Top Ten Tuesdays

This top ten Tuesday’s topic is my to be read list of books coming out in 2012. There is a ton more I want to read but of course I limited the number. Again keeping up with my New Year’s resolution I have already ordered the majority from the library.

I suggest everyone check out these amazing titles, I know they will all be great.

1) Fever- Lauren DeStefano

2) Insurgent- Veronica Roth

3) Shine- Jeri Smith-Ready

4) The Disenchantment's- Nina Lacour

5) Grave Mercy- R.L. LaFevers

6) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight- Jennifer E. Smith

7) Why we broke up- Daniel Handler

8) The virgin cure- Ami Mckay

9) The house I loved- Tatiana De Rosnay

10) The Fault in Our Stars- John  Green

Frost- Marianna Baer

Title: Frost

Author: Marianna Baer

Format: Hardcover

Source: Borrowed

Rating: 3/5

Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological . . . well, which answer would let you sleep at night?

I’m not completely sure how I feel about this book.  There were parts I loved and other parts I was not a big fan of. 

The characters has me feeling mixed emotions,  I was not a fan of Leena and David.  I found Leena to be weak and David creepy. As a couple I liked them, but when they were alone I did not feel an emotional attachment to them.  I preferred the background characters more, oddly enough.  I found David creepy without Leena. I was a fan of his protectiveness towards his sister at first but then it just became almost stalkerish.  I know he wanted to protect Celeste but it was creepy how much he was involved in her life. I also did not like how Leena always seem to rat Celeste out to her brother.  Leena starts out as this smart, confident girl then turns into this weak person at the end. I can understand part of the reason she becomes this way, but it is such a change from her original character.

The house was so creepy, I liked the story behind the house and how Baer made the house seem so alive and only a few people noticed what was going on. Creepy.  In a good way. She was descriptive enough I could picture the house as I was reading the book, it gave me chills.

I enjoyed the book, but I was not a fan of the protagonist. I wished she would have remained the same though out the book instead of changing roles.  I would read another book written by Baer. She is a talented writer and I would love to be sucked into another story of hers.

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone is having a great day

In My Mailbox (10)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

This week's IMM is strictly library books again. I have been really good with my New Year's resolution to buy less and borrow more. There is so many books I want to buy right now, but I am refraining. For now. I only got three, I have been a little behind in reading this week, I wish I could say I could catch up over the weekend, but it is my boyfriend's birthday so I am going to be busy.

Borrowed from the Library

Miss Peregrine's Home for Pecular Children- Ransom Riggs

Bittersweet- Sarah Ockler

Fixing Delilah- Sarah Ockler

Crossed- Ally Condie

Title: Crossed

Author: Ally Condie

Format: Hardcover

Source: Borrowed

Rating: 4/5

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Straight up I did not like this book as much as I liked Match. 

The point of view is Crossed was from both Ky and Cassia. This was a great feature.  The reader gets an inside look into both of the characters and we can see how they reach to situations and how they are coping with being separated.  It was pretty evenly divided which I enjoyed.

Cassia was a little frustrating to me in this book as she was in Matched. She seems to have chosen Ky, but Xander is always there in her head.  Ky has clearly chosen her and I wish she would choose once and for all. I can understand where she is coming from and why it is hard. Xander has been her best friend for years and was her match while Ky is someone she recently met but she was the one who decided to push Xander away. I want him to be able to move on,  either with Cassia or without her. 

Oh Ky you are my favourite.  I do like Xander but Ky is the one I am rooting for.  He has lived a hard life in a short time and I want him to be happy. He has struggled with so much that I wish he would just get a break.  I hope the third instalment of the series will give him some justice.

Xander you are a mystery.  He seems so straight edge and clean cut, but I found a lot about him in this book that I would have never expected. In a good way. I want to find out more about him.  I thought I knew him in Match, but Crossed has once again thrown me off course and I want to see who is he becoming and who he really is. The ending left me wanting more, I want to know what is going to happen next.

The cover was a similar to Matched..  I’m a fan of the plain and simple cover that only gives a little insight to the story.  I love the colors used in this cover. It seems a little odd, but I really liked them.  The cover was a good reference to the story within. This book was a little less action packed than the last one, but still good none the less. It had a lot of mystery and some heart stopping moments, but I found it was a slower pace, until the end of course.

I gave it a 4/5. I enjoyed it and want to read the next one, but Cassia’s indecisiveness made me feel like I could not get into the story as much as I wanted. What’s your opinion?

Waiting on Wednesday- City of Lost Souls

Title: City of Lost Souls

Author: Cassandra Clare

Format: Hardcover

Publish Date: May 8 2012

Series: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling.

I am not as in love with this series as I was with the first few books but I want to read the next book. The summary makes me want to read this immediately. I hope the series will improve into what it once was when I would be dying to buy this the second it hit bookshelves like I once was.

I love this cover. It is similar to the other covers but for some reason I like this one the best. I love the dark colors on it. It makes it look dark and twisty. There is so many little details on it. A+ on the cover for sure. I have not read any reviews for this yet so I am really not sure what to expect.

I hope Jace has matured so I can enjoy his character more, he needs to man up and be the guy that Clary needs and deserves.

This will be the 5th book in the Mortal Instruments series and as of right now I know there is going to be at least a six book in the series. I will be patient for this one.

I'm not going to buy it when it comes out, I will wait for it to go to soft cover or I will grab it from the library.

Top Ten Tuesday

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

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about Dystopians.  These are the top ten best dystopians I have discovered so far. I still have a lot left to read J

1) Wither- Lauren DeStefano

2) Divergent- Veronica Roth

3) The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins

4) Across the Universe- Beth Revis

5) Dark Inside- Jeyn Roberts

6) Uglies- Scott

7) Crossed- Ally Condie

8) Delirium- Lauren Oliver

9) Bumped-Megan Mcafferty

10) Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi

Read-A-Thon Conclusion

I had a mini read-a-thon for myself on Sunday which was pretty awesome. People did eventually show up at my house, but before they did I managed to finish reading Winter Town. I also started Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Kazuo but I only got to about chapter two.

I did a good amount of reading yesterday, if I had more time I think I would have been able to finish a whole other book.

Did anyone else have a read-a-thon this weekend? Leave a comment below and if you did what did you read?

Read-a-thon (Sort of)

I do not know how I did it but I managed to get everything done yesterday, even errands which left me time for a readathon. So far I have finished 1 book and I am about 150 pages in to the next one.  I finished my laundry, cleaned the entire house, managed to get dinner done with enough left overs for a few days AND do all my running around. I even squeezed in some reading time and TV time with the boyfriend. I was wonder women yesterday. The reason I did this is so I could have my readathon today. I got out my comfy pants, my favourite blanket and a big cup of coffee and me and the couch had a date. However, I was interrupted by my boyfriend called earlier to say his aunt and possibly his mom will be stopping by which puts the breaks on my readathon.  I did managed to squeeze some in today however, so far I finished; Belong to Me by Melissa De Los Santos and I started Winter Town by Stephen Edmond.  I am taking a quick break to post this before I head back to reading. I will update my final tally either later today or tomorrow.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend J

Happy reading!

In My Mailbox (9)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

First I want to apologize for not posting anything yesterday. I did a bunch of running around before work and got to work before I realized.

This week is strictly library books. I was good and bought absolutely no books, this has also been a slow reading week for me. I'm enjoying the book I am reading but I am not sucked into it completely so it is taking me a bit to get through it.

Borrowed from the library

Frost- Marianna Baer

WinterTown- Stephen Emond

Beauty Queens- Libba Bray

Story of A Girl- Sara Zarr

Hidden- Sophie Jordan

Title: Hidden

Author: Sopie Jordan

Format: Hardcover

Publish Date:  September 2012

Series: Yes

This is a pretty short WoW this week. The second book left me feeling unsatisfied and unhappy. I am excited for the third books, but my enthusiasm is low at this point. I hope it will grow once I read this books.

Hidden has a lot to accomplish for me to be completely in love with the series again. I have high expectations that I hope Jordan will live up to. There so much I want to see in the third book, mainly I want to see the characters improve. Jacinda turned into a new and uninteresting character for me in Vanished.  Tamara came out of her shell a character I want to see more of.  I’m curious to see where Jordan is going to bring the story now what she has set up a love triangle. I want the book to de tangle what was done in Vanished and answer all of my Draki related questions.  I have high hopes for this one.

Top Ten Tuesday

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

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is books I have no idea why I have not read yet. It is 2012 and I still have not read these books.

1) Shift- Jeri Smith-Ready

2) Dragonfly in Amber- Diana Gabaldon

3) Lola and The Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins

4) The Tea Rose- Jennifer Donnelly

5) The Ask and the Answer- Patrick Ness

6)  Second Helpings- Megan Mccafferty

7) The Chaos- Rachel Ward

8) Fire- Kirstin Cashore

9) Blindness- José Saramago, Giovanni Pontiero

10) Fall of Giants- Ken Follett

A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness

Title: A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness

Format: Audio book

Source Borrowed from the library

Rating: 5/5










This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.
Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.

This book has been added to my favourite list and one of my favourite books on 2012.  It was amazing. I listened to it on audio book in a few hours.  It is one I will have to re- listen to. It was that good.

This book was not at all what I thought it would be, from the summary I did not know how amazing it was going to be.  I enjoyed Patrick Ness’s The Knife of Never Letting Go so I decided to listen to this novel while I was doing my Saturday morning cleaning. WOW. I caught myself just sitting there listening, waiting. I did not want to miss a single word.  The loss that Conor feels on the book pulled at my heart strings.  At times I felt like I was sitting next to him and I want to give him a huge hug.  The ending was so sad.  I felt myself relating to Conor even thought he was only thirteen. Yes, Ness is just that good. 

I felt so many emotions while listening to this book, I laughed out loud as Conor made comments and I also felt sad and emotionally drained, especially at the end. All of the characters were excellent.  I enjoyed every single one, even his dad.  They all came together and made this novel spectacular.  I recommend this to any age group. I could easily relate to characters, everyone had flaws but as a whole they came together and provided an amazing story.

In my Mailbox (8)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

This is a collection over two weeks and I am almost at the max for my used books according to my New Year's resolution. I have not bought any new books, so I think I am doing okay. I have been reading an hour a day at least and I am loving it. I also only bought one YA book and two adult books. I am trying to add more variety.

Once Dead, Twice Sky- Kim Harrison
The Angel's Game- Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Wolf Hall- Hilary Mantel

Deciding what to read next

Instead of posting a book review today I thought I would simply ramble which is much lovlier. I actually do have a question though, how do you decide what to read next?

I have a heard time deciding because I am always torn with what should be my top priority. I have a few ways that I choose but  I want to come up with a pernament and easy solution.

I never know if I should be reading the books I just bought because that was my intention was to read them right away, or if I should be reading books that have been sitting on my shelf for awhile. I think I should but then it think well there still sitting there for awhile so maybe I should read the new ones first. It takes a lot of time to pick a new book this way.

My second delema is the library and gifted books. I know if I go to the library, or borrow a book from a friend I always read that one first. If I am in the middle of another book I will finish it up quickly so I can move onto my borrowed books. Then there is the question of gifted books. Do I read these the same way as I read borrowed books or is it okay to let them sit there for awhile? The reason I am asking is because a friend from work gave me some books for Christmas. I have read one and I have two more to go. I attempted to start reading book number two yesterday but I knew I was not in the mood to start this book and so I put it back for now but now I feel like I should have read it if I am following borrowed book policy.

My final question ( I promise!), is it okay to what I call "shelf cleaner" books before reading goal books. I have some books where I have had them so for long I have no idea where they came from and I am not even sure if I want to read them, but I hate to give away books I have never read so I try to read them and get them off my shelf to make room for more books. Usually once or twice a month I will pick a book or two that I consider a "shelf cleaner" and read it and get rid of it, but should I be putting these books before my reading goal books? My reading goal books I have all year or all month to read but I still feel almost guilty if I put these books before my other books.

HELP!!! Let me know how you decide what to read next, hopefully I can get a solution.

Waiting on Wednesday- The Disenchantments

Name: The Disenchantments
Author: Nina Lacour
 Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: February 16th, 2012
Series: No

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award—finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

The Disenchantments  is the story of Colby and Bev. They have been friends for years and have a long-standing pact to graduate, then hit the road with Bev’s band and then spend a year in Europe.  However, after the tour kicks off, Bev breaks the pact and tells Colby she is heading to college in the fall instead, leaving Colby wondering what he is going to do next.

I have heard some pretty great things about this novel.  First it is from a Colby’s POV, which I always enjoy getting a boys insight to life and second it features The Disenchantments who are the world’s worse girl band.  I like the sounds of the book, but I already feel bad for Colby.  I want to know why Bev decides to ditch him. I am all for post secondary education, but what I want to know is why she decides to tell him after they are on the road together for the summer.  Clearly I must read this book when it comes out so I can get my answers.  

Top Ten Tuesday

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

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is the best series I discovered in 2011. There was a lot so I had to narrow it down. I am going to apologize ahead of time and say I did get a little ranty in some of them but they are all amazing so I hope you read each one if you have not already.

1) Shade Series- Jeri Smith- Ready

Why I waited so long to be sucked into this amazing series I do not know. I am so glad I got into it though.  WOW.  It is spectacular from start to finish.

2) Divergent- Veronica Roth

So far there are three book expected for this series, with the second coming out in 2012. In a way it is like the Hunger Games, I found the theme to be similar but I actually enjoyed this more than the Hunger Games.  

3) 13 to life    

I am in love with Werewolves. I fell in love with them all over again in this series.  It gives werewolves a whole new twist. The 5^th book in this series is coming out in 2012.

4) The Chemical Garden Series- Lauren DeStefano

OMG so amazingly good, if you have not read Wither do it now because your life will be changed by this awesome book.  I am dying to read the second one Fever, I have already ordered it because I am that excited to read it. There are currently three books expected for this series.

5) Firelight- Sophie Jordan

I’m going for honest here, I loved the first one more than the second one, but how the second one was left I am expecting great things from Hidden, the third book in this series which is expected out in September 2012.

6) Outlander series- Diana Gabaldon

I read a lot of YA in 2011, but this was one of the adult series I really got into. The first book in this series came out in 1991 so it is not a new series; it is just a series that has continued to be popular. The first book left me on a cliff hanger that I am terrified to start the second book because I am afraid I will not be able to put it down. Read and you will understand. There are currently seven books in this series.

7) Jessica Darling

Laugh out loud funny, I love Jessica Darling. This is another adult series that I think most people could get into. I do forewarn to not read in public because I discovered if you laugh out loud, people will look at you strangely and really there is not enough time in the day to explain how amazing this series is. There are currently five books in this series and I hope more to come.

8) Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkin

Oh Noah, you make me swoon and want to read more about you.  I am dying for book number two. This is not a book you can ease yourself into, it is hard stopping amazing. If you have not read this I suggest you run immediately and get a copy of it. You are missing out on so much greatness. There are currently two books expected for this series.

9) Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Before I get started I have to admit I was not going to read this book at first. I read the summary and I was not interested. I kept reading on blogs how amazing this was so I finally ordered it and proceeded to devour it. I am not making up for my scepticism by letting everyone know how fabulous this is and if you have not read it go forth and buy it or borrow it from a friend. There are currently two books expected for this series.

10) The Flappers- Jillian Larkin

This series is a historical fiction about the 1920’s including gangsters and flappers. If you are not hooked, wait until you read the series.  It is amazing; I cannot wait for Diva to come out in 2012. There is currently three books in this series, personally I want a million but I don’t think I am going to get my wish. Sadness.

What series did you fall in love with in 2012?

 

Book Resolutions for 2012

I know I already talked about my New Year’s Resolutions but this is strictly book related. I swear. These are my reading goals for 2012. I am determined to do as many as I can.  I love giving myself reading challenges.

1) Audio Books

It took me awhile but now I am hooked to audio books, especially while I am cleaning.  I can do my boring housework and listen to a book.  I love it. I am trying to read 12 audio books. One a month, in the past I have only listened to a few, but it is something I am determined to do more of.

2) The Book Addict’s Reading Group Challenge for 2012

That is a long title, but it is totally worth it.  This awesome group on Goodreads called The Book Addicts who host a yearly individual reading goal challenge. The rules are simple, you choose 12 books + 2 alternates that have been on your reading list for over a year and the books have to be over a year old. I love this and I participate every year.  I try to think of 12 books I want to read but never seem to have the time to read when I want to. I am determined to finish all 12 books this year. Last year I believe I missed three.

3) Classics

I want to read more classics. I have read I would think a fare share but I want to read more.  A great friend from work started me out with three for Christmas. My goal is to read at least 5. I can think of five that I own and want to read so this hopefully will not be too hard to accomplish.

4) Variety

2011 was the year of YA for me.  I love YA, but I find I am neglecting other books, so this year I am trying to read an adult book for every YA book I read.  I also want to read more variety of YA books; I read a lot of paranormal in 2011. I want to read more historical fiction and contemporary.

5) E-Books

There are a lot of non-physical books that I have that I also want to get through this year. I always feel guilty if I choose an e-book over a physical book.  I was lucky enough to receive a Blackberry Playbook for my birthday which I promptly filled with books. My goal is to read at least 10 e-books this year on top of all the other books I want to read. Sigh.

6) Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge

I love to sign up for reading challenges. This is another challenge that I sign up for every year.  In 2011 I read 142 books so my goal for 2012 is to read 160. I have given myself lots of options and I will never have an issue of a shortage of books. I am hoping to reach my goal.

In My Mailbox (8)

IMM is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.
* Warning- There is a ton of books *

This is a collection over about three weeks. I got a lot of gifted books and the books I bought were before Jan 1st so that it did not interfere my New Year's resolution. The strange looking blanket my books are sitting on is the quilt that is sitting on my spare bed right now since I am indecisive about what color I want.

Bought New

Frozen- Robin Wasserman

Variant- Robinson Wells

Dark Inside- Jeyn Roberts

The Probability of Miracles- Wendy Wunder











Gifted

Wise Children- Angela Carter

Madame Bovary- Gustave Flaubert

Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte  

Icy Sparks- Gwyn Hyman Rubio  (I love this book!!!)

Say You're One of Them- Uwem Akpan

White Oleander- Janet Fitch 




Bought Used

The Luxe- Anna Godbersen

The Witch of Portobello- Paulo Coelho

Charmed Thirds- Megan McCafferty (I still don't have #2 :(  )













Borrowed from the Library

A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness (1st audio book of 2012!!)

Explosive Eighteen- Janet Evanovich

Title: Explosive Eighteen

Author: Janet Evanovich

Source: Gifted

Format: Hardcover

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Summary:

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life is set to blow sky high when international murder hits dangerously close to home, in this dynamite novel by Janet Evanovich.
 
Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 from Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, she’s flying back to New Jersey solo, and someone who sounds like Sasquatch is snoring in row 22. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. The FBI, the fake FBI, and guns-for-hire are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.

Only one other person has seen the missing photograph—Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.

Over at the Bail Bonds Agency it’s business as usual—until the bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke, Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their “largest” FTA yet, lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment, and everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii?!
 
Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii.  And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is . . . It’s complicated.

The latest instalment of the Stephanie Plum series was hilarious as always. Lula and Stephanie are running on luck more than skill to catch bail skippers. The characters are always hilarious; this is a light book which I was able to finish within a day. I hope there are many more books to come with this series.  The cover is one of my favourite for this series.

 I was a little disappointed that Evanvich did not indulge into the Hawaii fiasco as much as I thought she would. I still feel like there are unanswered questions about the entire trip that she either decided to leave from this book or will not be answered.  I still want to know what exactly happened with Stephanie and who she will ultimately choose.  This seems to be a recurring theme throughout the series. .

Why can't she pick? I ask this question at the end of every book. I want her to choose Ranger, I like Morelli but he's just not Ranger. Unfortunately I don't think she will ever fully pick. Sadness. 

I absolutely loved this book as I have loved all the books in the series; however my only disappointment with this one is I found it was not as action-packed as the books normally are. It seemed almost toned down.  I cannot wait for the next instalment but I am not left on a cliff-hanger.

Guantanamo Boy- Anna Perera

Title: Guantanamo Boy

Author: Anna Perera

Format: E-Book

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3 out of 5

Goodreads Summary:

Khalid, a 15-year-old Muslim boy from Rochdale, is abducted from Pakistan while on holiday with his family. He is taken to Guantanamo Bay and held without charge. An innocent denied his freedom at a time when Western boys are finding theirs, Khalid tries and fails to understand what's happening to him and cannot fail to be a changed young man.

This book was hard to read.  It is the story of 15 year-old Khalid who is abducted while visiting his family in Pakistan.  The hardest part of this book is that the suffering he goes through is felt by prisoners of Guantanamo Bay and other POW camps daily.  The evidence they say they have against him is not enough to keep him in prison but he is held there anyways.  This novel is an emotional one.  I enjoyed reading it for the history of it and the insight. 

Khalid was frustrating at times, however as the book progressed he matured and I started to feel like I could enjoy the book. It was a little hard to get into at first. I was interested in the topic of Guantanamo Bay because I have watched documentaries on it but I have never read a book about it or a story that uses it. It was unique and sad. I look forward to reading more books by Perera. She is a powerful writer.

Top Ten Tuesday

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is my favourite books I read in 2011. I read a lot of great books in 2011 so it was hard to narrow down. It’s a little over the place, but that’s how I like to read. There is so many more books I loved but I was diligent about keeping it down to ten.

1) The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hopkin

2) Shade- Jeri Smith-Ready

3) The Probability of Miracles- Wendy Wunder

4) Sloppy Firsts- Megan McCafferty

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

6) Spellbound- Kelley Armstrong

7) Hard Eight- Janet Evanovich

8) Where She Went- Gayle Forman

9) Outlander – Diana Gabaldon

 10) Wither- Lauren DeStefano

The Probability of Miracles - Wendy Wunder

Name: The Probability of Miracles

Author: Wendy Wunder

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought new

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Summary:

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humour and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page

I feel emotionally drained after reading this book.  I am still process this book. It was so amazingly good.  Wunder’s writing was heartbreaking and gut renching.  This is an amazing debut novel.  I can’t put into words how much I loved this book. This book takes your emotions in different directions, one minute you wanted to laugh at Cam and Perry and in the next instance you want wanted to cry.

The Main character is Cam Cooper who is a dry, sarcastic sixteen year old girl with a wide movie collection.  Her sister Perry and her mom are her support as she is in and out of hospitals and it is her family who decides to take Cam to Promise, Maine in the hope of a miracle.

The sacrifices Cam’s family makes for her are astounding.  It tore my heart to read their struggles. Perry and Alicia were hilarious and supportive of Cam. They did everything they could for her and more.  I really loved all the characters, even sarcastic Cam.  She turned out to be an amazing character, she was a little selfish at first but I never got frustrated with her.  She was a character that I knew would only impress me more as the book went on.

This book does deal with a serious and unfortunate disease that affects millions, and having lost friends to cancer this made this book hard to read at points.  I hope everyone reads this book, it is so so good. I want Wunder to write a million more books for me to read.