Review: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publication: 11/20/2007 by HarperCollins
Series: The Luxe #1
Pages: 433 Pages
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Summary
Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone--from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud--threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future. With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear... In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

My Thoughts
I should probably have just unhauled this book. I knew when I started listening to it I wasn't going to enjoy it but I was on a long drive with nothing else to do so I just kept listening. It had also been on my physical TBR pile for years and I was time I took it off. I bought it when I was just starting in the community and bought every book off Book Outlet that I recognized. If I didn't have it on my shelf, I wouldn't have read it.

I will say that it was readable. It wasn't the worst thing I ever read but it was certainly cringy. If you are into guilty pleasure books that follow relationships and general drama then this book would be for you. I however wasn't a huge fan of it. Maybe a few years ago I would have enjoyed it more but now I am much more critical of what I am reading. I was confused by some of the motivations of the characters, like how did Elizabeth and Will fall in love? Why was Lina so obsessed with Will and why does she hate Elizabeth so much? I just didn't get it.

In the end, I was hoping it would be more of a guilty pleasure. What I got was less romance than I wanted and more boring plot lines. Also, you already know how the book ended after reading the prologue so what was the point? I rated it 2 stars because it was okay enjoy to make it through but I don't care about what happens in the sequels. I am at least happy to have another book off my TBR.

Top 10 Tuesday: Top 10 Favourite Romances in Books

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I hope you are spending it with someone you love, even if it's your dog, cat or bookshelf. I am one of those people who loves romance, especially in my books. But I am also someone who hasn't really gotten into the romance genre. I love my romance with some magic and swords (at the moment anyway). Let's talk about my favourite romances from books. 

There may be SPOILERS for romances later in series, you have been warned.

Delilah Bard & Kell Maresh

I generally love Lila as a character. Younger me would have looked up to her so much. I love that they kind of have a will they won't try relationship. I am a fan.

Blackheart & Goldenlion

We may never have been straight up told that they end up together. You can just tell how much they love each other but won't admit because Goldenlion is suppose to be a hero and Blackheart is suppose to be a villain. I loved it!

Feyre & Rhysand

Yup, I am one of those people. I secretly loved Rhysand after ACOTAR and then obviously all my dreams came true in ACOMAF. 

Lia & Rafe

This was a pretty fantastic series, and I loved Lia & Rafe. They always put themselves or/and their countries first. They had good heads on their shoulders but still loved each other. 

Vin & Eland

I have no idea why, but I just got attached to both of these characters so much! I only have read The Final Empire, so I don't know if I'll love them through the whole series. However, after this first book I am a fan.

America Singer & Prince Maxon

This is the ultimate guilty pleasure series for me and I was addicted to The Bachelor-like plot. It was like watching The Bachelor but more exciting. America and Maxon were super adorable which kept me addicted to the series.

Princess Buttercup & Westley

I always feel like I am cheating when I talk about this book because I love the movie so much that I might be impairing the way I read the book. But I don't care because it is so good I will never shut up.

As You Wish!

Mal & Molly

This entire series is amazing but Mal and Molly make it so stinking cute it hurts. I love when they protect each other during adventures. All of these characters are fantastic and I love it.

Jody & Tommy

Have you ever wanted vampires and humour in one book? This is for you. It's also a love story. Jody and Tommy just work so well together and have plenty of great banter to keep you giggling.

Iseult & Aeduan

This is cheating because I don't think these characters are even romantically together. I am half-way through Windwitch so I can't say what happens at the end but as of right now they are not. Sam from ThoughtsonTomes from Youtube has hooked me on these too and I want them to be together so bad.

Let me know what romances from books that you love or what you did for Valentine's Day. 

Short & Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #8

Saga Volume 2
Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples

I wasn't sold on this series after the first volume but this book hooked me into the series. I had been putting it off reading this volume forever but I am really happy that I finally read it. I understand why so many people love it. It's a fantastic story line and the characters are so likeable. I am really excited to pick up the next volume in the series.

4 out of 5 Stars

Deadly Class Vol 2: Kids of the Black Hole
Rick Remender, Wes Craig

This is a dark series and this second book also hooked me onto the series. The characters are very flawed and they are at a school where they are becoming assassins. This volume ended on a chill hanger so volume 3 is sitting and waiting for me to read it. This series has a much different art style than all of the other comics I read which makes this one stand out.

4 out of 5 Stars

Gotham Academy Vol 3: Yearbook
Brenden Fletcher, Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs, Rafael Albuquerque

This volume was better than the last one, thankfully. I hadn't really enjoyed Vol 2 very much so I was happy to see this series to get back on track. I love the characters in this series, which is what kept me reading. I enjoy the art style in this series. It's colourful and suits the tone of the story. I am excited to read the cross-over with Lumberjanes.

3 out of 5 Stars

Review: Misery by Stephen King

Genre: Horror
Publication: 6/3/1988 by Signet
Pages: 338 Pages
Format: eBook/Audiobook
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Summary
Paul Sheldon. He's a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader—she is Paul's nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house. Now Annie wants Paul to write his greatest work—just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an ax. And if they don't work, she can get really nasty...


My Thoughts
It took me forever to read this book. I started it on eBook and the beginning was so slow that it took me forever to even get halfway. This may have also had to do with the amount of school work I had but I also wasn't driven to pick this book up. However, I didn't want to give up so I picked up the audiobook and finished it up that way. And boy did the story ever pick up! It may have started slow but the second half became wildly disturbing.

This is a very closed story. It pretty well takes place inside one room and occasionally it'll adventure a few feet outside the room. I found that this closed situation didn't keep me super engaged. Which surprised me because I love movies that are enclosed thrillers, but for some reason that same enjoyment didn't translate to this book. I did find I enjoyed it more once I started the audiobook, but I think it's mostly just due to the fact I was getting to the parts with more thrilling elements.

I do think this was a good book. It did get pretty disturbing in the end so be wary of that. I found the disturbing aspects made the ending more engaging because I just needed to know what was going to happen to Paul and Annie. You can never tell where King is going to take a story so I had to know how this story ended. If you like Stephen King and classic horror, then check this out.

What's on My Library Hold List #2

I have been addicted to the library, as per usual. I tend to always have a long list of books I am on the wait list for at the library. Generally, every few months all of these books turn over and I am waiting for another new set. 

   

All-New All-Different Avengers Vol 1: The Magnificent Seven: I have read the first issue of this series, and I am interested in checking out the trade. I get all my comics from the library because of how expensive they are. 

Ms. Marvel Vol 5: Super Famous: I have adored the entire Ms. Marvel series and I am always excited to pick up the next volume. I feel like I have been waiting forever for this one!

Of Fire and Stars by Aubrey Coulthurst: I have heard lots of buzz about this book. I am excited about the F/F romance, especially in a fantasy story.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: I may not get to read this book for months still.  I am sitting in position 48 so there are a lot of people still a head of me. It's award winning so everybody is excited to check it out.

  

 

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick: I am waiting on the for this audiobook. I only read celebrity memoirs if they narrate their audiobook (you may see a pattern with all these). I think Anna Kendrick is funny so on the list.

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham: I just finished Gilmore Girls on Netflix so I am interested enough to check out Lauren's audiobook. 

A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold: I read Columbine last year, so I think this would be an important narrative to the story. 

The Princess Diariest by Carrie Fisher: I added this book to my TBR before Carrie died, but I have pushed it up since. I am waiting in line for the audiobook, and I am excited to get some Star Wars insight and just general insights from Carrie.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson: I listened to Furiously Happy last year and really loved it. I related so much with Jenny that I had to listen to her first book too.

Stacking the Shelves #18

STS is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Books seem to keep coming into my possession. I have picked up a few things over the last few weeks and I am actually excited to read them all. 

Purchased

 

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Giant Days Vol 1 by John Allison

Library

 

Windwitch by Susan Dennard

Wenjack by Joseph Boyden

 

Deadly Class Vol 3: The Snake Pit

Lumberjanes Vol 3: A Terrible Plan

Chew Vol 6: Space Cakes

Netgalley

  

Goldie Vance Vol 1 by Hope Larson

The Backstagers Issue #1 (Volume 1 Sampler)

The Leavers by Lisa Ko

I have already read The Backstagers #1 and it was absolutely amazing! I am currently checking out the rest of the single issues. I am currently reading Windwitch, which is good so far. Have you read any of these, let me know.

Review: Redshirts by John Scalzi

Genre: Science Fiction
Publication: 6/5/2012 by Tor Books
Pages: 320 Pages
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Summary
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that:
(1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces
(2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations
(3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.


Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

My Thoughts
This book is ridiculously meta. At some points I absolutely adored it, and at others it left me a bit confused. But in the end I did generally really enjoy this book. I found myself laughing and enjoying the parallels to Star Trek. I am typically not the biggest Science Fiction reader but this one really won me over. What I deducted stars for was the extra codas (which I think just means extra chapters). They followed 3 of the side characters and helped to tie up some loose ends but in the end the book wouldn't have been different without them.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has seen Star Trek (original series or otherwise). If you have no idea what Star Trek is or don't like it at all, stay away from this book. Some background knowledge of Star Trek really makes this book better and without it I even think you may be a bit lost. I give this one a thumbs up, and will be checking out some of John Scalzi's stuff in the future.