. Over the top and campy but so fun and snarky that I flew through it and I know I will the rest of the series as well. I just need to buckle down and read them. Overall Armentrout wrote a light and fun book that also happens to have sexy aliens and reminds me of "Twilight" so what's not to love?

I ended up picking up two Margaret Atwood books this year and I plan to keep picking them up as long as she keeps writing them. I want to read her entire collection and I hope to plow through quite a bit of it this year. One thing I really want to accomplish is finishing this series. Before you view this as a recommendation to pick this up yourself I would suggest reading a few pages or at least the description and a few reviews because I can't imagine this would be a book series for everyone. It is bizarre to say the least and the writing style will also not be for everyone. I really had to get into it but once I did I was hooked and I can't wait to see what happens in the other two stories.

I have said this before about Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series. It is amazing. It just is. But it is also a bit of a difficult read. She weaves characters and mysterious situations together in a way that if you blink you might miss something. Plus, I really didn't find any of the characters likable which just added to the story in my opinion. It was a bit draining to read however and that is why I haven't continued. But I want to in 2016 as I hear it just keeps getting better and since I loved the first one so much it will be hard to beat.

The shame is real. This was published back in October 2014. I loved the first two books and first two novellas. I CRIED in both novellas and I actually just read "Sparks Rise" this year with the intention of picking up the final book and still have not done it. Then Bracken goes and writes a 3rd novella and I just HAVE to read this. I have to. It is one of the best series out there and I have to know what happens. 2016 bring on the tears.

Like Candy and Sweet Liar by Debra Doxer E-Arc Reviews

I received both of the following books from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Title: Like Candy
Author: Debra Doxer
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: July 28, 2015

Description:

Revenge is sweet, just like candy.

Candy Seaborne knows she’s badass. She takes after her father, an assassin and possibly a spy, although he won’t admit to either. She idolizes him. Her dream is to follow in his footsteps. But first, she has to finish high school.

Biding her time, waiting for real life to begin, Candy craves drama and isn’t above manufacturing some. If you’re a classmate who wronged her or a boyfriend who cheated, watch your back. She’s no pushover, and revenge may be her favorite pastime.

Jonah Bryson is the senior class heartthrob who breaks all the stereotypes. He’s a jock, but he isn’t the typical player. He’s moody and antisocial. No girl has gotten anywhere with him since his last girlfriend broke his heart.

Candy sees Jonah as a challenge and the perfect distraction. But she may be in over her head because unlike everyone else, Jonah isn’t buying her tough act. He sees the lost, lonely girl inside. He sees too much. When he looks at her that way, she wants to let her guard down and be vulnerable. But that’s the last thing she should do because her father’s world is spilling over into hers, and life is about to get real much sooner than Candy expected.

Review:

There was a lot to like about this story. The premise is fun and innovative and a bit over the top which made this book seem like it was going to be a lot of fun. I can honestly say that come elements were fun. I liked that she thought her dad was an assassin and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

The elements of her fathers secrets and life were entertaining. However, they didn't really come into play until mid-book which would typically be fine if I didn't feel like the first half was very sluggish. 

I also had a difficult time connecting with Candy. I get that at times we all want payback for the people who have wronged us but I really felt like a lot of her actions weren't justified. She was a little more cut-throat than I expected. She spent a lot of time justifying her actions but I didn't always see the reasoning behind them and often thought she had a bit of a cruel side. I also felt like she was childish and assumed too much. 

The romance with Jonah was a win for me. I thought their scenes and interactions were great and that he was a very swoon worthy lead. The mysterious subplot was also something that I couldn't help but love.

Overall, I thought it was a fun story with a few slow parts and a generally unlikable main character. Hopefully she has some redeeming qualities and we will get to see more of that in book 2 in the series. 

Title: Sweet Liar
Author: Debra Doxer
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: October 20, 2015

Description

Sometimes lies are sweeter than the truth.

Beauty is alluring; it can disguise the ugliness beneath. But scarred beauty is even more potent to a girl who vowed never to let her heart be broken again. It was an easy vow for Candy to keep until she met Jonah, an arrogant boy with a face that would be too perfect if not for the scar that marred the skin beside his eye.

That imperfect boy earned her trust and won her heart, but the ties that bind people together are fragile, especially when lies are told. Trust is also fragile, and once broken, doesn’t heal like a heart. Trust has to be earned again, and Jonah desperately wants Candy’s trust back.

But Candy has more than Jonah to worry about. Her father is in trouble, and she intends to help him whether he likes it or not. People tell her he’s a bad man, and that may be true, but he’s not all bad. Deep down, she understands his brand of badness because she’s so much like him.

When Candy finally learns the truth, she’ll have to grow up fast, let go of old grievances, and realize that being vulnerable doesn’t make her weak. In fact, opening herself up may be the very thing that makes her whole again.

Review:

Good and bad things to talk about when it comes to book 2 in the "Candy" series.

Some good elements include that there was A LOT of character development. I almost didn't hate the main character anymore.

There were A LOT of secrets revealed which is exactly what a reader would want out of the second (final?) book in a series.

Some negatives include that it dragged on. Much like the first book this book have a period of lull and when I am reading like YA romance that is the exact opposite of what I want. I should be able to fly through this in one sitting while being entertained throughout.

I still didn't love this and so this entire series just kind of rates as "meh" for me.

I am happy to have read it because the elements I enjoyed (the romance) were fun to read but I don't think I would have picked this up on my own.

My Overall Rating:

3 out of 5

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