Book #50 Read in 2014
Breathe by Abbi Glines (YA)
This is the first book in a young adult "smut" series, for lack of a better term. It reminded me of a 50 Shades of Gray for teenagers....but a bit naughtier than what I remember reading as a teen. Sadie gets a summer job as a maid for a rich family; the owner turns out to be young rock star Jaz. The two connect instantly and begin a relationship while trying to maintain privacy. Of course they are found out and their cover is blown. This book was a quick read and the characters were interesting but about halfway through it could have wrapped up for me. But I stuck with it so I could see that happy ever after in the end.
Book #49 Read in 2014
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
This is a great piece of historical fiction. It tells the tale of an Irish girl who boards the orphan train in New York as an 8 year old and heads to the Midwest. She is adopted into "families" that are really looking for a laborer, a babysitter or a surrogate wife. Eventually she finds a spot to at least feel safe in and she becomes a strong woman who has overcome great obstacles. Also told is a parallel story of Molly, a teenager in the foster system, who begins to help elderly Vivian sort through things in her attic in order to complete community service hours. The two form a bond that surpasses the generation gap.
I loved this book. The writing was wonderful. The characters were interesting and the storylines kept me totally engaged. I highly recommend it.
Book #48 Read in 2014
The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark
This is the final book in a paranormal trilogy. In this book, Callie is trying to find and open another door between the human world and the fairy world. Doing this would allow the ability for her paranormal friends to return home and help take their college back. But this search is not without risk for Callie but she is the only one with the power to make this happen.
This series is a great paranormal one and has just about every paranormal being in it. The books include action, romance and humor. I enjoy the setting of the rustic college campus. The writing style is engaging. Juliet Dark is a pen name for author Carol Goodman. I highly recommend this series and the books should be read in order as one picks up right where the book before it ends.
Book #47 Read in 2014
Cat Daddy by Jackson Galaxy
I am a big fan of Galaxy's show on Animal Planet called "My Cat from Hell"...probably because I have had a few cats from Hell myself. This book was an interesting autobiography; Galaxy was honest about his addictions....to drugs, to alcohol, to food. He acknowledges that his work and connection to animals, especially cats, most likely saved his life. His detailing of his cat Benny and their connection was heartwarming. Sprinkled throughout his life story are training snippets and suggestions. This book is a must read for cat lovers. I read this book on my Kindle.
Book #46 Read in 2014
The Outsmarting of Criminals by Steven Rigolosi
This was a great, cozy read. Miss Prim leaves New York City after she is mugged and moves to a lovely little town in CT. She decides to begin a new career as a sort of investigator....her goal is to outsmart criminals. The sleepy little town immediately becomes more interesting when Miss Prim finds a dead body in her hidden basement room. She begins an investigation with some help from her boxer Bruno and her neighbor Lorraine. Miss Prim seamlessly becomes an integral part of her small town and meets quite an interesting cast of characters.
I enjoyed the literary references to mystery books and authors. Miss Prim was an interesting main character. The secondary characters were also interesting and I loved the small town setting, which felt like an English village transplanted to CT. Of course, Bruno was a fave of mine as well. I recommend this book to mystery lovers.
Book # 45 Read in 2014
Formerly Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham (YA)
This is the sequel to the young adult verse novel Shark Girl, which was a great read. #2 does not disappoint. The author states that she wrote this book because so many readers wanted to know what happened to the main character, Jane, after Shark Girl ended. In this book, Jane has learned how to cope fairly well with the loss of her arm. Her art talent is starting to come back. She has begun to volunteer at her local hospital and is trying to decide between the career paths of art teacher or nurse. She is finishing up her senior year and has made a sort of bucket list for herself.
Again told in verse format, this book is a good, quick read. It has humor, romance and is just real. Jane is a survivor. Secondary characters like Justin, Rachel and Max are interesting and well developed. I enjoyed it.
Book #44 Read in 2014
Eleanor & Park by rainbow rowell
This was a great read in the realistic fiction genre of young adult literature. Eleanor and Park meet on the school bus, where Eleanor is the new kid. The pair first bond over comic books and music. They begin a romance that is at both innocent and tainted by the hell that Eleanor lives in and the way their classmates treat her. These two compliment each other so well and are a pairing that readers will root for to earn a happy ever after ending. The writing is real and flows well. I highly recommend it.
Book #43 Read in 2014
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (YA)
This is the third book in a young adult paranormal series. This series incorporates just about every paranormal entity known to man....vampires, werewolves, demons, angels and a bunch of cool people who are Shadowhunters...fighters who hunt certain supernatural beings. In this book, Jace and Clary head to the City of Glass, once again trying to stop Valentine from completing his evil plot to get his hands on all of the 'mortal instruments' which will give him practically unstoppable power. As always, they receive help from a great cast of characters...Alec, Simon, Isabelle and Luke to name a few. Not just a paranormal read, this book has elements of romance and action that will keep readers engaged. I highly recommend this series.
April Reads:
1. Dorothy Must Die (YA) 4/5 1st in series
2. Death and the Zombie Apocalypse (YA) 5/5 2nd in series Kindle
3. Delicious (4.5/5)
4. The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop (YA) 4/5 library book
5. To Brie or not to Brie (5/5) 4th in series
6. Somebody Up There Hates You (YA) 4/5
7. The Water Witch (4/5) 2nd in series
41 books read in 2014
Book #42 Read in 2014
We Were Liars by e. lockhart (YA)
The "Liars" are a group of rich, teenage cousins--Johnny, Cadence and Miriam, and their sort of extended family member Gat. The four get together every summer at their family's island of summer homes. All of their parents have issues and so do the kids. Then one summer something horrible happens and Cadence blocks it out....and she is suffering from horrible migraine headaches and is on medication. After a summer away from the island, she returns and slowly memories begin to return....but will she be better off if they don't?
This book was a great, quick read. The twists and turns were engaging. The characters were flawed but that made them more interesting. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a review.
