The first day of Book Expo America 2015 is officially over and, for me at least, it was a pretty good one. I made it home tired, sore, and with enough books to make my TBR list explode–and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow! Continue reading “Book Expo America 2015 Day One Recap: A Few of My Favorite Things”
Title: 51/50: The Magical Adventures of a Single Life
Author: Kristen McGuiness
Format: Kindle
Rating: 3 stars
Read July 2014
Reviewer: Jules
Summary: Kristen McGuiness is a recovering addict who finds herself at age thirty to say phooey to fate and made a decision to find a man to be her mate by inserting herself into 51 dates in 50 days. What turns out is that every date she goes on is not just with potential marriage material; she sets dates with her mother, her father, her uncle, a spiritual advisor, even a horse. This entire plan becomes a journey of self-discovery in order to increase her perspective on life and love as a sober woman. Her con nection to men stems from her relationship to her father and his issues. Because of this, Kristen is more aware of what she is attracted to and why than some people. Now she tries to find out how to stop the cycle by improving herself and her situation while also dating men and seeing how they differ and relate to her internal struggle.
Review: Ever pick up a book and think “hmmm…” this sounds interesting? Ok. That’s a dumb question for readers. But here’s one that I found and wasn’t sure if it was the title, the cover, or the content that grabbed my attention. “Magical Adventures” and “Single Life” made me think it could relate to me and thought that perhaps it was a how-to book. The cover was cute. So I snagged it. What lay inside was an interested sort of journey for one young lady in sobriety and love with a slice of reality.
The complexity of this story is woven fairly well and I enjoyed most every moment of it. There were times I literally shook my head or groaned in disgust with her choices. But these are her choices to make and her mistakes to be made.
Admittedly, I had a difficult time getting through the book because Kristen isn’t the type of person I would associate with in real life. Her character is so shallow and pedantic that I wondered how someone like this could truly survive life on life’s terms. Maybe this is what the author was going for – a reaction like no other? I try hard not to judge others, but Kristen judges every single person she comes in contact with, but not her role in the relationship, and it made me a little bitter. Perhaps this is something I need to work on myself. Note to self.
Be warned, Kristen jumps around a lot in her text as a sort of real-time relay of her thoughts. It’s fragmented and at time difficult to follow. If you are a critical reader when it comes to formatting, you may want to pass on this book, although it’s worth a shot if you want some insight into the world of sobriety and interpersonal growth.
Title: Return To Homecoming Ranch
Author: Julia London
Format: Kindle
I received this copy from Julia London’s street team, “London’s Ladies”, via Netgalley for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Read July, 2014
Reviewer: Dottie
Summary: In the second of Julia London’s Homecoming Ranch trilogy, we return to Pine River, Colorado to get to know Libby , another of the Tyler sisters, who have recently been brought together by their father’s death. Libby, with the aid of her sisters, is trying desperately to figure out how to save their Dad’s run down ranch. While doing this, Libby is also trying to figure out how to save her own life after a humiliating breakup with Ryan, whose two children she has been raising for the past four years, and loves as though they were her own. This devotion to the children brings her nothing but trouble, and confrontation with handsome Officer Sam Winters, who is fighting his own demons. It is inevitable that an attraction is formed between these two.
Review: I’m never disappointed with Julia London’s writing, and this is no exception. She always makes me feel for the characters, whether it be positive or negative. I’ve smiled and shed a tear or two. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in this trilogy to see what happens with not only Emma, the third sister, but also with the rest of the characters from Pine River whose back stories have yet to be completed.
Title: Now I See You
Author: Nicole C Kear
Format: Kindle/Hardcover
Rating: 4 1/2 Pairs of Sunglasses
Reviewer: Jess
Summary: Nicole Kear is just nineteen years old when suddenly she is given a life-changing diagnosis–she is going blind. Rather than falling apart, she decides on a bold course of action and makes her new motto “Carpe Diem” all while keeping her impending blindness a secret from all but her closest family. Continue reading “Book Review: Now I See You by Nicole Kear”
When I saw that Ann M. Martin was going to be appearing at Book Expo America/Book Con this week the little girl in me let out a shout of excitement. When I was in elementary school these were my absolute favorite books. I read them all over and over, even when I was really just a bit to old for them. Maybe this explains my adult love for YA novels? Continue reading “Revisiting Wonderful Book Memories–The Baby-Sitters Club”
Title: Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Format: Audible/Kindle using Whispersync Voice.
Rating: 5 Kilts
Read: January 2014
Reviewer: Jess
Summary: The novel begins in 1945 shortly after the end of the war. A former field nurse, Claire Beauchamp Randall is in Scotland reconnecting with her husband, Frank. Claire and Frank are going through the normal awkwardness of becoming comfortable with each other once again when something astonishing happens. Claire is visiting one of the many ancient stone circles scattered about the countryside when suddenly she finds herself in the middle of a battlefield. In 1743.
My Review:
In which I finally meet James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser…
First a little background–I love historical fiction, especially when set in the United Kingdom and I’ve recently become interested in the Jacobite rebellions. I am not intimidated by long books or series, in fact I prefer them most of the time. I also tend to take recommendations from my friends fairly seriously. Knowing all that, I don’t really understand why it took me years to read Outlander. Plus there’s the added benefit of hotties in kilts. Historical hotties in kilts. That should have been enough to convince me. Well whatever the reason, a group of my online book friends decided to read (or re-read) Outlander for our New Year’s read. What happened was a surprise even to me.
Going into the read, I knew little about the novel except that the romantic leads are Jamie and Claire, somehow Claire travels back in time to meet Jamie in all his kilt-god glory and the story really starts from that point. From the recommendations I’d gotten I expected a well written historical romance, a solid 4 star read. What I got was an emotional roller coaster of love, angst, torture, political intrigue and action. At any point in the book you could find me cursing the book or crying over it, usually both at the same time. Definitely not a fluffy historical romance.
I originally tried to write this review as soon as I finished the book but I was in such a daze from some of the chapters near the end it took a while longer before I could be articulate in any way. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it (and become obsessed in ways I didn’t quite expect) I still don’t know if I can express how wonderful this book is. There are so many characters to fall in love with in Outlander (not just Jamie) and I think that’s why I feel so compelled to continue reading. I dare anyone to read this without crying, laughing, hurting alongside and falling in love with each and every one of them. What I can say for sure is I’m very glad I read this book and will have to thank my RKB friends for recommending it after I finish strangling them for doing it. Not only will I continue with this series, I know I will read this one again. At some point. With a bottle of scotch and a box of tissues.
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