Monday, May 28, 2012

The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch




Nell is one of two survivors of a plane crash. She has no memory of the crash or her life and now she has to put the pieces back together and trust those around her to guide her. The problem is --- she is being lied to by those who she trusts the most.

As the hidden secrets surface, Nell's need to find the truth grows stronger and must rely on her gut instinct.

This book isn't exactly my favorite by, Scotch. It's a bit long winded and feels disjointed. Overall it is a decent book but if you have others to read, read them first and put this one on hold for a bit.

Grade: C



Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thumped by Megan McCafferty



Thumped is a great sequel to, Bumped. It starts several months after where, Bumped left off.

Melody and Harmony are living completely separate lives. Harmony is in, Goodside with her husband and Melody is promoting her brand.

To the rest of the world, everything seems perfect.... that is until it all comes crashing down and the truth is set free. The truth will rock, American to it's core and perhaps cause a revolutionary change (or so, I suspect in the next book).

Thumped is a much better book than, Bumped. The characters grow, the plot expands and the interest level is amped up. This is an entertaining and fun read once you get past some of the jargon that is at times a bit difficult to interpret. Sit back and enjoy the book, but make sure you read Bumped first or you will be lost!

Grade: B

Monday, May 21, 2012

A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron


A Dog's Journey, is the sequel to Cameron's bestselling, A Dog's Purpose.

If you haven't read, A Dog's Purpose, I strongly suggest you read it first. This book does stand on it's own but it isn't as powerful if you haven't read the first book. 

A Dog's Journey takes the reader through another emotional roller coaster.  You will be touched deeply by the sweet little character's Cameron has created. He gives his pet character's a voice and the human qualities most of us "crazy" pet owners put on our own pets. 

I absolutely loved this book and I can't possibly say enough good things about it, other then go out and get it, read it, share it, love it and give it as a gift! 

Grade: A+




Saturday, May 19, 2012

White Horse: A Novel by Alex Adams


White Horse is the first book in what is set to be a trilogy. It takes place in a post apocalyptic time period. A mysterious virus dubbed, White Horse has wiped out most of the population and those who don't die or aren't immune become mutants.



Zoe is one of the few who have survived . She is immune and fighting to stay alive. Her story it told in a back and forth motion, switching from then to now. It gives you insight to life before the virus, during the virus and the current time frame.


Zoe goes on a Trans-Atlantic journey to find the man she loves, who she "knows" is alive! Along the way she runs into some unsavory characters who challenge her mentally and physically. 


I am not going to lie, it took me some time to get use to reading this book and even longer to like the main character, Zoe. This isn't the best post apocalyptic book I've read but it isn't the worse either. I wouldn't put this as a top choice to read but if your slightly interested take the chance, you might like it more than I did.


Grade: C



Thursday, May 17, 2012

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Once a year, before homecoming at Mount Washington High School a list appear. This list ranks 8 girl, 2 from each class in order from prettiest to ugliest. This is their story and how the list impacts each girl.  No one knows who writes the list or how it gets passed down. 


Each girl tells her own story. Being on the list negatively impacts those chosen and complicates their lives. Their stories are weaved effortlessly and Vivian manages to tell each point of view with ease. The story flows and keeps you rather intrigued. 


Vivian captures teen angst at its best. Her teen character's seem real. She brings the cattiness and the drama of teen life, alive.


With the exception of the rushed ending, I enjoyed this book quite a lot.


Grade: A



Monday, May 14, 2012

I Couldn't Love You More by Jillian Medoff

I Couldn't Love You More goes on sale, May 15, 2012.

Medoff creates strong characters and weaves a complicated tale on family dynamics's.

Elliot Gorden has three children, one she gave birth to and two she has raised with her partner, Grant. Hailey is 4, Gail is 7 and then there is moody teenage, Charlotte. Life is pretty good a bit complicated but good. Everything seems to be going well until her ex, Finn makes a reappearance into her life. Finn who broke her heart, Finn who she hasn't heard from in years, Finn who she hasn't ever really gotten over.

Things are getting messy and her relationship with Grant is on a downward spiral and just when things couldn't get any worse they do. On a family beach vacation under the care of, Elliot, Hailey and Gail get swept up in the waves and Elliot is forced to make a quick decision on who to save first. One girl is left in a coma and a family falls apart.

Medoff, will pull you into her world. Her story tackles many real life issues and she does an excellent job at capturing how step families work. You will be captivated and entertained.




Grade: A

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Weepers: The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

The Weepers goes on sale,  May 15, 2012. 


It's been 3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since, Sherry has seen daylight.  Sherry and her family have lived in a sealed bunker underground since a virus spread above.  Food has run out, her grandfather is buried in the freezer and her parents are fighting non-stop.


Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker in search of food . When they reach the surface they realize just how bad things are, the land has been bombed and there are dead bodies laying around. While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry and her father are attacked by humans infected by the rabies virus, also known as weepers. The Weepers take her father and a young man named Joshua saves, Sherry's life.


Joshua, takes her to safe-haven to meet others like him, who live together and make due with what that have. Sherry and Joshua venture out to find her father and bring her family back to safe-haven, that is if the weepers don't get to them first.


This books is very interesting. It is full of suspense and action. It starts of strong and continues to build up. This isn't just another, zombie book. It is character driven and well written. Each character has a story to tellI and their stories are unique and frightning. I stayed up all night reading this because I had to find out what happened. Truth be told, I wasn't exactly happy with the ending but it isn't because it's a bad one. It is because I have to wait for what I hope is another book. 


Buy this book, check it out from the library or borrow it. 


Grade: A+



Sunday, May 6, 2012

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12) by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked is an excellent addition to this series.  The old, Sookie is back. Her strength and independence rear is head.

Old story lines are tied up and poor, Sookie has to deal with more problems than ever.  A dead body is found on, Eric's front lawn and if they can't find who did it, Eric is in some serious hot water. You would think that would be the worse thing to happen to her but it isn't!

Harris puts in a wicked, twist to the story and you won't see it coming. It was the last thing, I expected.  A major  issue between, Eric and Sookie is not solved and I am anxious to find out what happens with them!  This series is still going strong but you can tell, it is starting to wrap up. I have a suspicion on how it will end or maybe it is just a strong hope.


Anyway, sit back and enjoy the ride, because this book is going to you on one.


Grade: A


Overview [B&N]

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…
Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.
There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.
Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Insurgent (Divergent) by Veronica Roth



Insurgent, is the second book in the, Divergent Trilogy. You absolutely, must read, Divergent before reading this book or you will be lost. It does not stand on it's own.

It picks up right where, Divergent left off, which is excellent since gaps can be a bit annoying. There is tons of character development and story building. More action. Yes, more action! There is a lot that happens in this book and I don't want to give anything away! There is a huge, huge, climatic revelation. Your jaw will drop and you will be left in anticipation of what is to happen next. There are tons of twists and turns!

Tris and Four have quite a bit to deal with in this book. Things are messy, chaotic and each character has to fight there inner demons and guilt in order to move on. There are secrets that lay beneath the surface, that when emerge can destroy relationships.

This is an amazing sequel. I only wish, I didn't have to wait another year to see what transpires.

Grade: A+


Overview [B&N]

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Six Truths and a Life | By Ream Shukairy

Expected Publication Date: March 12, 2024 A Fourth of July bonfire party ends with an explosion and 6 muslin teens behind bars. A person is ...