Review: Roomies

Going to college is always a rush. You feel accomplished and in control of your future. But moving in with a roommate can easily remind you of just how vulnerable we all really are.

Elizabeth (EB) grows tired of living alone with her absentee mom and looks forward to move in with Lauren. The problem is Lauren has a panoply of younger siblings and for her, college, meant freedom and alone time. As the girls try to cope with their personal baggage everything comes crashing down. Suddenly, EB realizes her mom is an adulterer and risks jeopardizing her relationship -- and Lauren understands that family is not something one can run away from. 

Both Zarr and Altebrando gave us two distinct voices easy to relate to. EB and Lauren dealt with their problems selfishly at times due to the stress of the situation making it impossible to see them as fictional characters. The emails sent between one and the other were kept short, allowing the story to breathe. Don't be scared -- lots of dialogue was included.  

Prepare for a big twist at the end. 

Love-o-meter theme: is farewell sex a good idea, adultery and how kids suffer.    

Caught my arrow # 28

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.

Starting my 2014 Resolutions Book Challenge! I vow to do something different every month and read a book that relates to it. Can't wait! This week I:

Bought

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Borrowed from Library

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor and The Elite by Kiera Cass

What are you reading this week?

Review: Fangirl

Rainbow Rowell tackles the emerging topic of Fanfiction: is it imaginative or simply plagiarism?

Cath can't seem to do things on her own except for writing. She doesn't want to leave the room or go to the cafeteria. And forget parties -- you are better off reading than drinking yourself into a coma. It isn't illogical why her sister Wren decides to share a college room with someone else. But for Cath -- this decision means betrayal. They are twins, abandoned by their mother at a young age, and were made to support each other. How can Cath face life alone with only Simon Snow by her side?

Rowell's dialogue flows on the pages, both extremely realistic and easy to visualize. The love story she created between two unlikely personalities (introverted Cath and extroverted Levi) is reminiscent of great romance novels such as Anna and the French Kiss. The character's growth alone is worth reading. 

Looking forward to another masterpiece from Rainbow Rowell. 

Top Ten Tuesday: It's all about planning

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKISH RESOLUTIONS

Time to begin those wonderful resolutions. Without further ado, here is my list:

1. Go through with my resolutions
This one is super important, since I sometimes tend to forget my resolutions. Guess that's why we are writing them down.

2. Read More of the Best Books Ever list on Goodreads
Just finished number forty two on the list and wish to keep going. It kind of forces me to read the classics.

3. Finish series I started

4. Improve my reviews
Perhaps add a love meter?!?

5. Connect more with fellow book bloggers

6. Embark on a 2014 reading challenge

What are your reading resolutions this year?

                                                 

Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck

Although endearing, Hard Luck is missing that fascinating spark the previous seven books shared.

Once again the faithful readers of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series are left with a mere glimpse of Rowley -- who replaces Greg's friendship with a girl -- and Rodrick another character who goes MIA. Instead, Kinney concentrates on Greg's yearning to belong. The 8th ball Greg finds enables him to have a guide through this discovery process, as he understands that in life friends come and go, but family is forever. 

Prepare for some great laughs and one of the best Easter family scenes that proves the Heffley's still got it going on.