Feature and Follow Friday: Body Snatcher

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

Q: Tell us about a book character you'd trade places with.

No one said it would be easy (muahaha)

If I could trade places, I'd chose Katarina Bishop from the Heist Society series by Ally Carter. Working as a master thief with an amazing team. Oh, the adrenaline rush!!

Who would you trade places with?

Review: Vengeance

If you think cheating is the worst thing anyone can do in a relationship, think again!

Delaney's near death experience in Fracture left her able to feel the dying. Sadly, her instincts told her to kept hush about her boyfriend Derek's dad's heart condition until he passed away. Derek didn't get to say goodbye. He spent the last days of his Dad's life arguing with him about Delaney. But now that she is danger again, can Derek forgive and save her once more?

Derek's point-of-view narrates the story this time. But due to his grieving and frustration over Delaney's gesture, being inside his head isn't much entertaining and forces the action to pause for way too long. There are hints of a threat here and there but not enough to keep the climax growing. Maya, the new girlfriend of Derek's friend is introduced, hinting at a love triangle which quickly falls apart. In fact, no one in the group feel like they want to be together.

The only thing that makes much sense in all the chaos is the ending.

Top Ten Tuesday: Just give me the whole store

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN BOOKS I ASPIRE TO READ BUT DON'T OWN YET

Love the topic this week. It's a nice, gentle way of asking "Should I read this at all? Do you recommend it?" So please, let me know.

Better than Perfect by Simone Elkeles

Found her Perfect Chemistry series addictive. Looking forward to get into this one.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I don't think there is a YA book blogger out there that hasn't heard of Rowell. Fangirl was a hit.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

Not my proudest words but "the cover got to me!!"

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Read all The Mortal Instruments (even saw the movie) except this one.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

I'm excited about this one. Amazon Canada has none to sell at the moment O_O  Did they run out?

N0S4A2 by Joe Hill

Comes highly recommended by grown men.

Order of Darkness by Philippa Gregory

I'm due for this sequel.

The Program by Suzanne Young 

Keep reading great reviews about this one, plus I love the way they are holding hands. I want to read about characters that stick together through hard times.

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

The finale of the Unwind series. I need to know if they can beat the system that wants to keep making organ donation mandatory.

Vitro by Jessica Khoury

I loved Origin, partly because it was a stand alone book. No need to wait for the ending. Khoury has a way of dealing suspense that calls to me. Can't wait to read this one.   

Which book topped your list?

Review: Holes

Do you believe in curses?

Stanley Yelnats sure does. In fact, his great-great-grandfather betrayed a witch and since then bad luck seems to follow him around. Just as Stanley was turning the corner on his way home, a pair of stolen sneakers hit him, and the consequences got him locked up in Camp Green Lake digging up five foot holes. But what exactly is down there to make the wardens crazy with anticipation?

Injustice appears to be a huge theme in the entire book. Not only is Stanley's situation ethically unfair, but his great-great-grandfather experiences heartbreak, and worse is the background story of Kissing Kate. Then we learn about Stanley's camp mate Zero and tears come down to wet the pages.

If only the ending hadn't seem so unrealistic.

Feature and Follow Friday: Netflix This

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 book/series do you think would make a better TV show than a movie?

Let's face it, some series beat the movie. Take Pride and Prejudice for example, the British TV series stayed true to the book from beginning to end. You could almost follow through the pages along with the screen. Whereas the movie can make any non-reader fail their English Quiz.

Personally, I would love to see The Infernal Devices on the television screen. Steampunk is starting to become more popular every day, and Cassandra Clare's plotline is superb.  A love triangle, a Mystique-like female character, adrenaline fights, betrayal, London!! NBC should be considering this right now.

While we are on the topic of TV/Book adaptations, has anyone seeing Lauren Oliver's Delirium pilot?

Review: The Bridge from Me to You

Lauren and Colby have something in common -- their parents don't understand them. Although, Colby is talented at football, and his best friend Benny would switch places with him at once, he does not aspire to play in college. Lauren, on the other hand, wishes her mom would take an interest in her life. Too bad, alcohol turned her mom into an abusive parent who would rather raise Lauren's baby brother but discard her at a relative's home. Can meeting one another help them feel the love and support they both desperately need?

Schroeder heightens both point-of-views with a mixture of narrative and prose. It was interesting to see Colby's fascination with bridges. His entire personality and the way he includes Lauren with his group -- presenting her to girls she might hit it off -- was swooning. Eventually, Colby and Lauren will have to deal with their respective families, but until then, it's nice to watch them fall, learn, and grow. 

Review: The Rising

All the supernaturals of Kelley Armstrong's Darkness and Darkest series combine for this impending conclusion. 

For Maya, the worst part of the experiment wasn't the shapeshifter side effects, but being separated from her loved ones. Now that everyone thinks they are dead, and a fake funeral is put in place, the only solution to gaining their lives back is by striking a deal with the Cabals. But is negotiation possible or are they all running into a trap?

Having read the Darkest series, I was guarded as to how Armstrong would mix all main characters. Strangely, it was newcomer Ash -- Maya's long lost brother -- who held my intrigue the most. In his own aloof way, he helped her grow into a more decision oriented character. Not only is she the one to pressure the Cabals for a deal, but she also puts an end to the Rafe/Daniel love triangle that monopolised the series. 

Although the ending is open to interpretation, most questions about their powers and the possibility of a cure are answered. 

Caught my arrow #36

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

Not only did I get to visit Manhattan, but had some great material to take on the road with me. Looking forward to posting these future reviews. 

Received from Publisher

As taken from my Instagram, 

Vampires of Manhattan by Melissa De La Cruz

Received from Author

The Space in Between by Jen Minkman

Purchased

Wicked Sweet by Mar'ce Merrell

Betti on the High Wire by Lisa Railsback

What are you reading this week?

Review: Unravel Me

Sadly, being the most powerful creature in the world doesn't guarantee happiness.

Juliette has the power to kill at her fingertips She considered herself cursed until she meet Adam and Warner -- two people with the ability to resist her touch of doom. But now, regardless of her escape from Omega Point in Shatter Me, things just keep getting harder. Juliette and Adam want to take their love physical but can't, a war is coming soon, and if that wasn't enough, bad boy Warner is back and more irresistible than ever. Will Juliette ever get a chance to breathe?

This sequel packed a lot more action than the first. Finally, we got the scoop on Warner's and Adam's pasts, making it easier to attach ourselves to the characters. If not for Juliette's negative attitude at the beginning, I would have easily given this a five star rating. 

Happy to say, that the strikethrough words have decreased. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Indecisions

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKS I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO READ 

To read or not to read, the one question every reader asks themselves before opening a book. Some are too long, too depressing -- or simply not the right book at the right moment. Here are my current indecisions:

Reached by Ally Condie

The last book of a series can't make or break the whole thing. I admit that after reading Crossed, and not being too impressed, this finale scares me.

Betrayed by P.C. Cast

Another series I'm unsure if I should continue.

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl really got to me -- made me think about the advantages to ignore bullies. But Milkweed deals with jewish kids in Nazi Germany. Sounds a bit too depressing for me to read right now.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Seriously disliked the sequel Shift. Not sure I want to finish this series.

The Bad Seed by William March

No offense to William, but if this book is an exact replica of the movie, I'd rather keep avoiding it. I have seen the film way too many times to learn anything new.

Which book topped your list?

Review: Catching Jordan

Prepare to question your sport prejudices.

Jordan has a lot of pressure to deal with. Her father doesn't approve of her playing football, yet praises his son whenever he does. The good thing is that Jordan now has newcomer Ty's attention, and gets to experience love for the first time. But what exactly is love? Is it the goosebumps you get when he is near you, or the fact that he supports you no matter what? Because if it's the latter, Jordan has got it all wrong. 

The teamwork observed in the book was inspirational. JJ, Carter, and Henry in particular, show Jordan the proper respect any girl should get. Miranda Kenneally's focus on the father/daughter relationship was quite moving, demonstrating the reasons behind Jordan's father disapproval and her struggle to maintain her dreams alive. 

All in all, a beautiful short novel, that makes football sound fun.     

Feature and Follow Friday: Homebound

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 the biggest city you live near?

I'm proud to say I live in Montreal. Except for a beach (which the city is working on now) there isn't much that we are missing. We have four seasons, hockey, and a charming bilingual community, able to converse with you in French and English wherever you go.

If you do come to Montreal, the Old Port is an absolute must see. You can stroll in the historic port in a horse carriage, catch a play at the Centaur, and then visit the Gothic Notre Dame church. Although, by far, the prettiest Basilica to visit in Montreal remains the Saint Joseph's Oratory.

Top Ten Tuesday: Shipwrecked

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN CHARACTERS I'D WANT ON A DESERTED ISLAND  

Once upon a time, my boat crashed on a deserted island. I woke up, not only glad to see I had survived, but that I was not alone. With me was: 

Pi from Life of Pi

He has survivor experience. Most importantly rafting experience. He could teach us how to fish and maintain our bodies with protein.

Jason from Meant to Be

You are probably wondering why I included him? Think about it! The mood will plummet without someone to make us laugh.

Maya from The Rising

As a cougar shape-shifter, her skills can keep us safe. Her knowledge of the woods and plant life is also an asset.













Rose from Vampire Academy

Experienced bodyguard. Love how direct she can be, plus it would be interesting to watch her argument with ...... Jace.

Jace from The Mortal Instruments

Although, he will definitely clash heads with Rose, I think these two would eventually get over it and make a great team.

Thomas from The Maze Runner

Fearless and creative, he could help come up with great plans.

Lola from Lola and the Boy Next Door

She might not have superpowers, but her sense of humor and style is a necessity for me. I truly believe she would make the habitat homey.

Sam from Shiver

He could use this experience to write great songs and play them for us. How can anyone survive without music?!?

Sophie from Hex Hall

A magical being is a must.

Will from Clockwork Angel

How do we get by without electricity? Will Herondale has all the answers. Plus he is brave and handsome.














Who topped your list?

Review: The Book of Broken Hearts

The Vargas brothers share one disorder: commitment phobia. 

They will make you fall in love with them, then leave you heartbroken whether is on prom night or at the altair. No wonder Jude's sisters made her swear to never breathe near one. But ever since the youngest Vargas brother, Emilio, was hired by her dad to fix his beloved bike, Jude is entranced. Emilio seems so caring, so loving toward his family, so reasonable to her father's alzheimer's condition... Maybe it is time to break that oath?

Although the romance in The Book of Broken Hearts is sweet and romantic in a non-cheesy way, the story's background overshadows it. As Jude tries to hold the family together -- whether by ignoring the signs that her dad's condition is deteriorating, or trying to keep peace between her sisters by forbidding her heart to speak of love  -- she makes us remember the importance of family. 

The ending might feel a little rush, but all in all, Ockler gives us a realistic interpretation of growing up with an alzheimer parent.