tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52168307219639833572024-02-20T12:49:58.631-04:00A Thousand Times OverBook Reviews by Your Average Everyday ReaderSammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-81039148519901644182017-06-22T09:00:00.000-03:002017-06-22T09:00:22.681-03:00Review: A Torch Against The Night by Sabaa Tahir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy<br />
<b>Series: </b>An Ember In The Ashes #2<br />
<b>Publication: </b>8/20/2016 by Razorbill<br />
<b>Pages: </b>452 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>eBook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>2 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25558608-a-torch-against-the-night">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Torch-Against-Night/9780008160371">Book Depository</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Torch-Against-Night-Sabaa-Tahir/dp/1101998873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495459181&sr=8-1&keywords=a+torch+against+the+night">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.<br />
<br />
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.<br />
<br />
But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.<br />
<br />
Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
This was the last book that I read while on vacation. However, it fell flat for me. Would have it have been better if I had read An Ember in the Ashes again? Maybe. But I am not one to re-read books just for the sake of reading the sequel. This series has been kind of forgettable for me. I didn't remember a lot from An Ember in the Ashes, and I especially won't remember anything from this book by the time the next book comes out.<br />
<br />
I just found this book was dull. They were travelling to the prison for the majority of the book, and it was slow going. I had a hard time caring about either Laia or Elias for most of this book. They just both refused to grow as characters. I ended up bored during most of their POV's. However, I did really enjoy the introduction of Helen's POV. Her character will make you think and she shows you her moral struggles with her new role in the Empire. I really enjoyed her sections. I also liked how this book wasn't afraid to go very dark. A lot of innocent people are dying and there is serious blood shed. I felt like there was something they should be fighting for but instead of saving the Scholar's they are only focused on saving one person. That just seems selfish.<br />
<br />
I was unfortunately disappointed by this book. There were parts that I enjoyed but I was mostly bored while reading this book. There is some potential for the next book in the series. However, this book wrapped up enough of the story that I would probably be fine without continuing. We shall see.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-54609901551971846612017-06-15T10:14:00.000-03:002017-06-15T10:14:08.710-03:00Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678l/19547856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678l/19547856.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary<br />
<b>Publication: </b>4/7/2015 by Balzer + Bray<br />
<b>Pages: </b>320 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>eBook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>3.5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547856-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Simon-vs-Homo-Sapiens-Agenda/dp/0062348671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495457706&sr=8-1&keywords=simon+vs+the+homo+sapiens+agenda">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Simon-vs-the-Homo-Sapiens-Agend-Becky-Albertalli/9780062348685?ref=grid-view&qid=1495457741352&sr=1-1">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.<br />
<br />
<br />
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I have heard so much about this book over the last 2 years, so it was finally time that I picked it up. I did enjoy this book, but it followed the same kind of story line as a lot of YA contemporaries that I have read. This book is diverse in that it is a M/M romance, which is awesome for someone who is looking for a story that represents them. But for me, it was still pretty predictable. I was much more invested once Blue and Simon met in real life. They were very adorable and I was really rooting for them.<br />
<br />
One thing that did throw me off about this book was the description on masturbation. I like that it was normalized (because let's me real we all do it) but I felt uncomfortable reading about a 16 year old doing it. I am much older than 16 and it just felt uncomfortable. However, it was nice to see it normalized, so I am still conflicted about it.<br />
<br />
In the end, this was an enjoyable read. I read it on vacation by the pool and I just flew through it. I would recommend if you are looking for a cute contemporary. It was pretty predictable but if you want a book that represents you better, check this out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-33741246626274186142017-06-08T09:00:00.000-03:002017-06-08T09:00:17.810-03:00Review: Adnan's Story: The Truth for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Nonfiction, True Crime<br />
<b>Publication: </b>8/9/2016 by St. Martin's Press<br />
<b>Pages: </b>410 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>eBook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>3.5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883209-adnan-s-story">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Adnans-Story-Search-Justice-Serial/dp/1250087104/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494425264&sr=8-1&keywords=adnan%27s+story">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Adnan-s-Story/9781780894881">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
In early 2000, Adnan Syed was convicted and sentenced to life plus thirty years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, a high school senior in Baltimore, Maryland. Syed has maintained his innocence, and Rabia Chaudry, a family friend, has always believed him. By 2013, after almost all appeals had been exhausted, Rabia contacted Sarah Koenig, a producer at This American Life, in hopes of finding a journalist who could shed light on Adnan’s story. In 2014, Koenig's investigation turned into Serial, a Peabody Award-winning podcast with more than 500 million international listeners<br />
<br />
<br />
But Serial did not tell the whole story. In this compelling narrative, Rabia Chaudry presents new key evidence that she maintains dismantles the State's case: a potential new suspect, forensics indicating Hae was killed and kept somewhere for almost half a day, and documentation withheld by the State that destroys the cell phone evidence -- among many other points -- and she shows how fans of Serial joined a crowd-sourced investigation into a case riddled with errors and strange twists. Adnan's Story also shares Adnan’s life in prison, and weaves in his personal reflections, including never-before-seen letters. Chaudry, who is committed to exonerating Adnan, makes it clear that justice is yet to be achieved in this much examined case.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I knew I needed to read this book as soon as I finished listening to the podcast, Serial. I am a Forensic Science student and we spent a lot of time discussing people who are actually innocent of the crimes they were convicted of. Adnan's story is so similar to many of them but at the same time very different, especially considering that the ones I learn about generally contain DNA evidence. After listening to Serial, I needed to hear more evidence so that Adnan is actually innocent. This book did help give some clarity to the case and gave a much more personal recount of what happened.<br />
<br />
I did have to put this book down the first time I tried to read it. However, I think that was because I was in the middle of school work and this story felt too much like school work at the time. I finished it on vacation, and did really enjoy it. There were some dry parts and at times I felt all 400 pages of it. However, if you loved Serial and want to know more I highly advise you check this book out. If you know nothing about this case, go listen to Serial.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-44976438748512914892017-06-06T09:00:00.000-03:002017-06-06T09:00:13.380-03:00Top 10 Tuesday : Backlist Books That I Have Recently Added to My TBR <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-eO0U55D2Ftcu69M4PzoUQJ-gKWSPNNu3HnrI7NOHb39vVGa2Ty5qDtqrFVwU8i0QBjohmSh29Umi9Kh7C3Y4ntApKQwHXHO8A-5ppQbz7sBtz8sKI00NVQHQn3PbNOWbxwzZRzYXs/s1600/Oh+my+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="138" data-original-width="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-eO0U55D2Ftcu69M4PzoUQJ-gKWSPNNu3HnrI7NOHb39vVGa2Ty5qDtqrFVwU8i0QBjohmSh29Umi9Kh7C3Y4ntApKQwHXHO8A-5ppQbz7sBtz8sKI00NVQHQn3PbNOWbxwzZRzYXs/s1600/Oh+my+%25281%2529.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
TTT is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">The Broke and the Bookish</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a hot minute since I did a Top 10 Tuesday and I am very excited to be back. This week we are talking about new books we added to our TBRs. I am going to be talking about the backlist books that I have recently added to my Goodreads "want to read" self. All of these books are 2016 releases or older. Let's get going.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434739324l/19370304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434739324l/19370304.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348752137l/393060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348752137l/393060.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459785141l/25733990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459785141l/25733990.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock </b>- I just added this book to my TBR a few minutes ago. I heard about it from looking at other people's wrap ups. It's an adult contemporary that takes place in Alaska. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver </b>- Another book added due to someone's wrap up. My favourite way to find new books. This one follows a women who cheats on her husband and the story follows what happened after but also the alternative time line where she didn't cheat. It sounds interesting and it got added.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel </b>- I added this one because it's a SciFi written by a Canadian author. I have heard lots of good things about it so it's on my TBR.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878144l/6493208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="277" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878144l/6493208.jpg" width="138" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348253379l/6948511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="258" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348253379l/6948511.jpg" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347698159l/4961048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347698159l/4961048.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot </b>- I added this after I heard a few people talk about it last month. It's about Henrietta Lacks who's cells were taken to create HeLa cells. I am a scientist so I think this would be an important read for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Shockaholic & Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher </b>- After reading The Princess Diarist I need more Carrie Fisher in my life. Right after reading it, I added both her other memoirs onto my TBR and I can't wait to read them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456379307l/28818317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456379307l/28818317.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392577290l/18214414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392577290l/18214414.jpg" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1478683499l/29875363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1478683499l/29875363.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327688060l/11994903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327688060l/11994903.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee - </b>This is a memoir of Sungju and his story about trying to survive in North Korea then escaping. I have a few memoirs from North Koreans on my TBR and I seriously need to try them out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith </b>- I recently read The Cuckoo's Calling and really enjoyed it so the rest of the series is now very much sitting on my TBR.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Fireman by Joe Hill </b>- When I went to add this book I didn't really remember what this book was about. This is a book about a plague that causes people to burst into flames. Plagues intrigue me so I am going to check this one out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese </b>- This book is another important book in Canadian Literature. It is about the 1960's in Canada and residential schools. I need to read this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What have you recently added to your TBR? Let me know :) </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-13612034366511937932017-06-03T09:00:00.000-03:002017-06-03T09:00:19.331-03:00Short and Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471880810l/28204537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471880810l/28204537.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<b>Descender Vol 2: Machine Moon</b><br />
<i>Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen, Steve Wands</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
I am really happy I picked up this series. It's a really good story following a robot in a universe where robots are outlawed. The story is very interesting and the art work is very unique. The art does take some time to get used to but it really does suit the story. Also I never knew I could care so much about a tiny robot. If you are into SciFi I would recommend this series.<br />
<br />
<b><i>4 out of 5 Stars</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol 3: Squirrel, You Really Got Me Know</b><br />
<i>Ryan North, Erica Henderson</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Squirrel Girl is the most refreshing superhero ever. This series is hilarious and I am already excited to pick up the next volume. This one jumps back in time, and it's a pretty interesting arch but not my absolute favourite from this series. I love how Squirrel Girl will tweet with Tony Stark and The Hulk on twitter, it's just awesome.<br />
<br />
<b><i>3.5 out of 5 Stars</i></b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486028973l/19358975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486028973l/19358975.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Saga Volume 3 </b><br />
<i>Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This series is very much growing on me. Enough so that I bought the rest of the series that is current released, ooops. Anyway, this was another good installment to the series. So far I have enjoyed each volume more than the last. I highly recommend if you are looking for a SciFi graphic novel. This one was kind of slower than the first 2 volumes, but I really enjoyed that aspect and getting to know our characters better.<br />
<br />
<b><i>4 out of 5 Stars</i></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-1155018094217105102017-06-01T09:00:00.001-03:002017-06-01T09:00:05.062-03:00May in Review | 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT_RH9UJajjPYMKUIIZobOo0eH-OGuTxFQDpj-C_hc414GZ-qmL7IJjqHPcqk1N8YWLJasfDEQHlX3ES1fw63cIHW2dBKUQhWL2qbW7NEV8pljNT_5L_73JsWWWyU6KucQ_zTWsXSdnA/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="573" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT_RH9UJajjPYMKUIIZobOo0eH-OGuTxFQDpj-C_hc414GZ-qmL7IJjqHPcqk1N8YWLJasfDEQHlX3ES1fw63cIHW2dBKUQhWL2qbW7NEV8pljNT_5L_73JsWWWyU6KucQ_zTWsXSdnA/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s1600/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="370" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s320/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485528243l/23766634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485528243l/23766634.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486028973l/19358975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486028973l/19358975.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir {3 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol 3: Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas {3 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saga Volume 3 {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Favourite of the Month: </b>Saga Volume 3</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Disappointment of the Moth: </b>A Torch Against the Night</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>General Thoughts: </b>This was a strange reading month. I found myself struggling with most of the books. I have had some huge life changes and I am trying to get back into my groove. Hopefully, with books that I love much more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491249244l/27877138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491249244l/27877138.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404844357l/18196040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404844357l/18196040.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="87" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Beat the Backlist</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6) A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2017 New Releases Challenge</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4) A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s1600/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="475" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s320/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="294" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455829171l/28512486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455829171l/28512486.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455917180l/25812109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455917180l/25812109.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-506624731698689392017-05-30T09:00:00.000-03:002017-05-30T09:00:26.351-03:00Summer TBR | 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBL1k9FxyTPju8CiNP1tE6rZmJvX5Z_y_bbCcPY879S5VbBiuwvwS-vdj-RvWe6CW0muFAAIlRg_vdmxF_kHftYGAt7ef24HRqFu7KjshosKK42ZSUnZd5bJ262a5EXfsXXpwpKydpzU0/s1600/summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="624" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBL1k9FxyTPju8CiNP1tE6rZmJvX5Z_y_bbCcPY879S5VbBiuwvwS-vdj-RvWe6CW0muFAAIlRg_vdmxF_kHftYGAt7ef24HRqFu7KjshosKK42ZSUnZd5bJ262a5EXfsXXpwpKydpzU0/s320/summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Summer 2017 is nearly here and it's time to talk about my summer reading plans. Summer is one of my favourite seasons for reading and I can't wait to sit out on my deck and just read. I have lots of different books I want to read this summer so let's get to them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455917180l/25812109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455917180l/25812109.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455829171l/28512486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455829171l/28512486.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas </b>- I am next in line for this one at my library and I am super anxious to read it. It will likely be my first read this summer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis </b>- I almost read this one while I was on vacation recently I didn't get to it then so it will be a summer read</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch </b>- I have had this one too long! I really loved the first 2 books in the series and would love to finish it off very soon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="294" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695l/10194157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695l/10194157.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645l/25164304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645l/25164304.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson </b>- I almost picked this up but ACOWAR came out and I am still stuck in the middle of it. This is sitting on my bedside table ready to go.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo </b>- I have had this series forever and I want to read it before jumping into Six of Crows. Hopefully this summer will be it's time.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulhurst </b>- This was another one that I almost picked up while on vacation but didn't get the chance. Summer will be it's time.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411741455l/20443207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411741455l/20443207.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460846511l/20613470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460846511l/20613470.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201430l/12127810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201430l/12127810.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski </b>- Summer is a great time to get through some sequels. I read The Winner's Cruse last summer so it's time to pick up the next one</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas </b>- I have been trying to catch up in this series but it has gotten lots of mixed reviews lately. But I am curious to see what is going here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The House of Hades by Rick Riordan </b>- In my quest to finish this series by the end of the year, I need to read the next one in the series to keep on track. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>These are the books at the top of my list. However, knowing myself I will be lucky to read half of them. I am terrible at sticking to TBR's, but it doesn't bother me as long as I am still reading.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What do you want to read this summer? Let me know.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-24583751681942042082017-05-25T09:00:00.000-03:002017-05-25T09:00:06.566-03:00Review: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358716559l/16160797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358716559l/16160797.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Mystery<br />
<b>Series: </b>Cormoran Strike #1<br />
<b>Publication: </b>4/30/2013 by Little Brown and Company<br />
<b>Pages: </b>455 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>3.5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16160797-the-cuckoo-s-calling?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Cuckoo-s-Calling/9780751549256">Book Depository</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Cuckoos-Calling-Cormoran-Strike-ebook/dp/B00AA20E5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492606502&sr=8-1&keywords=the+cuckoo%27s+calling">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.<br />
<br />
Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.<br />
<br />
<br />
You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
Mystery generally isn't a genre that I read a lot in; however, when J.K Rowling writes one then I have to give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found the mystery compelling and it kept me guessing until the end. I didn't know who the suspect was until it was properly revealed which was awesome. This might have something to do with me not reading a lot of mystery books, but I am a forensic sciences student so I have looked into my fair share of real life crime.<br />
<br />
This book gets a thumbs up from me. It was fun to read but it wasn't anything super groundbreaking or magnificent. I liked it but it just didn't blow me away. It's definitely a good series when I need a break from fantasy. I will be checking out the next book in the foreseeable future. All-in-all, it was a well written and a good mystery but just didn't wow.<br />
<br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-24287170091825755652017-05-23T09:00:00.000-03:002017-05-23T09:00:20.493-03:00What's On My Library Holds List #3This library holds list is a little different this time because everything is from Overdrive this time. I just recently moved and can only access the online catalogue now. However, my new community has a library which I will be getting a library card for very soon! So here is what is currently sitting in my Overdrive holds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469410391l/29868610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469410391l/29868610.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480527016l/30253864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480527016l/30253864.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438869477l/25937937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438869477l/25937937.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These books have been on my holds list for MONTHS. I am still patiently waiting though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446759650l/26074181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446759650l/26074181.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492239430l/19486412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492239430l/19486412.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463591739l/27276428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463591739l/27276428.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Crown by Kiera Cass</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506l/1217100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506l/1217100.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759l/32075671.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What are you waiting for from the library? Let's hope I get to read these soon.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-75754034181141234382017-05-18T10:14:00.000-03:002017-05-18T10:14:05.676-03:00Review: The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491596478l/26025989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491596478l/26025989.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Memoir<br />
<b>Publication: </b>9/18/2016 by Blue Rider Press<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 257 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26025989-the-princess-diarist?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Princess-Diarist-Carrie-Fisher/dp/0399173595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493470900&sr=8-1&keywords=the+princess+diarist">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Princess-Diarist/9780593077566">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.<br />
<br />
<br />
With these excerpts from her handwritten notebooks, The Princess Diarist is Fisher’s intimate and revealing recollection of what happened on one of the most famous film sets of all time—and what developed behind the scenes. And today, as she reprises her most iconic role for the latest Star Wars trilogy, Fisher also ponders the joys and insanity of celebrity, and the absurdity of a life spawned by Hollywood royalty, only to be surpassed by her own outer-space royalty. Laugh-out-loud hilarious and endlessly quotable, The Princess Diarist brims with the candor and introspection of a diary while offering shrewd insight into the type of stardom that few will ever experience.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
This book made me absolutely fall in love with Carrie Fisher, however due to obvious circumstances was a very bittersweet experience. I listened to the audiobook, that she narrated herself, which brought you so much closer to the story. I always try to read memoirs through audiobook because they are pretty much always narrated by the author themselves which is the best experience.<br />
<br />
Anyone who might know me will agree, I am a Star Wars nerd. I shamelessly cried during the opening crawl of The Force Awakens. Han Solo was always my favourite character, but I am strongly considering changing it to Leia. This book gave me all the awesome Star Wars behind the scenes which was funny and interesting. You also get a glimpse of Carrie's affair with Harrison Ford. Just the way that she wrote those sections was hilariously relatable.<br />
<br />
Obviously, this book is a bittersweet experience due to Carrie's passing. The world lost an incredibly badass lady. She is so relatable in this book, which I loved. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is missing Carrie Fisher right now. I will definitely pick up some of her other books soon.<br />
<b><br /></b>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-89188241471205169722017-05-11T09:00:00.000-03:002017-05-11T09:00:40.575-03:00Review: The Girls by Emma Cline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492065338l/26893819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492065338l/26893819.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<i>I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review</i><br />
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Fiction<br />
<b>Publication: </b>6/14/2016 from Random House<br />
<b>Pages: </b>355 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook/eARC<br />
<b>Rating: </b>2.5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26893819-the-girls?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Girls/9781784740443">Book Depository</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Girls-Novel-Emma-Cline-ebook/dp/B015LYZH20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493471779&sr=8-1&keywords=the+girls+emma+cline">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
Time to play so review catch up. I listened to The Girls on audiobook to finally get this review out in the world, only a year late! (We've all been there). The Girls has a fantastic premise, cults are one of my reading buzzwords so I had to check this one out. However, I found I was just mediocre about this story. It was neither bad nor was it fantastic. I often just felt distant from the story and had a hard time focusing on what was going on. I also found that I got confused when the story just back to the present, in the audiobook there wasn't really a break to show the change of time so I definitely got a bit lost.<br />
<br />
I found myself siding with Evie's parents, which I definitely don't think you're suppose to do. I kept thinking you're 14-15 years old, go home! I often didn't know what her motivations were and I honestly didn't find her overly likable enough to care about. In the end, this is just an easily forgettable book.<br />
<br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-21260669100039816002017-05-04T10:37:00.000-03:002017-05-04T10:37:04.161-03:00Review: Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy/Science Fiction<br />
<b>Series: </b>Worldwalker #3<br />
<b>Publication: </b>8/20/2016 by Feiwel & Friends<br />
<b>Pages: </b>352 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Hardback<br />
<b>Rating: </b>2 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23008469-witch-s-pyre?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Witchs-Pyre-Josephine-Angelini/dp/125005091X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493472490&sr=8-1&keywords=the+witch%27s+pyre">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Witchs-Pyre-Josephine-Angelini/9781447260882?ref=grid-view&qid=1493472513690&sr=1-1">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers―to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory lies at Lillian's side, what price will Lily be willing to pay?<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
This is the final novel in the Worldwalker series, but to me it almost felt like it came from a completely different series. The plot of this series book a weird turn that felt very different from the first 2 books and it was not my cup of tea. I found this book sat in an awkward place between fantasy, science fiction and dystopian. I didn't know what the story wanted to be anymore. I felt like it was trying too be too many things at once. I would have DNF'd this book if it wasn't the last book in a series. I cared enough to know how it ended but I found myself putting off reading because of this book.<br />
<br />
This was just a 2 star series for me. I do think I would recommend it, because there are many other series out there that are fantastic and this one just fell flat for me. I am happy I get to add it to my read series shelf but that's about it. I also noticed in the last book there might be some weird representation of native american's, I haven't seen anyone else talk about it but I would look out for that.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-9354056589226319352017-05-01T09:00:00.000-03:002017-05-01T09:00:10.085-03:00April in Review | 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XtonWNCcgZD0jOCs79XQCwYDP0EU5IbfoZxFDEIAXGSdHbL4Yq0PfAfNgwCKYO2qyJGtTuBOy_F2YVYuS_KdaDTBt2QJjzf6fx7NVz5VV0kAdc62KSizqf8PqWJDCJMVuejTVENz3nk/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XtonWNCcgZD0jOCs79XQCwYDP0EU5IbfoZxFDEIAXGSdHbL4Yq0PfAfNgwCKYO2qyJGtTuBOy_F2YVYuS_KdaDTBt2QJjzf6fx7NVz5VV0kAdc62KSizqf8PqWJDCJMVuejTVENz3nk/s320/April.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s1600/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s320/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491596478l/26025989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491596478l/26025989.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445433924l/27248586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445433924l/27248586.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492065338l/26893819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492065338l/26893819.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471880810l/28204537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471880810l/28204537.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678l/19547856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678l/19547856.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher {5 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lumberjanes, Vol 4: Out of Time {5 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Girls by Emma Cline {2 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini {2 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Descender Vol 2: Machine Moon {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Adnan's Story by Rabia Chaudry {3.5 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertali {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Favourite of the Month: </b>The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Disappointment of the Month: </b>Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>General Thoughts: </b>This month definitely started off slow with exams and finishing up of school. I feel like I have been neglecting my blog recently but sometimes life just gets in the way. I am currently typing this from vacation where I am getting TONS of reading done. I would have to say that I had a fantastic month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463675717l/25558608.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449176090l/28094574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449176090l/28094574.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Beat The Backlist</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4) The Girls by Emma Cline</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5) Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2017 Series Enders Reading Challenge</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3) Worldwalker Series</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2017 Library Love Challenge</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
18) The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
19) Lumberjanes Vol 4: Out of Time </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
20) Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
21) Descender Vol 2: Machine Moon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s1600/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s320/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645l/25164304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645l/25164304.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485528243l/23766634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485528243l/23766634.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471494978l/31179074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471494978l/31179074.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-41299359603961244242017-04-27T09:00:00.000-03:002017-04-27T09:00:19.560-03:00Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484323718l/30555488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484323718l/30555488.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Fiction<br />
<b>Publication: </b>8/2/16 by Doubleday<br />
<b>Pages: </b>306 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Hardback<br />
<b>Rating: </b>4 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30555488-the-underground-railroad?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Underground-Railroad/9780708898390">Book Depository</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Underground-Railroad-Pulitzer-Winner-National-ebook/dp/B01A4ATV0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492474168&sr=8-1&keywords=the+underground+railroad">Amazon</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hellish for all the slaves but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood - where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned and, though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted.<br />
<br />
<br />
In Whitehead's ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor - engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar's first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven - but the city's placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. Even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I had to power through this book to get it back to the library on time, even then it was a day late. However, that late fee was well worth it. It's always important to remember the atrocities of the past and this book does it extremely well. I loved how it was an alternative history where the underground railroad was a real thing. Even though it was fictionalized for this story, it felt like it was so real. I was worried that it would feel too fantastical but it was executed perfectly.<br />
<br />
This is a story that is quite far from my regular wheelhouse and I am very happy that I picked it up. I do feel like I have heard similar stories to this, but they are all still important to read. I liked how you got to see different parts of the country and what was going on in those areas. But at the same time, it was harder to connect with other characters from that area because you only got a short amount of time with them. I highly recommend this book.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-38233618543200401722017-04-25T09:00:00.000-03:002017-04-25T09:00:15.892-03:00Short & Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435054237l/25546167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435054237l/25546167.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<b>Descender Vol 1: Tin Stars</b><br />
<i>Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen, Steve Wands</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The second volume of this series was nominated in the Booktube SSF Awards so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about and picked up the first volume. I did really enjoy this book, and found the conflict to be very compelling. The art style in this one was kind of hard to get used too but after the first issue I was really into it. I recommend if you want a science fiction comic.<br />
<br />
<i>4 out of 5 Stars</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466479965l/27163013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466479965l/27163013.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Ms. Marvel Vol 5: Super Famous</b><br />
<i> G. Willow Wilson, Takeshi Miyazawa, Adrian Alphona, Nico Leon</i><br />
<br />
I forgot how much I adore this series! I didn't realize how much I missed Kamala until I started reading this volume. Mr. Marvel is a full Avenger now and is trying to balance everything. This is another fantastic volume in this series and if you haven't already check out Ms. Marvel, I highly recommend.<br />
<br />
<i>4 out of 5 Stars</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415677322l/23397496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415677322l/23397496.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<b>The March of the Crabs Vol 1: The Crabby Condition</b><br />
<i>Arthur de Pins</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I received a copy of this book from Boom! for an honest review. This is a quirky book. It follows a group of crabs that cannot change direction. This is a funny little book and I haven't read anything else like it. I enjoyed the characters, I could put myself in their shoes and realize how mundane their lives would be. As a biologist, I definitely giggled while reading it. If you're looking for something completely different, check this one out.<br />
<br />
<i>3 out of 5 Stars</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445433924l/27248586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445433924l/27248586.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b> Lumberjanes Vol 4: Out of Time</b><br />
<i> Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Brooke Allen, Grace Ellis , Maarta Laiho, Aubrey Aiese</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I love this series! It's hard for me to say a lot about this volume because spoilers BUT it was fantastic as always. I liked learning more about the history of the camp and the adventure in this volume was pretty crazy. The characters in this series are absolutely amazing. Read it!<br />
<br />
<i>5 out of 5 Stars</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-15950539476417763622017-04-22T09:00:00.000-03:002017-04-22T09:00:19.343-03:00Stacking the Shelves #20 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3badIUTMKw1q4Brm54_1EcPrnbaATnGhKt91Ec-O4cqhN1ZH54GyOr2_qa3bsyVu_wRu3yjVPiiZw0j4GjfCCW1nxSLu-LbTyQHW4WFLj8tYRhour7RQmUTkhPNp0QcZvosV8wPYFx6Y/s1600/Oh+my.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3badIUTMKw1q4Brm54_1EcPrnbaATnGhKt91Ec-O4cqhN1ZH54GyOr2_qa3bsyVu_wRu3yjVPiiZw0j4GjfCCW1nxSLu-LbTyQHW4WFLj8tYRhour7RQmUTkhPNp0QcZvosV8wPYFx6Y/s1600/Oh+my.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
STS is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://tyngasreviews.com/">Tyngas Reviews</a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since my last haul post, I have been collecting more lots of more books deals from around the internet. I am going on vacation next week for 2 weeks, and I am hoping to get a bunch of my eBooks read while I am away. We shall see.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>eBooks</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451446835l/20170404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451446835l/20170404.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270l/16068905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270l/16068905.jpg" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376419833l/18302455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376419833l/18302455.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Comics</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466788179l/27163016.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480578049l/29775585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480578049l/29775585.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Audiobook</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449176090l/28094574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449176090l/28094574.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am currently reading It by Stephen King, I am around the halfway mark and I am loving it. I still have a long way to go, so let's hope I keep loving it. I have been excited about almost all the these books for awhile so I am stocked to get into them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-66485038656792489632017-04-20T21:00:00.000-03:002017-04-20T21:00:01.585-03:00Review: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473862693l/30809689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473862693l/30809689.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Mythology<br />
<b>Publication: </b>2/7/2017 by W.W. Norton & Company<br />
<b>Pages: </b>304 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>2 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30831912-norse-mythology?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Norse-Mythology-Neil-Gaiman/dp/039360909X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492472773&sr=8-1&keywords=norse+mythology">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Norse-Mythology/9780393609097">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to dupe others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I am going to start by saying that this book was definitely not for me. There will be lots of people that will love this book, I am just not one of them. If this audiobook wasn't as short as it was I would have DNF'd it. I was just lost the whole time I was listening to it. I couldn't follow any of the stories which was really disappointing. I would have probably understood it better if I had actually read the book but Neil Gaiman narrates the audiobook himself which is something I usually really love (and he is a fantastic audiobook narrator).<br />
<br />
I did like how the Gods talked to each other, it was funny but still suited the myths they were in. I did chuckle a time or too. I could tell it was well written but it just didn't mesh with me. I would recommend that you read the physical copy of this one and if you think this kind of thing is up your alley check it out. It just wasn't for me unfortunately. Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-41653450585964346832017-04-18T09:00:00.000-03:002017-04-18T09:00:12.597-03:00Books I Need to Re-ReadI feel like I haven't written a blog post in forever. I am officially done university and my life is definitely a off the rails at the moment. BUT reading is still important to me and I am on track to read the most I have ever read this year. Therefore, I am considering revisiting some old favourites to see if they are still as good as I remember. This may be a dangerous game but there are always new favourites to make.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421606676l/1800290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421606676l/1800290.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331323414l/33453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331323414l/33453.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440562965l/6559316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440562965l/6559316.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A Love Story by Christopher Moore</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a series that I adored when I was in high school. However, I read it out of order and during the vampire hype. I want to read it it in the right order and see if I still love the characters as much as I do. Some of the characters cross over with my favourite books A Dirty Job, which I re-read and still was fantastic, so I have high hopes.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603l/2767052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603l/2767052.jpg" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358273780l/6148028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358273780l/6148028.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358275419l/7260188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358275419l/7260188.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have never re-read this series, and it was the reason that I got hooked back into reading again. I have seen the movies multiple times but I think it's time I revisit the series. I read this series super fast the first time I read it, so I think a reread where I take my time it would be good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1468838090l/12074735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1468838090l/12074735.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Long Walk by Stephen King</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one was my favourite book of 2013 and I adored it. It kind of reminds me of The Hunger Games, but much more contained. I have been loving King recently so I want to revisit this one for sure.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1401772972l/22396149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1401772972l/22396149.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There has been some talk about this book recently which have brought up some issues about it. I want to re-read this book to see if I feel differently now after 3 years. I read it when I started watching a lot of Booktube so I am curious to see if I am more critical after blogging for a few years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399502867l/18630542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399502867l/18630542.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Seconds by Bran Lee O'Malley</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was my favourite book from last year. I have been meaning to buy myself a copy for ages so it's about time that I get one and read it. I also need to read Scott Pilgrim but that will happen one day in the future.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409595968l/929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409595968l/929.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is another book from before I was blogging. I really loved it back in the day so I really want to see if I am still a fan. It's been years since I read it for the first time so it might almost be like I'm reading it for the first time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What books do you want to re-read soon? Will I actually get to these, only time will tell.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-81959354096736208242017-04-13T10:43:00.000-03:002017-04-13T10:43:13.012-03:00Review: The Heir by Keira Cass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422993526l/22918050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422993526l/22918050.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Romance, Dystopian<br />
<b>Series: </b>The Selection #4<br />
<b>Publication: </b>5/5/2015 by HarperTeen<br />
<b>Pages: </b>342 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Paperback<br />
<b>Rating: </b>2 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918050-the-heir">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Heir-selection-Kiera-Cass-ebook/dp/B00MFYCZ2U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491137394&sr=8-1&keywords=the+heir">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Heir/9780007580224">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.<br />
<br />
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.<br />
<br />
<br />
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I went into this book with pretty low expectations. Everybody was saying that Eadlyn was an annoying character and the story should have stopped at The One. I do agree that Eadlyn was not the most likeable character. She doesn't accept that she's privileged, when she clearly is. I feel like she is doing the "nobody understands me" thing which is a trope that I am sick of. It's also annoying that she trying to essentially sabotage The Selection by being a bitch. Her decisions made no sense to me. At one point, she had to get advice from her brother and he just told her to compromise. A future leader should know how to compromise without asking someone else.<br />
<br />
I just find that this story feels forced. It's like watching a season of The Bachelor were you don't actually like the bachelor, but are curious enough to know who they end up with. It's guilty pleasure enough to get some enjoyment out of but I felt the story rubbed me the wrong way many times. I think I enjoyed the POV of America in the first books better because you didn't really know who were the true frontrunners in the Selection. Which made me turn the pages to find out if Maxon was going to pick her. This time I got board of Eadlyn faking boring dates and hating love.<br />
<br />
I am curious enough to read The Crown. I am waiting of it on audiobook and then I can finally put this series on my read list. I really wish that these were 2 companion series, instead of one big one. I really hope that Eadlyn has some character growth in the next book. I can see why her country doesn't like her very much...Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-87591317505329236842017-04-06T21:03:00.000-03:002017-04-06T21:03:04.190-03:00Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366509442l/12913325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366509442l/12913325.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Historical Fiction<br />
<b>Publication: </b>04/03/2011 by Speak<br />
<b>Pages: </b>352 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>3 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12913325-between-shades-of-gray">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Between-Shades-Gray-Ruta-Sepetys/dp/014242059X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488392763&sr=8-1&keywords=between+shades+of+grey">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Between-Shades-of-Gray/9780141335889">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I want to start by saying that I had not heard about this piece of history before. I am very thankful that this book helped open my eyes about a part of history a lot of us don't know about. This book was very emotional and it's quite heartbreaking to hear Lina's story. I really don't know what to say about this book. The writing was simple but in it's own way it packed an emotional punch. It didn't hold back from the horrors that they experienced and saw. I listened to this on audiobook and I wasn't sure about tone the narrator read this story in. The story still came through but I am not sure if all of the events made me as emotional as they could have been if I had read the physical copy. Her voice just didn't suit the tone of the story and pulled me out of the story in a few places. I still highly recommend this book, especially if you are into historical fiction.<br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-55444973132896425942017-04-01T10:39:00.000-03:002017-04-01T10:39:01.504-03:00March In Review | 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDdiw7PhStb4aVLO0YVjFIqJ7xpfMainwsaWZ9u2xEyBXTODGtnycmOYzC-f-_hgpI1MMQ6-yHzXdBlr9-aVVkCP57RrOIa2ohj4s0bvnxQOx41pjhW5F8CH2q23MfLcPo1gWdFnEzf0/s1600/march.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDdiw7PhStb4aVLO0YVjFIqJ7xpfMainwsaWZ9u2xEyBXTODGtnycmOYzC-f-_hgpI1MMQ6-yHzXdBlr9-aVVkCP57RrOIa2ohj4s0bvnxQOx41pjhW5F8CH2q23MfLcPo1gWdFnEzf0/s320/march.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s1600/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvsRTcLWWpIeAxEFmDjZk6FUjmfhy3snj4xxmr-Tw2NlJFq4vRMGJnJj1zgIu7dW2B9Uz2-jz3CLXLX7NKXcCHNv0DI6jDfaC6m4q3ZBkgz6jM0CTl2borAuU6-Af7op_0-EPRVMoops/s320/What+I+Read+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464017758l/29939230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464017758l/29939230.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422993526l/22918050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422993526l/22918050.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473862693l/30809689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473862693l/30809689.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435054237l/25546167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435054237l/25546167.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484323718l/30555488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484323718l/30555488.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466479965l/27163013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466479965l/27163013.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415677322l/23397496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415677322l/23397496.jpg" width="136" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358716559l/16160797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358716559l/16160797.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab {5 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Heir by Kiera Cass {2 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman {2 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Descender Vol 1: Tin Stars {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ms. Marvel Vol 5: Super Famous {4 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The March of the Crabs Vol 1: A Crabby Situation {3 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith {3 out of 5 Stars}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Best of the Month: </b>A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Least Favourite of the Month: </b>Norse Mythology by Neil Gaimen</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>General Thoughts: </b>I keep thinking I haven't been reading that much, but I really have been killing it this year. This wasn't the best month for great books, but I finished my new favourite series so I am very happy. I finish school next month so I might have lots of reading time. We shall see though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJbgT10Wc34ijN7td8-HnTtA8CAF1nRyCWcPy3mV536pBca7Z1grl-KyM2S_tLwpfxgvgL0X90-0ZdFFRMmB_GQtScfoJOXJ11rp_8swrph5djUJnbRvAYCAHvGUvVHBBZCoy5ZJcyw/s1600/currentlyreading1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473881663l/23008469.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470865674l/27883209.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482921522l/26025989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482921522l/26025989.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhupz6cmkJcZjaWmmARsyeDvpXXzYNXiJc51yy58mdVMCLlAeM8BwgMuxJPsHOlhG2OpUDaN4SJ_FsFhsDcvYnS1-dRis2DXEd62leuQa3HSNhEphm6I7PXzr1oRrI4jItsjYsLzafNk/s1600/challenge+check+in.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Beat the Backlist</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3) The Heir by Keira Cass</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>2017 Series Enders Reading Challenge</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2) A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>2017 New Releases Challenge</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2) A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3) Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>2017 Library Love Challenge</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
13) Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
14) Descender Vol 1: Tin Stars</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
15) The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
16) Ms. Marvel Vol 5: Super Famous</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
17) The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s1600/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0o1weraYaXOTwg2IP_N3qI-7Bjg9CCDaqBEw2txZlapk3ztk46XNzN2TdrkioJwmvw3eWYoIHzqiNlS8YkY4gYNIm6zdBZUfTbSui9ZbojbSfUlPlU-L6evxJRQDL1aRjdt-qtx7aKw/s320/Upcoming+Reading+Plans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471494978l/31179074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471494978l/31179074.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388372651l/2115046.jpg" width="123" /></a> <a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489158974l/30753987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489158974l/30753987.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-7507369304129608392017-03-30T09:30:00.000-03:002017-03-30T09:30:00.968-03:00Review: A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464017758l/29939230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464017758l/29939230.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy<br />
<b>Series: </b>Shades of Magic #3<br />
<b>Publication: </b>2/21/2017 by Tor Books<br />
<b>Pages: </b>642 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>5 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939230-a-conjuring-of-light?ac=1&from_search=true#">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Conjuring-Light-V-E-Schwab/dp/0765387468/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489280872&sr=8-1&keywords=a+conjuring+of+light">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/A-Conjuring-of-Light/9781785652448">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary: </b><br />
Witness the fate of beloved heroes - and enemies.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED...</b><br />
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>WHO WILL CRUMBLE?</b><br />
Kell - once assumed to be the last surviving Antari - begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>WHO WILL RISE?</b><br />
Lila Bard, once a commonplace - but never common - thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?</b><br />
<b></b><br />
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
This book is everything. I am obsessed with this series and this finale exceeded my expectations! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, hoping that all my babies make it through. Everything comes to a head in this last book and stakes are raised. It's been ages since I have been obsessed with a series like I am with this one.<br />
<br />
The characters in this series are amazing. I loved every single one of them. I even came to love one character that I didn't think was even possible to love. V.E. Schwab knows how to write a character that you shouldn't love but you just do. This book also has great representation of LGBT characters and their romance was everything you want in a good romance.<br />
<br />
I listened to this book on audiobook. The narrators for this book were fantastic and I highly recommend it. I finished listening to this book as I walked into school and I let out an audible squeal. Which everyone around me heard and looked at me like I was crazy. I will recommend this series until the cows come home. I can't wait to start re-reading it.<br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-38577320504519828732017-03-28T09:47:00.000-03:002017-03-28T09:47:21.877-03:00Short & Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445630715l/25761329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445630715l/25761329.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Lumberjanes Vol 3: A Terrible Plan </b><br />
<i>Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This is officially my favourite graphic novel series. Everything about it is so quirky and I love it. You get some good quality time with Mal and Molly in this volume which was fantastic. It was a crazy adventure like always and if you aren't reading this series, then what are you doing?<br />
<br />
<i>5 out of 5 Stars </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368989313l/15791566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368989313l/15791566.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Chew Vol 6: Space Cakes</b><br />
<i>John Layman, Rob Guillory </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I haven't picked up a volume of Chew in ages and I have really been missing out. This is another fantastic series that I need to sit down and just work on finishing. I am getting close, kind of. This volume focused on Toni, and she is awesome. Another comic book series that I recommend to everyone.<br />
<br />
<i>4 out of 5 Stars </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443516526l/25955202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443516526l/25955202.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Deadly Class Vol 3: The Snake Pit </b><br />
<i>Rick Remender, Wes Craig, Lee Loughridge </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This volume got hella dark. Every volume worse and worse things keep happening to these characters. They are all dark characters and it's an interesting point of view to read from. Lots of blood and murder. I have been enjoying this but am still not completely blown away.<br />
<br />
<i>3 out of 5 Stars </i><br />
<br />Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-73477181556683291992017-03-23T09:00:00.000-03:002017-03-23T09:00:20.658-03:00Review: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361283827l/12868761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361283827l/12868761.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Memoir<br />
<b>Publication: </b>04/17/2012 by Putnam<br />
<b>Pages: </b>318 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Audiobook<br />
<b>Rating: </b>4 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12868761-let-s-pretend-this-never-happened">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Lets-Pretend-This-Never-Happened/dp/0425261018/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488392484&sr=8-1&keywords=let%27s+pretend+this+never+happened">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Let-s-Pretend-This-Never-Happened/9781447223474">Book Depository </a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary</b><br />
Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
I loved Jenny Lawson's second book so I had to pick up the first one. I relate so much to Jenny, it's hilarious. I love the way that she mixes humour with her anxiety. I also have anxiety and I think it's hilarious when she finds the humour even in those situations. Plus, she get's herself into the most ridiculous situations. I can't help but die laughing just listening to this book. She combines heart-felt stories and funny ones so well. I highly recommend both of her books. Especially on audiobook, just hearing Jenny tell her own stories is 100% the way to go. I found myself laughing on public transit and getting looks from the other people on the bus. But I didn't really care because this book was so good.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216830721963983357.post-74166685364603580632017-03-16T14:12:00.000-03:002017-03-16T14:12:07.933-03:00Review: Windwitch by Susan Dennard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462296317l/29939390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462296317l/29939390.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: </b>Fantasy<br />
<b>Series: </b>The Witchlands #2<br />
<b>Publication: </b>01/10/2017 by Tor Teen<br />
<b>Pages: </b>394 Pages<br />
<b>Format: </b>Hardback<br />
<b>Rating: </b>4 out of 5 Stars<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939390-windwitch">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Windwitch-Witchlands-Novel-Susan-Dennard/dp/0765379309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488390983&sr=8-1&keywords=windwitch">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Windwitch/9780765379306">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Summary:</b><br />
Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…<br />
<br />
After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.<br />
<br />
When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?<br />
<br />
After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts</b><br />
This series is exactly what I am looking for. It's my favourite kind of fantasy and I have been very much enjoying it. I was so excited to get back into this word and get to know our characters more. We have 5 different points of view in this instalment and I was interested in reading from all of them. The one character I am having a hard time connecting to is Merik. Especially in this book, I felt him to be distant and his sections were my least favourite. Dennard is doing something really interesting with his character though and I am excited to see where she takes him.<br />
<br />
I really liked hearing from Merik's sister Vivia. Getting her point of view really helps to see a different side to the politics. She is a strong female leader, her father is still king but she is making most of the political decisions. I really loved her character and can't wait to see more.<br />
<br />
I was happy with this instalment in the series. It was a strong sequel and I enjoyed it more than the first book for sure. I attached to many of these characters and can't wait to see what happens next. There are is still a long way to go in the series and I really want to know what happens to these characters right now!Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12429342213861814774noreply@blogger.com0