Wednesday, July 29, 2015

What's on My Kindle? Non-Fiction


Welcome to this week's What's On My Kindle?  Where I share with you some of the things I've picked up through Amazon and have read or intend to read in the probably not too distant future.  This week, I've chosen to share with you some of the nonfiction and biographical works that I have currently on my kindle.

These, I've actually read, and recommend having tissues with some of them.  Some of them are not nice stories, but then again how many of our lives are all nice.  Anyway, without further adieu, here is the list of some of the most recently read works of non-fiction on my Kindle.

Non-Fiction/Biographical Works

1.) A Child el Confino - Eric Lamet

This book, is the true story of a young Jewish boy and his mother in Mussolini's Italy.  There are high points, low points, and ultimately points that made me cry during the course of this story.  This is by far one of my favorite time periods to read about, the stories of survivors, even the stories of those that did not survive, but have been told through those that did are some of the most heartbreaking, and yet the most inspirational.

This is the story of Eric Lamet and his mother, whose lives are forever changed at the rise of Hitler and his desire to rid the world of the Jewish population and anyone non-Aryan.  They go from living in Vienna, Italy to living further and further into the mountains to avoid the fate of so many other of Europe's Jewish population.

I highly recommend this story to continue to learn other perspectives of those who survived this nightmare. 

2.) Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account - Miklos Nyiszli

This story takes place in Auschwitz...the camp where so very, very many Jews died during the Holocaust.  This story begins in 1944 when Hitler's army invaded Hungary, and the entire Hungarian Jewish population was sent to Auschwitz.

A Jew and a doctor, Miklos Nyiszli was spared from death, in exchange for a much, much grimmer fate.  He was expected to perform "scientific experiments" on his fellow inmates under the man who ultimately became known as the "Angel of Death" - Dr. Josef Mengele.

He was Mengele's personal pathologist, and doctor to the Sonderkommando, the prisoners in charge of the creamtoriums and executed every four months.  Somehow, Nyiszli survived to give this sobering, horrific account of his time in Auschwitz.
3.) The Life and Prayers of Saint Patrick - Wyatt North

This is one of two books I have on my Kindle by Mr. North.  I actually like his writing style, and the fact that he's provided information about two of the people that are most inspirational to me: Saint Patrick and Mother Theresa.  I will not be featuring his Mother Theresa book on this list, but I do have it! 
Anyway, this particular book is part biography and part prayer book.  There are many of his own original writings, and we learn that Ireland, for Patrick was bittersweet.  Also, the original color for Saint Patrick's feast day, was blue not green.

Ireland, though a bittersweet location for Patrick, was also the home of his spiritual awakening - which is more than likely what spurred him into making the conversion of the country his mission.
I highly suggest this read, learning of the life and prayers of this Saint will definitely provide you with some inspiration. 
I do have a few others in this category, including a book about a boy with Autism who had a very big love for Snow White, 3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten-Year Romance with Snow White.  This was a wonderful read.  I also have Roasting in Hell's Kitchen Gordon Ramsay's book, as well as Mother Theresa: A Life Inspired by Wyatt North. 

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday



TOP 10 TUESDAY

Here you'll find random top 10 book related lists!!! 

Top 10 Fantasy

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone - J.K. Rowling
2. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
4. The Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum
5. Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin
6. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkein
7. The Witches of Eileanan - Kate Forsyth
8. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
9. Wicked - Gregory Maguire
10. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan

Do you realize just how insanely HARD that list was to compile?  I figure this will be my challenging post every week! 

Monday, July 27, 2015

Monday Article Menu


Not only do I read books, subscribe to several book blogs, booklrs, email book subscription services for ebooks, and a variety of other things...but I also read articles about books and cultural significance of some books.  So on Mondays, I am thinking of sharing some of my favorite articles, or those that have impacted me the most over the weekend and the previous week.

This article/book list was found via BookRiot, and this is by far one of my favorite go-tos for book recommendations and articles that tend to make you think.  This particular list deals with a media hot topic as of late, 'rape culture' and not many know what it is, what it is about, and why it is important that we begin changing it.  Yes, there are books that can help you better understand rape culture, and why it is something that needs to change.


Okay, I'm not getting into the debate over e-books versus physical books, but I did find this particular article published on .Mic actually quite informative.  For those that know me, you know that I read both formats religiously.  I've got nerve damage and often that makes holding a physical book (no matter the size) difficult, thus I turn to my Kindle.  I also, used to spend upwards of 6 hours on public transportation and carrying around enough physical books to pass that time was pretty much impossible (or rather very heavy).  This particular article shows some of the benefits of reading physical books over e-books. 


I absolutely love reading books with a fantastic female lead, and this list, which happens to be included in another BookRiot posting is pretty good. I've read 1 book on this list and I am definitely going to add the others to my ever growing TBR pile! This list is a set of fantastic feminist books for young adults, and I absolutely love the writer of this particular article, I highly recommend you check it out! 


Those are just a few of the articles that I'd read this past week that are book related and I thought I'd share with you,  Do you have any articles to share?  Send them my way and I will feature them next Monday! 

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Book of the Week: July 26-Aug 1 - Wicked


Welcome to this week's Book of the Week!  This week I am choosing one that is by far one of my favorite re-tellings of one of my favorite fairy tales...

WICKED
Gregory Maguire

 


This book...just *sigh* I now, thanks to a good friend of mine own two copies, both of them paperback.  I'm sharing both covers because I absolutely LOVE both covers.  If I ever have the money and the chance, I WILL see this musical.  This book, this series in general is absolutely by far one of my favorite re-tellings of The Wizard of Oz stories, and it's absolutely wonderful.  

We know all about Dorothy and her triumph over the Wicked Witch of the West...however, what is the Witch's back story?  Where did she come from? Who is she really?  These are questions that are answered in Gregory Maguire's books.  Maguire creates a view of Oz that makes us never look at it the same way again.  From the Animals who want to be recognized as first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders wanting middle-class stability, the Tin Man a victim of domestic violence, and so much more.  

We follow Elphaba, a little green-skinned Munchkinlander, who will ultimately grow up to be that infamous Witch who dies at the hands of Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man and a well placed bucket of water.  

I highly recommend you give this book a try, especially if you love The Wizard of Oz, it will definitely be one of those books you keep coming back to! 

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Apologies for the quiet week


That gif right there pretty much sums up the last week.  My patience has been thin, despite the fact that I had a FANTASTIC get away with my best friend to St. Augustine for three whole days.  I took TONS of pictures and I might share a few with you later in this blog.  So, that is one of the reasons that there has been absolutely nothing for the last week and change.  It also doesn't help that I work a horrible job, that I am really, really trying to get out of/make the best of while I'm there...and coupled with the hideous, face melting Florida heat I've had the productivity of a snail.  About the only thing I've had the energy to do (up until today) is be horribly lazy, nap, and read with my roommate's daughter.

I do have this month's review coming up for next week, yes, I already have that started.  I'm also working on figuring out this week's book of the month as well as next week's book of the week! I've got a couple other good things in the works and unfortunately it doesn't look like I will be finishing July's Book Photo challenge, but perhaps I will pick one up next month we will see what happens! Either way...I've a few reviews that I'm working on as well as a couple other things as well as those wonderful blog posts you look forward to each week!

Apparently my friends have realized that when they are going through their personal libraries and are considering getting rid of books...I am apparently the best place to relocate those books (now if someone would donate a bookshelf or three....that would be kind a helpful too).  I got a box of books from one of my friends yesterday, and today I'd spent the day being productive.  I cleaned off some modular shelving that another friend of mine had given me, and I've since turned it into a bookcase. I've effectively shelved all of the books my friend gave me yesterday, and some I already owned, as well as reorganized the shelf that is on my desk that is no longer stacked in triplicate.

I only wish that the space between the shelves was about another inch and a half to two inches wider so that I could stand books upright, but either way, it still looks pretty and it fits perfectly where I wanted it.  I have a box of DVDs from the same friend who gave me the box of books resting on the floor between the shelves and my desk.  I also cleaned my desk off, and made my space a bit more calm and relaxed and organized. There are still a few more things I want to do for my desk/organization but that requires a bit of money and right now I am sadly broke.

I think that's about all I have to say for now and I hope that you'll all forgive me for my radio silence last week at least here.  I know I had a bunch of stuff in my tumblr queue and that showed up on the facebook page, so I wasn't entirely silent.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

#TBT: Touch of Disney


This week's #TBT is a touch of Disney.  I moved to Florida when I was five, and have lived here since - going on thirty years I have been in Florida and I've fallen in love with Disney and yes (Disney addicts please put your pitch forks down...) there are times when it does annoy the crap out of me.  However, I will forever love going to the parks and spending all day there just wandering, snapping pictures, meeting characters, and riding the rides.

There are also books that have been adapted by Disney, some of these are my favorite renditions of the stories, and others...well, not so much.  However, there has been a few characters that have always been among my favorites, and their books among my favorite childhood memories and comfort reads.  Here are a few of them.


Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Tigger, Kanga, Roo...Christopher Robin..all of them are childhood favorites.  However, it was Winnie-the-Pooh, that rolly, polly, stuffed with fluff teddy bear that had my heart from the beginning.  I have several Pooh bear items - key chains, beanie babies, pillows, and I think at one point I had a complete bed sheet set.  Yup, I was addicted.


I have -always- been a fan of Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, etc.  The world created by Lewis Caroll has always fascinated me.  The stories that were spun about Wonderland and the people that inhabit it have always been ones that fascinate me.  Cheshire I think is one of my all time favorites from this series - though I have been known to be as spastic as the White Rabbit and as annoyed as the Queen of Hearts.  Some of my favorite scenes are the tea party, the conversations with Caterpillar, and falling through the rabbit hole.  I think I actually had this particular version of Alice in Wonderland when I was a kid. Though, I could be wrong.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Book of the Week: July 11 - 19: Shatter Me



Welcome to this week's book of the week!  This post almost didn't make it until some time tomorrow because I simply could NOT decide on a book to pick for this week's book of the week.  So, with out further adieu...

Shatter Me

Tahareh Mafi 


Seriously, look at this cover.  I've looked at all the covers on goodreads and this is by far one of my favorites.  However, I like some of the covers of the foreign language prints A LOT as well.  Anyway, this book...this book about killed me.  Seriously, all the damn feels.  All the things. 

At the beginning of the story we meet Juliette, who has not touched anyone, not been touched in 264 days.  Simply because, the last time she touched someone even as an accident...she was locked up by The Reestablishment for murder.  Murder.  

However, in the 264 days Juliette has been locked away, the world is crumbling.  Diseases are killing the population.  Food is scarce.  Birds do not fly anymore.  Even the clouds are the wrong color.  

The Reestablishment claims that their way is the only way to bring things back into something akin to normalcy.  However, Juliette has a choice...she can either be used as a weapon or she can be a warrior.

Go.  Read.  This.  Book.  You'll be glad you did! 

BPC: PoV

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 12: PoV

Point of View...PoV...seriously this is a wonderful point of view for me.  I was feeling lazy, set my kindle up on the small table by the couch and monster just happened to be chillin' right next to where I set my kindle.  It was a perfect point of view for me yesterday :D 

Saturday, July 11, 2015

BPC: Plain

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 11: Plain


Plain books.  Without the pretty book covers.  One of my favorite bookmarks, and my newest shot glass from Cozumel, Mexico. 

BPC: Terrible

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 10th: Terrible


Okay, not posting this to start a debate on the Twilight series.  I, personally, thought the books were craptastic.  There were so many better characters in the series than Edward, Bella, Jacob...that could have been focused on.  Also, please do not get me started on the movies, or anything else Twilight. 

BPC: Feels

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 9th: Feels


John Green inspires all the feels.  Even Sophie agrees. TFiOS is one of my favorite John Green books, and one of the few that I cannot read without tissues handy! 

BPC: Imagination

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 8th: Imagination


Okay, seriously...who doesn't have to reign in their imagination when it comes to Stephen King's books? Really? If you don't there is seriously something wrong with you! 

Books featured: 
Misery
Just After Sunset
Nightmares & Dreamscapes

Friday, July 10, 2015

Bibliophile's Wish List: Hardcover Beauties


This week's bibliophile's wish list is focusing on upcoming hardback books that will be published within the next one to four months. These are books that I've been desperately wanting, and will ultimately make their way onto my bookshelves...even if I have to put off eating for a couple of days to save up for them.  Seriously. 

1.) Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

This book, I have always loved To Kill a
 Mockingbird and to find out that Harper Lee was going to have another book coming out after that epic classic.  I seriously squeed like a good little fangirl.  

I'd lost my copy of To Kill A Mockingbird so I am seriously in the market to replace it as soon as I can.  However, this precious little beauty right here, will ultimately either in hardback (I really hope) or paperback (I'll settle for this one too) will grace my shelves along with her first novel. 


Publish date: July 14, 2015




2.) The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

Okay, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward, and am officially caught up on that series...aside from I think one book.

This, however is a new series.  I've got almost all of the BDB on my Kindle.  This series, with that awesome cover...I want on my shelves. Seriously.  I know for a fact that this book will be filled with sexy men and deliciousness! I mean, what else is J.R. Ward known for? 



Publish Date: July 28, 2015




3.) The Drafter by Kim Harrison

I have been a fan of Kim Harrison's for ages.  I've read most of the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series, and absolutely fell in love with it.  That particular series ran the gamut of emotions and many of them made me quite sad, and quite happy all at the same time.

This, however, is a whole new series.  Ultimately, I will be getting some delicious swag from Kim Harrison from this book - a mock up of Peri's phone, which of course will be it's own blog post! I am looking forward to reading and falling in love with Peri's story.

Publish date: September 1, 2015



4.) The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King

OMG! OMG! OMG! Okay, those that know me, know that I love a story that will scare the absolute crap out of me! Stephen King is literally the top of my list of authors that I do not read after dark/before bed...and he's got a new anthology coming out?

Seriously! Gimme! Like now! I want this book like yesterday.  If I can get it in hardback, that would be deliciously wonderful! I want all of this, and I'm looking forwards to the spine-tingling terrors that fill it!

Publish Date: November 3, 2015

Thursday, July 9, 2015

#TBT: High School Reading List


I think I might have been the only one that was absolutely thrilled and  excited to get the reading list every year for my English classes.  Why? Because it meant a trip to the bookstore to buy my favorite thing on the planet, MORE BOOKS!  Because I needed them, wanted them, and would own a copy of all the books I wanted to read on that list. 

I know it usually said we only had to read one or two books to fill the requirement, but I usually picked about 3-4 books and read all of them throughout the summer.  I absolutely loved all of them.  Here are some of the ones that I read throughout my summer breaks in high school. 


These were just a few of the ones I've had to read.  However, looking at my old high school's current summer reading lists....damn I wish I was in HS now! I know exactly which ones I'd read! 

Here are the reading lists for my current high school for the 2015-2016 school year, where the projects are due the 1st day of school: 

9th Grade:

  • Unwind by Neal Shusterman 
  • Gone by Michael Grant
  • We Beat the Street by The Three Doctors
  • An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
  • The Future of Us by Jay Asher
10th Grade:
  • You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle
  • Noggin by John Corey Whaley
  • The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
  • Foul Trouble by John Feinstein
  • NIL by Lynne Matson
11th Grade: 
  • Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
  • Fake ID by Lamar Giles
  • To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
  • Avalon by Mindee Arnett
  • You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle
12th Grade: 
  • The Impossible Knife by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Caged Warrior by Alan Sitomer
  • The Program by Suzanne Young
  • The Winner's Curse by Jennifer Smith
  • Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
The projects are awesome too...ranging from create a movie poster, a book jacket, a book journal, for the regular English class to create a book talk, a soundtrack, and other awesome projects for the Honors English.  Seriously, what the hell...can I please be back in HS nao! Though to be honest, some of these are already on my TBR list...and my wish list over at bookdepository :D












Tuesday, July 7, 2015

BPC: Library

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 7th: Library


Library haul for the beginning of July.  Looking forward to reading all of these books, only one of these is a re-read and that's Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

Pictured (top to bottom): The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht, Landline by Rainbow Rowell, White Oleander by Janet Fitch, A Million Suns by Beth Revis, Across the Universe by Beth Revis.  <3

Monday, July 6, 2015

Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes



Title: The Moon Dwellers
Author: David Estes
Format: Audio
Publisher: Podiium Publishing

Narrator(s): Julia Whelan, William Damron

Overall: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Story: 5/5

Review:

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I have fallen in love with this book by David Estes, and to be able to get a chance to hear one of my favorite books performed I jumped at the chance and was honored to be one of the ones selected for a free copy of this book.  Adele and Tristan are two of my favorite characters.

Listening to Julia Whelan voice Adele, I feel she is absolutely the perfect fit for this spirited young woman.  The life she brings to Adele, from the very beginning of her story, to the fight and her interactions with her two friends Tawni and Cole has me riveted.  It only further cements that Adele is by far one of my favorite female leads.

Listening to William Damron as the voice of Tristan, my heart beats a bit faster.  He is very, very close to the voice I imagine Tristan having (I've read the book on Kindle as well) and fall in love with him all the more.  Strong, dedicated, and at the complete opposite social spectrum from Adele, yet he fights in the war between the tri-realms just as Adele does.

Tristian and Adele are tied together from the very beginning and their backgrounds are different, their stories unique.  One fights to get out of the Pen and ultimately learn the truth about her parents past...the other seeks to make something good out of his troubled life, leaving the lavish lifestyle of a sun dweller and the President's son.

I highly recommend reading this book in audio, together Julia Whelan and William Damron bring a new dimension of life into this post-apocalyptic dystopian tale spun by David Estes.  Decidedly a five star read.

BPC: Dystopian

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 6th: Dystopian


Absolutely love these books.  I've read the first, and will be re-reading it this month, and reading the second book in the series.  These covers though! Seriously, aren't they just so freaking pretty?! 

Sunday, July 5, 2015

BotW: July 5-11: Anna and the French Kiss


We all know that I love to read.  Nothing new there.  There had been several books that I'd been recommended through friends, posts on tumblr, and even through goodreads.  Ultimately, I chose this week to make one of those recommendations, and one of my reads from last month, this week's book of the week. 

Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins


For one, just look at that cover! I mean really? It is so pretty! So simple! I absolutely adore it.  The story is absolutely delightful as well, and ultimately I want to get my hands on the other two books in this series, and continue the story that was presented in this delightful book.  I literally read this book in 24 hrs, it was that good and kept me hooked. 

The rest of the books:
Lola and the Boy Next Door
Isla and the Happily Ever After

Now, here are some of my favorite quotes from this week's book of the week! 

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.”
“I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”  

BPC: Signed

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 5th: Signed





These two books are two of my favorite in my library and that's why they were featured as two of the five or six signed books that I currently own. One scares the ever living crap out of me and the other one breaks my heart on a regular basis! 

Goodread links below:

Saturday, July 4, 2015

BPC: Shelfie

Book Photo Challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge

July 4th: Shelfie


Don't judge the messiness of the shelf! I am currently working on getting it organized just as I want it....currently it is stacked in triplicate with a couple of books on top.  I've got so many books to go through and this is literally the ONLY shelf space I have at the moment.  Though I do have a couple of ideas for shelves...*ponders*

Friday, July 3, 2015

Review: The Wizard of Time



Title: The Wizard of Time
Author: G.L. Breedon
Dates Read: June 3-5, 2015
Format: Ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 296
Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: Gabriel Salvador is thirteen, and he has been having dreams about the future.  Gabriel's dreams always come true.  Especially the dream he had where he will drown, it is only a matter of time before that dream becomes reality.  At the moment of his death, he is plucked from his timeline and becomes an apprentice time mage and part of an elite team of mages who are fighting the War of Time and Magic, and travel through history to do so. Throughout the story Gabriel goes to Victorian London, Aztec temples, Samos, Scotland, and battlefields of Alexander the Great, among other places as Gabriel learns about his abilities as a time mage, and joins the battle to protect the timeline. 

Review: 

I originally picked this up as as freebie on Amazon, and like most of the books on my TBR pile it took a bit for me to finally get to it. However, I was surprisingly pleased with what I'd found in just under 300 pages.  I have always enjoyed reading fantasy/sci-fi/etc simply for the escapism that is provided by the stories spun by talented writers.  I read to indulge my imagination and escape my own reality. 

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I started this story, would I find the amount of realism that is required in fantasy stories?  Could I picture myself in Gabriel's world, experiencing what Gabriel is experiencing?  Can I relate to this story? Ultimately the tale that was spun was one of pure brilliance.  

I easily fell in love with the characters.  The fact that Breeden crossed genres only made this tale all the more interesting.  The story is intelligently written and this is shown in the seamless way that his story crosses genres and age groups.  I was not expecting the captivating, adventurous, vibrant, unpredictable and emotive tale that I was presented when I continued to delve into this story.  The historical backdrop, the scientific explanations - everything was plausible, believable and in truth one of the best fantasies I've read in a while.  

It's stories like this that once again remind me why I read young adult stories.  However, even if you do not enjoy reading young adult, but still enjoy a good fantasy story then I would gladly recommend this story to you.  You will definitely enjoy the trip you take with Gabriel and the other mages.

Bibliophile's Wish List: Physical Books




Yes, I love digital books.  However, I also have a deep love for physical books.  This week's wishlist features some of the books that are on my wishlist at bookdepository, which you can find by by clicking here.

Paperback or hardback, I care not.  I just love pretty covers and while I can still see some cover art on my Kindle...I very much like the pretty, pretty covers of physical books too!  Here are some of the ones that are the highest up on my wishlist, and remember, I do so very much love gifts :D 

1.) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I have heard such wonderful things about this book, and the series and seen it reblogged on tumblr more times than I can count.  I am desperate to read this book and the others in the series.  However, I've not been able to find them at my local library either in physical form or digital which makes me a sadpanda. 

Bookdepository: Throne of Glass
Goodreads: Throne of Glass







2.) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Again, another book that I've been dying to read.  I've heard so very, very many good things about Sarah J. Maas and that this book is absolutely addictive.  #acotar is a tag that I have been following on tumblr and I have been reading reviews and responses from other bloggers.  That and the cover is absolutely beautiful....I mean LOOK at it! 

Bookdepository: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Goodreads: A Court of Thorns and Roses






3.) Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

I absolutely fell in love with the Study series that she'd written, and I've read every book in that.  I'm looking forward to ultimately reading this series which is set in the same world as the Study series..which is by far one of my favorite worlds!  That and this color is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Seriously! 

Bookdepository: Storm Glass
Goodreads: Storm Glass






What are some of the things on your wish list? 

BPC: Heartbreaking

Book photo challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page: Book Photo Challenge

July 3rd: Heartbreaking


This stack of books holds a special place in my heart, simply because it is a stack of books that constantly breaks my heart.  I love each and every book on this list, and re-read them constantly. 

Goodread links follow:

Thursday, July 2, 2015

#TBT: The Ultimate Survivors


This week's #TBT is one that is near and dear to my heart.  One of my favorite periods in history to study is the Holocaust during World War II.  People have called me morbid because of it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a truly fascinating time period to study.  It shocks and saddens me that so many people, so many nations turned blind eyes to what was really happening in Germany and the surrounding countries. 

The stories written by survivors, the tales of the nightmares that they have endured, and will continue to endure until their last breath takes them to a place of no suffering are the ones that tend to stick with me, more than any fantasy story written. 

These are some of the books that have impacted me the most, and further encouraged me to read the stories of survivors, visit the memorials, the museums that are set up to remember, remind and honor those who were among the millions that lost their lives in the face of hatred. 

I read this in high school. I own a copy, I will always own a copy of this book.  This book more often than not brings me to tears every time that I read it.  I do not blame him his hatred for God as he comes face to face with evil at its most vile, and his reminder that this horror should never be forgotten and never be allowed to repeat. 

Who has not read this tale?  If her story does not bring you to tears, then there is something seriously wrong with you.  A young girl, one of many, who were forcefully separated from her family after they managed to hide for so long.  Eventually, I want to go to the house where she was hidden, walk the paths that she took within that house and see how she lived, fearing that the next moment could be her last moment of freedom.  

When I was attending Flagler College, I had the honor and the privilege of meeting a Holocaust survivor.  There is not a lot of his lecture that stayed with me, however the fact that he survived.  He survived that horror is enough for me to know that the man I met was meant to survive that atrocity and share his story with the world.  I wish I could even recall his name, it saddens me that I cannot even do that.  

BPC: Child

Book photo challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page: Book Photo Challenge


July 2nd: Child


Because my roommate has a 12 year old daughter, I am once again revisiting quite a few books that have been a part of my childhood as well as discovering a few books that are new for her generation. These are some educational books from Scholastic on a variety of topics like Egypt, Benjamin Franklin, Mount Everest, and so much more.  Too Many Bunnies by Matt Novak is an adorable little story that any child would love! 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Review: Eighth Grade Bites



Title: Eighth Grade Bites
Author: Heather Brewer
Format: Paperback
Date Read: June 3, 2016
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yup!

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod has to keep his vampire urges under control while dealing with the pressures of middle school, and he hates junior high. His mother was human, his father a vampire. Vlad has no idea what his powers are, however he has to struggle daily with blood cravings and enlarged fangs. A substitute teacher makes him think his cover might soon be blown, however Vlad has bigger problems – he's being hunted by a vampire killer.

Review:

Checked this book out on a whim from the local library. Quite glad I did. I will eventually be getting to the rest of the books in this series. However, let's focus on this one, Vlad's introduction into the world.

Being thirteen is hard enough, let alone being a thirteen-year-old boy. Compound the usual pressures of being a teenager with the fact that you are a vampire. While normal teenage boys are dealing with hormonal ridden urges, Vlad is trying to manage his blood cravings and the fact that his fangs keep getting bigger. Seriously, as if puberty wasn't bad enough!

Along with puberty comes the nightmare that is middle school. Middle school isn't easy on anyone. Eighth grade is by far one of the most difficult, simply because it is your last year there before you ultimately have to enter the even bigger nightmare that is high school. Vladimir is by far one of my favorite characters, and he is quite different than any other vampire I've read about before. I love that this story was free of excessive moodiness and angstiness, and it made Vlad and the story a bit more relate-able. Relate-able in the sense that I've been a thirteen year old and have suffered the hell that is eighth grade.

This is a good beginning to a series, and there is so much room for growth and I ultimately look forward to reading more of this series soon.


I apologize if this review seems rambling and repetitive, it's been a while and I'm still getting my feet back under me when it comes to my reviews.   

What's On My Kindle? Dickens. Charles Dickens.


This week's What's On My Kindle? features books by one of my favorite classical authors, Charles Dickens.  (insert collective groan here).

No, seriously.  Dickens has always been one of my favorites, and I know most of his books are exceptionally long, and excessive on the description, however when he was writing and you were paid by the word...you wrote as much as you possibly could right?

I've several Dickens titles on my Kindle, all of which are free thanks to services like Project Gutenburg.  However, the ones I'm featuring are by far my all time favorite Dickens novels.

1.) Oliver Twist

Who didn't fall in love with Oliver?  Want to see him ultimately find a family?  Who didn't secretly like the Artful Dodger?

This book inspires all sorts of feelings, and ultimately has been labeled a "national institution" by George Orwell,   It is a morality lesson, a social protest, and a detective story all rolled into one package and has turned into several, successful movie ventures.  Most of which are musicals, featuring one of my favorite songs :)





2.) Great Expectations

This is most likely one of Dickens' best novels.  Orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the work of the forge, however he dreams of being a gentleman.  One day, he finds himself in possession of 'great expectations.'

This story includes such magnificent characters aside from dear orphaned Pip.  There is Magwitch - a fearsome convict.  Estella - haughty beauty.  A jilted bride - Miss Havisham, who is greatly embittered.

This is a tale of crime, guilt, revenge and reward.  Does it have a happy ending?

This is also another one of Dickens' stories that has made it onto the silver screen multiple times. 


What is your favorite Dickens' novel?