Review: Jay's Journal - Anonymous (Edited by Dr. Beatrice Sparks)

Genre: YA Literature
Pages: 229
ISBN: 9781442419933
Format: Paperback
Published: August 2010
Read: September 2012
Rating: 2/5 Stars

I feel kinda felt guilty giving this book such a low rating because of the situation but then I got over it because I will blame it on the editor, Dr. Beatrice Sparks. I guess I had high hopes for her since she edited Go Ask Alice, which was in fact good read considering....

the book is in the 70's so I really could relate and he was Mormon in which again I could not relate. BUT I did feel like I understood the pressures of society and family and so on. I did enjoy the fact that we was in part a genius and that gave me comfort because geniuses and artist totally see the world in a different way and it gave a little insight to that. It also says "stay away from drugs"! I really can't say much on the book except that I think it would have been better if the edits were left out and if I could read the real book and see the handwriting to give it more of a homely and personal feel.

Review: Blue Nude - Elizabeth Rosner

Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781439173084
Published: September 2010
Pages: 200
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Read: September 2012

I really could not get into this book. I felt like I was reading the same pages over and over again except now and then something good would happen and I would get all excited and then I would turn the page and it was the beginning again. Maybe my pages were stuck together?

It is a very poetic story, in which I like on occasion, but this just dragged. Every page was about painting and drawing and about her body and how she (Merav) was a model and why and blah and blah. I liked the "historical" parts but then it faded and we were back to art. Maybe others would like this book but as for me....not so much!

Review: A Reliable Wife - Robert Goolrick

Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781565129771
Published: January 2010
Pages: 290
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Format: Trade Paperback
Read: September 2012

A "Tale of Love and Madness" is a pretty good summary. I also enjoyed the quote from the  book "A story of despair". I really don't know what I expected when I thought about reading it but when I started to I was taken aback. I really wasn't expecting such a tale. It is a sad story with no real happy ending. I did enjoy it, however, I kinda wish that it had more UMPH! It jumped a lot and moved so fast that I felt like it was a short story rather than a 290 page one.

It is a poetic story mainly focusing around 2 people with another 2 mixed in. Truit, sometimes, Ralph, who was a wealthy sad man who had a hell of a past and just wanted comfort in just a cold, dreary town. Catherine, who too, had a crazy life who was super intelligent and just wanted to help people and be loved. Antonio, or Tony, the"son" of Truit who really just had a effed up childhood and really what just messed up. And Mrs. Larsen who was the housemaid, so to speak, who just did everything and seemed to be spoken about in every chapter.

These were the characters but there is more to it then just that but it pretty much sums it up. There is a story behind them and it all comes together but I would rather you read it to understand and you can read it because it is such a fast read.

Review: Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) - Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 947
ISBN: 0440215625
Series: Outlander #2
Read: August 2012
Published: December 1993

At first this book was a little confusing because it started from the "present" (1968). I didn't quite understand where it was going. I thought that the story was ruined that way, until I finished it of course and I began to understand. It took me some time to read this only because it was summer and there are many things to do and sadly reading was not one of them. I always tried to put it first but then I had a family.

Anyways, there are so many people in this book that I forgot who was who. I even read the books back to back but it seems that the ones who I thought were not so important in the first book became important in the next.

Oh, Jamie! How does one not love him? The whole Jack Randall thing is just...crazy great. I hate his character but I love his character. It makes sense. Believe me. I just love the way Jamie thinks and I always say that men are not like him but then again it is way before there time.

This series is just wonderful and it's hard to find great books that mix up all the wonderful things that I like into one beautiful and suspenseful tale(s). What made this one so great was how well Gabaldon fused the past and present into one ball and made sense. Both came together wonderfully and just made beautiful sense. It is just hard to explain all the things that make this series great I am just hoping that it can stay great. I have only read the first 2 and I believe that there are 8 thus far...I hope Gabaldon can continue her great masterpiece.

Review: The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach

Genre: Fiction
Format: Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780316126670
Pages: 512
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Read: July 2012
Recommended by: Work Book Club

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. Of course like everyone else, I thought that I would have no interest because it was about Baseball and it was not really about it per say. Of course there was a lot of talk about the baseball team and yadda yadda but the characters were all so great! Each had a strange personality. Like us humans we all have something that is wrong with us one way or the other. Every character in the book has something that matter.

There is so much I want to say about this book but am finding it hard for words probably because they are all so jumbled. There was a lot going on. The ending kinda was a eh but many books have to end and I feel that it is always hard to put an ending to something. It was a decent ending but left me with no real emotion but the rest of the book was great! Don't let the title fool you. It truly is a great book. AND don't let the largeness fool you either. It flows so well and it is a quick and easy read.

Review: Time and Again - Jack Finney

Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 399
ISBN: 9780671242954
Format: Large Paperback
Read: June 2012
Recommended by: Jean (co-worker)
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

I did enjoy this book but it moved rather quickly and then stopped and kinda dragged. The beginning happened so fast that I didn't even realize that he went back in time. I wish that part was more clear of how they did it. They just did!

I like the idea that they could go back in time and witness the past. I also loved that it was set in NYC because that is where I work and live so I knew of most of the places he spoke about. I also loved that it was illustrated letting the reader really picture what he "saw".

The book was simply OK. Many people loved it and maybe I just didn't get it but I didn't feel that it was all that great. It was definitely interesting but that is all. The characters had no real depth. I do, however, recommend this book to those who like to read about NYC history and time travel.

Outlander #1 - Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 1991
Series: Outlander #1
Pages: 850
Rating: 5/5 Stars
ISBN: 0440212561
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Read: May/June 2012

I loved this book from start to finish. Of course there are many MANY coincidental things but I really don't care. I was so intrigued by the story that I couldn't really rely on that issue. Not even half way through the book I went out and brought the remaining books within the series (well, whatever was in paperback anyways).

This book brings in everything I love about reading: History, time travel, mystery, romance, murder and all else you can imagine. Sorry there are no faeries nor are there any vampires but that's what makes it so wonderful. It's so real and yet it's not. The characters were superb and how Diana Gabaldon came up with these wonderful characters is beyond me. I am super curious as to see how the story goes especially since there are 13 books (and counting) within the Outlander series and all of them are well over 800 pages!

Now back to my beloved characters....

I loved Jamie from the start. I loved his ruthfulness. His courage. His immortality. His Innocence! He was my hero from the start. Don't get me wrong I loved Frank when I first heard him speak but many pages later, after I got over his mourning and sorrow, I kinda grew apart from him. I love how both of these men love Claire. They both adore her. I believe their love and it didn't bother me that Jamie always showed up. It is crazy all the horrific and strange things that had happened to him and I am sure will continue on. I believe that Jamie (whether he likes it or not) is fairly immortal! God what he went through but I love his willingness and determination. He may have given in at some point but having a great woman behind you always works magic!


This is the best depiction of Jamie yet. YUM!

http://youtu.be/F_dVolYyDRo

Review: Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James

Genre: Romantic Fiction (?)
Pages: 394
Format: eBook (nook)
Published: September 2011
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Read: April 2012
Series: Fifty Shades #2

I wrote a review way back when I finished it and then some freaky reason it was erased and I just haven't mustered up the stamina to write another one but I just can't sit on it forever so here goes....

I can't say I am a fan. I read the second in the series simply because I was hoping that I would not be lost in the sea of the fan fictioners. I thought that maybe, just maybe, that it was only the first that was terrible but then I realized that I wasted time in my life that I am never getting back. I mean, it was  "terrible, horrible" but it wasn't "Holy Hell" either. I read it right? so that's gotta stand for something. I can tell you that I will not read the third unless it is free and I have nothing else to read but given that I have a nook and over 600 books in my apartment I can't really see that happening.

I disliked it for the same reasons why I dislike Twilight I just couldn't stand the winy-ness but at least there was sex whereas is the latter......

Something good did come from this, it broadened my mind to what is out there and also that sex is sex is sex and should be embraced and not wasted on BS or not even being used. I also found out what BenWa balls where but those are my positives.

I can see however why many women like it because it's soft pron like Skinemax. I get it. I do but I am not joining in on the fun. I simply can't but I am giving a thumbs up to those who do like it. I am not judging you, just the book.

Review: Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James

Genre: Erotic Fiction

Format: eBook

Pages: 391

Published: May 2011

Series: Fifty Shades #1

Rating ?

It is truly hard to rate this book. I am not sure how I feel. It really angered me at points and yet I still continued on. I see now why women love this book: 1) it has many dirty scenes 2) a good looking young rich male will buy and do anything for "you" and lastly, 3) it's full of shit. People eat it up because it's not real nor will it ever be. OK maybe some of it I can believe and maybe that is why I continued on but seriously? that stalking crap is out. I don't care about all the money in the world I need my damned space! And I am more of a dom than a sub. Someone gives me crap...uh uh..no way.

Maybe some people like that, me not so much. It reminded me of a more dirty version (and less paranormal) than Twilight and I had this thought in my head the whole time reading before I read the reviews and it felt good to know that I was not alone. The writing is horrible but that also made it easy to read. Maybe that should be on my list?

Going back to my list, #2 is what I really think people gall over. He's handsome, rich, and wants to buy "you" everything and anything but "you/her" complaints (hmmm, Bella?). Most women would sign that stupid thing in mere seconds to have what she had (again me, not so much) call me old fashioned and sure I am a women I can handle some smut now and then but this was just ridiculous and just didn't sit right. The sex scenes were bearable but I just hated his domineering attitude and those damned "contracts" and not to mention his stalker behavior. I guess that's what turned me off and away (and of course the crap writing). Oh well, I guess I will continue on with the series simply because he doesn't love a good crime scene? You just can't look away and plus, I like to be in the know!

**UPDATED** I hate the damn Italics and I hate "Inner Goddess" I can totally do with out those (and probably "my sex")

Review: Edith - M.B. Forester-Smythe

Genre: Girly Fiction

Format: e-Book

Pages: 82

Read in: March 2012

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Another book that I just downloaded for free off of my Nook and I liked this one a lot better than my first. It was a quick happy cutesy read. I liked how things moved quickly and got to the point but yet still have feeling and meaning. Many of these free e-books are not so great but I did like this.

I didn't like that she was 10 years younger than her new beau but that may just be my own insecurities. Edith just seemed older. Maybe had one of those "old souls". I really enjoyed Jake and men like him do exsist and I believe quick loves do exsist too and it was nice to read a book that felt real. That always makes for a great writer. Someone who can put feelings into such a quick read. I recommed it for one of those girly quick reads that make you smile.

Review: The Value of Life - Andy Crowson

Format: e-Book

Genre: Fiction

Published: January 2011

Pages: 413

Read in March 2012

Rating: 3/5 Stars

I read this because I just got the nook and it was a free book. It had potential but there were things that were said too quickly and I missed it. It just jumped a lot and I had to go back a few times to things that I missed. But it was still an OK read. A man goes and kidnaps kids for ransom and never really hurts the kids. You have feelings for the kidnapper and you are not really sure why. He is no real monster but kidnapping is still bad. I think that there was a great story line but was written too quickly and I think it needed more passion it in.

Review: Fade - Lisa McMann

Genre: YA Fiction

Format: Trade Paperback

ISBN: 9781416974482

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Published: 2009

Read: February 2012

Series: Dream Catchers #2

This is such a quirky fun story. I gave the same rating to the first book Wake. I really enjoyed it. I like the dream sequences and I like how she is learning to use her "powers". The whole TiVo thing is pretty neat too. The things that really scared me in this book are the relationships with the teachers. I mean when I was younger we kinda hung out with some of the teachers but never was it uncomfortable or in a closed space. We would all hang out openly in a restaurant or what-have-you. It just scares me that I have 2 girls who may have to endure such thing when they get older.

Anyways, it is a good series and I am just hoping that I will like the last one, Gone, is just as good as the first to. I highly recommend for a light and interesting read.

Review: Maybe This Time - Jennifer Crusie

Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Format: Trade paperback

ISBN: 9780312584160

Pages 342

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Read: February 2012

Why: Every one's Choice Feb. book club read

I really enjoyed this book and for unknown reasons. I thought it was cute and quirky and even if ghosts were involved I still felt like there was some realism in it, especially in the way everyone talked. This book is about an old house that was haunted and the ghosts wouldn't let the 2 young children leave so their legal guardian sent his ex-wife to go and try to sort things out and just to find out that ghosts really did exist and that the divorce was a mistake even if it were 10 years! That part I kind of found a little disbelieving (the ghosts?). After 10 years??? It was just hard to fathom.

Well, I really did enjoy this book and there is not much else to say about it. It is a very quick read and highly enjoyable.

Review: Stella - Mirriam Smyth (eBook)

Genre: Fiction

Format: Electronic Book

Read: February 2012

Why I read it: Got a Nook Tablet (it was free)

Rating: 1/5 Stars

Published: April 2011

This is one of those judge-a-book-by-its-cover kinda thing. I just got a Nook Tablet and I wanted to try it out, so I got some free books and this one sounded OK and it was short so it made sense at the time. First, let me start with the Nook. I gotta say I am not a fan of reading electronically. I like my physical book but that's a little off. Second, about the book: well, it was just boring and fast and straightforward. These can be good qualities sometimes but in this case it really didn't work. It was so just kinda flat and boring. I am not a writer and I think this would have come from my own hands, which isn't saying much about my writing abilities but like I said I am not a writer and I am actually pretty bad at it but now I know I am not alone.

Review: Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok

Genre: Fiction

ISBN: 9781611291742

Pages: 290

Read: February 2012

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Format: Trade Paperback

Published: May 2011

It was one of those books that I had for a while and kinda stare at you and yell "Read "e Already!" so I did and I very much enjoyed it. There were parts at the end that I wish didn't happen but it did and so I had to deal with it but other than that it was good. It is about Chinese immigrants who migrated to New York and of how they lived and continue to move in the way of the "American Dream". It really just revolves around the Mother and Daughter. Of course there are other characters but it really focuses on them, especially the daughter, Kimberly.

The good thing was that I could totally visualized all the places since I live near Chinatown and kinda get a realistic view of the story. The bad thing is how horrible they lived and the things they had to endure. It was pretty sad and you just wished you could have reached in the book and helped them but as life is, life is. I do recommend this book for a good quick read.

Happy Reading!

Review: The Winter Sea - Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9781611291285
Pages: 527
Format: Hardcover
Read: February 2012
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Work Book Club


It was hard to rate this because it too a great amount of time to get into. It goes back and forth from the present day and from the 1700's. It is a great little tale about a present day writer who travels to Scotland to write her new novel but gets sudden spouts of deja vu and begins to write about a woman Sophia back in the 1700's and as it turns out is her late ancestor. Carrie (the writer) begins to take the memories of Sophia and writes and all her writings and findings deem to be truth. It is a great story of history and love but it just took a lot to get through at first. There are so many characters and at first I was having trouble keeping up and it was until well in to the 200 page mark that I finally began to follow along and get more into it.

I wonder if I were the only one to have this issue...I guess when we meet for my book club we can thus discuss. Hopefully I will remember to put in this review of what was discussed.

HAPPY READING!

First Review of the New Year: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Pages: 292
Format: Trade Paperback ARC
ISBN: 9780385720960
1st Published: May 2004
Read in: January 2012
Every one's Choice: January 2012
Genre: Fiction

Well, I am trying to catch up on all of my reading since I have seriously fallen behind since my move a few months back. I have said it numerous of times but my commute was cut by 90% and so did my reading.

This book was chosen by one of my Goodreads groups, Every one's Choice, for January 2012 and since my goal is to at least read one book from my online group and one book from my face to face group at work. So one down and here are my thoughts:

It was a nice little book. I really enjoy cooking, even if I am not the best, and I love all my cooking shows so this one touched me a little. It is a sad story and what gave it all it's sadness was pretty much every character. The family is so separated and so hidden that everyone is left behind and there is no real believable love. I can't really explain the sadness in the family but I think you will understand -once you read it. Everyone is so far beyond reach and when they do reach out it seems like at the last possible moment but there still is some beauty in it. Like, I finally get it! I know I kinda ramble but really, this is just a way for me to understand myself and maybe someone can understand me too and get where I am going with this.

All in all, it is a simple book with mysterious people who have great hidden talent and don't understand how it is possible and to what to do with it. The ending was beautiful but I still was stuck at a 3 star rating. Maybe one day I can come back to this and re-rate it and re-evaluate it in my head more clearer.