New Year Resolutions

Every year  I make new year's resolutions and I normally do some of them, but not all of them so this year I am going to try to stick to at least half of them for the entire year. I have already started some of them and have found it surprisingly easy to do so I hope I can keep it up.

New Year Resolutions

1) Exercise more, I’m not unhealthy but I could be healthier so I want to walk more. We have nice trails down the street from us and I don’t take advantage of them. I have also started to listen to more audio books, so this will go good with resolution #2.

2) Read more. I find I spend a lot of time on the computer, I want to try to read at least an hour a day even if it’s at work or before bed, I am going to try to put aside an hour a day instead of trying to cram a ton of reading into a day off to make up for the time during the rest of the week that I watch TV or go on the computer.  I want to keep my blog active, but try to plans things more ahead.

3) Cook more meals.  I love to cook, but working afternoons I find that I don’t want to cook before work, but I am trying to change that. So far this week I made potato soup and this morning I made a meat pie.  This also goes along with my next resolution.

4) Get up earlier and eat healthier. I have been trying this week to get up an hour earlier than usual in order to get more done before work. So far it has been good. As stated above, I have gotten more cooking done and I have also been able to have time for breakfast and a coffee at home instead of grabbing one on the way to work which saves money too.  Also eating at home, I know exactly what is going into my meals which will heal me eat better.

4) Buy fewer books and read more of the ones I already have.  I buy a lot of books, my bookshelves are packed full, I have no more room.  I am going to try to limit myself to 1-2 new books a month and 4 used books.  I don’t buy books every week, but when I do it is usually more than one so I want to try to read more of what I have and get new releases from the library.

5) Spend less.  I have already started this with the breakfast and coffee at home and also limiting myself to the amount of books I will buy.  I bought my house in April of this year and we have already done a lot of renovations on it, but I want to do more so saving money where I can will help.

6) Be a more active blogger. I know I am contradicting myself by saying I want to read more, but I feel like I don’t spend enough time on other blogs and my own. I want to try to spend less time on random websites and more on book sites when I am on the computer.

What are your new year’s resolutions? Any suggestions for me?







The Lifeguard- Deborah Blumentha

Title: The Lifeguard
Author: Deborah Blumentha
Format: E-book
Source: Netgalley
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Rating: 3/5














Goodreads Summary:

It's an unsettled summer for Sirena. Back in Texas, her family's splitting apart, but here in Rhode Island, at the cottage of her free-spirited aunt, it's a different world. There are long days at the beach and intriguing encounters with him. Pilot. He's the lifeguard with shamanic skills. He both saves her and makes her feel lost at sea. Sirena explores her obsession with Pilot and discovers his mysterious--almost magical--gifts.

It is hard to describe how I feel about this book. I enjoyed the theme and hidden paranormal aspect of this novel. I read this book within a few hours; the first chapter left me wanting more.  It was fast pace then it slows down and allows you to enjoy the story with a few twist throughout the story to keep you wanting more.  At times Blumenthal did not connect the story. Characters would appear out of nowhere and being important parts of the story, an example is Cody. He appears at the hospital then he soon becomes part of the story but we don’t get the connection to when he first appears to when he is an important character.

I did not like Sierna. I tried to like her as a character or find something I could relate to but I just could not.  I found that she was very selfish about everything and was very jealous.  I sympathized with her for being separated from her best friend for the summer while her parents were going through their divorce but her irrational and childish behaviour irritated me.  I do however see that her parents were also very childish and I can understand where this behaviour could have come from. I feel like I am being harsh on Sierna but when she said I needed his attention on me I lost all hope on her. Pilot just lost a family member and the only thing she was focused on was getting his attention on her and making sure he liked her. It frustrated me a lot.

Pilot was an interesting character. I enjoyed the relationship he had with his grandfather and his closeness to Adriana. It was a relationship that could have gone differently but I liked how the author incorporated her into the story and made her an important element.   We see flashes of his ability throughout the story. The back story made me want to know more about what Pilot and his grandfather could do.

Antionio and Edna were my favourite characters. I felt awful for Edna, without Antionio she was not the same.  There connection was so sweet.

The research into this story was meticulous.  When Sierena looks up the word Shaman, we find get not only the roots of which language this word comes from but also the meaning of the word.  Blumenthal also gave back story to where the characters are originally from. Giving this background information gave the characters more depth.   This is a new theme that I have not encountered often in book. I have read other books have used Shamans in the story but not as main characters. This is a completely new and innovative theme to use.

If there is a sequel I would read it to find out more exactly what Antonio means when he says Pilot is the keeper of the flame but it is not a book I am dying to read. I think Blumenthal has talent and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

Waiting on Wednesday- Grave Mercy

Name: Grave Mercy
Author: Robin LaFevers
 Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: April 3rd, 2012
Series: Yes














Goodread Summary:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. 

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

I  have heard nothing but good things about this book. It is about a girl who runs away from an arrange marriage and finds refuge at the convent of St. Mortain where if she chooses to stay she will have to be trained to be an assassin. On her first misson she falls in love with the man she is to assassinate. This sounds like a twisty, dark novel. I cannot wait until it comes out. Unfortunately like most new releases I will likely take forever to get to it but hopefully one day I will.

This sort of sounds like The Poison Study to me which I really enjoyed so I am hoping it is good.

What do you think of this novel? Anyone else excited to read it? 

Top Ten Tuesday

TTT is hosted by Jamie over at The Broke and the Bookish

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is the books I want to read in January. I limit myself to ten in the hope I will read them all. I have not reached my goal yet, this month I have gotten close.  What books do you want to read in 2011?

1) Unearthly- Cynthia Hand

2) Deadly cool- Gemma Halliday

3) Angel Time- Anne Rice

4) Explosive eighteen- Janet Evanovich

5) Grimm’s Fairytale- Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm

6) Eve- Anna Carey

7) Nightshade- Andrea Cremer

8) Anna Dressed in Blood- Kendare Blake

9) A Need so Beautiful- Suzanne Young

10) The Tea Rose- Jennifer Donnelly

In My Mailbox (7)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

I got a lot this week. I am pretty impressed. I got my secret santa gift which was of course awesome and I got my Christmas present from my mom which of course was a giftcard for Chapter's :). I was good and only bought one book, I bought it while buying Christmas presents so I don't think it counts.

Gifted:

Secrets and Shadows- Shannon Delaney
Bargains and Betrayals- Shannon Delaney

Bought (Technically with a giftcard...it counts as not buying? Right?):

Elsewhere- Gabrielle Zevin
All these Things I've Done- Gabrielle Zevin
Virtuosity- Jessica Martinez
Firespell- Chole Neill (Actually bought )

Borrowed from the Library:

Crossed- Ally Condie

Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed from the library
Rating: 4/5















Goodreads Summary:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

When can I have some more of Adam and Juliette? OMG amazing. Juliette's touch is fatal so she has been locked up by the Reestablishment. It is a mix of all the things I love in a book, suspense, romance and action. The writing style is unique too, it takes a bit of time to get used to the crossed out words but once you do it makes me look forward to them. To see what she really thought before she said it out loud.

Juliette was an interesting character for me. I liked her most of the time but when she was around Warner I got irritated. She seemed to forget that Adam was the one there for her and fell under Warner's spell. WHY?!? Ugh this bothered me so much. I hope she gets over whatever it is she thinks of Warner. Anyways that was my rant about Juliette. I feel better now.

Warner is another character I cannot figure out if I like him or hate him. He does stuff that makes me think he's a terrible person but then he seems to soften a little and I feel sympathetic towards him. His obsession with Juliette is insane. He wants her as a trophy, but in a way I think he truly cares for her and keeping her with him is the only way he knows how to express his feelings for her.

Adam can you leave Juliette and come live with me, please? He is so amazing. Awesome character, my favourite in the entire book. I hope he wins the girl and everything works out for him. He deserves it.

Overall, I really liked it. It was a quick read, I finished in two sittings. I want to read the sequel. I love where Tahereh left it off.

Waiting on Wednesday-Bitterblue

Title: Bitterblue
Author: Kristin Cashore
Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: May 1st, 2012
Series: Yes

















Goodreads Summary:

Bitterblue is a companion book to both Graceling and Fire and takes place in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling. This third book will tie all three books together in some way. Bitterblue is the eighteen-year-old protagonist, and Katsa, Po, Giddon, Helda, and other characters from Graceling will be part of the fabric of the book.

This is the third installment of The Seven Kingdoms Series. I can't wait until this comes out, I read Graceling after hearing about it through bloggers. I have not read the second book, I have been putting it off so I can read it closer to when Bitterblue comes out. Fire, the second book in the series came out in 2009 so it's been awhile.

This book is going to tie all three of the series together with an eighteen year-old protagonist. Katsa and Poe will still be in it, I am super excited about that. I want to see more of them together.  I love the cover, it is keeping with the same theme as the other two. So excited.

It is a fantasy novel, something I am not usually a huge fan of, but I made an exception for this book. The first two books are out in soft cover if your interested in giving it a try. It is a great  series.

Top Ten Tuesday

This week because of the amount I spent on books I decided to list my top ten bookish jobs I would absolutely love to have in order to pay for more books.  I have no idea if all these jobs actually exist, I hope they do. I admire the people that can take a story, starting with an author with an idea into making it into a novel that is being sold at bookstores.

1) Working at a bookstore.

This has been suggested by my family a lot but I decided if I ever got a second job at a bookstore I would spend my whole pay check there.

2) Librarian

You’re surrounded by books all day and you get to see what new releases are coming in. Awesome J.

3) Journalist who writes articles about books.

Nothing more needs to be said.

4) Book reviewer

Getting paid to review books. I wish.

5) Book Cover Designers

Creating book covers, sadly I am not artistic in anyway so I could never do this job but it is nice to dream.

6) Getting paid to choose books for a bookstore

I do not know if any other stores besides Chapters does this but they have people who “pick” books and items they sell in store.  They get a special sticker saying it was picked by this person.  I want that job of picking books and having a sticker put on them. Well, maybe not a sticker because it bothers me when a sticker is on a book.  If I had that job I would come up with a solution.

7) Shipping books out

How cool would it be to ship books out to people who ordered them? I would love it.  I think that is an awesome job.

8) Event organizer for bookish events

How cool would it be to be an even organizer at the Frankfurt book fair or BEA? To me that sounds like an amazing job.

9) Book editor

Reading books and making sure there are no spelling or grammar errors.  This is not a job I would be good at but it still sounds cool.

10) Millionaire

How is this book related?  If I was a millionaire I could buy books all the time and I could read all day every day if I wanted to.

Sloppy Firsts- Megan McCafferty

Title: Sloppy Firsts
Author: Megan McCafferty
Format: Soft Cover
Source:  Bought new
Rating: 5/5















 “My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.
Goodreads Summary:

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.

This book is laugh out loud funny. Jessica Darling view on life was amazing. There is no other word to describe it. This book has become an instant favourite of mine.

McCafferty started the story out with a view of Jessica immediately after her best friend, Hope moves away. I assumed that Jessica was going to be a selfish character with no depth. I was wrong. She was upset that Hope moved away but was mature enough to understand why she did and the good things that happened to Hope because of it. She still mourned the loss of her friend not being there but she was mature and realistic about it. I can't articulate how great this book is.

Marcus got my vote over Scotty. Sorry, I just can't help but like Marcus, even though he has done so much in his life that in a roundabout way hurt Jessica. Marcus is someone I hope keeps his role in the series. He is a character I want to get to know better. I know there is more to him than what was revealed in this book. I need to see more of Marcus.

I can't wait to continue this series, if you have not read this book, read it as soon as your can because it is soooooooooooo good. I want more Jessica Darling ASAP.

In My Mailbox (6)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

I only buy a single book this week which is some small miracle. The rest were gifts and one from the library. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

Gifted

Unearthly- Cynthia Hand
The Society of S- Susan Hubbard
The Year of the disappearances- Susan Hubbard
Explosive Eighteen- Janet Evanovich

And of course some awesome extras from my secreat santa :)

Borrowed from the library

Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi

Bought New

Jessica's Guide to Dating on The Dark Side- Beth Fantaskey

What did you get this week in your mailbox?

The Maze Runner- James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Format: Soft cover

Source: Purchased new

Rating: 3/5












Goodreads Summary:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

I cannot decide fully of what I thought of this book. It was a unique idea and the protagonist was from a male’s perspective. The book was dominated by males until Teresa, the only female to ever come to the maze.  I am curious if there were other female’s at the maze before her that simply did not last.

 Thomas was not a character I enjoyed. There was a lot that could have been don e with him but I found him to be really one dimensional.  We don’t get to feel what Thomas is feeling because the author lets us know exactly what is going on and how Thomas is reacting.   So frustrating. Theresa was also a disappointment unfortunately. Dashner also made her very one dimensional. Every mention of her seems to be her looks. We don’t really know who she is and where she came from.  Minho and Chuck are the reason I wanted to finish the book. They added so much to the story.  The twist at the end with Chuck broke my heart.

Why did I still give it three stars after all the things that irritated me about this book? Two words, the ending.  It made the book for me.  The beginning was good, middle dragged and the ending was phenomenal. We get some answers to our questions and see what the world has become outside of the maze. I was also really interested in the flair. I like books with diseases (Maybe because I work in healthcare? This is the best guess I can come up with). I want to read the second book and I will likely read the third to finish the series.  I hope that Thomas becomes the great character I know he can be and I hope we see more of Teresa. I like her sarcasm.  I would recommend this series to someone who wants a quick read, if you know someone who has it, personally I would borrow it. I did not like it enough to contemplate buying the third book in hard cover. This may change.

What did you think? Leave a comment below.

Waiting on Wednesday- A Million Suns

First I want to thank my secret Santa for my gifts. I loved them. The mail lady scared me when she was banging on my door but it was totally worth it. I love the card. I have added it to my other holiday cards. I'm pretty sure I read it about three times. I also want to add I did send out my personal secret Santa gifts yesterday with the guarantee that they will arrive by Christmas so I hope my secret Santa's enjoy there gifts as much as I enjoyed mine.

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.
 This week's can't-wait-to-read is:

Title" A Million Suns
Author: Beth Revis
Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: January 10th, 2012
Series: Yes








This is a continuation of Across the Universe. I won't go into too much detail about what happened in Across The Universe in case someone has not read it but essentially it is the continuing story of Elder and Amy on the ship the Godspeed. I cannot wait to see where Revis is going to take this story, I love Elder and Amy. I want everything to work out for them which I know sadly will not happen. Elder is now in control of the ship and had decided to change the rules set in places hundreds of years ago when Godspeed first left Earth. It is up to him and Amy to discover how they can keep control of the ship and also arrive safely.

I wish this book was out now, I am so sad I have to wait until January. I want to know what is going to happen between Elder and Amy. Sigh. I am also a little sad to read it because I know I will have to wait for the next installment to come out. Ugh. Terrible.

The cover is of course gorgeous and I hope that she decides to go with the reversible cover like she did with Across The Universe. I try not to judge a book by it's cover, but when it's a reversible cover you much judge it and declare it awesome.

Is anyone else as excited to read this book as I am? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

The Zahir- Paulo Coelho

Title: The Zahir

Author: Paulo Coelho

Format: Soft cover

Source: Bought used

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Summary:

"Set in Paris and in the enchanting landscape of Central Asia, this novel by the author of The Alchemist and Eleven Minutes follows the journey of a man obsessed with finding the wife who left him without an explanation." "The narrator of The Zahir is a bestselling novelist who lives in Paris and enjoys all the privileges that money and celebrity bring. His wife of ten years, Esther, is a war correspondent who, despite her professional success and freedom from the conventional constraints of marriage, is facing an existential crisis. When she disappears along with a friend, Mikhail, who may or may not be her lover, the authorities question the narrator. Was Esther kidnapped, killed, or did she simply abandon a marriage that left her unfulfilled? The narrator doesn't have any answers but he has plenty of questions of his own." Then one day Mikhail, the man with whom Esther was last seen, finds the narrator and promises to take him to his wife. In his attempt to recapture a love lost, the narrator discovers something unexpected about himself".

Another amazing novel by Paulo Coelho.  I only discovered him a few years ago and I like to only read one or two of his novels a year in order to enjoy them fully. The first novel I read of his was The Alchemist which really got me hooked onto his writing and which is one of my favourite books.  I love the way he themes each book and depending on what you are looking for you can choose from the book tree at the back of the book. 

The Zahir like all his other novels was spectacular.  I got sucked into the story of the narrator and his struggle to cope with the disappearance of his wife Esther.  I enjoyed how the book started out with Esther already missing and as the story came together we see the events that lead to her disappearance and why she did not tell her husband where she was going.  I was intrigued by the narrator, he started out as a pompous jerk that did not deserve his wife or any of the women he had in his life. As the story progressed I started to sympathize with him and I wished that Esther would have given him a reason as to why she disappeared. 

I really enjoyed the self discovery in this novel.  I feel this is a theme that Coelho includes in most of his novels but it is something I enjoy every time, it is always slow building but in the end makes sense and I feel like I can relate to the characters even if I have never been in the situation they are facing. I love that I can always connect with the characters. It makes me forget that I am sitting in my living room reading, I feel like I am being transported to Paris watching the narrator come to terms with reality.

Beautifully written as always, if you are a fan of Coelho or even just want to give his work a try I recommend this novel, as always I was breathless. The theme he has chosen is obsession but as always it is more than that, it is about love and redemption and self preservation.  It makes you think about how you view the world and how we interact with other people. One of my favourite reads of 2011.

In My Mailbox (5)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

This week includes my birthday loot which is a lot but there was a sale so I think it justifies it. A little. I will try not to buy anymore books until after Christmas. Scary I know but I am trying.

Bought New

Eve- Anna Carey
The Scorch Trails- James Dashner
Fire- Kristin Cashore
Radiant Shadows- Melissa Marr
Shade- Jeri Smmith- Ready
The Future of Us- Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
Sloppy First- Megan McCafferty

And my new awesome bookmark. It was really cheap and cute :)



Borrowed from a friend

The Stupidest Angel- Christopher Moore

The Future of Us- Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Name: The Future of Us
Author: Jay Asher
Source: Bought new
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4/5








Goodreads Summary:

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.
By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

WOW. It is amazing. I cannot put into words how amazing this book is. It is worth every penny. I devoured it as soon as I could. I tried to put it aside and read some older books first but I could not resist. I want to pass this around to everyone I know and beg them to read it as fast as they can. I am a huge fan of Asher's first book and so as soon as I heard this one was going to be in existence I needed to read it. I have not read anything Mackler has written but after reading this she is going to be added to my TBR author list.


I loved Josh. He was my favourite character. I felt terrible how Emma treated him. I didn't like how she kept wanting to change her life without any regard to how it would affect anyone else. By the end of the book I could see why Mackler and Asher had written her character in this way. I started to like her near the end.  Even though I did not like Emma I could relate to her and to Josh. I loved his happy personality, he never really got upset and his future showed how his great personality would carry into adulthood.

The theme was great, it was so unique. I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book. I wanted to keep reading it. It was hard to put down. How everything tied together was so good. The characters and setting were realistic and the setting for the future made it feel present day.

I recommend this to everyone who is looking for a good book to read. It is a teen book but it is something that I could appreciate also. The character and the plot are amazing and so easy to relate to. I highly recommend it.

The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern

Name: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Format: E-Book
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5









Goodreads Summary:

 The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazement's. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

The Night Circus is phenomenal debut novel. The story is so well written that you feel you are in the story alongside the characters. I loved her descriptions of the unique and one of a kind Le Cirque des Reves.

Marco and Cecila were amazing characters. I loved the uniqueness of them that brought them together but also kept them apart. I got attached to most of the characters in this book, when something happened to them I felt like I was going through everything with them. You get so wrapped up in the book.

Bailey surprised me, I followed him but I didn't really take notice to him. I was surprised and pleased how entwined he was into the story and how much of a part he played. Widget and Poppet were hilarious. They made up the humour side of this book. The only character I was a little hesitant about was Isobel. I hated how Marco treated her but I also could not relate to her like I could with the other characters. I did however find I did not despise her because she was a mature character.

I find it is rare to enjoy everything about a book but this book was one of the rare ones. The cover is amazing, it gives you the visual to what Morgenstern is writing. The characters are fantastic, there was not one I wished was left out of the book. They all played a part. And of course the amazing plot, she was descriptive in a good way. I never wanted the book to end and there was no part I wanted to skim over.

This is a book that needs to be read multiple times in order to absorb everything in it. I will re-reading this book again and again.

Top Ten Tuesday

TTT is hosted by Jamie over at The Broke and the Bookish

This week’s TTT is the top ten books I am going to try to read in December.   I like the idea of doing this because it gives me an idea of what to read next. In November I read 4/10. I am trying to do better this month by re-including some from November that I did not get to read.

1) The Future of Us- Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

2) The Stupidest Angel- Christopher Moore

3) The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern

4) The Maze Runner- James Dashner

5) The Zahr- Paulo Coelho

6) Guantanamo Boy- Anna Perera

7)  Perfect Chemistry- Simone Elkeles

8) The Dark Divine- Bree Despain

9) Sloppy First- Megan Mccaferty

10) 13 Little Blue Envelopes- Maureen Johnson

Why I have been MIA

I am going to try to keep this non book related post short.

I first want to apologize for being absent lately. My boyfriend was sick all week so we were in and out of the hospital. He is finally feeling better and it looks like fingers crossed that he will not have to see a specialist. Hurray!

I will do my normal TTT post tomorrow and I am going to try to post during December as much as possible. I hope everyone is having a great time with their families. Have a great holiday season.

Vanish- Sophie Jordan

Name: Vanish

Author: Sophie Jordan

Format: Hardcover

Source: Borrowed from the library

Rating: 3/5

Goodreads Summary:

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

I thought I would absolutely fall in love with Vanish like I did with Firelight but unfortunately I was not as blow away as I thought I would be. I finished Firelight and could not wait to read Vanish so I picked it up a short while later and devoured it. It started where Firelight left off, fast paced and action paced. Tamara’s character comes out of the shadows in this novel and Cassin shows he does have another, softer side to him. I was not impressed with Jacinda. She was not the character she was in Firelight. I felt that she was selfish and rude towards everyone around her. She made herself sound selfless but she continued to hurt Tamara and everyone else around her.  I hope that Jacinda improves in the next novel and that Tamara’s character becomes more prominent. I still feel like Tamara is getting the short end of the stick, I want her to finally have her chance and get everything she ever wanted. I have completely switched sides, I was team Jacinda in Firelight but now I am totally team Tamara. I would not have enjoyed Vanish at all if Tamara was not in it which is unfortunate. 

The first part of the book was my favourite then it started to cool down and Jacinda started to irritate me.  She was so back and forth between Will and Cassin.  She said she loved Will and wanted to be with him but then she was thinking about Cassin but she could not be with Cassin because of Tamara but it did not stop her from hurting her. Again and again.  So frustrating .

Cassin moved up in the ranks in this novel, he showed his more compassionate side.  I think Tamara putting him in his place helped a lot.  He seemed to understand that if he wanted to see Miriam again he was going to have to selfless.  I am quite impressed with him and I hope to see more of this side in book 3. I do want him and Tamara together. I think he owes her a lot before he can even being to think there is a chance but I think Tamara deserves the chance to work her feelings for him out.

The cover was gorgeous; she kept the same theme which is always nice. The subtle scales and the colors are amazing.  The cover provided such an amazing visual to the Draki’s.

I want to read the third book but I am not dying to read it. I will most likely wait until I can borrow it before I decide to read it. I hope the story improves and there are more books to come.

Waitin on Wednesday- Pandemonium

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.

 This week's can't-wait-to-read is:

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: March 6, 2012
Series: Yes







 Goodreads Summary:
I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

I cannot wait to find out what is going to happen to Alex. The ending of Delirium was such a cliff hanger. I'm going to be honest here I thought Delirium was good but not excellent. Until the last chapter which was action packed, gut wretching sadness. If Oliver had ended it differently I would wait until Pandemonium was out for awhile before reading it. I hope that Pandemonium is better than Delirium which if she starts it from where Delirium left off it will be excellent. I pre-ordered it from the library already so when it comes out I am on top of the list.

What are your thought/ feelings of this book. Let me know :)

The Boyfriend List- E. Lockhart

Name: The Boyfriend List

Author: E. Lockhart

Format: Hardcover

Source: Borrowed

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads Summary:

E. Lockhart’s spot-on dialogue and descriptions of painfully but hilariously relatable situations make this young adult novel an addictive read.

Fifteen-year-old Ruby has had a rough ten days. During that time she:

   * lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
   * lost her best friend (Kim)
   * lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
   * did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
   * did something advanced with a boy (#15)
   * had an argument with a boy (#14)
   * had a panic attack
   * lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie)
   * failed a math test (she'll make it up)
   * hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends)
   * became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
   * had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the
   boys'!?!)

But don't worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists

Ruby Oliver is laugh out loud funny as she works her way through the boyfriend list her shrink has asked her to write down.  She works her way through her breakup with her boyfriend Jackson and deals with her friends not speaking to her. It was funny and sad all at the same time.  It is a light read when you need something funny. I will be looking out for Lockhart’s books in the future. I enjoyed her writing and felt like I could connect in a way with Ruby. I felt her anguish over her breakout with Jackson and although I did not always agree with her way of healing with it I found she was a realistic and smart character.

Ruby Oliver is someone I would love to be friends with. She is hilarious and loyal. She realizes what a jerk Jackson is but still has feelings for him like most people would.  I liked her no holding back way of describing the situations she finds herself in. The footnotes were an added bonus. They fit right it perfectly and added further insight into her thoughts and feelings without rambling.

I think this is a fun book everyone should read when you’re having a bad day. It certainly cheered me up.