Thursday, October 25, 2012

Review: Easily Amused

Blurb: (from amazon) 
When twenty-nine-year-old Lola Watson unexpectedly inherits a rambling house in the suburbs, she thinks it just may be the cherry on a banner year. After all, she’s happily single, with fabulous friends and her dream job working at a popular magazine. Life is perfect—until her new neighbors make her their new “project,” a heartbroken high school friend crashes indefinitely at her house, and her younger sister announces she’s getting married…on Lola’s thirtieth birthday. Suddenly Lola’s not so keen on her newfound domestic bliss. But when she meets handsome, mysterious Ryan Moriarty, Lola dares to hope she’s found the perfect guy to one-up her sister and add a little spice back into her life.
My Thoughts:

This was a cute, quick read. When I started to read this book, I thought I'd never warm up to Lola. She seemed too egotistical and obvious to like, BUT as the story progressed and developed, so did she. She starts off pretty much only thinking about herself and her life, which makes sense, but doesn't really help you relate to her. I found myself cringing at her behavior towards her neighbors who were obviously being nice. She just wasn't having it, she wasn't at all interested in finding out anything about them. I honestly couldn't understand why they didn't just give up on her.

I loved her friends. Hubert started out as a mushy, but sweet guy. I wanted to kill his ex because she treated him so badly! I hated her and never got to "meet" her in the story!  I thought he was a bit too nice at times, but that just makes him endearing. I did think that it was completely obvious that he was in love with Lola, so her being oblivious was a bit  of an eyeroll.

Mindy was the only character I couldn't get. I understand sibling rivalry. I have a younger sister myself. I've been there. I just didn't understand where he seemingly seething hatred of Lola came from. She just was totally mean and it just came across as without motive. I also had NO clue why her fiance didn't just say "eff you" and leave her a LONG time ago? She was a total bitch to him too.

The twist with Ryan was a bit predictable, but still I didn't have a problem with it. He was obviously too good to be true, and I think that the writer didn't pretend he was anything but. We just had to wait for Lola to figure it out, and wait for the results.

All in all, I liked Easily Amused. It was a fun read, that kept me..well easily amused for a while. I liked the writing, and baring a few little issues I will say it's a solid read.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

22 on 22 Read-a-thon!

Lookit what I found? My friend Michelle tipped me off to this read-a-thon! I'm a day late to join, but I just cannot resist a good "thon so here I go! :)


 My book stack is pretty much my list from my Post on Monday!

10/23/12 and 10/24
Book: Coraline by Neil Gaiman (FINISHED) Fang Girl
Finished: 1 (Coraline)
Notes: With work and my husband having the brilliant idea to stay up and watch Night of the Living Dead 2 (which is horrible in a "i'm not sure if this is brilliant or the worst movie ever" kind of way) I didn't get to finish Coraline (10/23)

Day 3 Mini Challenge:

"Today’s challenge is all about showing off the top book you are waiting on!
Please be sure to include a cover, summary, and the reason you are waiting on it in your challenge post."

Mine is

Summary:
Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is--and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

My Reason:
I was enraptured by the first book! I loved the world that was built and the characters are just wow! I
really cannot wait to read this one!

10/25
Book: Fang Girl

Finished: 1 (Coraline)

Notes: 

Monday, October 22, 2012

What are you Reading?

So yous guys, check it! I posted that list last week and only finished 1 book from it... Archon didn't really float my boat so I ditched it. I may try it again some other time before I write it off as a DNF. Easily Amused was adorbs-sauce, so please stay tuned to a review.

This week I am planning on reading these titles:

  • Coraline
  • Sophia's War
  • Incarnation 
  • Fang Girl 
  • (Finish) Wuthering Heights
I may change some of these titles for others but tentatively these are my planned reads! What are you reading this week?

Saturday, October 20, 2012

My October Reading Challenge Starts NOW!



 I will read 15 books in October! I have 5 already, so I figured that I could set my own little challenge thingy to get me moving! So below you will see my counter and can check on my progress! I will be listing my books both here and on the "Books Read in 2012" tab above!

 October: 

  1. Eve -Anna Carey
  2. Easily Amused-Karen McQuestion
  3. One Came Home-Amy Timberlake
  4. Ten-Gretchen McNeil
  5. Gravediggers-Christopher Krovatin
  6.  Coraline-Neil Gaiman
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11.  
  12.  
  13.  
  14.  
  15.  











5 / 15 books read 33% done!

Friday, October 19, 2012

My First Vlog Review: Gravediggers

What up my peeps?! Here be my first vlog review! I hope you enjoy it! Please disregard all of these things: bad hair, too many umm., and obviously nervous reviewer!




Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Review: Eve



Blurb:
Where do you go when nowhere is safe?
After a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth's population, the world is a terrifying place.
Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a bright future in The New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school's real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
Fleeing the only home she's ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. But when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life...

My Thoughts:
I was reluctant to read this. I don't honestly know why? I guess the whole "Deadly virus wipes out the world!" has been done before. After reading countless reviews for this book, I changed my mind. I love a good dystopian. I really do. This genre kicks ass, when done right. Eve does it very well. It has smart writing, good characters, and a very fast pace.

The only part that I think would have made this a 5 Fleur book, would have been if more information about the virus had been given. I felt like the vagueness of the plague's description came off as a bit...not lazy but like a convenient way to get the story rolling. That pretty much is the jist of my complaints.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to someone who has a thing for dystopia!


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Quick Review: Girl of Nightmares


Blurb: (from amazon)
It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.


My Thoughts:
I loved Anna Dressed in Blood. Girl of Nightmares (henceforth known as GoN) is a solid  finish up to Anna. GoN sucked me in right from the start with the continuation of Anna and Cas' story. This book, seriously kicked butt.  I loved things like the suicide forest and the creepiness of the Order. The atmosphere was enough to give me the shivers!

Kendare Blake has a wonderful way of keeping you on the edge. No one is safe. I love that! I love it when writers take a risk with their characters. Cas, Carmel, and Thomas are all expendable and no one is given a free get out of jail pass! That is awesome story telling!





Monday, October 15, 2012

What are you reading?

I have a few reviews up and scheduled for this week! I feel all productive and shizz! The readathon really kicked my reading frenzy back into gear!

I only read 2 books but that was my goal and I reached it! I am pleased! I hope this upcoming week is going to be just as productive!


My Reading List for this week:
  • Archon 
  • Wuthering Heights (finish)
  • Easily Amused (finish)
Upcoming Posts:
  • Eve by Anna Carey (review)
  • Ten by Gretchen McNeil (review)
  • Gravediggers by Christopher Krovatin 

This week can come at me! LOL

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Dewey's Updates (Back to regularly scheduled programming)



 I'm done with work! I can join in all gung ho and full force! WOOT! 


So here we go, bro! 




Hour 9-Hour 10
What are you reading right now? Ten by Gretchen McNeil
How's that going? So far so good! I am loving this book! Onward hour 11!

 Books finished so far: Nope
Pages read these hours:  83
Total pages read so far: 83
Food consumed this hour: part of a veggie tray, water and an energy drink. 



Hour 10-Hour 12
What are you reading right now? Ten by Gretchen McNeil, One Came Home by Amy Timberlake.
How's that going? I finished! I finished! Now I'm gonna read One Came Home

 Books finished so far: 1
Pages read these hours:  211
Total pages read so far: 211
Food consumed this hour: energy drink, sweet potato and beet chips, pizza!



Mini Challenge hosted by JoyStory
This is my sideways child reading Scary School 2. He's becoming a little bookworm just like his mommy! :)


Hour 12-Hour 14
What are you reading right now? One Came Home by Amy Timberlake.
How's that going?  Pretty good. One Came Home is a change of pace. I like it though.

 Books finished so far: 1
Pages read these hours:  77
Total pages read so far: 288
Food consumed this hour: oj and turkey sausage




Hour 14-Hour 16
What are you reading right now? One Came Home by Amy Timberlake.
How's that going? Book 2 finished! Woot!

 Books finished so far: 2 
Pages read these hours:  176
Total pages read so far: 541
Food consumed this hour:  blueberry bagel, coffee, water, oj


Stella Matutina's challenge:
 

This picture reminded me on Georgie from One Came Home...


Hour 17-Hour 18
What are you reading right now? Archon by Sabrina Benulis
How's that going? I'm done. I'm really very tired right now. I wanted 2 books and I reached my goal! Til next time my readathoners! :)

 Books finished so far: 2 
Pages read these hours: 15
Total pages read so far: 541
Food consumed this hour: just water


Totals:
Books Read: 2

Pages: 556


replace the word *nap* with crash into bed looking like a big ole drooling mess, then this is highly accurate! 

Good night peoples!

Dewey's Hours 5-8



Welp people! This is the time that my mediocre reading speed slows down to a snail's pace. I have to work for the next 4 hours! Boo! After that though, my progress will rock (hopefully!)

So I will put this as a chunk of update

Hours 5-8
What are you reading right now? Ten by Gretchen McNeil
How's that going?
So far pretty slow, now I'm working these next hour hours so it should be even slower! But gotta make that bank, right?
 Books finished so far: Nope
Pages read these hours: 9
Total pages read so far: 29
Food consumed this block: more coffee with pumpkin spice creamer, oj, beet and sweet potato chips, granola bar


Gonna keep trudging on though! No stopping me this read-a-thon! Not work, demon cats, or sleepiness!
 

Dewey's Starting Line and Intro Challenge

Hey guys! I'm late! My hell beast of a cat decided that LAST night was the proper night for a total meltdown. Sooo needless to say I slept in a little. I still have to work today but I am going to squeeze in as much reading as I can! So here's my catching up post! I believe you all are in hour 3! Whew!

 Introductory Questionnaire 
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
I'm reading from Alabama! 
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
I only created a temporary stack, so I am allowing myself to graze throughout, but I do think that Don't Turn Around looks really good! I think that will be my second read! 
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
I bought a little veggie tray! It looks so yummy! I was tempted to eat it this morning! 
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I'm 31 years old. I'm from Alabama and have lived here my whole life! I have an 8 year old son, a helldemon cat, a sweet cute husband, and I work from home. 
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
Well I have participated in several. I was hoping to be able to go full out this year but my work scheduled didn't permit it. I am just hoping to finish at least 2 books this year!

Snack Mini Challenge
One of my favorite parts is reading about everyone's SNACKAGES! I tried to go as healthy as possible, but also remember that some junk is okay! *ahem* why I have some energy drinks in the mix!


My First Hour ish (hour 3 for everyone else) to hour 2 (hour 4)

What are you reading right now? Ten by Gretchen McNeil
How's that going? I didn't get to start with everyone else, and I'm a bit tired from hell demon cat, but I'm hoping later to have a nice solid chunk of time to read!

 Books finished so far: Nope
Pages read these hours: 29
Total pages read so far: 29
Food consumed this hour:  Blueberry bagel, water, and coffee with pumpkin spice!


 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Dewey's!

Tomorrow is THE DAY! I will not be able to read all the way through as I have to work, but I will read as much as I can when I can! :) I'm even getting up SORTA/KINDA early to do so! I'm not expecting to read as much as I usually do, but I will do my best!

Here are Mah books:
  • Wuthering Heights
  • Incarnation 
  • One Came Home 
  • Ten
  • Don't Turn Around
  • Scored 
  • False Memory
These are NOT my final list.. and I'm not saying I'll read them all, but I will try to pick from these.

Look for my starting line to go up around 7am CST!


Monday, October 8, 2012

Spoilers....

Shush River! These are important spoilers! *nerdy Dr. Who reference for those that think I've gone crazy* 

Lately you may have noticed that I've gone a bit quiet on the blogging front. I have been. I've been debating on the fate of this blog. I still haven't decided yet, but I do know that the thought of stopping makes me ugly cry, but the pressure of everyday life and keeping this blog somewhat up to date is becoming a bit much. 

For now, I'm not going to stop. I will post but I don't think it will be very regular. I have commitments  for reviews, both on and off my blog so I will get those done first. I think I need to get back to reading for FUN and not for blogging. 

Things coming up:
  • I will announce the winner of my mini challenge (most likely tuesday)
  • I have 3 reviews to write! 
  • DEWEY'S! (I'll be working through it mostly but on my off time I'll be reading with you all!)
So there, now you know why I've been hushed...

Monday, October 1, 2012

FrightFall Read-a-Thon: My Mini Challenge



October is like my most favoritest month EVER! I love me a good creepy and that's just that.  One of my favorite things to do is to read scary stories or just have the crap scared out of me! I'm a big fan of websites like No Sleep and fandoms like the Slenderverse, and other super creepy fun stuff like that.

My love of the creeps has inspired me to host this challenge!

My mission for you is to find the creepiest picture, video, or story and link it here or the link to your post if you post on your website.

I will use Random.org to pick the winner.

The prize will be a $10 amazon giftcard.

Here is a little  creepy inspiration: 

So what are you waiting for? Creep me out!

FrightFall Read-a-Thon Starts NOW!





So these are my picks:
  • Eve by Anna Carey
  • The Demi-Monde by Rod Rees
  • Gravediggers by Christopher Krovatin
  • Archon by Sabrina Benulis
  • The Night Eternal by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro 
So as you can see my selections have some sort of spooky/paranormal element to them! If you want to join along just click the button up top and sign up!

 I will be hosting a mini challenge too! Look for that to pop up shortly!

 1st Update: 
Book: Eve by Anna Carey
Finished: No

  2nd Update: 
Book: Eve by Anna Carey
Finished: FINISHED

Now Reading:
Grave Diggers by Christopher Krovatin