Review: The Long Haul

Greg's mom is searching for yet another idea to spend some quality family time. And so everyone else must follow and get in the van for a long road trip across the US. Of course, Greg's dad insists on bringing a boat he found in the garage. Rodrick is placed in charge for more responsibility than he can handle. And Manny adopts a pet pig while Greg trying to cope with it all, makes some strange enemies along the way. 

This was Kinney's 9th book in the series, and he proved he still got that funny bone by plotting gag after gag. There isn't a dull moment during the trip. As Kinney says in his youtube video "If you keep coming up with a series of problems for your characters to solve, your reader is going to root that much harder for them." 

Another great addition to the series. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Bottled up till now

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKISH PROBLEMS I HAVE

Shopaholic

I don't read every book I buy. Most of the time I just leave them in by bookcase, stare at them every day, then go to the library to borrow books. I need a cure!!

Say no to DNF

I'm currently reading a book that I cannot stand. But I will finish it, because once I start anything I need to finish it.

Fear of bad influences

If there is a movie adaptation of the book, then I cannot watch it until I have read said novel in it's entirety. This week I told my friends no to hanging out because they had rented Gone Girl, and I have not read it yet. 

Trying to get others to read

I'm the girl who reads in the subway and smiles if I catch you peeking at the cover. If the book is any good I will personally recommend it.  Let's just say not everyone wants to read. Then you get stuck with someone who just wants to talk about the weather and ethnic food while I could be reading.

Am I the only one?

Review: Along for the Ride

We regret more the things we didn't do, than those we did.

When Auden opts to take some time off studying and visit her dad, she expects to spend quality time with him. But instead she gets stuck with her stepmom and new baby sister in a small town, that hosts only one coffee shop. Her introvert self doesn't mind the quiet - if only is were quiet. Her dad keeps nagging about his writer's block leaving her stepmom alone to care for the baby. So Auden takes over the responsibility of babysitting and managing the accounts of her stepmom's store. Will Auden ever be able to let go and have some fun?

Dessen won a Goodreads Choice Awards for this novel, and it's easy to understand why. The character development goes deep. Everyone has flaws and qualities, including Auden. As always, a male protagonist is introduced to help balance her out. But Eli isn't just there to fill up the pages. He has scars of his own that need proper attention.Divorce is major topic and profusely addressed although it could have been about 80 pages shorter and still kept it's meaning.

All work and no play makes everyone go dull, so remember to unwind from time to time and go ride a bike.

Happy Valentine's Day

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 14 Févr. 2015 à 13h14 PST

I would like to wish everyone a Happy VD filled with chocolates and books. Here are some of my favorite romance novels for this season:

What is your favorite romance novel?

Review: We can Work it Out

Penny, leader of The Lonely Hearts Club (an association for single girls with a broken heart), thinks she can handle it all. Club parties and gatherings with the girls every Saturday night, school, family nights, and of course manage to spend time with her new boyfriend Ryan -- the girl can really stretch her schedule.  Plus, Ryan's so compliant when it comes to organizing his time around hers. He even forgives her for being uncomfortable with PDA, in case The Lonely Hearts Club members resent her for it. But how long will Ryan keep this ''we can work it out'' attitude? Is Penny asking for too much?

Most of Penny's troubles were actually in her head. Creating a single girls group was a fantastic idea, especially one that meets on Saturday nights and spends Valentine's day together. But she took it too far by not wanting to delegate any of the functions. There's no reason to be ashamed of meeting Mr.Right and that is something Penny had to learn the hard way.

Prepare for some teary-eye moments, and giggles as author Elizabeth Eulberg demonstrates how obsessed Penny's family is with the Beatles.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Thinking Out Loud

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN THINGS I LIKE/DISLIKE ABOUT ROMANCE NOVELS

Likes

You can learn a lot from reading romance novels. There's something about looking at a relationship from afar that makes you say ''Why does she stay with him if he always puts her second?'' SO...

1) The life lessons you learn by reading them

2) Inspiring sweet romantic ideas 

3) Books that contains some poetry 

4)Exotic locations 

5) When they make me cry 

Dislikes

6)Temporary Breakups when they should be together

7) Love triangles 

8) Instalove 

9) Needy characters (the girl stays with a creep just because) 

10) Unrealistic couples (they don't get into a single fight)

What do you like/dislike about romance novels?

My Batmans have never looked this hot

Let's face it, with shows like Gotham, toy demands, movies and comic books -- superheroes are not going anywhere. We are better off learning how to draw them, whether to recreate personal fantasies or to please our inner child. 

I admit it -- I'm not that good at drawing. This was me before the book:

It's difficult finding the correct posture and the right places to shade. And the face! How do you go from a stick figure to an actual human being? That's why this book provided me with lots of help. Not only does it contain action scenes. But it shows you how to begin by drawing the faces and then moves on to the entire body. It also includes all DC favorites such as The Kents, the Batmobile, Black Canary and Harley Queen. All the bios were written to help boost super heroes and villains knowledge.

A great help for DC fans.

Feature and Follow Friday: Double Trouble

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

Q: Do you read more than 1 book at a time, and if so, how, like a certain amount of pages before moving on to the next one in queue?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 16 Janv. 2015 à 8h59 PST

Can you be at two places at once?

Nah.

I admit that sometimes I ''multiread''. But since I'm being honest, this only happens when I'm not feeling a certain book and yet part of me refuses to let it go. Maybe because it had a good beginning but now is dragging -- or because it came highly recommended. Whatever the reason is, if I were enjoying the book I wouldn't go look elsewhere.

Do you multiread?

Review: Love, Lucy

An exotic love story or a ''what was his name'' fling?

After this summer, Lucy's life is going to get serious. Her dad coerced her to drop acting and pursue a career in management. Goodbye artistic dreams, goodbye hope. But wait! Summer isn't over yet, and what a better place to fall in love and godspeed her dreams than in Italy. What Lucy didn't expect was that saying goodbye to a lover or a dream isn't as easy as it seems. 

Lindner tackled two of life's big choices: love and career. When Lucy bids farewell to Jesse, the boy who stole her heart in Italy, she didn't imagine to pine over him for so long. It seems that every other boy she meets is instantly compared to  Jesse, as she desperately searches to recreate that same connection. Lindner's descriptions were detailed enough to transport us along to the European coast and college. 

Cleverly written, Love, Lucy is filled with passion and romance, talks about the pros and cons of travelling with a girlfriend (what happens with her when you meet a guy), and most importantly why sometimes we are unable to admit we've fallen in love.

Top Ten Tuesday: Get Ur Book On

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS I SKIPPED

Lack of time? Overbooked? 

Enough with the excuses. I skipped these book recommendation for the simple reason that I always forget to pick them up at the bookstore. I need an App.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I'm definitely in the minority pile of Colombians that have not read a Garcia Marquez book. This one in particular is often raved about and I've been told to start getting to know the author with this Nobel Prize winner.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

"I can't go see the movie with you," I told my girls.

"But we are all going, Cupid. It's just a couple of hours."

"I ... haven't read the book yet." 

N0S4A2 by Joe Hill

This license plate came strongly recommended. An impossible to put down book. I vowed to pick it up as soon as I finish The Stand --  which is still laying on my night stand. 

Feed by Mira Grant

Zombies!! Oh, and just before bed time. I love it -- need to remember to pick this one up. 

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

I adored the first two books and can easily imagine why everyone keeps recommending me this one. 

Which book topped your list?

Review: The Jewel

Being special works for and against you.

Violet was chosen to be a surrogate for royalty, who due to a medical condition are unable to procreate on their own. Her pretty face and magic auguries scores, land her on top of the most wanted list and places her with a very prestigious family. But Violet isn't blinded by the riches. She sees how unhappy, jealous and competitive the royals are against one another. And now that one lucky new born will get picked as the future ruler's betrothed, the competition gets even more fierce. Can Violet fulfill her mistress' wish and give birth to a baby in just three months?

All through the book, the surrogates were treated like slaves. They were leashed, coerced into hurting themselves for the royals entertainment, lobotomized -- the list is long. And yet, Violet maintains her survival instincts. Men aren't spared. The handsome ones are purchased to keep lonely girls company until they find husbands. The power division in the society is incredibly corrupt. People are dying of hunger while the rich throw their money away buying humans. Amy Ewing does a great job at heightening the stakes as Violet begins to yearn for her freedom.

A fast read with a compassionate MC and magic rituals.

Caught my arrow #41

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

Lots of YA on my reading list this week which I will most likely devour. And just in case I need something to keep me up at night, I borrowed a Zombie classic?!?

Received from Publisher

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 6 Janv. 2015 à 13h31 PST

Love Lucy by April Lindner

Purchased

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Borrowed from library

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

What are you reading this week?

Feature and Follow Friday: Off my Radar

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

Q: Do you post your reviews anywhere besides your blog?

Like many of you, my reviews are not kept hidden on the blog. Feel free to friend me on Goodreads, whether you have a blog or not. I love checking out what other readers thought about the books I've read. It feels awesome when you find someone who either liked or disliked the same book as you.

I also post my reviews on Amazon.ca


Where do you post your reviews?

Review: Reached

It all comes tumbling down...

With finales, unfortunately accompanied by great character loses and love triangle disasters, Reached  felt suspenseful from page one. It takes a long time to overthrow a society. As Cassia, Xander and Ky learned in the sequel Crossed, there is a pilot a.k.a leader who began the Rising before they were even born. An immunity was given to some citizens at birth to prevent them from a paralyzing virus in the future. The time has come to take over the society once and for all by bribing them with the cure. But what no one expected was that viruses tend to mutate. What happens when there's no longer a cure?

Control is a theme seen throughout the book as our main characters are left at their work posts waiting for the pilot to decide what action comes next. Not all are immune, and therefore a race against the clock begins and the possibility of death puts many things (like love) into perspective. Sometimes we must take matters into our own hands.

Since Cassia's love preference always seemed clear from the start, Condie's decision to add the virus into the mix gave the book the suspense it needed for a gran finale.

Review: All Fall Down

Grace's mom was murdered and nobody believes her.

Adding to the tragedy, she must now move back to Embassy Row, where she shared so many memories with her mom. She's seen as a rebel and mentally unstable. But Grace has no time to worry about fitting in, because the killer's still on the loose, and seems to have his eyes on her. Will someone believe her before she becomes the next target?

Ally Carter filled her story with a great supporting cast. We've got the charming and protective Russian, the hacker, the spy and the wingman -- all from different countries bringing their own spice to the story. The background is an amazing plus, allowing for lavish parties and powerful antagonists.But what makes All Fall Down particular is Grace's mental instability. Is there actually a killer or does Grace just need someone to blame?

Piece after piece, the puzzle revealed at the end is anything but what was expected.

Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest

Once up a time, there was a horned boy sleeping in a glass coffin. He was beautiful. And two siblings fell in love with him... 

Fairfolk's not a town like any other. The Fae have their own hidden community and expect the humans to keep out while they roam about kidnapping children. But now that the horned boy is free, the Fae vow to cause greater havoc until he is returned.

Siblings Fae hunters, Hazel and Ben, have their own plans on how to put an end to this mess. But deep down both of them carry secrets that could hinder their quest. Together with the help of part/fae- part/human Jack, they embark on a mission to end the Fae's control over the town once and for all.

Although Holly Black put in a huge effort to include romance into the story, none of the characters really felt worthy of such love. They were selfish, particularly Hazel, who's major sacrifice served mostly for her benefit than anyone else. For this reason I was glad that romance took second place in the story, which focused the attention on sword fights and understating the complete world of the Fae. Too bad the ending felt rushed.

Review: Hit

The Crush and the Crash

Sarah's in love with her poetry teacher, Mr. Haddings, in ways that would be considered unethical. Still, she decides to pour her heart out and writes him a letter. Unfortunately, on her way to deliver said letter, Haddings, who inadvertently looked at his cellphone, runs her over with his car. The story takes us through the following two days post accident. And how both  Sarah and Haddings, must come to terms with what happened. 

Hit seems like the kind of story that would have benefit immensely from having more than two point-of-views. Sarah's parents were uncomfortable being around each other, her brother was too preoccupied with looks while her best friend found solace being near him. But Mr. Haddings wasn't allowed to approach the family and Sarah was... injured. So the untold stories lingered int he air. If only the flashbacks would have gone deeper than poetry and claim that five star rating.

Grover based Hit on a true story, and encourages us to follow The Red Thumb Reminder and paint our nail red as a warning not to text and drive. Let's make a difference.

Feature and Follow Friday: Casse-Noisette

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

Q: Do you have any fun collections (other than books) ?


Nutcrakers!! I don't know what that says about my relationship with men or nuts (I only eat almonds). But they look so adorable.

It also explains why I wasn't scared of Jigsaw from the Saw movies. I mean look at him, he is a nutcraker.

What do you collect?

Review: The Chosen One

Life is full of choices we don't get to make...

Kyra belongs to the Chosen Ones, a sect religion that places the prophet's needs above the rest of the community. Together with her siblings, mothers and father, Kyra lives within the community hidden in the forest. She even has a crush named Joshua who is hinting at marriage. But then the prophet has a vision that she is meant to be married right away-- not to Joshua - but to her sixty-year-old uncle Hyrum. Can Kyra defy her religion even if it means placing everyone she loves at risk?

Lynch Williams made this book impossible to put down. Once the marriage announcement to uncle Hyrum is set, the deadline seems imminent and the pages just kept turning themselves. The topic of obedience vs punishment gets quite tense as Kyra's situation forces other members of the community to ponder on their beliefs.

Lots of action, stolen kisses and thought provoking plotlines.

Review: If you could be mine

There is nothing more hurtful than loving someone who can't love you back. 

In Sahar's case, it's more complicated than that. Nasrin and her have been lovers since their lifelong friendship turned into something more. But life in Tehran impedes them from expressing their love publicly. Now that Nasrin is about to be married, Sahar grows frenzied, and the only solution she can find to saving their love is a sex reassignment surgery.

Farizan turned a forbidden love story into a debate about how far we are willing to compromise our values for love. Sahar is against adultery, but a sex change is considerable? She meets Parvern, a transgender boy who went through the surgery and together they discuss several LGBT themes.

A short contemporary story that makes you realize how pointless a relationship looks when only one person is willing to sacrifice to sustain it.

Caught my arrow #40

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

I am overbooked this week -- can you tell.  But no worries, I still have a few more vacation days left to read away.

Received from Publisher

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le Déc. 12, 2014 at 9:46 PST

The Darkest part of the Forest by Holly Black

Received from Netgalley

Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen 

Kiss and Tell by Jacqueline Green

Borrowed from library

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Michelle Hodkin

What are you reading this week?

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?