Shon's December Reading Wrap Up & Book Haul

Hello Bookworms!  Another month has come to an end and that means it's time for my monthly wrap up!  I read one graphic novel and listen to two Audible this month.

December Wrap Up

Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham

In her first work of nonfiction, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood recounts her experiences on Gilmore Girls - the first and second times - and shares stories about life, love, and working in Hollywood. This collection of essays is written in the intimate, hilarious, and down-to-earth voice that made her novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, a New York Times best seller.
"This book contains some stories from my life: the awkward growing up years, the confusing dating years, the fulfilling working years, and what it was like to be asked to play one of my favorite characters again. You probably think I'm talking about my incredible achievement as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! as a Langley High School junior, a performance my dad called 'you're so much taller than the other kids.' But no! I'm talking about Lorelai Gilmore, who, back in 2008, I wasn't sure I'd ever see again. Also included: tales of living on a houseboat, meeting guys at awards shows, and that time I was asked to be a butt model. A hint: all three made me seasick." (Lauren Graham)

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Batman: The Killing Joke (Batman) by Alan Moore

Alan Moore cemented his reputation for unparalleled storytelling with wildly acclaimed books such as WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA. Here he takes on some of DC's most classic characters, offering his unforgettable version of the disturbing relationship between the Dark Knight and his greatest foe, the Joker.

In this groundbreaking work, Moore creates a twisted tale of insanity and human perseverance. Looking to prove that any man can be pushed past his breaking point to madness, the Joker attempts to drive Commissioner Gordon insane.

Refusing to give up, Gordon struggles to maintain his sanity with the help of Batman in a desperate effort to best the madman.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, Julia Whelan (narrator)

Audible's 2014 Narrator of the Year Julia Whelan performs one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved fairy tales, The Snow Queen. This classic tale is a fantastical fable of two dear friends - one of whom goes astray and is literally lost to the north woods, while the other undertakes an epic journey to rescue him. This charming, strange, and wonderful story is a timeless allegory about growing up and the challenges of staying true to one's self, and it served as the wintry inspiration for the blockbuster hit Frozen. 

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

December Book Haul 

      L♥DK #2 by Ayu Watanabe                              L♥DK #3 by Ayu Watanabe

       L♥DK #4 by Ayu Watanabe                       Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard
 

          Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Ichigo Takano

       Delirium by Lauren Oliver               Catalyst (Insignia #3) by S.J. Kincaid

         Fairest by Marissa Meyer                         Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Forest of Ruin (Age of Legends #3) by Kelley Armstrong

 Fierce Reads: Kisses and Curses by Lauren Burniac 

 













  

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

 The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

American Girls by Alison Umminger

Wendy's Review: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5)

Title / Author: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5)
Pages: Paperback, 222 pages
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Dystopia, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Adventure, Teen
Source: Bought 
Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told … until now.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this easy to read book! I'm glad I didn't skip it, as it gave me an insight to Queen Levana's life. How she came to be and what happened that made her the way she is. It's always nice to know both sides of good/evil :)                 

Happy Almost New Years Eve!

Happy Readings!

Tina Reviews: Uprooted

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Published May 19th 2015 by Del Rey 
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Young Adult

Page: 438
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. 


Review

The heroine is clumsy and a bit abnormal. She has an ability which allows her to find things in the Wood. Plucked by a wizard at 16, she watches her friend's lives pass by, as she stays with him in his castle to learn magic. She doesn't understand the reasons of the Dragon (wizard) and forces herself into his life and learns how to be a witch.

The beginning chapters are enticing. It grabs your full attention. Sadly, the middle part sort of drifted a ways and I lost interest. I'm so glad I struggled to finish the book. When Agnieszka learns what her magic is and how to use them, the story began to flow again. By far, the last 150 pages were the most exciting battle and most devious.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish it wasn't so long but I got through it.

Top Ten Tuesday #53: Top Ten Best Books Of 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Best Books Of 2016 (you choose -- best books overall of what you read regardless of pub date, of a particular genre, 2016 debuts, 2016 releases, etc)

Shon's Pick

1. Deanna Madden series by A.R. Torre - Equal parts Dexter and 50 Shades

 The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden #1)

Do Not Disturb (Deanna Madden #2)

If You Dare (Deanna Madden #3)

4. The Royals series by Erin Watt (Elle Kennedy & Jen Frederick) - These Royals will ruin you…

Paper Princess (The Royals #1)

Broken Prince (The Royals #2)

Twisted Palace (The Royals #3)

7. Sugar Bowl series by Sawyer Bennett - Seduction has never been so sweet!

Sugar Daddy (Sugar Bowl #1)

Sugar Rush (Sugar Bowl #2)

Sugar Free (Sugar Bowl #3)

10. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Tina Reviews: This Savage Song

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Published July 5th 2016 by Greenwillow Books
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Page: 427
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis

There’s no such thing as safe.

Kate Harker wants to be as ruthless as her father. After five years and six boarding schools, she’s finally going home to prove that she can be.

August Flynn wants to be human. But he isn’t. He’s a monster, one that can steal souls with a song. He’s one of the three most powerful monsters in a city overrun with them. His own father’s secret weapon.

Their city is divided. Their city is crumbling.

Kate and August are the only two who see both sides, the only two who could do something. Who is hero or a villain in this story?



Review

What a fantastic book! I'm completely obsessed with it.

The story begins with a girl setting her school "chapel" on fire. It wasn't out of spite or rebellion, it was to capture her father's attention, whom she hasn't seen in five years, and she wants to come home.

The second perspective is from a Sunai boy, one born out of violence and neglect, one who loves music.

I love reading the two perspectives. At first, I thought the story may be a Human versus Monster scenario. As the plots are laid out, I slowly begin to see how the story is forming. I found the Sunai siblings fascinating. Their dynamic vaguely reminds me of Ender's Game siblings - the parents' over-protectiveness of the youngest child, the sweet caring older sister, the Alpha male older brother. I also enjoy the friendship of Kate and August. It was such an unlikely possibility but they stood apart from the general public. Both coming from status and power and both outsiders because of that.
T
he story is fast paced and I fell into its world completely. First VE Schwab book and I'm in love! And I will admit, it had me at "monsters".

Tina Reviews: The Sun is Also a Star

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Published November 1st 2016 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Young Adult
Page: 348
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us.



Review

First of all, I can't get over how similar Nicola Yoon's writing and story matches Rainbow Rowell; Eleanor & Park springs to mind.

Second, the fast paced love at first sight, is unrealistic. While I enjoyed the dramatics of clinging to the possibility of long lasting love, the entire span of Natasha+Daniel storyline happens in one day. For this, I rate 3 stars.

Third, I enjoyed the highs and lows of the story. Including the comedic conversation of science versus romanticism. Plus, the conclusion deserves a sound applause. This, I rate 4 stars.

In retrospect, I paused and thought about why this story is about an illegal Jamaican immigrant and an American born Korean. I looked up Nicola's biography and discovered the story is loosely based on her experience and life with her husband. Ah that makes sense now.

Friday 56! December 23, 2016

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1. Grab a book, any book. 
2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. 
3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. 
4. Post it.

"MY ROOM IS nearly empty now. There are sheets and a comforter on my bed. A laptop on my desk, a few pens. A chair. I own a couple pair of jeans and shorts...The shelves are bare. No pictures. No posters. No old toys." 

From the book: 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Have a safe weekend

Xo,

Wendy

Tina Reviews: A Thousand Pieces of You

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Published November 4th 2014 by Harper Teen
Genres: Sci-Fic, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Page: 360
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis

Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite's father is murdered, and the killer—her parent's handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul— escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.


Review

My first thought is Ruby Red.

However, that's where the similarity ends. Instead of jumping from time to time, three characters from this story jump from dimensions to dimensions. These dimensions are also known as multiverses.

Marguerite discovers there are worlds out there, some similar to her own, some with different cultures and time periods. Not only is the story exhilarating but full of intrigue. Love the little plot twists and discoveries of the vast possibilities of one's self, career, taste, and love.

Thoroughly original story. Highly recommend.

Top Ten Tuesday #52: Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree (or non-book bookworm items)

Shon's Pick

1. Any thing from  Evie Seo from society6.com

2. Throw pillows from Bookworm Boutique

 3. Hogwarts Crest Handbag

4. Funko Harry Potter Sorting Hat Vinyl Figure

5. Funko POP Movies: The Hunger Games - Katniss "The Mocking Jay"

6. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set 

7. The Heroes of Olympus Hardcover Boxed Set

8. Ouran High School Host Club Box Set

9. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo 

10. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 2 The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan