Paranormal Challenge

Here are the categories I would like to read this year:

Vampires
Werewolves/Shifters
Fey
Angels/Nephilim
Mermaids
Dragons
Zombies: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/516966964)
Demons
Witches/Wizards
Ghosts
Aliens
Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)

The Craziness of Life

Whew, what a crazy couple of months it has been!  With a move to a new place and a new job that keeps me very busy, I haven't been reading too much which means no blog posting.  While I don't think I will be able to read 20 books a month like I did last year, I'm hoping to read one book every week or two.  And for now, I have decided that I am going to stick with the fantasy and sci-fi books that I like so much (unless a pretty cover comes along and distracts me).  I found a paranormal reading challenge that I think I will try to follow to some extent.  By which I mean, I will try to read one book from each category, but definitely not in the assigned months and probably not even one a month.  But I like to branch out and read different things and this is a good way to explore the paranormal fantasy genre.  These are the general categories:

Vampires, Werewolves/Shifters, Fey, Angels/Nephilim, Mermaids, Dragons, Zombies, Demons, Witches/Wizards, Ghosts, Aliens, Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)



I'll make another post with the categories filled in as I go (along with goodreads reviews).  Here's to a good year of reading!

Veronika Decides to Die Review

**2 stars**

Paperback Edition

September 30, 2012

Not my favorite book by Coelho that I have read. I'm curious as to how much of the story is true, since he uses himself as a character and presents it as mostly truth. I thought the discussions regarding what "normal" is and who counts as being insane were really good. The rest of the book, however, just seemed to drag and I found it to be a little weird in spots. I was expecting a lot more from the book since I loved the other two books I read by him, and was disappointed. I definitely won't recommend this book as highly as I would The Devil and Miss Prym or The Alchemist.

Banned Books Week

Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association

It's that time of year again: Banned Books Week.  This week (September 30-October 6) is simply intended to raise awareness of recent book bans and challenges and the reasoning behind the majority of them.  If you would like more information about this week and about the books themselves, you can visit the ALA's website or the new Banned Books Week website.  Don't forget to check with local libraries and bookstores as many are hosting events specifically for this week.  Keep reading!

The Boots My Mother Gave Me Review

**2 stars**

September 22, 2012

Kindle Edition

I thought this book was well written and flowed fairly well from present to past narration.  The material was definitely different than what I am used to reading (the books deals primarily with childhood abuse but also deals with the impact of suicide on those left behind) but I wasn't bored or indifferent when reading.  Towards the end, I started to feel like the book would never end and I just wanted her to hurry up and do what I knew she was going to end up doing.  The drama was just starting to wear thin when the book wrapped up.  Overall, the book was okay.  There were quite a few scenes where a tad too much information was shared about her sex life, but easily skimmed and it fit okay with the story.  Probably wouldn't recommend unless you enjoy the more meditative books and ones that deal with some harsher issues through the use of fiction.

A Tale of 3 Witches Review

**3 stars**

September 22, 2012

Kindle Edition

Way too short! I was just really getting into the story and remembering who all the characters were when I realize I was halfway through the short story. I wanted so much more of the zanny fun that Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead brought to the table and I was disappointed when that fun was limited to around 50 pages. I still really enjoyed the short and I am going to try to read Opal Fire to learn more of the new characters introduced in the book. Only disappointment was that it felt too rushed and I wasn't able to really enjoy it like I would have if it was full-length. But I liked it and would recommend for those who liked Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead.

The River Between Review

**3 stars**

September 17, 2012

Paperback Edition

I liked the different perspective on Livingstone's work in Africa. It steps back and shows how the tribes responded to the "invasion" of the white men and their Christianity. It follows a young man as he tries to reconcile Western Christianity with the customs of his tribe and seeks to unite his country again through education. This book is very well-written and almost poetic in its meaning and writing. It switched occasionally between two different people, but it was always easy to follow. The little "romance" in the book was absolutely beautiful and a wonderful addition to the story. I would recommend to readers who enjoy world lit and want to experience other cultures.

Heart of Darkness Review

**2 stars**

September 7, 2012

Paperback Edition

Once I finished the book, I realized that I had actually read it before. It was just so completely unmemorable that I forgot. I honestly didn't see the point in the story unless it was to offer a critique on humanity. But even that seems a little stretched. I think this book is one of those that is famous simply because it makes very little sense so anyone can interpret it how they like. I didn't understand why I was being told a story about some person who went insane from being in the jungle too long and how his voice was so powerful. I guess it just wasn't for me. Not a bad book overall, but not something I would read again (unless I forget that I read it like the last time).

September Reading

Since I am not going to be participating in any new challenges this month, I have decided to set my own challenge.  My goal is to read ten of the 1001 books, with five used for my Around the World challenge.  I have been slacking on both of these and need to get back on track.  As of now, my books to read are:

The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa (Brasil)
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (Slovenia)
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (India)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Africa)
The Tree of Man by Patrick White (Australia)
Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace (Israel)

I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) Review

**3.5 stars**

August 31, 2012

Kindle Edition

It was so easy to become immersed in this story and forget about my surroundings.  I really enjoyed the story and am happy it wasn't a typical "younger age" book.  The language and formatting of the book made it easy for me--I'm out of the target audience range--to read without finding it to be too childish.  In fact, it seemed almost more like a YA book than many books I have read within the YA genre.  I did watch the movie first, but I enjoyed the book more.  The movie is a good adaptation but I liked the characters more in the book.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series especially after the teaser added at the end of the book.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) Review

**3 stars**

August 29, 2012

Hardcover Edition

An interesting and fairly original read although it did take me a few chapters to get into the story.  I had high expectations for the book since the majority of people who have read and recommended the book loved it.  I don't think it was as good as I was expecting, but it was still a good read.  If it is turned into a series, I will definitely be reading the next one.  The only issue I really had with the book was the ever-changing names for the Grisha.  I couldn't figure out which types fit into which category of which group.  For example, you have the various Summoners with their specific titles grouped together in another category (I could never figure out if it was Materialki, Etherealki, Corporalki or something else).  I finally just gave up trying to figure it out.  Overall, though, I did enjoy the book and would recommend.

Tiger Lily Review

**3.5 stars**

August 27, 2012

Hardcover Edition

I really loved this retelling of the Peter Pan story from Tink's perspective. It follows the life of Tiger Lily before and after Wendy comes to Neverland (for the record, I still dislike Wendy) as told by Tinker Bell who has formed a loyalty to Tiger Lily and follows her everywhere. The descriptions of the characters was very good and the way they interacted with each other was well written. The story itself was a quick read, but didn't feel hurried or dense. I would definitely recommend to fairy tale lovers.

Dearly, Departed (Gone With the Respiration #1) Review

**2.5 stars**

August 24, 2012

Paperback Edition

I think this book was just a little too far out there for me.  The concept was very good and I give the author points for originality (romance between living and undead? When has that happened before?) but I just couldn't get into the story as much as I would have liked.  I did like the "ethics" presented in the book on whether all zombies should be exterminated or if some should be given a chance for another life, even if it is an undead life.  I still don't understand how some turn violent and some are still essentially normally functioning humans.  The explanation of prions causing the disease rather than a virus is by far the more believable reason for the walking dead that I have heard.  I wouldn't put it past those nasty little proteins to do something like that.

I finally realized that I am not a fan of changing narrative during books.  One or two different POVs is fine, but not four or more.  I just get far to confused as to who is speaking and what their personality is supposed to be like.  Pamela was really the only character I thought had a different voice; the others all sounded the same to me.  And when I wasn't in Nora's POV, I disliked her.  Her narrative presents her as a "strong" female who doesn't take no for an answer and will do rash things.  But the other characters seemed to always present her as just a tiny little flirt who primarily cared for herself.  I couldn't keep up on whether I liked her or hated her.

The romance.  I would like to say this first: GROSS.  I'm sorry, but the romance just didn't do anything for me.  She was in love with a CORPSE.  She kissed cold, dead, decaying lips and liked it (Katy Perry, I dare you to sing about that).  I think this is really the main reason I took off a half star and am stating my opinion as "ok."  I just... *shudder*.  Anyway, I won't be continuing the series since I didn't fall in love with the characters or the story.  I might recommend for those who like a little weirdness in their books, but not very highly.

The Long Walk Review

**3 stars**

August 24, 2012

E-book Edition

This is a difficult book to rate because of its content and the tone in which the story is presented.  The story is about a walk that occurs every year and consists of 100 young boys.  The point of the walk is merely to survive.  Each boy must keep a pace of 4 miles per hour or else they receive a warning; three warnings and you are shot.  The walk ends with the last boy standing who is then received a Prize of whatever he wishes for the rest of his life.  King chooses to focus primarily on one boy, Garrity, and his interactions with the other walkers.  King also writes in an almost brutal tone.  He doesn't sugarcoat anything that happens, he just writes it and moves on to the next point which I thought was the most disturbing part of the book.  Readers aren't given time to recover as walkers are shot, some with a lot of detail.  I had to stop reading a few times and take my mind off the book for a little while, but I always ended up wanting to keep reading and find out who the last walker standing ends up being.  Stephen King knows how to draw the reader into the story while at the same time causing them to push back a little at the disturbing topics he presents.  I am really glad I chose this as my first King read and I will definitely be reading more of his books.  I might recommend the book, but really only for those who enjoy more "serious" reads and can handle the bluntness of his writing style.

Awesome Giveaway

Hey all!  Just wanted to make you aware of an awesome giveaway from one of my favorite authors, Cameron Jace.  It is a weekly giveaway of one Kindle book of your choosing.  Hop on over to his blog for more information on how to win and check out his books while you are at it.  I highly recommend all of them!

The Thirteenth Tale Review

**3 stars**

August 23, 2012

Hardcover Edition

Honestly, I initially didn't think I was going to enjoy this book and struggled to keep reading. But once the story really begins it is difficult to put the book down.  The author weaves a tale within another and keeps you wanting more.  I absolutely love Vida Winter's story and the breaks between telling were well done.  Every time I started to get antsy and want to skip ahead to the "past," it would pick up again.  I wasn't really interested in Margaret's story which is probably why I had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning.  But I'm glad I stuck with it.  I don't know if I would really recommend the book to the general reader.  I really think you have to like the genre and the writing style to actually enjoy the story.

Beastly (Kendra Chronicles #1) Review

**2 stars**

August 21, 2012

Paperback Edition

An interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but not my favorite.  I actually prefer how the movie portrayed Kyle/Adrian as simply a scarred and ugly human over the book's description of him as an actual beast.  I guess I like my fairy tales to be slightly realistic.  However, I did like how Kendra pops up here and there throughout the book and has her own happy ending, even if we don't know what that ending is.  The chat text was humorous and a nice addition to the story.  I would have liked to know if SilentMaid's story ended up following that of the traditional Little Mermaid since her part in the book ended before you found out if she ended up as sea foam.  Overall, the book was okay.  It wasn't really what I was expecting and I am slightly disappointed in the book, but that is probably due to my having watched the movie before reading the book.

Calamity Jayne Review

**3 stars**

August 21, 2012

Kindle Edition

A fun chick-lit mystery.  I loved Tressa even through her ditzy blond moments.  Who doesn't enjoy laughing at accident prone characters?  I was happy there wasn't really any romance in it which I feel would have definitely taken away from the story.  The addition of the bikers and the crazy grandparents was perfect.  I absolutely loved Joe and Manny and they were by far my favorite characters.  The tone was pretty light for the entire book which made the story seem a little less serious, but made it more entertaining.  I would recommend the book for those who enjoy sassy chick-lit every once in a while.

Illicit Magic (Stella Mayweather #1) Review

**3.5 stars**

August 21, 2012

Kindle Edition

I really liked this book.  It was fun and humorous throughout the entire book.  It was an interesting take on witches and how they can and cannot use their magic.  The characters were fun and fairly well described and while I wasn't able to "connect" with them, I still enjoyed reading about their lives.  My only complaint is the bedroom scenes which, to me, were completely unnecessary.  There was too much description for my liking and the conversations that took place after each scene was ridiculous.  I lost track of how many times Stella assured Evan that she "didn't usually go around doing this" etc.  I wish the author had worked more paranormal creatures into the story, but that is probably in the next book.  I was a little surprised that Stella hadn't figured out what Aunt Meg was until the end.  Then again, she was pretty much clueless the entire time about pretty much everything.  Not my favorite character, but at least she was sassy most of the time.  Overall, the book was funny and original.  I would recommend, but maybe for an older audience due to the few scenes.

February Review

**1 star**

August 20, 2012

Paperback Edition

Honestly, it was a struggle to keep reading this book until the end. The language was beyond irritating and extremely confusing. It was written almost as if the characters were taking down every thought as they move through their lives. It was constantly switching from past to present and from character to character and I could never keep up. Just when I thought I understood what was going on, the whole thing shifted again and I was completely lost. There didn't really seem to be much of a plot to the book other than perhaps learning to move on after a loss and learning to deal with your mistakes. But those are just guesses since that is all I could understand of the book. I would not recommend this book at all unless you are the kind of person who loves rambling, artsy language.