Feature and Follow Friday: Mad About You

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 was your favorite book of 2014 -- or books if you can't name just one?

Last year went by so fast. As always there were several new releases but the ones who stuck the most with me have to be:

 Ashes to Ashes 

The conclusion to the Burn for Burn series took me by surprise. I kept reminding myself that this was a collaboration, and so, for the authors to dig so far into the taboo subject of suicide that way and agree, translates as a good artistic connection.

Better off Friends

Nothing compares to the romance of first love. Short, sweet and heartbreaking as well.

 Hollow City

Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children was so bizarre, I didn't expect the sequel to be able to keep up. Not only did it keep up, but managed to surprise me.

The Walled City

YA or NA? Not sure if the topic of sex slaves fits in the YA genre as introduced into the market, but nevertheless, the book had interesting characters with an all action plot.

We Were Liars

I fully understand why it won best YA fiction on Goodreads this year. At first sight, the fragmented sentences and short chapters got on my nerves. I thought the author had trouble with her printer or something. But after the revealing ending -- it all made sense.








Which book topped your 2014 list?

Watchers and Readers Challenge 2015

How many times do we just watch the movie instead of reading the book -- or vice versa. This year I plan on:

reviewing the book

reviewing the movie

once a month to compare. Are some books or movies worth skipping? I shall let you know. Feel free to join the challenge by reviewing one title a month by adding you link on the 2015 Challenge section.

Review: Etiquette and Espionage

''Learn how to finish, anything or anyone who needs finishing.''

A boarding school for girls -- sounds like a nightmare. Sophronia wasn't looking forward to all the curtsy and proper fainting techniques until she discovered what Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality was really about : algebra lessons on mixing the right poisons, werewolves and vampire teachers, super at 10 pm so a girl can sleep in the mornings... Paradise. Except there's a thief among them, whose evil plan could destroy everything, and it looks like Sophronia is the only one who can stop this madness. 

Carriger is know for mixing mystery, steampunk and paranormal in her Parasol Protectorate series. It was interesting to see that her formula carried on well into YA. She even included a romance between Sophronia and a boy named Soap. Despite the thrilling aspect, humorous undertones kept the story light and allowed it to turn into a series quite nicely. 

Makes you wonder which spy school Carriger attended. 

Review: IA Initiate

What exactly are heroes made of?

Naz and his nine year old sister Meri don't have it easy. Not only do they live in a neglected foster home, but in a neighborhood where gangs rule. One of them in particular wants Naz to join, forcing him to struggle even harder to find a way to get Meri into a boarding school. But who will take care of Naz -- how long will he be able to keep up before the gang gives him no choice?

Winston placed a lot of emphasis on the characters. Aside from the supernatural qualities that Naz is about to discover, his creativity and business intuition are even more admirable. The story is woven with action, dreams and even therapy sessions.

Prepare for an unexpected revealing ending

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my all gorgeous followers.

Looking forward to spending another year with you discussing and dissecting books.