Saturday, December 31, 2011

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel
(The Infernal Devices #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: August 31st, 2010

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Fantasy / Steampunk

Synopsis:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Jenn's Thoughts: All I can say about this book is that it is a great read. I just spent the last two days reading it in my spare time, I didn't really want to put it down. I love that it is based in the Victorian Era. The story is great, and I was hooked from the first chapter. I felt a connection with the characters, which is always a good thing for me. Cassandra Clare is an amazing author and I can't believe I haven't read any of her books before. I'm looking forward to starting Clockwork Prince tomorrow.

The only negative thing I can say is that it does drag a little bit in parts, but really, there is quite a bit of information that is given so that you'll understand what's going on if you haven't read her other series. I'm looking forward to reading that one as well.

Now, for the huge debate everyone has, the Tessa-Will-Jem triangle. I'm going to have to root for Will. The reason Ithink they should be together is because from reading just this book, Tessa immediately falls for him, and even though he might act like he doesn't care most of the time, I think he really cares for her a lot. For Jem on the other hand, yes he loves Tessa, but it seems to me that her feelings are more of a sisterly love towards him. I guess I'll just have to see how things unfold in Clockwork Prince.

Meghan's Thoughts : I flat out loved this book. It really reached out of the pages and grabbed me. While I was reading this book it was all I could think about. I spent most of the two days it took me to read it immersed in the pages, and when I didn't have my nose in it I was thinking about what I read last and when I would get to pick it up again to read further.

I really enjoyed reading about the characters in this book, they are all very well defined. You get a really great description that makes you almost feel you know them. I gotta put in my thoughts on the Will versus Jem debate of course. Although I still feel a little torn, I gotta vote for Will. The attraction between Will and Tessa seems much deeper and I can feel that Will feels very strongly towards her but he has some yet unknown to us detail that is holding him back.

Reading this book has me very excited to read the follow up, Clockwork Prince. I asked to be put on the waiting list at my Library, unfortunately it's a really long wait. Which is understandable since this book was so good, how could you not want to read the sequel? Cassandra Clare is a really great writer and I can't believe it's taken me till now to read any of her books. I've been thinking of reading the Mortal Instruments series for awhile now and after reading this I am going to do it a lot sooner, I even went so far as to buy the first 3 in the series. I have absolute faith they will be as great or even better than their prequel. Really great work Cassandra Clare, I can't wait to read more of your work :)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Review: Ulysses by James Joyce

Ulysses

Author: James Joyce

Publication Date: 1922

Genre: Classics

Synopsis:

In the past, Ulysses has been labeled dirty, blasphemous, and even unreadable. None of these adjectives, however, do the slightest justice to the novel. To this day it remains the modernist masterpiece, in which the author takes both Celtic lyricism and vulgarity to splendid extremes. It is funny, sorrowful, and even (in a close-focus sort of way) suspenseful. And despite the exegetical industry that has sprung up in the last 75 years, Ulysses is also a compulsively readable book.

William Blake saw the universe in a grain of sand. Joyce saw it in Dublin, Ireland, on June 16, 1904, a day distinguished by its utter normality. Two characters, Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom, go about their separate business, crossing paths with a gallery of indelible Dubliners. We watch them teach, eat, stroll the streets, argue, and (in Bloom's case) masturbate. And thanks to the book's stream-of-consciousness technique--which suggests no mere stream but an impossibly deep, swift-running river--we're privy to their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The result? Almost every variety of human experience is crammed into the accordian folds of a single day, which makes Ulysses not just an experimental work but the very last word in realism.

Jenn's Thoughts: I really, really, really tried to like and finish this book, but I just couldn't do it. I read 20% of it, and still wasn't getting the point of the story. I feel like I was mostly reading incoherent thoughts that randomly jumped around, constantly. Maybe one day I will try to finish it, but I got 130/650 pages read and just can't look at it right now. I find it super hard to pick up this book and it was causing me to not read anything because I felt guilty for not reading it. I'll try to come back to this book, but probably won't for years if I do.

Meghan's Thoughts: I never did finish this book so I can't really give a full review. This book was nearly impossible for me to finish. I got about 130 pages in, and getting that far was serious work. Reading this book was like reading every fourth thought in the head of someone whose thoughts go a mile a minute. It was hard to connect anything or follow anything. I would read a page and minutes after finishing I wouldn't be able to remember what it was I just read.

Maybe if I was more learned in English or Philosophy I could look into the meaning of every seemingly unrelated sentence and enjoy it. But, I doubt even that. I picked it up in the first place because it was on our top100 list, how exactly it got there remains a mystery to me. Even more surprising is that it is close to the top of the list. I guess there are people out there who really enjoyed it. I'd love to have them enlighten me.

Most of the time reading this I just felt like beating my head off the pages, and when I wasn't feeling like that I was falling asleep from reading a bunch of words I couldn't string together. I am sorry James Joyce for giving your book such a bad review :( I really don't like to talk about about books since they are high among my favorite things in life. But I really disliked this book and I wouldn't recommend that any one pick it up.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Happy Holidays! (Late, I know)

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday, I'm taking a break for a few days, since it's my baby's first Christmas, so lots to do. Plus my husband is making me play SWTOR with him, wish is chewing up my free time as I slowly work my way to level 50. Hope you all have an amazing holidays!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Review: Blood Oath (Mystic Wolves #1.3) by Belinda Boring

Blood Oath
(Mystic Wolves #1.3)

Author: Belinda Boring

Publication Date: November 18th, 2011

Publisher: Moonstruck Media

Genre: Paranormal

Synopsis:

Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Plans are made but when the enemy strikes another painful blow by entering into the heart of pack property and kidnapping Darcy, Mason declares war. There’s nothing he won’t do to keep his future mate and pack safe. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason’s commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she’ll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength – once given, a blood oath is unbreakable … even if it means risking it all.

My Thoughts: I read this novella last night and all I can say is that this series does get better! The funeral service for Jasmine is beautiful, but ends in tragedy. Mason has a message delivered to him and the whole supernatural community is in danger of having a maniac in charge. Once the threat is taken care of,life seems normal again, only for the story to leave us off at yet another cliffhanger and is it ever a cliffhanger!!

I think one of the things I like about this series is the fact that the different supernatural beings are all working together to keep themselves secret from the humans, and from each other. I also like the relationship between Mason and Darcy, they are the perfect couple. I'm looking forward to the next book to see how their relationship can handle the upcoming events. Another character is introduced, Devlin, a vampire inforcer, he and Darcy are great friends and he is who Mason trusts to keep Darcy safe while he takes care of some pack business.

This was another book that I wasn't able to put down, it's a good thing they are short novellas because my reading time is normally interrupted by a pretty baby. I definitly recommend this book, the whole series is awesome and I can't wait for the next book to be released.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Review: Mystic Wolves #1.1 & 1.2 by Belinda Boring

Without Mercy
(Mystic Wolves #1.1)

Author: Belinda Boring

Publication Date: July 7th, 2011

Publisher: Moonstruck Media

Genre: Paranormal

Synopsis:

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator? When Darcy's outing takes a turn for the worst and tests her to the point of breaking, she struggles to maintain her humanity. Where loyalty and pack mean everything, she surrenders to the inevitable and only an act of complete trust can touch her. When all is said and done, with memories flooding her mind, Darcy holds tightly to the only thing that makes sense - it was all a dream. Or was it?

Cherished
(Mystic Wolves #1.2)

Author: Belinda Boring

Publication Date: August 26th, 2011

Publisher: Moonstruck Media

Genre: Paranormal

Synopsis:

Can Darcy let go of the shame of failure consuming her or will Mason convince her that after all is said and done, she truly is cherished? For a moment, Darcy almost convinced herself the last twelve hours didn't happen. As image after image hits her, the sinking realization of all she's lost overwhelms her and all she can think of is to run. Run far away where her shame can't find her, and most of all, where she'll never have to see the look of blame in Mason's eyes. Feeling like a complete failure, she scrambles to make plans. But the voice of her mate-to-be penetrates her frantic thoughts, asking for the chance to show her just how much she is loved. It hurts Mason deeply to hear Darcy's thoughts, knowing the events of the previous night have completely rattled her. Grieving over the death of his beloved sister Jasmine, Mason knows he has to act fast. Darcy is all he's ever wanted and the idea of life without her is unacceptable. Armed with his unswerving love and wolfish charm, he sets out to remind Darcy just how valuable she is and why there is no one else for him but her.

My Thoughts: I stumbled across these novellas last night and decided to give them a read to take a break from Ulysses. Wow! I started reading and it was so hard to put them down! Without Mercy isn't very long, but in that short amount of time you are hooked! You jump right into the action, and it never slows down. Belinda Boring brings so much into these short stories, and leaves you waiting for more. There is one more Mystic Wolves novella out right now called Blood Oath, which I will also review once I've read it. A fourth story is to be released in January. I hope we see a lot more from Belinda in the future, she is an amazing writer and I think we can expect more great stories from her.

If you are looking for a nice short story to relax a bit, maybe just for a change of pace from all of the long novels out there, and if you love a good werewolf story, definitely give these novellas a try!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host
(The Host #1)

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publication Date: January 1st 2008

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopia

Synopsis:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

My Thoughts: When I first saw this book I was expecting it to be something completely different. I guess I was expecting a Twilight Sci Fi. Regardless, I liked Twilight, so decided to give this book a chance. Well, it starts off pretty slow, so that didn't really impress me. But, once the story gets going it is really, really good. Both Wanda and Melanie are great characters, and I love that they start to work together, even though Wanda is possessing Melanie. After being about a third of the way through the book I couldn't put it down and finished it in a little over a day after starting it (Oh my pre-baby days!) The relationships between the various characters are well written, the book is pretty well written and it's a pretty easy read.

Meyer actually wrote another good story and I do recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet, you are missing out. I think it's great that this is a Sci Fi, since everything is all about Vampires the last few year, mostly thanks to Stephenie here, it's a great change of scenery. Also, since this is supposed to be a trilogy, hurry up already Stephenie!! I'm waiting for a book!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge

So because I have over 250 books on my to-read list on Goodreads, I'm going to participate in this challenge and try to get through some of them. I have been saying over and over again to myself "Oh, I'll read this book next" only to switch to something else. So I'm going to try and eliminate a large portion of this list. I'm going to challenge myself to atleast get to "A Friendly Hug" Since I am a new mom sometimes my reading time is limited. I'm not sure which books I'll be reading, but I will be reading and reviewing them!

Challenge guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
As we would like to see quality reviews linked up to our monthly wrap-ups, only bloggers can enter. Sorry about that!
Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2011 and earlier! NO ARCs and 2012 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge (You need to include the info + host list + challenge button. You can also grab the button code and add it to your sidebar!)
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. For participating in the mini-challenge you will get +1 entry.
If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)
December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - 12 books, 12 winners, INTERNATIONAL.
You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Hosts:

Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Levels:

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Review: Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel

Earth's Children Series

Author: Jean M. Auel

Publication Date: January 1st, 1980

Publisher: Crown

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Thoughts: You know when you read a book and as soon as you're done you wonder if it's a series or not? That was these books for me. I happen to love a good book based in a historical setting, I also enjoy a strong female heroine. This series is based in the Ice Age world and follows Ayla, who is orphaned as a child, throughout her very eventful life, as she learns about love, jealousy and compassion.

When I first read Clan of the Cave Bear, I was in awe. It is beautifully written, and the details are amazing. Jean Auel has definitely given us a saga to read over and over again, I know I've read it multiple times and I will definitely read it again. Sometimes I wish that life could be as simple as in these stories.

This saga consists of six novels, each of them based mainly around Ayla (in Valley of the Horses it does concentrate some of the narration on Jondalar). From being orphaned, to being taken into the Clan, to being exiled and heading off into the unknown, to finding people like herself and travelling home with a man she has fallen irrevocably in love with and starting a family. It's all there. The story shows the boundries of love and the jealously that can arise from such a strong, intense love. It also gives an amazingly detailed vision of life during the Ice Age, Auel definitely did her research.

Ayla is a very modest woman. Growing up in the Clan made her this way because she was so different from the Clan. The considered her ugly and stupid, so that is what she thinks of herself. Despite many men, including Jondalar insisting she is beautiful, she doesn't believe them. She is also extremely smart because she had to train herself to remember everything, something that comes effortlessly to Clan, since they are born with their memories. The Clan communicates with sign language, so Ayla forgets how to speak, and is incapable of lying since the Clan cannot lie. When she meets Jondalar, after being exiled from the Clan, she has no way to communticate with him, but even with the communication barrier, they still fall in love.

Jondalar decides to talk Ayla home with him, which is a years journey away, she is worried that the others won't like her, but she doesn't need to fear this because pretty much everyone loves her, other than a few people who are jealous of her.

If you are looking for a great read I definitely recommend this series. The only negative thing I have to say about it is the sixth book contains a lot of repetition from the previous books, possibly because it was written so long after the fifth book. It's still a good book, certainly not a reason to ignore it.

Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help

Author: Kathryn Stockett

Publication Date: February 10, 2009

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step. Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.
Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.
Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.
Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

My Thoughts: I read this book for a book group, I'm glad I did since this isn't the type of book I would normally pick up and read.

The Help, overall, is a good read. It's sad, funny, and teaches a bit about racial discrimination. Would I recommend this book? Yes. While not exactly my type of book, I do feel that it is a must read. It's enjoyable to read, I did find it a bit hard to get into at first, as it starts a little slow but it does quickly pick up. Once I got going I couldn't put the book down, I just had to know what would happen once the book was published. The three different story lines, are a bit frustrating at the beginning, you would start to get into one characters mind set, only for it to change and you would have to get into someone else's. The three narrators are honest, each having it's own humour, and I came to love each one, especially Minny. So go out, get yourself a copy, read it, and enjoy. Just remember, don't eat Minny's special chocolate pie!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Starting Off Right. A Harry Potter Review.

The Harry Potter Series

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publication Date: June 26, 1997 – July 21, 2007

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Genre: Fantasy/Magic

Synopsis:

Six years of magic, adventure, and mystery make this luxurious boxed set the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans of all ages.

Follow Harry from his first days at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, through his many adventures with Hermione and Ron, to his confrontations with rival Draco Malfoy and the dreaded Professor Snape. From the thrilling search for the Sorcerer's Stone to the Triwizard Tournament to the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, each adventure is more riveting and exhilarating than its predecessor

Jenn's Thoughts: Let me just start out by saying, if you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out. Maybe you haven't read it because it's popular, and you don't like to read what everyone else is reading, or maybe you don't want to read it because it's a 'kids' book. Well yes, it is immensely popular, but did you ever think that it might be for a reason? Yes, it did start out as a children's book, but as Harry aged, so did the readers, and the story matures with them. I felt as though I was growing up with the characters.

I read the first Harry Potter book in grade 7, my teacher had recommended it to me because she noticed that I really liked to read. Well I'm extremely happy that she did because this was one of the best series I've read and still is. There were only three books out at the time, but the wait for each new one was worth it.

So now for the review. If you haven't read these books, for some strange reason, you may not want to read this. I can't promise that there won't be any spoilers.

Harry Potter starts out when Harry is just turning 11. He has had a terrible life living with his aunt and uncle. On his 11th birthday he finds out he's a wizard and his life drastically changes, for the better. He attends Hogwarts, a school of witchcraft and wizardry. In his first year he makes some great friends, Ron and Hermione, and some enemies, most of Slytherin house, most of all Malfoy. He also find out that he is extremely popular for banishing the darkest wizard of all time, Voldemort, when he was only a year old. Not something he's especially happy about as that is the reason his parents died and he was stuck living with is aunt and uncle.

Over the seven years that he attends Hogwarts, Harry, Ron and Hermione get in all kinds of trouble and break a lot of rules, but things usually turn out for the best. Harry learns that Voldemort isn't dead and basically spends those seven years thwarting him. Finally, after all of the different adventures, through lots of tears and favorite characters dying, Harry defeats Voldemort once and for all and saves the wizarding community and unsuspecting Muggles. Finally earning a reason to be famous through his own efforts, not that he wants it, and having his own family to go off to Hogwarts in safer times.

Each book is definitely better than the last in this series, and it really is a must read for everyone. I had a hard time putting these books down on the first read, even now, having just had my seventh read through, they were hard to put down.

JK Rowling has written a masterpiece. I will definitely be sharing this story with my kids. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have and still do.

Meghan’s Thoughts: Letters in Cardboard boxes was a story about so many things, about loss, love, forgiveness, sadness, friendships, family, and much more. This book provoked in me a series of different emotions. I felt sadness, not just plain sadness, I felt it in a multitude of ways. I felt it like an emptiness you feel when something big is gone from your life, I felt like a heavy burden when you feel there is nothing you can do to change the outcome of the future, and I felt it in a heart-aching way when your heart is broken by your own doings or others. Aside from sadness, I also felt joy, anger, envy, resentfulness, loneliness, love, the warmth of unexpected companionship, triumph, and more. After all these things I could feel the way Parker felt like she was sinking in a whirlpool of all these emotions combined. This book was very well written to instill these feelings in the reader so effortlessly.

This story takes you on the journey of one woman's loss of her Grandmother. The woman's name is Parker, and her Grandmother has been the only one constant in her whole life, making loosing her an emotional roller coaster that she's stuck on against her will. Parker's parents travel the world for their careers, leaving Parker at home. She wasn't alone though because she had her Grandmother. They were the best of friends, even though, of course, they had their rough patches in Parker's teenage years as she was feeling abandoned by her parents and angry at them for not being around like everyone else's parents. But even when Parker lashed out in her anger, her Grandmother stayed strong by her side.

Upon realizing that her Grandmother is sick and that she is loosing her, she starts remembering all the love her Grandmother has shown her growing up and feels that maybe she didn't return the sentiment as much as she should have. They used to send letters to each other often, pretending that they were vacationing in far away places. I loved reading some of the letters Parker's Grandmother wrote to her, she would use the location and theme of her letter to send a heartfelt message to her granddaughter, it was beautiful really. Parker really has no one else, until she meets two close friends of her grandmothers that ,aside from the the sickness taking place, she probably never would have known. One being a young girl her grandmother was mentoring at a nearby high school, the other an older gentleman who happened to be madly in love with her grandmother but due to certain circumstance they could not be together. With these two new found companions at her side, she takes this incredibly hard journey of letting go of the person she loves most and losing a major piece of her life.

The road is a hard, emotional struggle to say the least. This was a great read, and really reaches into you, makes you think what it would be like to have to lose that person you hold dearest to you. You will most likely feel your heart break while reading this.

I would recommend this book for sure. It's a great story for anyone who's lost someone, or even if you haven't, Slovin's wonderful writing can take you to that place.

An Introduction

My name is Jenn. I'm quite new to the blogging scene, as you can tell from this being my first post. Let me just start out by introducing myself.

I'm a 23 year old mother of one gorgeous 8 month old. I'm married to an amazing husband. And I love books.

I learned to read when I was four and haven't stopped since. There are times when my life can get a bit too busy to read often, but I try to read as much as I can. Recently, a little over a year ago, my best friend and I challenged each other to read a list of the top 100 novels of all time. Of course there are many differing lists, so here's a link to ours. We were a bit slow to start, but now that we've both gotten back into the groove of reading, things are speeding up. In the first year we read 10 or 11 books, this year we have read about 22, so far. This doesn't mean that that is all we have read, we have quite a few books outside of the list that we've read casually. I also belong to two book groups which have a new books each month for me to read.

So basically, I've immersed myself into a future involving a lot of reading, most of which I'll be reviewing in this blog. While I catch up on some reading I'll be reviewing some of my favorite books and getting some things up for you to read. If there is anything in particular that you would like for me to review, feel free to leave a message and I will try to get a review up for you.

There may be some time in between some reviews, as I said, I am a mother to a 8 month old and she sure keeps me busy. But I will update as much as I can and as often as I can and get some reviews coming.

Pages

Saturday, December 31, 2011

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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Monday, December 26, 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

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Friday, December 16, 2011

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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Monday, December 12, 2011

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