Friday 28 March 2014

Outlander Trailer

I am so excited for this tv show! I love this book series. I think it could possible be the most underestimated book series out there. I hope more people discover the books because of the tv show. 

Source

THIS LOOKS SO GOOD!! I seriously can't wait. I don't even think I get the channel this is on, but I will watch it online if I have to.

Anyone else plan to tune in?
In the meantime check out the books by Diana Gabaldon.  

Thursday 27 March 2014

Book Haul


   I was at the mall today and stopped into Chapters...I may have bought a few things. :)

Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
The Unbound by Victoria Schwab


Tuesday 25 March 2014

Making Faces

Goodreads Summary 
Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.


My Thoughts
This book was a lot to take it. Fern is a shy girl who isn't the classic image of beauty and Ambrose (that name reminds me of that salad with the marshmallows...blech) has basically stepped off a romance novel. They are polar opposites, but Fern has had a crush for a really long time. We've all been there, right?  RIGHT?  After high school Ambrose convinces his best friends to go off to war with him and when he returns he isn't the same.

She was "ugly" in high school and he is "ugly" now. What will happen next? Well exactly what you would think. This book was a little too obvious at times. It had a few good lessons, but that's about it. These two didn't make me hot. They didn't keep me wondering about what will happen next. I just felt kinda blah.

The one shinning aspect of this book was Bailey. Bailey Sheen is Fern's cousin and best friend who just so happens to have Dushenne muscular dystrophy. He had so many hurdles to overcome, but always faced life with a smile.

Goodnight Bailey.

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 If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?
 Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see? 
Does he curl the hair upon my head 'til it rebels in wild defiance?
 Does he close the ears of the deaf man to make him more reliant? 
Is the way I look coincidence or just a twist of fate? 
If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate?
 For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror, 
For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear. 
Does he sculpt us for his pleasure, for a reason I can't see?
 If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?

I am not religious, but I loved this piece of poetry Fern wrote. I think we can all relate. 

Sunday 23 March 2014

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

*Won this in a Goodreads giveaway. There's an honest review below.*

Goodreads Summary 
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
 
My Thoughts
I fell in love with the title of this book. I thought it could be a good concept. A girl writing letters to all the guys she has loved and then dealing with the consequences. Sounds good, right? Yeah this didn't really measure up.

Lara Jean (hate that name!) is a whiny high school student who wrote letters to crushes in middle school and then one day finds out they've been sent out. These letters aren't even anything to be embarrassed about, but she is in high school so it was a big deal to her. Five letters are sent out and only two guys really care. One of the guys was her first kiss and the other is her older sister's boyfriend. *yawn*

I have to spend a few minutes talking about Lara Jean. This girl bugged me. She was one of the most immature female characters I have ever read about. Her nine year old sister was smarter than her. Kitty should have been twelve or thirteen instead of nine because her maturity level was so much higher than her sister's. Yes Lara Jean was inexperienced, but that wasn't even the problem. Her fear of driving didn't bother me either (I'm 26 and fear driving myself). I think it was just her personality that bugged me. Her Lara Jean-ness.

I don't really recommend this book. If you want a book about love and self discovery than read 13 Little Blue Envelops by Maureen Johnson or Just One Day by Gayle Foreman. I say skip this one.

This book comes out April 15th, 2014.

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Saturday 22 March 2014

Divergent: The Movie

*Possible spoilers. Look out for asterisks.*

Divergent is one of the most anticipated movies of 2014 especially for book lovers like myself. I am a big fan of the books. I own them. I love them. Basically there was a lot for this movie to live up to, but I think it did a really good job.


I loved the casting for this movie. I was hesitant when Shailene Woodley was cast, but she made an amazing Tris. She looked strong, but didn't come off as cocky. Her acting was pretty close to perfect. Then there's Theo James as Four. And yes I call him Four. I don't think I have earned the right to call him Tobias. Theo could not have played this part any better. He was mysterious, sexy, and protective all at once. I had only seen him in one other role and he seemed stiff, but not here. He played Four exactly as I saw him in book. 

The other characters were well cast too. Ansel Elgort was adorable as Caleb. I was only weirded out by the whole "he will be dating his sister in his next role" thing for a second before I forgot all about it. He has a boyish quality about him that is so important for Caleb to have. Plus I must say the running scenes were just adorable. Zoe Kravitz as Christina was great. Al...I was not expecting Al to be hot. Wasn't he fat in the book? Peter was played well. Psycho much? Perfect. Plus who knew Kate Winslet could play such a bitch? Another amazing job. I wish there were more scenes with Zeke and Uriah, but that's what Insurgent is for, right?

The plot did follow pretty well from what I can remember.

 **** SPOILERS****
 I did miss Edward getting stabbed in the eye. I think it helped portray Peter as an enemy. Also I think the 'army' scenes happened pretty quickly. I don't remember the book speeding up that fast towards the end. I don't think this affected the movie too negatively though. 

**SPOILERS OVER**

At the end of the day this was a really good movie. I will definitely be buying the dvd and keeping my fingers crossed that Insurgent and Allegiant get made as well. 

What did you all think? Let me know! 



 

Friday 21 March 2014

Going Long (Waiting on the Sidelines #2)

*I received this book thanks to Ginger Scott via Net Galley for an honest review*

Goodreads Summary 
They fell in love in high school and found their way back to one another despite the odds. But can first loves really be forever? For Reed Johnson, the dream was always football. But then Nolan Lennox took over his heart. Is he willing to give up his first love just to keep his true love? Or will he be too late?

Reed and Nolan’s story continues in "Going Long," sequel to "Waiting on the Sidelines."



My Thoughts
I enjoyed Waiting on the Sidelines so much that I immediately wanted to read Going Long. I'm so glad I did.  I read this in a matter of hours!

Nolan and Reed's relationship is just as sweet and just as...complicated. As college students, they deal with adult issues. They have to deal with long distance, cheating, self-doubt, and true love. This book will teach you that there is nothing more important in a relationship than communication. 

Going Long broke my heart at times, but I have loved these two together so much that I just wanted them to work it out.  They went through a lot to get to Going Long, but they had to survive even more in this book. 

I was so glad Sean made an appearance in this! He was one of my favourite characters and when he moved away to school I worried we wouldn't read about him again, but thankfully we did. He is just the sweetest guy.  Nolan crushed his heart for his best friend and he managed to remain close friends with both of them.  I loved Buck too! He reminded me of Buddy Garrity from Friday Night Lights. How could I not love that?

If you loved the first book than you will love the second as well.

    
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Thursday 20 March 2014

Waiting on the Sidelines (Waiting on the Sidelines #1)

*This book was sent to me via NetGalley for an honest review*

Goodreads Summary 
Nolan Lennox had things figured out. Named after a baseball legend, she enjoyed being the Tomboy, her closet filled with her brother’s hand-me-downs, cut-off jeans and soccer shorts. But when her first trip
to high school results in a broken heart from the first boy to ever make her heart flutter and cruel words from an older girl she once thought a family friend, Nolan starts to question the very person she thought she was and wonders if her humble upbringing can compete with the afforded luxuries of her privileged peers.

Throughout the next four years, Nolan struggles to maintain herself throughout her path of discovery, learning just how cruel teenagers can be through the pressures of underage drinking, sexuality and class. And despite how life seems to continue to work against her, she still manages to listen to her heart, falling deeper and deeper for the guy the entire town adores, even if he only sees her as a friend. Can Nolan strike a compromise between her own integrity and the boy she loves? And can she make him notice her before it’s too late?

Reed Johnson came to Coolidge High School with a lot of fanfare. The son of a hometown football legend and the brother of a local football hero, Reed wore all the pressures of carrying a town without hope into the spotlight. Thankfully, he had the talent to back it up. But when he meets a girl who makes him think twice about exactly what being a hero means, he starts to wonder if following in his brother’s footsteps might be all wrong.

Nolan Lennox was everything that was opposite of expected. She didn’t flirt, she didn’t drink and she didn’t sleep around. Nothing about her was easy, but something about her made Reed want to try harder. Though she didn’t look the part, she seemed to be spending a lot of time in Reed’s thoughts, and he wondered if she could be the one who made it all worthwhile. But could Reed handle letting her down? And would breaking her heart break him beyond repair?

Waiting on the Sidelines explores young love to its fullest, exposing how real young heartbreak and passion is and how important it is to discover yourself and hold onto your own identity. The story follows two young characters as they deal with mature situations, including the prevalence of bullying and promiscuity in today’s high school setting. Ultimately, Waiting on the Sidelines is a story of hope, honesty and those powerful, first true loves—the ones worth holding onto at any cost.

My Thoughts
 Wow that summary is WAY more than anyone really needed. 

This book was just what I needed.  I felt like I needed a good romance story to get me through a funk and this did the trick. Nolan (kinda love that name) and Reed are an adorable couple. It took them a long time to realize what they have and they went through a lot of shit in order to be together, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. 

Reed and Nolan have the kind of love that most people look for. It was pretty instant, but it took them awhile to realize what was under their noses. They had some serious issues (some of which I truly wish hadn't happened), but they gave each other space and worked on the tough spots. I probably would have slapped Reed across the face for some of the things he said, but I know it came from a place of pain.  High school can be a bitch. 

I can't wait to read the follow-up novel Going Long and find out what happens next with these two!
Both Waiting on the Sidelines and Going Long are available now. Go check them out! 
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Tuesday 18 March 2014

The Maze Runner Trailer

I read the Maze Runner a few years ago and liked it, but the series went downhill from there. (There's a small review on my Goodreads page.) I didn't think that I would want to see the movie, but I saw the trailer tonight and I think I've changed my mind.

I don't know much about the cast. I recognize the actor who plays Thomas from Teen Wolf, but I've never seen the show so I don't know how he will play him. That's basically it though.


Thanks to 20th Century Fox for the trailer.

What do you guys think? Did you enjoy the book? Will you see the movie?

Monday 17 March 2014

The Truth About Alice

*This ARC was sent to me by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley. I promise I will write an honest review. *

Goodreads Summary
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

My Thoughts
The Truth About Alice follows four teenagers and their views on what happened following a party.

Elaine is the popular, narcissistic one. I couldn't stand Elaine. She is the girl we all went to high school with that will never leave high school. She will always be that girl. 

Josh is the star football player who is best friends with Brandon aka one of the guys Alice is suspected of sleeping with one night. I felt so sorry for Josh. He looses his best friend, blames Alice, feels guilty, and is also dealing with his own demons. 

Kelsie is from a religious family and is Alice's best friend. I wasn't really interested in what Kelsie had to say. She goes from being Alice's friend to completely abandoning her after the rumours hit. She is the worst kind of person. You don't abandon someone when they need you most.

Lastly there is Kurt. He's the school's genius and social misfit. He was the most interesting character in my opinion. He has only one friend at Healy High and that is his physics teacher. He has been interested in Alice for years, but is too shy to do anything about it. When the rumours hit he feels bad for her because he knows she doesn't deserve what is happening. He becomes her only friend and I respect him for that. He is also harbouring a secret that is kinda unbelievable.


The four characters tell you what happened (as far as they know it) the night of the party, how the town reacted afterward, and what happened after Brandon dies. Everyone has something to say about Alice, but what is the truth?  As the story unfold we learn more about what happened. We see just how scary hearsay and rumours can be. 

I wish we got to read a little further into the lives of these characters. Does Josh reveal who he really is? Even to himself? Does Alice ever forgive Kelsie? I just wish I could know just a little bit more. I will say though this cover is gorgeous! It really captures what the books is about in such a beautiful way.  

Pick up your copy June 3rd!


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Wednesday 12 March 2014

The Promise of Amazing

Goodreads Summary 
Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.


My Thoughts
I was wandering around Chapters, picked up this beautiful book, and basically bought it on a whim. I am so glad I did. I waited a few months to read it because I hadn't heard anything about it and was slightly worried that it wouldn't be any good. I tend to do that. I hold onto books in fear that they won't live up to expectations I have put on them.  Sorry authors!

This book was just really cute. Wren is an average high school student who doesn't want to be thought of as average. Grayson, oh poor Grayson, has been kicked out of his private school and surrounded by the wrong group of people. He isn't a bad boy, but he definitely isn't squeaky clean either.  These two are so different, but when they meet they can't help feel intrigued.  And it's all thanks to sausage weenies.

I could have done without some of the drama.
 *cough* Luke is a sociopath in the making. *cough*
I also wish the ending was different. I just think that more honesty would have been better.  Great read though.

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Friday 7 March 2014

Third Degree

*This ARC was given to me by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley. I will be giving an honest review.*

Goodreads Summary
 Fans of Monica Murphy and Tammara Webber will savor this New Adult novel—a story about coming of age in the heat of the moment—from Julie Cross, the internationally bestselling author of the Tempest trilogy.

I used to be “Isabel Jenkins, child prodigy.” As lame as that sounds, at least it was an identity. But now I’m not sure what I am. I just failed the most important exam of my life—the emotional readiness test required to get into a medical residency program—and it turns out my parents can’t stand each other. Now I’m trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life, and that means re-enrolling as a college freshman, but this time I’m shutting the books and majoring in being eighteen.

But so far, my roommate hates me and I’m not into the party scene. The only good thing about school has been getting to know my insanely hot RA. Marshall Collins makes me wonder about everything I missed while I was growing up too fast. Pretty soon we’re hanging out constantly, but for the first time, I find myself wanting more than a no-strings-attached physical relationship. And the lesson I really need is one Marsh definitely can’t teach me: love. Because I’m going to be alone forever if I don’t learn fast.


My Thoughts
I am a big fan of Tamarra Webber, so when she was mentioned in the Goodreads summary I knew I had to read this right away.  

Izzy is an 18 year old doctor who cannot connect the with patients in her care. This idea is a decent one, but it is so unrealistic. My slightly, cynical brother would laugh at the idea of this teenage doctor going back to university at 18. Even though the concept is improbable I enjoyed the story a lot. To be honest, I don't usually find it hard to extent my disbelief.

The relationship between Izzy and Marshall is sweet. I loved that they started out as friends and it developed from there. An initial connection was there, but no instant love. They knew that Marshall's TA position would be a problem and they went out of their way to not let it jeopardize their schooling. They found time to spend together, but it wasn't inappropriate...until it was. :)  The twist that brings these two together was pretty predictable, but I didn't anticipate every aspect. I won't say any more to avoid spoilers.

If you like a quick, romantic read than I think you'll enjoy this. You can get your copy March 25th.



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 I just saw a note I made while reading this and I wanted to post it. There is an amazingly, funny scene close to the beginning of the book involving Izzy, her roommate and S.T.I.s. I just cracked up laughing. I had to put my kobo down so that I didn't accidentally change the page. That's all. :)

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Capitol Limited: A Story about John Kennedy and Richard Nixon

*This book was sent to me by the author David R. Stokes for an honest review*

Goodreads Summary 
LONG BEFORE THEY famously debated each other during the 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon debated the merits of the new Taft-Hartley labor law in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in April 1947. But their minds were clearly on bigger things. As fate would have it, Kennedy and Nixon shared a Pullman compartment on a famous train called The Capitol Limited, the pride of the B&O line, for an overnight trip back to Washington. They stayed awake all night talking about their lives, hopes, and visions for a better world. CAPITOL LIMITED is based on a very true story. Bestselling author David R. Stokes imagines how the conversation might have unfolded that long-ago night. Based on extensive research, and complete with a lengthy and unusual-for-a-novel bibliography, CAPITOL LIMITED gives readers the chance to eavesdrop as two men have an animated conversation about history, world leaders, and the brewing geopolitical issues they would one day face as leaders of the free world. It was the dawn of the Cold War, and these two former Naval officers were developing a vision for the world, one that would be "tempered by a hard and bitter peace." And years later, the political torch would be passed to John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, who represented "a new generation of Americans." They would become America's premier Cold Warriors.
My Thoughts 
I have been an admirer of the Kennedys for awhile now, so when this book about John F. Kennedy and his republican rival was offered to me I couldn't resist.  In truth I didn't know much about the relationship between these two except that Kennedy beat Nixon in the 1960 election. I'm glad this book gave me the opportunity to know more.

This book is a work of fiction. David R. Stokes admits that he cannot be certain what was said between these two men on that Capitol Limited train back in 1947, but with an extensive amount of research he can give a glimpse into what could have occurred.  They probably would have talked about Stalin and Churchill. It's also possible they talked about their time in the Navy, fellow congressmen, and the imminent Cold War. They certainly could have talked about Nixon's wife Pat and his young daughter.

I enjoyed the banter between the two men, but sometimes I felt that Stokes' perception of Kennedy to be a little harsh. He came off as almost childlike at times. There were times when he seemed so excited to be talking to Nixon that he would say just about anything. I don't think that at nearly 30 years old Kennedy would be telling Nixon about troubles with his father.  I respect the man too much to think he would just  open up about what his father has done politically or otherwise.

I thought the beginning of the book was very well done. We read about Nixon leaving Texas only to learn that President Kennedy was assassinated in the same state mere hours later. I truly hope that he grieved that day with the rest of the world.

Although I can see the events of this day happening similarly to what happened in the book, I can also imagine these two men sitting side-by-side and never uttering a word. Read the book and decide for yourself.


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