Crown of Midnight

Stars 2/5

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

**SPOILER ALERT**

Trigger Warning - Female on Male Abuse

One thing I will say about this book is that it is very well written... BUT... I do not like the main character Celaena Sardothien. I think for a person being raised and taught as an assassin, she is very childish and even a hypocrite. It is fine when she holds back secrets but turns on others when they do the same. The two male characters in this book, Crown Prince Dorian and Chaol, the Captain of the Guard, are written to be weak and even cowards compared to her which is icky to read. If Chaol would of attacked her the same way she attacked him, scarring his face and trying to kill him, everyone would hate him. Regardless of all the crap Celaena went through in her life, what she did was abusive and there is no excuses for this. I will read the next book in the series to see if things improve, but will not continue if this female on male abuse continues. I would not recommend if you are triggered with female on male abuse.

Throne of Glass

Stars 4/5

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I have to admit that going into this book, I didn't think I would like it due to the fact that I am really not fond of the "assassin" theme but I was really shocked at how great the book really was. I started the book just to see how I would like it and next thing I knew I was half way through the book. A very exciting read, in that you don't want to put it down. I enjoyed the fast pace and how lots of things are happening throughout the story. A book about a young female assassin, her life and struggles, making friends and being in a competition that would decide the rest of her life. I can not wait to read the rest of the series and would recommend this first book to everyone. 

Their Dear Little Ghost

Stars 5/5

Their Dear Little Ghost by Elia Wilkinson Peattie

(Cover For Book Could Not Be Found)

A short story that is wonderful around Christmas. A child fondness for things and love never dies. I would recommend this to everyone. 

P.S. I Like You

Stars 4/5

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

A very sweet young love story. Very predictable but I liked that. I found myself smiling as I read. Characters most can relate to and like. I know this book is marked as YA but I kinda felt as if it could easily be middle grade. I would recommend this to everyone seeking a cute fast reading love story with a musical backdrop.

The Magicians

Stars 3/5

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

I honestly have to say the reason why I gave this book 3 stars is because I messed it up for myself. I had already watched the Syfy series and so as I was reading the book, I kept picturing the cast and I really didn't enjoy the show. I thought the hand movements were so exaggerated it made me laugh and after that I couldn't take things seriously. I hope to read the other books in this series but maybe not right now. I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn't corrupted their experience by watching the SyFy series first.

Me and Earl and The Dying Girl

Stars 4/5

Me and Earl and The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I have to say.. I liked this book. This story dealt with a hard issue of cancer and dying. The main character Greg was pretty much forced by his mom to befriend Rachel as she was dying of cancer and he did become her friend but not a love interest. There were lots of dark humor moments with jokes including some dirty which reminded me of Beavis and Butthead. I think the jokes were mainly defense mechanisms that he used to deal with the stress of the situation he was put into. Teen humor and teen thoughts. In the end, I think Greg finally realized about death and pain. So in a way, a coming of age story for both him and his friend Earl. I would recommend this but only to people who can see past the humor and understand the verity.

Bird Box

Stars 3/5

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

**SPOILER ALERT**

Great plot for this dystopian thriller but regret not finding out more about the creatures... what they were, where they came from ect... I feel without that knowledge we are left hanging unless there will be a second book that I am unaware of. I also find myself wondering about Gary. Where did he go? How was he immune? I hate being left in the dark. Another thing that kinda bothered me was the fact Malorie called the kids boy and girl not even acknowledging them as human beings until the very end, in which only after they did the job she trained them for did she reward them with a name. I did enjoy the book, I just wish there was not so many unfilled holes. 

Fangirl

Stars 4/5

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

One thing I loved about this book was the passion Cath felt towards the characters Simon and Baz. I can definitely relate to being swept away in a fictional world as well as I can see how it negatively affected her and her life. I gave this story 4 stars only because I felt the ending was a bit rushed seeing how long the book was. I would of loved to know more about what happened next. It was only her first year in college, I would hope Rainbow Rowell may consider doing another book for her next year in college! I would recommend this book to everyone.  P.S. I love Simon and Baz too! 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Carry On

Stars 4/5

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

(New Cover)

I have to say that in the beginning, I thought this book was going to be a generic "Harry Potter" but then .... in came Baz! Such a fun book to read. You can't go wrong with Vampires with me! It is about a boy named Simon, a boarding school, his friends, his enemies, surprise diversities and lots of magic. I would recommend this book to everyone. 

Eleanor and Park

Stars 3/5

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

**SPOILER ALERT**

Honestly, I am only giving this book 3 stars because I loved Park. I think he was the perfect fiction bf. Honest, loyal, cute, intelligent, quirky, diverse and even a protective athlete. He made me smile with his concern and sweetness. I did not like Eleanor at all. I understand she was from an abusive home and had many mental issues but she was just unfair, unjust and down right mean. Maybe I was supposed to feel all excited about the "postcard with just three words" but the only thing that went through my mind is why? Why after a year? Why jerk the line again just to see if he was still there? She made up her mind to let him go and it was heartbreaking seeing her try to jerk him back again just to see if she could. I agree Eleanor was an " Ugly" girl but not because she was overweight, red bozo hair and old mismatched clothes but because of the torturous way she treated Park.

The Fool and The Flying Ship

Stars 5/5

The Fool and The Flying Ship by Robin Williams

I listened to this short children's story read by Robin Williams and I have to say I missed his humor. The story was fun and lots of silliness. Can the Fool marry the Princess? You will have to read it to know. I would recommend this to everyone especially Robin Williams fans.

Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe

Stars 4/5

Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Whenever I read such an awesome story, I always wonder what ever happened to the characters and I would really like to know.... no correction.. I need to know what ever happened to Aristotle and Dante. This is a book about self discovery, hardships, death defying incidents, coming of age and an everlasting friendship. Coming to accept various diversities, familial as well as personal. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I felt Aristotle's "oh whoa is me" attitude was a little overdone and it was a bit much to read sometimes. Other than that, the story was an amazing read. I would recommend it to everyone. 

The Seven Poor Travellers

Stars 4/5

The Seven Poor Travellers by Charles Dickens

An inspiring Christmas short story of charity, comfort and concern for others. Charles Dickens has always been a favorite of mine during the holiday season and this short story fits in very well. Written around a hospice that Dickens knew well, it describes how charity is given out to seven travelers with food, entertainment and even four pence each. I never got to read this around the holiday season but wanted to read it now around Charles Dickens 205th Birthday Celebration. I would recommend to this to everyone.

Little House in The Big Woods

Stars 4/5

Little House in The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I am going to be honest when I say that I enjoyed this book more so as an adult than I did when I read it as a child. I understand more what the author was describing and loved hearing how things were done back then. To me, this story could even be considered a guide/recipe book for ages long since past. Granted from time to time, I was picturing the cast of the tv show but I loved that show as well as a child. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to take a peek into to a life long ago.

Happy 205th Birthday Charles Dickens

Charles John Huffam Dickens

b. Feb 7, 1812 - d, June 9, 1870

I will be celebrating Mr Dickens this week as well by reading some of his works!

Happy 150th Birthday Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder

b. Feb 7, 1867 - d. Feb 10, 1957

To Celebrate her 150th Birthday, I will be reading her 9 books from the Little House Series. 

Isle of The Aunts or Monster Mission

Stars 4/5

Island of The Aunts by Eva Ibbotson

also titled... Monster Mission by Eva Ibbotson

I must say that I have read this story long ago to my daughter but I wanted to listen to the audio book and I am so glad I did. The Island of The Aunts or Monster Mission is a wonderful story about 3 ladies that live on a magical island and they set out in the world to find a few kids to kidnap and bring back to help and hopefully fall in love with the island and all it's inhabitants. Very creative and love the imaginative creatures. I would recommend this to everyone.

The Magician's Elephant

Stars 5/5

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Sometimes things that bring tragedy also bring great things. A beloved and magical story of a boy searching for answers, a magician conjuring an extravaganza, an accident and a miracle. This was a short book packed with lots of things that will make you smile. I would recommend it to everyone. 

A Taste For Monsters

Stars 5/5

A Taste For Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby

This story played out like a film in my head and I just loved it. Very creative and such an imaginative twist to the whole Jack the Ripper murders and how it interwoven itself into the life of "The Elephant Man" John Merrick. The characters are written so amazingly that you wish you were there and knew them personally. I was drawn into the story and was sad when it ended. I would recommend this to everyone and would advise to bring the tissues for the end.

Caraval

Stars 5/5

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Oh what a wonderful book! I have been waiting for this to be released since last year and OMG it was worth the wait. I just loved it. The story grabbed me from the first word and wouldn't let go until the last. An unbreakable love between sisters. An escape from abuse. A journey into the magic of love, the uncertainty of lies, deceptions and truths and of course The Game. I just loved the twists and turns of the story. So imaginative and beautiful! Magical Realism at it's Finest! I can not wait for the next book! 

Dial-A-Ghost

Stars 4/5

Dial A Ghost by Eva Ibbotson

An imaginative story about a little boy who needed a family and a family of ghosts that needed a home. This book is filled with turmoil, cloud-like hugs, scary spirits and opening your hearts up to everyone. I would recommend this book to everyone and who knows what will happen if you leave a banana out on the sundial.