Feature & Follow Friday: Did I do that?

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

 Q: Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you've done, that as you gained more experience you were like -- oops?

Dear Alice  readers,

Life is filled with oops moments. If I had to go back in time and start this blog all over again I would:

A- Write a review policy early on.  My email wasn't written anywhere else on the site and authors who wanted me to review their books had to go through my Goodreads in order to contact me -- sorry --

B- Stay away from Oreos. Let's face it, late night blogging and sugar filled cookies to keep you up is a bad combo. You are still tired afterwards, only you can't sleep because of all the chocolate intake.

C- I would keep away from Coca-Cola as well, and tea, and Gatorade and fruit filled gummies and ...

No, I don't have a writing/eating problem at all. How dare you :p

Review: Rapture

Ah, the conclusion of the Fallen Series. My hands were shaken with anticipation when they grabbed hold on this book. So many hours invested in this series, I really wanted to know how it ended. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this one more than Torment and Passion. 

Luce's character grew a lot in Rapture (at least she didn't kiss any unknown boy). For once she concentrated on her relationship with Daniel, while he concentrated on the war. 

At least now I know why we had to go through most of Luce's lives : to understand that Luce and Daniel love each other. And although most of the book was spent travelling from one location to another, I admit the ending did carry a surprise that left me speechless and for that, thank you Lauren Kate. 

Top Ten Tuesday: I'm in debt because of you

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Hmm, this week's question was tough. I took a look at my bookcase to see which authors appeared the most and was able to draw a good conclusion.

Sorry, Miss Piggy. But I only picked authors who I've read more than one book. No hard feeli-- ouch, that hurt!!

Top Ten Authors on my Auto-Buy List

1. Suzanne Collins I fell in love with The Hunger Games Trilogy before the movie came out and have a Mockingjay pin on my winter jacket.

2. J.K. Rowling Harry Potter is the only series I've ever re-read.

3. Cassandra Clare Can't get enough of her books. I'm about to read City of Lost Souls.

4. Veronica Roth Divergent captivated me instantly and made me a fan.

5. Richelle Mead I always pick up one of her books whenever I need a paranormal fix.

6. Sarah Dessen Her stories are deep and heartfelt.

7. Kelley Armstrong I'm hooked. Her books always carry an element of surprise. 

8. Maggie Stiefvater I have no clue how she writes with such intensity. Every single word counts. 

9.  Deb Caletti For some reason, her contemporary stories always hit close to home.

10. John Green The only man in the list. Not that they aren't many great male authors out there. Simply that John has a way with words that make me pause and think. 

Review: Marking Time

When we first meet Saira she is caught by the police in a dark alley with a can of spray paint. Her mother has disappeared and the only person able to take care of her sends her off to a boarding school. And I thought I had problems.

It turns out that going to that school is the best thing that could happen to Saira. Not only does she get some attention and good friends, but she also learns that she is a descendant -- a time traveler -- and it is possible for her to go back to the 19th century and save her mom.

This is where the story takes a strange twist. You see in 1888, Jack the Ripper was terrorizing the streets of London. And so April White decided to bring him into the story and give us a real villain.

I wish I could travel back in time and read this all over again. It's refreshing to read a paranormal book told in the first person, especially when the main character is strong-willed and exhuberates girl power. April White maintains the tension throughout the whole book. Even the romance is intense.

Recommended to paranormal/romance fans who enjoy a dash of historical fiction.

Can Art Save Us ? The Plain Janes say yes

Jane Doe gets a makeover in this detailed illustrated graphic novel. Meet MainJane, BrainJane, SportyJane and DramaJane.

Yes, they are all named Jane. At first sight, they look like ordinary girls who care about nothing but their own existence. Not even sharing a conversation with each other. Then MainJane gets the bright idea of bringing them out of their shells through an art project collaboration called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods) and changes the whole town.

It was interesting to see others reactions to their projects. Should a lawn filled with garden gnomes be considered a defecation of property? Or should art be treasured and recognized, inspiring us to be ourselves? The book does make great points on the matter.

But the "triangle" between MainJane, John Doe and Damon kept being pushed aside as secondary plot and was left inconclusive. I also wish the characters wouldn't have been so stereotypical.