Books, books, books

Reviews of books I've read.

[thebooksihaveread]

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

Alex, an 11 year old boy from Colorado, is obsessed with space. He records messages on his golden ipod for space inhabitants, informing them of the day to day events of life on Earth, certain sounds of Earth’s occurrences, as well as personal insights of his own life. 

This book takes you on a journey with Alex, that starts off at a rocket launching expedition. But by the end of the book you realize that there is more to life and space. 

I wasn’t sure I could get through the book at first. There’s a lot of conversation from Alex that seems never ending, superfluous but it definitely warmed up to me. I wonder if it’s the situation Alex is in that helps me to become invested in him and his life. It could also be the kindness of those around him. Like Zed, who has taken a vow of silence, who is a constant support for Alex. Through his chalkboard messages you feel his investment in Alex and his sincere want to help him, and shelter him. Or Terra, who immediately loves Alex and wants to help him find the truth, even though he doesn’t know he’s looking for it. Or maybe it’s more like she’s trying to find her own truths. 

The likelihood of such a journey is probably impossible in today’s world but it helps enforce the idea that there are good people out there in the world. 

As a children/young adult novel, I think the whimsy of the story is familiar to the particular age group. As an adult reading it, it pulls on your heartstrings. I wanted Alex’s journey to be happy. I only wanted him to encounter good people. And for the most part, he does. 

Maybe this is also a book of bravery. Everything that Alex had to endure, all the hardships he encountered i kind of felt like he was positive about everything. Like he could spin every bad situation into something good. 

[thebooksihaveread]

I’ve been a reading machine this weekend. I finished 3 books: 

-The Silkworm by Robert Gailbraith

-Inside Out & Back Again by Thanha Lai

-See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

[thebooksihaveread]

The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a Fuck

This book was life changing to me. Cliche, I know. But it was an honest read. Bottom line, you shouldn't give a fuck about things you don't care about. When you do you spend/waste fucks, which could be time, money, emotions etc. And why would you want to do that?! The writer helps you to believe if you only spend your fucks on the things that you care about, bring you joy, then your life will be so much better! This was probably a reading spoiler but it was straight forward, easy to read, and empowering.

[belovedbane]

Concept: I finish school. The job I work isn’t my dream job but I enjoy doing it greatly still. It pays enough to cover everything I might need. My bills are never overdue. Money is not a thought in my head. I have a place to live. So do my dogs. It is nice and warm, I have some plants, my bookshelves are full, my sheets are always clean. There is time to read at the end of a day. I read a lot. Thinking is a good thing. I meet up with friends regularly, old and new. They love me. We make memories. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I travel a few times a year, always different places. The places I see steal my breath away. The people I meet teach me of life. They are good. There is no war. The sea calls to me and pay visit. I am independent. I am content.

[thebooksihaveread]

I just finished reading Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.  This book is reminiscent of a Lifetime movie.  The main character, Katie, is an abused woman.  It takes you on her journey of escaping her abusive husband, to the rebuilding of her life, as well as starting a new relationship.  As you read, you can't help but cheer Katie on for her success and are happy that she finally found a better man.  Katie's story is so vivid and realistic.  I was quite afraid to read the part where her abusive husband finds her in her new place.  I was scared for Katie, what if she didn't make it.  

Nicholas Sparks definitely doesn't disappoint in this book.  And (spoiler alert) there is the usual happy ending here.  I haven't seen the movie adaptation but I'm definitely considering it.  The story was well told and very realistic which gives me reservations to seeing the movie.  I hate watching women get abused but I guess it's a story that has to be told, and many lessons can be learned from it.  

[thebooksihaveread]

I haven't read anything in awhile. I was in the middle if Divergent but was reading it on my iPhone and iPad that I got confused because it wasn't syncing properly. I'm tempted to buy "Looking for Alaska" (I think that's what it is called) on my Kindle. I just haven't been in the reading mood. However I'm going to the Festival of Books on Saturday. Maybe I'll find a good read there. Until then any other suggestions?

[thebooksihaveread]

So I read Beautiful Creatures. I was hoping it was going to be the next Twilight. It's a story of two high school students that have both a physical connection to each other as well as a magical connection to each other. Ethan Wate has been living in Gatlin, South Carolina his whole life. He has gone along with the norms and practices without hesitation, just accepting everyone for who they are. Until Lena Ravenwood moves to town. She moves in with Macon Ravenwood, her uncle, who is the town "weirdo". Lena is not accepted at all by the town, to say it likely. Both Ethan and Lena join together against the town but the town is relentless. On top of all these problems Lena is not just an ordinary teenager. She is a caster, basically a witch. Her power comes to its height on her 16th birthday. The trick is she has to pick whether or not she will go dark or light. Light being good. Apparently Lena has the potential to be a very strong caster, so her choice, "claiming" is very important. With this said Lena had many family members influencing and anticipating whether she goes light or dark. All making it so hard for Lena and Ethan to live normal happy lives. I had high hopes for this book. I was ready to download the series but the ending was a turnoff. I'm interested in the movie but if its as disappointing as the book I won't bother reading the rest of it.

[thebooksihaveread]

I'm gonna finish the Rise of Nine today. Hopefully.

[thebooksihaveread]

I'm currently reading "The Rise of Nine" by Pittacus Lore. Instead of doing a review after I've read the whole thing I've decided to review as I go along. I was really excited to see this book at Barnes & Noble. I honestly had no idea that it had been released. Joel said I had a "nerdgasm" in the store when I saw it. Although in my defense I think books just give me that reaction. In any case, I had read the first 2 books in the series and couldn't wait for more. Right now I'm underwhelmed. I'm almost 129 pages in and I'm so disconnected from the characters. I think they're a bit underdeveloped. I'm not sure how I feel about 6, Marina, Ella, 8, 9, and even John. I feel like they're so spread apart that there's no cohesiveness to the story. It really feels like more of a book 1 rather than a book 3 right now. Maybe it's because I have so many questions. I wonder about Sam, Sarah, the government, how the chests really work. I'm starting to be suspicious of everyone too! Maybe I'm confused because of the new characters and the turn of events. I just don't feel like part of the story yet, like I did with the first 2 books. Hopefully once I finish I'll have a better review. I'm starting to think that maybe this would have been a great comic book or graphic novel series.

[thebooksihaveread]

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Review)

I finished “An Abundance of Katherines” by John Green last week.  The book was wonderfully written with many witty comments and conversations.  It was a coming of age story about 2 young men, Colin and Hassan, who are both looking for a place in the world but not actively looking.  The reader meets Colin post-break up with Katherine XIX.  Obviously devastated but for a prodigy more using his geeky side to prove how and why this break-up happened via use of a theorem he is writing.

Hassan comes along as the chubby, misguided, best friend but we realize he too is in need of some direction.  On a spontaneous road trip, they come to a place called Gunshot by interest of the Archduke of Ferdinand. 

This is definitely a great summer read for Young Adults or anyone else that needs a good laugh and an uplifting story.

[thebooksihaveread]

Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan (Review)

This is the 3rd installment in the Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan.  I started reading this series because Egyptian history is somewhat spooky to me.  The whole idea of afterlife, mummies, magic, multiple gods is a pretty intense concept to wrap my head around.  However, if it gets me reading about such histories I am sure it will bring about reading for children and young adults.  Plus I think kids are way more open minded about these things than me. 

In any case, the Kane Chronicles has made me less of a wimp when it comes to reading about Egyptian mythology.  It is quite interesting to read about such gods as Set, Horus, Ra, etc.  I’m still not sure of all the names and all of the realms or natures they control but it’s interesting to read about their great powers. 

I’m also fascinated by the dynamics of Carter and Sadie Kane.  The brother and sister duo are not only young adult powerful magicians but they are also teachers to up and coming magicians.  In the “Serpent’s Shadow” you really see the two coming into their own.  They now make decisions based on their own knowledge and capable powers.  Towards the end you really see them take leadership positions and you can’t wait to see what is in store for them in the in the future. 

I have to confess that I do get lost in the storyline a bit.  There seemed to me so many things going on in this book.  There was so much going back and forth from current time, to the duat, there was traveling between times, and places, so many characters that got introduced and merged.  I ended up getting lost.  I had to put the book down several times before I could read on and really understand what was happening. 

Regardless of my reading “hardships” I think I’ll pick up the next book in the series.  I fell in love with Rick Riordan books with the Percy Jackson series and I really think he is doing justice in historical fiction for children.

[thebooksihaveread]

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard (Review)

But wanderlove is much deeper than that… it’s a compulsion.  It’s the difference between lust and love.

Now imagine that feeling amplified, and projected all over the place, like a beam of light.  Brightest in front of you, glowing everywhere but behind you…

Wanderlove is forgetting about the bad things and focusing on the good.  Out with the old and in with the new.

You start out reading about Bria, privileged art student, just graduated highschool, who experienced a recent break-up.  She takes the leap and goes on a guided vacation of Central America.  She ends up being the youngest on the tour and is disappointed of what her summer will turn into. 

Bria arrives, wanders off on her own, stops to buy something, and gets her back pack stolen.  She meets a back packer who tells her she probably won’t see her back pack again and then invites her to dinner across the lake.

It’s at this point you start searching, experiencing- you wanderlove.  You start seeing travel as a whole different idea.  You start understanding life as more than just deadlines and achievements but more as an experience. 

Wanderlove is the ultimate summer read with adventure, life-changing moments, realizations, and love.

[thebooksihaveread]

Legend by Marie Lu (Review)

Legend” is a dystopian novel by Marie Lu.  It is the first of a series of books, book 2 will be available in 2013.  The main characters of this book is a rebel called Day, Tess, and June.  Day and Tess live on the streets of a dystopian California, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.  Day’s main motivation is helping out his surviving family, which includes his Mother and 2 brothers.  His family continues to live in their family house but is continually checked on by the Republic, the governing body of their area. 

Day is notorious for his tricks and schemes on the Republic, rebelling against this governing body he becomes the most wanted criminal.  He comes high on the radar when trying to obtain a medicinal cure for his sick brother, Eden.  This is the where Day meets June, the story takes a turn, and the reader finds out what the Republic is all about. 

“Legend” is an excellent read for those wanting a bit of a Hunger Games-esque novel.  I had a hard time feeling connected to the characters at first.  I felt a disconnect until Day meets June.  Maybe I’m a sucker for a bit of romance.  However it pulled me in at the end enough to make me want to read the second installment. 

[thebooksihaveread]

Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (Review)

The story opens with Professor Diana Bishop making her daily trip to the Bodleian Library. She’s a historian with an emphasis in alchemy. She requests a book, Ashmole 782 and her life changes instantly. This book is magical, bewitched. Diana doesn’t understand the true mystery of the book but can feel the magic within it. She is scared of the mystery, tries to look at it from a strictly professional historian point of view and quickly sends it back to the stacks.

The power of the book awakens the creatures of the world. Diana is now surrounded by Daemons, Witches, Vampires. All magical creatures trying to figure out how to get their hands on Ashmole 782, a book that has been lost throughout history and hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years. This book, the reader finds out throughout the novel, contains the history of these 3 creatures. It is speculated it may contain their origins, mysteries, and their destruction. All creatures fighting to find it before the others in fear that their lives will be destroyed by the others.

But why would the book come to Diana Bishop? Maybe because she’s a witch? Her parents were Rebecca Bishop and Stephen Proctor. But Diana isn’t your ordinary witch. She doesn’t welcome her powers, she doesn’t even try to use them, let alone know how. Her whole life she has turned away from her magical heritage.

Now because of Ashmole 782 Diana has to confront it all but not alone. She meets Matthew Clairmont, a professor and vampire. Although Diana knows of the dangers of vampires she is drawn to Matthew, even feels safe around him. Matthew is also drawn to Diana because of the book but it becomes something more. Matthew safeguards Diana from the other creatures and helps her to realize the importance of her powers.

Without giving anymore away, the book takes the reader through the beginning of the All Souls Trilogy. The reader will receive a true understanding of Diana and Matthew. The reader will meet family members and see the strong, historical connections between magic and creatures. The reader will realize the dangers that lie between creatures and the history behind Ashmole 782.

The “Discovery of Witches” pulls you into Diana and Matthew’s world through the wonderful descriptions and the historical knowledge of the writer, Deborah Harkness. You are enchanted by the historical descriptions, it’s as if you become part of the story, part of the journey.

This book is amazing. It is long in text but it definitely was a book I could not stop reading. All the characters were likable. I couldn’t help but feel like part of the family, rooting for Diana and Matthew’s success. Although very much fantasy, the historical fiction comes out through and through that I also felt a sense of knowledge when reading it.

This is definitely a must read.

[thebooksihaveread]

The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol & Agnes Friis (Review)

A mother. Sigita, is in the park one day playing with her son.  Her intuition tells her to look around, someone is watching her.  She sees a strange woman but only just considers the possibility.  She leaves with her son, Mikas, and thinks nothing about this until a few days later and Mikas is missing. 

The authors take you on a journey of a worried mother, a mistress, the mistress’s friend, a frightful man, and a couple that just doesn’t seem connected emotionally.  It’s a tangled web of plot lines with each character assuming a role of depth that is hard to grasp in its entirety.  It isn’t until you get close to the end you see how and why the kidnapping is planned. 

It’s interesting in afterthought how important a role Nina Borg, the mistress’s friend, plays in the book.  At first she struck me as a friend just trying to help out however, the description of her character’s background throughout the book portrayed a woman of no resilience.  But she becomes the starring role in the trilogy, which is called the Nina Borg Trilogy. 

This is my first “Adult” book in awhile.  Maybe that is why I couldn’t grasp the book right away.  It actually took me 10 months to get through this book and I was only pulled into the plot at the end because it had to do with a need for a kidney transplant. 

Knowing that Nina Borg will be the main character in the rest of the series I’m not sure if I will continue to read on. 

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[firstbook]

We wish there were an Olympic event for reading.