Feature and Follow Friday: Pedro Dies

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day food? If you are not American or Canadian what is your favorite holiday food?

Although, Canadians prefer to carve ham during Thanksgiving, I love turkey. Eating turkey on Thanksgiving always reminds me of the movie Giant and the terrible scene that ensued once the children found out they were eating a friend.

Review: Uncommon Criminals

A thief that steals from a thief? Sounds like a modern Robin Hood.

In this sequel to Heist Society, Kat gets conned trying to save a woman who claims to have lost the Cleopatra Emerald. But in order to set things right, Kat will have to let go of her pride and accept the help of her cousin Gabriella, and her ex-flame Hale. 

Although the action in Uncommon Criminals doesn't compare to its predecessor, the crime is far more personal for Kat and the entire crew. There is far less travelling. Instead the reader will be transported by Kat's inner growth, as she is forced to wake up and accept that friendship is the best treasure of all. 

Review: Inhuman

Packed with action and gripping scenes, Kat Falls develops a new sinister type of mutation. 

Lane never suspected her Dad from lying to her. Especially, about traveling out the virus free zone for work related issues. But when the government catches on, and threatens to execute him unless he cooperates, Lane must risk her life and go after him. Through her mission, she encounters guardian Everson Cruz and Rafe, a rogue cocky bad boy. Together they will travel through the manimal (animal/human hybrid) infected lands that harvest a horrible secret the government doesn't want anyone to know. 

Although, I constantly felt Lane's pull toward one boy over the other, a love triangle was still formed. The good part is that Falls doesn't center the story around romance, but rather focuses on the virus, allowing us to see the different aspects of mutation, including a "manimals" zoo. 

Prepare for a tasteful cliffhanger ending. 

Feature and Follow Friday: The Games Bloggers Play

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: You are it! We are playing #FF tag this week. Comment on as many blogs as you can, even if they aren't participating. Just say Happy #FF!

Putting my running shoes, and doing my stretches. Game on!!

Review: The Education of Hailey Kendrick

Are we really able to judge someone?

After Hailey's father -- the only parent she has left -- cancels their summer get-together once more, Hailey loses it. Joel convinces her to go nuts, and together they dismantle the school statue. The rush is so high, that they kiss, regardless of the fact they are on school campus, or that she all ready has a boyfriend who happens to be his best friend. Before she could think, a security guard sees them and Hailey gets caught, taking all the blame. 

Eileen Cook did a great job demonstrating how a crazy impulse can not only make you feel alive, but it can ruin everything. Deep down, Hailey had lots of problems she didn't want to deal with. Having everything thrown at once, like the school calling her father, or her boyfriend learning of her infidelity forces Hailey to take charge of her life once and for all. 

It felt good to savor a charming contemporary/coming-of-age story. I only wish the climax had been more intense.

Top Ten Tuesday: Oh, the Humanity

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKS TO GET OVER HUMANS

The topic might sound a bit awkward this week, but as a heartbroken gal, I decided to turn the other cheek and set my eyes (and heart) on aliens. Until I meet my ET, here is a list for every one who needs to get over someone:

                                                  

The Education of Hailey Kendrick: Everyone can make a mistake. Don't let that ruin your image or self-esteem.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me: Moving on isn't easy. It's okay not to rush it.

The Sky is Everywhere: Rebound after a loss isn't always a good idea. 

Burn for Burn: Although revenge might be tempting, the chances you'll end up regretting it are huge. Try to be the best person.  

Over You: Getting over someone is easier when you have help. Don't lock yourself alone in a room for too long, let your best friends in. 

Share your own favorites!!

Review: Love Me Tender

Can constant criticism force a family to separate?

Elvira and her mother always had a strange relationship. In fact, she calls her Mel, and can't seem to relate to the pain her mother goes through when her Dad leaves. But a sudden call warning them that grandmother is very ill, forces Mel out of her shell and allows Elvira to discover why her mom left her family, and why she acts like she does. 

All in all, Couloumbis wrote a pleasant read. Often somber and with lots of sibling rivalry. Sadly, I expected more of a family crisis under the circumstances, and found things a bit too easily resolved. It is my belief that too much time apart after a fight deepens the wounds, not fixes them. 

Feature and Follow Friday: Pre Thanksgiving Blues

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Are there any books to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

Many in my opinion. But the one that reaches me the most is The Shinning by Stanley Kubrick/ Stephen King. The plot circled around madness more than the supernatural, which made it scarier for me, since cabin fever is not that far fetched. Especially with the overcrowded thanksgiving reunions lurking about.

7 Quickies for that Special Occasion

Whether by plane or train, travelling with a good light read makes the trip more memorable. Here is a list of quick reads (all 300 pages and less) to complete the journey in peace.

Inspirational (197 pages)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Sci-Fi (216 pages)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Classics (254 pages)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Contemporary (264 pages)

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Horror (273 pages)

Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

Historical Fiction (296 pages)

Marie Antoinette Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Ya/Chick-Lit (229 pages)

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Review: Pirouette

One woman's trash is another woman's treasure. 

Hannah and Simone, identical twins separated during an adoption process, meet after years of being apart. Both of them have different family lives; different personalities. And yet they share a special love and hate connection to dance. To make things simple, they switch places so Hannah can dance at a specialized school, and Simone can relax from the twirls. What's the worst that can happen?

Although the plot might resemble The Parent Trap, Bavati spiced things up with a quadrangle love story. The only character that seemed lacking was Hannah, who didn't appear enthused at all to do anything worth while. 

A fast read, that will make you wonder the wasted opportunities due to parents and teens lack of communication. 

  

Top Ten Tuesday: One way or Another

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP COVERS I WOULD REDESIGN

Although I did prepare a list of covers I would instantly redesign, I decided to take the topic into a different direction. So I displayed two cover options for each book, that way we can all choose our own favorites.

                                                        The Queen of Everything 

My Pick                                          

                                                                   Unearthly

                                         My Pick

                                                                   Shatter Me 

My Pick                                        

                 

                                                        Under the Never Sky 

                                      My Pick

                                                           Ten Tiny Breaths 

My Pick                                       

Share your own favorites!!

Review: The Lightning Thief

The Gods are brought back to life, as Rick Riordan gives Greek Mythology a makeover.

Percy Jackson keeps having problems at school, mainly caused by his ADHD and dyslexia. Little does he know that his life is about to change -- taking a turn for the worst -- as his mother is attacked by a creature and Percy forced to shelter at Camp Half-Blood where he is declared a Demi-God. He will now have to take on the task of hero and accept a quest to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt. 

Well-written and plotted, The Lightning Thief knows no boundaries when it comes to action. Percy is strong, wise for his age, and yet grows as a character before our eyes. But what makes the book impossible to put down are the magical scenes including Centaurs and The Fates. 

Glad to see the movie doesn't deviate too much from the book.

Caught my arrow #25

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Believe it or not, it snowed in Montreal last night, officially making Winter present in the town. Maybe it's time to start writing down my Christmas list. Until then, here are the goodies I received this week.

Received from Author
(Thank you very much!!)



The Boy from the Woods


Bought

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck

Borrowed from Library

The Lover's Dictionary (Came highly recommended from a Nanowrimo )

What are you reading this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Coup de Coeur

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP SEQUELS I DESIRE

You finish a book only to find out it ends in a cliffhanger! Thus begins the agonizing wait for the sequel. Here are the top books that have me restless with anticipation.

 

Please do tell what is driving you wild!

Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Every child should be given the same opportunities in life. 

Junior grew up on the rez with his parents, sister and best friend Rowdy. He was contented with his life until a teacher convinced him to switch to a town school. Not only is the community turning against him now, but Rowdy no longer speaks to him, his sister gets the impulse to wed, and the kids at the new school aren't eager to accept him. 

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is based on Sherman Alexie's life, and he doesn't spare us the details of the injustices the kids on the rez suffer: healthcare once a year, no bus to and from the city. And worse, the opportunities they have compared to the city community. 

Although, there is very little romance in the book, subjects like child abuse, alcoholism, and racism take over and make it worth the read.