15. Capital Girls

Capital Girls by Ella Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hi, I'm a 30-something that loves young adult dramas - like Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, and whatever other one may be on the market right now!

THIS book was right up my alley! I won it through a Goodreads Giveaway and finished it quickly. I was a little irritated at the ending...only because it left me wanting more!!

It's Gossip Girl with political ties. Yes, the characters are stereotype typical...but I think that's what makes it a good "can't put down" read...I love the catty drama tied in with a little mystery/secret!

It's like reading the game of clue. You are reading about each character and then are constantly trying to figure out what each of them is thinking/feeling...including their loyalty to one another.

The books starts with the death of one of their own "click" and seems like it starts breaking down from there - due to a "new comer".

I can not WAIT to read the second one! Look for my review on that one as well.

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14. 50 Shades of Grey - Book 1

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have never read "erotica" before this book, so I'm not exactly sure how it rates to other erotica reads. I started reading this because of all the hype....BIG mistake. I really can't see how this has become a bestseller...and not just this one but all three!?

Does it get better?? The storyline seemed a little off. Really, a 26 yr old "perfect" in every way billionaire? This really MUST be someone's fantasy. I can't remember - did they ever mention what Mr. Grey's company was??

I'd say the storyline was intriguing without all the sex...but the story line never got anywhere. Every time some sort of hint of a story came (ex: how Mr Grey became so many shades of *&*#& up) to the surface the author just watered it down with so much sex...the story just seemed to float away.

Not to mention the sex was so repeatitive...I just don't get the appeal of this book or the two that follow. I won't even bother to pick up and read the other two...it took all I had just to make it through the first one. It was just bad all the way the around.

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13. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

So, (why do I always start my reviews with so...) I finished the book in one day. It was a really good short read. I liked the style of how it was written...letters to an unknown person...or a journal type read.

Without giving away too many spoilers...I get it. I get Charlie, Sam, and Patrick. I get the story line. I get Charlie - the way Charlie felt, but can't really relate...not like so many others have.

Here's where my secret comes in....

I grew up attending private school...all the way to college even. I took for granted a lot of sacrifices my parents made for me to be able to have the experiences I did. I never had to endure or even know about the things Charlie did. My highschool experience was completely different.

I can't relate b/c while my life was NOT privledged...I never attended public school and I never had to deal with any of the incidents Charlie, Sam, or Patrick had to. I wouldn't say I was sheltered...just avoided (not sure that's the word I'm looking for) the circumstances.

The book itself is a very dark heavy read - but it keeps you hooked. It is a good "coming of age" highschool novel. There is not a happy ending...but it's real and I am glad that I had the chance to see into an alternate highschool life, the one I didn't get a chance to live - and I'm glad I had the experiences or lack of experiences I did in highschool.

If you get a chance to read it...do it!

12. The Vow

The Vow: The Kim & Krickitt Carpenter Story by Kim Carpenter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The Vow is based upon a true life story about Krickitt and Kim Carpenter. In 1992, the young couple met, bonded through their Christian faith and fell in love over a long distance phone call.

Shortly after, they unexpectedly survived a terrible car accident, The accident leaves Krickitt in a coma suffering severe head trauma. When Krickitt awakens, she experiences amnesia and has no recollection of meeting, dating or marrying her husband, Kim.

I always LOVE to read books before their movie counterparts come out. So, when I hear they were going to make a movie about this couple's incredible story - I instantly put this book for my eReader and VOWED (yes I meant the pun...yes I am cheesey) to read it BEFORE I caved to watching the movie. My resolve did not last long.

I really tried to push through this books so hard before seeing the movie. I was about 3/4 done when I could hold out no longer.

First of all - I had no idea how this story ended and as I was reading...they put pictures right in the middle of the sotry. This is common for most books - but seeing as how I was reading it on my eReader, I saw the outcome in pictures before I finished reading the books. I think this was a nother deterant keeping me from finishing the book. I now knew how it ended.

So, I watched the movie (yes before finishing the book) and I MUST say that after going back to finish the last 1/4 of the books - the movie was so much better than the book. Yes I realized nothing in the book was followed closely in the movie EXCEPT for the basic story line - couple involved in car crash woman gets amnesia.

However, the book was just so drawn out and at the same time repetitive...and I hated that it was supposed to be "THEIR" story but it seemed like it was more "HIS" story. There were no points of view from Krickitt - the woman who was actually involved in the accident and experienced it first hand.

Was she terrified, scared, fearing for her relationship? What was she feeling!? Not, "I'm her husband let me tell you what I think she felt."

The one thing I did love in the book and wished they had pushed more in the movie was their faith in God. I loved that they showcased how He is present when complete strangers were witness to the accident and just stopped to pray. That was my favorite part in the book.



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Reading reading reading!!!

I've been given a few books to review...so I'm sorry I haven't posted that much. I have been a READING fool! I have a few book reviews to get posted. So never fear I will have more posts!

Also, I was recently given the chance to review The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer. However, I am REALLY wanting to read The Starter Wife before I read The After Wife. So, I was wondering if anyone has a copy I can share - either hard copy or ereader (Nook). Please let me know! I can be reach at email miscmaria@hotmail.com. Thanks!

11. Tell A Thousand Lies

Book Description:

In a land where skin colour can determine one's destiny, fraternal twins PULLAMMA and LATA are about to embark on a journey that will tear their lives apart.

REVIEW:

Tell A Thousand Lies by Rasana Atreya

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was a little hesitant with starting to read this book...I was a little unsure how I'd like it. It was a little outside of my comfort zone with the books I like to read. Once I got started, it was on!

Let me say that while reading this book, I could really picture myself in rural India. THe author did a great job of using imagery without being blantanly descriptive. I could actually picture the house with the courtyard, the heat of the day (I imagine how hot it gets in Texas and then multipled that by 100), and what the characters looked like.

I felt the story was a little drawn out. I'm not sure if this was b/c of my irritation with the story line or just that I felt like I was reading it forever. It really irritated me that Pullamma got so close to her happiness - even being there at one point - and then having it taken away from her just like that. Throughout this story I REALLY wanted her to be happy and when she was I felt happy right there with her. Then out of nowhere BAM! I felt hurt and sad right with her.

So, I did love that the author could make me feel with the character. My emotions went up and down just as the characters did. Not many books can do this for me.

I also learned quite a bit about the indian culture and a lot of the way women were treated and some still are today makes me angry. I also really loved when Pullamma started coming out of her shell, I love that she finally started standing up for herself.

I am very happy with the way the book ended, I just wish it had gotten there sooner.



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Introductions First! (BEA Armchair Day 1)

Hi! I recently signed up to be a participant in the 3rd Annual Armchair BEA. So to all of those that have come to visit my blog...welcome and thanks for stopping by!

For those of you who have NO idea what I'm talking about. Check it out here - ARMCHAIR BEA 2012. I think it's a GREAT way for us book bloggers to get to know one another.

It's a week long event - and today the topic is, "Introductions First!"

So here it goes....

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Let's see - I'm a 32 years old, married with no children. In fact just before I started posting, my husband was over analyzing am episode of "The Big Bang Theory" (which we both love) and I had to remind him I was about to go into "me time" lol. I tend to ramble...hint hint lol. I've been blogging for a few years...just not BOOK blogging. I got into it - because I needed something of my own...and living out in the boonies there isn't much to do. Heck, we are lucky we even get internet! I started just blogging as an outlet and now I can't stop. :o)

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I'm currently reading something someone sent me for review - "Tell a Thousand Lies." So far so good! Favorite I have read so far in 2012...I'm very hooked on anything by Sarah Addison Allen.

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

Hmmm....I have no children, unless you count my 3 dogs and 1 cat - and I kind of do. Lol. I have a BAD habit of biting my nails...ugh. I cannot seem to stop. I absolutely LOVE Gobstoppers!! I also LOVE old fashion mail...snail mail if you please! I love getting letters, postcards, books, etc! I try to return them all.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

My book blog has not taken on a life of it's own. I hope to have more followers soon so that I can start offering more. Right now - I simply love book reviews.

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Hopefully with more followers, and that we just enjoy each others company. :0)

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

Ooook tough one...probably the blog about the first book I won on Goodreads. I was so excited! Or the blog about my birthday present...my most beloved Nook Tablet! (THank you husband that understands when I need my me time lol.)

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

Hmmmm right now I think I would LOVE to have dinner with Sarah Addison Allen. I'm telling you people I am hooked! I LOVE the magic her novels provide. I bet she's got all kinds of great things to talk about.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

And sticking to my theme...I'd like to visit the garden in Garden Spells.
I read that book and just envisioned the most beautiful calm safe feeling...and it it was real...I'd love to feel safe there.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

I love how many there are of us! I love how friendly everyone is and nice and just willing to befriend you. It's as if our love of books is the string that ties us all together. Like, instantly you find someone who loves the books you do and your just about instant BFFs lol. As far as change - yes I'd like to see the community grow and grow and grow. Books have saved me multiple times...and I hope the outreach grows so that someone who needs them the most finds them too!

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

Yes actually, I'm noticing that books I would have otherwised said no to - I'm actually reading AND enjoying!

Well there you have it ladies and gents...book lovers of all kind. My name is Maria and it's been a pleasure meeting you!