Review: Love Me Tender

Can constant criticism force a family to separate?

Elvira and her mother always had a strange relationship. In fact, she calls her Mel, and can't seem to relate to the pain her mother goes through when her Dad leaves. But a sudden call warning them that grandmother is very ill, forces Mel out of her shell and allows Elvira to discover why her mom left her family, and why she acts like she does. 

All in all, Couloumbis wrote a pleasant read. Often somber and with lots of sibling rivalry. Sadly, I expected more of a family crisis under the circumstances, and found things a bit too easily resolved. It is my belief that too much time apart after a fight deepens the wounds, not fixes them. 

Feature and Follow Friday: Pre Thanksgiving Blues

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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

Q: Are there any books to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

Many in my opinion. But the one that reaches me the most is The Shinning by Stanley Kubrick/ Stephen King. The plot circled around madness more than the supernatural, which made it scarier for me, since cabin fever is not that far fetched. Especially with the overcrowded thanksgiving reunions lurking about.

7 Quickies for that Special Occasion

Whether by plane or train, travelling with a good light read makes the trip more memorable. Here is a list of quick reads (all 300 pages and less) to complete the journey in peace.

Inspirational (197 pages)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Sci-Fi (216 pages)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Classics (254 pages)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Contemporary (264 pages)

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Horror (273 pages)

Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

Historical Fiction (296 pages)

Marie Antoinette Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Ya/Chick-Lit (229 pages)

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Review: Pirouette

One woman's trash is another woman's treasure. 

Hannah and Simone, identical twins separated during an adoption process, meet after years of being apart. Both of them have different family lives; different personalities. And yet they share a special love and hate connection to dance. To make things simple, they switch places so Hannah can dance at a specialized school, and Simone can relax from the twirls. What's the worst that can happen?

Although the plot might resemble The Parent Trap, Bavati spiced things up with a quadrangle love story. The only character that seemed lacking was Hannah, who didn't appear enthused at all to do anything worth while. 

A fast read, that will make you wonder the wasted opportunities due to parents and teens lack of communication. 

  

Top Ten Tuesday: One way or Another

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP COVERS I WOULD REDESIGN

Although I did prepare a list of covers I would instantly redesign, I decided to take the topic into a different direction. So I displayed two cover options for each book, that way we can all choose our own favorites.

                                                        The Queen of Everything 

My Pick                                          

                                                                   Unearthly

                                         My Pick

                                                                   Shatter Me 

My Pick                                        

                 

                                                        Under the Never Sky 

                                      My Pick

                                                           Ten Tiny Breaths 

My Pick                                       

Share your own favorites!!

Review: The Lightning Thief

The Gods are brought back to life, as Rick Riordan gives Greek Mythology a makeover.

Percy Jackson keeps having problems at school, mainly caused by his ADHD and dyslexia. Little does he know that his life is about to change -- taking a turn for the worst -- as his mother is attacked by a creature and Percy forced to shelter at Camp Half-Blood where he is declared a Demi-God. He will now have to take on the task of hero and accept a quest to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt. 

Well-written and plotted, The Lightning Thief knows no boundaries when it comes to action. Percy is strong, wise for his age, and yet grows as a character before our eyes. But what makes the book impossible to put down are the magical scenes including Centaurs and The Fates. 

Glad to see the movie doesn't deviate too much from the book.

Caught my arrow #25

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.

Believe it or not, it snowed in Montreal last night, officially making Winter present in the town. Maybe it's time to start writing down my Christmas list. Until then, here are the goodies I received this week.

Received from Author
(Thank you very much!!)



The Boy from the Woods


Bought

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck

Borrowed from Library

The Lover's Dictionary (Came highly recommended from a Nanowrimo )

What are you reading this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Coup de Coeur

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP SEQUELS I DESIRE

You finish a book only to find out it ends in a cliffhanger! Thus begins the agonizing wait for the sequel. Here are the top books that have me restless with anticipation.

 

Please do tell what is driving you wild!

Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Every child should be given the same opportunities in life. 

Junior grew up on the rez with his parents, sister and best friend Rowdy. He was contented with his life until a teacher convinced him to switch to a town school. Not only is the community turning against him now, but Rowdy no longer speaks to him, his sister gets the impulse to wed, and the kids at the new school aren't eager to accept him. 

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is based on Sherman Alexie's life, and he doesn't spare us the details of the injustices the kids on the rez suffer: healthcare once a year, no bus to and from the city. And worse, the opportunities they have compared to the city community. 

Although, there is very little romance in the book, subjects like child abuse, alcoholism, and racism take over and make it worth the read. 

November Welcomes Nanowrimo

50,000 words in 30 days.

A challenge many are willing to take this month for a creative writing project called Nanowrimo. Started in 1999, Nano encourages writers all over the world to unite, and write for the love of words. Authors like Rainbow Rowell and Sara Gruen wrote their masterpieces during Nano with great results.

Yours truly is participating this month , and attended a start-up party in Montreal for advice. Here are the top three:

1) To keep you from editing while you write -- keep a notebook -- you will have time to go back later on and will thus avoid unnecessary changes. 

2) Participate in Word Wars/ Sprints. Joining other Nanowrimos via the regional website or facebook and giving yourself time challenges, like 10 minutes writing non-stop, will keep you going and entertained. 

3) Relax. Type the words as they come to you without pressure. Remember you also need to enjoy the experience. 

Review: You Against Me

Can a perfect couple be destined not to be together?

"Blood is thicker than water" doesn't apply to Mikey, when he sets out to gain Ellie's trust and make her confess her brother is lying about having consensual sex with his sister. Ellie was in the house when it happened. She knows the truth. But will falling in love with Ellie force Mickey to desist the cause and put family second?

Jenny Downham concentrates on showing her story through dialogue, making it more personal and entertaining to read. If only both Mikey and Ellie weren't so confused. Same as Romeo and Juliet's relationship was overtaken by their family's hate, Mikey and Ellie aren't given enough time to fall in love "properly" with good flirting and laughs and all the closeness we are searching for in a couple. 

You against me, is a realistic story, although the situation is nightmarish to the point where it doesn't feel like a romance story at all.

Top Ten Tuesday: Scream and Shout

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP CREEPY COVERS

Here are the top books I'd rather read with my kindle, than see the terrifying cover on my nightstand.

                             

                            

Review: Wild Born

Put aside the vampires! The supernatural genre just got more interesting as beasts and humans connect in a special spiritual quest to save the world. 

Rollan, Meilin, Abeke and Conor, all drank a cup of nectar at their eleventh birthday. It is tradition; a rite of passage that will determine which children in Erdas are chosen to carry on a bond with a spirit animal. Not all of them are happy with the results. Rollan, for instance, is hesitant of drinking the nectar and joining the chosen ones. While, Meilin -- a young girl with secrets up her sleeve -- is disappointed to be paired with a panda. Can't blame her, really, compared to the others she got the most docile of animals. 

As they begin to understand the importance of their mission, the story takes a darker tone. Bradon Mull used cleverly written fight scenes, misleading characters, and a visual scenery reminiscent of Africa and Asia. 

A great story that will delight fans of The Golden Compass.