The Luxe

 

I originally saw The Luxe series a year or so ago and for some reason I completely ignored it and honestly, I don't know why since this book is right up my ally. 19th century New York, Grand Balls, Expensive Dresses, Socialites, Love, Mystery, etc. So, once I heard RAVING reviews on Anna Godbersen's Bright Young Things; I decided I would read The Luxe Series. 

The book started off slow for a moment... at least for me, but then I really go into it. We begin with the funeral of popular socialite Elizabeth Holland's and then work our way back to the weeks leading up to the incident. The book is very memorable for starting every chapter with an excerpt from an 1800's newspaper or from the girls diary, each excerpt having something to do with what you are going to read in the chapter. The book also reminded me very much of Gossip Girl, but in period form. 

There is more then one love triangle in the book which makes for a great story and plenty of build up... Try to follow. Lina loves Will who loves Elizabeth and Elizabeth Loves Will Too, Elizabeth is engaged to Henry, who dated Penelope but Henry Loves Diana and Diana Loves Henry and Penelope is in love with Henry as well. CRAZY! For me the outcome of the book was kind of predictable, but it is what needed to be done, for the series to continue and to be interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series goes, since the 1st book was really more of a giant prologue. The forbidden loves and the marriages for money, although historically accurate, also remind me of a Jane Austen love. 

My Book Boyfriend (3)

I really really LOVE My Book Boyfriend which is hosted by The Unread Reader and I REALLY need to well step my game up and make my, MBB's as great as hers and maybe it is because I don't pay attention, or forget characteristics of my boyfriends or maybe I haven't picked a well written boyfriend yet.. who knows... maybe, I am just easy and it doesn't take much but dashing good looks and a winning smile for me to swoon over a fictional man....

Which seems to be the case with this weeks Boyfriend.. Henry Schoonmaker from The Luxe By Anna Godbersen.

Ok, this opinon MAY change throughout the rest of the series and maybe by the end of this book.. I still have 40 pages left... But I and in book love with Henry Schoonmaker and for all the wrong reasons...

For Reasons like ...

• He Is Rich
• He is in love with a girl who doesn't fit the standards of a typical 18th century girl (SPOILERish...and yes, it is his betrothed's sister)
• He likes to party and have a good time
• Tall, Dark and Handsome
• Listens, Dotes upon other with thoughtful gifts
• Willing to make a fool of himself for the object of his affection
• Daring

Honestly, oddly enough the reason I fell in love with him and when I knew EXACTLY who I pictured him to be was the moment when he showed Diana what a real kiss was. I picture him to look like Robert Pattinson.. which will also be the same when I eventually do a MBB on Edward, but i picture them in different attire and view them soley as separate people who are both similarly sexy appearance wise but differently appealing personality wise... Am I rambling? Does That make sense? You know what.. just look at the pictures = )

Not his best photos, sexy wise, but I felt the represented how he would look as Edward Schoonmaker..

Want Want Want Wednesday (6)

Oh dear time has flown by fast it feels like only yesterday I posted Want Want Want Wednesday (5) and look it was my last post on this site! Which means a few things I am (A) really slacking on my blogging and reading this month and (B) I probably should get involved in more weekly meme's. So I apologize for being uber sucky this month.

The Carrie Diaries By Candance Bushnell

Ok, I will admit.. I was never a diehard fan of Sex and The City and maybe that was because of how old I was when it was REALLY popular, but I always knew the stories, and every now and then I watch episodes on showtime and as a whole I feel a woman's loyalty to the series. So when I heard there would be a book on teen Carrie's life I was all for it, and it has been on my wish list, ever since. Then I saw it today at Target for 8 dollars and I almost purchased it, but I am on a mini book ban. So.. I resisted the temptation.. we will see how that goes.

The Daughters By Joanna Philbin

Ok, I will be honest that this book is on my list for a kind of dumb reason... or originally made my list for that dumb reason.. You see, the author is Regis Philbin's daughter and well, I like Regis. Also, I think the idea  for the book is cute, seems to have that "write what ya know" vibe to it. I have been contemplating purchasing the book through Hicklebee's and getting a signed copy when she visits in May.






Wicked By Sara Shepard (#5 in the Pretty Little Liars Series)

I began reading the Pretty Little Liars Series when it first came out and was instantly hooked! Sara Shepard's writing is AMAZING and at the time I was under the impression the series would only be 4 books, so I was surprised wen book 4 ended with a cliff hanging intended for a whole slew of books. By the time the 5th book had come out I was already on to other things and then i noticed a 6th, 7th and even 8th book and then a TV series, SO at this point I realized I really need to get back to reading the series!

Want Want Want Wednesday (5)

Anna and The French Kiss By Stephanie Perkins

I keep hearing cute reviews about this book and it seems like it would be a nice simple summer read.

A Place Of Yes By Bethenny Frankel

Again, I am not a big celebrity inspirational book person, but every once in awhile there is a celebrity I  REALLY like and respect and aspect of their life. So, I am then willing to buy their book and Bethenny Frankel is one of those people. She has created a successful brand name for herself, had a beautiful baby, married a wonderful man and she is hilarious too. In other words I like her a lot.

La Rincosa By Stephen T Savage

Okay.. most of you may not of heard of this book, but it was written by my Uncle's friend and it is an espionage thriller, that takes place in California's Bay Area (aka my hometown). Which instantly made me interested in this book.

My Book Boyfriend (2)

It has been awhile since I have done My Book Boyfriend.. given my 1st was in March and this is my 2nd one haha. Also, I will hold out on "explicit" wanting of my Book Boyfriends, cause it turns out my real life boyfriend Fiance was a little jealous last time hee hee..

So This Weeks Boyfriend is... Marcelo from Look Again By Lisa Scottoline

Marcelo Is...

• From South America
• A Newspaper Editor with a huge passion for the art even though it is going out
• He rolls his sleeves up mid arm
• Has a smooth accent 
• Passionate eyes
• He also, takes care of his lady

In My Mind Marcelo Looks Like This....

In Real Life He is Actor Nicolas Gonzalez

In My Mailbox (6)

 

Library

The Luxe By Anna Godbersen

Envy By Anna Godbersen

Hex Hall By Rachel Hawkins

Gifted

My Zoo Family By Helen Martini

Th1rteen R3asons Why

 

I was so excited when my fiance bought me this book for Valentine's Day for two reasons.. one being he actually listened to me, and two I really wanted to book! DUH! I feel upon this book from a celebrity gossip site called OceanUp. Which was saying how Selena Gomez was being considered for the role of Hannah Baxter and then it gave an excerpt on the plot. Although, interesting as it seemed it didn't immediately go on to my wish list. A few hours later I was on Pam's blog Bookaliscious and I saw that she had it on books she had read. So.. me being well me, I decided it was fate and added it to my Wish List. 

Th1rteen R3asons why is a special book. While it didn't move me like crazy me or warp me into the story. I still really enjoyed the story and its message and just the innocence it brings. The story follows Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen. Clay receives 13 cassettes, and when he listens to them he hears the voice of Hannah, who committed suicide recently. The rules are that their are 13 people on the tape and they have to listen to all the tapes and then pass it to the next person on the list. and each tape explains how this person contributed to her suicide.  

I liked the book, it isn't a long or complex read at all, it is quite simple. My only problem with the book is the cover! Which is odd for me cause I am not one of those people who over analyzes covers. I felt the cover just could have been different and more fitting the the book. All and all I would say if the premise of the book interests you then most definitely read it, but it you are not too convinced on reading the book, then that is ok too, trust me it is not life altering. Although, it will make you think of your actions towards people.

Want Want Want Wednesday (4)

Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess By Carolyn Meyer

Honestly, I just love historical books even if some of it is more historical fiction then non-fiction.. they are all mostly historically accurate and extremely plausible and being a history nut and fanatic, I LOVE reading about it. I find it rather glamorous, although it usually isn't. I have read many of Carolyn Meyer's books and love them and I have always had a fascination with Anastasia.. mainly because of the cartoon movie (which is NOT Disney btw) So, I am interested to see Carolyn's interpretation of her story.

The Irish Princess By Karen Harper

Ok, to be honest the title was enough for me.. Irish Princess, I am Irish and well I want to be a princess haha. So.. I wanted to read this book. That is it.









The Heist Society By Ally Carter

I saw this book awhile ago at Target and the plot and title interested me, but for some reason I just didn't pick it up. Then I read a blog a little bit ago and they raved about this book, SO after that I put it on my wish list.

Look Again

My fiance picked this book at random for me on Valentine's Day and upon reading the back cover, I agreed it was a good choice. The story is about an adoptive mother Ellen who gets a " have you seen this child?" card and realizes the boy in the picture resembles her son Will.

The story begins right away, literally on page one Ellen gets the white card and that nagging feeling kicks in and a search into her sons past begins. The book started out like a Lifetime Original Movie, real, raw and heartbreaking and the turned into an episode of CSI.. I wasn't feeling it too much (mainly cause I pictured the story ending differently) but I rationalized that yes this is possible and still can be real. However, the story then just became real and maybe a little to fictionalized. I mean the ending isn't HORRIBLE and probably if it were a movie, would be the desired ending. However, I was looking for this book to be a real take on a tough and moral questioning situation. My feelings are overall mixed, I expected to be bawling my eyes out when I began reading this book, and although there were times my eyes watered a little, I was never truly moved.  The one thing I REALLY like which is such a DUMB and really useless thing to like about a book, since it has zero impact on the book itself is the fact that the San Jose Mercury News was mentioned in the book. Which is my hometown, so I am familiar with it.

I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to recommend this book to anyone, but if someone was curious about reading the book and asked my opinion on it, I wouldn't discourage them from reading it either.

Want Want Want Wednesday (3)

The Familiars By Andrew Jacobson

Ok, So it is a grade school book but I like the concept, it is a book about magic but it focuses on the witches familiars and not the witches.

The Rite By Matt Bagglio

The reason I am interested in The Rite is more because I saw that the movie was based on a true story, so I looked that up and found out the the book is based on a  priest from the area I live in in Northern California. Which made me more interested 

 in reading the book.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest By Stieg Larsson

Given I just finished The Girl Who Played With Fire and LOVED it, this would be the next logical book I would want and I DO! I am so curious to find out more about Lisbeth Salander and how the whole story will play out.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

 

Can I say WOW! First off, I have to say that The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was only a REALLY long prologue to this book. I wasn't a fan of TGWTDT but, I heard SO many great things about the series, that I had to read the next book and I am glad I did! Stieg Larsson is a GENIUS. He has weaved together the most intricate and alluring mystery/thriller novel I have read in a while. Even the most minor details will pop up with significance somewhere in the book/series. 

I was really happy when the book started off with quite a few pages on Lisbeth Salander and in general focused more on her. Cause I had heard she was the main character.. yet she wasn't in TGWTDT that much. I really enjoyed Lisbeth more and more trough out this book and I was at the edge of my seat (so to say) the whole time. I mean towards the middle ish end I had come up with some good theories, but still you never know!  The only thing that got a little annoying is the fact that Larsson brings in SO many characters and gives us a pretty extensive background and uses their last name to introduce them and I don't know why but this confused me at times and I think this is because they are minor-ish characters so I don't focus too much on needing to know their last names and also they all have Swedish last names, so some of the names appear to be similar.The ending didn't surprise me either (it was a cliff hanger). As I got closer to the last pages I kept thinking to myself " the book has to end as a cliff hanger, cause at this rate.. they will finish the story line and then what would the last book be about"

If you are someone who read TGWTDT and quit after reading it, I suggest picking up TGWPWF because it really is smart and awesome! BUT if you are someone who is really sensitive of weak then this book might not be for you... the book really pushes the envelope on every level as far as sex,abuse, drugs, sexuality, murder.. go.

In My Mailbox (5)

Bought

Heart of The Matter By Emily Giffin

I Apologize...

This week I Sucked at updating my blog and I wish I had a good reason for it, but honestly, I was just lazy. I even fell behind on my book reading EEK! Anyways, I apologize and promise to get back to blogging starting this Sunday with a new Spotlight and In My Mailbox = )