Review: Looking for Alaska

Miles falls in love with Alaska, a beautiful blonde bombshell, who happens to be a heavy drinker and smoker, influencing Miles to follow along. But why does Alaska hide behind drugs; why does she want to destroy herself so badly when all Miles wants to do is love her?

Looking for Alaska is John Green's big debut. Although I am a huge fan of The Fault in our Stars, this book was a bit of a downer. The characters were all brushed upon, but none dissected. Take The Colonel for example: rough on the exterior, grew up in a trailer park and yet he is the smartest kid in school and so heartbroken when his first girlfriend leaves him that he renounces dating. How can such a tough guy be so sensitive? We will never know.

Perhaps that is what John Green was trying to say, that none of us will ever really know one another. I know I surprise myself sometimes.

Happy Valentine's Day

Top Ten Tuesday: Love is in the Air

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

By February, we've said goodbye to the red Christmas stockings and replaced them with red lingerie. The best chocolates are available in stores. And love stories like Warmbodies and Beautiful Creatures premiere in  theaters.

Yes, February is the month to swoon. In case it fleets us by, we can always turn to books and relieve wonderful romantic moments over and over again. Here is my Top Romance Books:

Anna and the French Kiss: Love at first sight isn't always definite or without complications. Anna loves Étienne, and he obviously has feelings for her even though he has a girlfriend. Arrrgh!!! The dilemma.

The Fault in our Stars: If I could give an award for best book couple it would be to Hazel and August. Thanks for making me believe in love again.

Fuentes Brothers

Perfect Chemistry: Who can resist a Fuentes boy? Not me.

Twenty Boy Summer: Such a sad story. It makes you wonder, if your soul mate dies, can you ever find someone else? Oh, Sarah Ockler, please write a paranormal story where he comes back as a ghost.

Going too Far: She's a rebel without a cause, and he is a police officer. Enough said.

Shadow Kiss: Rose and Dimitri. I admit, I kinda of liked him as a Strigoi.

Matched: The last scene ripped my heart out of my chest. Only love can do that.

Review: Shadow of Time

They say love knows no color, no financial or clique boundaries. Even a vampire and a human can fall in love. Still, Hannah fears Josh will stay away from her because she is older, leading to some funny and heartwrenching situations. If only Hannah knew why Josh was keeping his distance maybe her fears would go away?

Or maybe she'd run away?

I admit I enjoyed seeing how their courtship is pulled and taunted with. Especially  when strange dreams begin to plague Hannah. Couldn't help it. Jen Minkman's writing is both energetic and flows without awkwardness, making it easy to loose oneself into the story. Also the research she did on the Navajo people -- words, traditions, even food -- made her characters feel real.

Can't wait to read what she will come up with next.

Jen Minkman

Expect more paranormal romance from Jen Minkman soon as she is currently busy with the release of The Boy from the Woods set in Austria. 

Feature and Follow Friday

Parajunkee's view / Alison Can read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

 Q: Happy Mardi Gras! If they were throwing the HOTTESTS books off a mardi gras float -- what would you do to have them thrown at you?

A: Whenever you really, really want something, the best thing to do is to think strategically.

1. Arrive early. Most gifts get thrown in the front, plus if I were way in the back taller people would jump and take my prize.

Heidi Klum is a costume Goddess

2. Dress-up. I wouldn't show skin in a sexual way. Instead, I would come in a crazy costume to draw attention. Wouldn't you want to know how many books Heidi Klum could catch in that outfit?

3. Pretend this is a pinata game. I would never take my eyes off the books. It's not an all for one, and one for all situation more of a "move out of my way bead girls that book is mine!!!"

No Books for Valentine's Day

I don't know how many women are in the same shoes as me this year  --  size 8 1/2, very standard -- and find themselves agonizing over one simple horrific question:

What do you do when your husband, boyfriend, or office lover ... tells you that he will not be giving you a book this Valentine's day because you all ready own way too many? 

Of course, my first reaction was to cry out of anger. But after a few teary moments, I came up with a list of what you can give a book lover other than a book. 

1. Book Memorabilia

Bookmarks, pins, you can even buy Harry Potter wands and scarfs. Hmm, collectible and practical.

2. Dolls based on books

Look how dashing Clark Gable is in that white suit. I would definitely give a damn about this doll.

3. Movies of books you postpone reading

For me it's the Count of Monte Cristo. I admit that at 1276 pages, I've postponed reading it for a long time. Also because I can read French and feel like a hypocrite if I don't read it in it's original language.


4. A Bookcase 

An avid reader could always use the extra space.


5. Jane Austen's Monopoly

Oh, wait! That doesn't exist. But Monopoly.com does offer you the chance to build your own and have it shipped. Check it out. 

What would you ask for?