Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me is a fun read and interesting read! There is action, romance, love and betrayal. The characters are well developed and the story flows well.

Juliette is unable to touch anyone. She is locked away in a small space that measures sixteen feet. She has been there for 264 days and hasn't talked to anyone that is, until Adam is throw into her cell. Something about his is vaguely familiar and she doesn't know if she can trust him.

The, Reestablishment  arrive shortly after and collects, Juliette and Adam. They are aware of her deadly touch and want to use her as weapon in the war. She strong willed nature cause her to resist, which creates problems that eventually lead to chaos.

This is a dystopian, fantasy mix that you can easily read within a day.

Grade: B+

All She Ever Wanted by Rosalind Noonan

Due for publication on December 24th, 2012.

Chelsea Maynard, left a job she loved to be a stay at home mom, for her newborn daughter, Annabelle. Annabelle is cranky and Chelsea has postpartum depression (PPD). Chelsea always wanted a child and she pictured bliss but instead she is depressed, tired, sleep deprived and often finds herself imagining the worse case scenario.

Her doctor dismissed her worries and calls them the "blues" but Chelsea knows there is more too it. Then the unthinkable happens --- and Annabelle is abducted. Chelsea has no recollection of what happened and she becomes a suspect as do those around her.

Noonan, writes a heart wrenching, intriguing and intense novel. The character's are realistic and story tackles issues true to life. Order your copy today because this is one engaging novel.

Grade: A

Reached (Matched Trilogy Book 3) by Ally Condie

Reached is the last installment in the, Matched trilogy. Condie does an excellent job at tying up loose ends but it just doesn't have the same punch as, Matched. Matched, started off so strong and as a result I expected so much more ---- but all I got was a mediocre series (Crossed, the second book was pretty bad).

The characters are wonderful. They are well developed and realistic. The story itself seems to have strayed away from the original idea --- and I,  felt as though the series went downhill. Had it not been for such strong characters, this book would be disappointing.

I wanted to love this book but I just had lukewarm feelings .... The story is told from 3 point of views and it's rather slow until you get past the half way point. You learn more about the Rising but not much more about the Society. I would have liked to have known more about it , such as why and how it came to be. The book just lacked ....the passion that we first saw in, Matched, however one could call the ending of this series, satisfactory.

Grade: C+

Overview [B&N[

Cassia’s journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most—family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.

With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international–bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Imagine a world in which the atmosphere lacks enough oxygen to breathe freely and as a result you live  inside a domed city. The government controls the very oxygen you need to breathe. If you use too much you get taxed for it and as a result your life is restricted.

Quinn and Bea are two teens who live inside this domed city. They come from different walks of life. Quinn is an wealthy premium and Bea is an underprivileged Auxiliaries. They are best friend and an ordinary camping trip outside the pod, turns into a life changing event. 

They met up with, Alina who is a member of the resistance and teaches them that not all is what it seems. The government is concealing truths and the very oxygen the need to breathe, just might be available for future use.

The characters are fun, the writing is superb and the dystopian storyline is thought provoking. However, the book is basically set up in the same trilogy formula we've come to expect from trilogy's such as, Matched, Chemical Fever, Divergent and Enclave. So, don't really expect anything to radically different.

Grade: B++

My Teenage Dream Ended by Farrah Abraham

Ok. Don't roll you eyes ( I, did) but I had to read this book. Why, you ask? For, several reasons. The first being that, I am the result of a teen pregnancy and it shaped my life in ways that I can't fully understand or comprehend. The second being that, many of my friends and family members had children as teens and for the most part family/friends were happy for them ( I don't understand why).
The third but not final reason is that, with all the resources available to prevent pregnancy, it continues to happen at a relatively large scale.

I hoped that, My Teenage Dream could give me some insight into this teen pregnancy, phenomenon.  It didn't but it did help me to understand and have a bit more compassion for, Farrah. Farrah, opens up, emotionally and you can finally get an understanding of, why, she is angry, has such a hard exterior and doesn't let people "in."

Farrah is very open with her sexuality and her sex life, so if it isn't something you are comfortable with, pass on this particular book. She also gives an in depth look into her relationship with, Derek (the father of her child). This is perhaps the best part of the book because it is not covered in the Teen Mom, television series. This personal account is heartfelt.

The books is a short, fast read and if you have a few hours to spare and are interested in, Farrah's background story, give it a try. The writing isn't exceptional, but she is just telling her story --- her life -- not writing an epic tale.

Grade: B

Overview [B&N]

“I got off the phone and I tried to calm down, but my mind was racing.  Derek was the father of the baby I was carrying inside me.  He was my first love, my only true love. We hadn’t spoken in more than two months, but crazily I had still hoped we had a future together—me, him, and our baby, as one happy family.  It’s every teenage girl’s dream, isn’t it?  You meet a boy, you fall in love, and then one day you have a family and grow old together, happily ever after.”

Fans of MTV’s critically acclaimed hit series, Teen Mom, have followed Farrah Abraham’s tumultuous life as a single teen mother.  Her fiery, relentless spirit, and her unwavering commitment to getting the best out of life for herself and her daughter Sophia in spite of all the drama constantly surrounding her have made her a beloved star and media sensation.  Now, in this unflinching, at times heartbreaking, memoir, Farrah reveals the difficult truth about the life that hasn’t been seen on television.

Finale (Hush, Hush) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Finale is a wonderful conclusion to a interesting series, full of great characters and fast paced plot lines.

In, Finale the twist and turns keep you turning the pages in anticipation of what is to come. There is an introduction of a new character, who is extremely intriguing. The "old" characters are just a fun.  The characters grown up a bit, especially, Nora.

A lot is revealed and I don't want to give away any spoilers --- So, go get this book and read it now.

Grade: A

Overview [B&N]

Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush saga.

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale is set in a dystopian future, in which women have little to no power. Reproduction rates are low and Handmaid's are used to procure a child in the even that a commanders wife is unable to. Sex is passionless. There is no love.

The rules they live by are rigid and strict, not just for Handmaids but for society as a whole. Penalty for breaking rules can result in death. This futuristic society is disturbing to say the very least.

The story is told by a woman who goes by the name, Offred. Her story is told in "real' time and in flashbacks, that allow you to see the change that society has undergone. You learn about her past, her life with her husband and child.

Atwood develops astonishing characters and a society that leaves you feeling... chilled and unnerved.
Women are seen as property and have defined rules. It is frightening. The government controls everything. The oppressiveness is captured brilliantly.

If you are into dystopian novels, add this to your list of must read.

Grade: A

Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey by Lori Perkins

Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey hits bookstores, November 20, 2012!!!

As, you know from reading my blog, I am not a huge fan of the Fifty Shades, series. It has nothing to do with the subject matter, but with the poor character development and writing. So, When I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades, I jumped at it.

50 writers from different facets of life and careers gave insight and opinions on, The Fifty Shades, series. These people are writers, adult entertainers, lawyers and professional BSDM(ers?).

This book is more entertaining than all the three books in the series put together. It explains why people love or hate the series. It examines the variety of issues explored in the series, such as BSDM, contracts and abuse. It is well written, interesting and gives you a degree of appreciation for what, Fifty shades has gone for the erotica and romance genre.

You don't have to love the series to enjoy this book! However, keep in mind that there are some content that doesn't have much to do with the series itself. This is a great analysis of the book, get your copy soon.

Grade: A

Fifty Shades Freed by E L James

It's taken me ages to finish this book --- Up until yesterday, I was only halfway through it. I had been reading it between other books for weeks now. Then, yesterday for the first time .... ever .... in this series, the book finally got ( a bit) interesting.

Characters grow, you hear less of Ana referring to her inner goddess and the book actually has a storyline. This book is the best one in the trilogy.  There is more background information on characters and the character's are not nearly as annoying as they were in the previous books.

The writing is still mediocre at best, but it has improved vastly. It's still predictable and the ending is tied up in a pretty little bow.

You do have to read the other books in order to have an understanding of the relationships between characters but it isn't really necessary for the storyline.

Grade: C+

Flesh & Bone (Benny Imura (Rot and Ruin)) by Jonathan Maberry

Flesh & Bone is the third book in Rot and Ruin series. Maberry captures the essence of grief, loss, anger and fright in a way that sends chills down your back. He is a master at writing Zombie horror. Just when you think, things couldn't get worse, they do!


There are a lot of new interesting characters and the plot keeps you on your toes. The stakes are higher than ever, zombies are mutating and animals are changing. Benny, Nix, Chong and Lilah are in the wilderness searching for the plane the saw months ago --- and along the way the each have to face issues on their own.

I don't want to give anything away, so you're going to have to pick this book up and read it, however you MUST read the previous two books in order to know what is going on.

Grade: B++